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diff --git a/old/55000-0.txt b/old/55000-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ef2fd86..0000000 --- a/old/55000-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8536 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mark Manning’s Mission, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Mark Manning’s Mission - The Story of a Shoe Factory Boy - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - -Illustrator: J. (John) Watson Davis - -Release Date: June 28, 2017 [eBook #55000] -[Most recently updated: May 9, 2022] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK MANNING’S MISSION *** - - - - -[Illustration: "There are but three hundred and fifty dollars left," -said the hermit, as he counted the pieces of gold.] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - MARK MANNING'S MISSION - - --------------------------------------------------------- - - The Story of a Shoe Factory Boy - - --------------------------------------------------------- - - By HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - Author of "Mark Mason's Victory," "Ben Bruce," - "Bernard Brook's Adventures," "A Debt of Honor," - etc., etc. - - [Illustration: Publisher's Logo] - - With Five Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis - - - --------------------------------------------------------- - - A. L. BURT COMPANY, - PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1905 - BY A. L. BURT COMPANY - - ---------- - - MARK MANNING'S MISSION - By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - ------- - - CHAPTER - I. Three Young Hunters - II. The Hermit's Cabin - III. A Timely Rescue - IV. The Hermit Explains - V. Lyman Taylor Makes a New Acquaintance - VI. A Tragedy in the Pasture - VII. Mark at Home - VIII. Deacon Miller Gets a Clue - IX. The Deacon's Mission - X. Mark Protects a Friend - XI. Mark is Discharged - XII. Good Luck After Misfortune - XIII. The Little Man in Black - XIV. An Important Proposal - XV. The Hermit's Bank - XVI. Lyman Taylor Gains some Information - XVII. On the Trail of Gold - XVIII. Lyman's Disappointment - XIX. The Hermit Receives a Call - XX. How Lyman Succeeded - XXI. All Aboard for New York - XXII. In an Office on Broadway - XXIII. Mark's Mission - XXIV. What Mark Discovered - XXV. The Little Match Boy - XXVI. Luck Favors Lyman - XXVII. Old Peggy - XXVIII. Lyman's Plan - XXIX. Mark Receives a Telegram - XXX. Mark Makes Arrangements with Jack - XXXI. Jack Talks in his Sleep - XXXII. Jack is Pursued - XXXIII. Mark Eludes his Pursuers - XXXIV. Mrs. Manning's House is Sold - XXXV. Notice to Quit - XXXVI. The Hermit Secures a House - XXXVII. Conclusion - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - MARK MANNING'S MISSION. - - ---------- - - - CHAPTER I. - THREE YOUNG HUNTERS. - - -TWO boys, with guns on their shoulders, were crossing a meadow towards -the Pecasset woods. These were situated about a mile from the village, -and were quite extensive. The two boys were James Collins and Tom Wyman, -the first, the son of a large shoe manufacturer, the other the son of -the village postmaster. They were about of a size, and had the -appearance of being sixteen years of age. They were very intimate, the -second being a satellite of the first, who in right of his father's -wealth considered himself the first boy in Pecasset. Tom flattered his -vanity by acknowledging his pretensions, and this gave him his position -of favorite with the young aristocrat. - -"I should like to be a hunter," said Tom, as they walked along. - -"A fine hunter you'd be," said James, in a tone by no means -complimentary, for he didn't feel it necessary to flatter his humble -companion. "You never hit anything, you know." - -"Come, James, that's a little too strong," said Tom, in a tone of -annoyance. "I don't pretend to be as good a shot as you are, but still I -have hit a bird before now." - -"When it was perched on a fence, eh?" - -"No, on the wing." - -"Who saw you do it?" - -"I was alone." - -"So I thought," said James, laughing. - -"I did it, really. Of course I can't shoot as well as you." - -"I don't think there is a boy in the village can come up to me in that -line," said James. - -"Of course not; though Mark Manning isn't a bad shot." - -"Mark Manning! He's one of the peggers in my father's shop, isn't he?" - -"Yes." - -"Son of the poor widow that lives near the schoolhouse?" - -"Yes." - -"What can he know of gunning? He had better stick to the shop." - -"I didn't say he was equal to you," said Tom apologetically, "but I have -seen him shoot well." - -"Has he a gun of his own?" - -"No, but he often gets the loan of Farmer Jones's." - -"I suppose he could hit a barn door if he were within fifty feet of it," -said James, contemptuously. - -Tom was silent. It was not the first time he had noticed how distasteful -to James was praise of any other boy. - -At this moment, from another direction came a third boy, of about the -same size and age as the two already introduced. He also had a gun on -his shoulder. He had on a well-worn suit of mixed cloth, which had been -darned in one or two places. His face was open and attractive, his form -was well-knit and muscular, and he was evidently in vigorous health. - -Tom Wyman was the first to notice the newcomer. - -"Talk of the—old Harry," he said, "and he is sure to appear." - -"What do you mean?" asked James, who had not yet espied the new arrival. - -"There's Mark Manning coming towards us." - -James condescended to turn his glance in Marks' direction. - -"What brings him here, I wonder?" he said, with a curl of the lip. - -"The same errand that brings us, I should judge, from the gun on his -shoulder," answered Tom. - -By this time Mark was within calling distance. - -"Hallo, boys!" he said. "Have you shot anything yet?" - -"No," answered Tom. "Have you?" - -"No, I have only just come." - -"Why are you not in the shop?" demanded James, with the air of a young -lord. - -"Because we work only half-time to-day." - -"I suppose you were glad of the holiday?" - -"No, I would rather have worked. Half-work, half-pay, you know." - -"I suppose that's quite an important consideration for a—a working boy -like you," drawled James, with an air of patronage. - -Mark surveyed James, with a quizzical smile, for he had a genuine boy's -disdain for affectation, and James was a very good specimen of a -self-conceited dude, though the latter term had not yet come into use. - -"Yes," he said, after a slight pause, "it is a consideration—to a -working boy like me." - -"How much now does my father pay you?" inquired James, with gracious -condescension. - -"Seventy-five cents a day—that's the average." - -"Very fair pay! I suppose you take it home to your mother?" - -"Yes, I do," answered Mark. - -"She's—ah—very poor, I hear." - -Mark began to find his patronage on the whole rather oppressive. He had -a sturdy independence of feeling that grew restive under the young -patrician's condescension. - -"We are poor," he answered, "but we have enough to eat, and to wear, and -a roof to cover us—" - -"Exactly. You are indebted to my father for that." - -"I don't see how." - -"Doesn't he employ you and pay you wages?" - -"Yes, but don't I earn my wages by good work?" - -"Really, my good fellow, I can't say. I presume you do passably well, or -he wouldn't keep you in his employ." - -"Then it seems to me we are even on that score. However, I didn't come -here to talk about myself." - -Here there was a sudden diversion. - -"Look, James! See that bird!" exclaimed Tom, in excitement. - -The other two boys looked in the direction indicated, and saw a hawk -flying swiftly, perhaps two hundred feet above them. The three -simultaneously raised their guns, and Tom and James fired. But Mark, -upon second thought reserved his fire, in order to give his two -companions a chance. - -Their guns were discharged, but in vain. The bird flew on, apparently -unconcerned, considerably to their disappointment. - -"Now it is my turn!" reflected Mark. - -He raised his gun, and quickly pulled the trigger; the effect was soon -seen. The bird fluttered its wings, then dropped quickly through the -air. - -"By Jove, Mark's hit him!" exclaimed Tom in excitement. - -James frowned in evident displeasure. - -"Yes, he was lucky!" he said significantly. - -Mark had run forward to pick up the bird. - -"I told you Mark was a good shot!" said Tom, who had not so much vanity -to wound as James. - -"I suppose you think him a better shot than I, because he hit the bird -and I didn't?" said James, reddening. - -"No, I don't say that!" - -"I tell you it was pure luck. I've heard of a man who shut his eyes when -he fired, but he succeeded when all his companions failed. You can't -judge of one by a single shot." - -Here Mark came up with his trophy. - -"I congratulate you on your success," said James, unpleasantly. "I -suppose this is the first bird you ever shot?" - -"Oh, no!" answered Mark smilingly. "I have shot a few before now." - -"A fly lit on my nose just when I was pulling the trigger, or I should -have brought him down." - -"That was lucky for me," said Mark. - -"Come, Tom," said James, drawing his companion away to the left. "We'd -better separate, or we shall all be shooting at the same object." - -"Good luck to you then!" said Mark, as the two left him. - -"Thanks!" said Tom, but James deigned no notice of Mark's civility. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE HERMIT'S CABIN. - - -MARK smiled to himself as the boys left him. - -"James doesn't care to associate with us working boys," he thought. -"Well, I fancy he cares as much for my company as I do for his." - -Mark was thoroughly independent and self-reliant, and had no disposition -to trouble himself because a particular boy didn't care to associate -with him. - -He was not self-conceited, but he respected himself, and never would -have been willing, like Tom Wyman, to play the part of an humble -satellite to the son of a wealthy shoe manufacturer. - -He reached the edge of the woods, and plunged into their shaded -recesses. Here and there were paths more or less worn. One of these he -took. It was a considerable time before he found anything to shoot at. -Finally he fired at a squirrel, but the active little animal eluded him, -and made his way to some covert, whence possibly he peeped out with -twinkling eyes at his enemy. - -Farther on he reached a small clearing, in the center of which rose an -humble log dwelling, of the most primitive description. - -Mark regarded it with curiosity, for, though it was no new object to -him, he knew that it was occupied by a man who for five years had -baffled the curiosity of the neighborhood. - -Now and then he was seen in the village, whither he went to procure -supplies of food and other necessaries. A striking figure he was, with -his long flowing sandy beard, thickly flecked with gray hairs, high -forehead, and long, circular cloak wrapped around his tall, spare form. - -On his head he wore a Spanish sombrero, and his appearance in the -streets never failed to attract the curious eyes of the children. - -Once some rude boys followed him with jeers, but were never tempted to -repeat the rudeness. With his long staff upraised, he gave chase to -them, looking so terrible that they were panic-stricken, and with pale -faces, scattered in all directions. - -While Mark was standing near the hermit's cabin, he thought he heard a -smothered groan proceeding from within. - -"What can be the matter," he thought, "can old Anthony be sick?" - -This was the name, correct or not, by which the hermit was known in the -village. - -He paused a moment in indecision, but on hearing the groan repeated, he -overcame his scruples, and pushing open the door, which stood ajar, he -entered. - -On a pallet, at one corner of the main room, lay the old man, with his -limbs drawn up, as if in pain. His back was towards the door. - -"Who is there?" he asked, as he heard the door open. - -"A friend," answered Mark. "Are you sick?" - -"I have a severe attack of rheumatism," answered the old man. - -"And you have no one to take care of you?" said Mark, pityingly. - -"No; I have no friends," answered the old man, in a tone half sad, half -bitter. "Come round to the foot of the bed; let me look at you," he -added, after a pause. - -Mark complied with his request. - -Old Anthony regarded him attentively, and said, half to himself, "a good -face! a face to be trusted!" - -"I hope so," said Mark, with a feeling of pleasure. "Can I do anything -for you?" - -"You are willing to help old Anthony? You see I know what they call me -in the village." - -"Yes. I shall be willing and glad to do anything for you." - -"You are a good boy. What is your name?" - -"Mark Manning." - -"I know who you are. Your mother is a widow." - -"Yes." - -"And poor." - -"We have little money, but we have never wanted for food." - -"You work for your mother?" - -"Yes; I am employed in the shoe factory." - -"A good son will make a good man. You will never repent what you are -doing for your mother." - -"No; I am sure I shall not," returned Mark, warmly. "I ought not, for -she has done everything for me." - -"What brings you here?" asked the old man. - -"I had a spare afternoon, and came out gunning. I was wandering about -these woods and happened to come this way. How long have you been sick?" - -"For several days; but I was able to be about till yesterday." - -"Have you taken no medicine?" - -"No. I thought I might do without it; but I find I am mistaken." - -"Shall I call the doctor?" - -"No; my disease is of old standing, and I know what to do for it. If you -are willing to go to the drug store for me you may take the bottle on -yonder shelf and get it filled. The druggist will understand what is -wanted. You may also get me a box of rheumatic pills." - -"Yes, sir; I will go at once." - -"You will want money. Look in the box on yonder shelf, and select a gold -piece. Pay for the articles and bring back the change." - -"Yes, sir." - -Mark went to the shelf, and in a square wooden box found a collection of -gold and silver coins from which he selected a five-dollar gold piece. - -"I have taken five dollars," he said. - -"Very well." - -"Are you not afraid to leave this money so exposed while you are sick -and helpless?" Mark ventured to inquire. - -"I have no visitors," answered old Anthony. - -"But you might have. Some tramp——" - -"That is true. Perhaps it would be well to provide for that contingency. -Will you take it all, and take care of it for me?" - -Mark regarded the old man with surprise. - -"What—take it away with me?" he asked. - -"Yes. I shall have to employ you as my man of business till I get -better. I will speak with you about it further when you return with the -medicines." - -"Do you know how much there is here?" asked Mark. - -"No; you may count it, if you like." - -Mark did so and announced as the result of his count, "Twenty-nine -dollars and thirty cents." - -"Very well! You may keep an account of what you expend for me," said the -old man, indifferently. - -"He seems to put a good deal of confidence in me," Mark reflected, with -some satisfaction. - -"Is there nothing else you want in the village?" Mark asked, as he -prepared to go. - -"You may bring me a loaf of fresh bread and a quart of milk, if it will -not be too much trouble. You will find a tin measure for the milk on the -shelf." - -"Here it is, sir." - -"Very well." - -"If you would like something nourishing—some meat, for instance—I can -get my mother to cook you some," continued Mark. - -"Not to-day. Another day I may avail myself of your kind offer. You are -very kind—to a poor recluse." - -"I am afraid you don't pass a very pleasant life," said Mark. "I should -be miserable if I lived alone in the woods, like you." - -"No doubt, no doubt. You are young and life opens before you bright and -cheerful. As for me, I have lived my life. For me no prospect opens but -the grave. Why, indeed, should I seek to prolong this miserable life?" - -Mark hardly knew how to answer him. He could not enter into the old -man's morbid feelings. - -"I will be back soon," he said as he left the cabin. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III. - A TIMELY RESCUE. - - -MARK MANNING left the cabin and made his way as quickly as possible to -the edge of the wood. He hadn't got over his wonder at the hermit's -commission and singular confidence in him. - -"It seems strange," he said to himself, "to have so much money in my -pocket. Nearly thirty dollars! I wonder whether I shall ever have as -much of my own?" - -In truth, thirty dollars seemed a much larger sum to our hero, brought -up in a hand to hand struggle with poverty, than it would have appeared -if he had been ten years older. - -"He must have more money," thought Mark, "or he would not care so little -for this sum as to trust it all to me. How does he know that I will -prove honest?" - -Nevertheless it was a satisfaction to Mark to reflect that old Anthony -was justified in his confidence. Had the sum been ten times as large, he -would not have been tempted to retain any of it for his own use. - -He kept on his way to the drug store, and asked for the medicines -already referred to. - -"Is your mother sick?" asked the druggist, who was very well acquainted -with Mark and his family. - -"No, sir," answered Mark. - -"Oh, then it is you who are rheumatic," said the druggist jokingly. - -"Wrong again," answered Mark. "I am buying the medicines for old -Anthony." - -"Then he is sick? That accounts for his not having appeared in the -village for several days." - -Thereupon Mark described his chance visit to the cabin, and the -condition in which he had found the hermit. - -"These remedies will do him good," said the druggist, "if he is -otherwise kept comfortable. A strange man is old Anthony!" he continued -musingly. - -Mark produced a gold piece, from which he requested the druggist to take -pay for the articles purchased. - -"Did the hermit give you this?" asked the druggist. - -Mark answered in the affirmative. - -"Then it is evident he is not without means. However, I might have known -that. During the years that he has lived in the wood, he has always been -prompt in his payments for all articles purchased in the village. His -expenditures are small, to be sure, but in five years they have amounted -to considerable." - -"What could have induced him to settle in such a lonely spot?" - -"That is more than any one hereabouts can tell. He is very secretive, -and never says anything about himself." - -By this time Mark was ready to return. He went to the grocery store, -where he obtained the milk and loaf of bread, which he had also been -commissioned to procure. Then he set out for old Anthony's lonely cabin. - -Before doing so, he heard something from the grocer that aroused his -curiosity. - -"There was a man in here only twenty minutes since," said the -storekeeper, "who was asking after Anthony." - -"Was it a stranger?" - -"Yes. It was a man I never saw before. He was a stout, broad-shouldered -man with a bronzed face, who looked as if he might be a sailor." - -"Did he say who he was?" - -"Only that Anthony was a relation of his, and that he had not seen him -for years." - -"Did he say he meant to call upon him?" asked Mark. - -"He did not say so, but as he inquired particularly for the location of -the cabin, I took it for granted that this was his intention." - -"Then probably I shall see him, as I am going directly back to the -wood." - -"He will probably be there unless he loses his way." - -Leaving Mark to return by the same way he came, we will precede him, and -make acquaintance with the man who had excited the grocer's curiosity by -inquiring for the old hermit. - -Old Anthony lay on his pallet waiting for the return of Mark. - -"I like the boy," he said to himself. "He has an honest face. He looks -manly and straightforward. He has never joined the other village boys in -jeering. If my nephew had been like him he might have been a comfort to -me." - -The old man sighed. What thoughts passed through his mind were known -only to him; but that they were sad ones seemed clear from the -expression of his face. - -Time passed as he lay quiet. Then he heard a noise at the door and the -step of one entering the cabin. - -"Is that you, Mark?" he inquired. - -There was a pause. Then a harsh voice answered: "No; it isn't Mark, -whoever he may be. It is some one who ought to be nearer to you than -he." - -Old Anthony started in evident excitement, and by an effort managed to -turn round his head so as to see the intruder. - -His eyes rested on a man rather above the middle height, shabbily clad, -with a dark face and threatening expression. - -"Lyman Taylor!" he exclaimed. - -"Yes, Lyman Taylor," returned the other, mockingly. "Are you glad to see -your nephew?" - -"Heaven knows I am not!" said old Anthony bitterly. - -"So I judged from your expression. Yet they say blood is thicker than -water." - -"That there is any tie of blood between us I regret deeply. A man more -utterly unworthy I have never known." - -"Come, Uncle Anthony, isn't that a little strong. I am no angel——" - -"You are a worthless scoundrel," said the hermit bitterly. - -"Look here, old man," said his nephew fiercely, "I didn't come here to -be insulted and called bad names. Considering that you are alone and in -my power, it is a little impertinent in you to talk in that way. I might -kill you." - -"You are quite capable of it," said Anthony. "Do so, if you choose. Life -is not a possession that I greatly prize." - -"I have a great mind to take you at your word," said Taylor coolly, "but -it wouldn't suit my purpose. Your death would do me no good unless you -have made me your heir. I am desperately in need of money." - -"Work for it, then!" - -"Thank you! You are very kind; but employers are rather shy of me. I -have no recommendations to offer. I don't mind telling you that I have -spent the last four years in prison." - -"A very suitable place for you," said the old man in a caustic tone. - -"Thank you again! You are complimentary." - -"This is the reason why you have not found me out before?" - -"Precisely. You don't suppose I would otherwise have kept away from you -so long, my most affectionate uncle!" - -"Do you recall the circumstances of our last parting? I awoke in -California to find myself robbed of the large sum of money I had with -me. Of course, you took it." - -"I don't mind owning that I did. But I haven't a cent of it left." - -"That I can easily believe. Why have you sought me out?" - -"I want more money." - -"So I supposed. You can judge from my way of living whether I am likely -to have any for you." - -"You don't appear to be living in luxury. However, it costs something to -keep body and soul together even in this den. Of course, you have some -money. However little it is, I want it." - -"Then you will be disappointed." - -"Where do you keep your money?" demanded Lyman Taylor, roughly. - -"Even if I had any. I wouldn't tell you!" said the brave old man. - -"Look here, old man, no trifling! Either you will find some money for -me, or I will choke you!" - -He got down on one knee and stooped menacingly over the hermit. - -At that moment Mark Manning, who had returned from his errand, reached -the doorway, and stood a surprised and indignant witness of this -exciting scene. - -Old Anthony struggled, but ineffectually in the grasp of the ruffian who -had attacked him. Even if he had not been disabled by disease he would -not have been a match for Lyman Taylor, who was at least twenty-five -years younger. - -"Don't touch me, you scoundrel!" said Anthony, whose spirit exceeded his -bodily strength. - -"Then tell me where you keep your money!" - -"That I will not do!" - -"Then I'll see if I can't find a way to make you." - -As he spoke the young man grabbed the hermit by the throat. He concluded -too hastily that old Anthony was in his power. He was destined to a -surprise. - -"Let the old man alone!" cried Mark, indignantly. - -Lyman Taylor looked up in surprise and some alarm. But when he saw that -the words proceeded from a boy, he laughed derisively. - -[Illustration: Mark dropped his bundles, and taking the musket pointed -it at the ruffian, saying: "Let go, or I will shoot."] - -"Mind your own business, you young bantam, or I'll wring your neck!" he -said contemptuously. "Now, let me know where you keep your money," he -said, turning once more to the old man, and preparing to choke him into -an avowal of his secret. - -"Let go, instantly, or I will shoot!" exclaimed Mark, now thoroughly -aroused. - -Once more the ruffian turned, and this time his countenance changed, for -Mark, boyish but resolute, had dropped his bundles, and had the musket -pointed directly at him. - -Taylor rose to his feet suddenly. - -"Take care, there!" he said, nervously. "Put down that gun!" - -"Then leave old Anthony alone!" returned Mark, resolutely. - -"Are you my uncle's guardian?" demanded Lyman, with a sneer. - -"If he is your uncle, the more shame to you to treat him brutally!" - -"I didn't come here to be lectured by a boy," said Taylor, angrily. "Put -down that gun!" - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - THE HERMIT EXPLAINS. - - -MARK did not obey directly, but turning to the hermit said, "Do you want -this man to leave the cabin?" - -"Yes," answered the old man, "but beware of him! He is all that is bad!" - -"A pretty recommendation to come from your uncle," said Taylor, -sullenly. "Uncle Anthony, I ask you once more to give me money. I am -penniless, and am a desperate man." - -"There is no money in this cabin, and you would search for it in vain, -but if you will promise to leave this place and trouble me no more, I -will provide you with five dollars." - -"What are five dollars?" - -"All that you will get. Do you make the promise?" - -"Well, yes—" - -"Mark, you may give this man five dollars on my account." - -"Is he your treasurer!" inquired Taylor, in surprise. - -"He has charge of some funds out of which he buys me what I need." - -"How much money have you got of my uncle's, boy?" - -"I don't care to answer the question. Ask your uncle." - -"A small sum only. It won't be worth your while, Lyman, to plot for its -possession." - -"Have you no other money?" - -"None that you are likely to get hold of. I will save you the trouble of -searching the cabin, or prowling round it, by repeating that I have no -money concealed here. You know me well enough to know that I am not -deceiving you." - -Lyman Taylor listened in sullen disappointment. He did know that his -uncle's word could be relied upon implicitly, and that the hopes which -he had built up of securing a large fund from the uncle he had once -robbed, were not destined to be realized. - -"It seems you are a pauper, then," he said. - -"I have not been compelled to ask for charity yet," answered Anthony. "I -live here for next to nothing, and have not suffered yet for the -necessities of life." - -Lyman Taylor looked around him contemptuously. - -"You must have a sweet time living here," he said, "in this lonely old -cabin." - -"I would not exchange it for the place in which you confess that you -have passed the last four years." - -Taylor frowned, but did not otherwise notice the old man's retort. - -"Give me the five dollars, boy," he said, "and I will go. It seems I am -wasting time here." - -Mark drew a gold piece from his pocket and passed it to him. - -"Have you many more of these?" he demanded, his eyes gleaming with -cupidity. - -"No." - -"Give me another." - -"They are not mine to give." - -"Not another one, Mark," said Anthony. "He does not deserve even that." - -"Make way, then, and I will go," said the nephew, convinced that he had -no more to expect. - -Mark moved aside, and he strode out of the cabin. - -"Good-bye, Uncle Anthony," he said. "You haven't treated me very -generously, considering how long it is since you did anything for me." - -"Are you utterly shameless, Lyman?" said the hermit. "I hope never to -set eyes on you again." - -"Thank you, you are very kind. Boy, what is your name?" - -"Mark Manning." - -"Well, Mark, as you appear to be in charge of my uncle, I shall be glad -to have you write me if anything happens to him. As his nearest relative -and heir, I ought to be notified." - -Mark looked to the hermit for directions. - -"Give him your address, Lyman," said Anthony. "If there is any news to -interest you, he shall write. But don't calculate on my speedy death. It -is hardly likely to benefit you." - -"I may want to visit your grave, uncle," said Lyman, jeeringly. - -"Give him an address where a letter will reach you then." - -"No. —— Third Avenue, New York," said Taylor. "Write soon." - -He left the cabin, and old Anthony and Mark were alone. - -"He is my nearest relative," said the old man, "and a relative to be -proud of, eh, Mark?" - -"No, sir." - -"Years since we were in California together, I had two thousand dollars -in gold dust under my pillow. My nephew was my companion, but none of -the gold belonged to him. I woke one morning to find my nephew gone, and -my gold also. From that time I have not set eyes on him till to-day." - -"It was a shabby trick," said Mark, warmly. "Were you left destitute?" - -"So far as money went, yes. But I was the owner of a claim which my -nephew thought exhausted. I resumed work on it, and three days later -made a valuable find. Within a month I took out ten thousand dollars, -and sold it for five thousand more." - -"Your nephew does not know this, does he?" - -"No; if he had, I should not have got rid of him so easily. But I have -not told you all. I remained in California a year longer, and left it -worth forty thousand dollars." - -"Then why—excuse me for asking—have you come to this poor cabin to -live?" asked Mark. - -"I had one other relative than Lyman, a daughter—I left her at a -boarding-school in Connecticut. I returned to find that she had married -an adventurer a month previous. Two years later I heard of her death. -Life had lost its charm for me. I would not deprive myself of it, but in -a fit of misanthropy I buried myself here." - -Old Anthony seemed weary, and Mark questioned him no more, but set -before him the milk and loaf which he had brought with him. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V. - LYMAN TAYLOR MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. - - -ON leaving the cabin Mark promised to call again the next afternoon, -bringing from the village such articles as Anthony might require. This -he could readily do as the shoe manufactory was not running full time. - -"I will see that you are paid for your trouble," said the hermit. - -"That will be all right," said Mark, cheerfully. - -"I am able to pay you, and will employ you only on that condition," -persisted Anthony. - -"I shall not object to that part of the bargain," said Mark, smiling. -"Money never comes amiss to me." - -"I have plenty of money, though I would not admit it to my nephew," -continued the sick man. "He would persecute me till I bought him off. -Fortunately he thinks I am poor." - -"But," said Mark, "suppose he should come back. Would not your money be -in danger?" - -"He would find none here. I do not keep any in this cabin. I did have -some, but it is in your hands." - -"Shall I not return it to you, sir?" - -"No; I prefer that you should keep it. You will be using money for me -daily, and for the present you shall be my treasurer." - -"I am very much obliged to you for reposing so much confidence in me," -said Mark. - -"I trust you entirely. You have an honest face." - -"Thank you, sir. I will endeavor to deserve your confidence." - -It was past four o'clock when Mark left the cabin and started on his way -homeward. He walked along thoughtfully, carrying his gun over his -shoulder. - -"It seems I have a near friend," he reflected; "and one who may be of -service to me. Now that the shop is no longer running full time, it will -be convenient to earn a little extra money, old Anthony must be rich, -judging from what he said about his success in California." - -Mark could not help wondering where the hermit kept his money. But for -Anthony's positive assurance, he would have conjectured that he kept it -somewhere concealed about the cabin, but that being left out of the -question he was at a loss to fix upon any probable place of deposit. - -Leaving Mark for a brief time; we go back to the other two young -hunters, from whom he had separated two hours before. - -"I don't like that boy," said James Collins. "He puts on too many airs -for a poor boy. I suppose he will be crowing over his successful shot." - -"Very likely," chimed in his companion, who made it a point to flatter -James by agreeing with everything he said. - -"It was only a lucky accident," continued James. "He couldn't do it -again." - -"Of course not. I don't think he is really as good a shot as you or I." - -"You can hardly class yourself with me," said James egotistically. -"However. I agree with you that he is inferior to you." - -"Quick, James!" said Tom Wyman. "There is a squirrel—shoot! I'll give -you the first chance." - -James pulled the trigger, but the squirrel was not destined to fall by -his hands. He scampered away, looking back saucily at the baffled young -hunter. - -"Was ever anything more provoking?" asked James in evident chagrin. - -Later in the afternoon when the two boys were slowly strolling -homewards, they saw a strange man issuing from the woods. It was Lyman -Taylor, returned from his only partially successful visit to his uncle. - -He waited till the boys came up. - -"Good afternoon, young gentlemen," he said by way of greeting. - -"Good afternoon," returned James stiffly. - -He doubted whether the newcomer was a man whom it was worth while to -notice. - -"What luck have you had? I see you have been out hunting." - -"We didn't shoot anything we thought worth bringing home," said Tom. - -"I met another boy out with a gun. Perhaps he is a friend of yours." - -James and Tom exchanged glances. They understood very well that Mark -Manning was meant. - -"I think I know the boy you met," said James. "It is a poor boy who -works in my father's manufactory." - -"What is his name?" asked Lyman Taylor. - -"Mark Manning." - -"Does he live in the village?" - -"Yes; his mother is a poor widow." - -"Where did you meet him?" asked Tom. - -"At a cabin in the woods." - -"Old Anthony's?" - -"Yes; the hermit is an uncle of mine." - -The two boys regarded the speaker with interest. All the villagers had -some curiosity about the man who had settled so near them. - -"What is his name?" inquired Tom. - -"You called him old Anthony," said Lyman, smiling. "That is his name." - -"But his other name?" - -"His last name is Taylor, I have not seen him before for five years. -Does he often come into the village?" - -"About twice a week." - -"I suppose he comes to buy food?" - -"Yes; I suppose so." - -"Does he appear to be provided with money?" asked Taylor with some -eagerness. - -"Yes, I believe so," replied Tom. "He has sometimes come into our -place—father is the postmaster—to get a gold piece changed. But I don't -suppose he has much money. It doesn't cost him much to live." - -"Does he ever get any letters—as your father is postmaster, you can -probably tell." - -"I don't think so; my father has never mentioned it, and I think he -would if any had been received." - -"What sort of a boy is this Mark Manning?" asked Taylor abruptly. - -"I don't think much of him," answered James. "He is poor and proud. He -is only a pegger in our shop, but he puts on airs with the best." - -"Do you think he is honest?" - -The two boys looked surprised; that question had never occurred to them. - -"What makes you ask?" inquired James. - -"Only that he has in his possession a sum of money belonging to my -uncle." - -"Did he tell you so? did you see it?" were the questions quickly asked. - -"I met him at my uncle's cabin. My uncle owed me a small sum, and -instead of paying me himself, he asked this boy to pay me. The boy took -the money from his pocket, and handed it to me." - -Both boys were surprised. - -"I didn't know he had anything to do with the hermit," said Tom. "Did -you, James?" - -"No; but then I don't trouble myself about Mark Manning's affairs." - -Lyman Taylor regarded James shrewdly, he had no difficulty in detecting -the boy's dislike towards Mark. - -"Excuse my troubling you with questions, young gentlemen," he said. "My -uncle is a simple-minded old man, and it would be easy to rob him, -though I fancy he hasn't much money. This boy Mark appeared to me an -artful young rogue, who might very probably cheat him out of the small -sum he has." - -"I never saw the two together," said Tom, musingly. "Old Anthony has -generally paid his bills himself." - -"He is sick just now, and perhaps that accounts for it. The boy Mark has -been making purchases for him in the village. However, I must leave the -place, as important business calls me elsewhere. Since you," addressing -Tom, "are the postmaster's son, may I ask a favor of you?" - -"Certainly." - -"If my uncle should die, can I trouble you to send me a note informing -me, as I should feel called upon, as his only relative, to see that he -was properly buried." - -"Yes, sir; I will write you, if you will leave me your address." - -Lyman Taylor gave Tom the same address he had already given Mark. He -then bade the boys good-bye, and walked on. - -"Uncle Anthony _may_ have some money," he soliloquized, "and if he dies, -I shall see if I can find it. I am pretty sure to hear through one of -the boys." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - A TRAGEDY IN THE PASTURE. - - -ON their way home the two boys had occasion to cross a pasture belonging -to Deacon Miller, an old farmer whose house and barn were about a -furlong distant on a rising ground. - -They sauntered along in single file. James had a careless way of -carrying his gun, which made some of the boys unwilling to accompany -him, unless it was unloaded. Tom had two or three times cautioned him on -this very afternoon, but James did not receive his remonstrance in good -part. - -"Don't trouble yourself so much about my gun, Tom Wyman," he said. "I -guess I know how to carry my gun as well as you do." - -"I don't doubt that in the least, James, but you must admit that you -handle it rather carelessly. Some of the boys don't like to go hunting -with you." - -"Then they are cowards. I never shot any boy yet," answered James, with -some heat. - -"No, but you might." - -"You are making a great deal of fuss about nothing. I didn't think you -were so timid." - -"I don't know that I am particularly timid, but I shouldn't like to be -riddled with shot," returned Tom, good-humoredly. - -"Then you'd better get your life insured when you go out with me next," -sneered James. - -"I don't know but I shall," said Tom, declining to take offense. - -For a very brief period James carried his gun more carefully. Then he -forgot his caution, and in transferring his gun from one shoulder to the -other somehow he touched the hammer, and the gun was discharged. - -It was most unfortunate, but when the gun went off it was pointed -directly at a white-faced cow belonging to Deacon Miller. - -The small shot penetrated both the poor animal's eyes, and with a moan -of anguish the cow sank to the ground. - -Both boys stared in dismay at the victim of carelessness. - -"There, you've gone and done it now, James," said Tom. "You've shot -Deacon Miller's cow." - -"I don't see how I happened to do it," stammered James, really -frightened. - -"I told you not to carry your gun so carelessly." - -"You told me! Of course you want to get me into trouble about this!" -exclaimed James, irritably. - -"No, I don't." - -"Then," said James, quickly, "don't say a word about it. We'll get home -as soon as we can, and won't know anything about it. Mum's the word!" - -"Of course I'll be mum, but it will be known that we have been out with -guns this afternoon." - -"So has Mark Manning." - -James looked significantly at Tom, and Tom understood. - -Poor Mark was to bear the blame for a deed he didn't do, and all to -screen James. - -"It's mean!" Tom said to himself, "but I can't go back on James. I want -to keep in with him, and I suppose I must consent." - -"Well?" demanded James, impatiently. - -"It won't come out through me," answered Tom, but not with alacrity. - -"And if Mark is accused you won't say anything?" - -"N-o!" said Tom, slowly. - -"Then let us put for home!" - -James suited the action to the word, and the two boys hurried across the -pasture, never venturing to look back at the suffering animal. - -Fifteen minutes later, when James and Tom were already at home, Mark -Manning entered the narrow foot-path that led across the pasture. - -He was immersed in thought, the hermit and his strange experience at the -cabin being the subject of his reflections, when he heard a pitiful -moaning, not far from him. - -Looking up he observed that it proceeded from old Whitey, as the deacon -was accustomed to call his favorite cow. - -"What's the matter with you, old Whitey?" said Mark, who was always -moved by distress, whether in man or beast. - -Coming nearer, he was not long left in doubt. The nature of the injury -which the poor cow had received was evident to him. - -"Poor old Whitey!" he said, pitifully. "Who has shot you in this cruel -manner?" - -The sole answer was a moan of anguish from the stricken animal. - -"I am afraid she will have to be killed!" thought Mark, sadly. "It is -only torture for her to live with this injury, and of course there is no -cure." - -He was still standing beside the cow, gun in hand, when a harsh voice -became audible. - -"What have you done to my cow, Mark Manning?" - -Looking up, he saw the deacon but four rods distant. - -Deacon Miller was an old man, of giant form, and harsh, irregular -features. He was a very unpopular man in the neighborhood, and -deservedly so. He had made home so disagreeable that his only son had -gone away fifteen years before, and the deacon had never heard from him -since. - -"What have you been doin' to my cow?" he demanded, in a still harsher -tone. - -"Nothing, Deacon Miller," answered Mark, calmly. - -"You don't mean to tell me the critter's makin' all this fuss for -nothin', do you?" - -"No; the poor animal has been shot." - -"Has been what?" snarled the deacon. - -"Shot! Shot in the face, and I am afraid its eyes are put out," replied -Mark. - -"Old Whitey shot in the eye," repeated the deacon, in a fury. "Then it's -you that did it." - -[Illustration: "What have you done to my cow, Mark Manning?" said the -deacon, coming up to him.] - -"You are mistaken, sir," said Mark, with dignity. "I have just come up, -and this is the condition in which I found Whitey." - -"What's that you are carryin' in your hand?" demanded the deacon, -sternly. - -"My gun." - -"I am glad you are willin' to tell the truth. I didn't know but you'd -say it was a hoe," exploded the deacon in angry irony. - -"Your cow has received no injury from my gun, if that's what you're -hinting at, Deacon Miller." - -"Let me take the gun!" - -In some surprise Mark put it into his hands. The deacon raised it, and -pulled the trigger. - -No report was heard. The gun was not loaded. - -"Just what I thought," said the deacon, triumphantly. "If it had been -loaded, I might have thought you told me the truth. Now I know as well -as I want to that you shot my cow in the face with it." - -"I assure you, Deacon Miller," said Mark, earnestly, beginning to -comprehend the extent to which he was implicated, although innocent. "I -assure you, Deacon Miller, that I have had nothing to do with harming -poor Whitey." - -"Anyway, I shall hold you responsible, and I reckon you'll have hard -work to prove yourself innocent," said the deacon, grimly. "I ain't -going to lose a forty-five dollar cow, and say nothin' about it. You -jest tell your mother when you go home to see about raisin' forty-five -dollars to make up old Whitey's loss. As she's a poor widder I'll give -her thirty days to do it in. Do you hear?" - -"Yes, Deacon Miller, I hear, but I repeat that I didn't harm your cow, -and I shan't pay you a cent." - -"We'll see!" was the only answer the deacon gave, nodding his head with -emphasis. - -Poor Mark! he had never felt so miserable, as he plodded slowly home. He -was innocent, but circumstances were against him, and the deacon was -implacable. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - MARK AT HOME. - - -MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a -sloping roof. It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable. His -mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well -their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings. - -"Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired. - -"Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who -is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin." - -"Poor man! I hope he won't suffer." - -"Thanks to me, he probably will not." - -"What can you do for him, Mark? You have no money to spare." - -"Haven't I, mother?" asked Mark, with a smile, as he drew from his -pocket a large handful of silver and gold. - -"What do you say to that?" - -"Oh, Mark! I hope you came honestly by that money," said the widow, -nervously. - -"I haven't been robbing a bank, if that's what you mean, mother. I -couldn't very well, as there is none within ten miles." - -"Then, Mark, where did the money come from?" - -"It belongs to old Anthony. He asked me to take charge of it, as I shall -need to be buying things for him in the village for a few days to come." - -"For mercy's sake, be careful of it, Mark, as, if you lost it, we -couldn't make up the loss." - -"I'll look after that. In fact, I think it will be safer with me than -with the owner. If any dishonest person should enter his cabin, he could -not help being robbed in his present condition." - -"That would be very unfortunate, as the old man is probably very poor." - -Mark was about to undeceive his mother, but, reflecting that Lyman -Taylor might still be in the village, he thought it not prudent to -betray the hermit's secret. - -"I heard a report to-day, Mark," said his mother, as she was setting the -supper table, "that the shoe-shop was to be closed for a month." - -"I hope not," said Mark, startled. "That would be serious for us." - -"And for others too, Mark." - -"Yes. It isn't as if there were other employments open, but there is -absolutely nothing, unless I could get a chance to do some farm work." - -"Perhaps Deacon Miller may need a boy." - -"He's about the last man I would work for. He wouldn't pay me a cent." - -"Why not, Mark? He wouldn't expect you to work for nothing." - -"He claims that I owe him forty-five dollars, and would expect me to -work it out." - -"What do you mean, Mark? How can you owe the deacon forty-five dollars?" - -"I don't, but he claims I do." - -Mark then told his mother the story of the cow. - -"Deacon Miller expects me to pay for it," he concluded, "but I think -he'll have to take it out in expecting." - -"Oh, Mark, I am afraid this will lead to serious trouble," said Mrs. -Manning, looking distressed. "He may go to law about it." - -"He can't make me pay for the damage somebody else did, mother." - -"But if he makes out that you shot the cow?" - -"I won't trouble about it. It might spoil my appetite for supper. I've -got a healthy appetite to-night, mother." - -"Your story has taken away mine, Mark." - -"Don't worry, mother; it will all come right." - -"I am afraid worrying comes natural to me, Mark. I've seen more trouble -than you have, my son." - -"Forget it all till supper is over, mother." - -Supper was scarcely over when a knock was heard at the door, and John -Downie entered. He was a boy of Scotch descent, and lived near by. - -"How are you, Johnny," said Mark, "won't you have some supper?" - -"Thank you, Mark, I've had some. Have you heard about Deacon Miller's -cow?" - -"What about her?" asked Mark, eagerly. - -"You know old Whitey?" - -"Yes, yes." - -"Her eyes are put out by an accidental discharge of a gun, and I guess -she will have to be killed." - -"Do you know who shot her?" asked Mark, with intense interest. - -"Yes, I do, but the deacon doesn't," answered John. - -"Who was it?" - -"James Collins. He and Tom Wyman were coming through the pasture, when -James, in handling his gun awkwardly, managed to discharge it full in -poor Whitey's face." - -"How do you know it was James?" - -"Because I saw it. I was in the next field and saw it all." - -"Did the boys see you?" - -"No; they hurried away as fast as they could go." - -"Johnny, you're a trump!" exclaimed Mark, rising and shaking the boy's -hand vigorously. - -"Why am I a trump?" asked Johnny, astonished. - -"Because your testimony will clear me. The deacon charges me with -shooting the cow, and wants me to pay forty-five dollars." - -"Gosh!" exclaimed Johnny. "But what makes him think you shot old -Whitey?" - -Mark briefly explained. - -"But," said Mrs. Manning, "surely James Collins would not permit you to -suffer for his fault?" - -"You don't know James, mother. That's just what he would do, I feel -sure. What do you say, Johnny?" - -"Jim Collins is just mean enough to do it," answered John. - -"He can't do it now, however. Mr. Collins is abundantly able to pay for -the cow, and I guess he'll have to." - -"I don't know how we could ever have paid so large a sum," said the -widow. - -"We shan't have to, mother, that's one comfort." - -"There's the deacon coming!" exclaimed Johnny, suddenly. - -"So he is! Johnny, just run into the kitchen, and I'll call you when -you're wanted. We'll have some fun. Mother, don't say a word till we -hear what the deacon has to say." - -By this time the deacon had knocked. Mrs. Manning admitted him, and he -entered with a preliminary cough. - -"Are your family well, deacon?" asked the mother. - -"They're middlin', widder, which is a comfort. Families are often a -source of trouble," and here the deacon glanced sharply at Mark, who, -rather to his surprise, looked cool and composed. - -"That may be, Deacon Miller, but I am thankful that Mark never gives me -any trouble." - -"Don't be too sure of that, ma'am," said the deacon, grimly. "It's about -that very thing I've come here now. Your son has shot my most valuable -cow, old Whitey, and I regret to say, widder, that he'll have to make it -good for me. Forty-five dollars is what the critter is worth, and I -wouldn't have taken that for her." - -"Are you sure Mark shot your cow?" asked Mrs. Manning. - -"As sure as I need to be. I caught him standin' by the cow with his gun -in his hand. The barrel was empty, for I tried it to see." - -"What have you to say to this charge, Mark?" - -"That Deacon Miller is mistaken. I did not shoot his cow." - -"I reckon you'll have to pay for it all the same. Mark Manning. I don't -want to be hard on a poor widder, but it stands to reason that I should -be paid for my cow." - -"I agree to that," said Mark, "but I'm not the one." - -"Mebbe the cow shot herself!" said the deacon, sarcastically. "It may be -nat'ral for cows to commit suicide, but I never saw one do it as far as -I can remember. Young man, your story is too thin." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - DEACON MILLER GETS A CLUE. - - -MARK was forced to smile at the idea of old Whitey committing suicide. -The deacon observed his smile, and it provoked him. - -"Do you mean to say, Mark Manning, that you think the critter shot -herself in the face?" he demanded, sharply. - -"No, Deacon Miller, I have no such idea." - -"That's the same as admittin' that you shot her," said the deacon, -triumphantly. - -"No, it isn't, deacon. I didn't shoot her, but I have no doubt some one -else did." - -"It may have been the cat," remarked the deacon, with a return to -sarcasm. - -"It was probably a two-legged cat," said Mark. - -"Jest my idee!" remarked the deacon, quickly, "An' that brings it home -to you. You was out with a gun, an' I caught you standin' beside the -cow." - -"As to catching me," returned Mark, "there was no catching about it. I -was crossing the pasture, and was attracted by the poor animal's moans. -That is the way I happened to be near when you came up." - -"That all sounds very smooth," said the deacon, impatiently, "but if you -didn't shoot the cow, who did?" - -"I think that question can be answered, Deacon Miller; John Downie!" - -To the deacon's surprise, John came into the room at this summons. - -"Johnny," said Mark, "will you tell the deacon who shot his cow!" - -"I don't like to tell," objected John; "it wasn't done on purpose." - -"Did you do it?" queried the deacon, sharply. - -"No, _sir_. I never fired a gun in my life." - -"Who did it, then?" - -"Must I tell, Mark?" - -"Yes, Johnny; Deacon Miller has a right to know; even if it was not done -on purpose, the one who did it ought to make good the loss." - -"That's where you speak sense, Mark," said the deacon, approvingly. - -"Then it was Jim Collins." - -"James Collins—the squire's son!" repeated the deacon, astonished. - -"Yes." - -John proceeded to tell the story once more. The deacon, it is needless -to say, listened very attentively. - -"So the boys run away, did they?" he inquired, grimly. - -"Yes, sir." - -"And I s'pose you'd have run away, too, if you had done it, hey?" - -"Perhaps I might," answered John, ingenuously. "I s'pose they were -scared." - -"I'll scare 'em," growled the deacon. "Squire Collins is able to make up -the loss to me, and I mean he shall." Then, with a momentary suspicion, -"This ain't a story you an' Mark have got up between you, to get him -off, is it?" - -"I will answer that, Deacon Miller," said Mark firmly. "If I had shot -your cow, I wouldn't have run away, but I'd have gone right to you and -told you about it, and I'd have paid you just as soon as I could." - -"That's right, that's right," said the deacon, approvingly, beginning to -regard Mark with more favor. "Well, I must go and see the squire. Here, -you John Downie, come along with me." - -"I've got to go home," said John. - -"But I can't prove it without you." - -"You can tell the squire that I saw it done, and am ready to swear to -it, if he wants me to." - -"Mebbe that'll do if I send for you, you'll come, hey?" - -"Yes, sir." - -The deacon did not feel disposed to postpone what he regarded as -important business, and he left the cottage, taking the shortest -direction to the squire's more imposing dwelling. We will precede him. - -James Collins and his friend, as already described, ran away as fast as -their legs could carry them, when they ascertained what damage had been -done. - -No one, so far as they knew, had seen them, and they hoped to escape, -scot free. - -Tom accompanied James home, and stayed to supper. After supper the boys -went out, and had a conference together. - -James felt a little nervous, though he believed that he was safe from -incurring suspicion. - -"I wonder if the deacon has found old Whitey yet?" said James. - -"I guess so," answered Tom. "He usually goes after the cows before -this." - -"I wonder how he'll think it happened?" - -"Maybe he'll lay it to Mark." - -James was not very much disturbed at this supposition. - -"That would be a good joke!" he said. - -"Not for Mark." - -"Mark can take care of himself. He was out with a gun as well as we." - -"His mother couldn't afford to pay for the cow," said Tom, who was -rather more considerate than his companion. - -"That's none of my business. And, Tom, there's something I want to say -to you." - -"Go ahead!" - -"If Mark is accused, don't you go to saying it's a mistake. Remember -it's none of your business." - -Tom looked uncomfortable, having some conscience. - -"It would be rough on a poor woman like Mrs. Manning having to pay for -the deacon's cow." - -"You're mighty considerate, Tom. You might consider me a little. If it -were known that I shot the cow, father would make me pay at least half -the bill out of my money in the savings' bank. I thought you were my -friend!" - -"So I am." - -"Then you won't betray me. As for Mark, the deacon can't prove it -against him, so he won't have to pay." - -"Then the deacon will lose his cow, and get no pay." - -"He can afford it. He's a stingy old lunks, anyway." - -"That's true enough." - -"And it won't ruin him if he does lose the cow. He's able to buy -another." - -It struck Tom, though he was not over conscientious, that this was not -exactly the way to regard the matter, but he did not like to offend -James, and he had ventured to oppose him more than usual already. So he -remained silent. - -James was not quite satisfied with his friend. He was not altogether -sure of his fidelity. - -"I've got only one thing to say, Tom," he added. "If you go back on me, -and breathe a word of what happened in the pasture, I'll never speak to -you again as long as I live." - -"Who's going back on you? did I say I was?" demanded Tom rather -irritably. - -"All right, then; I only wanted to have the thing understood between us, -I didn't really think you would be mean enough to tell." - -So a satisfactory understanding was established between the two boys, -and it looked as if Mark was likely to be the victim of their alliance. - -But just when James was beginning to feel secure, he was startled by an -apparition just looming in sight on the highway. It was not a formidable -figure—that of Deacon Miller—but under the circumstances James turned -pale and his heart began to beat. - -"Tom," he gasped; "isn't that Deacon Miller coming up the road?" - -"It's the deacon sure enough!" answered Tom, looking disconcerted. - -"Do you think he's coming here?" queried James nervously. - -"Looks like it?" muttered Tom. - -"Do you think he can have——heard anything?" - -"Perhaps he heard that we were out with guns?" suggested Tom. "He may -have come to make inquiries." - -"Just so, now, Tom, be careful not to look as if there was anything the -matter. We'll be extra polite to the old fellow." - -"All right!" - -"He may not be coming here after all." - -But he was! arrived at the gate Deacon Miller paused, and opening it -entered the front yard. He looked sharply at the two boys who were -standing on the lawn. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - THE DEACON'S MISSION. - - -ORDINARILY James would not have considered Deacon Miller worth any -polite attention, but the knowledge of what had happened in the pasture -had its effect upon him. He thought it necessary by a little attention -to disarm the deacon's suspicions if he had any. - -"Good evening, Deacon Miller," he said politely. "Did you wish to see -father?" - -"Wal," said the deacon deliberately. "I have a little business with him. -Is he at home?" - -"I am pretty sure he is," answered James. "Come in with me, and I'll -see." - -The deacon smiled—an inscrutable smile—and followed James, who opened -the front door and led him into the parlor. - -"You're very obligin'," he said. "I had no idea you was so polite." - -"It is the duty of a gentleman to be polite!" said James loftily. - -"So 'tis, so 'tis!" returned the old man chuckling in an unaccountable -manner. "I'm glad you think so. It's a great thing to be a boy, I had -lots of fun when I was a boy. So do you, hey?" - -"Oh yes," answered James indifferently. "But not as much as I could have -in the city." - -"But you couldn't go huntin' and fishin' in the city," said the deacon -slyly. - -James' heart gave a bound. What did the disagreeable old man mean? was -it possible that he suspected? - -"I don't care much for either," he said. "But I'll go and call father." - -Presently the squire appeared and invited Deacon Miller into the back -room, which was used as the family dining and sitting-room. - -"Glad to see, you, deacon," said Mr. Collins, who, having political -aspirations, thought it worth while to be polite to his neighbors. - -"I ain't so sure of that, squire, when you know what I come about," -returned the deacon with a crafty smile. - -"No bad news, I hope, deacon." - -"Wal, it ain't good news. You know my cow, old Whitey?" - -"Well?" interrogated the squire, looking puzzled. He had heard nothing -as yet of the accident in the pasture. - -"She was shot in the face this afternoon—her eyes totally destroyed. I -shall have to kill her." - -"That's a pity! I sympathize with you, deacon. It must be a great -disappointment to you. She was a good milker, wasn't she?" - -"Fust-rate! I never had a cow that could beat her. She was worth fifty -dollars easy." - -"Very likely," said the squire, innocently, quite unaware of the trap -which the wily deacon was preparing for him. It will be observed that -the deacon, finding he had a case against a rich man, had concluded to -raise the value of the cow by five dollars. "Fifty dollars is a -considerable loss." - -"So 'tis, but I haven't got to lose it. The one that shot old Whitey is -responsible." - -"Who did shoot her?" asked Squire Collins. - -"Your boy, James," answered the deacon, slowly. - -Squire Collins was very disagreeably surprised. He was not a man who -liked to part with money, and he saw how he had been trapped. - -"Did you see James shoot the cow?" he demanded sharply. - -"N—o; I can't say I did," replied the deacon, cautiously. - -"I don't believe he did it then. Did he admit it to you?" - -"N—o. I didn't ask him about it." - -"Then, Deacon Miller, permit me to say that you have no case against -him, and I am not responsible for your unfortunate loss. - -"Somebody else saw it!" remarked the deacon triumphantly. - -"Who was it?" - -"John Downie." - -"John Downie! Pooh, he is a mere boy," said the squire, contemptuously. - -"He's got as many eyes as you or I, squire," said the deacon, shrewdly. - -This was unquestionably true, and the squire felt that he had made a -foolish objection. - -"John Downie may not tell the truth," he said, angrily. - -"I'm willin' it should come before the court," said the deacon. -"Wouldn't it be jest as well to ask your boy about it; he's out in the -yard." - -James was still in the yard. He had half a mind to go away, but was -anxious about the deacon's errand. When he heard his father's voice -calling him he turned pale. - -"Wait for me, Tom," he said. "If you're asked, don't say I did it." - -Tom looked disturbed and uneasy, and did not reply. - -James entered his father's presence with a perturbed spirit. He stole a -glance at the deacon, who sat with his wizened face calm and -imperturbable. - -"Did you want me, father?" asked James. - -"James," said his father, abruptly, "Deacon Miller tells me that some -one has shot his cow, old Whitey, this afternoon, and injured her so -seriously that she will have to be killed." - -"I am sorry to hear it," said James, nervously. - -"Do you know who did it?" - -"How should I?" asked James, after a pause. - -"Wer'n't you out in the pastur' this afternoon?" asked the deacon, -pointedly. - -"Yes," answered James, "Tom Wyman and I crossed the pasture." - -"With guns on your shoulders?" - -"Ye—es," admitted James. - -"Did you see anything of old Whitey?" continued the deacon, persevering -in his pointed interrogations. - -"There were some cows there I remember; I suppose old Whitey was among -them." - -"Did your gun go off while you were in the pasture?" - -"Ye—es, I believe it did. It went off accidentally." - -"And hit old Whitey?" - -"I don't know about that. It may not have hit anything." - -"Then you don't know that you hit my cow?" - -"I wasn't the only boy in the pasture this afternoon," said James, -evasively. - -"I know all about that. Tom Wyman was with you." - -"Yes, and so was Mark Manning. He was out gunning most all the -afternoon. Have you asked him whether he hit the cow?" - -"Yes," answered the deacon; "he says he didn't." - -"Of course he would say so," sneered James, more confidently. "He's just -as likely to have done it as I." - -"That's what I thought myself," returned the deacon; "though Mark's a -middlin' keerful boy. But I changed my mind." - -"Because he denied it?" asked James, with a return of the sneer. - -"Not exactly. There was a boy saw it done, and he told me who did it." - -"What boy saw it done?" asked James, all his apprehensions reviving. - -"John Downie." - -This was startling news to James. - -"And who does he say did it," he forced himself to ask. - -"You!" answered Deacon Miller, laconically. - -"I don't believe I did it," said James, wavering. - -"He says after you shot the cow, you and Tom Wyman ran away as fast as -your legs could carry you," added the deacon, chuckling. - -James turned as red as scarlet, but said nothing. It was clear enough -that he was guilty, and knew it. - -"Deacon Miller," said Squire Collins, "I will look into this matter, and -if I find James shot your cow, we will make some arrangement about -payment. Understand clearly, however, that I won't pay any fancy price, -such as fifty dollars." - -"I won't argy the matter now, squire," said the deacon. "Good-evenin'." - -"James," said his father, "I won't scold you for a piece of -carelessness, but whatever compensation is paid to the deacon must come -from your account in the savings' bank." - -This was a sad blow to James, he had a hundred and fifty dollars in the -bank, and this would make a heavy draft upon it. - -He went out into the yard without a word. - -"It's all up, Tom," he said. "John Downie has been telling tales about -me. The first time I see him I'll give him a licking." - -"And serve him right, too, little tell-tale!" said Tom. - -Johnny did not expect what was in store for him, but he was soon to be -enlightened. