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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2879025 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #56207 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56207) diff --git a/old/56207-0.txt b/old/56207-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9c7f976..0000000 --- a/old/56207-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8989 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Strive and Succeed, by Horatio Alger - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Strive and Succeed - or The Progress of Walter Conrad - -Author: Horatio Alger - -Release Date: December 19, 2017 [EBook #56207] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STRIVE AND SUCCEED *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - STRIVE AND SUCCEED - - OR - - THE PROGRESS OF WALTER CONRAD - - BY - HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - AUTHOR OF “ERIE TRAIN BOY,” “YOUNG ACROBAT,” - “ONLY AN IRISH BOY,” “BOUND TO RISE,” - “STRONG AND STEADY,” “JULIUS, - THE STREET BOY,” ETC. - - - - NEW YORK - HURST & COMPANY - PUBLISHERS - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ALGER SERIES FOR BOYS. - UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME. - BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - Adrift in New York. - A Cousin’s Conspiracy. - Andy Gordon. - Andy Grant’s Pluck. - Bob Burton. - Bound to Rise. - Brave and Bold. - Cash Boy. - Chester Rand. - Do and Dare. - Driven from Home. - Erie Train Boy. - Facing the World. - Five Hundred Dollars. - Frank’s Campaign. - Grit. - Hector’s Inheritance. - Helping Himself. - Herbert Caster’s Legacy. - In a New World. - Jack’s Ward. - Jed, the Poor House Boy. - Joe’s Luck. - Julius, the Street Boy. - Luke Walton. - Making His Way. - Mark Mason. - Only an Irish Boy. - Paul, the Peddler. - Phil, the Fiddler. - Ralph Raymond’s Heir. - Risen from the Ranks. - Sam’s Chance. - Shifting for Himself. - Sink or Swim. - Slow and Sure. - Store Boy. - Strive and Succeed. - Strong and Steady. - Struggling Upward. - Tin Box. - Tom, the Bootblack. - Tony, the Tramp. - Try and Trust. - Wait and Hope. - Walter Sherwood’s Probation. - Young Acrobat. - Young Adventurer. - Young Outlaw. - Young Salesman. - - _Price, Post-Paid, 35c. each, or any three books for $1.00._ - - HURST & COMPANY - PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TO - - MY YOUNG FRIENDS, - - ISABELLA AND EDWIN, - - THIS VOLUME - - IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PREFACE. - - -“STRIVE AND SUCCEED” is reprinted from the pages of _Young Israel_, a -New York juvenile magazine, to which it was contributed as a serial. It -is complete in itself, and can be read independently; but those who have -read its predecessor, “Strong and Steady,” may be interested to learn -that it traces the subsequent career of Walter Conrad, showing how he -continued to paddle his own canoe, and chronicles the adventures of -Joshua Drummond after his flight from home. - -As Walter’s success as a teacher at the West may seem to some -improbable, in view of his youth, I am led to say that I know of more -than one case equally remarkable, in particular that of a gentleman -since prominent as a politician. The moral of the book is contained in -the title. As a rule of action, I recommend it confidently to all my -young readers. - -NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 1872. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - STRIVE AND SUCCEED. - - ---------- - - CHAPTER I - - WALTER CONRAD’S MISSION. - - -A LONG train was running at moderate speed over a Wisconsin railroad. -Among the passengers was a stout, gentlemanly-looking boy, who looked -much more than sixteen, although he had not yet reached that age. On the -seat beside him was a large carpetbag, which contained all the clothing -he carried with him. As the conductor passed through the car, the boy -asked: - -“Are we near Benton?” - -“It is the next station.” - -“Is that the place to take the stage for Portville?” - -“Yes.” - -“Can you tell me how far I shall have to ride in the stage?” - -“A matter of ten miles or thereabouts.” - -“Thank you.” - -The conductor passed on, and the boy began to shake the dust from his -coat, and, opening his carpetbag, deposited therein a copy of _Harper’s -Magazine_ which he had been reading. I may as well introduce him at once -to the reader as Walter Conrad, whose previous adventures have been -related in “Strong and Steady.” For the benefit of such of my present -readers as have not read this volume, I will sketch his history in -brief. - -Walter Conrad, then, not quite a year since, had received, when at -boarding school, the unexpected intelligence of his father’s serious -illness. On reaching home, he found his parent dead. Subsequently he -learned that his father had bought shares to the extent of a hundred -thousand dollars in the Great Metropolitan Mining Company, and through -the failure of this company had probably lost everything. This -intelligence had doubtless hastened his death. Walter was, of course, -obliged to leave school, and accepted temporarily an invitation from Mr. -Jacob Drummond, of Stapleton, a remote kinsman, to visit him. In -extending the invitation Mr. Drummond was under the illusion that Walter -was the heir to a large property. On learning the truth, his manner was -changed completely, and Walter, finding himself no longer welcome as a -guest, proposed to enter Mr. Drummond’s store as a clerk. Being a strong -and capable boy, he was readily received on board wages. The board, -however, proved to be very poor, and his position was made more -disagreeable by Joshua Drummond, three years older than himself, who, -finding he could get nothing out of him, took a dislike to him. Walter -finally left Mr. Drummond’s employ, and, led by his love of adventure, -accepted an offer to travel as a book agent in Ohio. Here he was -successful, though he met with one serious adventure, involving him in -some danger, but was finally led to abandon the business at the request -of Clement Shaw, his father’s executor, for the following reason: - -The head of the Great Metropolitan Mining Company, through whom his -father had been led to invest his entire fortune in it, was a man named -James Wall, a specious and plausible man, through whose mismanagement it -was believed it had failed. He was strongly suspected of conspiring to -make a fortune out of it at the expense of the other stockholders. He -had written to Mr. Shaw, offering the sum of two thousand dollars for -the thousand shares now held by Walter, an offer which the executor did -not feel inclined to accept until he knew that it was made in good -faith. He, therefore, wrote to Walter to change his name and go on to -Portville, the home of Mr. Wall, and there use all his shrewdness to -discover what he could of the position of the mining company, and Mr. -Wall’s designs in relation thereto. It may be added that after selling -the balance of the estate, Walter was found entitled to five hundred -dollars. He had, besides, cleared eighty-seven dollars net profit on his -sales as book agent. - -Such is Walter’s story, though, for the present, we shall have to call -our hero Gilbert Howard--an assumed name, which he had adopted at the -executor’s suggestion, lest his real name might excite the suspicions of -Mr. Wall and so defeat the purpose of his journey. - -Walter had scarcely made his preparations to leave the cars, when the -whistle sounded, and the train, gradually slackening its speed, came to -a stop. - -“Benton!” called the conductor, rapidly, half opening the door. - -“I am near my journey’s end,” thought Walter. - -Several passengers descended from the train and gathered on the -platform. Among them, of course, was our hero. - -A shabby-looking stage stood just beside the station house. Knowing that -it was a ten miles’ journey, and important to get a comfortable seat, -Walter passed through the building, and took a seat inside. Several -other passengers followed leisurely until the carriage was nearly full. -While Walter was wondering how soon they would start, a gentleman, -accompanied by a boy of about Walter’s age, approached the driver, who -was about to take his seat. - -“Didn’t you see anything of my carriage, Abner?” - -“No, General Wall,” said Abner, respectfully. “I didn’t see it anywhere -on the road.” - -“That is very strange,” muttered Mr. Wall, discontentedly. “I told Henry -to drive over for me. Are you sure you might not have passed without -seeing it?” - -“I’d have seed it if it had been on the road,” said Abner, with more -emphasis than strict adherence to grammatical rules. - -“I suppose we must ride with you, then,” said Mr. Wall. “Can you give us -seats inside?” - -The driver came to the door, and, opening it, looked in. - -“There’s one seat,” he said. “Your son can ride outside with me.” - -John Wall evidently did not fancy this arrangement. The fact was that it -was beginning to sprinkle, and, being nicely dressed, he did not want to -get wet. - -“I want to ride inside,” he said. - -“I’d like to accommodate you,” said the driver, “but there’s only room -for one.” - -“I don’t see why I haven’t as good right to a seat inside as anybody -else,” said John, in a grumbling tone. - -John Wall was rather a stout, freckle-faced boy, dressed with some -pretension to style, and sporting a pair of kid gloves. He secretly -considered himself to be unusually good-looking, and on the strength of -his father’s wealth gave himself airs of superiority to which he was not -entitled. His manners were decidedly arrogant and overbearing, and he -was far from being a favorite in Portville, although a great many -things, which would not have been excused in another less favored by -fortune, were forgiven him on account of his father’s wealth. - -“I’d like to stretch the inside of the stage if I could,” said Abner, -good-naturedly, “but that ain’t easy.” - -“You may sit in my lap, John,” said his father. - -“I’d rather not,” said John, sullenly. - -“Then I think you will have to make up your mind to sit with Abner.” - -“I ain’t going to spoil my clothes,” growled the discontented boy. - -“Here is an umbrella for you,” said his father. - -Meanwhile John had been peering into the coach and espied Walter on the -back seat. Accustomed to regard his own convenience as a matter of more -importance than that of anybody else, he was led to make a very selfish -proposal. - -“There’s a boy inside,” he said. “Perhaps he’ll get outside and give me -his seat.” - -This proposal struck Walter as refreshingly cool, but having a sense of -what was due to himself, and always having been in the habit of standing -up for his rights, he did not propose to gratify John. - -“Thank you,” said he, dryly; “I’d rather keep my seat.” - -“But I don’t want to get wet.” - -“Nor I,” said Walter. - -“I don’t see why I haven’t as much right to ride inside as he,” grumbled -John, turning to the driver. - -“So you would, and better, too, if you’d got in first,” said Abner, -rather disgusted at John’s selfishness. “But I must be starting. So if -you’re going along with me, you’d better climb up.” - -“I’ll give you twenty-five cents if you’ll give me your seat,” said -John, making a last appeal to Walter. - -“Thank you,” said Walter, coldly; “I’m not in want of money.” - -“Get up without any more fuss, John,” said his father, impatiently. - -Very discontentedly John climbed up to the box and took his seat beside -the driver. He felt very angry with our hero for declining to sacrifice -his own convenience to him. It appeared to him that, as the son of -General Wall, the richest man in Portville, he had a right to the best -of everything. - -“Do you know who that boy is, that wouldn’t give me his seat?” he asked -of Abner. - -“Never saw him before,” said the driver. - -“Is he going to Portville?” - -“Yes, so he told me.” - -“Do you know where he is going to stop?” - -“No, he didn’t tell me.” - -“Do you think it’s going to rain much?” - -“I reckon it will be a smart sprinkle. You’d better take off them kid -gloves of your’n if you don’t want them spoiled.” - -“I don’t see why that boy wouldn’t give me his seat. He hasn’t got on as -good clothes as I have,” grumbled John. - -“Well, if your clothes are spoiled your father’s got money enough to buy -you some new ones,” said Abner. - -“That’s true,” said John, with an air of importance. “My father’s very -rich.” - -“I expect you’ll be rich, too, some day,” said Abner. - -“I expect I shall,” said John, complacently. “I’m going to be a lawyer.” - -“All right,” said the driver, jocosely; “I’ll give you all my law -business.” - -“Oh, I shan’t settle down here,” said John, loftily. “I’m going to -Detroit or Chicago. I want to be in a big place.” - -“I reckon you’ll be too smart for Portville,” said Abner, with sly -sarcasm. - -“I guess I can do as well as any of the city lawyers,” said John. “I am -reading Cæsar already.” - -“Who’s he?” - -“A Latin author.” - -“You don’t say! You must know a mighty lot.” - -“Oh, it ain’t hard when you’re used to it,” said John, condescendingly. - -The rain subsided, and John had the satisfaction of saving his clothes -from injury, so that he ended the journey in a more amiable frame of -mind than could have been anticipated. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II - - THE SON OF GENERAL WALL. - - -MR. WALL, or General Wall, as he was commonly designated in Portville, -as a kind of tribute to his wealth, for he had no other right to the -title, took a seat opposite Walter. Our hero examined him with some -attention. This, then, was the man who had ruined his father by his -plausible misrepresentations--who even now, perhaps, was conspiring to -defraud him, and probably others. Under ordinary circumstances he would -have been favorably impressed by his appearance. He had a popular -manner, and was quite a good-looking man, much more agreeable than his -son, who, it was safe to predict, would never win popularity unless his -manners were greatly changed for the better. - -“Well, general,” said one of the passengers, “have you been on a -journey?” - -“Only to the county town. I had some business at the probate office.” - -“Been buyin’ any real estate?” - -“I have just purchased Mr. Newton’s place. I had a mortgage on it, and -we agreed to make a bargain.” - -“I wonder whether he bought it with my father’s money,” thought Walter, -rather bitterly, for he felt that the man opposite was responsible not -alone for his loss of fortune, but for his father’s sudden death. - -“It’s a nice place,” said the other. - -“Yes, a pretty good place. I didn’t need it, but Mr. Newton wanted to -sell, and I accommodated him.” - -“How’s that mining company coming out?” was the next question. Walter -listened eagerly for the answer. - -“Why,” said Mr. Wall, cautiously, “that isn’t easy to say just yet. We -may realize five per cent. I can’t tell yet.” - -Five per cent.! In the letter containing the offer General Wall had only -hinted at two per cent., and based his offer upon this. Supposing only -five per cent. were saved out of the wreck, that on Walter’s thousand -shares would amount to five thousand dollars, instead of two--a very -material increase. - -“I am already paid for my journey by this intelligence,” thought Walter. -“I shouldn’t wonder if I got considerably more out of it in the end.” - -“What was the cause of the break-up?” asked the other passenger, who -seemed to be propounding questions in Walter’s interest. - -“Why,” said General Wall, slowly, “it cost a good deal more to work the -mine than we expected, and the first indications promised much better -than the mine afterward realized.” - -“Have they stopped working it?” - -“Well, yes, for the present. But there’s a prospect of selling it out to -a new company with larger means. Of course, we shan’t realize much. I -shall be a heavy loser myself.” - -“I don’t believe that,” thought Walter. - -“You ain’t often bit, I reckon, general,” said his questioner. - -“Well, I lay claim to a fair share of judgment,” said General Wall, “but -you know we are all liable to be deceived. I’ve lost nigh on to thirty -thousand dollars, I reckon, by this affair. However, I expect to keep my -head above water,” he added, complacently. “I mean to come out of it as -well as I can.” - -“’Tain’t every man that can lose thirty thousand dollars and think no -more of it,” said the other, who appeared to act as a sort of toady to -the great man, so much influence does wealth exert even over those who -don’t expect to gain anything by their subservience to it. - -“Why, no, I suppose not,” said Wall, in the same complacent tone. “I -shall be left tolerably well off, even if I do lose the full value of my -stock. I’ve been luckier in some of my investments.” - -“Well, I haven’t lost anything, because I hadn’t got anything to lose,” -said his fellow-passenger; “that is, outside of my farm. Me and the old -woman manage to pick up a living off that, and that’s all we reckon on. -There ain’t much money in farmin’.” - -“Suppose not,” said the general. “Still, Mr. Blodgett,” he added, -patronizingly, “you farmers are not subject to so many cares and -anxieties as we men of business. You are more independent.” - -“It’s hard work and poor pay,” answered the farmer. “It ain’t easy to -get forehanded.” - -“If you ever have a small surplus to invest, Mr. Blodgett, I may be able -to put you in the way of making something out of it.” - -“Thank you, General Wall. Maybe I’ll remind you of it some day. I might -have a little over.” - -“No matter how little. I can add it to some of my own funds. I should -like to help you to make a little something.” - -“Thank you, general. I’m much obliged to you. I’ll talk to Betsy about -it, and maybe I’ll see you again.” - -“Any time, Mr. Blodgett. It’s no object to me, of course, but I like to -see my neighbors prosperous.” - -The conversation now took another turn, in which Walter was not so much -interested. He wondered whether General Wall really meant honestly by -the farmer, or whether he only wanted to get his money into his -possession. - -He was not naturally suspicious, but knowing what he did of Wall he felt -inclined to doubt whether he was quite as disinterested as he appeared. - -They had a little more than half completed the ten miles which separated -them from Portville, when a passenger got out. This left a vacancy, and -John Wall, descending from his elevated perch, made his appearance at -the door of the coach. - -“Did you get much rain, John?” asked his father. - -“My kid gloves are spoiled,” grumbled John. - -“Why didn’t you take them off? Didn’t you have another pair in your -pocket?” - -“I don’t like to wear woollen gloves. They ain’t stylish.” - -“I am afraid, John, you are getting a little aristocratic,” said his -father. - -“Why shouldn’t I be?” said John. - -“Now I am perfectly willing to wear woollen gloves,” said the general, -who wanted to be popular, and so avoided putting on airs, “or no gloves -at all,” looking around to observe the effect of his republican speech. -“Kid gloves do not make a man any better.” - -Meanwhile John had taken the vacant place. But it happened to be on the -front seat, and so, of course, he had to ride backward. Now John fancied -that he should prefer to sit on the back seat, as it would enable him to -look out of the window, besides being on the whole more agreeable. -Walter, having his choice of seats, had on entering taken one of the -back ones. John conceived the idea of exchanging with him, without -considering that our hero might possibly prefer to retain his, to which -he was fairly entitled by prior possession. - -“I don’t like to ride backward,” said John. - -“Why not?” asked his father. - -“I can’t look out of the window.” Then, addressing Walter, “Change seats -with me, will you?” - -“That is pretty cool,” thought Walter. - -“Thank you,” he answered, coldly, “but I prefer to remain where I am.” - -“But I don’t like to ride backward,” grumbled John. - -“Nor do I,” returned Walter. - -John was indignant at the refusal. That he, the son of General Wall, -should have to sit in an inferior seat, while a boy who did not wear kid -gloves occupied a better one, was very vexatious. He frowned at Walter, -but the latter was by no means annihilated by the frown. Indeed, from -what he was able to judge of John Wall, he felt a degree of satisfaction -in disappointing him. - -“I will change seats with you, John,” said his father, “if you are so -anxious to look out of the window.” - -“I’ll give him my seat,” said the farmer. “I don’t mind riding backward; -and, as for seein’ out, I know the road by heart.” - -Without a word of thanks John took the proffered seat, and this brought -him next to Walter. He eyed our hero attentively, but could not make up -his mind as to his social position. Walter was well dressed in a neatly -fitting suit, but the cloth was not as fine as his. John glanced at his -hands, which were encased in a pair of woollen gloves. On the other -hand, our hero wore a gold watch and chain--his father’s--and so he -might be worth noticing. - -“What’s your name?” asked John. - -“You may call me Gilbert Howard.” - -“Are you going to Portville?” - -“Yes.” - -“Have you got any relations there?” - -“Not that I know of.” - -“Are you going to stay long?” - -“That depends on circumstances.” - -“Where are you going to stop?” - -“At the hotel, I suppose. There is one, isn’t there?” - -“Yes. It is called the Portville House.” - -“Then I shall go there.” - -John was about to continue his questions when Walter thought it was his -turn. - -“What is your name?” he asked. - -“John Wall,” replied John. “My father is General Wall,” he added, in a -tone of some importance. - -“Do you live in Portville?