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X. - MARK PROTECTS A FRIEND. - - -SQUIRE COLLINS succeeded in reducing the deacon's claim to thirty-eight -dollars, and this sum James was obliged to withdraw from his savings in -the bank. He thought it was very hard, as the shooting was merely an -accident. He was fond of money, scarcely less so than Deacon Miller -himself, and it went to his heart to find himself so much poorer than -before. - -"It isn't as if I got any fun out of it," he complained to Tom. "It's -just money thrown away." - -"It is a heavy sum to pay for a trifling carelessness," admitted Tom. - -"And I shouldn't have had a cent to pay but for John Downie. Why need -the boy turn tell-tale?" - -"It was mean." - -"Mean? I should say so. I mean to come up with the fellow. I mean to -give him the worst licking he ever had." - -Even if Tom disapproved of the intention, he at any rate did not express -any disapproval, but left it to be understood that he considered it -perfectly proper. - -Three days later the opportunity came. Tom and James were crossing the -pasture, which had been the scene of the tragedy, when John, whistling -gayly, met them. - -"Now's my chance," said James, triumphantly. "There's the sneak that -told of me. See how I'll serve him." - -John Downie, seeing the boys approaching, nodded his head, saying in a -friendly manner, "hello!" - -"Oh, it's you, is it?" said James, in a hostile tone, stopping short. - -"Yes, it's me. Who did you think it was?" returned John, laughing. - -"I've been wanting to meet you, John Downie." - -"What for?" asked John. He could not help seeing now that the speaker -spoke like an enemy. - -"To tell you that you are a sneak and a tell-tale." - -"What do you mean by that?" demanded John, beginning himself to be -angry. - -"You ought to know without asking. Wasn't it you that told about my -shooting old Whitey?" - -"Well, you did shoot her, didn't you?" - -"Suppose I did. You needn't have blurted it out." - -"The deacon charged Mark Manning with it. I wasn't going to see him -suffer for it when I saw you do it." - -"You're a great friend of Mark Manning, it seems," said James, with a -sneer. - -"Yes, I am; but, even if I hadn't been, I would have told. His mother is -poor, and couldn't afford to pay for the cow." - -"She'll be poorer yet before long, I'm thinking," said James. "Do you -know what I'm going to do to you?" - -"Perhaps you'll tell me," said John Downie, calmly. - -"I'm going to give you a licking." - -"If I'll let you." - -James laughed derisively; Johnny was two inches shorter than he, and so -far as appearances went was not as strong. In a contest between the two, -there was little doubt that James would come out the victor. - -"I don't think you'll have much to say in the matter," said James. "Just -move out of the way, Tom, and give me a chance at him." - -Tom did as requested, and James rushed at John with an impetuosity born -of anger. John prepared to defend himself. The boys were soon grappling, -trying to trip each other up. Neither knew much of the science of -fighting, and victory naturally came to the stronger. In about two -minutes John was on his back, with James kneeling over him, aiming blows -at his face. - -"I told you I'd give you a licking," said James, closing his teeth, -firmly. - -"Oh, let him off, James," said Tom. "This ought to satisfy you." - -"But it doesn't. I'm going to give him a lesson he'll remember all his -life." - -James undertook to belabor his fallen opponent, but he had been so -preoccupied that he did not notice a boy running towards the scene of -conflict, neither did Tom, who had his back turned. - -Luckily for John, Mark Manning was on his way to call upon the hermit, -when he became an indignant witness of James's brutality. He said -nothing, but fairly flew across the pasture till he reached the -battle-field. The first intimation James had of his presence was a -vigorous grasp of his coat collar, and in an instant he was lying on his -back close to his late victim, with Mark standing over him. - -"I'm ashamed of you, James Collins," he said, sternly. "You're a -contemptible coward to attack a smaller boy like Johnny." - -"Knock him over, Tom," shrieked James, furiously. "I'll give him a -licking, too." - -"It doesn't look much like it," said Mark, with his knee on James's -breast. - -"Help, Tom!" called James, struggling once more. - -Tom felt obliged to take an active part in the fight, though it was by -no means to his taste. He seized Mark by the shoulders, and tried to -drag him away from his prostrate friend, but by this time John Downie -was on his feet, and ran forward, giving Tom a push which sent him -headlong on the other side of James. - -"Let me up, you low ruffian!" screamed James. - -"Will you promise to behave yourself, then?" - -"I will promise nothing." - -"Then you can stay here a little longer. What made you attack Johnny?" - -"It's none of your business. I'll lick him as often as I please." - -"Not while I am around. Johnny, what made him attack you?" - -"He said I was a tell-tale, because I told of his shooting the cow." - -"And so you are! Let me up, Mark Manning." - -"Will you promise?" - -"No, I won't." - -"Let him up, Mark," said Johnny. "He won't dare to attack me while you -are here." - -"No, I think not. Get up then, James, and take care how you pitch into -Johnny again. Just as sure as you do, you'll have to settle accounts -with me." - -Released from the pressure that held him down, James rose, angry and -humiliated. He would sooner have been worsted by any one than Mark, -whom, for some reason not easy to divine, he especially hated. - -"You took me at advantage," he said, sullenly, "or you couldn't have -thrown me." - -"Do you want to try it again?" asked Mark, quietly. "Now we stand face -to face, and you have as fair a chance as I." - -"I don't care to demean myself by fighting with such a low working boy -as you." - -"I commend your prudence, James," said Mark, undisturbed by this taunt. -"As for being a working boy, I am not ashamed of that." - -"You're only a common pegger." - -"Very true, I hope to rise higher some time." - -"You won't work much longer in my father's shop. I'll have you -discharged." - -"Just as you please. I think I can earn a living in some other way. -Come, Johnny, if James has no further business with you, we may as well -go along." - -James, appearing to have no wish to resume hostilities, Mark and Johnny -walked away. - -"You won't hear the last of this very soon," said James, as a farewell -shot. - -"Do you think he'll get his father to discharge you, Mark?" asked -Johnny. - -"I think very likely." - -"I am very sorry you have got into trouble on my account." - -"Don't worry, Johnny. I did right, and am ready to take the -consequences." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - MARK IS DISCHARGED. - - -THE next day Mark, with some misgivings, repaired to the shoe -manufactory as usual. He knew he had done a bold thing in defending -Johnny against his employer's son, but he never thought of regretting -it. - -"I would do it again," he said to himself. "Catch me standing by and -seeing Johnny whipped by any boy, no matter who he is." - -Mark laid aside his hat and coat, and went to his customary bench. - -He had been at work fifteen minutes only, when Mr. Waite, the head of -the room, entered, and went up to where he was standing. - -"Mr. Collins wants to see you, Mark," he said. - -"Do you know what for, Mr. Waite?" Mark asked. - -"No, Mark, but I hope it is to raise your wages," said Mr. Waite, -pleasantly, for he had always liked our hero. - -"I am afraid it is something quite different," said Mark, shaking his -head. - -"No trouble, I hope, Mark?" - -"I can tell you better when I return." - -Mark put on his coat, and went downstairs to the office. - -Squire Collins was seated at a desk, with his spectacles astride his -nose. He looked up as Mark entered. - -"Mr. Waite tells me you wish to see me, Mr. Collins," said Mark. - -"Yes," said the squire, frowning. "I presume you can guess what I want -to see you about." - -"Perhaps so," answered Mark. - -"I understand that you made a violent attack upon my son James in the -pasture, yesterday afternoon." - -"We did have a little difficulty," Mark admitted. - -"Ha! I am glad you confess it. James says you made an unprovoked attack -upon him." - -"That is not quite true, Squire Collins; I was very much provoked." - -"Did my son attack you first?" demanded the squire, sharply. - -"No, sir." - -"So I thought. Then you have no excuse by your own confession." - -"I think I have an excuse." - -"I fail to understand what it can be. To me it appears like a -high-handed outrage of which you were guilty." - -"I suppose James did not tell you what he was doing when I attacked -him?" - -"No, I cannot remember that he did. What does that signify?" - -"He had John Downie upon the ground, and was beating him brutally." - -Squire Collins was somewhat nonplussed at this revelation, as James had -said nothing about Johnny. - -"Well?" he said. - -"I ran up, and pulled him off, and prevented him from hurting Johnny." - -Squire Collins was rather embarrassed. He saw clearly that his son had -been in the wrong, yet he was inclined to stand by him. Moreover, it -chafed him that a poor boy should have presumed to interfere with his -son, much more use violence towards him. - -He drew out his handkerchief and blew his nose, partly to gain time for -consideration. At length he spoke. - -"My son feels very indignant at your presumption in assaulting him," he -said, "and I wonder myself that you didn't see the impropriety of -attacking the son of your employer." - -"Would you have had me stand by and see Johnny beaten?" asked Mark, -indignantly. - -"I do not feel disposed to argue with you," said the squire, in a -dignified tone. "I feel compelled to take some action in the matter -though I regret it. I cannot, of course, retain you in my employ. You -are discharged. I have made up your account to date, and here is the sum -due you." - -"Very well, sir," answered Mark, quietly, though his heart sank within -him. - -Squire Collins handed him a dollar and thirty-seven cents, and Mark, -putting them into his pocket, bowed and withdrew. - -He went back to the room where his hat hung, and taking it down, said to -his fellow-workmen: - -"Good-bye, boys, I shan't be with you any longer." - -"Why, Mark, what's the matter!" asked his next neighbor. - -"I'm discharged; that's all." - -"What for?" - -"I'll tell you some other time—not now." - -"Mark, I'm really sorry for this," said Mr. Waite, pressing his hand -warmly. "I wish you good luck!" - -"Thank you, Mr. Waite," answered Mark, his lip quivering a little. "I -will hope for the best." - -Mark walked home with a slow step. He dreaded to tell his mother of his -discharge, for he knew that she would be still more depressed than -himself. Youth is hopeful, but middle age is less sanguine. - -"I won't go home at once," thought Mark. "I will go to the wood and see -the hermit. He may have some errand for me, and besides, he may be able -to give me some advice." - -One object which Mark had, however, was to delay breaking the unwelcome -news to his mother. - -He bent his steps towards the pasture, which he must cross in order to -penetrate to the wood by the usual path. - -In a few minutes he entered the cabin, the door of which he found open. - -The hermit was no longer reclining, but was seated in a -rocking-chair—the only article of luxury which the poor dwelling -contained. - -"Good morning, sir!" said Mark. "I hope you are better." - -"I am much better. But how does it happen that you come here in the -morning? I supposed you were at work in the shoe factory." - -"I have lost my place there; I was discharged this morning." - -"Ha! how is that?" - -Upon this Mark told the story of his encounter with the boys in the -pasture. - -"I suppose," he concluded, "that James got me discharged in revenge for -my interfering with him." - -"Then you regret what you did?" inquired the hermit. - -"No, I don't," answered Mark, warmly. "I couldn't stand by and see -Johnny beaten." - -"You are right, and I respect you for what you did." - -"It is a grievous thing for me, though," said Mark. "It takes away my -income, and I don't see how mother and I are going to live." - -"How much were you paid?" - -"About three dollars and a half a week. Sometimes I made a little more -by over-work." - -"You have no occasion to be disturbed. I was about to propose that you -should leave your place." - -Mark looked surprised. - -"I will take you into my own employ," added Anthony. "How long have you -been coming to me?" - -"A week, sir." - -"You may retain five dollars in compensation from the money you hold of -mine, and hereafter, as you will give me your whole time, you shall be -paid at the rate of a dollar a day—that is, seven dollars a week." - -"But, sir, you are overpaying me," protested Mark, who thought this -compensation magnificent. - -"Be it so. I can afford it. Let me know when you need more money." - -"I have still about fifteen dollars." - -"After paying yourself for the last week?" - -"Yes, sir. Can I do anything for you now?" - -"Yes. I feel like taking a walk. That shows I am better. You may come -with me, and if I tire myself, I will lean upon your arm in returning." - -"With pleasure, sir. I am very glad that you feel better." - -"After all," mused the old man, "it is pleasant to have human sympathy. -I thought I was able to do without it, but I am more dependent than I -supposed." - -They walked for half an hour. When they returned to the cabin, the -hermit said: - -"To-morrow morning I expect a visitor from the city. I wish you to meet -him at the train, and conduct him here. He is a small man, with a sharp -look, and will probably be dressed in black. In fact, he is my man of -business. You need say nothing of this, however, but let people -conjecture as they will." - -"And shall I speak of my arrangement with you, sir?" - -"You may merely say that I have engaged you to do my errands. I shall -not require you again to-day." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - GOOD LUCK AFTER MISFORTUNE. - - -MARK'S spirits were wonderfully improved when he left the hermit's -cabin, and took his way homeward. So far from being injuriously affected -by his discharge from the shoe-shop, his income was considerably -increased. Not only this, but he had received five dollars for his past -week's services over and above what he had been paid for his work in the -shop. - -"Now," thought he. "I can tell mother without minding it." - -But his mother had already heard of it. A neighbor, Mrs. Parker, who -rather enjoyed telling bad news, had heard of it through her son, who -also worked in the work-shop. - -She at once left her work, and hurried over to Mrs. Manning's. - -"Good morning, Mrs. Parker," said the widow, cheerfully. "Take a chair, -do." - -"Thank you, Mrs. Manning, I can't stop a minute. I left my kitchen at -sixes and sevens, on purpose to condole with you. I declare, it's really -too bad." - -"What is too bad? I don't understand you?" said Mrs. Manning, perplexed. - -"About your son Mark, I mean." - -"What has happened to him? Is he hurt?" asked the widow, with a pale -face. - -"No, no; hasn't he been home?" - -"He is at the shoe-shop, of course." - -"No, he is not. He was discharged by Squire Collins this morning." - -"Discharged? What for?" - -"Don't you know? Some quarrel between Mark and James Collins, I -believe." - -"I am glad he is not hurt." - -"But hasn't he been home? I wonder at that." - -"I have seen nothing of him since he started for the shop." - -"That's strange." - -"Poor boy! I suppose he doesn't like to tell me he is discharged," -sighed the widow. "It will be a serious thing for us, for I don't know -where else he will find work." - -"O, something will turn up," said Mrs. Parker, who could bear the -misfortunes of her neighbors very cheerfully. "But I must run home, or -my dinner will be late." - -The more Mrs. Manning thought of Mark's loss of employment, the more -troubled she felt. Three dollars and a half a week was not a large sum, -but it was more than half their income, and how they were to make it up -she could not conjecture. Perhaps she could induce Mark to apologize to -James, in which case the squire might be induced to take him back. While -her mind was busy with such thoughts, Mark entered the house whistling. -His mother was considerably surprised at this evidence of -light-heartedness under the circumstances. - -He entered the room where his mother was at work. - -"Well, mother, is dinner almost ready?" he asked. - -"It will be ready soon. But oh, Mark, what is this I hear about your -being discharged from the shoe-shop?" - -"It is all true, mother, but you needn't worry over it. We shall get -along just as well." - -"I don't see how. There is no other shop in the village." - -"I have another job already, and a better one." - -Mrs. Manning opened her eyes in astonishment. - -"What can it be?" she asked. - -"Old Anthony has hired me to do his errands." - -"I am afraid, Mark, that will amount to very little." - -"I am to receive five dollars a week." - -"Do you really mean this? I thought he was very poor." - -"Quite the contrary, mother, but we mustn't say that to others. Let -people think he is poor. Here are five dollars which he has paid me for -the last week, though I have worked in the shop, and done very little -for it. Take it, mother, and use as you need it." - -"Will this last, Mark?" asked his mother, almost incredulously. - -"I think it will. The hermit seems to have taken a special fancy to me, -and he says he can well afford to pay me this sum. I say, mother, -suppose I invite him to take dinner with us next Sunday?" - -"With all my heart, Mark. He seems to me like a good Providence who has -come to our help at this juncture." - -"Do you need anything at the store this afternoon?" - -"The butter and sugar are out, Mark." - -"Give me the five-dollar bill, then, mother, and I will buy some." - -Shortly after dinner Mark started for the store. On the way he met -several persons who condoled with him on his loss of place. They were -surprised to find that Mark looked cheerful, and even gay. - -"Yes," he said, "I've retired from the shoe business on a fortune." - -"You don't seem to mind it!" - -"No, I can stand it well enough, but I pity Squire Collins for losing my -valuable services." - -"I thought you'd be down in the mouth. You don't seem to care." - -"Why should I? Care killed a cat." - -Arrived at the store, Mark stepped up to the counter and called for two -pounds of sugar and two pounds of butter. - -Mr. Palmer, the grocer, had heard of Mark's dismissal, and being a -cautious man, inquired: - -"Are you going to pay cash?" - -"Certainly." - -"I heard you had lost your place at the shop." - -"Yes," answered Mark, smiling, "I discharged Squire Collins." - -"It'll be rather hard on you, won't it?" - -"I guess I can pay my bills, Mr. Palmer. At any rate I can pay for what -I am buying now." - -The grocer put up the packages, and was surprised when Mark handed him a -five-dollar bill in payment. - -"Seems to me you're flush," he said. - -"So it seems," answered Mark, but he volunteered no information. - -"I can't make out that boy," said the grocer to his assistant, after -Mark had gone out. "He looks as if he had got a good place instead of -losing it. I wonder if the widder's got any money?" - -"Not much, except what Mark brings in." - -"They'll be asking credit soon, Enoch. Don't trust them till you've -referred to me." - -"No, sir, I won't." - -On his way home Mark met the cause of his discharge, James Collins, -accompanied as usual by his friend, Tom Wyman. - -"Hallo!" said James, eying Mark, triumphantly. - -"Hallo!" - -"Why ain't you at the shop?" - -"Probably you know." - -"Yes, I do know. You've been discharged." - -"I suppose I am indebted to your kindness for that." - -"Yes, you are. Perhaps now you will be sorry for your impertinence to me -in the pasture." - -"When I am I'll tell you so. At present I am glad, and would do the same -thing again." - -"How do you expect to live?" - -"On victuals and drink, thank you." - -"If you have money to buy them," supplemented James, with a malicious -smile. - -"I've got a little money left," and Mark drew out not only his own but -the hermit's money. "You see I don't depend on work in the shoe-shop." - -James was both amazed and annoyed. - -"Where did you get that money?" he asked abruptly. - -"I am afraid I must leave your curiosity ungratified. I'll tell you, as -it may interest you, that I should have resigned my place in the shop at -the end of the week, even if you hadn't kindly got me discharged." - -So saying, Mark walked away. - -"Where do you think he got that money, Tom?" said James. - -"Blamed if I know!" - -The next morning Mark walked to the depot to meet the morning train. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE LITTLE MAN IN BLACK. - - -WHEN the morning train arrived, Mark was on hand. He watched carefully -for the man he was sent to meet. As it happened, the business agent was -the last man to leave the train. He stepped upon the platform, and began -to look about him. - -Mark advanced towards him, and raised his hat, politely. - -"Is this Mr. Hardy?" he asked. - -The small man regarded him sharply. - -"Yes," he answered. "Have you a message for me?" - -"Yes, sir. I am to conduct you to Mr. Taylor." - -"Just so. How is his health?" - -"He has had an attack of rheumatism, but is better." - -"No wonder he is sick, living in that out-of-the-way place. Do you know -him well?" - -"Pretty well, sir. I am in his employ." - -"Ha! then he is living a little more as he should do. What is your -name?" - -"Mark Manning." - -"M. M. Just so. Sounds like a fancy name. Is it?" - -"No, sir; it's all the name I have," said Mark smiling. - -"How long have you been in the employ of Mr. Taylor?" - -"Only a little over a week." - -"Do you know anything about his history?" demanded Mr. Hardy, with a -sharp look of inquiry. - -"Yes, sir. He has told me something of it." - -"Humph! Then he must have confidence in you. Well, let us be starting. -Is it far?" - -"Nearly two miles, sir. Perhaps you will be tired." - -"In which case you will perhaps kindly carry me on your shoulders," -suggested Mr. Hardy, quizzically. - -"I am afraid I shouldn't be able to do that," returned Mark, with a -smile. - -"And yet, I don't believe I weigh much more than you. What is your -weight?" - -"One hundred and twenty-three pounds." - -"And I weigh one hundred and twenty-four. I have one pound the advantage -of you." - -Mark, who was a stout boy, was rather pleased to learn that he weighed -within a pound as much as his companion. I suppose most boys are proud -of their size. - -They had commenced their walk and Mark found that his new acquaintance -was a fast walker. - -"Does Mr. Taylor ever have any visitors?" asked the lawyer, for such was -his profession. - -"Not from the village, sir." - -"From any other quarter?" asked Hardy. - -"He had a call from his nephew, lately." - -"Lyman Taylor?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then he has found his uncle's place of concealment. What do you know of -the interview?" - -Mark gave an account of Lyman's visit, his demand for money, and his -threatened violence. - -"Did he suppose his uncle had money?" inquired the lawyer, in an anxious -tone. - -"He did not suppose he had much, but he wanted a part of it, however -small." - -"Did he succeed in obtaining anything?" - -"Mr. Taylor told me to give him five dollars." - -"Why you?" - -"I had a sum of money belonging to the hermit, in my possession. I used -to buy things for him in the village." - -"Then you think Lyman went away with the impression that my friend—the -hermit, as you call him—had very little money?" - -"Yes, sir; I am sure of it." - -"Are you under the same impression?" - -"No, sir; Mr Taylor has told me that he is moderately rich." - -"That shows he has great confidence in you. Don't breathe a word of it, -my boy, or this rascally nephew will persecute his uncle, and make his -life a burden." - -"He will learn nothing from me," said Mark firmly. - -"You seem a good trustworthy boy—I think my friend made a good choice of -a confidant." - -"Thank you, sir." - -At length they reached the cabin in the wood. Old Anthony was already -outside, waiting for their coming. - -"Good morning, my friend," said the lawyer; "the boy tells me you have -been sick——" - -"Yes, I have had a visit from my old enemy, but I am much better." - -"To be sick in such a place!" said the lawyer with a shudder. - -"I have not suffered, thanks to Mark—will you come in?" - -"Let us rather bring chairs outside, if you are provided with such -luxuries. We shall have several matters to discuss." - -Mr. Hardy glanced significantly at Mark, who was leaning against a tree, -and could of course hear the conversation. - -"Mark," said the hermit, "you may go farther away, but return in an -hour. This gentleman and myself may have some things to speak of which -are private." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"Well, old friend," Hardy began, "haven't you had enough of this strange -existence? you are rich, and can afford all the comforts of life, yet -you voluntarily surrender them, and bury yourself in this wilderness. Do -you mean to stay here all your life?" - -"I did at one time think it probable, now I am beginning to feel a -greater interest in life." - -"The boy tells me your nephew has found you out?" - -"Yes; he came here in quest of money, but he went away convinced that I -was nearly as poor as himself. If he knew the truth I should be in -constant danger of robbery, or worse——" - -"If you die without a will, is he not your heir?" - -"He would be, but I shall make a will. It is partly to give you -instructions on this point that I have sent for you." - -"You have no one else to leave your money to?" - -"A part will go to charitable institutions, a part——" - -"Well?" - -"To one whom I hold in greater regard than my nephew—to the boy, who -guided you hither." - -"Indeed! does he know anything of your purpose?" - -"Nothing, and need not." - -"You have taken a fancy to him?" - -"Yes; he is honest, manly, upright, just such a boy as I should have -been glad to have for my son. Don't dissuade me, for the thought of -doing something for him gives me a new interest in life." - -"I shall not dissuade you, Anthony, for I believe the boy to be all that -you say. Of course if you had a blood relation who was deserving, I -might make an objection. Has this boy relations?" - -"Only a mother, who is mainly dependent upon him. By the way, have you -invested the sum paid in lately?" - -"No; but I have an application for it, or I should say, for four-fifths -of it. Curiously, the applicant lives in this town." - -"Who is it?" - -"Collins, the shoe manufacturer." - -"I am surprised at this. I thought he was rich." - -"He has lost money by investments in stocks, and finds himself hard up." - -"What does he offer?" - -"Seven per cent, secured by a mortgage on his shop." - -"Let him have it." - -"Are you willing that your name should appear in the matter?" - -"No; I shall transfer the sum to Mark, and make you his trustee or -guardian." - -"I understand. Is he to know of his good fortune?" - -"Not at present. The boy was discharged only yesterday from the shop of -this Collins," added Anthony, smiling. - -"A good joke!" said the lawyer. "And now the boy lends him money. That -is returning good for evil." - -"Without knowing it." - -"Precisely." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. - - -"THERE is a further sum of a thousand dollars," suggested the lawyer. -"What is your pleasure in regard to that?" - -"The boy is to have that too. Deposit it in some savings' bank in your -own name as his trustee." - -"That makes the boy worth five thousand dollars—a large gift." - -"Exactly, but I know of no better use for it." - -"He is to remain ignorant of this also?" - -"For the present, yes." - -"Now for your instructions concerning the will. I will note them down, -and prepare the document for your signature." - -These directions were given, one-half of the hermit's property being -left to certain specified charities, the remaining half to Mark Manning. - -The lawyer wrote in silence. Then, pausing, he said: - -"Will you allow me, in right of our long friendship, to make one -suggestion?" - -"Surely, John." - -"Then let me ask if you are sure that there is no one having a rightful -claim upon you, and who ought to be considered in this matter?" - -"Do you mean Lyman?" - -"By no means. He has forfeited any claim he may once have possessed." - -"Then what is your meaning?" - -"Are you sure that your daughter left no issue?" - -Anthony's brow contracted, not with anger but with pain. The old wound -had not healed. - -"I never heard of any," he answered, after a pause. - -"Yet there may have been a child." - -"And if there were?" - -"It would be your grandchild," said the lawyer, firmly. - -"And his child," said the hermit, bitterly. - -"You should not impute that to the child for blame." - -"What would you have me do, old friend?" - -"Make provision for the child, if there should be one." - -"What would you suggest?" asked Anthony, slowly. - -"I don't wish to injure the boy; I would only suggest that charity -begins at home. Divide your estate into thirds; give one-third to Mark, -one to the child, if there be one, and one to charity." - -"I have no objection to that. But suppose there be no child living?" - -"Then divide that third between Mark and the charitable societies you -have enumerated." - -"Wisely counseled, John, but why not give it to you?" - -"Because I am moderately rich already, and need nothing more. Then, -also, it would work against my interest to find the child. I might turn -out to be as wicked and unprincipled as most lawyers are said to be," he -concluded, with a smile. - -"I have no fear of that. So that is your only objection—" - -"It isn't. Give it all to the boy in preference." - -"No, let it be as you proposed." - -"One thing more. Don't you think it is your duty to ascertain whether -you have a grandchild? It may be living in poverty; perhaps in actual -want." - -"You are right; I should have thought of that before. But what steps -would you advise me to take?" - -"Send some trusted messenger to the last place where you have -information that your daughter lived. Have you tidings of her husband?" - -"He died first. Both died of typhoid fever, as I learned." - -"Where did they die?" - -"At a small place in Indiana—Claremont, I think." - -"Then you should send there, and make inquiries. It would be well to go -yourself, if you could bring yourself to do it." - -"But I couldn't." - -"Then send a trusted messenger." - -"I have none whom I could trust—except that boy." - -John Hardy looked thoughtful. He appeared to be pondering something. -Finally he said: "Then send him. He is a boy, but he is faithful and -discreet. Moreover, I could advise him." - -"Let it be so!" - -"Can you spare him?" - -"Yes, I am quite recovered, and he may not be gone many weeks. If I need -help I can easily receive it." - -"I would suggest a delay of a week or two, or till the will is drawn up -and signed, and some other business attended to." - -"I shall be guided entirely by your advice." - -"Now shall I leave you some money?" - -"No, I have enough to last for some time to come." - -"You don't keep it in this cabin, do you? It would be imprudent. You -would be exposed to robbery." - -"No, I have a place of concealment in the woods. I shall go this -afternoon, taking Mark with me, to draw from it. It is my bank." - -"The bank of the woods," suggested Hardy, laughing. - -"Yes." - -Presently Mark returned, and conducted the lawyer back to the station. -Without the boy's remarking it, his elderly companion drew him out, -weighed him mentally in the balance, and decided that his client was -not, after all, rash in confiding in a mere boy. - -"He's smart and honest!" was his mental verdict. - -At the station, he handed Mark a card containing the address of his -office. - -"Unless I am much mistaken," he said, "Mr. Taylor will have occasion to -send you to my office in the city before long." - -"I shall be very glad to come," answered Mark, gladly. "I don't often -get a chance to come to New York." - -The lawyer shook hands with Mark, and boarded the train. - -Turning to leave the station, Mark encountered the gaze of his two -hunting companions, James Collins and Tom Wyman, fixed curiously upon -him. - -"Who is that old file?" asked James, with his usual want of ceremony. - -"A gentleman from New York," answered Mark, briefly. - -"What's his name?" - -"John Hardy." - -"How did you run across him?" - -"I didn't; he ran across me." - -"How did you get acquainted with him?" - -"He asked me to be his guide. I walked about with him." - -"O, a tourist! Did he give you anything?" - -"No." - -"Then all your time and trouble was thrown away," sneered James. - -"I don't know about that. He invited me to call at his office when I -came to the city." - -"That is hardly likely to do you any good. Business doesn't call you to -the city very often." - -"That is true," said Mark, his temper undisturbed. - -"A quarter would have helped you more, especially now that you are out -of work." - -"I am glad you sympathize with me, James. Perhaps you will ask your -father to take me back into the shop?" - -"Not after the mean way in which you treated me. I swore I'd come up -with you, and I have." - -"I hope you'll enjoy your revenge." - -"I do, you may be sure of that. If you had minded your own business, it -would have been better for you." - -"I am not sure about that. It may surprise you, James, to hear that I -wouldn't go back to the shop, if your father were to call and ask me to -do so." - -"That's a likely story!" - -"Likely or not, it's true." - -"I suppose you have come into a fortune," said James, with a sneer. - -This was what had actually happened, but Mark had no more knowledge of -his good fortune than James. - -Later in the day Mark presented himself at the cabin in the woods. - -"I thought you might have an errand for me," he said. - -"So I have," returned the hermit. "Take yonder spade and come with me." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - THE HERMIT'S BANK. - - -MARK was considerably surprised by the order he had received. What was -he do with a spade? They were in the woods, and there was no arable land -near. However, Mark was sensible enough to understand that it was his -duty to obey, not to question. - -"All right, sir!" he said, but there was a wonder in his look which old -Anthony noticed with a smile. However, he did not immediately throw any -light on the mystery. - -They walked possibly a quarter of a mile till they reached a -comparatively open space near the center of which stood a tall tree. - -"We will stop here," said Anthony. - -Mark lowered the spade, which he had been carrying on his shoulder, and -waited further instructions. - -Old Anthony produced a compass to make sure of his bearings, and a tape -measure. One end of this he gave to Mark, saying: "Stand by the tree." - -Mark, wondering as much as ever, took his position beside the tree. - -"A little more on that side!" was the next direction. - -When Mark was placed to suit him, Anthony took the other end of the tape -measure, and measured due east sixteen feet. - -"Yes," he said musingly, "this must be the spot." - -Marking the spot with a stone, he said: - -"Bring the spade to me, Mark." - -Mark did so. - -"I suppose you wonder what I am going to do?" said the hermit with a -smile. - -"Yes, sir," Mark admitted. - -"This is my bank," explained Anthony. - -Mark wondered whether the hermit was in his right mind. He stood by -curious and attentive, while Anthony began to disturb the soil, throwing -up one spadeful of dirt after another. - -He continued at his task for ten minutes, and then desisted. - -"I get fatigued easily," he said; "here, Mark, take your turn." - -Mark took the spade, and continued the excavation. He was young and -strong, and bore the fatigue better than his employer. At length he felt -the spade striking something hard. - -"I have struck something," he said. - -"Very well, now proceed more carefully, so as not to break the vessel. -Uncover it, and then I will tell you what to do——" - -The hole was now about eighteen inches deep. Mark cleared away some of -the dirt, and disclosed an earthen pot which appeared to be provided -with a cover. - -"What shall I do now?" he asked. - -"Stoop down, and remove the cover, and take out what you find inside." - -Mark got down on his knees, and bending over, accomplished what was -asked of him. To his surprise he saw that the bottom of the pot was -covered with gold pieces. - -"Take them out, and hand them to me," said old Anthony. - -"All of them, sir?" - -"Yes, I may as well remove them to another place. Besides the balance -must be small." - -The hermit counted the gold pieces, as they were placed in his hands. - -"There are but three hundred and fifty dollars left!" he said. - -To Mark this seemed considerable, though it was evident the pot would -have contained, if full, many times as much. - -"What shall I do with the pot?" asked Mark. - -"You can leave it where it is. Anyone is welcome to it, now that it is -empty. Put the cover on, and some one will one day stumble upon -treasure." - -Mark filled up the hole, and disposed leaves over it so as to conceal -the work that had been done. - -"Very well done, Mark! The last time I did all the work myself, but that -was before I had the rheumatism. It has stiffened my joints, and -weakened me as I find. Now let us go back." - -Mark once more shouldered the spade, and the two walked back side by -side. - -"I may as well explain how I came to deposit my money there," said old -Anthony. "I was sensible that it would be dangerous to leave a large sum -in my cabin, and it was not convenient or agreeable for me to make -visits to the city from time to time to draw money from my agent. I was -in the habit of going but once in a year or two, and then bringing with -me enough to last me for a considerable period. I could, of course, have -hidden my money under the flooring of my cabin, but that is the very -place where burglars would have searched, had they done me the honor to -look upon me as a miser, hiding concealed treasures. It was for this -reason that I selected a hiding-place so far away from my dwelling. -Fearing that I might forget the exact place, I chose a particular tree -as a guide, and then measured a distance of sixteen feet due east. Of -course there would be no danger of my mistaking the place then." - -"Somebody might have seen you digging there, sir." - -"True; I used to go early in the morning when no one was likely to be in -the wood. Besides, I carefully looked about me before beginning to dig, -to make all secure." - -"We didn't look about us this afternoon." - -"No, it was not necessary. There is no money left, and as for the -earthen pot, any one is welcome to it, who will take the trouble to dig -for it. I fancy it would hardly repay the labor." - -"There is still considerable gold; are you not afraid of being robbed?" - -"There is a chance of it. I shall therefore give you half of it to keep -for me." - -"I am glad you have so much confidence in my honesty, Mr. Taylor. But I -hope that no one will suspect that I have so much money, or I might be -attacked." - -"Better give the greater part to your mother to lock up in a trunk or -bureau drawer." - -"I think I will, sir. It seems odd to have you choose me as a banker, -Mr. Taylor." - -"I don't think I shall have any cause to repent it, Mark." - -"Nor I, so far as honesty goes, but I might be robbed." - -"We will take our chance of that." - - ------- - -Mark and his employer supposed themselves alone when they were engaged -in disinterring the golden treasure, but they were mistaken. Two pairs -of very curious eyes watched them from behind a clump of bushes. These -eyes belonged to James Collins and Tom Wyman. - -They were in the wood with their guns, looking for squirrels, when they -saw the approach of Mark and the hermit. - -"I wonder what they are going to do," said James. "Mark has got a -spade." - -"I don't know. Suppose we hide, and then we'll find out." - -This proposal struck James favorably, and they concealed themselves -behind a clump of low trees, as already described. With eager eyes they -watched the preliminary measurement, and the subsequent excavation. - -"The old man's a miser," whispered James. "He's got gold hidden there." - -"Just what I think," responded Tom, also in a whisper. - -"I wonder if there's much." - -"Hush! We'll soon see." - -They were not near enough to hear what passed between Mark and Anthony, -but they saw the gold coins which the boy passed to his employer. Then -they saw the dirt replaced, and the spot made to look as before. - -When Mark and Anthony had gone, they emerged from their hiding-place, -eager and excited. - -"Well," said James, drawing a long breath, "we've found the hermit's -secret. He must be a miser. I wonder how much more gold there is in the -hole." - -"Thousands of dollars, very likely," said Tom, who had a vivid -imagination. "You know it doesn't take a very big pile of gold to make a -thousand dollars." - -"Mark Manning is pretty thick with old Anthony. He trusts him more than -I would." - -"Mark'll rob him someday. See if he don't." - -"I shouldn't wonder. I say, Tom, don't you tell a living soul of what -we've seen this afternoon. If Mark steals the money, we can expose him. -He little thinks we know his secret." - -Tom agreed to this, and the two boys went home. When they next saw Mark, -they regarded him with a knowing look that puzzled him. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - LYMAN TAYLOR GAINS SOME INFORMATION. - - -WHEN Lyman Taylor left his uncle and returned to the city, he felt that -his visit had been a failure. His traveling expenses had amounted to -about two dollars, and he only carried back five dollars with him. Added -to this, his prospects of remunerative employment were by no means -brilliant. To work, indeed, he was an enemy, and always had been. - -"Blessed if I know how I'm coming out," he said to himself, ruefully; -"if Uncle Anthony had showed any enterprise, he ought to be well off, -and able to lend me a helping hand. Instead of which he is settled down -in a tumble-down shanty in the woods, and isn't doing any good to -anybody." - -Lyman resented it as a wrong done to himself that his uncle was not in a -condition to help him. - -If he were only living in the city now, he might quarter himself upon -him. As matters stood, it was out of the question. It made him shudder -to think of becoming a joint tenant of the lonely cabin, with nothing to -look to but the homely fare, which no doubt contented his uncle. - -"I shall have to shift for myself," he reflected with a sigh; "I always -was unlucky. Other fellows are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, -and have rich fathers or uncles to provide for them, while I may go to -the poorhouse for all the help I am likely to get from Uncle Anthony." - -Arrived in New York, however, his prospects rose a little. He met an old -acquaintance on the Bowery, and turned into a billiard saloon, where he -succeeded in a series of games in raising his small capital to ten -dollars. - -This gave him a hint of a new way to make a living—a way, as he -considered, infinitely preferable to a life of toil. Henceforth he -frequented billiard saloons, and occasionally varied his pleasant labors -by a game of cards. In spite, however, of his praiseworthy efforts to -make an honest livelihood, there came a time when he was reduced to his -last quarter of a dollar. - -He was sitting moodily in a cheap downtown hotel, when he was addressed -by a bearded man dressed in rough miner's costume, a type of man more -frequently met in California or Colorado, than in an Atlantic city. - -"Have a cigar, stranger?" asked the bearded man socially. - -"Thank you; I don't care if I do," said Lyman with alacrity. - -"I'm a stranger in York," said the other, "only arrived yesterday. -You've got a right smart city here; beats 'Frisco higher'n a kite!" - -"Do you come from San Francisco?" asked Lyman with interest. - -"I'm from Californy—was up in the mines mostly." - -"Did you have much luck?" - -"Wal, I made two or three piles, an' lost 'em agin. However, I've got a -little left. I've always wanted to see York, and thought I might as well -come on and see it before I lost the last." - -"I'm glad to meet you," said Lyman, who was speculating as to whether he -couldn't make a little something out of his new friend, before his -"pile" was wholly reduced in size. "I'm an old Californian myself." - -"You don't say so? when was you there?" - -Lyman mentioned the time, and the country where he had courted fortune. - -"You don't say, stranger?" returned the miner. "Why, I was at that -identical place myself. I bought a mine—leastways me and my partner -did—of an old man, named Taylor." - -"Anthony Taylor?" asked Lyman, eagerly. - -"That was the old fellow's name. Did you know him, stranger?" - -"I should say I did. He is my uncle. Did you—pay much for the claim?" - -"We paid five thousand dollars cash down." - -Lyman Taylor whistled in amazement. - -"Was it worth it?" he added. - -"We took out ten thousand dollars, and I heerd that the old man took out -as much before selling it to us." - -"What month did you buy it?" asked Lyman, breathless. - -"Let me see, it was in September. You seem to be interested, stranger?" - -"I should say I was. That claim was half mine, and my uncle never gave -me a cent of the purchase money." - -"Where were you all the time?" - -"I left in disgust, for we'd worked a long time without making it pay." - -"You left too soon. The old man struck it rich some time early in -August, and carried away ten thousand dollars, besides what we gave him. -We didn't make so much of a spec, for too much had been taken out -already. Where is your uncle now?" - -"Living in the country. I went up to see him two or three weeks since." - -"How's he fixed? Did he hang on to his pile?" - -"He's hanging on to it now," answered Lyman, with an oath. "He made out -he was poor, and sent me off with a beggarly five-dollar note." - -"Perhaps he's lost his money." - -"More likely he's keeping it out of the way. He ought to give me half he -made out of the claim." - -"I don't know about that, stranger. You gave up and left, and all he -made afterwards, went of right to him." - -Lyman Taylor, however, did not regard the matter in that light. -Discreetly losing sight of the circumstances under which he left his -uncle, carrying off all the gold dust he had then accumulated, he -persuaded himself that he had suffered a great wrong in not having -shared in the subsequent rich development. - -"Just my luck!" he said to himself, moodily. - -"If I'd only waited a couple of months I'd have left California a rich -man. How was I to guess how the claim was going to pan out. I didn't -think Uncle Anthony would have treated me so meanly. I wonder how much -he's got left?" - -This was an interesting subject of consideration, but unfortunately, -Lyman had no data to go upon; or, rather, what data he had, were not -calculated to favor the presumption that his uncle was a rich man. - -It did not look very likely that a rich man, or even one moderately -well-to-do, would voluntarily make his home in a poor cabin, like that -which old Anthony occupied. - -Lyman began to fear that his uncle had managed to lose by bad -investments the money he had obtained from the claims, and was really as -poor as appearances would seem to indicate. - -"Are you livin' in this hotel?" asked the miner. - -"I'm not living anywhere in particular," answered Lyman. "Fact is, I'm -rather down on my luck. There are no 'piles' to be made in New York." - -"I've been there myself, stranger. Here, take this, and pay it back when -it's convenient." - -Lyman eagerly accepted the twenty-dollar gold piece offered him by his -liberal new acquaintance, and leading the way to the bar, they cemented -their new-born friendship by a drink in true California style. He then -proposed a game of cards, but the miner declined. - -"I never cared much for keerds," he said. "Excuse me! I don't mind -playing a game of pool if you're agreeable." - -When the two parted, they were sworn friends. Lyman, however, found that -his miner friend had all his wits about him, and that the twenty dollar -loan was all he was likely to extract from him. - -"I must make another visit to that uncle of mine," said Lyman to -himself, as he sauntered down the Bowery. "He ought to pay me half the -money he got for that claim." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - ON THE TRAIL OF GOLD. - - -KEEN on the scent of anything likely to turn to his own advantage, Lyman -Taylor arranged the very next day to make a second visit to Pocasset, -and find out definitely, if possible, whether his uncle had saved any of -the large sum which his claim had yielded him. - -He hardly knew what to think. Anthony was not the man to waste money on -extravagant living, but then he might have made poor investments, and -reduced himself to a pittance. Cases of that kind were common enough in -California, as Lyman knew well enough. - -He preferred, however, to think that his uncle had turned miser, and was -still the possessor of a handsome fortune. In that case, as the only -near relative, it ought to come to him some day. - -"Let me see," he mused, "how old is Uncle Anthony! Fifty-nine!" he -resumed, after a mental calculation. "That isn't very old, but he looks -a good deal older. He is about played out—a physical wreck," he -reflected, complacently, "and may not live a year. - -"In that damp cabin it could not be expected. Of course it's his own -lookout. If he chooses to live there, I don't see that it's any of my -business. I ought to come to a friendly understanding with him, and get -him to recognize me as his heir. I dare say he's got his money hidden -away in some out-of-the-way place. It would be a sorry joke if he should -die, and it shouldn't be found." - -Lyman shuddered uneasily, as he thought of this contingency. - -"He ought to place his money in charge of some competent manager," he -resumed. "I'd take care of it myself, and save him all business cares, -if he'd let me." - -Lyman did not appreciate the absurdity of this plan. Few persons think -themselves unfit to be trusted with money. What he thought of his own -honesty can only be conjectured. Probably he did not regard himself with -the eyes of those who knew him. - -Such thoughts were passing through the mind of the hermit's nephew, as -he was traveling from New York to Pocasset. Arrived at the depot, he set -out for the village at a brisk pace. - -Presently he espied in advance of him a couple of boys, whose figures -looked familiar. It did not take him long to recall the two boys he had -met in the pasture on his former visit. Of course they were James and -Tom. - -"Just the ones I want to see," he said to himself. "I may get some news -from them." - -He quickened his pace, and soon overtook them. - -"Good morning, young gentlemen!" he said, urbanely. "I believe we have -met before." - -The boys turned around. They, too, recognized him. - -"Yes, sir," answered James. "You are old Anthony's nephew." - -"The same! I am glad you remember me. Have you seen or heard of my uncle -lately?" - -"Yes; we saw him yesterday in the wood." - -"Has he recovered from his rheumatic attack?" - -"I guess so," said Tom. "He is looking pretty well now." - -"I came down to inquire his condition. I am his only relative, and -though he is prejudiced against me, I can't help feeling anxious about -his health. Can you tell me anything about him?" - -"He has that boy, Mark Manning, about him all the time." - -"What can be the boy's object in keeping company with a poor old man, -who has no way of rewarding him?" - -"I am not so sure about that," said James. - -"About what?" asked Lyman, quickly. - -"About his being poor." - -"Have you any reason to think my uncle has money?" asked Lyman, eagerly, -fixing a sharp glance of inquiry on the speaker. - -James looked at Tom, as if to consult him about the propriety of telling -what he knew. - -"As I am his nephew and only relation, and—heir," continued Lyman, "you -can freely tell me anything you have found out." - -"Would you?" asked James, turning to his companion. - -"I don't see why not," returned Tom. - -"Then," said James, who rather enjoyed the prospect of telling the -story, "I'll tell you what I saw the other day—that is, Tom and I." - -"Yes, yes, what did you see?" interrupted Lyman, eagerly. - -"We were out in the woods about a quarter of a mile from the hermit's -cabin, when we all at once heard voices. Slipping behind a tree we saw -old Anthony and Mark coming along. Mark had a spade over his shoulder. -We wondered what it all meant, and so kept hidden. Well, the two came up -to a big tree, and then measured with a tape measure to a place about a -rod distant. Then old Anthony took the spade and began to dig. But I -guess he got tired, for pretty soon he gave the spade to Mark, and got -him to dig." - -"Well?" ejaculated Lyman, who was listening with intense interest. - -"Pretty soon he struck something hard. It turned out to be an earthen -pot with a cover." - -"Did they take it up?" - -"No; but Mark took off the cover, and then took out, oh, such a lot of -gold pieces." - -"Just what I thought!" exclaimed Lyman, in excitement. "I was sure my -uncle kept his money hidden in the ground somewhere. Do you know how -much money he took out of the jar?" - -"There must have been hundreds of dollars—maybe a thousand." - -"And what then?" - -"The cover was put on again, and then Mark filled up the hole, and -covered it with leaves, so that nobody would think the ground had been -disturbed, then they went away." - -"That shows there must be more money there, don't you think so?" - -"Of course, or they wouldn't have taken so much trouble to cover it up -again," answered James, readily. - -"You are right. I see you are sharp. What a fine detective you would -make!" - -James looked pleased at this compliment, and it inclined him in favor of -the appreciative stranger. - -"Do you think," asked Lyman, after a pause, "you could find the spot -again?" - -"Yes, I guess so. Why?" - -"I should like to go there." - -"But," objected James, cautiously, "what would you do if you found it?" - -"I would dig down and find the jar." - -"But you would have no right to do that; the money belongs to old -Anthony." - -"Who is my uncle. But you are mistaken. I don't want to take it. I want -to see if the gold is still there." - -"Why shouldn't it be?" - -"Because," answered Lyman, with a lucky thought, "the boy knows where it -is. What is to prevent his going there by himself and carrying off all -there is. My uncle would have no proof that it was he." - -"I never thought of that," said James, quickly. "It would be just like -Mark." - -"Do you think he is honest?" - -"I wouldn't answer for him. He is a poor boy." - -"Exactly, and the gold would be a great temptation. As the legal heir of -Uncle Anthony, I think I ought to look into the matter. Suppose my uncle -should die, wouldn't this Mark get the money, even if he hasn't done it -already, and no one would be the wiser?" - -"Of course!" James readily assented. "What do you want us to do?" - -"Lead me to the place, and let me see for myself if the money is still -there." - -"Shall we, Tom?" - -"I think it would be only fair." - -"Then come along. I'll get a spade from the house as we pass." - -The spade was obtained, and the three set out for the wood. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - LYMAN'S DISAPPOINTMENT. - - -JAMES was not without his share of curiosity, and he was strongly -desirous of seeing with his own eyes the pot of gold, and so learning -how rich the hermit was. - -Prejudiced as he was against Mark, he did not really believe the boy -would appropriate money that did not belong to him, though it would have -been a satisfaction to him to find that his enemy was in a scrape. - -"That boy, Mark, seems to be an artful young rascal," Lyman Taylor -remarked, as they were walking along together. - -"He is all of that," said James, emphatically. - -"My uncle is old, and his mind is weak. He is very likely to be -influenced by a sharp, unprincipled boy." - -"It's lucky you came down here to watch him." - -"That depends on whether I am able to put a spoke in his wheel." - -"Do you know whether your uncle has much money?" - -"I don't know, positively, but I have heard he was very successful in -California." - -"If he is rich, I shouldn't think he would live in such a tumble-down -cabin," said Tom. - -"Perhaps he has become a miser. His burying money looks like it." - -They entered the wood, and as the boys knew their way all over it, they -were able to go straight to the tree. - -"It was from this tree that old Anthony measured," said James. - -"Can you tell in what direction?" inquired Lyman, anxiously. - -"This way, I am sure." - -"Do you know how far?" - -"Not exactly, but we can tell by seeing where the ground has been -disturbed." - -Lyman Taylor took the spade and began to dig vigorously. Such hard work -was not generally to his taste, but now he was spurred by a powerful -motive. - -He would not have been sorry, now that he had obtained the information -he required, if the boys had left him to work alone. But this they had -no intention of doing. They were very curious to see the treasure -unearthed, and ascertain how much there was. - -At length, the spade struck the earthen pot. - -"I've touched it!" exclaimed Lyman, triumphantly. - -He worked with redoubled energy, and soon laid bare the buried vessel. - -The boys drew near, eagerly, and looked into the hole. - -Lyman threw himself down upon his knees, and removed the cover of the -jar. No sooner had he done so, when he uttered a fierce cry of -disappointment. - -"Boys," he said, looking up with haggard face, "there's nothing there!" - -"No gold in the jar?" asked James, with a blank look. - -"Not a particle. Are you sure there was any left?" - -"We couldn't see, but it stands to reason that it would not have been so -carefully covered up unless there had been some left." - -"You are right there. Now, what has become of it?" - -"Can Mark have taken it?" said James, turning to Tom. - -"I don't know," answered Tom, doubtfully. - -"That's just what happened. I'd like to wring the young rascal's neck," -said Lyman, fiercely. - -"What are you going to do about it?" asked James, curiously. - -"I say, boys, it's pretty hard luck," complained Lyman, "to see yourself -robbed by an artful young scoundrel. He's just taken in Uncle Anthony by -his artful ways, and is laying a trap for his money." - -"I see now," said James, quickly. "That's what he meant by not caring -about losing his place in my father's shop." - -"I'll go and warn my uncle against him," said Lyman. "Boys, will you -show me the shortest way to the cabin?" - -"Certainly, with pleasure." - -Pleased with the idea of getting Mark into a scrape, James guided the -disappointed nephew to the hermit's dwelling. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE HERMIT RECEIVES A CALL. - - -OLD Anthony was sitting in his doorway, thoughtfully smoking a pipe, -when, chancing to lift his eyes, his gaze fell upon the figure of his -nephew advancing towards the cabin. It was a surprise, and not a -pleasant one. He could not divine Lyman's object in making this second -visit. - -"How are you getting along, Uncle Anthony?" inquired Lyman, in a -conciliatory tone. - -"Have you come all the way from New York to ask me that question?" said -the hermit, dryly. - -"Well, not altogether. Still, I wanted to know whether you were better." - -"I have got over my rheumatic attack," said Anthony, shortly. - -"I'm very glad. At your age it must be uncomfortable to be -sick—especially in such a place. Can't I persuade you to come to New -York, and take comfortable lodgings?" - -"Why should you desire it? Perhaps you would propose to live with me?" - -"And if I did, being your only relative, it would be natural enough. -With your means——" - -"What do you know of my means?" demanded the hermit, sharply. - -"I have reason to think you are better off than your position would -indicate," announced Lyman, watching the effect of the assertion on his -uncle. - -"What reason?" inquired Anthony. - -"Well, I know you were very successful in California—after I left you. -You struck it rich, made a great deal of money, and then sold the claim -for a good round sum." - -Anthony's countenance did not change, though the communication was by no -means a welcome one. - -"How much of this money do you think I have now?" he asked, at length. - -"I don't know." - -"And I don't propose to tell you." - -"I know you have some of it!" - -"Very possibly. I cannot live for nothing." - -"And I know where you keep it," added Lyman, provoked by his uncle's -manner. - -"Indeed!" - -"But I can't commend your prudence in putting your money where it is so -likely to be found—and taken." - -"Be a little more explicit. Let me know just what you mean." - -"Burying money in the ground is not very wise." - -Old Anthony was taken by surprise, and showed it. - -"So you know this? Where did you obtain the information?" he asked. - -"From some one who saw you and the boy, Mark, digging for it." - -"Well," said the old man, quietly, "I know of no better place. People -are honest round here, and it will not be taken." - -"I agree with you there, Uncle Anthony. It won't be taken for a very -good reason. There is none there. The jar is empty." - -"How do you know this, Lyman?" demanded the hermit, with a searching -look. - -Lyman hesitated, but it seemed necessary to tell the truth. - -"Because, when I learned that you had been so imprudent as to let the -boy into your secret, I concluded at once that he would take advantage -of his knowledge, and rob you. I therefore uncovered the place, and -found it as I suspected. The jar is empty." - -Old Anthony betrayed no excitement on hearing this. - -"It is quite true," he said, quietly. "All the gold has been taken." - -"You knew this?" - -"Certainly. I took the last gold piece myself. Having no occasion for -the jar, I left it there. You are certainly very kind to take so much -interest in the safety of my property, but it is needless. I am still -able to take care of what money I have left." - -Lyman's face fell. He began to suspect that this was only too true. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - HOW LYMAN SUCCEEDED. - - -"I AM afraid you misjudge me, Uncle Anthony," said Lyman, after a pause, -during which he reflected that his best course was, if possible, to make -a favorable impression upon the relative who might be in possession of -considerable property. "I am afraid that you are prejudiced against me." - -"You must admit that I have reason," said his uncle, dryly. - -"It is true," replied Lyman, with an engaging frankness; "I did not -treat you well in California." - -"I should say not. You disappeared, carrying away two thousand dollars, -leaving me penniless." - -"Of course I was wrong. Still you had the claim, out of which you made a -good deal more within a short time." - -"When you left me," said the hermit, quietly, "it looked as if it were -worthless. That it proved otherwise, was my good fortune." - -"I won't argue the matter, Uncle Anthony. I was young and heedless." - -"Wicked would be a better word." - -"And I have had bad luck; I am almost penniless now. If you would be -willing to help me——" - -"To what extent do you want help?" asked Anthony, abruptly. - -"If you could lend me fifty dollars, it would set me on my feet." - -"And in a week or two you would be coming back for more." - -"Upon my honor——" - -"How much honor have you?" asked his uncle, contemptuously. "Would you -like to go West?" - -"Yes." - -"Then I will give you the means of getting there." - -Lyman was under the impression that his uncle proposed to hand him a sum -of money, out of which he decided to buy a western ticket if it suited -his convenience; Uncle Anthony would be none the wiser. - -"Yes, uncle, if you will give me a hundred dollars, I will go to -Chicago, and seek there a chance to make an honest livelihood." - -"Very well." - -Old Anthony took out a memorandum book, tore a leaf from it, and wrote a -few lines, which he handed to his nephew. - -"What is this?" asked Lyman, suspiciously. - -"It is an order on a friend of mine in New York for a Chicago railroad -ticket." - -"And the money?" - -"He will give you an order on a firm in Chicago for the balance of the -money, which will be paid you there." - -Lyman's countenance fell. It was clear that the trick which he intended -to play on his uncle would be impossible. - -"It seems to me," he said, "it would be better to give me the money at -once." - -"I don't think so." - -"I hope you have no suspicions of my good faith." - -"I won't express my opinion on that subject. I will only say that the -arrangement I have suggested suits me best." - -"Well," said Lyman, slowly, "I will try to win your good opinion. I am -afraid I have not money enough to get back to the city." - -He had over ten dollars in his pocket at that moment, but it struck him -that he had a good excuse for securing a little more. - -The hermit smiled contemptuously. - -"Then suppose I had had no money to give you—how would you have got back -to the city? Perhaps you meant to stay with me?" - -"I will, Uncle Anthony, if you desire it." - -"Thank you. I won't trouble you." - -"I should have had to walk back. But, uncle, I can't leave you without a -word of warning." - -"Well?" - -"That boy, Mark, I am sure is scheming to rob you." - -"What do you know of Mark?" - -"I know the reputation he bears in the town. I know he has been -discharged from the shoe-shop." - -"Who told you?" - -"Two boys whom I met. One is the son of Mark's employer." - -"I know the boys you mean. They dislike Mark, but I prefer him to them." - -A noise was heard at the door, and Mark entered. - -He looked in surprise at the visitor, whom he instantly recognized. - -"You see, Mark," said the hermit, "my nephew has kindly called to see me -again. He felt anxious about my health." - -"I feel relieved to find you so much better, uncle," said Lyman, by no -means abashed at the hermit's ironical words. - -"It is the more creditable to him, this solicitude, because he had only -money enough to pay his fare one way. Mark, you may give him five -dollars." - -"Very well, sir," - -Mark drew a five-dollar gold piece from his pocket, and handed it to -Lyman. - -"Does Mark carry all your money, uncle?" asked Lyman. - -"Not quite all." - -"I hope he won't take a fancy to travel at your expense." - -Mark's face flushed indignantly, but he left old Anthony to answer for -him. - -"I have perfect confidence in Mark," he said. - -"Thank you, sir," Mark responded, gratefully. - -"Have you anything for me to do this morning?" the boy asked. - -"No; I will give you a list of articles which you may bring me from the -village to-morrow." - -"Then I will return, as I have some work to do at home." - -"Very well." - -"I will go along with you, Mark," said Lyman, suddenly. - -"If you wish," answered Mark, but he would rather have gone alone. - -"Good-by, Uncle Anthony. It may be a good while before I see you again. -If you need me at any time, write or telegraph." - -"I will bear it in mind," said the old man, dryly. - -Mark and the dutiful nephew left the cabin together. - -"You've got a soft place, youngster," Lyman began. - -"I have an easy place, and a kind employer," said Mark. - -"So you carry the old man's money, hey?" - -"Some of it," answered Mark, eying his companion, suspiciously. - -"Don't looked scared, boy. I'm not going to rob you. I only want to ask -you a few questions. How much money did you and he take from that buried -jar the other day?" - -"Who told you about it?" asked Mark, in surprise. - -"O, I know more about the old man's affairs than you suppose," chuckled -Lyman. - -"I can't tell you." - -"Won't, you mean," returned Lyman, scowling. - -"I have no right to do so." - -"Look here, boy, do you know that I am my uncle's heir?" - -"He never told me so." - -"Then I tell you so." - -"I hear you, sir." - -"I'll tell you something else. I believe you are trying to worm yourself -into my uncle's confidence, so as to rob him—and me." - -"Your thinking so doesn't make it so," said Mark, angrily. - -"I warn you that you had better think twice before you play such a -dangerous game. You have a bad reputation in the village." - -"Who told you so?" demanded Mark, indignantly. - -"Two of your companions." - -"James Collins and Tom Wyman probably!" said Mark, contemptuously. - -"I know you were discharged from your place in the shoe-shop." - -"But for no good reason." - -"That's what you say. How much money of my uncle's have you in your -pocket?" - -"That I don't choose to tell," said Mark, firmly. - -Lyman felt a strong inclination to take the money by force, but prudence -restrained him. In that case, the order which he carried would not be -honored, and he would probably lose more than he would gain. - -Mark was apprehensive of an attack, and it was with joy that he caught -sight a little way in advance of James and Tom, whom under other -circumstances he would not have cared to meet. - -"You will now have company," he said, "and I will hurry along." - -Lyman did not oppose his purpose, and joined the two boys. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - ALL ABOARD FOR NEW YORK. - - -THE next day Mark found a letter in the post-office directed to Anthony -Taylor. According to custom it appeared in a written list containing the -letters of those who had no boxes. - -Mark called for it. - -"Who is Anthony Taylor?" asked Tom Wyman, who happened to be attending -the office for his father. - -"Old Anthony," as the boys call him. - -"I wonder if there's money in it!" said Tom, holding up the letter, and -trying to peep inside. - -"That's none of our business," answered Mark. - -"Oh, you're mighty virtuous!" sneered Tom. "If there is any money, I'll -bet you'll get a share of it." - -"I get no money except my wages." - -"How much does he pay you?" - -"I would rather not tell," returned Mark, with a smile. "You might try -to get my place away." - -"As if I would work for an old tramp like the hermit!" exclaimed Tom, -disdainfully. "I suppose he pays you about a dollar a week." - -"That's better than doing nothing, isn't it?" - -"Yes, it's better for you. I don't want your place. I shall go to the -city when my school days are over." - -"I wish you good luck, Tom, whenever you do," said Mark, good-naturedly. -"I must hurry along with my letter." - -"A letter for you, Mr. Taylor," announced Mark, as he entered the cabin. - -"From John Hardy," said the hermit, as he scanned the address. - -He opened the letter and read as follows: - - "MY DEAR OLD FRIEND: Your will is drafted and ready for signature. - You had better come up to the city, and sign it. I know your - reluctance to leave your forest home, but it will occur to you at - once that your signature must be witnessed, and though witnesses - might be found in Pocasset, it would involve a degree of publicity - which I presume you would wish to avoid. Here I can easily get it - witnessed by my clerks. - - "I suggest that you bring the boy, Mark, with you, as he may be of - service to you. Moreover, I think it is high time that we spoke to - him of the mission on which you propose to send him. - - "Your worthy nephew, Lyman, called upon me to-day with your letter. - He wished me to furnish him with the money needed for his ticket, - but I thought it better to send a clerk to purchase the ticket, and - see him fairly off. He has just returned, and reports that Lyman is - on the way to Chicago. I think you showed considerable shrewdness in - securing his removal from this neighborhood. He may return, to be - sure, but the chances are that he will spend all the money, and find - himself stranded in Chicago. If this compels him to work for a - living, no harm will result. - - "Your friend as ever. - "JOHN HARDY." - -Old Anthony laid down the letter thoughtfully. He was reluctant to go to -New York, but saw that it was necessary. His reluctance was diminished -by the prospect of having Mark's company. - -"Mark," he said, "can you go to New York with me to-morrow?" - -Mark stared at his employer in amazement. The proposal was very -unexpected. - -"I am obliged to go up on business," explained the hermit. "I wish I -could delegate it to you, but I must attend to it myself. It is so long -since I have been in a crowd, that I believe I shall need some one to -take care of me." - -"I shall be very happy to accompany you, sir," said Mark, with alacrity. - -"At what time does the morning train leave the station?" - -"Nine o'clock, sir." - -"Then meet me there at fifteen minutes before the hour." - -"All right, sir." - -"When shall we return?" asked Mark, after a pause. - -"When does the afternoon train leave the city?" - -"At three o'clock." - -"We will return then." - -"I only wanted to tell my mother when to expect me." - -It must be admitted that old Anthony looked like an antediluvian figure -in his old-fashioned coat, with a short waist and long tails, as he -stood on the platform the next morning waiting for the train. Two or -three of the village boys laughed rudely, but the hermit was buried in -thought, and took no notice of them. Mark, himself, thought his employer -looked queer, but he saw nothing to laugh at. - -"Are you going to town with old Anthony?" asked one of the boys. - -"Yes," answered Mark. - -"People will take him for your grandfather." - -"I don't mind." - -"He looks like a rusty old tramp. His coat looks as if it was made in -the year one." - -"He has a right to consult his own taste. He has been kind to me, and I -don't care to listen to any rude remarks." - -"You may buy two tickets, Mark," said the hermit. - -Mark did so. - -Just as he was leaving the ticket-window, his former employer, Mr. -Collins, the shoe manufacturer, took his place. - -"Are you going to the city?" he asked. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Who goes with you?" - -"Mr. Taylor." - -"Mr. Taylor?" - -"The—the hermit." - -"Oh!" returned the manufacturer, arching his brows, "are you working for -him?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You might have been working for me, if you had behaved yourself." - -"I am satisfied with the change," answered Mark. - -"That boy is impertinent," soliloquized the village magnate. "He can't -get much pay from a pauper. However, it serves him right. Of course, it -is only pride that makes him profess to be satisfied." - -Mark would have been surprised, had he known that Mr. Collins was going -up to the city to call upon the person with whom the hermit had -business. Such was the fact, however. Mr. Collins had applied to Mr. -Hardy for a sum of four thousand dollars, mortgaging therefor, his large -shoe manufactory, which had originally cost double this sum. - -As Mr. Hardy told old Anthony, he had ventured into Wall Street, and the -losses he had incurred there, had forced him to raise money in this way. - -To-day had been fixed by Mr. Hardy for the execution of the papers, and -the transfer of the sum required. Twelve o'clock was the hour appointed -by Mr. Hardy, for his business with the manufacturer. - -"What on earth can carry that old scarecrow up to New York?" thought Mr. -Collins, as he eyed curiously old Anthony, who, with Mark, was seated a -few steps in front of him, in the same car. "I suppose he has a pension -from some source, and is going to collect it." - -It may be remarked that James Collins had never communicated to his -father the discovery made in the forest, connected with the pot of gold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - IN AN OFFICE ON BROADWAY. - - -MR. HARDY'S office was in a large, high building, on Broadway. It was -the fifth floor, but there was an elevator constantly running, which -made it nearly as easy of access as if it had been on the first. - -Mark had never before ridden in an elevator, and he enjoyed the novelty -of it. From a directory, near the entrance, they ascertained that Mr. -Hardy occupied office No. 55, and this was easily found. - -"Welcome to New York," said the agent, advancing cordially, to greet his -visitors. "Good morning, Mark. So you have piloted my old friend -safely." - -"I think he has piloted me, sir. I know very little of the city." - -"I have not been here for five years," said Anthony, reflectively. "I am -unused to the noise, and it confuses me." - -"I like it," said Mark. - -"You are young, and enjoy new and busy scenes," said Mr. Hardy. "Would -you like to travel?" - -"Very much, sir." - -"Perhaps you may some time." - -"I am afraid it will be a long time before I am able." - -"Possibly not." - -Mark, however, did not detect any special significance in these words. - -"You may sit down here, and read a morning paper, Mark," said the agent, -"while I transact a little business with Mr. Taylor." - -The two entered an inner office, where Mr. Hardy produced an -official-looking document, to which he called the attention of the -hermit. - -"Read it over," he said, "and see if it meets your views." - -"Precisely," answered Anthony, after he had taken the time necessary to -read it. - -"Then it may as well be signed at once." - -Mr. Hardy summoned three clerks from the outer office, and in their -presence as witnesses the will was signed. - -"I suppose I may as well leave the document with you, John," said -Anthony. - -"It will be as well. Now, about the other matter. It seems to me you may -as well send Mark at once in search of some clue to the possible -existence of a grandchild. Before doing so, however, may I suggest -something?" - -"Certainly." - -"I don't like the idea of your living in that lonely cabin. Why can't -you seek a home in the house of your young secretary? Has he a good -mother?" - -"She is a very worthy woman." - -"Has she a room for you?" - -"I think so." - -"What do you think of my proposal?" - -"I have been thinking of such a change myself. For the first time in -five years I am beginning to find my cabin home monotonous." - -"I am glad to hear it. You will be much better off in a home where you -can be taken care of." - -"I will attend to the matter without delay on my return." - -"So far, so good. Now, let me call in Mark, and speak to him of our -plan." - -Mark, at the summons, entered the back office. - -"Mark," said Mr. Hardy, "we want you to take a journey." - -"I shall be very glad to do so, sir." - -"It will be a long one." - -"The longer the better," answered Mark, his eyes sparkling. - -"Your first stopping place will be Chicago." - -The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement. - -"I should like nothing better," he said. - -"The commission will be to trace out Mr. Taylor's daughter, and find out -whether she left a child. Necessary instructions will be given in -writing." - -"Do you think I am old enough?" asked Mark, excited but doubtful whether -he was competent for the duty assigned him. - -"Discretion is more needful than age," answered Mr. Hardy. "Perhaps an -older messenger would be better, but as my friend wishes to avoid -publicity, he is disposed to try you. Would your mother be willing to -have you go?" - -"I think so, sir, but I hate to leave her alone." - -"Mr. Taylor proposes to board with her while you are absent, if you -think she would be willing to receive him." - -"I know she would be glad to secure such a boarder," answered Mark, -quickly; "with that help she would be able to get along very well." - -"Then that matter is probably settled. Now a few words to guide you in -your quest." - -These words need not be repeated here, as in following Mark's journey it -will be understood what they were. - -Their business concluded, Mark and the hermit left the office and -descended to the ground floor. - -They were just leaving the building when Squire Collins entered. - -He arched his brows in surprise. "You here?" he said, addressing Mark. - -"Yes, sir." - -"On what errand?" - -Mark was privately of opinion that he had as much right to ask the -manufacturer's business as the latter his, but he answered: "Mr. Taylor -had business here." - -Squire Collins smiled contemptuously. It did not strike him that the -hermit's business was likely to be of any great moment. So people often -deceive themselves and assume a superiority to which they have little -claim. - -"Probably old Anthony has just been paid his pension," he thought, as he -left them, and made his way to the elevator. - -He, too, ascended to the fifth floor, and leaving it there went to John -Hardy's office. - -"Good morning, Mr. Collins," said Hardy. He knew nothing of the -manufacturer's home title. "I shall be at leisure in five minutes." - -The five minutes passed. - -"Now I am at your service," he said. - -"Have you decided to let me have the money, Mr. Hardy?" asked the -manufacturer, trying to conceal his anxiety. - -"Taking as security a mortgage on your manufactory?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I think I can let you have it." - -Squire Collins looked much relieved. - -"You will find the security ample," he said. "The building is worth -double the sum I am borrowing." - -"Is it well insured?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"The policies of insurance must be placed in my hands." - -"Of course." - -"I have to take all precautions, as the money is not mine, but belongs -to a boy for whom I am trustee." - -"I see." - -Squire Collins had no curiosity as to the name of the boy referred to. -He would have been very much amazed had he been told that it was the -very boy whom he had discharged from his employment only a short time -previous. For that matter, Mark would have been quite as much surprised. - -In the course of half an hour the proper papers had been made out, a -check for four thousand dollars handed to Squire Collins, and the shoe -manufacturer left the office in as good spirits as Mark had done half an -hour before. - -"By-the-way," remarked the Squire at his supper table that evening, "I -met two persons from Pocasset in the city to-day." - -"Who were they?" asked James. - -"Old Anthony and Mark Manning." - -"What could have taken them to the city?" - -"I presume Anthony receives a small pension from some source, and went -up to collect it." - -"I think it very likely," said James, thinking of what he had seen in -the forest. "I presume it isn't much." - -"Probably not." - -"I shouldn't think he'd have gone to the expense of taking Mark." - -"The old man looked dazed. I presume he doesn't feel safe in going -alone." - -"Very likely Mark asked to go. He's fastened himself on the old man, and -means to get all he can out of him." - -It is wonderful how prejudice colors our opinion of others. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - MARK'S MISSION. - - -THREE days later, two things puzzled the good people of Pocasset. One -was the removal of old Anthony from his lonely cabin to the small but -comfortable cottage of Mrs. Manning. It was voted by the village people -a very sensible move, but they were at a loss to understand how the -recluse had been persuaded to change his mode of life. It was generally -supposed that he was quite poor, but the two or three dollars a week he -would be able to pay the widow would be a help. A room on the second -floor was appropriated to old Anthony, where he spent much of his time. -Every day, however, he wandered off to the woods, which had been his -residence for several years. Though he said little, he was soon -convinced that he had bettered himself by his removal. Mrs. Manning -provided plain, well-cooked meals, which were far more attractive than -the extemporized lunches with which he had thus far been content. - -There was another circumstance, however, that equally puzzled the good -people of the village. This was the disappearance of Mark. He was no -longer seen walking about the streets, and many were the inquiries made -of his mother as to where he had gone. At the request of old Anthony she -answered very indefinitely. She could not tell just where Mark was, but -he was employed. He would probably be home in a few weeks. - -Among those whose curiosity was most keen were James Collins and Tom -Wyman. - -"Where do you think Mark has gone?" said James one day, throwing away a -half-smoked cigarette. - -"I don't know any more than the man in the moon," answered Tom. "I asked -his mother the other day when I met her in the street, but I couldn't -get any satisfaction out of her." - -"Perhaps he has gone to the city in search of a place." - -"I shouldn't wonder." - -"He can't get anything to do here. Father won't take him back into the -shop." - -"He was at work for old Anthony." - -"That couldn't amount to much. The hermit is as poor as Job's turkey." - -"Do you know this? How about the gold we saw?" - -"It was all he had," said James, who was in the habit of jumping at -conclusions. "My father says he gets a small pension from some person in -the city. Some rich relative, I suppose, is taking care of him. Do you -know, Tom, I should be glad to come across Mark blacking boots, or -selling papers in the city?" - -"Why?" - -"He is so mighty independent—poor and proud—that I believe he actually -thinks himself as good as you or I." - -"He is pretty pert, that's a fact." - -"If he were only humble, and showed that he knew his place, I'd get -father to take him back into the shop. It's his own fault that he got -discharged." - -"It's a good thing for his mother having a boarder, as Mark isn't able -to help her." - -"Pooh! what does that amount to? He probably pays two or three dollars a -week. However, I suppose that's a good deal to her." - -Mark would have been amused, but not surprised, if he could have heard -this conversation between his two old companions. At present, however, -he had other things to occupy his attention. - -He had already reached Chicago and was staying there a day or two before -going farther. - -His ultimate destination was Claremont, in Indiana, the place where the -daughter of the hermit was understood to have died. It was about -seventy-five miles from Chicago, and could be reached in three hours. -Mark felt that he could do no better in his brief stay in Chicago than -walk about, and make himself familiar with the principal streets and -avenues, and gain some knowledge of the western metropolis. - -He kept his eyes wide open, and noticed all that came in his way. -Everywhere throngs of busy wayfarers, and not one of whom he had ever -seen before. It seemed strange to him, for in Pocasset he knew -everybody. - -"The world is larger than I thought," he reflected, "and there are more -people in it. I wish I could see one familiar face." - -He had hardly formulated the wish when his glance rested on a form that -seemed strangely familiar. It was a man, tall, slender, with a slouching -gait. - -"That must be Lyman Taylor," he decided, with a natural start of -astonishment. - -It was indeed the man whom he had last seen in the woods at Pocasset. He -had not thought to meet him, though he remembered now to have heard that -Lyman had been sent to the West by his uncle. - -On the whole, Mark was not as much pleased as he expected to see this -familiar face. He did not care to be recognized, as Lyman might have his -curiosity excited, and make him trouble. - -Suddenly Lyman turned, and his glance fell upon Mark. The boy lowered -his head, and walked on without notice. Lyman did not recognize him, -though he was vaguely conscious of something familiar in Mark's -appearance. But before he left New York, Mark had been provided with a -new check traveling suit, and a hat of a different style from the one he -was accustomed to wear. - -Moreover, Lyman had no thought of meeting the country boy in a western -city. So he turned his glance in a different direction, and descended -the steps that led to a basement pool and billiard room. - -"I would follow him down there, if I dared risk discovery," thought -Mark. "However, it is none of my business what he does, as long as he -doesn't annoy his uncle." - -Lyman Taylor would have been glad to see Mark, or any one else -representing his uncle. The sum he had brought away with him had nearly -all melted away, and his prospects were by no means brilliant. The -thought of engaging in any employment by which he might earn an honest -and independent livelihood was by no means attractive to him. - -In the afternoon of the second day Mark started by train for Claremont, -and arrived at the Claremont Hotel in time for supper. - -He found Claremont to be a fair sized town, containing perhaps four -thousand inhabitants. It seemed to be growing rapidly, like most western -towns favorably situated. After a comfortable supper he bethought -himself of whom he could make inquiries as to the object of his journey. - -As he sat in the office, a tall man, with long hair, and a look of -speculation in his eyes accosted him. - -"Have you just arrived in town, young man?" - -"Yes, sir," answered Mark. - -"Are you calculatin' to settle here?" - -"No, sir; I am only here on a little business." - -"Drummer, I reckon!" - -"No, sir; I do not represent any business house." - -"You do look rather young for a drummer, but you said you were travelin' -on business." - -"My business is of a different nature, sir." - -"Just so! if I can help you, I will. I am Colonel Enoch Tarbox, -well-known hereabouts." - -"Thank you for your offer. If you will allow me, I will ask you one or -two questions." - -"Go ahead, young man; I'm ready to give you any information in my -power." - -"I am in search of a family named Ransom, who lived here some years -ago." - -"John Ransom?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You won't find him; he's dead." - -"So I have heard. Did you know him or his wife?" - -"I've drank with John Ransom many a time at this very bar. He was rather -fond of a social glass." - -"Did you know his wife?" - -"I've seen her often. She's dead too. They both died of a fever." - -"I suppose they had no children," said Mark, putting the question -anxiously. - -"Let me see," said the colonel slowly, evidently searching his memory; -"yes, I believe there was a child, a little boy." - -"Is he alive?" asked Mark eagerly. - -"There you've got me, stranger. Children ain't much in my line. I never -heerd of Ransom's child dying. I reckon it left town though." - -"Where could I get any information about it, do you think?" - -Colonel Tarbox reflected. - -"I reckon you'd better go to Mrs. Finn; she was intimate with Mrs. -Ransom. She lives in the little white cottage alongside of the -Presbyterian church." - -"Thank you, Colonel Tarbox; I am much indebted to you for what you have -told me." - -"Don't mention it. Won't you take a drink?" - -This kind offer Mark declined rather to the colonel's dissatisfaction. -He decided to call upon Mrs. Finn the next day. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - WHAT MARK DISCOVERED. - - -AS the clock on the Presbyterian church struck nine, Mark stood knocking -at the door of the little cottage hard by. - -The door was opened by a comely woman of middle age, who, not -recognizing Mark, looked at him inquiringly. - -"What can I do for you?" she asked. - -"My name is Mark Manning," said Mark, introducing himself. "I have been -directed to you as likely to give me some information about Mrs. Ransom, -who—" - -"Yes, yes," interrupted Mrs. Finn, not waiting for Mark to finish his -sentence. "Poor dear! I know all about her. Come in, do!" - -She led the way into the neat sitting-room, where she invited Mark to be -seated. Then she changed parts with Mark and began to ask questions. - -"Are you related to Mrs. Ransom?" she asked. - -"No," answered Mark, "but I come from one who is." - -"Alas, it is too late! The poor woman is dead." - -"I know that, but did she leave a child?" - -"Yes, a little boy. She sat great store by little Jack." - -"And what has become of him?" asked Mark, eagerly. - -"That is more than I can tell. A tall gentleman—I don't rightly know his -name—appeared at the funeral, said he was a relation, and took off -little Jack to St. Louis, I think." - -"A tall gentleman—a relation!" repeated Mark, surprised. "What was his -appearance?" - -Mark was destined to be surprised, for Mrs. Finn's description tallied -exactly with the appearance of Lyman Taylor. This was a surprising -discovery. Mark was sharp enough to guess that Lyman's object was to -remove from his path any rival claimant to his uncle's property, -supposing him to possess any. - -"I think I know who you mean," he said, after a pause. - -"Was it really a relation of Mrs. Ransom?" - -"If it was the one I suppose, it was her cousin." - -"I am glad to hear it. Then poor Jack was taken care of." - -"I am not sure about that," said Mark, gravely. "Though a relative, he -is a selfish, bad man, and I am afraid he meant the poor boy no good." - -"Good gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Finn, startled, "you don't think he -would murder the innocent child?" - -"No, I don't think that, but I think he wanted to put him where his -grandfather would never find him." - -"Is it his grandfather you come from, then?" - -"Yes; he does not even know of his grandchild's existence, but if I find -him, the boy will never need any other protector. Can you tell me -anything of Mrs. Ransom—of her husband?" - -"Poor Mrs. Ransom was a sweet woman, who deserved a better fate. As for -her husband, he was a drunkard, and a loafer. Those are hard words, but -he deserved them both. They hadn't much money, but what there was he -spent for liquor at the hotel yonder. More than once his poor wife and -little child wouldn't have had any breakfast if I hadn't taken some -over." - -And warm-hearted Mrs. Finn wiped away a tear. - -"Did her husband treat her very badly? Did he beat her?" - -"I am afraid he did when he was very far gone, but, poor thing! she -never complained. She always looked sad, though, and she didn't enjoy -her life very much." - -"Did she ever speak of her father?" - -"Once only. She told me she had ill-treated, him, and been a disobedient -daughter. I think it was in marrying Ransom." - -"Did she ever write to him?" - -"She told me she did once, but never received an answer. 'He won't -forgive me,' she said, with a sigh, and never wrote again." - -"I am sure he did not receive the letter, Mrs. Finn. If he had, he would -have noticed it." - -"I hope so; at any rate she was sadder than ever when no letter came to -her in return. Finally, her husband took sick with a fever. Bad as he -had been to her, she nursed him like a devoted wife as she was. But she -couldn't save him. Hardly was he dead, when she, too, caught sick, and -in the end she died. While she was sick I took little Jack home, for -fear he would catch the fever too. I was thinking of adopting him after -his mother's death, when the man I spoke of called and took away the -boy, saying he would provide for him." - -"And that was—how many years ago?" - -"Nearly six, I think." - -"And I suppose you have neither seen nor heard of him since?" - -Mrs. Finn shook her head. - -"Where does little Jack's grandfather live?" she asked. - -"Near New York." - -"Is he a rich man?" - -"Moderately rich. He is well able to take care of his grandson, if he -could find him." - -"I wish I could tell you more, I am sure," said Mrs. Finn heartily. "If -the poor boy yet lives, Heaven knows what his condition may be. If you -could find the man that took him away——" - -"I can," answered Mark. - -"Then why don't you go to him, and ask him where to find the child?" - -"Because it is against his interests to have him found. He and the -little boy are the only heirs to the grandfather's property. His uncle -has good reason to dislike him, and if the boy is found, Lyman Taylor -will get nothing, I feel sure." - -"Well, well! What wickedness there is in the world!" ejaculated Mrs. -Finn. "What will you do?" - -"I don't know. I shall have to consider." - -"Did the grandfather send you out here?" - -"Yes." - -"Excuse my remarking that you are very young to undertake such a -responsible task." - -"I think so myself, Mrs. Finn," Mark answered, modestly. "But it so -happened that he hadn't much choice. I shall do my best, and if I can't -find him, I shall go home and report, and advise Mr. Taylor to send an -older and more competent person." - -"You won't be offended by what I said?" - -"Certainly not. Any one would think as you do. Is there any other -information you can give me, Mrs. Finn?" - -Mrs. Finn shook her head. - -"I am afraid not," she said. - -"You are sure the boy was carried to St. Louis?" - -"Quite certain." - -"I might go to St. Louis, but without any clue I am afraid I should -stand little chance of succeeding." - -"You might advertise." - -"That is true," said Mark. "Indeed, it appears to be the only thing I -can do. How old would the boy be now?" - -"About eight years old, I think." - -"Thank you." - -Mark took out a small memorandum book, and noted down the small amount -of information he had obtained. - -It did not appear to be much, and yet it was of great importance. He had -ascertained that Mrs. Ransom had left a child, and moreover that Lyman -Taylor had been aware of the fact, and had conspired to keep its -existence from old Anthony. - -"Does he know where it is now?" Mark asked himself. - -Mark was inclined to think not. Shortly after the boy was carried away, -Lyman had gone East, got into trouble, and served a term of some years -in a prison. - -During those years, probably the boy had drifted out of his knowledge. -Doubtless he could furnish a clue, but for obvious reasons, it would not -do to apply to him. - -"I am very much obliged to you for your information," said Mark, as he -rose to go. - -"You are heartily welcome, sir. Would you mind writing me, if you find -out anything about poor Jack?" - -"I will certainly do so, Mrs. Finn. I shall lose no time in going to St. -Louis." - -"Heaven speed you, and bring you success," said Mrs. Finn, fervently. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - THE LITTLE MATCH BOY. - - -"MATCHES! Matches! Here's your nice matches!" was heard in a shrill -treble, proceeding from a little boy on Clark Street, in Chicago. - -He looked thin and pale, and it was easy to see the poor little fellow -was poorly fed, as well as ill-clad. - -"Only five cents a package!" the little fellow continued to cry; and he -looked wistfully in the faces of those who passed him, hoping for a -possible purchaser. - -"Clear out of my way there, you brat!" said a rough voice. "Do you want -to take up the whole sidewalk?" - -The boy shrank timidly, as the man who had addressed him swaggered by. -He would not have dared to resent the rudeness, but another did. It was -a stout, and healthy-looking woman, with a large basket on her arm, -whose heart warmed towards the poor little match boy, sent out so early -to earn his livelihood. - -"You ought to be ashamed to speak to the poor boy that way!" she said, -warmly. - -"Mind your business, woman!" retorted Lyman Taylor, for it was he whose -rough speech had been quoted. - -"I always do," said the woman. "It's my business to speak my mind to -such brutes as you!" - -Lyman vented his wrath in a volley of oaths, for his language was by no -means choice, when his anger was excited. He might have been more -prudent, if he had known that a policeman was just behind. - -"Stop that, my man, unless you want me to take you in!" said the burly -officer. - -Lyman Taylor turned sharply round, but quailed when he saw the officer. - -"This woman has insulted me," he said, sullenly. - -"I just spoke to him for abusin' that poor match boy," said the good -woman. - -"I heard it all," said the officer. "Move on, my man, and behave -yourself, if you don't want to get into trouble." - -Such a scene was sure to attract a small crowd. One kind-hearted man -drew out a dime from his pocket and handed it to the match boy. - -"Here, my lad," he said; "take this, and I hope it'll do you good." - -"Here are two boxes of matches for you, sir." - -"No, keep them. I give you the money." - -"Here's another dime," said a young man, of literary aspect. He was a -reporter on one of the Chicago daily papers, who, in spite of the cases -of poverty and privation that came under his notice every day, still -preserved a warm and sympathetic heart. - -Then a lady followed his example, and in the end, the match boy had -received a sum much larger than the value of his small stock-in-trade. - -Lyman Taylor's rudeness had proved to him a piece of good luck, in -opening the hearts of those who would otherwise have passed him by -without notice. - -Smiling with pleasure at the child's good fortune, the good woman who -had resented Lyman's rudeness so warmly, went on her way. If all had -hearts as warm, there would be little misery or suffering in the world. -It is often those who have little, that are most ready to help others -poorer than themselves. I must not omit to add, that among the -contributors to the little match boy's fund was the policeman, who -placed a nickel in his hands, with the admonition to "brace up and be a -good boy!" This was true charity, for out of his salary the officer had -to support a large family of his own, and therefore had very few nickels -to spare. He was bluff of aspect, but kind of heart. - -"It's a shame to send out such a child on the streets," he said to -himself. "Think of my Rob having to lead such a life!" - -The policeman looked sober, for, should anything happen to him, as in -his exposed life might very well happen, he knew not what would be the -fate of his little ones. They might be as badly off as the poor match -boy. - -The little match boy's thin face showed signs of satisfaction as he -looked at the collection of small coins which had been given him by the -pitying crowd. He turned into an alleyway and counted it. It amounted to -seventy-six cents. This was a phenomenal sum for the small merchant. And -the best of it was, he had his stock of merchandise left. - -A thought entered the little boy's mind, prompted by his craving for -food. - -"Would it be wrong for me to take a little of this money and buy me some -dinner?" he said to himself. "I am _so_ hungry. Aunt Peggy only gave me -a slice of bread for breakfast, and it's most two o'clock now." - -Only a slice of bread, and he had been walking about for hours, trying -to sell matches. The fruit of all his labor was the sale of two boxes at -five cents each. But he had seventy-six cents besides, and they were -his. They had not been given to Aunt Peggy, but to him. So, at least, he -reasoned. Not that he meant to keep it all himself. He intended to give -the greater part to the woman who was the only guardian he knew, but he -thought he had a right to use fifteen cents for himself. It wasn't much, -but he knew a place—a cheap place—where for this sum he could get a cup -of coffee and a plate of beefsteak. At the thought of this delicious -repast the match boy's mouth watered. When had he eaten meat? Three days -ago Peggy had given him a bone to pick. There was not much on it, but -when he had got through with it there was none at all. - -Johnny could not resist the temptation. He suspended sales, and made his -way to a cheap restaurant on a side street. With eager steps he entered, -and sat down at a wooden table from which nearly all the paint had been -worn off, and scanned the bill of fare. - -It seemed to him that there was nothing better than the dish he had -already mentally selected. - -A greasy looking waiter approached, and said sharply, "What'll you have, -kid?" - -"Cup o' coffee an' plate of beefsteak!" answered Johnny. - -"Sure yer got money enough to pay for it?" - -"I wouldn't have asked for it if I hadn't," said Johnny, emboldened by -his unusual wealth. - -"All right, then! Sometimes chaps come in and order their dinner, and -skip off before it comes time to pay." - -The greasy looking waiter went to the back of the room, and soon -returned with the banquet Johnny ordered. - -He set it down with a jerk. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - LUCK FAVORS LYMAN. - - -NO patron of Delmonico's probably ever contemplated his sumptuous meal -with more satisfaction than shone in the little match boy's eyes, as he -gazed with watering mouth at the overdone, tough-looking steak, the -mashed potato, the three slices of stale bread and dab of butter, which -furnished the solid material of his meal. A cup of muddy coffee -completed the bill of fare. After all, appetite is the best sauce, and -Johnny had appetite enough to make his meal seem palatable. - -Johnny did not stand upon ceremony, but "pitched in." It is not an -elegant expression, but it describes accurately the energy with which -the boy disposed of his dinner. Ten minutes sufficed for its entire -disappearance. There was not even a crumb left. - -"That was bully!" said Johnny to himself, with a sigh of supreme -satisfaction "I wish I could have such a lay out every day." - -But he evidently thought this was unattainable happiness. He did not -even think of reserving from his little fund, enough to provide a -similar feast on the following day—partly because he was an honest -little fellow, and partly because he stood in fear of the burly woman -whom he called Aunt Peggy. - -"I wouldn't have Aunt Peggy know I've been here for something," he -thought. - -There seemed little chance of it, but, as ill luck would have it, as he -was emerging from the restaurant, a boy he knew passed with a -blacking-box on his shoulder. - -"What have you been doin' in there?" asked Tim Roach. "Been havin' yer -dinner?" - -"I just got a little to eat," answered Johnny, ill at ease. - -"Got any more money?" - -"A little." - -"Then just treat a feller, won't yer? I'll do as much for you -to-morrer." - -"I can't, Tim, the money isn't mine." - -"You won't, you mean." - -"I would if the money belonged to me." - -"Does Peggy know yer went in there?" asked Tim, slyly. - -"Don't tell her, Tim! I was _so_ hungry." - -"Then treat!" - -"I can't, Tim!" - -"All right!" replied Tim, nodding. "I'll let Peggy know how you spend -her money." - -Poor Johnny! These last words alarmed him terribly. - -Lyman Taylor's stock of money was getting low. He was not a good -financial manager. But even if he had been, he would not have been able -long to live without work. When his stock of ready money was reduced to -five dollars, he began to consider anxiously where he could obtain a -further supply. It is not strange that his thoughts should have reverted -to his uncle. - -"I wonder if Uncle Anthony is well fixed or not. He got considerable -money in California, but may have lost it. The old man is close-mouthed, -and I can't worm the secret out of him. If I had any hold on him——" -continued Lyman, thoughtfully. - -He sauntered along till he came to a pool-room, connected with a cheap -hotel, of the kind he was in the habit of frequenting. No one chanced to -be playing, and by way of filling up the time he took up a St. Louis -paper, and ran his eye listlessly over it. - -But at one place in the advertising columns, his listlessness suddenly -vanished, and his face assumed a look of eager interest. This was the -advertisement that attracted his attention: - - "INFORMATION WANTED.—Any one who can give information concerning a - child named Jack Ransom, who was brought to St. Louis a little more - than five years since, is desired to communicate with Mark Manning, - at the Planters' Hotel. The boy, if living, is now seven or eight - years of age." - -"Well, I'll be——hanged!" ejaculated Lyman Taylor. "How, in the name of -all that's mysterious, has my uncle got hold of a clue to little Jack's -existence? - -"So he's sent that country cub—Mark Manning—out to investigate. He must -be crazy to trust a green boy, who has always lived in the country. - -"But what beats me, is how he learned so much. I did take the boy to St. -Louis, and placed him with an old woman, who very likely has starved or -beaten him to death by this time. But suppose she hasn't," continued -Lyman, after a pause. - -"Suppose the child is still living. If I could only find out, then I -would have the hold on my uncle that I require. I would kidnap the boy, -and not part with him under a good round sum." - -Lyman's face brightened, but only for an instant. It was a capital -scheme, but how was he to get hold of the boy? How did he know if he -were living? - -He would have been amazed if he had known that he had seen the boy that -very day, selling matches in the streets. - -There was one thing, however, that seemed clear to Lyman. His uncle must -still have a comfortable property, or he would not be able to send a -messenger to St. Louis in search of his lost grandson. - -"The old man may have twenty thousand dollars, for aught I know," -reflected Lyman; "and doesn't spend the income of half that as he lives -now. No doubt that country boy has an inkling of it, and is planning to -get hold of it. That boy is foxy, and knows what he is about, I'll be -bound." - -This estimate did not exactly agree with the one Lyman had recently -expressed of Mark, but he did not think it necessary to be consistent. - -"Twenty thousand dollars!" he repeated, and his nephew almost starving -here in Chicago. Oh, it was a cunning scheme to buy me off for a paltry -sum, and give a free field to that boy. That's a pretty way for a man to -treat his only living relation. - -"But who could have put it into his head that his grandson was alive? I -presume the little beggar has kicked the bucket before this. If I only -could get hold of him, I would make the old man pay handsomely for his -return." - -The chances, however, did not seem very flattering, and Lyman had no -money to expend in searching for the boy, apart from the doubt whether -he was still living. Gradually a new idea came to him. He might pick up -some boy who would answer the purpose, whom he could palm off on his -uncle as his grandson. True, it would be raising up a rival heir; but he -was thoroughly persuaded that in no case did he himself stand any chance -of succeeding to his uncle's property. - -"It will be worth something," he muttered, "to cut out that country boy. -All I have to do, is to find a boy who is without relatives, and I can -concoct some story that will impose upon Uncle Anthony. That little -match boy, for instance! Why wouldn't he do?" - -Lyman became so excited by his castle building, that he determined to -lose no time in carrying out his design. He left the tavern, and -retraced his steps to the place where he had encountered the match boy. -Johnny, after eating his dinner, had resumed his business, and was -within a block of the same place offering his wares to the passers by. - -He was a little worried by Tim's threat to expose his extravagant dinner -to the old woman with whom he lived, but persistently refused to buy off -his persecutor. - -"I say, little boy, what's your name?" - -Johnny turned round at these words, and recognized in the man addressing -him, the one with whom he had already had trouble. His face showed the -fear which he not unnaturally felt. - -"Don't be frightened, my boy!" said Lyman, with an ingratiating smile. -"I am afraid I was rough to you this morning. Don't mind it! I was -worried about my business affairs, and didn't mean what I said. Shake -hands, and let us be friends." - -With rather a bewildered look, Johnny allowed Lyman to take his small, -thin hand, and looked perplexed. - -"Come, you don't harbor no malice, my lad, do you?" said Lyman with a -smile. - -"No—o," answered Johnny, doubtfully. - -"The fact is, I feel an interest in you, my boy. You look like a little -cousin of mine that I haven't seen since he was a baby." - -Johnny was more and more puzzled. The neglected little match boy was not -used to such attention. - -"Did you ever live in St. Louis?" asked Lyman, at a venture. - -"Yes," answered the match boy. - -Lyman opened his eyes in surprise. He had not expected such an answer. -Even then he did not suspect that Chance had led him to the very boy -whom he desired to meet. - -"Have you any father or mother?" he asked. - -"No sir." - -"Good!" - -Johnny could not understand why his questioner should be pleased to hear -that he was an orphan. Lyman Taylor seemed to him a very -incomprehensible man. He felt rather uncomfortable in his presence, and -hoped the man would go away, and leave him to attend to his business. - -"Who do you live with, then, sonny?" was Lyman's next question. - -"With my aunt." - -"What is your aunt's name?" - -"I always call her Aunt Peggy." - -"WHAT?" exclaimed Lyman, in a tone that made the little match boy jump. -"You live with an old woman named Peggy?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Is she your aunt?" - -"I suppose so. I always call her Aunt Peggy." - -"It's the very boy!" was Lyman's exulting thought. "I'm in luck at last. -Lyman, old man, your plans are going to be realized." - -"Were you ever called Jack?" he asked, anxiously. - -"Yes; that's what Aunt Peggy calls me. Other people call me Johnny." - -"My boy," said Lyman, fervently, "I can't tell you how glad I am to see -you. I am sure now you are my little cousin. Where does Peggy live?" - -The match boy named the place—a poor street in a poor neighborhood. - -"Take me there at once. I want to see your Aunt Peggy." - -"But Peggy will be mad if I don't stay and sell matches, sir." - -"Come along; I will make it right with her." - -Lyman took the little boy's hand, and the two turned off Clark Street, -and went in pursuit of Peggy. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - OLD PEGGY. - - -TIM ROACH was not only selfish, but liked to make mischief. He resolved -to be revenged upon Johnny for declining to "treat" him to a dinner, and -having plenty of time on his hands, took pains to seek out the humble -home tenanted by old Peggy. - -It was on the third floor of a tall, shabby brick house, not far from -the Chicago and Alton depot. Tim had been there before, and didn't -require directions. He ascended the rickety staircase, nearly treading -on two dirty faced children belonging to a neighbor of Peggy's, who were -playing on the landing. As a third child, older, made her appearance, -Tim stopped long enough to inquire, "Is Peggy at home?" - -"Yes," answered the girl. "She's home, but, oh my, ain't she tight!" - -"That's nothin' new," said Tim, composedly. - -He knocked at Peggy's door, and receiving no answer, opened it. - -The old woman had thrown herself on a truckle bed at one corner of the -room, and was breathing noisily with her eyes half closed. - -"Is it you, Johnny!" she asked, without turning her head. - -"No, it's me!" - -"Who's me?" - -"Tim Roach." - -"What do you want?" - -"I've just seed Johnny, Peggy." - -"Has he sold many matches? Where is he?" - -"I seed him in an eatin' house. He was eatin' a bully dinner." - -"What!" exclaimed Peggy, now thoroughly roused, raising herself on her -elbow. "What's that you say, Tim Roach?" - -Tim, quite enjoying the commotion he had raised, repeated his -information. - -"So he's spendin' my money in fillin' his stomach, the little wretch!" -exclaimed Peggy. "That's why he brings home so little money. The -ungrateful little imp that I've slaved and slaved for these last six -years, takin' advantage of a poor old woman when her back's turned! -Where was it, Tim, dear?" - -Tim mentioned the restaurant. - -"And what was he eatin', Tim?" - -"He ordered a cup o' coffee and beefsteak—I don't know what else he -had." - -"I'll learn him to chate and decave me!" said the old woman, angrily. -"He only brought home twenty-five cents yesterday, and I takin' care of -him, and buyin' him close and vittles." - -"I guess he buys some dinner every day," said Tim. - -"And I never to suspect it! Tim, dear, you're a good boy to come and -tell me. You wouldn't treat your best friend that way?" - -"No, I wouldn't!" said Tim, virtuously. "What are you goin' to do to -him, Peggy?" - -"Where's my stick, Tim? Do you see it anywhere?" - -"No, I don't," answered Tim, after a search. - -"Some of them children downstairs must have carried it off." - -"I can buy you a cane for ten cents." - -"And where would the ten cents come from I would like to know. I'll bate -him wid my fists, the ongrateful young kid." - -"What are you goin' to give me for tellin' you, Peggy?" asked Tim. - -"I'll give you a penny the next time I see you," said Peggy, vaguely. - -"That isn't enough. Give me a nickel to buy a glass of beer?" - -"I haven't got it, Tim. I wish I had, for I'm awful dhry myself." - -"I wouldn't have come all the way to tell you if I'd know'd that," said -Tim, discontentedly. - -Just then a noise was heard on the stairs, and Tim, opening the door -wider, looked out. - -"Here's Johnny now, Peggy!" he said in excitement. - -"Come home the middle of the afternoon, too, the young rascal!" -ejaculated the old woman. "I'll fix him!" - -"So here you are, you young——," commenced Peggy, as Johnny made his -appearance, but the threat with which she was about to conclude, died in -the utterance, when she saw that Johnny was closely followed by a tall -man of middle age. - -"Who are you, sir?" she asked irritably, "and what brings you here? If -you're the agent, I haven't got any money for you." - -"Don't you remember me, Peggy?" asked Lyman, sinking with rare courage -into a chair which cracked under his weight. - -"No, sir, I don't. If I had my glasses, perhaps——" - -"I see you've got company, Peggy," continued Lyman, with a significant -look at Tim. "I would like to speak to you alone. It'll be to your -advantage, mind," he added, detecting a suspicious look on the old -woman's face. "Just send the two boys out to play, and we'll speak -together." - -"First, hand over what money you've got, Jack," said Peggy. "I ain't -goin' to have you wastin' it outside. Let me see your matches! How many -boxes did you sell?" - -"Five," answered Johnny. - -"Only five!" exclaimed the old woman, holding up her hands. "You were -playin' in the strates, I'll be bound!" - -"No, I wasn't, Aunt Peggy. I tried to sell more, but——" - -"Oh, yes, I understand! And you'd done so well you thought you'd buy -yourself a dinner off my money. Come here and let me shake you!" - -"Tim told you!" said the little boy, with a reproachful look at his -betrayer. - -"Yes, he told me, and he was a good bye for doin' it." - -"He said he'd tell if I didn't buy him some, too." - -"Is that threu?" asked Peggy. - -"Hark to him!" said Tim, with virtuous indignation. "It's a lie, and he -knows it." - -"Did you spend all the money, Jack?" demanded Peggy. "If you did——" - -"But I didn't, Aunt Peggy. Some good people gave me some money, and——" - -"It was for me, then. How dared you spind it?" - -"I've brought most of it home, Peggy. See here!" and Johnny took out a -handful of small silver coins and pennies, and poured them into the old -woman's lap. - -Peggy was agreeably surprised. She saw that there was nearly a dollar, -much more than Johnny generally brought home, and it put her in a good -humor. - -"You've done well, Jack!" she said. "I won't grudge the money you spent -for a bit of dinner. Now go out and play wid Tim." - -"I don't want to play with him. He told on me." - -"My lad," said Lyman, "can't you bring a bottle of beer for your good -aunt and myself. Here's money; you can bring back the change." - -"You go, Jack, for the gentleman," said Peggy, quite restored to good -humor. "I don't mind sayin' that my throat is just parched with bein' so -dhry." - -Johnny went out, and soon returned, for he had not far to go. In spite -of his company being so unwelcome, Tim went and returned with him. - -"Won't you give me a little, Peggy," he asked. - -"No, I won't. You wanted Jack to trate you on my money. Now clear out, -and never let me see your ugly face here ag'in." - -"That's the thanks I get for tellin' you!" complained Tim. "And after -runnin' myself out of breath, too!" - -"Clear out wid you! And you, Jack, go back and see if you can't sell -some more matches. It's only the middle of the afternoon, and there's -plenty of time before sunset to sell half-a-dozen boxes." - -Johnny obeyed, not unwillingly, for he was not partial to home, nor did -he enjoy Peggy's company. Tim accompanied him, but Johnny, gentle as he -was, refused to have anything to say to him. Tim felt that he was badly -treated. Johnny turned his back on him, and Peggy had utterly failed to -acknowledge the service he had rendered her. Tim was of opinion that it -was a cold world, and that there was little encouragement to be -virtuous. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - LYMAN'S PLAN. - - -"HERE'S your health, Peggy!" said Lyman, emptying his glass. - -"Thank you, sir!" said Peggy, following his example. "You're very kind, -I'm sure, and I ought to remember you, but my memory ain't what it was." - -"So you don't remember me?" - -"I can't remimber that I iver set eyes on your face before, sir." - -"Then you don't remember the man that brought you a small child to take -care of near six years ago?" - -"Shure it's himself!" ejaculated the old woman, peering curiously into -Lyman's face. "I only saw you twice, and that's why I forgot. Shure it -was a cruel thrick you played upon a poor old woman, when you gave her a -baby to take care of, and then, five long years never sent her even a -penny. It's hundreds and hundreds of dollars I've spent on little Jack, -and he no kin to me!" - -"No doubt he has been brought up in the lap of luxury! He looks like -it," said Lyman with an amused smile. - -"And now you've come to pay me all I spent on the child?" insinuated -Peggy. - -"Well, not just yet. The fact is, Peggy, unavoidable circumstances -prevented my communicating with you, and the same won't admit of my -paying over the hundreds of dollars that Jack has cost you." - -"Then what do you want of me?" inquired the old woman disappointed. - -"I think I can see a way by which both of us can make something out of -the boy. By-the-way, it strikes me just at present that he is supporting -you instead of you taking care of him." - -"He only brings in a few pennies a day," said Peggy. "Shure it's hardly -enough to pay his salt." - -"Then Jack must be immoderately fond of salt. However, I'll let you into -a secret. His grandfather is looking for him." - -"His grandfather?" - -"Yes; no doubt you are surprised that Jack possesses a grandfather, but -that is a fact. His grandfather is my uncle, and what is more to the -purpose he has a fair property." - -"And little Jack is goin' to be rich?" gasped Peggy in amazement. - -"Well, I don't know! That depends on whether we allow his grandfather to -find him." - -"And why shouldn't he? Wouldn't he be givin' a big reward?" - -"That is where you come to the point, my good Peggy. If he will make it -worth our while, we may restore him to the old gentleman." - -"And how much would he be givin', d'ye think?" asked Peggy, her -bead-like eyes sparkling with greed. - -"I shouldn't wonder, Peggy, if you might get a hundred dollars out of -it." - -"A hundred dollars—after my takin' care of the boy ever since he was a -babby. Now you're jokin'." - -"Well, you see, his grandfather isn't a rich man—" explained Lyman, -fearing he had unduly raised the expectations of the old woman. - -"You said he was!" retorted Peggy sharply. - -"I said he had a comfortable property—for a country town. That means a -few thousand dollars." - -"He sha'n't have him for such a thrifle," snapped Peggy. - -"The police might take him from you, without your getting a cent." - -"How would they know, unless you told 'em?" asked Peggy suspiciously. - -"Look here, Peggy!" said Lyman in a conciliatory tone. "We've got to -stand by each other in this thing. Just leave the matter in my hands, -and I'll manage it as well as I can. I'll get as much money from the old -gentleman as I can." - -"And you'll give me half?" - -"Of course—that is, after necessary expenses are paid." - -"And what am I to do then?" - -"Nothing, except to stay here, and see that nobody gets hold of Jack. -Does he know who he is?" - -"He thinks I'm his aunt." - -"And is proud of the connection, no doubt," said Lyman, who could not -restrain his tendency to sarcasm. "Well, perhaps that is as well. Don't -let any one know that it is not true. We can keep quiet till the time -comes to make it known. Now, I'll leave you, and take the first step by -writing to my uncle. Good afternoon, Peggy! I'll call again in a day or -two." - -"Couldn't you leave me a dollar or two before you go?" whined Peggy. "Me -health is very poor, and I can't work, and it's only a few pennies the -boy brings in." - -"You're better off than I am," said Lyman curtly, "for I am out of -employment and I have no boy to bring me in pennies. I don't know but -I'd better take Jack at once, and then you won't have to take care of -him." - -"I'll kape him," said the old woman hurriedly—for she had no wish to -lose the income the match boy brought in, small as it was. "I'll kape -him, for he's used to me life, and he's happier here." - -"Just as you like, Peggy!" returned Lyman with a smile at the success of -his stratagem. "I'd help you if I could, but I'm almost at the bottom of -my purse as it is. I'll see you again in a day or two, and report -progress." - -"I've done a good day's work," reflected Lyman, as he picked his way -downstairs, nearly slipping on a piece of orange peel on one of the -steps. "It was a piece of good luck, my finding Jack so soon after -seeing that St. Louis paper—but I must write an effective letter to my -uncle." - -Lyman went to the Sherman House, and entering the writing-room procured -a sheet of note paper, and penned the following note: - - "CHICAGO, _September 7, 18—_. - - "MY DEAR UNCLE: - - "I am afraid you are feeling anxious about me, and I will therefore - relieve your affectionate solicitude, by saying that I am well in - health, but low—very low in pocket. It costs more to live in Chicago - than in Pocasset, and the sum of money with which you provided me is - nearly gone. As I am a little afraid this hint won't be sufficient - to open your heart, let me add that I can make it worth your while - to be generous. - - "It has come to my knowledge that you have sent out Mark Manning in - search of your grandson. How you came to suspect that my cousin left - a boy I can't imagine, but I don't mind telling you that you are - correct. She did leave a boy, whose name is Jack Ransom. He is now - about eight years of age. I know where he is and can lay my hands - upon him at any moment. Whether I will or not depends on how you - propose to deal with me. Of course it isn't to my interest that the - boy should be found, as outside of him I am your natural and legal - heir. I know that Mark Manning is scheming to get possession of your - property when you are gone, but I am sure you wouldn't throw it away - on a stranger, when your brother's son is living. - - "Now, Uncle Anthony, I am going to make you a proposition. Bear in - mind, if you please, that I am the only one who can restore little - Jack to you. Only one other person knows about him and she never - heard of you, and doesn't know Jack's last name. If you will - guarantee me five thousand dollars within three months, two thousand - being cash down, I will myself bring on little Jack, and place him - in your arms. Now, I am sorry to say that the boy has a miserable - home, and is scantily supplied with the necessaries of life. A - miserable career of poverty and perhaps crime, awaits him unless you - come to my terms. Let me know as soon as possible what you propose - to do. - - "A letter directed to me at the Chicago post-office will reach me - safely. - - "Your affectionate nephew, - "LYMAN TAYLOR." - -Anthony received this letter in due time, and deemed it of sufficient -importance to warrant a visit to New York. He wished to lay it before -Mr. Hardy, and ask his advice. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - MARK RECEIVES A TELEGRAM. - - -"MY good friend," said Mr. Hardy, "have you any reason to think your -nephew's statement is to be relied upon?" - -"I hope so," answered Anthony. "I am getting to be an old man, and I -should like to feel that some one of my own blood would survive me, and -profit by a part of the competence which God has bestowed upon me." - -"It may be simply a money-making scheme on the part of Lyman," said the -agent, thoughtfully. "Finding that he has little chance of becoming your -heir, he wants to secure a handsome reward for restoring to you your -grandson. Why has he not proposed it before?" - -"Because he did not know I had any property to leave, or else because he -supposed his own chances of inheriting good. After the last interview -with me, he probably lost the hope of profiting by my death." - -"There is something in what you say, Mr. Taylor. What is your own idea?" - -"I would give five thousand dollars, if necessary, to secure the return -of my grandson. It would give me an object to live for." - -"I should be exceedingly sorry to see that sum pass into the hands of -such a rascal as your graceless nephew." - -"Would you offer two thousand?" - -"I would hold no serious negotiations with him." - -"But I would run the risk of leaving the poor boy to a life of poverty, -and myself to a lonely old age." - -"My idea is this. I will telegraph to Mark Manning, who is now in St. -Louis, the particulars of your nephew's offer, with instructions to go -at once to Chicago, find out Lyman, and put a detective on his track. If -his story is true, he probably visits the boy from time to time. In this -way it can be discovered where the boy lives, and steps can be taken to -secure him." - -"I approve of your plan," said Anthony. "Let it be carried out at once." - -"There will be this advantage," added Hardy. "Your enterprising nephew -will not realize any benefit from his nice little scheme for trading -upon your affections." - -"Do as you think best, my good friend. Your judgment is always better -than mine." - -John Hardy rapidly penned the following despatch. - - "MARK MANNING, Planter's Hotel, St. Louis: Go at once to Chicago and - find Lyman Taylor. He knows where child is. Employ a detective, and - track him to boy's residence. Don't let him suspect your object. - Keep me apprised of your progress. - - JOHN HARDY." - -This despatch reached Mark within two hours. He had been in St. Louis -several days, and had learned nothing. Two or three persons had called -upon him with bogus information in the hope of a reward, but he was -sharp enough to detect the imposition. He was beginning to despair of -success when Mr. Hardy's telegram was received. Mark brightened up. He -saw his way clearer now. - -He went out to purchase a ticket for Chicago, and on his return found a -second telegram in these words: - - "Lyman admits knowledge of boy, and offers to restore him for five - thousand dollars." - -"I will endeavor to thwart Mr. Lyman Taylor," said Mark to himself. "He -is a greater rascal than I thought." - -Mark paid his bill and took the next train for Chicago. He arrived late, -and registered at the Fremont House, where he prepared himself for the -difficult work that lay before him by taking a good night's rest. In the -morning he awoke hopeful and determined, and after breakfast went out to -walk. He had no clue to the where-abouts of Lyman, but thought it -possible he might meet him as he had done before in the streets. - -He walked about for two hours, keeping his eyes wide open, but though he -scanned many hundreds of faces, that of Lyman Taylor was not among them. -Yet his walk was to be more successful than he anticipated. - -Little Jack still continued his street trade of selling matches. Peggy -was not willing to give up the small revenue she obtained from the boy's -sales. Sometimes, also, a compassionate passer-by would bestow a dime or -nickel on the boy, pitying him for his thin face and sad expression. -Sometimes, if Tim were not by, he would buy a cheap lunch, for the -scanty rations which he received from Peggy, left him in a chronic state -of hunger. - -It was fortunate that the poor boy indulged himself thus, or his feeble -strength would hardly have held out against hunger and hard work -combined. - -Unwittingly Jack had made an active enemy in Tim Roach. His refusal to -treat, Tim persuaded himself, was very mean, and his indignation was -increased by the ill-success of his attempt to secure pay for the -information given to Peggy. He was anxious to be revenged upon Jack, and -was only waiting for an opportunity. - -Malice generally finds its opportunity after awhile. One day Jack set -down his basket of matches a moment while he ran into a shop to change a -twenty-five cent piece. Tim was close at hand, and slyly secured the -basket, and fled swiftly through a narrow passage-way with his booty. He -had not only secured a stock of merchandise, but he had got Jack into -trouble. - -When Jack came out and found his basket gone he was in dismay. - -"Who took my basket?" he inquired of an applewoman, who kept a stand -close by. - -"There was a bye here just now—bigger than you. He must have run off wid -it when my back was turned away." - -"Where did he go?" asked Jack, anxiously. - -"I didn't mind." - -"What was he like?" - -"Shure I've seed him here afore wid you. You called him Tim." - -"It was Tim Roach!" exclaimed Jack. "He's a mean boy. He took it to get -me into trouble." - -"Shure he looks like a thafe." - -The tears started to Jack's eyes. - -"I don't know what to do," he said, piteously. "I am afraid Peggy will -beat me when I get home." - -"Who is Peggy?" asked a new voice. - -Jack looked towards the speaker. He saw a pleasant-faced boy, apparently -about sixteen. - -"She's the woman I live with," answered Jack. - -"What will she beat you for?" asked Mark, for it was he. He had just -come up, and hadn't heard of Jack's misfortune, but his heart was -stirred to sympathy, by the sadness visible upon the little boy's face. - -"For losing my matches," and thereupon Jack told his story to his new -acquaintance. - -"How much were the matches worth?" asked Mark. - -"There were fourteen boxes. They cost me three cents a piece. Then there -was the basket. That cost a quarter." - -"Do you know where to buy more?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then take this dollar bill, and get a new supply." - -Jack's little face glowed with gratitude. - -"Oh, how kind you are!" he said. - -"Do you generally stand here?" asked Mark. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Does this Peggy send you out every day?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Is she related to you?" - -"I thought she was my aunt," answered the match boy, "but last evening a -gentleman called on Peggy, I heard them talking when they thought I was -asleep," Jack continued in a lower tone. "I heard the gentleman say I -had a grandfather living at the East, and that he would pay a good sum -to get hold of me. I wish he would, for Peggy doesn't give me enough to -eat, and sometimes she beats me." - -"Tell me about this gentleman," said Mark in excitement. "Is he tall?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"With black hair and whiskers?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Do you know his name?" - -"No, sir; but there he is now!" - -Mark followed the direction of the boy's finger, and he recognized, -though his head was turned, the familiar form of Lyman Taylor on the -opposite side of the street. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - MARK MAKES ARRANGEMENTS WITH JACK. - - -MARK'S excitement was at fever heat. In the most wonderful manner he had -succeeded almost without an effort. He could not doubt that this boy was -the very one of whom he was in search. - -He was apprehensive that Lyman would turn, and on recognizing him -penetrate his design and arrange to defeat it. But fortunately the -object of his dread appeared to have other business in hand and kept on -his way, never turning back. - -"How old are you?" he asked, thinking it best to make assurance doubly -sure. - -"Peggy says I'm goin' on eight," answered the match boy. - -"That is the right age," thought Mark. - -"Have you always lived in Chicago?" he continued. - -"No, sir; Peggy brought me from St. Louis when I was a very little -child." - -"I suppose you don't remember much about St. Louis?" - -"I don't remember it at all." - -"What does Peggy do for a living?" - -Jack shrugged his shoulders. - -"Nothing much," he answered; "she says she isn't well enough to work." - -"Surely she does not depend wholly upon what you earn?" - -"I don't know. Sometimes she gets money in a letter. I think it comes -from her son." - -"Then she has a son?" - -"Yes." - -"Where does he live?" - -"I saw one of his letters once. It said Fall River on the wrapper. I -think he works in a factory." - -"Fall River is a city in Massachusetts. I have never been there, but I -hear that they have factories there." - -"So you can read writing?" asked Mark after a pause. - -"Yes, a little." - -"And I suppose you can read books and papers?" - -"A little. I went to a primary school for a little while, and afterwards -a lady used to hear my lessons. She lived in the same place with us." - -"Did you like studying?" - -"Ever so much. I should be happy if I could go to school again, but -Peggy says I know enough, and she needs me to earn my living." - -"Do you know the name of that gentleman you pointed out to me?" - -"No, I don't think I heard Peggy mention his name." - -"How long has he been in the habit of coming to see you and Peggy?" - -"He has only been there two or three times. Peggy didn't remember him at -first. I think they used to know each other a good while ago." - -"Suppose this gentleman's story were true, and you had a grandfather at -the East who could take good care of you, would you be willing to go to -him?" - -"Would he be kind to me? Do you know him?" asked the little fellow -eagerly. - -"Yes, I know him, and I am sure he would be very kind to you. Would you -be willing to leave Peggy?" - -"Yes," answered little Jack promptly. - -"How does she treat you?" - -"If I bring home a good bit of money, she pats me on the head and says I -am a good boy, but if I am not lucky she is very cross, and sometimes -she beats me." - -Mark's sympathies were aroused. Jack was so small, and weak in -appearance, that it seemed to him revolting to think of his being at the -mercy of a cruel old woman. Half unconsciously his fist doubled up, his -teeth closed firmly together, and he just wished he had the merciless -Peggy in his power. - -"Is Peggy temperate?" he asked. - -Jack looked at him inquiringly. - -"Does she drink?" Mark asked, changing the form of his question. - -"She drinks beer, and sometimes whiskey," answered Jack. - -"Does she get—drunk?" - -"Sometimes." - -"How does it affect her?" - -"It makes her sleepy or cross. I always run away when she has been -drinking—when I can, but sometimes she locks the door and fastens me in. -Then, if I can, I hide under the bed." - -"Poor boy! you have a hard time of it. Now, Jack, can you keep a -secret?" - -Jack nodded, and his face assumed a cunning look, for the poor boy had -more than once felt obliged to practice dissimulation, in the rough -school in which he had been trained. - -"Yes," he answered. - -"Then I am going to tell you a secret. Your grandfather sent me out here -to find you." - -"He sent you!" ejaculated Jack. - -"Yes." - -"But I thought he sent that gentleman—the one I pointed out to you." - -"No; that gentleman, as you call him, is your mother's cousin. He is a -near relation of yours." - -"But he spoke to Peggy about carrying me back to my grandfather." - -"He has an object in view. He won't give you up to your grandfather -unless he gets a large sum of money. I suppose he has promised to give -Peggy some of the money." - -"Yes, I heard him promise Peggy a hundred dollars." - -Mark smiled. - -"Then I think he is going to cheat Peggy," he said. "He wants five -thousand dollars for himself." - -"Why, that is a good deal more than a hundred dollars." - -"Yes, it is fifty times as much. Did Peggy seem to be satisfied with a -hundred?" - -"No; she said it was very little, but he said perhaps my grandfather -would give her as much as that every year." - -"It is evident he proposes to take the old woman in." - -"I don't care, if he will only take me back to my grandfather. Will he -give me enough to eat?" - -"My poor child, are you hungry?" asked Mark, compassionately. - -"Yes; I think I am always hungry," sighed Jack. "Peggy says I eat too -much." - -"You don't look much like it. Now Jack, one thing more. Would you be -willing to leave Peggy, and go to New York with me?" - -"Would you take me to my grandfather?" - -"Yes; that is just what I want to do." - -"I am ready to go now," said Jack, putting his hand confidingly in -Mark's. - -"That is well, but it will be better to wait till to-morrow. What time -do you get up in the morning?" - -"About eight o'clock. It isn't any use to go out too early." - -"And at what time do you come here, Jack?" - -"About half-past eight or nine." - -"Then I will meet you to-morrow, somewhere about that time, and I will -have tickets ready to take us to New York. We can catch the ten o'clock -train. There isn't any danger of Peggy keeping you, is there?" - -"Not unless she thinks I am goin' to run away." - -"She mustn't suspect that. We must be sure to keep that from her. I -suppose you have no other clothes than those you have on?" - -"No, sir." - -"I will hunt up a clothing-store, and get you fitted out before we -start. I shouldn't like your grandfather to see you in that ragged -suit." - -Jack looked down at his jacket, frayed, tattered and greasy, and said: - -"I've often wished I had nice clothes like that boy," and he pointed out -a boy of about his own age, dressed in knickerbockers. - -"You shall have your wish to-morrow, Jack. Now I suppose you had better -go and buy some more matches, so that Peggy won't suspect anything." - -"Yes, sir." - -"You'll be sure to meet me to-morrow, Jack?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"And don't let Peggy suspect from your looks that anything is going on." - -"Yes, sir." - -"Everything looks favorable," thought Mark as he walked slowly to his -hotel. "To-morrow at this time Peggy and the worthy Lyman will be -mourning for a lost boy." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - JACK TALKS IN HIS SLEEP. - - -JACK was naturally very much excited by the new prospects that opened -out before him. He had seen little happiness in his short life. It is a -sad thing to say that he had hardly ever known what it was to eat a full -meal. Cold and pinching privation, and long, toilsome days in the -streets, had been his portion hitherto. Was it possible, he asked -himself, that all this was to be changed. - -Was he to have a home like other boys, and a relation who was able to -supply him with the comforts of which he knew so little? - -It seemed like a dream, and little Jack might have been tempted to -distrust the information which had been given to him. But somehow he -could not help feeling confidence in what Mark told him. He felt that -Mark would not deceive him, and the dream must come true after all. - -Jack finished out the day as usual, and went home. Peggy's attention was -at once called to the new basket. - -"Where did that come from?" she asked. - -"My basket was stolen, and a kind gentleman gave me money to buy this." -Jack answered. - -"Was the matches stole too?" - -"Yes; he gave me money enough to buy as many as I lost." - -"Who stole 'em? Do you know?" - -"I think it was Tim Roach. He was hangin' round, at the time I lost it." - -"Did he snatch it from you?" - -"No; I laid it down a minute while I went into a cigar store to get a -quarter changed for a gentleman who had just bought a box of matches, -when Tim picked it up and ran away." - -"I'd like to get hold of Tim!" said Peggy wrathfully. "I'd wring his -neck for him, the little wretch!" - -Then a new and cunning idea came to Peggy. - -"I tell you what to do, Jack," she said; "just you go out to-morrow -mornin' without any basket, and begin to cry, and tell people that -you've had your matches stolen. Then somebody'll give you money, and you -can bring it home." - -"But that would be tellin' a lie, Peggy," objected Jack. - -"And what if it is!" retorted Peggy. "You needn't be so dreadfully good. -It ain't a lie that'll hurt anybody, and the gentlemen that gives you -the money won't miss it." - -It occurred to Jack that it would suit his plans to go out the next -morning without the basket. Considering how he had been brought up, his -conscience was unusually tender, and he would not have liked to leave -the city without returning the basket and his stock-in-trade to Peggy. -Besides, she could have him arrested for theft, if she chose. He -decided, therefore, that he would make no further objection to Peggy's -proposal. - -"Just as you say, Peggy," he said, submissively. - -"That's a good boy!" said Peggy, good-humoredly. "That's a pretty good -snap!" she said to herself, complacently. "I don't know why we shouldn't -foller it up. It'll be more than the profit of the matches, and Jack can -do it two or three times a day." - -It did, indeed, seem a very ingenious method of raising money, and -answered the purpose of begging, without being open to the usual -objection. - -[Illustration: The old woman drawing near the pallet, strove to catch -the words that fell from the boy's lips.] - -Jack usually got tired with being about the streets all day, and after -he had eaten the frugal supper with which Peggy had provided him, he lay -down on a pallet provided for him in the corner of the room, and was -soon asleep. But with such a momentous secret on his mind, it will not -be a matter of surprise that Jack's thoughts, even in sleep, were -occupied with his new plan. Whenever he was restless he was apt to talk -in his sleep, and did so on the present occasion. - -Peggy had not gone to bed, but sat in an old wooden rocking-chair, -smoking a pipe. - -"What's the boy sayin'?" she asked herself, as Jack began to talk. "I'll -listen, and then if he's been up to any mischief, he'll out with it." - -She removed the pipe, and drawing near the pallet, bent over, and strove -to catch the disconnected words that fell from the boy's lips. - -"I'm goin'—to—my grandfather!" she heard Jack say, and the words -startled her. - -"Who's been talkin' to him about his grandfather?" Peggy exclaimed, -startled. "I didn't know he'd heard a word about him." - -"He says—he will—take me!" continued Jack, in a drowsy tone. - -"He says he'll take him!" repeated Peggy, in surprise and alarm. "Who's -he, I'd like to know." - -Her suspicions fell at once upon Lyman. No one, so far as she knew, had -any knowledge of Jack's relations except Lyman. Evidently Lyman had been -talking to the boy on the sly. - -"The villain!" said Peggy, indignantly; "I know what he's up to. He -wants to get the boy away from me, and get all the reward himself. He's -going to leave Peggy out in the cowld, and abduct the boy on the sly. -I've found him out, the artful schamer. So he thinks he can over-rache -ould Peggy, does he? He'll find it's a cowld day when ould Peggy gets -left." - -Jack began to talk again. - -"He says he'll take me off in the cars," he continued. "I like to ride -in the cars. My grandfather will give me enough to eat, and I won't have -to sell matches for a livin'." - -"The ongrateful young kid," commented Peggy, looking angrily at the -sleeping boy. "So he wants to lave me who've took care of him ever since -he was a babby, and he don't mind it no more'n if I was a puppy dog. _I_ -that have been a mother to him!" - -Peggy rocked back and forward, and actually persuaded herself that -little Jack was very ungrateful. It is curious how we misrepresent -matters from our own point of view. It was Jack who had supported Peggy, -and she was far more indebted to him than he was to her, but somehow she -could not see it. She did, however, understand fully how unpleasant it -would be to lose Jack's services, unless she could receive, as Lyman had -led her to expect, an adequate compensation from his grandfather. - -Peggy deliberated as to what was best to be done. In the first place, -she wanted to find out for a certainty whether Lyman had really entered -into a conspiracy against her and meant to abduct Jack without her -knowledge or consent. It seemed on the whole, the best thing to get up -herself and follow Jack the next morning, and make sure that Lyman did -not have a secret conference with him. - -When Jack was ready to start out the next morning, Peggy asked with -apparent carelessness, "Jack, dear, do you ever see the tall gentleman -that calls here sometimes?" - -"Yes, Peggy; I saw him yesterday," answered Jack, readily. - -"And what did he say to you?" she asked eagerly. - -"He didn't speak to me at all." - -"That's a lie!" Peggy said to herself. "He told the bye not to tell." -But she didn't think it best to charge Jack with it, and so through him -put Lyman on his guard. - -"Remember, lad, you've got no better friend than ould Peggy. If you -should lave her, she'd die of grafe." - -"Thank you, Peggy," said Jack, but he was not much impressed by this -declaration of affection from one who often beat and systematically -starved him. - -Five minutes after Jack had left the house, Peggy threw on her old -cloak, and, at a safe distance, followed her youthful charge, meaning to -keep him under her eye, and watch lest he should be carried off by Lyman -Taylor. But luckily for Jack, whose meeting with Mark would otherwise -have been detected, she changed her plan, when she recognized a little -in advance Lyman himself on State Street. - -"It'll be better to watch him," she decided, and gave up following Jack. - -Meanwhile Jack had not been at his usual stand more than ten minutes, -when Mark came up. - -"I am glad you are ahead of time, Jack," he said. "Come along with me." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - JACK IS PURSUED. - - -"ARE you goin' to take me away to-day?" asked Jack, who wished to be -assured that the dream was coming true. - -"Yes, Jack, but I can't take you away as you are. I know a place near by -where you can take a good bath. I will leave you then, and go round by -myself and buy you some clothes. I can guess your size." - -He led the way to a barber's shop which advertised baths, procured a -ticket, and leaving Jack with strict injunctions to wash himself -thoroughly, sallied out in search of an outfit for his young companion. -That did not take long. He returned with two good sized bundles, and -requested Jack to dress himself in them. When Jack emerged from the -bath-room he was quite transformed. He was still thin, and his features -looked pinched, but his dress was, in all respects, that of a boy -belonging to a well-to-do family. - -"Now I think I must have your hair cut, and you will do." - -In truth, Jack's long, elf-like locks made his face appear even thinner -than it really was. - -"Don't you want to be shaved, too, young man?" asked the barber, -jocosely. - -"Perhaps he wants to be shaved," said Jack, pointing to Mark, with a -smile. - -Mark colored a little, realizing that he scarcely needed that operation -any more than Jack. - -"Now look at yourself in the glass, Jack!" said Mark. - -Jack obeyed, and looked first bewildered, then pleased. He thought at -first that he was looking at another boy. - -"Is that me?" he inquired, almost incredulously. - -"I think it is. Peggy wouldn't know you," answered Mark, with a smile. - -"I don't want her to," answered the little boy. - -Mark had forgotten one thing—a pair of shoes. As he scanned Jack -critically, he noted the omission, and said, "Jack, we must go to a shoe -store. It will never do for a young gentleman like you to wear a pair of -shoes out at the toes and sides." - -"They don't look very well," said Jack, with a downward look. - -"As you may be taken for my son," said Mark gravely, "I want you to look -well." - -"You're only a boy!" said Jack, who was inclined to a literal -understanding of what was told him. - -"You wouldn't take me for twenty-five, then, Jack?" - -"No, you're not that, are you?" - -"Well, not quite." - -They had not far to go to a shoe store, but it took some time to get -fitted to a pair of shoes, on account of Jack's having a high instep. -This delay came near wrecking their plans. Tim Roach, who usually passed -his time in roaming about the streets, without any special occupation, -caught sight of Jack as he entered the shoe store with Mark. He let his -eye rest upon him carelessly at first, but his indifferent glance was -soon succeeded by a look of the most intense amazement. - -"My eye!" he exclaimed, "if that isn't little Jack dressed out like a -prince! What's happened, I wonder, and who's that with him? I jest wish -he'd rig me out that way." - -Tim did not make himself known, but peered curiously in at the door of -the store. - -"I wonder whether Peggy knows about it?" he soliloquized. "I don't -believe she does. Wouldn't she open her eyes to see the kid rigged out -that way. I'd like to tell her." - -Circumstances seemed to favor the gratification of this wish, for not -many rods away he caught sight of Peggy and Lyman Taylor talking -together. - -"I'll go and tell her," he said. - -We will precede him and relate what had taken place between the two -schemers. Peggy had started out with the confident belief that Lyman had -played her false, and meant to carry away Jack without her knowledge or -consent. It did, indeed, look as if she were correct, for it must be -remembered that she knew nothing of Mark's mission to Chicago, Lyman not -having thought it necessary to tell her. She wanted to meet Lyman and -"have it out with him," if she found any confirmation in her suspicions. - -Lyman chanced to turn, and seeing Peggy with her eyes fixed on him, -retraced his steps till he reached her. - -"Do you want to see me, Peggy?" he asked. - -"Yes, I wanted to see you, Mr. Lyman Taylor, and ask what you mane by -tryin' to stale away the bye from me?" - -Lyman stared at her in surprise. - -"I don't know what you mean," he answered, with a shrug of his -shoulders. "I thought it was understood that we would restore the boy to -his grandfather if he would make it worth our while." - -"And you didn't mane to take away the bye without my knowin' it?" - -"Certainly not. Who told you so?" - -"And you haven't told the bye about goin' back to his grandfather?" - -"I haven't spoken a word to the boy on the subject." - -"Then how did he know about it?" - -"Does he know about it?" - -Peggy then told her companion about what she had overheard Jack say in -his sleep the night before. Lyman Taylor was surprised and alarmed, and -these feelings were so evident on his face that Peggy acquitted him of -any breach of faith. - -"I don't understand it," he said, meditatively. "I have never spoken a -word about the matter except in your room. Did you ask him about it?" - -"I asked him when did he see you, and he said yesterday." - -"He might have seen me, but I had no conversation with him." - -"So he said." - -"He told the truth. I don't think any harm is done, Peggy. He must have -overheard what we were talking about when we supposed him asleep." - -"That's true. Maybe he did." - -"That won't interfere with our plans that I can see. I have written to -my uncle and expect to hear from him in a few days. I will let you know -what he says as soon as I get the letter." - -Then it was that Tim Roach came up, looking preternaturally knowing. - -"How are you, Peg?" he said. "Are you walkin' wid your beau?" - -"Go away wid you! You're always botherin'." - -"You'd orter see what I did jest now," said Tim, wagging his head. - -"What did you see, then?" - -"I seed your Jack rigged out like a prince in new clothes and a new hat. -Didn't he look fine?" - -"You saw Jack dressed that way?" gasped Peggy. - -"Yes, I did." - -"You're lyin' now." - -"Wish I may die if I didn't." - -"Where was he?" - -"In Simpson's shoe store, pickin' out a nice new pair of shoes." - -"How could the boy get all these things without money?" asked Lyman -incredulous. - -"There was a big boy wid him was buyin' the things." - -"A big boy!" repeated Lyman quickly; "how old was he?" - -"Maybe sixteen or seventeen." - -An expression, full of dismay, overspread Lyman Taylor's face. - -"It is Mark Manning!" he exclaimed. "Quick, boy, tell me where he is." - -"In Simpson's shoe store." - -"And who is Mark Manning?" asked Peggy bewildered. - -"The boy his grandfather sent out here to find him. It's he that has -been telling Jack about his grandfather. Quick, Peggy! we must go and -stop him, or he'll take Jack away and leave us out in the cold." - -The ill-matched pair hurried to the place indicated by Tim. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - MARK ELUDES HIS PURSUERS. - - -LITTLE Jack had been fitted with a pair of shoes, and Mark had settled -for them, when the little boy chancing to look towards the entrance of -the store, was almost paralyzed by the sight of Peggy and Lyman looking -in at the window. His eyes were good, and he could read on Peggy's face -a malicious exultation, which boded ill for him when he should again -find himself in her clutches. - -Mark, who had not seen them, noticed the fear upon the face of his -little charge. - -"What's the matter, Jack?" he asked. - -"It's them!" answered Jack, hoarsely. - -"Who's them?" - -"Peggy—and the gentleman." - -"Where are they?" - -"Looking in at the winder." - -Mark had his wits about him, and did not turn round. He wished Peggy and -her confederate to think themselves undiscovered, while he rapidly -considered what was best to be done. - -Should he leave the store by the front door, Jack would at once be -pounced upon by Peggy, and there would be a scene. - -He might eventually recover Jack, but in the meantime the boy would be -ill-treated, stripped of his good clothes, and perhaps carried out of -the city. Just as success seemed assured, he was confronted by defeat. - -What was to be done? - -Mark was not a boy to give in, unless compelled to do so. An idea came -to him. - -"Jack," he said in a low voice, "don't look towards the window again. -Don't let them know you have seen them." - -"You won't let Peggy get hold of me!" said the boy in a trembling voice. - -"Not if I can help it." - -Turning to the salesman who had waited upon him, Mark said: - -"There are some people at the door that I want to avoid meeting. Is -there any back entrance to the store?" - -"Yes," answered the clerk. - -"Will you be kind enough to guide us to it?" - -"Certainly." - -"Don't look behind you, Jack, but come with me. Don't be alarmed!" - -The salesman guided them to a door opening on a narrow street. Boxes of -goods were so piled up, that this door could not be seen from the window -into which Peggy and Lyman were looking. - -"Where are they going?" Peggy asked. - -"To look at some goods in the back part of the store," answered Lyman. - -This reassured Peggy, who kept her position, feeling sure that Jack -could not escape her when he came out. - -"I'll sell his new clothes," she thought complacently. "I'll be in luck -after all." - -Once out of the store, Mark looked about him. He felt that it behooved -him to get beyond the reach of Jack's pursuers as soon as possible. -Circumstances favored him. Just at the head of the street, he saw a lady -descend from a hack. - -"Hurry up, Jack," he said. "We'll get into this cab." - -The driver was about to drive away, after settling with his fare, when -Mark hailed him. - -"Are you unengaged?" he asked. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Can you drive me at once to the Union Depot in Van Buren Street?" - -"Yes, sir." - -He dismounted from the box, opened the door for his next passengers, and -they got in. Then resuming his place on the box, he drove rapidly away. - -It so chanced that he passed by the front of the very store from which -they had just emerged. - -Little Jack stole a glance out of the window of the cab. - -"There's Peg!" he said. - -Following his example, Mark also caught sight of the two with their -faces glued to the window, still looking in, unconscious that their prey -had escaped them. - -Mark smiled. He felt like a victor, and rather enjoyed the thought of -having outgeneraled the fox. - -"I hope they'll have a good time watching for us, Jack," he said. - -The little boy still felt nervous. - -"Do you think they'll catch me?" he asked. - -"No, Jack, I think they'll get left this time." - -The cab made its way rapidly through the crowded streets, and in a very -short time drew up at the Union Depot. - -Mark paid the driver, and accompanied by Jack, made his way to the -ticket office. - -"How soon will there be a train East?" he asked. - -"In ten minutes." - -"That will suit us, Jack." - -He bought tickets, and, the cars being ready, they took their seats in a -comfortable car of the Lake Shore and Michigan Railroad. - -"If they should come here!" suggested Jack, nervously. - -"They would have to run fast, if our train leaves on time. There is no -danger, Jack. Even if they suspect that we have left the store, they -wouldn't know where we are gone." - -Still, even Mark felt relieved and reassured when the signal was given -and the long train began to steam out of the depot. - -"Wouldn't you like to go back and bid Peggy good-by?" he asked, -jocosely. - -"I hope I shall never see Peggy again," answered the little boy, -shuddering. - -"If you ever do, there won't be any danger of her doing you any harm. -Your grandfather will take care of that." - -In his hurry to leave the city, Mark had been compelled to leave his -bill at the hotel unpaid, but his valise was left behind as security. At -the first opportunity he telegraphed to the land-lord, promising to -remit the necessary money, and asking him to hold the valise till -instructed where to send it by express. - -We will now go back to Peggy and Lyman, who were impatiently maintaining -their watch at the window of the shoe store. - -When fifteen minutes had passed, and Jack and Mark did not appear, they -became alarmed. - -"Where are they?" muttered Peggy. "It's long enough they are stayin'." - -"You are right, Peggy." - -Just then a policeman tapped him on the shoulder. He had been watching -them for some time and their conduct seemed to him suspicious. - -"What are you doing here, my man?" he asked, suspiciously. "You had -better move on." - -"We are waiting for some one to come out," answered Lyman. - -"How long do you mean to wait? Is this woman with you?" - -"Yes," answered Lyman, reluctantly, for he was not proud of his -companion, whose appearance was hardly calculated to do him credit. - -"Shure, my little bye has been shtole," she put in, "and he's in the -store now wid the man that shtole him." - -"Then you'd better go in and claim him instead of standing here and -blocking up the sidewalk." - -"I think I will follow your advice," said Lyman. "Will you be kind -enough to stay here a minute, in case I need your help?" - -"Very well; only be quick." - -Lyman entered the store, and failing to see Jack and Mark, addressed one -of the salesmen. - -"Two boys were in here a short time since," he said; "one large one and -one small one. Can you tell me where they are?" - -It happened that the salesman addressed was the same one who had guided -the boys to the back entrance. At least fifteen minutes had elapsed, and -there would be no danger in telling the truth. - -"They went away some time since," he answered. - -"They did not go out the front door, for I've been there all the time." - -"There's another door," quietly retorted the clerk. - -"Where?" asked Lyman, in dismay. - -"In the rear of the store." - -"Sold, by thunder!" exclaimed Lyman, under his breath. "How long have -they been gone?" - -"Fifteen minutes. Were they friends of yours?" - -"The small boy was my son," answered Lyman, unblushingly. - -"And was the woman I saw with you at the window his mother?" asked the -salesman, with a smile. - -"Certainly not," answered Lyman, coloring with indignation. "The older -boy has abducted him." - -"Why didn't you come in sooner, then?" - -"I wish I had." - -Great was Peggy's dismay when Lyman told her what he had learned. She -had fully decided to beat Jack soundly, and now she was baffled of her -revenge. The two confederates spent the rest of the day in wandering -about the streets of Chicago in search of Jack and his friend, but their -search was in vain. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - MRS. MANNING'S HOUSE IS SOLD. - - -IT is now time to return to Pocasset and inquire how our old -acquaintances are prospering. - -It was still a matter of wonder what had become of Mark. Mrs. Manning -gave no information, and no letters were received at the post-office -which would throw light on the mystery. Mark, by arrangement, directed -all his letters to Mr. Hardy, who inclosed and forwarded them to the -Pocasset office. Tom Wyman, the postmaster's son, was puzzled to account -for the letters received from New York by Mrs. Manning. - -"They must be from Mark," said James Collins. - -"They don't seem to be in Mark's hand-writing." - -"He probably gets some one to direct them for him, so as to throw dust -in our eyes." - -This was the conclusion upon which the two boys finally settled. - -Another cause of wonder was the hermit's visits to the city. Since he -had heard that his grandson was living, he went up often to consult with -Mr. Hardy. Family affection in him had not died out. It had only been -dormant, and now it was thoroughly reawakened. - -"I long to see my daughter's boy," he said. "It will give me something -to live for. I tremble lest the cup of happiness should be dashed from -my lips, just as my hopes are awakened." - -"Don't be anxious, old friend. Your affairs are in good hands. Mark is -only a boy, but he has far more discretion and fidelity than most men. -Do you know what I have in view?" - -"Well?" - -"If he succeeds in this enterprise I propose, with his mother's -permission, to take him into my office, and train him up in my business. -I have hitherto employed boys simply as boys, but Mark is one whom I can -train up for a responsible position. I am getting older every year, and -when I am really old, I shall be glad to have a young man at my side -upon whom I can shift the burden of my business. Do you think his mother -would object?" - -"Mrs. Manning is a sensible woman. I think she will be glad to have her -son so well provided for. If it is necessary I will myself advise her to -commit him to your charge." - -At length a telegram came from Mark, and by good luck when Mr. Taylor -was in the office of his agent. It ran thus: - - "JOHN HARDY, NEW YORK. - - "I am on my way to New York with little Jack. Particulars when we - meet. - - "MARK MANNING." - -"There, old friend, what do you say to that?" asked John Hardy, -triumphantly. "Didn't I tell you the boy would succeed? Was my -confidence misplaced?" - -"He had my confidence from the first," said Anthony, his face luminous -with happiness, "but I knew he had an adroit enemy in my nephew Lyman. I -didn't dare to expect that a country boy would be equal to the -emergency." - -"Now, you can go home with a light heart. In a day or two, your grandson -will be with you. What are your plans respecting him? Shall you take him -to Pocasset?" - -"I don't think I can do better. He will need a woman's care, and I know -of no one who will prove kinder than Mrs. Manning." - -"She has this in her favor at any rate. She has brought up her own boy -well. But will the house be large or comfortable enough?" - -"I am not very particular for myself. You will judge that when you -remember the cabin in the woods, where I spent several years. The house -is small, however, but there is another vacant, much larger and -handsomer, which I can buy or rent, already furnished. The owner and -occupant died recently, and his heirs, living in a distant state, want -to sell it. It has a handsome lawn and a garden attached. It stands near -the house of Mr. Collins." - -"Well, you are able to gratify your own taste in the matter. I will send -Mark down as soon as he arrives." - -When Anthony reached home, he found Mrs. Manning anxious and perturbed. -The cause will require some explanation. - -The small cottage in which Mark and his mother lived did not belong to -them. They rented it from Deacon Brooks, an old farmer living just out -of the village, at five-dollars monthly rental. For a special reason -Squire Collins desired to possess it. He owned the lot adjoining, and it -occurred to him that the two combined would make a desirable property. -The house, which was a cottage, could be raised one story, and made much -more commodious. In that case, it would easily command more than twice -the rent. The foreman of the shoe-shop stood prepared to rent it of him, -as soon as the alteration was made. - -He therefore approached Deacon Brooks, with a proposition to purchase -it. - -"I don't know," said the deacon. "I never thought of sellin', but I -can't say I'm opposed to it. I'm getting good rent from the widder -Manning." - -"There's no knowing, deacon, how long she'll be able to pay her rent," -said the squire, nodding with a meaning look. - -"Sho! you don't say! She ain't lost any money, has she?" - -"She had none to lose. Her boy Mark has about supported her with his -small earnings in the shop. But he isn't employed there any longer." - -"I heard something of that. Did you discharge him?" - -"Yes; he got too uppish—wasn't willing to obey orders. I was sorry to -discharge him on his mother's account, but it was his own fault." - -"Seems to me I haven't seen him round the village lately?" - -"No; he has gone to the city on some wild-goose expedition. My boy James -thinks he is blacking boots or selling papers. As to that I can't say, -but it isn't likely he is able to help his mother much." - -"I hear Mrs. Manning has a boarder?" - -"Yes; it's the old hermit that lived in the woods. I believe he has a -small pension from some relations, but it doesn't amount to much. -Probably he doesn't pay more than two or three dollars a week board. -That won't go far, eh, deacon?" - -"You're right there, squire. It costs a sight to live. How much do you -think my grocery bill came to last month?" - -"I don't know," answered the squire, with a curious smile. The deacon -had the reputation of being very close-fisted, and it was rather amusing -to hear him speak of the cost of living. - -"Fifteen dollars and sixty-seven cents," said the deacon, with the air -of one who hardly expected to be believed. - -"I believe you have six in family," said Squire Collins, with a smile. - -"Yes, six, including the hired man." - -"I pity your family," thought the squire, who, at all events, kept a -liberal table. - -"Yes, it costs a great deal to live," he added, "and, of course, the -Widow Manning, though her family is small, can't live on nothing. When -she finds she can't pay all her bills, she will probably begin by being -remiss in her rent." - -"That's so, squire! She's allus paid so far right up to the handle, -though." - -"When she had Mark's help; but as I told you he is not now in a -condition to help his mother. Well, what do you say? Shall I have the -house?" - -Then commenced the bargaining. Both parties were sharp, but at length a -conclusion was reached. Squire Collins agreed to pay eight hundred and -fifty dollars for the cottage, five hundred to remain on bond and -mortgage, at six per cent. In a day or two the necessary papers were -made out, and then Squire Collins took a walk over to the cottage, to -inform Mrs. Manning that the house had passed into his possession, and -it would be necessary for her to find another home. - -It might have been supposed he would feel some compunction, but he did -not have much feeling or sympathy for the widow. The ill-feeling between -Mark and his son had its effect upon him also. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - NOTICE TO QUIT. - - -THERE are some men who enjoy the prospect of dealing a blow, and -watching the effect—men whose best feelings have been deadened, and who -have lost all sympathy for those less fortunate than themselves. That -Squire Collins was a man of this kind will not seem strange to those who -have followed the course of this story. He set out for Mrs. Manning's -cottage with a comfortable complacency, though he knew that the -communication he had to make would bring her great trouble and sorrow. - -Quite unconscious of the impending blow, Mrs. Manning was sitting at the -front window engaged in sewing, while her thoughts were with her absent -boy, whom she seemed to miss more and more as his absence lengthened. -Casually looking up from her work, she saw with considerable surprise -the dignified figure of Squire Collins turning in at her gate. - -"What can bring the squire here," she thought. She was not in the habit -of receiving or expecting calls from her aristocratic townsman, and -concluded that he must have some special object in calling. - -Perhaps he had come to offer to take Mark back into the shop. If so, it -might be the best thing for her son. She knew very little of old -Anthony's circumstances, and she did not anticipate any permanent -position for Mark from that quarter. - -"Good morning, Squire Collins," she said, politely. - -"Good morning, Mrs. Manning," he responded, somewhat stiffly. - -"Won't you come in?" - -"Thank you; I will step in for a few minutes, I have a little business -to speak of." - -"It must be that he means to take Mark back into the shop," thought the -widow, cheerfully. - -She led the way into the plain sitting-room, and invited the village -magnate to take a seat. - -"Ahem! your son Mark is away?" remarked the squire, inquiringly. This -confirmed Mrs. Manning in her conjecture as to the squire's errand. - -"Yes," she answered; "but I think he will be at home before long. I miss -him a great deal." - -"I suppose he can't make a living in New York," thought the squire. -Rather fortunately he didn't inquire where Mark was, since this would -have embarrassed Mrs. Manning, who knew that it was a secret not to be -mentioned, and yet would have been reluctant to offend the squire by -withholding the information. - -"Probably he will be as well off at home," said the squire. "I don't -believe much in boys leaving home on wild-goose expeditions. They think -it perfectly easy to earn a living elsewhere, but they are pretty apt to -reap only disappointment." - -"I dare say you are right, squire," said Mrs. Manning, leading up to the -subject of a return to the shop; "but there didn't seem to be anything -for Mark to do at home." - -Squire Collins understood her object, but had no intention of offering -employment to Mark. He looked at the widow with a peculiar smile, and -enjoyed the disappointment which his next words were calculated to -bring. - -"I dare say Mark can hire out to some good farmer," he replied, -indifferently. "Farming is a good healthy business." - -Mrs. Manning sighed, for she rightly interpreted that no place in the -shop was to be offered to Mark. - -"Ahem!" said the squire, changing the subject; "you have a boarder, I -understand?" - -"Yes; Mr. Taylor makes his home with us." - -"A sensible move on his part. It was a strange thing to live in the -woods by himself so many years. I hope he will be able to pay his -board." - -"He pays regularly every week," answered the widow. - -"I presume he's quite poor?" - -"Mark thinks he has considerable money, but I have no means of judging, -except that he pays his bills promptly." - -Squire Collins shrugged his shoulders. - -"Mark is an inexperienced boy," he said. "The truth is, as I understand, -old Anthony receives a small pension from some relatives in New York. It -can't be much, but I hope, for your sake, that he has enough to pay his -board." - -Mrs. Manning began to wonder whether this was what Squire Collins came -to talk about. She was soon more fully informed. - -"How long have you lived in this cottage, Mrs. Manning?" asked the -squire. - -"Ten years, sir." - -"You hire of Deacon Brooks?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Ahem! I came here this morning to acquaint you with the fact that I -have just bought the property." - -"Has Deacon Brooks sold to you?" asked the widow, in surprise. - -"Yes; the papers have passed, and the transfer has been made. I am now -the legal owner." - -"I shall be glad to keep the house, Squire Collins, if you have no other -views," said Mrs. Manning. "I have been paying five dollars a month -rent, and if that is satisfactory——" - -"The fact is, Mrs. Manning," interrupted the squire, "I _have_ other -views. I intend to raise the house a story, and have promised to rent -it, when completed, to my foreman, Mr. Lake, who contemplates marriage. -He is boarding at present, as you know." - -Mrs. Manning was very much disturbed. It is no light thing to be forced -to leave a house which has been one's home for a period of ten years, -especially in a country town where surplus houses are generally scarce -and hard to find. - -"I don't know where I can go," said the widow, anxiously. - -"No doubt you'll find some place," said the squire, carelessly. - -"How soon do you want me to vacate the house, Squire Collins?" asked -Mrs. Manning, anxiously. - -"At the end of the month." - -"But that is only a week from to-day." - -"Quite true." - -"That is a very short time." - -"It ought to be time enough, Mrs. Manning," said the squire, stiffly. - -"I would be willing to pay a little higher rent if you would allow me to -remain, Squire Collins." - -"Quite out of the question, Mrs. Manning. Indeed, I will say that I -think you already pay all you can afford to. I doubt whether you will be -able—with Mark out of employment—to keep up your present rent. As I -understand, about all your income comes from a boarder, whose means must -be extremely limited, and who, in all probability, will end his days in -the alms-house." - -"I don't know of any other house in the village." - -"Well, you can think it over; of course that is your own affair, not -mine." - -"If Mark were only at home," said the perplexed woman; "I would know -better what to do." - -"You had better send for him then. Good morning." - -Squire Collins rose and left the presence of the widow whom he had made -thoroughly anxious and unhappy. - -In the course of the afternoon old Anthony came home. He was looking -unusually jubilant and happy, in direct contrast with the widow's -anxious face. - -"Mrs. Manning," he said, "I bring you good news." - -"I am glad of it, sir, for I have only bad news." - -"And what is your bad news?" - -"I must leave this house." - -"How is that?" asked the hermit, looking surprised. - -"Because it has been sold. Squire Collins has bought it, and says that -he is intending to enlarge it, and then let it to Mr. Lake, his -foreman." - -"And that is all your bad news?" - -"Yes, sir; but I consider it bad enough. I don't know where I can go." - -"I will let you have my cabin in the woods rent free," said the hermit, -with a smile. - -"I don't know but I shall have to go there," said the widow, sighing. - -"You don't ask me what my good news is," said Anthony. - -"I would like to hear it, sir." - -"By day after to-morrow Mark will be home." - -Mrs. Manning's face did brighten up at this intelligence. - -"This is really good news," she said gladly. "Mark will advise me what -to do." - -"Mark will not come alone. Do you think, Mrs. Manning, you can -accommodate another boarder?" - -"Who is it, sir?" - -"A little boy. I don't care to keep it secret. It is my grandson." - -"Your grandson?" - -"Yes; I sent Mark out West to find him. He has succeeded in his mission, -and the two are now on the way home." - -"I shall be glad to take him, sir, if I have anywhere to receive him. -Squire Collins's visit has rather upset me, and I don't know what to do, -or where to turn." - -"If your only trouble is about a house, I will undertake to find one for -you. Don't borrow any trouble on that score." - -"But I don't know of any house that will come within my means." - -"I am afraid, Mrs. Manning, that you haven't confidence in me. I tell -you again, not to borrow any trouble. I may as well tell you that this -house will not be large enough for your increased family, and that I -intended to propose to you to take another." - -The widow's anxiety was somewhat relieved. Still she could not help -wondering what house old Anthony would succeed in finding. There was one -comfort. In two days Mark would be at home, and would be able to help -him. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - THE HERMIT SECURES A HOUSE. - - -A SHORT distance from the house occupied by Squire Collins was one which -had been for six months vacant. It had been erected as a summer -residence by a New York gentleman, and occupied by him for several -seasons. It was the finest house in the village, and it seemed a pity it -should remain untenanted. - -Mr. Beech, the builder, now spent his summers at various -watering-places, and had apparently tired of Pocasset. It was understood -that the house was left in the hands of Mr. Thompson, who was authorized -to let it to a responsible tenant. - -Old Anthony the next morning made it in his way to call at the office of -Mr. Thompson. The latter received him with his usual courtesy. - -"I hear that you are boarding with Mrs. Manning, Mr. Taylor," he said. - -"Yes." - -"I think you must find it much more agreeable than your life in the -woods." - -"I do; I am getting over my misanthropy, and am taking more cheerful -views of life." - -"That is good. My son Frank is an intimate friend of Mark, and thinks a -great deal of him and his mother." - -"So do I," responded the hermit. "Mark is a straightforward boy, and -will succeed life." - -"I hope so. I wish I had anything for him to do—Frank would be glad. -Perhaps in time I may find him a place." - -"I think I shall be able to provide employment for Mark myself," said -the hermit, quietly. - -Mr. Thompson regarded him with surprise. Like the rest of the villagers, -he had been in the habit of regarding old Anthony as a man of limited -means. - -"By-the-way, Mr. Thompson, I called this morning on a little matter of -business," continued the hermit. "I believe you have the rental of the -Beach house." - -"Yes," answered Mr. Thompson, somewhat surprised. - -"I am acquainted with a family who are on the lookout for a house in -Groveton. This, I think, would suit them, if the rent is not too high." - -"It is, you know, a fine house. Would your friends like to have it -furnished?" - -"I think so." - -"In that case, the rent will be four hundred dollars a year, or a -hundred dollars a quarter. In the city, or at Long Branch, as you -probably are aware, four times as much would be required." - -"I think that will be satisfactory. Can immediate possession be given?" - -"Yes; I will at once set the cleaners to work, and have it got ready by -the end of the week. One question I am obliged to ask. Is the party for -whom you are acting, responsible, in a pecuniary way?" - -"The first quarter's rent will be paid in advance." - -"Pretty satisfactory. May I ask the name of the tenant?" - -"There are reasons for keeping it secret for a few days." - -"Oh, well, that is not material." - -Old Anthony never said a word about what he had done, for, as my readers -will conjecture, he meant to have Mark and his mother occupy the house. -It did, however, get noised about, that Mr. Beach's house was taken. -Squire Collins among others, was curious to ascertain something about -the new tenants, and made a call on Mr. Thompson, with the special -object of finding out. - -"I am no wiser than you, Squire Collins," said Mr. Thompson. "Of course -we shall all know in a few days." - -"By whom was the matter negotiated?" - -"There again I am bound to secrecy, but all will be known." - -"Of course the party must have ample means, and I look forward to having -a pleasant neighbor—there are very few in the village with whom we can -associate, on an equality, and so any good family is an acquisition." - -"You are more fastidious than I, Squire Collins," said Mr. Thompson -smiling. "I don't value men according to the size of their -pocket-books." - -"You must admit, however, that refinement and wealth are likely to go -together. You are not too democratic for that?" - -"I am not sure. I have known many rich people who were very far from -being refined. By-the-way, I hear that you have bought the house -occupied by Mrs. Manning." - -"Yes." - -"Shall you allow her to remain there?" - -"No; I mean to enlarge it, and let my foreman occupy it." - -"That will be a disappointment to Mrs. Manning." - -"Oh, I suppose so," said the squire, carelessly; "but that is her -lookout, not mine." - -"I really don't know of any house in the village she can obtain." - -Squire Collins shrugged his shoulders. - -"I really haven't troubled my mind about the matter," he said. - -"If I had time, I don't know but I would build them a small cottage on -the vacant lot I have on Glen Street." - -"Take my advice, and don't; the widow is in very precarious -circumstances. Her son, Mark, is out of employment." - -"Can't you find him something to do, in your shop?" - -"I could, but do not feel disposed to. He is a very independent boy, and -more than once, he treated my son, James, in a disrespectful way. No; he -must shift for himself some other way." - -"Of the two boys, I certainly very much prefer Mark," thought Mr. -Thompson; but politeness prevented his saying so. - -Squire Collins soon took his leave, having failed to acquire the -information he sought. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - CONCLUSION. - - -MEANWHILE, Mrs. Manning could not help feeling anxious, about her -prospects of a house. - -"Have you heard of any house, Mr. Taylor?" she asked. - -The hermit smiled. - -"Don't be troubled, Mrs. Manning," he said; "when you leave this house -you will find another one to move into." - -Mrs. Manning was silenced, but still disquieted. She was even tempted to -wonder whether old Anthony was really quite right in his mind. But there -was nothing to be done. She could only wait, patiently. - -The next day Mark arrived with little Jack. He was looking unusually -well, his journey having given him a healthy color, and added to his -flesh. Jack was still thin and pale, but was beginning to look better -than when under Peggy's care. - -[Illustration: The hermit was much moved, as he took the boy in his arms -and kissed him.] - -The hermit was much moved, as he took the boy in his arms and kissed -him. - -"I can see my daughter's looks in you, Jack," he said. "I fear your life -has been a sad one, poor child. It shall be my task to repay you for the -hardships you have had to meet in your short life." - -Little Jack seemed to take instinctively to the rough-looking but, -kind-hearted old man. The poor match boy seemed to have drifted into a -haven of rest. - -"Shall I ever have to go back to Peggy?" he asked. - -"Never, my child. This good lady," indicating Mrs. Manning, "will supply -the place of your own mother." - -"I will sell matches for you, if you want me to, grandfather. I didn't -like working for Peggy, but I will work for you." - -"My dear Jack, instead of working you must go to school, and learn all -you can. When you are grown up, it will be time for you to work." - -It soon became noised about that the little boy, who was seen about the -village with Mark, was the hermit's grandson. But the grandson of old -Anthony was not considered a very important person, and only excited -passing interest. - -Mark was let into the secret of the new home to which Mr. Taylor -proposed to move, and he was naturally pleased to think that his -mother's condition was to be so much improved. - -Nothing had leaked out in the village, however, about the contemplated -removal. - -The week was nearly ended when Mark happened to meet James Collins in -the street. James had been informed by his father that Mrs. Manning had -received notice to leave the cottage, and it gratified his dislike of -Mark. What puzzled him was, Mark's apparent indifference and evident -good spirits. - -"Perhaps he thinks my father will relent, and let him stay, but he'll -find himself mistaken as I shall let him know when I get a chance." - -The chance came that very day. - -"Hallo!" said James, as Mark was about to pass him. - -"Hallo!" responded Mark smiling. - -"I hear you've got to move." - -"So I hear." - -"It's high time you were finding a new house." - -"I think so myself, but that's my mother's business." - -"You needn't think my father will let you stay where you are." - -"Don't you think he would let us stay a month longer?" - -"No, I don't." - -"He wouldn't put us out in the street, would he?" - -"Look here, Mark Manning, I see what you are at. You want to impose on -my father's good nature. I shall warn him of your plan." - -"Just as you please, James." - -The result was that Squire Collins, sharing to some extent his son's -apprehensions, made a call that same evening at the cottage. All the -family were at home. - -After the usual greetings were over, the squire said: - -"I suppose, Mrs. Manning, you will be ready to move on Saturday?" - -"Suppose my mother can't get a house," suggested Mark. - -"She _must_ find a house," said the squire, severely. "She has had time -enough to find one. You mustn't blame me if I say that move you must on -Saturday." - -"You need have no anxiety, Squire Collins," said Mrs. Manning, with -dignity. "I intend to move on that day." - -"And where, may I ask?" inquired the squire, with curiosity. - -"We move into the Beach house," answered Mark, his eyes fixed with -smiling interest on the village magnate. - -"What!" exclaimed the squire in amazement and incredulity. "Do you mean -the house near mine?" - -"Yes." - -"You must be crazy," he gasped. "That is a very elegant house, and the -rent is high." - -"I think we can pay it." - -"And your furniture is unfit for so handsome a residence, even if there -were enough of it." - -"We hire the house with its present furniture," said Mark complacently. - -"I don't understand it at all!" exclaimed the perplexed squire. "How can -you, being almost a beggar, dream of living there?" - -"I think, Squire Collins," said old Anthony, quietly, "that you are -somewhat in error as to my young friend Mark's circumstances." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that he has a very good property for a boy of his age." - -Mark was as much amazed as the squire at this statement. The latter said -with a sneer: - -"And where is this famous property?" - -"I will inform you with pleasure. There are a thousand dollars to his -credit in a savings' bank in New York, and he holds a mortgage of four -thousand dollars on your manufactory." - -Even Mark thought Anthony was out of his mind. - -"Why," stammered the squire, "I negotiated that mortgage through Mr. -Hardy, of New York." - -"Exactly! The money he advanced he held in trust for Mark." - -"I can't believe this!" exclaimed the squire in mortification and -bewilderment. - -"Is this really true, Mr. Taylor?" asked Mark. - -"Yes. Let me inform you, Squire Collins, that though I have lived as a -hermit, I am really a moderately rich man, and some time since -transferred without his knowledge five thousand dollars to Mark here, -who, as you see, is really chief owner of the shop from which you -discharged him." - -"I didn't dream of this!" ejaculated the squire. - -"I presume not," said the hermit dryly. - -"If Mark chooses to come back into the shop, I will raise his wages." - -"My friend Hardy intends to offer Mark a position in his office in the -city, which I think will suit him better. It only remains to say that -this cottage will be vacated on Saturday." - -"I don't want to inconvenience Mrs. Manning," said the squire, filled -with respect by the unexpected prosperity of those whom he had come to -bully. "Stay another week if you wish." - -"We don't wish, thank you," said Mark. - -It was a wonderful story that Squire Collins had to tell at home, and -the deep chagrin of James can be imagined. But he was worldly wise, and -he soon decided to court the boy he had hitherto despised. What annoyed -him most was the thought Mark held a mortgage on his father's shop, and -was to live in a house handsomer than his own. - - ---------- - -Five years have elapsed since the incidents recorded above. Mark fills a -responsible position in the office of Mr. Hardy, with a handsome salary. -Little Jack is now a rosy, healthy child of thirteen, and those who -remembered him as a match boy would not know him now. His grandfather's -happiness is bound up in his little grandson, but he is still very much -attached to Mark, and he has made a new will, in which he divides his -fortune equally between these two. - -Lyman Taylor is again within the walls of a penitentiary, having forged -a check upon a well-known merchant of Chicago; and old Peggy, taking -Jack's place, is to be seen any day on Clark or State streets, with a -basket of matches, which she makes an excuse for appealing to the -charity of passers by. Her face is growing redder and redder, as her -potations increase, and she will probably end her career in a hospital -or alms-house. - -James Collins is now a clerk in Newport, on a small salary, with which -he is very much discontented, and from time to time asks a loan of his -old schoolfellow, Mark, to whom he is now compelled to look up. He has -developed extravagant tastes, and is always in debt. I greatly fear that -neither his habits nor his fortunes will improve as he grows older. For -our hero, Mark, and those who belong to him, we may anticipate brighter -days and greater prosperity, as a fitting recompense of industry and -good habits. - - - - - 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 full 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. - -=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 a 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. - -=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 Sliver 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 Elisabeth, 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. - -=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 Portmouth, 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 text books 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 Elisabeth 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. - -=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 Marlon'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 frontiers-men. -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 hair-breadth 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. - -=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 utilised by the author to emphasise 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 Ship-wrecked 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 plied 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. - -=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. - -=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 hook 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=. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber's Notes: - ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected. - ○ Unbalanced quotation marks were silently corrected. - ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. - ○ Spelling and hyphenation was made consistent when a predominant - form was found in this book; otherwise it was not changed. - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK MANNING’S MISSION *** - -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. 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