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where have you been?” - -“On a journey,” answered John, stiffly, thinking to himself that Walter -was very impertinent. It did not occur to him that it is a poor rule -that will not work both ways. - -“What is your business?” John asked, preferring to question rather than -be questioned. “Are you a peddler?” - -“No,” said Walter, coolly. “Are you?” - -John glared at his questioner feeling deeply insulted, and did not deign -a reply. That he, the son of General Wall, the richest man in Portville, -should be asked if he were a peddler was something his pride could not -brook. Walter ought to have been annihilated by his look, but he stood -it unflinchingly, secretly amused at the effectual manner in which he -had silenced his questioner. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III - - UNDER AN ASSUMED NAME. - - -AT length the stage reached its destination. With a flourish the driver -drew up in front of the Portville House, a hotel of moderate size, yet -large enough to accommodate all the travelers likely to stand in need of -shelter. - -Walter got out, and taking his carpetbag, which was handed down from the -roof, where it had been stored with other parcels, entered the inn. -General Wall and his son retained their places, and the driver, after a -short pause, set out to leave them at their own house. - -Walter entered the barroom, which was at the same time the office, and -asked if he could be accommodated with a room. - -“You can have your choice of half a dozen,” said the landlord. “We ain’t -crowded just at present.” - -“Put me in any. I am not particular as long as it’s comfortable.” - -“Will you go up now?” - -“Yes, I think so. How soon will supper be ready?” - -“In half an hour.” - -“Very well, I’ll be down.” - -Walter entered himself in the hotel register as Gilbert Howard, the name -he had assumed. It was the name of a schoolmate at the Essex Classical -Institute, and the first one that had occurred to him. It was not -altogether agreeable to Walter to pass under an assumed name. It seemed -like sailing under false colors. He had, however, a great respect for -the judgment of Mr. Shaw, and the circumstances seemed to require it. -Under his own name he realized that it would be impossible to learn -anything of Mr. Wall’s fraudulent purposes. Now there seemed a very good -chance of doing so. Indeed, he had already learned something from the -conversation he had overheard in the stage. - -After washing his face and hands, he descended to the public room, and -in a short time supper was ready. It was not a luxurious supper, but a -good, plain meal, to which his appetite enabled him to do full justice. - -There were five other guests besides himself. These, however, were -regular boarders. On the opposite side of the table were a man of middle -age and his wife. These Walter learned were Mr. and Mrs. Carver. The -former had something to do with a manufacturing establishment recently -opened, and was boarding at the hotel with his wife, until he could find -a suitable house. There were also a young man, employed as clerk in one -of the village stores, and his sister. His name was Jones--a young man -with nothing striking about him. His sister wore ringlets, and doted on -the poets, of whom she did not know much. The fifth guest was a tall -young man, of sickly appearance. He was narrow-chested and had inherited -a consumptive tendency. His lungs being weak, he had left Vermont for -the West, in the hope that the more equable climate might be favorable -to his health. Unfortunately it did not produce the desired effect. He -coughed at intervals during the meal, and the hard, dry cough had an -alarming sound. - -“You have a hard cough,” said Walter, who sat beside him at the table. - -“Yes, it seems to be getting worse,” said the young man. “I came out -here, thinking I might be benefited by the change of climate.” - -“Then you are not a native of Wisconsin?” - -“I was born and brought up in Vermont.” - -“And I am from the State of New York.” - -“Indeed. Have you just arrived from the East?” - -“It is several months since I left home. I have been traveling in Ohio.” - -“I am glad to meet one who comes from near home. Will you come up into -my room after supper?” - -“I shall be glad to do so. I have no friends or acquaintances here, and -I might be rather dull by myself.” - -“What may I call you?” - -“Gilbert Howard.” - -“My name is Allen Barclay.” - -“Have you boarded at this hotel long?” - -“Ever since I came to Portville. That is four months since. By way of -further introduction, I will mention that I am a teacher, and keep the -grammar school in the village.” - -Walter was glad to hear this. He felt that he should take more pleasure -in his companion’s society since their tastes were probably somewhat -similar. Though his life for a few months had been an active one, he had -by no means lost his relish for study, nor had he given up his intention -of resuming his studies at some time. In case he should realize five per -cent. on the mining shares, this would amount to five thousand dollars, -a sum with which he would be justified in continuing his preparation for -college, and a four years’ collegiate course. He estimated that his -expenses as a student would not average more than five hundred dollars a -year, and as the interest would amount to considerable--three hundred -dollars the first year--he concluded that he could educate himself, and -have considerably more than half his capital left to start in life with, -when his education was complete. I mean, of course, his college -education, for, strictly speaking, one’s education is never complete, -and those who attain eminence in any branch are willing to confess -themselves perpetual learners. - -But, while these speculations were very pleasant, the five thousand -dollars were not yet in his possession. To gain them he must learn more -of General Wall and his schemes, and to this object he resolved to -devote himself in earnest. He had no settled plan. Indeed, without -considerably more knowledge of how the land lay it was impossible to -decide upon any. He must be guided by circumstances, ready to avail -himself of any favorable turn which affairs might take. - -“This way, please,” said Allen Barclay, leading the way out of the -dining-room. - -His room was on the second floor, and though hotel chambers are in -general--at any rate, in country towns--the reverse of pleasant or -comfortable, this room looked both. There was an open fire in the grate -which blazed pleasantly. Before the fire a cosy armchair was drawn up. -Next to it was a table covered with books. Two or three pictures hung on -the walls, and books and pictures do a great deal to give a homelike -appearance to an apartment. - -“You look very comfortable here, Mr. Barclay,” said Walter. - -“Yes, I have made the room pleasant. The books and pictures I brought -with me, and the armchair I bought in the village. I am sensitive to -cold, and so of late, as the weather has become colder, I have had a -fire lighted just before I come home in the afternoon.” - -“Have you any scholars in Latin?” asked Walter, seeing a copy of -“Cæsar’s Commentaries” on the table. - -“One--John Wall, the son of General Wall, the most prominent man in -Portville.” - -“I have already made the young gentleman’s acquaintance,” said Walter, -smiling. - -“Indeed!” returned Allen Barclay, in surprise. - -“I met him in the stage. I don’t think we were either of us very -favorably impressed with the other.” - -Here he gave a brief account of the altercation between himself and -John. - -“What you say does not surprise me,” said the teacher. “John is a -thoroughly selfish, disagreeable boy, with a very lofty idea of himself -and his position as the son of a rich man. He considers himself entitled -to the best of everything. I am glad you did not give way to him.” - -“I am too independent for that,” answered Walter. “I don’t allow myself -to be imposed upon if I can help it, though I hope I am not often -disobliging.” - -“You had no call to yield to him to-day.” - -“So I thought. What sort of a scholar is he?” - -“John Wall? Very poor. He will never set the river on fire with his -learning or talents. In fact, if he were a better scholar, I might feel -different about teaching him. I have only had an academy education, and -have not been beyond Cæsar myself. However, I have no trouble in keeping -ahead of John.” - -Here Mr. Barclay was seized with a violent attack of coughing, which -seemed to distress him. - -“I don’t think I shall be able to keep on teaching,” he said, when the -fit was over. “The climate does not agree with me, and I shall not be -willing to run the risk of wintering here. If I could only find some one -to take my place as teacher, I would leave at once. It is the middle of -the term, and I don’t want the school closed.” - -An idea came to Walter. He was a good English scholar--had been as far -in Latin as his companion--and was probably qualified to teach any -scholars he was likely to have. It was desirable that he should have -something to do, which would serve as a good excuse for remaining in -Portville. Why should he not offer to supply Barclay’s place, since he -thought it necessary to resign? - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - PORTVILLE. - - -“HOW many scholars have you, Mr. Barclay?” inquired Walter. - -“About fifty.” - -“Are they mostly boys?” - -“There are about thirty boys--rather more than half.” - -“How do they vary in age?” - -“From ten to eighteen. I have three boys, or young men I might almost -call them, of eighteen, two of seventeen, and three girls of sixteen and -upwards.” - -“Are they hard to manage?” - -“The older ones? No; the most troublesome age is from thirteen to -fifteen. Those who are older generally come to school for improvement, -and are inclined to obey the rules of the school.” - -This was reassuring. Walter knew that, in case he should be accepted as -a teacher, he could not hope to cope with those two or three years older -than himself. But if he could rely on the co-operation of the older -pupils, he might get along. - -“Mr. Barclay,” said he, after a moment’s thought, “do you think I would -be too young to undertake the school?” - -“You look pretty young,” answered the teacher. “You are not yet -seventeen, I suppose?” - -“I am not yet sixteen.” - -“That is pretty young for a teacher. But then I was not much older than -that when I commenced teaching.” - -“Where did you teach?” - -“In my native town, in Vermont. It was a winter district school of about -forty scholars.” - -“How did you get along?” - -“Pretty well. I got the good will of the scholars, and they saw that I -wanted to help them on as fast as possible.” - -“I think I know enough to pass the examination,” said Walter, “and I am -in search of some business to employ my time. If you want to give up the -school, and recommend me to try it, I will offer myself to the school -trustees.” - -“What sort of a fellow are you, Mr. Howard--excusing the term I -accidentally used--but have you got grit? Do you generally succeed in -what you undertake?” - -“I think I do,” said Walter, smiling. “I wouldn’t give it up, unless I -was obliged to.” - -“I asked the question,” said the young man, “because grit weighs heavily -in this world. I have noticed that successful men are generally plucky, -which is about the same thing.” - -“I haven’t had much chance to tell yet,” said Walter. “Until a few -months since everything was done for me, my father being rich; then I -was thrown upon my own resources, and so far I have been successful.” - -Here he gave an account of his adventures as book agent, and detailed -the experiences of the night he passed in the cabin in the woods. But -one thing he thought it best not to mention--his father’s business -connection with General Wall, and the object of his present visit to -Portville. He would have been as willing to confide in Allen Barclay as -any one, but he thought his best course would be to make a confidant of -no one, but to work out his plans by himself. - -“From what you have told me,” said Allen Barclay, “I think you have a -chance of succeeding, in spite of your youth. I shall be really glad to -be relieved of the school, for I feel that every day I spend here is -injurious to my health. I didn’t like to have the school closed, -however, in the middle of the term.” - -“Are teachers so scarce about here,” asked Walter, “that you could not -find a substitute?” - -“No, there is a good supply of teachers who can teach the ordinary -English branches; but General Wall insists upon a teacher who can teach -Latin, chiefly on account of his son, John.” - -“Is John Wall the only boy who studies Latin in school?” - -“No, there is a class of four beginners, who have just commenced reading -easy sentences. This class consists of two girls and two boys.” - -“I don’t claim to be a very good Latin scholar,” said Walter, “but from -what you say I think I know enough to teach John Wall.” - -“How much have you read?” - -“I was in the sixth book of Cæsar when I left the Essex Classical -Institute.” - -“Then you have read more than I have, and I have had no difficulty in -teaching John. He is just commencing the second book.” - -“I think I shouldn’t have any trouble, especially as I read the Latin -Reader through before commencing Cæsar. My father meant me to enter -Columbia College.” - -“I will tell you what you had better do, Mr. Howard,” said the young -man. “Come and visit the school to-morrow, and stay all the forenoon. -The Latin recitations come then. Thus you will see the scholars, and -become acquainted with my way of management, and can form a better idea -of whether you would like to undertake it.” - -This struck Walter as an excellent suggestion, and he at once accepted -the invitation. - -“That will be much the best way,” he replied. “I suppose the school -commences at nine o’clock.” - -“Yes, that is the usual time all over the country, I think.” - -The conversation now passed to other subjects, and Walter spent quite a -pleasant evening with his new acquaintance. At half-past nine he rose to -withdraw. - -“Don’t be in a hurry, Mr. Howard,” said Allen. - -“Thank you, I don’t think I have been. I should have felt quite lonely -but for your kind invitation. I feel a little tired with traveling, and -shall go to bed as soon as I get to my room.” - -“Good-night, then. We shall meet at breakfast, I suppose?” - -“Yes, unless I oversleep myself,” said Walter, laughing. - -Walter found his bed a comfortable one, and slept soundly. In the -morning he felt thoroughly refreshed, and was prepared to do justice to -a plentiful breakfast. - -“At what time do you start?” he asked of Allen Barclay, who was again -seated next to him. - -“At fifteen minutes of nine. The schoolhouse is only five minutes -distant, and this allows me plenty of time.” - -“It will seem like going to school again myself. I can almost fancy -myself back again at the institute.” - -“You will hardly find the scholars as far advanced,” said Barclay, “or -the teacher,” he added, with a smile. - -“That would certainly be true if I were teacher,” returned Walter. - -“What do you say to a little walk before it is time to go to school?” -asked the teacher. “I generally walk for half an hour or more, as an -offset to the long confinement of school.” - -“I shall be very glad to accompany you, Mr. Barclay.” - -The two put on their hats, and walked up the road slowly. - -Portville contained about two thousand inhabitants. Of these the -majority lived in the village, while perhaps two-fifths were scattered -about within a radius of three miles. It was rather a flourishing place -on the whole, and most of the houses were neat and comfortable. There -were several shops or stores, of different kinds; for farmers came from -ten miles around to trade in Portville. - -“It seems like a pleasant village,” said Walter to his companion. - -“Yes,” said the teacher, “the town is pleasant, and I have found most of -the people pleasant also. I should be very well satisfied to remain if -my health would allow.” - -“Whose house is that?” asked Walter, pointing to a residence larger and -more pretentious than he had yet seen. - -“That is the nicest house in town, and it belongs to the man who is -reputed to be the richest man in town.” - -“General Wall?” said Walter, inquiringly. - -“The same.” - -“What sort of a man is he?” - -“You have seen him, so that I need not describe his personal appearance. -He is a popular man, and I think tries to make himself agreeable in -order to gain influence.” - -“You say he is rich?” - -“He is thought to be.” - -“How did he gain his wealth?” - -“He has been connected with mines, banks, real estate speculations, and, -in fact, with whatever has money in it. He is something of a politician, -and I hear that he hopes some day to go to Congress. In fact, he is a -pushing man, and likely to make his influence felt.” - -“Is his son like him?” - -“He will never be as popular as his father. General Wall may be as -selfish as his son, but he is too wise to show it as openly. John is -disagreeable by nature. He wouldn’t trouble himself to appear -agreeable.” - -“From what I saw of him,” said Walter, “I should think it would be a -good deal of trouble for him to be agreeable.” - -“I have no doubt you got the correct impression of him. I like him as -little as any of my scholars.” - -While they were thus speaking, General Wall opened the front door of his -house, and they met him at a short distance from his front gate. He -bowed, as Walter thought, with an air of condescension, and said to the -teacher, “Good-morning, Mr. Barclay. You are taking an early walk, I -see.” - -“Not very early, sir. I always take a short walk before school.” - -“And how is the school? Is John getting on well with his Latin?” - -“Tolerably well, General Wall.” - -“Push him, Mr. Barclay, push him! I want my son to have a good -education.” - -“I will do my best.” - -General Wall walked on with a self-satisfied air, as if he took a good -deal of credit to himself for honoring the poor teacher with so much -notice. He glanced at Walter, whom he recognized as his fellow-traveler -of the night before, and concluded, from seeing him with Allen Barclay, -that he was a friend or relative of the teacher. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V - - A LATIN EXERCISE. - - -IT was five minutes of nine when Allen Barclay, accompanied by Walter, -approached the schoolhouse. It was a plain wooden building of two -stories, painted white. Beside it was a good-sized playground, on which -from a dozen to twenty boys were engaged in a game of ball. As Walter -saw the ball flying across the field, impelled by a hard knock from the -bat, he felt a strong impulse to join in the game. When a student at the -Essex Institute he had played ball a good deal, and was considered quite -a superior player. But since his departure he had not joined in a game. -Now as he witnessed the game of the Portville boys, he wished himself -again a scholar, and a sharer in their fun. - -“Do you ever play ball, Mr. Barclay?” he asked. - -“No; the physician has forbidden all violent exercise as likely -injurious to my health. It increases my cough. For that matter, however, -I don’t think I should play if I were able. I tried it sometimes as a -boy, but I never succeeded very well. Do you play?” - -“I used to play considerably, but for several months I have not touched -a bat.” - -“There’s the master,” called out one of the players. - -“Give me another ball,” said the boy at the bat. “The bell won’t ring -just yet.” - -So the game continued. - -Among those who were watching the game, Walter noticed John Wall. John -was more carefully dressed than any of the other boys, many of whom had -taken off their coats, and were playing in their shirt sleeves. - -“That is John Wall, isn’t it?” asked Walter. “Does he play ball?” - -“Not often. He isn’t much of a player. Besides, he doesn’t like to run -the risk of soiling his clothes. He is something of a dandy.” - -“So I should think. He wore kid gloves the other day in the rain.” - -“He is partial to kid gloves. He thinks they distinguish him as the son -of a gentleman from his more plebeian companions. But come in, Mr. -Howard.” - -Walter followed the teacher into the schoolroom. It was about forty feet -by fifty in size, and well supplied with desks. The girls sat upon one -side, the boys on the other. Some were already in their seats, while -others were grouped near the teacher’s desk. They separated on the -entrance of Allen Barclay, and repaired to their seats, not without -curious glances at Walter. - -There was a larger desk for the teacher, with a chair drawn up behind -it. There was another chair in the room, which the teacher drew up near -his own. - -“That is the company chair, Mr. Howard,” said he, smiling. “Will you -occupy it?” - -“Thank you,” said Walter. - -All his associations with schools were in the character of a scholar, -and he felt a little out of place. It seemed to him that he ought to be -seated at one of the desks. - -“Julius, will you ring the bell?” said Mr. Barclay. - -A boy of twelve advanced to the teacher’s desk, and took from his hand a -large bell, with which he went out into the entry and rang with -emphasis, as if he enjoyed it. Soon, in answer to the sonorous summons, -came trooping in the boys from the playground, flushed with exercise, -some of them drawing on their coats as they walked to their desks. John -Wall alone looked as if he were fresh from a bandbox, his hair plastered -down with pomatum, and his clothes innocent of dust or wrinkle. - -“If he cared less for his appearance he would have a good deal more -fun,” thought Walter, judging from a boy’s standpoint. - -At last all were in their seats. After the preliminary exercises, the -recitations commenced. The first were in arithmetic. Walter listened -attentively to the recitations of the different classes, and concluded -that he would have no difficulty in instructing any of them. The -mathematical teacher at the Essex Institute was well fitted for his -duties, and had a remarkably clear and simple way of explaining the -leading principles of arithmetic. Allen Barclay, as Walter quickly -perceived, was deficient in the art of teaching. He did not know how to -explain difficulties in a plain, simple way. Walter felt desirous more -than once of coming to his assistance, but of course could not do so. - -“I believe I should like to teach,” he thought to himself. “It must be -interesting.” - -At last the classes in arithmetic finished their recitations. - -“You will now have a chance to hear John Wall recite,” said the teacher, -in a low voice. Walter’s interest was at once enlisted, partly because -he was fond of Latin, and partly because he knew something already of -John, and wished to see how he would acquit himself. - -“The class in Cæsar,” said the teacher. - -John rose slowly from his seat, and, book in hand, advanced pompously to -the bench occupied by classes reciting. There was no other scholar so -far advanced in Latin, and he looked down from his superior place of -knowledge with calm contempt upon his fellow-pupils. His manner, as he -advanced to recite, seemed to say, “Look at me! I am going to recite in -Cæsar! I am a long way ahead of everybody else in school. They can’t any -of them hold a candle to me.” - -“Where does your lesson commence, Mr. Wall?” asked the teacher. - -“At the beginning of the second book.” - -“Very well. You may read and translate.” - -John read the first line as follows, pronouncing according to a method -of his own, _Cum esset Cæsar in citeriore Gallia in hibernis_, and -furnished the following translation: - -“He might be with Cæsar in hither Gaul in the winter.” - -“I don’t think that is quite correct, Mr. Wall,” said the teacher. - -“It makes good sense,” said John, pertly. - -“It doesn’t make the right sense. _Cum_ is not a preposition, and if it -were it could not govern _Cæsar_ in the nominative case.” - -“I don’t see what else you can make of it.” - -“It is a conjunction, and means ‘when,’ ‘Cæsar’ being the subject of the -sentence. Then there is another mistake. _Hibernis_ means -winter-quarters, not winter. The clause is to be translated, ‘When Cæsar -was in winter-quarters in hither Gaul.’ Proceed.” - -“_Ita uti supra demonstravimus_,” continued John; “so have we shown to -be used above.” - -“Do you think that makes good sense, Mr. Wall?” - -“I didn’t quite understand it,” John condescended to acknowledge. - -“_Uti_,” explained the teacher, “is not from the verb _utor_, as you -appear to have taken it, and, if it were, could not be translated -passively. It means ‘as’ here. Translate, ‘just as we have shown -above.’” - -John continued: “_Crebri ad eum rumores afferebantur_--frequent persons -brought rumors to him.” - -“I am afraid, Mr. Wall, I must correct you again,” said the teacher. -“_Crebri_ agrees with _rumores_, and the verb is passive. How, then, -will you translate the clause?” - -“Frequent rumors were brought to him,” answered John, correctly, for a -wonder. - -“_Literisque item Labieni certior fiebat_--and letters made the same -Labienus more sure.” - -“No less than four mistakes, Mr. Wall. I hardly know where to begin to -correct you. What part of speech is _item_?” - -“A pronoun.” - -“What does it mean?” - -“The same.” - -“Will you decline it?” - -“_Item--eatum--item._” - -“You need not go on. You have mistaken the word for _idem_. It means -‘likewise.’ Is _literis_ nominative?” - -“No, sir; it is dative.” - -“It is ablative, and _fiebat_ cannot be rendered actively. Without -specifying all the mistakes, I will translate for you, ‘and likewise was -informed by the letters of Labienus,’ _Certior fiebat_ means, literally, -‘was made more certain;’ but we cannot always translate literally.” - -It would be tedious to follow John through his blundering recitation. He -made fewer mistakes in the passages that succeeded, but it was easy to -see that he knew very little Latin. His lesson comprised the whole of -the first section, and was on the whole the worst recitation to which -Walter had ever listened. He could not help thinking that Mr. Barclay -made a mistake in merely correcting the errors, without adding -directions by which a repetition of them might be avoided; and he -resolved, if John should become his pupil, to drill him thoroughly in -the elementary principles of the language. - -“What do you think of that recitation?” asked the teacher, in a low -voice, as John took his seat. - -“Very poor,” answered Walter. - -“I am afraid he will never make a Latin scholar. I will now call up the -other class in Latin.” - -This was a class of beginners, and acquitted itself much more creditably -than the student in Cæsar. It might be supposed that John would have -been mortified by his mistakes; but it was enough for him that he could -report himself as studying Cæsar, and he appeared to think it of no -importance how he got along. - -Other classes succeeded, and the session at length ended. - -“Well, Mr. Howard,” said Mr. Barclay, as they were returning homeward, -“do you think you would like to take the school?” - -“I will take it if the trustees will accept me,” said Walter, promptly. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - RECOMMENDED. - - -“IF you really think you would be willing to take my place,” said Allen -Barclay, “I will see at once if I can obtain your appointment.” - -“I am not in any hurry to commence, Mr. Barclay, though I may be in a -hurry to get through, if I should take the place.” - -“That is my feeling now. The sooner I can be free, the better it will be -for my health. The climate is getting worse for me with the approach of -winter.” - -“I leave the matter in your hands, then. Who are the trustees?” - -“General Wall is the principal one, and I will call to see him this -evening. Besides him there is the village doctor--Dr. Owens--but he has -so much to attend to that he has very little to do with the schools. -Then there is Squire Griffiths, a man who was selected because he is -rather prominent in town affairs, but he is a man of no education. -General Wall is the only one at all qualified for the position. Last -year the minister belonged to the board, and was competent and useful, -but he got unpopular by taking sides in a local dispute, and was left -off.” - -“I suppose teachers are examined by the trustees so that they may -discover whether they are competent.” - -“Yes, but the examinations don’t amount to much, as you can judge from -the composition of the Board of Trustees.” - -“I think I can pass pretty well. I have not been out of school long -enough to forget my studies.” - -“I have no doubt you’ll be all right. I’ll call on the general this -evening.” - -In accordance with his determination, Allen Barclay knocked at the door -of General Wall’s residence about an hour after supper. - -“Is the general in?” he inquired. - -“Yes, sir; will you come in?” - -“I would like to see him a few minutes.” - -He was ushered into the sitting-room, and General Wall soon made his -appearance. - -“Good-evening, Mr. Barclay,” he said, in his usual patronizing way, “I -am glad to see you. Nothing wrong at the school, I hope?” - -“No, sir; there is nothing wrong at the school; but it is about the -school I have come to speak.” - -“Any advice, ahem! which I can give, will be freely tendered. This is, -of course, incumbent upon me in the official position which I hold, but -I feel an additional interest as a parent.” - -“You haven’t much reason as a parent to feel proud,” thought Allen -Barclay; but there are some thoughts that are best unspoken. - -“I am afraid, General Wall, that I shall be compelled to give up the -school!” - -“What!” exclaimed General Wall, in surprise. “Have you any cause of -dissatisfaction? Are you not content with the salary?” - -“I don’t complain of that, but I find that the climate does not agree -with my health.” - -“Indeed! Are you feeling unwell?” - -“My lungs are weak, and I find that the cough with which I have been -troubled for a year past, instead of improving, as I hoped it would, is -increasing, and becoming daily more troublesome. I think it will be -best, therefore, for me to give up teaching, and go elsewhere.” - -“I am sorry to hear this, Mr. Barclay. Don’t you think you can keep -along to the end of the term--six weeks, I believe?” - -“I don’t think it would be wise, General Wall.” - -“We shall find it difficult to fill your place. We could get teachers, -but we want one who is competent to teach Latin as well as English. I -want my son John to go on in the same liberal course which I have -projected for him,” said the general, rather pompously. - -“It is on this account that I have delayed mentioning the matter before, -but I now think I can recommend a substitute.” - -“Indeed! May I inquire who it is?” - -“You perhaps observed the young man who was walking with me this morning -when we met.” - -“I saw a boy with you, Mr. Barclay. Surely you do not allude to him.” - -“I know he is young, General Wall, but I have reason to think he is a -good scholar. In Latin he is as far advanced as I am. He was educated at -an Eastern institution of high rank.” - -“I am afraid,” said General Wall, dubiously, “that his extreme youth -would prevent his succeeding.” - -“I was not much older when I commenced teaching, but I got along well.” - -“Is the young man desirous of teaching? Is that the object of his coming -here?” - -“No; he was not certain that there was an opening. He is looking round -for some business to occupy him. Being well educated, he thinks he might -like to be a teacher.” - -“I should prefer that you would remain, Mr. Barclay.” - -“Thank you, General Wall; I like teaching, and if my health would allow -of it, I would be glad to continue; as it is, I must resign at any rate. -I think you had better try this young man.” - -“What is his name?” - -“Gilbert Howard.” - -“Were you previously acquainted with him, Mr. Barclay?” - -“No, sir; but from what I have seen of him, I have formed a favorable -opinion of him.” - -“He was my fellow-passenger on the stage last evening.” - -“So he told me.” - -“John and he didn’t quite agree, but I dare say John was in fault. John -is a spirited boy, Mr. Barclay, and is disposed to stand up for his -rights.” - -“And sometimes for what are not his rights,” thought the teacher; but -this again was one of the things which he thought it would not be best -to express. - -“I think he will be a smart man,” continued the general. - -“So I hope,” said Allen Barclay. - -“As a lawyer, it won’t do him any harm to be a little tenacious.” - -Allen Barclay thought the term tenacious rather a mild one to express -John’s overbearing and grasping tendency. But he only said, “It won’t do -for a lawyer to be too mild and unselfish.” - -“Just my idea, Mr. Barclay. A milk-and-water sort of a man won’t -succeed.” - -At this moment John Wall entered the room. - -“Don’t you see Mr. Barclay, John?” said his father. - -John nodded carelessly, for he thought the teacher of a country school, -earning a salary of forty dollars a month, out of which he had to pay -his board, by no means his equal in the social scale; and financially -speaking, certainly, Allen Barclay could make no great pretensions; but -he was a gentleman, which John Wall was not, and probably never would -be. - -“Good-evening, John,” said the teacher. - -“Evening,” was all that could be heard in reply. - -Considering the manner in which he got on, or rather did not get on, in -Latin, John might have supposed that Mr. Barclay had called to speak on -the subject to his father; but he was too conceited to think he was -doing poorly, and never dreamed that, if he were, the teacher would have -the temerity to complain of him. - -“John is, I believe, your most advanced pupil, Mr. Barclay,” said -General Wall, complacently. - -“He is further advanced in Latin than any other,” answered the teacher. - -“I referred to that. I am not acquainted with Latin myself, but I -consider it a highly important branch of education.” - -“A good deal of benefit may be derived from the study, I think,” said -Barclay. “But John is not likely to know enough to be of much advantage -to him,” was his inward reflection. - -“I should be sorry to have John discontinue it, now that he is so far -advanced. However, the young man you speak of understands it well, you -say.” - -“Yes, sir; at least I have every reason to think so.” - -There was something in this remark which caught John’s attention. Who -was the young man referred to, and what connection could his scholarship -have with his continuing the study of Latin? - -“What are you speaking of?” he inquired of his father. - -“Mr. Barclay is thinking of giving up teaching, John, on account of his -health. I was speaking of the young man whom he has recommended in his -place.” - -“Who is it?” - -“You remember the young man who was in the stage yesterday?” - -“Do you mean the one that wouldn’t give up his seat to me?” - -“As he took the seat first, he had the best right to it. He is the one I -mean.” - -“What! is he a teacher? Why, he is only a boy!” - -“He is rather young, but Mr. Barclay tells me he is an excellent -scholar, especially in Latin. However, we shall examine him to-morrow -evening, and see if he is qualified.” - -“He can’t keep school,” said John. - -“Why not, my son?” - -“He can’t keep order. He is only a boy.” - -“If the scholars behave themselves, and he knows enough to teach, I -don’t see why he should not succeed. I hope, John, you do not propose to -make any trouble.” - -“No,” said John, slowly, “but the other fellows will.” - -“Then,” said Mr. Barclay, “you can exert your influence to prevent -them.” - -John felt rather flattered by this reference to his influence, but -nevertheless he did not like the idea of having Walter for a teacher. -Mr. Barclay, though he entertained no very flattering opinion of John, -was worldly wise, and had shown him some subserviency on account of his -father’s position. John had a secret feeling that Walter would not do -this, and he determined to make trouble for him. He didn’t mean to help -him, at any rate. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - A NOVEL SITUATION. - - -“YOU are to be examined to-morrow evening at General Wall’s, Mr. -Howard,” reported Allen Barclay to Walter, who was waiting the result of -his visit. - -“Does General Wall know that I am the one whom he met in the stage?” -inquired Walter. - -“Yes, he mentioned it himself.” - -“What did he say when you first mentioned me as your successor?” - -“He thought you were too young. But I told him that I should resign at -any rate, and he had better try you.” - -“Will the examination be very difficult?” - -“Not if the trustees confine themselves to what they know themselves,” -answered Barclay, laughing. “Squire Griffiths will probably ask a -question or two in geography and spelling; but you need not trouble -yourself. They won’t be hard.” - -“It might be a good plan to study a little to-morrow,” suggested Walter. - -“You are welcome to sit in my room, and use my books, if you wish, Mr. -Howard.” - -“Thank you. Did you see John Wall?” - -“Yes; he was at home.” - -“Did he know anything about the plan of my teaching?” - -“Yes; his father mentioned it to him.” - -“What did he say?” asked Walter, curiously. - -“I hope it won’t hurt your feelings if I tell you, but he did not seem -in favor of your appointment. He seems to think that you will not -succeed. Are you frightened?” - -“I shall not expect a very cordial welcome from John,” said Walter; “but -if that is all the opposition I am to encounter, I shan’t trouble myself -much.” - -“You have never inquired the salary paid,” said Barclay. - -It was true. Walter had not thought of this, as he had another object in -view of much more importance, and chiefly desired the school because it -would give him an excuse to remain in Portville without suspicions as to -his real motive. However, he felt some interest in the matter, and -inquired as to the amount he might expect. - -“There isn’t much chance of a teacher growing rich in Portville,” said -Mr. Barclay. “All I receive is forty dollars per month, and I pay five -dollars a week board. That is below the usual price, but they make -allowance at the hotel for my small income.” - -“That will satisfy me,” said Walter. “I made more as a book agent, but -then it was harder work.” - -“I hope you will find the position agreeable. I shall feel relieved to -give up the school. I ought to have done it before.” - -Allen Barclay was seized with a violent fit of coughing, which confirmed -his statement in an emphatic manner. He inherited a consumptive -tendency, and it seemed probable that, do what he would, he would be -short-lived. - -The next day Walter, according to the teacher’s invitation, installed -himself in his room, and spent the greater part of the day in a hasty -review of the English branches which he would be called upon to teach. -He found the task of refreshing his memory comparatively an easy one, -for he had been good in all his studies. By the time Allen Barclay -returned from school he had completed his review. - -“Well, Mr. Howard, how have you spent the time?” he asked. - -“In literary pursuits, Mr. Barclay. I have been examining myself in the -different branches of study, and feel pretty confident of passing the -ordeal. What time had I better go to General Wall’s?” - -“It is best to be punctual. I think they will be ready for you by seven -o’clock.” - -“Very well.” - -Seven o’clock found Walter knocking at the door of the chairman of the -school trustees. He felt tolerably composed. Still it was a novel -situation, and the undertaking he contemplated might well be formidable -to one so young and inexperienced. But Walter was not a timid boy. He -had plenty of pluck, and he meant to do his best, whatever might be the -issue. As to the examination, he did not feel much alarmed. - -The servant had her orders, and ushered him at once into the presence of -General Wall, who seemed to be alone. - -“Good-evening, Mr. Howard,” said the chairman of the trustees. “Mr. -Barclay has mentioned your name to me in connection with the school, -which he is compelled to resign.” - -“Yes, sir. He thinks he must give up teaching.” - -“You have never taught before, I think.” - -“No, sir.” - -“Where were you educated?” - -“At the Essex Classical Institute, in the State of New York.” - -“You are acquainted with the Latin language, I presume.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“My son, whom you saw in the stage the other evening, is studying Latin. -Do you feel competent to teach so advanced a pupil?” - -“I don’t think I shall find any difficulty in doing so,” said Walter, -who felt strongly inclined to laugh, but knew it would not do. - -“My son is studying Cæsar.” - -“Yes, sir; I am familiar with that author.” - -“I am glad to hear it. It is my desire that John should not lose any -time. In fact, we should have little difficulty in filling Mr. Barclay’s -place, but for requiring a knowledge of Latin. For example, there is an -experienced teacher in the next town, Epaminondas Smith, who has been -teaching for fourteen years, and would be glad of the place, but he only -teaches English branches. He has a great reputation for management, -stands six feet in his stockings, and weighs a hundred and ninety-five -pounds. I went into his school once. I tell you, Mr. Howard, the boys -were as still as mice. They knew what they would get if they broke the -rules.” - -Walter was large for his age; still he only measured five feet six -inches in height, and weighed but one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. -While General Wall was speaking, he could not help observing that he was -comparing unfavorably his small physical proportions with those of the -redoubted Epaminondas Smith. He might have felt discouraged, but he -remembered that one of the most effective teachers at the Essex -Institute, who commanded the general respect and obedience of the -students, was an inch shorter than himself, and probably weighed no -more. - -“Is the school hard to manage?” he asked. - -“No, I should say not. Mr. Barclay has had no trouble that I have heard -of. Still he is an experienced teacher.” - -“That is an advantage, of course,” said Walter, answering the -implication. “But he tells me that he succeeded as well in his first -school, though he was less than a year older than I am now.” - -“That is encouraging. I have spoken to my fellow-trustees, Dr. Owens and -Squire Griffiths, Mr. Howard, and we have determined to give you a -trial; that is, if you pass a satisfactory examination. I am afraid the -doctor won’t be able to come this evening, as he has to visit a patient -five miles distant. However, he said he was willing to agree to anything -the squire and myself might decide upon. Have you long been in the West, -Mr. Howard?” - -“No, sir; I have never before been as far west as Wisconsin. I spent the -last three months in Ohio, however.” - -“We hardly call Ohio a Western State. We always look upon it as in the -East.” - -“The West is a large country,” remarked Walter. - -“It is very large, and has vast resources. Its prairies are immense in -extent, its rivers are numerous and long, its mines are the richest in -the world,” said General Wall, rather oratorically. - -“I should like to inquire all about the Great Metropolitan Mining -Company,” thought Walter. - -“Do all the mines pay well?” he asked. - -“Those that are well managed do for the most part. I am myself connected -with one or two, which we hope will pay in the end. One of them has thus -far been unsuccessful, but it only needs reorganization and improved -management to pay.” - -“I wish I knew whether he meant the Metropolitan mine,” thought Walter. - -But General Wall did not specify whether this was the one he referred -to, and Walter was left in doubt. - -“Do you know when Mr. Barclay wishes to cease teaching?” inquired -General Wall. - -“I think at once. He has a severe cough, and he thinks the climate here -does not suit him.” - -The door opened at this point, and John Wall entered. - -“Here is a letter, father,” he said. - -His father took the letter with some eagerness and opened it. He turned -the envelope in such a way that Walter saw the postmark, and with no -little interest recognized it as Willoughby, N. Y. He also recognized -the handwriting as that of Mr. Shaw. It was doubtless the letter in -which the lawyer declined to close at once with the offer of two per -cent. for Mr. Conrad’s claims. Walter was confirmed in this supposition -by seeing a look of dissatisfaction upon the face of General Wall. The -latter had imagined that the executor of Mr. Conrad’s estate would be -glad to realize so much from what he might have concluded to be a -worthless claim. The temporary refusal would necessarily interfere with -his plans for the organization of a new company, who should enrich -themselves at the expense of the original owners. - -“Excuse me, Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, “but I recognize this as an -important business letter. This is my son, as you doubtless know.” - -“Good-evening,” said Walter, politely, offering his hand. - -John took the proffered hand coldly, just touching it, and muttering -“Good-evening” in a not very gracious manner. - -“I foresee that he won’t prove a very agreeable scholar,” thought -Walter. - -At this moment a knock was heard at the door. - -“That must be Squire Griffiths,” said General Wall. “John, you may go to -the door and let him in.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - THE SCHOOL TRUSTEE. - - -SQUIRE GRIFFITHS was a small man, with stiff gray hair, which he usually -brushed in such a manner that it stood up straight in front, forming a -palisade, so to speak. It might have been to increase his apparent -height, or again it might have been regarded as adding to the dignity of -his presence, for the squire had by no means a contemptible opinion of -himself. - -“Good-evening, Squire Griffiths,” said General Wall, advancing to meet -him. “This is Mr. Howard, the young man whom Mr. Barclay has recommended -to fill his place.” - -Squire Griffiths drew a pair of glasses from his pocket, and, adjusting -them in a leisurely manner, scrutinized the face of our hero. - -“How old be you?” he inquired, rather unceremoniously. - -“Nearly sixteen,” answered Walter, a little embarrassed by the -abruptness of the question. - -“Seems to me you’re enterin’ on the teacher’s purfession a leetle -airly,” remarked the squire. - -“Yes, sir, I am rather young,” answered Walter, “but I hope I am -qualified, and if I undertake the school I shall do my best to succeed.” - -“Of course,” said the squire. “I expected you’d say that. Why, there’s -some of the scholars could thrash you easy.” - -“Perhaps so,” said Walter, smiling; “but I shouldn’t let them do it -without resisting.” - -“You look as if you’d got some grit, to be sure,” said the squire, -reflectively. “Ever taught afore?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Of course, experience would be desirable in a teacher,” interrupted the -general at this point; “but everybody has to begin, and some succeed -very well from the first. Mr. Howard is a good Latin scholar, and that -is in his favor.” - -“I don’t think much of Latin, for my part,” said the squire. “If a man -knows how to talk English, that’s as much as he actilly needs.” - -“I don’t quite agree with you there, Squire Griffiths,” said the -general. “My boy John is reading Cæsar’s works, and I want him to be a -fine Latin scholar.” - -“Was Cæsar a Latin?” asked Squire Griffiths. - -“He used the Latin language,” said Walter. - -“Well, maybe it’s all right to study Latin,” said the squire, “though -I’ve lived man and boy more’n sixty year, and have got along without -it.” - -Squire Griffiths had rather a limited idea of the range of education, -and thought if a boy could read and write and cipher, he was prepared to -go out into the world. - -“Latin is considered indispensable to a thorough education,” said -General Wall. - -“There’s a lot of new-fangled things come up since my day,” said the -squire. “My Amandy says she wants to study botany. I asked her if it -made the flowers smell any sweeter to know about ’em. Then there’s -algebrey, or some sich nonsense.” - -“By the way, Mr. Howard, can you teach algebra?” asked General Wall. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“John has not commenced it yet, but if you would advise it, I will buy -him a book.” - -“I should think he was old enough to study it,” said Walter. - -General Wall was evidently disposed to employ Walter. He feared that if -he was not engaged some teacher would be procured who would be unable to -carry John forward in the advanced course upon which he had entered. - -“Well, Squire Griffiths, shall we proceed to the examination?” he -suggested. “Dr. Owens will be unable to attend our meeting this evening, -so that duty will be thrown upon us.” - -“I haven’t no objection, general. You may start, and I’ll come in with a -few questions bimeby.” - -“I will ask you to read first, Mr. Howard,” said the general. “Here’s a -book. You can open it anywhere, and read.” - -The book chanced to be an historical work, written in a style clear and -flowing. Walter read it easily and fluently for half a page. - -“I think that will do,” said General Wall. “Are you satisfied, Squire -Griffiths?” - -“Pretty fair,” said the squire, patronizingly; “but there was one word -which I think Mr. Howard pronounced a leetle wrong.” - -“Which word was it?” inquired Walter, somewhat surprised. - -“Will you read that last sentence over again, Mr. Howard?” said the -squire. - -“Certainly, sir,” and Walter read as follows: - -“The army of Napoleon suffered less from the military forces which -Russia opposed to him, than from the frigidity of the climate.” - -“It’s one of the last words,” said the squire, “what you call -frigidity.” - -“Is not that correct?” asked Walter. - -“I always say frig-i-dity,” said the squire, giving a hard sound to the -letter “g” and emphasizing the last syllable but one. - -Walter found it difficult not to laugh, and General Wall, who was a -considerably better scholar than his associate, said, “I think, squire, -that yours is the old-fashioned pronunciation, and that Mr. Howard’s is -now more in use.” - -“Maybe you are right,” said the squire. “For my part, I like the old -ways best. Still I suppose people in gineral will like the new-fangled -ways.” - -The squire indulged in no further questioning, and General Wall said, -“Will you ask a few words in spelling, Squire Griffiths?” - -Squire Griffiths readjusted his spectacles, and, opening the book, gave -out in a loud voice: - -“Ridiculous,” emphasizing the third syllable. - -Walter spelled it correctly. - -The next word the squire pronounced spet-tikle; but Walter, inferring -that he meant spectacle, spelled that word. - -Here the squire looked off the book, and gave out the word Philadelphia. - -“P-h-i-l, phil, a, phila, d-e-l, del, philadel, p-h-i-a, Philadelphia.” - -“Is that right, General Wall?” asked the squire. - -“I believe so.” - -“I’ve always spelled it p-h-y, phy,” said the squire. - -“I happen to have a Philadelphia paper here,” said General Wall. “We’ll -look at that.” - -The result, of course, was to decide the matter in Walter’s favor. - -“I think the other way must be right, too,” said the squire. “I’ve got a -nephew there, and that’s the way he always writes it. On the whole, I’m -satisfied with the young man’s readin’ and spellin’. Suppose we proceed -to geography.” - -“Very well. Mr. Howard, will you bound Russia?” - -Walter did so promptly. - -“Very well; that is right, I believe, Squire Griffiths.” - -“I believe he didn’t mention Italy, on the west.” - -“Italy is at some distance from Russia, squire,” said General Wall. -“Perhaps you are thinking of Turkey.” - -“Maybe I was. Did he say Turkey?” - -“Yes, he mentioned it. Where are the Alps, Mr. Howard?” - -“In Switzerland, chiefly.” - -“Correct.” - -“Which is the longest river in the United States?” asked the squire. - -“The Mississippi.” - -“Very good,” said the squire, as if he hardly anticipated a correct -answer to so difficult a question. - -Squire Griffiths now essayed a more ambitious flight. - -“Where are the Amazon Mountains?” he asked. - -“The Amazon Mountains?” repeated Walter, puzzled. - -“Yes. Where are they?” - -“I believe the Amazon is a river, Squire Griffiths,” suggested General -Wall, with suavity. “You are probably thinking of the Andes Mountains.” - -“Yes, I was,” said the squire, a little discomposed, for he did not know -where the Andes Mountains were, and was surprised to learn that the -Amazon was a river. - -“In South America,” said Walter. - -“Correct, is it not?” asked General Wall. - -“Quite so,” said the squire, glad to have got out of his quandary so -well. - -“What are the two great rivers of Africa, Mr. Howard?” asked the -General. - -“The Nile and the Niger.” - -“And what great desert is in Africa?” - -“The desert of Sahara.” - -“That is just the question I was going to ask,” said the squire, who -felt a little jealous of the more prominent part General Wall was taking -in the examination. I am sorry to say, however, that the assertion was -without foundation, as he had never before heard of Sahara, to his -knowledge. - -“I have asked all the questions I wished,” said General Wall. “I leave -you to finish the examination in geography.” - -“Mr. Howard, where is Cape Horn?” asked the squire, straightening -himself up and clearing his throat. He asked this question with -confidence, because he happened to know the answer. - -“At the southern point of South America,” said Walter. - -“That will do, General Wall. Mr. Howard appears to be very well posted -in geography. It was always a favorite study of mine, and I am gratified -to find him so perficient.” - -The examination closed with a few questions in arithmetic, which were -satisfactorily answered. - -“Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, “we are satisfied with the result of -the examination. We consider you competent to teach, so far as your -education is concerned. We will take Mr. Barclay’s word for your being a -good Latin scholar. We authorize you to commence teaching as soon as he -gives up the school.” - -“Just so,” said the squire. “I hope you’ll get along with the big boys.” - -“I will do my best,” answered our hero. - -As he walked home, he could not help wondering how such an ignoramus as -Squire Griffiths came to be selected as a school trustee. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE FASCINATING MISS JONES. - - -“WELL,” said Allen Barclay, as Walter entered his room on his return -from the examination, “how did you get along, Mr. Howard?” - -“I came off with flying colors. Squire Griffiths asked me where the -Amazon mountains were!” - -“Squire Griffiths is not quite so wise as Solomon,” answered Allen -Barclay, laughing, “though he looks so with his glasses on. Well, I am -glad you came out all right. When shall you be ready to commence?” - -“I will go in on Monday morning.” - -“Very well. Then I will pack up my trunk and prepare to leave Portville -by the three P. M. train.” - -“I wish you were going to remain here; I shall be lonely.” - -“Thank you for the compliment. I like Portville well enough, but the air -is too bracing. However,” he added, in a lighter tone, “I leave behind -me one who will solace you for my loss.” - -“I don’t know to whom you refer,” said Walter, mystified. - -“To whom could I refer but Miss Jones?” - -“The young lady with ringlets,” said Walter, smiling. “I didn’t know you -were interested in that quarter.” - -“I won’t say whether I am or not. Be that as it may, I resign her -willingly to you.” - -“She pays me very little attention compared with you.” - -“You flatter me. If I have attracted her attention, it is only as a -schoolmaster. She professes to have literary tastes, and supposes that I -am gifted in the same way. When you ascend my vacant throne her -attention will be transferred to you.” - -“You enchant me,” said Walter, amused. “But I am afraid I look too young -to attract the young lady’s attention.” - -“I will prove to the contrary. Do you see that note?” exhibiting a small -_billet_, written on pink paper. - -“What is it?” - -“I will read it. You will see that it concerns both of us.” - -Mr. Barclay held up the note and read in pompous tones the contents, as -follows: - - -“Miss Melinda Athanasia Jones presents her compliments to Mr. Barclay -and his friend, Mr. Howard, and hopes they will do her the honor to -spend Saturday evening at her bower, that she may enjoy the rare -pleasure of literary converse with congenial spirits.” - - -“Quite a high-flown invitation,” said Walter. “What does she mean by her -bower?” - -“Only her apartment in the hotel. It is a poetic designation, that’s -all.” - -“Who will be present?” - -“Only her brother.” - -“Is he poetical too?” - -“Far from it. He won’t take much part in the conversation. Such remarks -as he may venture to make will be prosaic enough.” - -“I see by the letters R. S. V. P., which she puts at the bottom, that -she expects a reply.” - -“I am not much used to social etiquette. I am ashamed to say I didn’t -know what the letters meant.” - -“They stand for _Répondez, s’il vous plaît_--Answer, if you please.” - -“I will remember that the next time a fashionable young lady writes to -me.” - -“I suppose you have not answered the invitation then?” - -“No; I did not understand the letters, and thought it would do well -enough to answer verbally when we met to-morrow morning at the breakfast -table.” - -“Will you allow me to draft the answer, Mr. Barclay?” - -“Certainly, Mr. Howard. I shall be very glad to have you do so.” - -“I will write it, and, as the answer should come from you, you can copy -it if you like.” - -“Very well. You will find pens and paper on the table.” - -Walter sat down to the table with a twinkle of merriment in his eyes, -and dashed off the following reply: - - -“Mr. Barclay and Mr. Howard are deeply indebted to Miss Melinda -Athanasia Jones for her kind invitation, and will have pleasure in -visiting her Amaranthine bower at the time appointed, and trust that -they may be inspired by the muses, whose favorite haunt it is, to hold -appropriate converse with the fair occupant, exchanging thoughts that -breathe and words that burn.” - - -“What do you think of that?” asked Walter, reading it aloud to his -companion. - -“You have beaten her with her own weapons,” said Barclay, laughing. “She -will be delighted. I hope, by the way, that you will carry some Russia -salve, in case the burns should prove severe.” - -“The burns are only metaphorical. They won’t be uncomfortable.” - -“I think you had better answer the epistle yourself, Mr. Howard. I feel -a little modest about taking the credit of so high-flown a production.” - -“Let it go in my handwriting then. It purports to be from us both.” - -Walter sat down again, and copied his epistolary effort in his best -hand. - -“Now how shall we get it to the young lady?” he asked. - -“Edward, the errand boy, will call at the door in a few minutes to bring -back my clean clothes from the wash. I have just sent him. We will get -him to carry it this evening.” - -“Very well.” - -In fifteen minutes Edward tapped at the door. He brought in the bundle -of clothes, and was about going out, when Allen Barclay intrusted the -note to him with directions. - -“Leave it this evening,” he said. - -“All right!” said Edward, with a grin of intelligence. “I s’pose it’s -very important, Mr. Barclay?” - -“No, it’s only about an invitation.” - -Edward nodded knowingly, as if to say, “I know all about it.” - -“That fellow will report that I am courting Miss Jones,” said Barclay, -laughing as he went out. - -“I thought he looked knowing.” - -“Yes; he thinks he is very sharp. However, I shan’t trouble myself much -about what reports he puts in circulation. It won’t affect me -particularly, as I am going away so soon.” - -“I am safe enough,” said Walter. - -“How do you make that out?” - -“I mean that I am too young to give countenance to any such reports.” - -“I am not sure about that. You look older than you are.” - -“How much older?” asked Walter, who liked to be considered above his -real age. - -“I have seen boys of seventeen--I beg pardon, I should say young men to -a teacher in prospective--who looked no older than you.” - -“I saw false mustaches advertised in some paper the other day for -seventy-five cents. Don’t you think it would be well to provide myself -with one?” - -“There might be a little danger of its slipping off some day, and that -might prove awkward, you know.” - -“I rather think it would,” said Walter, laughing. “Well, I will save my -seventy-five cents, and wait till nature provides me with the genuine -article, warranted to stick fast.” - -“That will be better, I think.” - -“Have you any idea as to Miss Jones’ age?” inquired Walter. - -“I see you are getting interested in her. Evidently her ringlets have -done the business for you.” - -“I deny the charge,” said Walter. “I only felt a little curious.” - -“I can gratify your curiosity. Miss Jones calls herself twenty-one, but -her brother, who is very apt to make blunders, made some allusion one -day fixing her age at twenty-seven. I thought she would have boxed his -ears. I shall not soon forget her look of anger and annoyance. She took -occasion the next day to refer to herself as twenty-one; but, as the -boys say, it was too thin. However, she fancies we are all deceived, and -I allow her to think that I consider her youthful.” - -“What sort of an evening shall we have?” - -“Very literary. Perhaps Miss Jones will read us one of her poems.” - -“Does she write poetry?” - -“She calls it poetry.” - -“What do you call it?” - -“I can’t find any appropriate name.” - -“Did she ever have any of her verses printed?” - -“She frequently hints that she has appeared in print, but she never -showed me any of her printed poems. I have no doubt she has offered her -verses in various directions, but editors are flinty-hearted sometimes, -and I fear they have dropped her contributions into the waste-basket.” - -“After all you have said, I feel considerably curious to pass an evening -at the bower. But I am afraid the remembrance of the intellectual -evening before you will give you an added pang in leaving Portville.” - -“I can stand it,” said Barclay, smiling. - -“True, you can correspond. I did not think of that.” - -“Nor I. Mr. Howard, I could not respond to her letters in fitting -language. You could do it better than I.” - -“Is that a compliment? Thank you,” said Walter, with a low bow. - -When he went to bed that night, there were two events to which he looked -forward with interest. One was, his entrance upon his duties as teacher -on Monday morning; the other, his visit to the bower of Miss Melinda -Athanasia Jones on the following evening. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X - - MR. BARCLAY’S FAREWELL. - - -MR. BARCLAY spent a part of Saturday in packing his trunk, preparatory -to leaving Portville on Monday. Walter, having no schoolbooks of his own -at hand, purchased those of his predecessor at a fair valuation, and -arranged to move into his room and receive board on the same terms. -Saturday, as in some of the Eastern States, was a half-holiday. As it -would be his last day in school, Mr. Barclay, after the school had come -to order, took occasion to make the following remarks: - -“My friends and scholars: It may be a surprise to some of you when I say -that this day terminates my connection with you as teacher. I found some -time since that the climate of Wisconsin was unfavorable to my health. -Still I didn’t like to leave you until some one should be secured who -could take my place at once, so that you need not lose by the change. I -am happy to say that my successor has been found. Mr. Howard, who is now -present, will take my place on Monday. He is thoroughly qualified for -the position, and if you co-operate with him in his efforts for your -advantage, I am sure that you will have no reason to regret the change -of teachers. For myself, I cannot leave you without great sorrow, since -I may never meet any of you again. I thank you for your unvarying good -conduct during the terms thus far, and hope that things may continue as -pleasantly after I leave you.” - -While Mr. Barclay was speaking, many curious glances were cast in the -direction of the new teacher. Walter felt a little embarrassed, and -flushed as he met the united gaze. He felt that he had undertaken a “big -job,” but his courage rose with the occasion, and he determined to spare -no effort to succeed. - -“Won’t you say a few words to the scholars, Mr. Howard?” said Barclay, -in a low voice. - -“Is it necessary?” returned Walter, who had not prepared himself for a -speech. - -“I think it will be expected.” - -Whereupon Walter rose, and, after the first slight embarrassment, spoke -as follows: “As Mr. Barclay has told you, I have agreed to take his -place as your teacher on Monday. I did not come to Portville with the -intention of teaching, but, finding that your teacher wished to be -relieved, I have consented to try to fill his place. I shall do my best -to advance you in your studies, and hope to treat you all fairly and -justly. It is so short a time since I was a student myself that I think -I know what you expect in a teacher. I hope we shall be mutually pleased -with each other.” - -This speech produced a favorable impression upon the scholars--that is, -upon most of them. There were a few who were disposed to regard Walter -with contempt, as a boy who would be quite incompetent to manage them. -Among these was John Wall, who surveyed the new teacher with a -supercilious air. Walter noticed this, but it did not trouble him much. -If no one chose to trouble him except John, he knew he could get along. - -When school was over, Mr. Barclay said: “If the scholars will remain a -few minutes, I shall be glad to introduce them individually to Mr. -Howard.” - -Walter rose, and one by one the scholars came up. John Wall did not come -up; but then he had already made acquaintance with Walter, so that it -did not seem necessary. Still, had he been friendly, he would have -advanced with the rest instead of standing aloof, eyeing the scene -askance. - -The greeting between Walter and the scholars was generally formal -enough. He had to say very much the same thing to each, and it would -have become monotonous if he had not closely scrutinized each face, -partly that he might associate it with the name, partly to form some -little idea of the character of the boy or girl, and judge whether he or -she was likely to prove agreeable and friendly or otherwise. There were -two faces which he particularly noticed. One attracted him. It was a boy -with dark hair, and a thoughtful, intelligent expression, whom Mr. -Barclay had already spoken of to him as the best scholar in school. His -name was Alfred Clinton. He was apparently fourteen. He was a beginner -in Latin, but, as far as he had gone, was a far more thorough scholar -than John Wall. As Walter’s hand touched his, each felt instinctively -that he had found a friend, though only the usual formal words passed -between them. - -The other scholar whom Walter noticed was of very different personal -appearance. His hair was red, his face freckled, and his expression -stolid; but there was something that indicated an unusual degree of -stubbornness. He was sixteen, and, though about Walter’s height, was -more heavily molded, and looked stronger. There was a peculiar smile on -his face as he took Walter’s offered hand, and muttered something in -return to the young teacher’s greeting. Walter felt that the smile boded -mischief, and inwardly determined to look out for Peter Groot, for this -was his name. - -Walter was right in distrusting Peter. His idea of a teacher was, that -he must be big enough to “lick” any of the boys; otherwise he had no -right to expect obedience. Now, on examining Walter, he decided that he, -Peter, could “lick him easy,” as he expressed it in conversation with -the other boys. As to obeying a little chap like the master, he made up -his mind that he would do it only so far as it suited him. - -“I guess he won’t dare to tackle me,” he said, stretching out a stout -arm with an air of satisfaction. Of course this was said outside of the -school and not within hearing of either of the teachers. - -“I hope, Peter, you are not going to make trouble,” said Alfred Clinton, -to whom, with others, this was addressed. - -“What makes you wish that?” demanded Peter. “The master ain’t nothin’ to -you.” - -“He is going to teach me,” said Alfred, “and I want to profit by his -instructions.” - -“He ain’t fit to teach,” said Peter Groot, contemptuously. - -“Why isn’t he?” - -“I could lick him with one hand.” - -“I don’t know about that. But even if you could, that doesn’t prove that -he can’t teach, does it?” - -“He isn’t big enough to keep order.” - -“Are you going to be disorderly?” - -“I guess I won’t trouble him, if he don’t trouble me,” said Peter. - -“What do you mean?” - -“If he don’t interfere with me, I won’t interfere with him. I ain’t -goin’ to be ordered round by a feller I can lick.” - -“He won’t ask anything unreasonable of you,” said Alfred. - -“He’d better not,” said Peter Groot, significantly. - -“Of course, he will expect us to obey him as the teacher.” - -“You kin obey him if you want to; I’m goin’ to do as I please.” - -“Why haven’t you done that with Mr. Barclay, Peter?” - -“Because he’s stronger than I am.” - -It will be seen from this conversation that Peter’s ideas as to the -relation between teacher and scholar were very rudimentary. The -“master,” to him, was the embodiment of sufficient physical force to -keep in due subjection the unruly elements under him, and it was -perfectly legitimate for a scholar to refuse obedience unless the one -who required it was able to enforce the demand. - -There was still another scholar who attracted the notice of Walter. This -was a young man of twenty, who stood six feet in his stockings. He -towered above Walter by several inches, and our hero was tempted to -laugh when he reflected that he was about to assume the position of -teacher to one so far his superior in age and size. However, he felt -reassured by the expression of Phineas Morton, which, though heavy, was -friendly and good-natured. He might not be a very active friend, but it -did not seem likely that he would do anything to annoy the teacher. - -“Well, Mr. Howard,” said Barclay, as they were walking home, “what are -your first impressions of the scholars?” - -“Rather confused,” said Walter, laughing. “I have got the names and -faces of all mixed up together, and can hardly tell one from the other.” - -“That was my first experience; but I soon learned to distinguish them.” - -“There was one I particularly liked.” - -“I can guess who you mean--Alfred Clinton.” - -“Yes; he seemed to me very intelligent and attractive.” - -“You will find him both. He has more talent than any other scholar.” - -“How old is he?” - -“Fourteen. His mother is a widow, and I suspect she has a hard time to -get along. You noticed that Alfred was poorly dressed?” - -“No, I did not notice that. I only looked at his face.” - -“He does errands out of school and whatever work he can find, in order -to assist his mother. I wish he might have a college education. It was -at my suggestion that he commenced Latin, and he does better in it than -any of his class. I am sure you will enjoy teaching him.” - -“Do you think I shall enjoy Peter Groot?” asked Walter, with a smile. - -“I don’t think you will. He is neither a model scholar nor a model boy. -To tell the truth, I am more afraid he will give you trouble than any -other boy.” - -“Did he trouble you?” - -“He was impudent to me the second day, and I knocked him over. After -that, he gave me much less trouble.” - -“So he needs to be conquered into good behavior?” said Walter. - -“It’s about so.” And Barclay looked at our hero with a natural doubt -whether he would be able to cope with the troublesome scholar. - -“Does Peter know anything about boxing?” asked Walter, who understood -what was brewing in the mind of his companion. - -“Nothing at all. Do you?” - -“I have a fair knowledge of it. Peter may be a little stronger, but if -worst comes to worst, I think I am a match for him.” - -“I am glad to hear it, Mr. Howard, for I suspect he will give you a -chance to display your science upon him.” - -“I wouldn’t undertake to encounter the big fellow--what is his name?” - -“Phineas Morton. He won’t require it. If he finds you are a good -teacher, he will stand by you.” - -“Then I am not afraid. John Wall probably isn’t very friendly, but I am -not afraid of him.” - -“You needn’t fear open violence from him. If he works against you, it -will be in an underhand way.” - -“At any rate, the die is cast; I have agreed to take the school, and I -shall do what I can to succeed. - - - “‘_In battle I’ll fall, or in death be laid low, - With my face to the field, and my feet to the foe._’” - -Barclay laughed. - -“If you undertake it in that spirit,” he said, “I think you will -succeed. At any rate you have my best wishes.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - TWO POETS. - - -MISS MELINDA ATHANASIA JONES devoted herself during the day to the -composition of a poem to be read to the guests whom she expected in the -evening. She wanted to produce a good impression upon them. Her -vocation, so she thought, was that of an authoress. She had sent several -poems to the _Atlantic Monthly_ and _Harper’s Magazine_ at various -times, but with singular unanimity both periodicals had “respectfully -declined” them all. Melinda understood the reason well enough. - -“It is because I am a Western _literati_,” she exclaimed to her brother, -with a lofty contempt for grammar. “If I were a Boston or New York -_literati_, they would be glad to get my productions.” - -“I reckon you’re right, Melindy,” said her brother Ichabod. “Why don’t -you have your perductions, as you call ’em, mailed in Boston or New -York? You could send ’em to somebody there.” - -“Thank you, I wouldn’t stoop to the subterfuge,” said Melinda, reciting -melodramatically: - - - “_Breathes there a girl with soul so dead, - Who never to herself hath said, - Wisconsin is my native State?_” - -“Good!” said her brother. “When did you make up them verses?” - -“They are not mine,” confessed Melinda. “They are by Byron.” - -“Are they, now? He was a smart feller, wasn’t he?” - -“He was an inspired poet, Ichabod; but you wouldn’t understand him. He -soars into the realms of the evanescent.” - -“Does he? Then I guess I couldn’t. I ain’t much on soarin’.” - -At half-past seven o’clock a knock was heard at the door of Melinda’s -boudoir. - -“Ichabod, open the door,” she said. - -Her brother obeyed the command. As Barclay and Walter entered the room, -they beheld their fair hostess seated at the center table, with a volume -of poems resting on her lap, while one hand supported her forehead, the -elbow resting on the table. She had practiced this attitude during the -afternoon before a looking-glass, and considered it effective. - -She lifted her eyes slowly, appearing wrapt in meditation. - -“Pardon my pensive preoccupation,” she said, rising and greeting her -guests. “I was communing with Milton. Do you often commune with him, Mr. -Barclay?” - -“I haven’t had much time for that lately, Miss Jones. My friend here is -more poetical than I am.” - -“Indeed, Mr. Howard, I am glad to hear that. You and me will be -congenial.” - -“You flatter me, Miss Jones,” said Walter, looking sober, but wanting to -laugh. - -“Do you ever provoke the muse, Mr. Howard?” asked Melinda, who probably -meant invoke. - -“Sometimes,” said Walter. “I hear you are an authoress.” - -“A little of one,” said Melinda, modestly. - -“I hope you will favor us by reading something of your own.” - -“Indeed, Mr. Howard,” said Melinda, with affected bashfulness, “I should -be afraid to submit my careless productions to gentlemen of such -literary taste. I did indeed throw off a few rhymes to-day, but----” - -“We shall be glad to hear them, Miss Jones. Perhaps, after you have read -them, my friend, Mr. Howard, will read something.” - -“Oh, that will be delightful! In that case I cannot refuse. Ichabod, -will you bring me that portfolio from the desk?” - -Her brother, whom Melinda was in the habit of ordering around, complied -with his sister’s request. - -Melinda drew out a sheet of note paper and unfolded it. - -“I hope, Mr. Howard, you will not be severe upon my verses. They were -written this afternoon, in a fit of inspiration. You will see that they -reveal my too susceptible soul. I am subject to fits----” - -“Why, Melinda,” broke in her brother, “you never told me you had fits?” - -“To fits of lonely contemplation,” continued Melinda, looking severely -at her brother, “and it was in one of these that I penned the following -stanzas.” - -Melinda cleared her throat, and read as follows, in an impressive voice: - - - “_Oh, lay me to sleep in the deep, deep sea, - For my life is dark and drear; - Or give me the wings to soar aloft,-- - I am tired of living here._ - - “_I feel that I am not understood; - My thoughts are far too deep - For the common crowd, who only care - To eat and drink and sleep._ - - “_My soul walks through the world alone, - Where it e’er must sadly roam. - Pining for congenial company - In some celestial home._ - - “_I wreathe my face in hollow smiles, - And people think me glad; - They cannot see my aching heart, - For I am ever sad._ - - “_Then lay me to sleep in the deep, deep sea; - For my life is dark and drear; - Or give me wings to soar aloft,-- - I am tired of living here._” - -“It takes Melinda to string off the rhymes,” said Ichabod, who took his -sister at her own valuation, and firmly believed her to be a genius. -“She writes ’em just as easy!” - -“Do you share her talent, Mr. Jones?” asked Walter, gravely. - -“Me? I couldn’t write poetry if you was to pay me ten dollars a line. I -shouldn’t want to, either, if I’d got to feel as Melinda says she does -in them verses she just read.” - -“It is the penalty of a too-sensitive soul. Surely you have had such -feelings, Mr. Howard. I am afraid you were not favorably impressed by my -poor verses.” - -This she said, anxious to draw out expressions of admiration. - -“The lines are very smooth, Miss Jones,” said Walter, “but I cannot say -I ever have quite such feelings. I am of a cheerful temperament, and my -muse would not soar to such lofty heights as yours.” - -“I envy you, Mr. Howard,” said Melinda, with a sigh. “I wish my muse -were not so thoughtful and contemplative. Have you not some poem you -could read us? Mr. Barclay says you are a poet.” - -“I am afraid Mr. Barclay has spoken without authority.” - -“Come, Mr. Howard, you must read Miss Jones the verses you wrote this -afternoon.” - -“What! Were you, too, provoking the muse, Mr. Howard?” asked Melinda, -with eager interest. - -“I am afraid I was,” said Walter, gravely, choosing to understand the -young lady’s words literally. - -In fact he had written a few verses, at Mr. Barclay’s suggestion, “for -the fun of it,” in order to contribute his quota to the feast of reason -expected in the evening. - -“But I hope you will excuse my reading it,” he added, with affected -bashfulness. - -“Indeed I will not. Mr. Barclay, help me to persuade Mr. Howard.” - -Walter finally yielded, as he intended to do all the while, but on -condition that Mr. Barclay would read the poem. This being accepted, -Barclay read, with appropriate emphasis, the following verses, which -were modeled after a song found in a small collection of minstrel verses -in Walter’s possession: - - - “_Around the little cottage - Waved fields of golden grain - And in it lived my heart’s delight,-- - My Sophronisba Jane._ - - “_It was an humble cottage, - But peace and comfort reign - Within the pleasant homestead - Of Sophronisba Jane._ - - “_Her cheeks were like red apples, - Her dress of neat de laine; - She was an artless maiden, - Was Sophronisba Jane._ - - “_You cannot find in far-off climes, - In Italy or Spain, - A girl that’s half so charming - As Sophronisba Jane._ - - “_And if I were a monarch, - Instead of humble swain, - I still would seek to win the love - Of Sophronisba Jane._” - -“How sweet!” murmured Melinda. “Indeed you are a true poet, Mr. Howard.” - -“Thank you,” said Walter, who had hard work not to laugh, knowing -himself what ridiculous rubbish his verses were. - -“By Jove! that’s my style of poetry,” said Mr. Jones, energetically. “I -like that better than yours, Melindy.” - -“Oh, it don’t compare with your sister’s, Mr. Jones,” said Walter, -modestly. “It doesn’t soar to such lofty heights.” - -“Now, Mr. Howard, I think it excellent,” said Miss Jones, who was -delighted at the praise of her own production. “I cannot expect all to -be so contemplative as I am. My muse loves to dwell alone in primeval -solitude. Yours seeks the woodland glade.” - -“You have expressed the difference admirably, Miss Jones,” said Barclay, -gravely. “Mr. Jones and myself unluckily cannot soar with you and Mr. -Howard. We can only look on in silent admiration.” - -“Do you often indite verses, Mr. Howard?” asked Melinda. “I hope you -will show me all your productions.” - -“I seldom write, Miss Jones. Whenever I do, I shall be sure to ask your -critical opinion of my verses.” - -But it is unnecessary to detail the rest of the conversation. Later in -the evening some nuts, apples and raisins were passed around, to which -Melinda did full justice, notwithstanding her unsatisfied longings and -the solitude of her soul. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - LED BY A BOOTBLACK. - - -WHILE Walter is anticipating commencing his duties as teacher on Monday -morning, we leave him awhile to chronicle the adventures of Joshua -Drummond, his distant relative. Readers of “Strong and Steady” will call -to mind that he was the son of Jacob Drummond, of Stapleton, a country -shopkeeper, with whom Walter passed a few weeks shortly after his -father’s death. Mr. Drummond was thoroughly a mean man, and, though his -son was now eighteen years of age, allowed him only twenty-five cents a -week for spending-money. When Joshua asked for more, he told him he -might go to work in a shoeshop, or in his own store, though in the -latter case he only agreed to pay him fifty cents. But work was not what -Joshua wanted. He thought that, as a rich man’s son, he was entitled to -a liberal allowance without working at all. He was willing, -nevertheless, to take a situation in the city, being anxious to see -life, as he termed it. - -Finally, seeing no other way to compass his desire, Joshua opened his -father’s strong box with a key which he had found, and abstracted from -it fifty dollars in gold, and a five-twenty government bond for five -hundred dollars, excusing himself for the theft by the specious -reasoning that it was only taking in advance what would be his some day. - -Thus provided, he secretly left the house, and took the train for New -York, saying to himself, in exultation, as he took his seat at the car -window, “Now I am going to see life.” - -Joshua felt immensely wealthy with the proceeds of the robbery, -amounting, at the price of bonds, to over six hundred dollars. -Accustomed to the paltry sum of twenty-five cents a week, never having -had in his possession more than a dollar at a time, and seldom that, it -is not surprising that he should have regarded six hundred dollars as a -small fortune. He knew nothing of the city and its dangers. He had an -idea that he should easily get a situation in a week or two, which time -he proposed to spend in seeing life. - -When he reached New York, he left the depot and went out into the -street. He felt bewildered. The change from the quiet streets of -Stapleton to the thronged avenues of the great city was very great, and -he hardly knew whether he stood on his head or his heels. But he -realized, with a thrill of exultation, that he was in the city of which -he had so often dreamed. He felt that a new page was to be turned over -in his life, and that his future would be much more brilliant than his -past. - -Joshua knew nobody in the city except Sam Crawford. His first desire was -to find out where Sam lived. Sam he was accustomed to regard as a -personage of a good deal of importance. But how to find him--that was -the question. He knew that Sam was a clerk in a shoe store on Eighth -avenue, but where that avenue was he had not the least idea. - -While he was standing outside the depot in some perplexity, wondering -how far off Sam’s store was, he was accosted by a sharp-looking -bootblack, whose hands indicated his profession. - -“Shine yer boots, mister?” - -Joshua was not reckless in his expenditures, and he inquired, -cautiously, “How much do you ask?” - -“Twenty-five cents,” said the bootblack. - -“Twenty-five cents!” exclaimed Joshua, aghast, reflecting that the sum -asked represented what hitherto had been his entire weekly allowance. - -“Well,” said the bootblack, “seein’ you’re from the country, I’ll call -it twenty cents.” - -“What makes you think I’m from the country?” asked Joshua, quite -unconscious of his rustic air. - -“I saw you git off the cars,” said the bootblack, not caring to offend a -possible customer by commenting on his verdant appearance. - -“Yes,” said Joshua, satisfied; “I came from the country this morning. I -don’t know much about the city. I’ve got a friend here. He is in a store -in Eighth avenue. His name is Sam Crawford. Do you know him?” - -“Know Sam Crawford? In course I do,” said the bootblack, who had never -heard the name before. “I black his boots every mornin’.” - -“Do you?” asked Joshua, brightening up. - -“Yes. He always gives me twenty cents. He wouldn’t go round with no such -lookin’ boots as yours. They ain’t respectable here in the city.” - -Joshua believed all this. He was not yet accustomed to the “ways that -are dark and tricks that are vain” of city street Arabs, and he decided -to have his boots blacked notwithstanding the price, which he could not -help regarding as very steep. He was anxious to conform, as speedily as -possible, to city fashions, and, if it was not respectable to walk about -in unpolished boots, he decided to have them blacked, so that his friend -Sam might not feel ashamed of him when he came into his store. - -“I guess I’ll have my boots blacked,” he said. “Can’t you take less than -twenty cents?” - -“That’s the regular price, fixed by the city gov’ment,” protested the -bootblack. “If I was to take less, I’d have my license took away.” - -“Do you have a license?” asked Joshua, with curiosity. - -“In course I do.” - -“Have you got it here?” - -“No, I’ve got it to home, along with my gold valooables. I had to pay -fifty dollars for it.” - -“That’s high, isn’t it?” asked Joshua, who was gathering valuable -information with great rapidity. - -“Yes, it is; but then, you see we have to support the gov’ment.” - -Meanwhile the mendacious young bootblack was vigorously employed upon -Joshua’s boots. He had a hard job. They were made of cow-hide, for Jacob -Drummond was not in the habit of spending much for the outfit of his -son, and they had never been well polished since they were new. At -length, however, they were polished, and certainly were greatly improved -by the process, though in shape they would hardly have been taken for -the work of a fashionable city bootmaker. - -“There,” said the young Arab, surveying his work complacently, “now they -look respectable.” - -“They do look better than they did,” Joshua was compelled to admit. He -drew out twenty cents from his vest pocket and handed it to the boy. - -“Is it far to Sam Crawford’s store?” he asked. - -“About two miles,” was the answer. - -“Could I find the way easy?” - -“Yes; all you’ve got to do is to go up Madison avenue till you get to -the Battery. Go round it; then cross Madison square, keepin’ the Astor -House on your left hand. Turn into the Bowery at Trinity Church; then -cross over to Twenty-seventh street. Go up Twenty-seventh street six -blocks till you get to A. T. Stewart’s store; then take a short cut to -Eighth avenue, and there you are.” - -These false and absurd directions were delivered with great volubility -by the bootblack; but it is needless to say that they made a very -confused impression upon the mind of Joshua, who felt more bewildered -and helpless than before. - -“I don’t know any of those places,” he said. “I am afraid I couldn’t -find the way.” - -“Maybe you couldn’t. I know a man who was two days findin’ a place only -a mile off. If he’d paid a dollar to somebody that knew the way he’d -been all right.” - -This put a new idea into Joshua’s mind. - -“If you’ll show me the way to Sam Crawford’s, I’ll give you fifty -cents,” he said. - -“That’s too little,” said the boy. “I couldn’t neglect my business so -long for that. I should lose money.” - -“How much do you want?” - -“A dollar. It’s worth a dollar to go so fur. I might lose half a dozen -shines.” - -The boy would have stood out for a dollar but for the fact that another -bootblack had come up--one of his rivals in business--and he was afraid -he might offer to go for less. Accordingly he hastened to strike a -bargain. - -“All right,” said he. “Hand over your money.” - -“Wait till I get there,” said Joshua, cautiously. - -“Payment in advance,” said the young Arab. “That’s the way they do -business in the city.” - -Joshua drew out seventy-five cents, and placed them in his hand. - -“Follow me, mister,” said the young conductor. “I guess I won’t go the -way I told you. I’ll take a short cut,” he added. - -The bootblack led Joshua by a pretty direct course to Eighth avenue. It -was a considerable walk, and to Joshua an interesting one. As he noted -block after block of elegant buildings he felt elated to think that his -home was from henceforth to be in the great city. Some time or other, -when his father had forgiven him, he would go back to Stapleton, and -show off the same city airs which had so impressed him in the case of -Sam Crawford. He was rather alarmed when he came to cross Broadway, and -came near being run over by a passing omnibus. - -“Look out, mister,” said his young guide, “or you’ll get knocked into a -cocked hat. Folks is in such a hurry here that they don’t stop to pick -up dead bodies.” - -Arrived in Eighth avenue, the bootblack, who had cunningly managed to -find out Sam Crawford’s business, pointed to the first shoe store they -reached, and said, “That’s the place.” - -“Does Sam Crawford work there?” - -“In course he does. You jest go in, and you’ll see him at the back of -the store.” - -Joshua went in, never dreaming that he had been deceived. Meanwhile his -guide took to his heels with the money he had extracted from Joshua by -false pretenses. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - A STRANGER IN NEW YORK. - - -JOSHUA entered the shoe store pointed out by his guide without the least -suspicion that he had been imposed upon by that enterprising young -gentleman. Like most of the shoe stores on this avenue, it had a liberal -stock of boots exposed outside, at prices low enough to attract the -attention of those passing. Within it was narrow, but deep. There was a -counter on one side, with two or three sofas in the open space for the -accommodation of customers who wished to try on shoes. Behind the -counter were two shopmen, while one outside was fitting a boy with -boots. Joshua looked about him, but failed to recognize the friend of -whom he was in quest. - -“Perhaps he has gone out a little while,” thought Joshua. “I will -inquire.” - -He walked up to the counter, and asked, “Is Sam Crawford out?” - -“He hasn’t been in very lately,” answered the clerk, taking in the -rustic appearance of his questioner at a glance. - -Joshua did not infer from this answer the true state of the case. - -“Is he coming in soon?” he asked. - -“I really don’t know,” said the clerk, indifferently, winking to his -fellow-salesman, who was within hearing distance. - -Something in his tone excited doubt in Joshua’s mind. - -“I suppose he works here, don’t he?” he inquired. - -“Not that I ever heard of.” - -“Why,” said Joshua, puzzled, “the boy that showed me the way told me he -did.” - -“Then the boy told a lie.” - -Joshua felt disturbed at this information, It appeared that he had paid -away seventy-five cents without receiving value therefor. Besides, apart -from this, he wanted to find Sam. He felt helpless in a large city, -without a single acquaintance or friend to instruct him in what he ought -to do. - -“Are there any other shoe stores in this street,” he asked. - -“I should say there were--several,” answered the clerk; “but of course -we sell the best articles at the lowest price.” - -“Do you?” said Joshua, with an air of one receiving information. - -“Yes; can’t we sell you a pair?” - -“I guess not to-day,” answered Joshua. - -“I suppose you know that your boots are out of style,” said the other, -surveying Joshua’s boots contemptuously. - -“I won’t buy any to-day,” said Joshua, to whom it occurred that when he -found Sam the latter would sell to him cheaper on the score of -acquaintance. - -“Take a card,” said the salesman, “and give us a call when you need a -pair.” - -Joshua took the card and put it in his pocket. As he left the store he -looked about for the boy who had deceived him. The latter would probably -have been invisible, but a gentleman had hailed him, and he was now -engaged in polishing his second boot. Joshua waited till he was through, -and then commenced the attack. - -“Look here,” said he, “you said Sam Crawford worked in that store.” - -The bootblack, who had not contemplated another meeting with the -customer he had deceived, decided to brazen it out, and deny all -knowledge of the affair. - -“Who’s Sam Crawford?” he asked, vacantly. “I don’t know what you’re -talking about.” - -“You told me Sam Crawford worked in that store.” - -“Did I? I don’t know any Sam Crawford.” - -“You told me you blacked his boots every morning,” persisted Joshua. - -“Look here, mister, haven’t you got hold of the wrong boy?” - -Joshua was rather taken aback by this question, but, looking closely at -the boy before him, he was convinced that he was right. - -“No, I have not,” he said; “I paid you seventy-five cents for showing me -the way to the store where Sam Crawford worked.” - -“How could I show you when I never heard of Sam Crawford?” - -“You said you knew him.” - -“I guess you’re crazy, mister.” - -“You’ve cheated me,” said Joshua, getting provoked. “Just give me back -that seventy-five cents I paid you.” - -“Do you see any green in my eye, mister?” inquired the bootblack. - -“What makes you ask that?” - -“I see what you are,” said the bootblack, boldly carrying the war into -the enemy’s camp; “you’re one of them swindlin’ fellers that go round -cheatin’ the poor out of their hard earnings. I’ll call a cop.” - -“What’s a cop?” asked Joshua, uneasily. - -“A peeler.” - -“What’s a peeler?” - -“A purlice officer. Where was you brought up?” demanded the boy, -contemptuously. “If I knowed where Sam Crawford lived, wouldn’t I tell -you?” - -“Are you sure you ain’t the boy that showed me the way?” - -“In course I am.” - -“You just look like him,” said Joshua, doubtfully. - -“I know who it was,” said the bootblack, who had no scruples about -lying. “It was Pat Brady. He and me look like twin brothers. He’s a bad -boy, Pat is--he’ll lie as fast as he can talk.” - -Joshua was at last convinced that he had made a mistake. He was -completely taken in by the young rascal, who proceeded to follow up his -deception. - -“Did Pat black your boots?” he asked. - -“Yes,” said Joshua. - -“I thought so,” said the bootblack, contemptuously. “He can’t shine -boots. How much did you pay?” - -“Twenty cents.” - -“Then he cheated you.” - -“He said it was the regular price.” - -“How that boy will lie!” said the young Arab, virtuously. “The regular -price is ten cents. Don’t you want me to give you a shine?” - -“No,” said Joshua, hastily drawing back his foot, upon which the -bootblack was about to commence operations. “They don’t need any more -blacking.” - -“Don’t you ever get Pat Brady to shine your boots ag’in.” - -“No, I won’t,” said Joshua, indignant at the swindle which the virtuous -young bootblack had exposed. “If I ever see him again I’ll give him a -licking.” - -“That’s right, mister; I’ll help you do it any time,” said his new -friend. - -“I wish I knew where to find Sam Crawford,” said Joshua, in perplexity. -“Is this Eighth avenue?” - -“Yes.” - -“Sam is in a shoe store somewhere in this street.” - -“Why don’t you go into every store, and ax ’em if he works there. I’ll -go with you for fifty cents.” - -But Joshua thought, very justly, that this was something in which he -required no help, and did not therefore feel disposed to throw away any -more money. He began to think that New York was a very extensive place, -where it was quite necessary to be on the look-out for swindlers. If he -could only find Sam Crawford, for whose knowledge of life he had high -respect, he would, undoubtedly, be all right; but there were -difficulties in the way. Still, he was not without hope. If he inquired -in every shoe store on the avenue, he must come across him after a -while. - -We are often very near the truth without suspecting it. The store of -which Joshua was in search was in reality on the next block below the -one which he had entered; but, ignorant of this, he directed his steps -uptown, and very soon found another store. - -“Does Sam Crawford work here?” he asked, entering. - -“No, he don’t; but I’ll sell you a pair of shoes or boots as cheap as he -will.” - -“I don’t want to buy anything. Sam Crawford is a friend of mine; I want -to find him.” - -“I am sorry I can’t help you. I don’t know any such man. Hadn’t you -better let me show you a pair of boots?” - -“No; I don’t need any,” said Joshua, and, disappointed a second time, -beat a retreat. - -“It’s strange Sam Crawford isn’t any better known,” thought Joshua. “I -should think those that keep stores in the same street would know him.” - -My readers may conclude that Joshua was very verdant, but the fact was -that he had lived all his lifetime in a country village, where everybody -knew everybody else, and this will help to account for his limited -knowledge of life. - -“I wish I had Sam’s letter,” he said to himself; “it would save me a -good deal of trouble.” - -In the next store the young man to whom he addressed his stereotyped -question prided himself on being a wag, and, perceiving that Joshua was -from the country, resolved to have a little fun with him. - -“Sam Crawford!” he repeated. “He’s a young man, isn’t he?” - -“Yes.” - -“Dark hair?” - -“Yes.” - -“Black eyes?” - -“Yes.” - -“A mustache?” - -“Yes.” - -“Acquainted with the shoe business?” - -“Yes. Do you know him?” asked Joshua, eagerly. - -“And a hump-back?” - -“What?” - -“With a hump between his shoulders?” - -“No.” - -“Then it can’t be the Crawford I know.” - -Joshua was deeply disappointed. The young man had drawn him on till he -believed that Sam was practically found. Now, discovery seemed as remote -as ever. Again he emerged into the street. There was a shoe store on the -next block. His hope revived. He entered that also, but the faces were -all unfamiliar. He asked as before, but succeeded in eliciting no -information. He kept on his way for a mile, entering store after store, -marveling inwardly why there should be need of so many shoe stores, and, -as he failed to discover Sam, almost beginning to doubt whether he -hadn’t made a mistake about the street. He began to feel lonely, not for -the lack of human faces, for he had met hundreds of persons, but the -peculiar loneliness of a stranger in a great city, who, among the -multitudes that he meets, recognizes not one familiar face. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - A FRIEND IN NEED. - - -JOSHUA walked as far up as Central Park. Then he judged that it would be -useless to go any farther. What if he should be unable to find Sam at -all? It was an alarming suggestion, for he depended upon his friend to -get him a place, and make him acquainted with the ways of the city. He -resolved to retrace his steps, and explore that part of the avenue which -he had not yet visited. He felt tired, and would have entered a car, but -was afraid he might not know where to get out. Besides, there was a -possibility of his meeting Sam on the street. - -It was fortunate for him that he decided to walk. About Thirtieth street -he met the one of whom he was in search. Sam was looking in at a shop -window, and did not perceive his approach. Overjoyed, Joshua hurried -forward and touched him on the shoulder. - -“Joshua Drummond!” exclaimed Sam, in surprise; “where in the world did -you come from?” - -“I came from Stapleton this morning,” said Joshua. “I didn’t know as I -should ever find you. I have been walking a long way, going into all the -shoe stores I could find, asking for you.” - -“Didn’t you know my number? You had it in a letter.” - -“I forgot to bring the letter. All I could remember was that you lived -somewhere on Eighth avenue.” - -“How long are you going to stay in the city?” asked his friend. - -“I ain’t going back to Stapleton,” answered Joshua. “I’ve got sick and -tired of it.” - -“Are you going into a store in New York?” - -“Yes, if I can find a place. You’ll help me, won’t you, Sam?” - -“I’ll do all I can. So the old man was willing to let you come?” - -“No, he wasn’t. I came away without asking him.” - -“Did you?” said Sam, cooling a little, for he was afraid that in that -case Joshua was not supplied with money. “How do you expect to live -while you’re looking out for a place?” - -“I can board somewhere. Can’t I get in at your boarding place?” - -“Why, you see,” said Sam, “they’ll expect you to pay your board every -week in advance unless you can give references. I’m hard up, so I can’t -help you.” - -“Oh, I’ve got money,” said Joshua. - -“Oh, you have!” said Sam, feeling considerably relieved. “Have you got -enough to last you a month?” - -“I’ve got most six hundred dollars.” - -“You don’t say so!” said Sam, cordially. “Where did you raise it? Did -you draw a prize in the lottery?” - -“No,” said Joshua, “I drew a blank. The old man found out about the -ticket and made a row.” - -“Then how came he to give you the money?” asked his friend. - -“He didn’t give it to me,” said Joshua, a little awkwardly. - -“Never mind,” said Sam, quickly, for he suspected the true state of the -case, but thought it best not to appear to know that the money was -dishonestly acquired. “The main thing is that you’ve got the money. Now, -my dear fellow,” he continued, with a remarkable increase of cordiality, -“I want you to come and room with me.” - -“That’s just what I should like,” said Joshua, gratified. - -“I have a hall bedroom now; but Mrs. Jones has a larger room with a -double bed. We’ll take that together, and I’ll show you round.” - -“That’s just what I want,” said Joshua. “You see, I’ve never been in New -York before, and I’ve got to get used to it.” - -“I know all about it,” said Sam, with an air of consequence. “I know the -ropes, if anybody does. I’ll show you life. Have you got the money with -you?” - -“Five hundred dollars of it is in a government bond. Can I sell it?” - -“Oh, yes; that’s easy enough. Have you got some money besides?” - -“Yes; I’ve got over seventy dollars in money.” - -“I am glad you came to me,” said Sam, who had already made up his mind -to help Joshua spend his money. “You are a friend of mine, and of course -I feel an interest in you.” - -This was quite true; Sam did feel an interest in Joshua, now that he had -ascertained his ability to pay his own expenses. Otherwise, it is to be -feared that the interest would have been considerably less. - -“Come with me,” he said; “I’ve got to go back to the store now, but in -an hour or more I shall be going out to supper. You can come with me, -and then we will fix it about having a room together.” - -To this proposal Joshua willingly acceded. He had walked till he was -tired, and was quite willing to rest before going further. - -“How do you happen to be out of the store at this time?” asked Joshua. - -“I came out on a little business,” said Sam, loftily. “But it is time -for me to go back. They can’t get along without me.” - -To this Joshua listened with pleasure, for he looked forward to the time -when he, too, should be finally settled in business like his friend, for -whom he had a high respect, not being aware how insignificant his -position was. - -“How much salary do you get, Sam?” he inquired. - -“A thousand a year,” answered Sam, with an air of consequence. - -In reality he was receiving eight dollars a week; but he did not intend -to be quite candid with Joshua, lest the truth should weaken his -ascendancy over him. He judged shrewdly; for, to the unsophisticated boy -from the country a thousand dollars a year seemed like a very large -income, as, indeed, Sam himself would have considered it, if by good -luck he had obtained it. - -“Do you think I will ever get as much, Sam?” asked Joshua. - -“Of course not for a long time,” said Sam. “You know you haven’t had -experience like me. By the way, you needn’t mention how much I get. I -don’t care about letting it be known. If the other clerks in the store -knew it, they might be jealous.” - -“All right; I won’t say anything about it if you don’t want me to.” - -“Here’s the store,” said Sam, suddenly. - -Joshua now saw that it was only a block below the point where he had -entered Eighth avenue, and realized that he had had a long tramp for -nothing. - -It was not a very imposing establishment. The front was probably about -twenty feet, the depth seventy, leaving the back part of the store -rather dark and gloomy. A variety of cheap shoes, with the prices -attached, were exposed in front of the store. They looked very common to -a practiced eye; however, Joshua was not accustomed to seeing superior -goods, as the people of Stapleton did not, in general, wear the best -French kid. - -“Come in, Joshua,” said Sam. - -“Where have you been gone so long?” demanded the proprietor of the -establishment, addressing Sam rather sharply. - -“I met a friend from the country,” answered Sam, blushing a little at -being thus addressed before Joshua. “I thought he might need a pair of -slippers.” - -“Oh, very well,” said the proprietor, more graciously. “I am glad to see -you, sir.” - -“My friend’s name is Drummond, Mr. Craven,” said Sam. “Joshua, Mr. -Craven.” - -“Glad to see you, Mr. Drummond,” said Mr. Craven, offering his hand. - -“Much obliged,” said Joshua, awkwardly. - -“Your friend will show you some slippers. I guess we can fit you.” - -“I don’t know as I shall need any slippers,” commenced Joshua, but he -was quickly interrupted by Sam. - -“Oh, yes you will!” he said. “You need ’em in the evening.” - -Joshua yielded to his friend’s superior knowledge of what was necessary -in the city, and tried on several pairs, till at last one was found -which Sam declared to be just right for him. - -“How much will they be?” asked Joshua. - -“Two dollars.” - -“Ain’t that rather high?” asked Joshua, who privately doubted whether it -would not be better to keep his money. - -“Not at all. We should charge two dollars and a half to anybody else. As -you’re a friend, I make allowances. You’ll want some new boots soon. -Those you have on are countrified.” - -“I guess they’ll last me a little longer,” said Joshua, hurriedly; for, -though the money was dishonestly acquired, he was inclined to be frugal. - -“Well, you needn’t buy to-day. Next week will answer.” - -Sam’s object in urging Joshua to purchase was to reconcile his employer -to his presence in the store, for he foresaw that his visitor would be -likely to spend considerable time there. He wished, besides, to obtain -an extra evening off duty, meaning to accompany Joshua to the theatre at -the latter’s expense. He did not expect that Joshua, who inherited, as -he knew, a mean disposition from his father, would voluntarily pay for -the tickets; but there is such a thing as borrowing without the -intention of repaying the money, and this Sam meant to do. - -In pursuance of this plan, he soon after went up to the desk behind -which Mr. Craven was standing. - -“Mr. Craven,” said he, “can you spare me this evening?” - -“You had your regular evening off yesterday,” was the reply. - -“I would not ask but for my friend, who is a stranger in the city, and -depends upon me to find him a boarding place,” said Sam, whose devotion -to friendship was not wholly disinterested. - -“Did you sell him anything?” - -“Yes, he took a pair of two-dollar slippers.” - -“I will try to do without you this evening, as you particularly desire -it,” said Mr. Craven; “but you must not repeat the application.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Sam. - -“I’m in luck, Joshua,” he said, returning to his country friend; “I am -off for the evening. We’ll go to the theatre and have a high old time.” - -“Do you have to work in the evening, Sam?” asked Joshua, surprised. - -“Yes,” answered Sam. “You see,” he added, consequentially, “I know all -the business, and they can’t get along very well without me.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - “A BAD PENNY.” - - -THE boarding house to which Sam conducted his friend was not externally -prepossessing. It was a shabby brick house, between Seventh and Eighth -avenues. It was occupied by clerks and salesmen employed, like Sam, on -Eighth avenue, and the price and accommodations were both adapted to the -small salaries which, as a rule, they received. The hall was covered -with oilcloth, dirty, and in places worn away, while the stair-carpeting -was of the same material. - -Sam opened the door with a latchkey, and led the way upstairs. - -“Come up to my room, Joshua,” he said. “While you are fixing your hair, -I’ll go down and let Mrs. Jones know you are here.” - -Sam’s room was a hall bedroom on the third floor. It was barely large -enough for a narrow bedstead, a trunk, a chair, and a washstand. There -was no bureau, and no room for any; but in place, there were nails to -hang his clothes upon just opposite the bed. It fell below Joshua’s -anticipations, being quite inferior to the room he occupied at home. He -had supposed that Sam, who had strutted about Stapleton the summer -before, was handsomely situated. So it was with a feeling of -disappointment that he regarded the small room, the thin, cheap carpet, -the common wooden bedstead, and untidy washstand. - -“It’s rather small,” said Sam, in a tone of apology, “but there’s a -larger room on this floor. We will take it together. I’ll speak to Mrs. -Jones about it. There’s a brush and comb; you can be fixing your hair, -while I run down and see about a seat at the table for you.” - -Joshua proceeded to arrange his toilet, while Sam did as proposed. He -returned in a couple of minutes and announced his success. - -“The old lady’ll be glad enough to take you,” he said. “We can have the -other room. We’ll go into it after dinner.” - -“After dinner?” repeated Joshua, who had been accustomed to regard the -third meal as supper. - -“Yes, we always have dinner at this hour,” explained Sam. “We never take -supper except Sunday evening.” - -“That seems strange, Sam.” - -“Oh, you’ll get used to it very soon.” - -“Don’t you eat anything in the middle of the day?” - -“We take lunch then. You’ll find New York a different sort of a place -from Stapleton.” - -Joshua was ready to believe this. He was not used to it yet, but had no -doubt he should like it after a while. - -“Now, if you are ready, we will go down to dinner.” - -The dining-room proved to be in the front basement. Three or four young -men were already seated at the table, while a red-haired girl was -waiting upon them. The mistress of the boarding house was a thin, -tired-looking woman, who, to judge from her appearance, found her -business rather a wearing one. - -“Mrs. Jones, Mr. Drummond,” introduced Sam. - -“I am glad to see you, Mr. Drummond,” said Mrs. Jones; and she really -was glad, for a new boarder was a welcome addition to her household. -“Sit down there, if you please, next to Mr. Crawford.” - -Joshua took his seat as directed, and the waitress came to receive her -orders. - -“Will you have roast beef or roast lamb?” she asked of Sam. - -“Beef for me,” answered Sam. “What will you have, Joshua?” - -“The same,” said Joshua. - -I suppose it is useless to say that Mrs. Jones did not keep a -first-class boarding house. The fare she furnished to her boarders was -considerably inferior to that at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, or a good many -other hotels of lower standing; but this was a point in which Joshua was -not likely to be disappointed. His father, as has been explained in the -preceding volume, was a man so fond of money that he always furnished a -very mean table, and neither he nor any of his family had ever been in -danger of gout or dyspepsia. So to Joshua the fare at Mrs. Jones’ -boarding house seemed excellent. His wanderings had given him quite an -appetite, and he did substantial justice to the food before him. - -When they rose from the table Mrs. Jones said, “I will come upstairs -immediately, Mr. Crawford, and show you and your friend the large room -next to yours.” - -“Well, Joshua, how do you like the feed?” asked Sam, as they were going -upstairs. - -“It’s very good,” answered Joshua, in a tone of satisfaction. “Do you -always have as good a dinner?” - -“Yes, always. On Sundays we have something extra.” - -“I think I shall like it. How much does Mrs. Jones charge for board?” - -“For room and board, six dollars.” - -“Ain’t that rather high?” asked the frugal-minded Joshua, who had been -used to Stapleton prices. - -“No, it’s very cheap, for the city. Of course, board’s much higher here -than in the country.” - -“Is it?” - -“Certainly. There’s a friend of mine pays fifteen dollars a week for -board.” - -“Does he? Why, that’s enough to support a family in Stapleton.” - -“We do things on a larger scale here in New York, as you will soon find -out,” said Sam. “We make money fast, and we spend it fast.” - -“That’s just what I want.” - -“To spend money fast?” - -“No, to make money fast.” - -“Oh, well, you can do it after a while. I’ll help you get a place by my -influence,” continued Sam, loftily. - -By this time Mrs. Jones made her appearance at the head of the stairs. -She opened the door of an adjoining room and invited them in. - -It was a room about twelve feet square, with a double bed in the middle. -The carpet was the same quality as that in Sam’s smaller room, but there -was a little more furniture, and there were two windows. Two cheap -prints in pine frames gave an elegant, artistic look to the apartment. -Joshua was not, however, as favorably impressed with it as with the -dinner. - -“How’ll this do, Joshua?” said Sam. - -“Very well, I think.” - -“We shall want to sleep here to-night, Mrs. Jones,” said Sam. - -“It shall be ready, Mr. Crawford. I suppose you will be going out this -evening?” - -“Yes,” answered Sam. “My friend and I are going to the theatre.” - -“It shall be ready by the time you return, then.” - -“Joshua,” said his friend, “just give me a lift with my trunk, and I’ll -move now.” - -“All right.” - -“I suppose you didn’t bring a trunk, did you? Came away in too great a -hurry, eh?” - -“Yes,” answered Joshua, smiling. - -“You can buy one to-morrow or next day. I wonder if there is a closet? -Oh, yes, here’s one. I tell you what would improve the looks of the -room.” - -“What’s that?” - -“A sofa.” - -“So it would.” - -“I don’t suppose the old lady would put one in. What do you say to -buying one?” - -“I buy a sofa?” ejaculated Joshua, alarmed. - -“Yes, or a lounge. I guess you could get a decent one for fifteen -dollars.” - -“I don’t think we need any,” said Joshua, hastily; “but if you want to -buy one----” - -“Oh, it’s no matter,” said Sam. “It’ll be pretty hard to get money out -of him,” he thought to himself. “However, I guess I can manage him.” - -This was likely to prove true. Joshua had got into dangerous company, -and under the auspices of Sam Crawford the fund of money, which he -considered as so large, was not likely to last long. Could his father -have looked in upon him, and realized the manner in which the money he -had scraped together was likely to be expended, he would have been angry -and horror-stricken. But up to this moment he did not suspect the double -loss he had incurred. - -Let us return to Stapleton for a moment, and look in upon the home which -Joshua had deserted. - -When the supper table was spread Mr. Drummond came in from the store. - -“Where is Joshua?” he asked. - -“I don’t know,” said his wife, anxiously. “He wasn’t here to dinner. I -hope he hasn’t gone out on the pond and got drowned.” - -“No fear,” said her husband, philosophically. “He’s got a sullen fit and -wandered off somewhere. He’ll be back some time this evening.” - -“I wish I was sure nothing had happened to him,” said Mrs. Drummond. - -“I’ll risk him. His being away won’t spoil my appetite,” said the -father, rather contemptuously. - -“I don’t think you treat him just right, Jacob,” said Mrs. Drummond; -“he’s been looking down for some days.” - -“I know what it’s about. He wants me to increase his allowance.” - -“Twenty-five cents does seem small for a boy of Joshua’s age.” - -“If he wants more, let him go to work and earn it. That’s the way I had -to do when I was of his age. I’ll tell you what it is, wife, Joshua is a -lazy, good-for-nothing boy. If he had his own way, he’d spend five -dollars a week, and do nothing but loaf around the village. Now, I’m not -going to permit this. He shan’t squander the money I have worked so hard -for.” - -The suspicion that Joshua had run away from home had not entered his -father’s mind. He did not think that his son, for whom he felt contempt -in spite of the relationship, had spirit enough to take such a step; -and, besides, he knew that he could not go far without money. - -After supper Mr. Drummond went back to the store, and did not return -till it had closed. - -“Has Joshua got home?” he asked. - -“No,” answered his wife, anxiously. “I am afraid, Jacob, you have driven -him to some desperate step.” - -“Nonsense! I am not in the least troubled about him. A bad penny always -returns.” - -He went upstairs to deposit the money he had brought from the till, in -his little black trunk. Two minutes afterward he hurried downstairs, -pale with passion. - -“What do you think your son has done?” he demanded of his startled wife. - -“What?” gasped she. “Tell me, quick.” - -“He has robbed me of over six hundred dollars. If I ever catch him I’ll -flog him within an inch of his life.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - IN THE SPIDER’S WEB. - - -JOSHUA and his friend, Sam Crawford, having selected Niblo’s Theatre as -the one which on the whole seemed most attractive, left their boarding -house at a quarter past seven o’clock. - -“Shall we walk?” asked Joshua. - -“No,” said Sam; “it’s too far. We should get there late.” - -“How much do they charge in the horse cars?” - -“Only five cents,” answered Sam, thinking that Joshua must be mean to -trouble himself about such a trifle, and that he might find it a harder -job than he anticipated to get money out of him. “That’s cheap enough.” - -“Yes,” said Joshua, doubtfully. - -They stopped the next car and got in. They were lucky enough to find -just two seats unoccupied, which they at once took. - -When the conductor came round, Joshua put his hand into his pocket, but -Sam said, in an offhand manner: “Never mind, Joshua; I’ve got the -change. I’ll pay for both.” - -“Thank you,” said Joshua, his face brightening, as he withdrew his hand -from his pocket, with alacrity. He did not know that Sam meant to get -twenty times as much out of him before the evening was over. - -They reached the theatre some minutes before the performance commenced. -There was a popular play to be performed, and there was a line of men -waiting their turns before the ticket office. - -“Join the line, Joshua,” said Sam, “and get two reserved seats in the -parquet.” - -“Two?” - -“Yes, one for me. I’ll pay you afterward.” - -“How much will they be?” - -“Two dollars.” - -“Isn’t that high?” asked Joshua, alarmed. “They only charge fifteen -cents for concerts at home.” - -“This is much better than a concert. Take your place, quick.” - -Thus exhorted, Joshua took his place in the line, and in due time -purchased the tickets. - -“Now, come along,” said Sam, seizing him by the arm. “It’s about time -for the performance to commence.” - -So they passed the wicket, giving up their tickets, and were speedily -ushered to their seats. Joshua looked around him with curiosity, for to -him it was a novel scene; but even this did not lead him to forget that -Sam was indebted to him. - -“You owe me a dollar,” he whispered. - -“All right,” said Sam; “I’ll pay you afterward. I don’t want to take out -my pocketbook here.” - -Joshua would have preferred to be paid on the spot, but no suspicion had -yet entered his mind that Sam intended to cheat him, and he made no -objection to the delay. - -“Who are those men playing?” he inquired of his more experienced friend. - -“That’s the orchestra.” - -“When does the show begin?” - -“You mustn’t call it a show, Joshua,” said Sam, “or people will think -you green. Say the play, or the performance.” - -“Then, when does the play begin?” - -“In about five minutes.” - -At the time specified, the curtain rose, and Joshua’s eager attention -was soon absorbed by the play. It interested him so much that he -temporarily forgot how much it had cost him. He asked various questions -of Sam, which led the latter to smile, though but a year before he had -been quite as unsophisticated. It is not my intention, however, to -follow the course of the performance. Suffice it to say that at a -quarter to eleven o’clock the curtain fell, and the audience rose and -made their way out of the theatre. - -“How did you like it, Joshua?” asked Sam. - -“First-rate,” said Joshua. “It cost a good deal, though.” - -“It’s worth the money. Everything is much higher in the city than in the -country.” - -“In Stapleton they never charge more than twenty-five cents admittance -to anything.” - -“There’s some difference between Stapleton and New York.” - -“I know it, but----” - -“You must enlarge your ideas, Joshua. People make money here fast, and -they spend it fast. Country people are mean. They count every cent, and -are more afraid to spend a cent than city people are to spend a dollar.” - -“My father’s mean,” said Joshua. “What do you think he used to allow me -a week for spending money?” - -“A dollar?” - -“Only twenty-five cents.” - -“The old man was tight, that’s a fact. A young man of your age ought to -have had five dollars. However, you’re in the city now, and are better -off. I feel hungry. Shall we go in and get some oysters? I know a tiptop -place.” - -“How much will it cost?” - -“Oh, I’ll treat!” said Sam, nonchalantly. “Come along.” - -As Joshua had no objection to the oysters, but only to the expense, he -readily accepted the invitation, which he would hardly have done had he -known that his companion had but ten cents in his pocket. - -Sam led the way into a recess, and, in a tone of authority, ordered -“stews for two.” - -They were soon brought, and speedily disposed of. - -“How did you like them?” asked Sam. - -“Splendid!” said Joshua. - -“Suppose we order a fry?” suggested Sam; “I think I can eat a little -more.” - -“I don’t know,” hesitated Joshua. - -“I’ll treat. Here (to the waiter), bring us two fries, and be quick -about it.” - -Joshua likewise ate his plate of fried oysters with relish. - -When the repast was concluded, Sam felt for his pocketbook. First he -felt in one pocket, then in the other. - -“How stupid I am!” he muttered. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired Joshua. - -“It’s a good joke. I came from home and forgot my pocketbook. I must -have left it in my other pants.” - -“You paid in the cars.” - -“Yes; it was a little change I had in my vest pocket. See, I’ve got ten -cents more, enough to pay for our fare home.” - -“What are you going to do?” asked Joshua, uncomfortably. - -“I shall have to borrow a little money of you to pay for the oysters. -Let me see; it’ll be a dollar and ten cents.” - -“Won’t they trust you? You can come in to-morrow and pay them,” -suggested Joshua. - -“No they won’t trust. They don’t know me.” - -“They’ll have to, if you haven’t got the money.” - -“No; they’ll hold you responsible.” - -“That isn’t fair. I didn’t order the oysters.” - -“You ate part of them. There won’t be any trouble. I’ll pay you as soon -as we get back to the room.” - -“I wish we hadn’t come in,” said Joshua, uncomfortably. - -“Why? It won’t do you any harm to lend me the money for an hour.” - -“You owe me a dollar already for your ticket.” - -“I can pay you for both together. You ain’t afraid to trust me, are -you?” - -“No-o,” said Joshua, slowly; and very reluctantly he drew out a dollar -and ten cents, and placed it in the hands of his friend. - -“That’s all right,” said Sam, and he stepped up to the counter and -settled the bill. - -It was now half-past eleven o’clock. - -“It is time we were setting home, Joshua,” said Sam. “We’ll cross -Broadway, and take the University place cars. We’ll get home by twelve, -or before. That would be pretty late hours for the country.” - -“Yes,” answered Joshua. “At home I always was in bed by ten o’clock.” - -“Oh, well; no wonder! There was nothing going on in Stapleton. It’s an -awfully slow place. Not much like the city.” - -“That’s so.” - -“You don’t want to go back, do you?” - -“No, I never want to go back,” answered Joshua, thinking of the money -and bond he had stolen, and rightly reflecting that the reception he -would get from his father would be a disagreeably warm one. - -“So I thought. Everybody likes the city. Why, in ten years you’ll be -richer than the old man!” - -“Will I, do you think?” asked Joshua, eagerly. - -“Yes, I think so. There’s Ned Evans, a young man not thirty, who came to -the city ten years ago, who is worth now--how much do you think?” - -“How much?” - -“Fifty thousand dollars!” - -“You don’t say so!” exclaimed the gratified Joshua. “Did he have to work -very hard?” - -“Oh, pretty hard; but, then, it’s a good deal easier to work hard when -you are well paid for it.” - -“Yes, that’s so. Do you expect to get rich soon?” - -“You won’t repeat it if I tell you something, will you?” - -“No.” - -“You mustn’t breathe a word of it, for it’s a secret. When I am -twenty-one, old Craven is going to take me into partnership.” - -“Is he?” said Joshua, looking at his companion with new respect. “Does -he make much money?” - -“Made fifteen thousand dollars last year. Half of that’ll be pretty nice -for me, won’t it?” - -I need not remark that Sam Crawford had told two most unblushing -falsehoods. He had grossly exaggerated the profits of the establishment, -and, moreover, Mr. Craven was no more likely to take him into -partnership than I am to be appointed prime minister to the Emperor of -Japan. But he had a purpose to serve in imposing upon his companion’s -credulity. - -“You’re in luck, Sam,” said Joshua. “Do you think I’ll ever get such a -chance?” - -“I think you can, with my influence,” said Sam, loftily. “I’ll do my -best for you.” - -Here a car came along, and the two jumped on board. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - SUBTLE FLATTERY. - - -THE two boys reached their boarding house as the clock struck twelve. - -“The best thing we can do is to get to bed as soon as possible,” said -Sam, as they entered the room and locked the door. - -“You might as well pay me what you owe me,” suggested Joshua, who did -not intend Sam to forget his indebtedness. - -“Oh, yes!” said Sam. “Let me find my pocketbook.” - -He felt in the pocket of his “other pants,” but of course did not find -what was not there. To let the reader into a secret, he had, before -leaving for the theatre, carefully locked it up in his trunk, where it -was even now, as he very well knew. - -“By Jove!” he exclaimed, whistling, as he withdrew his hand, empty. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired Joshua, anxiously. - -“My pocketbook isn’t there!” - -“Isn’t it? Where is it, then?” demanded Joshua, beginning to be alarmed. - -“I must have taken it with me to-night, after all,” said Sam. “I -understand now,” he added, suddenly. “I must have had my pocket picked -in the car.” - -“Had your pocket picked?” repeated Joshua, as ruefully as if it had been -his own. - -“Yes; didn’t you notice that black-whiskered man that sat next me?” - -“No.” - -“I am sure it was he. I thought he looked suspicious as I entered the -car. If I hadn’t been talking with you, he couldn’t have robbed me -without my knowing it.” - -“Was there much in the pocketbook?” inquired Joshua. - -“Not much,” said Sam, indifferently. “Between twenty-seven and -twenty-eight dollars, I believe--a mere trifle.” - -“I call that a good deal.” - -“It’s more than I like to lose, to be sure.” - -“Then, you can’t pay me what you owe me?” said Joshua, soberly. - -“Not just now. In fact, I must wait till the end of the week, when I get -my wages.” - -“How much do you get then?” - -“Twenty dollars.” - -“You will surely pay me then?” - -“Of course. You ain’t afraid to trust me?” said Sam, in a tone -indicating his enjoyment of the joke. - -“No,” returned Joshua, slowly; but he would have much preferred to -receive payment there and then. - -“I don’t think I shall run away on account of such a debt,” said Sam, -laughing. “If it was two thousand dollars, instead of two, I might, you -know.” - -“Two dollars and ten cents,” corrected Joshua. - -“What a mean hunks!” thought Sam. “He’s going to be worse than his -father, and that’s saying a good deal.” - -Had Joshua known the real state of the case, he would have been more -alarmed for his money, but, as he supposed that Sam really received -twenty dollars a week, and was to be taken into partnership at -twenty-one by his employer, and thenceforth to be a prosperous business -man, with a large income, he was reassured, and did not doubt that he -should be paid. - -“Well, Joshua, what are you going to do with yourself?” asked Sam the -next morning, as they rose from breakfast. - -“I don’t know.” - -“I’ve got to go to business, you know. I’d like to go round the city -with you, but I can’t be spared.” - -“I’ll walk down to your store with you.” - -“All right; only I wouldn’t advise you to stay very long in the store.” - -“Why not?” - -“Oh, Craven would think I was neglecting my business, and, as I am to be -his future partner, I want to keep his good opinion.” - -“To be sure,” said Joshua. “I suppose I can walk round?” - -“Yes, you can go around and see the city--only keep your eyes peeled, so -you will know the way back. And, if you ride in the cars, look out for -pickpockets.” - -“Is there much danger?” asked Joshua, hastily thrusting his hand into -his pocket, to ascertain the safety of his money. - -“Plenty of danger. If I am in danger of being robbed, you are much more -so, not being used to the city. If you like, I’ll take your money--that -is, what you don’t need to use--and lock it up in the safe.” - -“I guess I’ll keep it,” said Joshua, hastily. “I’ll look out for -pickpockets. Besides, I don’t think I’ll ride in the cars--I’ll walk.” - -“You’ll get tired if you tramp about all day.” - -“If I get tired, I’ll come back to the room and rest a while.” - -As proposed, Joshua accompanied his friend to the shoe store, and -entered, but, after a few minutes, went out to see what he could of the -city. He wandered about for two hours, looking in at shop windows, and -examining with curiosity the many unusual objects which everywhere met -his view. It was interesting, but it was also tiresome, particularly as -he walked everywhere. At length, his attention was drawn to a car going -uptown, on which was printed its destination, “Central Park.” Joshua had -heard a good deal of Central Park in his country home, and he naturally -was curious to see it. The car was nearly empty, and, therefore, as it -struck him there could not be much danger of pickpockets, he resolved, -especially as he felt quite tired, to get in and ride to the park, even -if it did cost five cents. Getting into the car, he seated himself at a -distance from other passengers, and kept his hand on his pocket. After a -time, he reached Fifty-ninth street, and had no difficulty in guessing -that the beautiful inclosed space before him was the park of which he -had heard so much. He was a little afraid, on seeing the policeman at -the entrance, that there was a fee for admission, but was gratified to -find that no money was required. - -He wandered on, with the other promenaders, and by and by sat down on -one of the seats considerately placed at intervals for the benefit of -weary pedestrians. - -He had not been sitting there long, when a dark-complexioned man of -forty also seated himself on the bench. Joshua took no particular notice -of him till the stranger looked toward him, and remarked, politely: -“It’s a fine day, sir.” - -“Yes,” said Joshua, who was secretly flattered at being called “sir.” - -“It is a fine day to enjoy the park.” - -“Yes,” said Joshua. - -“I suppose you live in the city?” - -“Yes; that is, I do now,” answered Joshua, flattered again at being -mistaken for an old resident of New York. - -“I am a stranger in the city,” said the other; “I live in the country. I -came up here on a little business. I never was in the park before.” - -“Weren’t you?” asked Joshua, with the air of one who had visited it a -great many times. - -“No; I like it very much. It reminds me of the country where I live.” - -“It is very pretty, we city people think,” said Joshua, swelling with -satisfaction as he classed himself among the city people. - -“I ought to like it,” said the stranger, laughing, “for I have had a -piece of great good luck here this morning.” - -“Indeed!” said Joshua, pricking up his ears, with curiosity. - -“I was walking just above here, when I found this in the path.” - -As he spoke, he drew from his pocket what appeared to be a handsome gold -watch of considerable size. - -“Did you find that?” said Joshua, enviously, wishing he had had the same -good fortune. - -“Yes; somebody must have dropped it. It must be worth a hundred dollars. -Why, the chain is worth thirty, at least,” and he pointed to the chain, -which also was, to all appearances, gold. - -“I wish I had been as lucky,” said Joshua, gazing at the watch and chain -with longing eyes. “How long is it since you found it?” - -“About twenty minutes. However, I’ve got another watch at home. I don’t -need it. I’d sell it for a good deal less than it is worth,” and he -looked suggestively in Joshua’s face. - -Now, Joshua had long cherished the desire of having a watch, though his -hopes had been confined to a silver one, and a chain of silk braid. -Never, in his wildest and most ambitious dreams, had he thought of an -elegant gold watch and chain like this. - -“How much will you take?” he asked, eagerly. - -“Why, it’s well worth a hundred dollars,” said the stranger, “but I’ll -take half price.” - -“That is, fifty dollars?” - -“Yes; it’ll be a great bargain at that. Any jeweler would give more, but -I haven’t time to go and see one; I must go out of this city in an -hour.” - -“I can’t afford to give fifty dollars,” said Joshua. - -“I might take a little less,” said the stranger, “considering that I -found it; but it’s well worth fifty dollars, or seventy-five, for that -matter.” - -“I’ll give you thirty dollars,” said Joshua, after a little pause. - -“That’s too little,” said the other. “I’d rather stay here till the next -train, and sell it to a jeweler. I feel sure they would pay me sixty, at -least.” - -If that was the case, it would certainly be a good speculation to buy -the watch and sell it again. Joshua began to be anxious to get it. - -“I want it for myself,” he said, “but I can’t afford to pay fifty -dollars.” - -“Will you give forty-five?” - -“I’ll give thirty-five.” - -“Say forty, and it’s yours; though I ought not to sell it at that. Just -put it on, and see how well it looks.” - -Joshua put it in his watch-pocket, and was conquered. - -“All right,” he said; “I’ll take it.” - -He paid the forty dollars, and bade farewell to the kind stranger who -had given him so good a bargain. - -“You city people are sharp,” said the stranger, as he bade him -good-morning. “We poor countrymen don’t stand much chance with you.” - -This remark flattered Joshua immensely, and he strutted about the park, -glancing continually at his new acquisition, and fancying that he -already had quite a city air. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - TROUBLE IN STAPLETON. - - -“I COULD never have got such a bargain if I had stayed in the country,” -thought Joshua. “I don’t believe I should have had a watch until I was -thirty years old. The old man is awful mean. If he had treated me right, -I shouldn’t have had to help myself; that’s certain.” - -Joshua congratulated himself that, though he now possessed a -hundred-dollar gold watch and chain, purchased at less than half price, -he still had left considerably more than five hundred dollars. When he -purchased the watch, his first thought was to sell it almost -immediately, and so realize something by the speculation. But, being -well provided with money, he decided, on the whole, to keep it, for the -present, at least, and not to sell unless he should stand in need of -money. That would not probably be for a long time, as five hundred -dollars seemed quite a fortune to him. Besides, in a short time, -probably, he would get a place, with a salary large enough to pay his -expenses. - -Joshua wandered about the park a short time, but returned to his -boarding house in time for lunch. Here he met Sam Crawford. The latter -looked with surprise at the watch and chain so ostentatiously displayed -by his friend. - -“Where did you get that watch and chain?” he asked. - -“I bought it,” said Joshua, in a tone of importance. “I made a pretty -good bargain, too.” - -“At what jeweler’s shop did you buy it?” asked Sam, rather vexed that -Joshua should have made so important a purchase without consulting him. -If any money was to be spent, he wanted to have something to do with it. - -“I didn’t buy it at any jeweler’s,” answered Joshua. “If I had, I -couldn’t have got it so cheap.” - -“Didn’t buy it at a jeweler’s!” repeated Sam, suspiciously. “Where did -you buy it, then?” - -“I bought it of a man I met in Central Park.” - -“A man you knew?” - -“No; a stranger--a man from the country.” - -“Let me see the watch,” said Sam, abruptly. - -He took it in his hands, and looked at it, but, not being a -professional, he could not tell whether it was genuine or not. - -“I shouldn’t wonder if you had got swindled,” he said, handing it back. -“How much did you pay for it?” - -“Forty dollars. The man said it was worth a hundred,” said Joshua, -beginning to feel uncomfortable. - -“Of course, he would say so,” returned Sam, contemptuously. “They always -do. What made him sell it to you so cheap, then?” - -“He found it in the park, and had to go out of the city very soon.” - -Sam shook his head. - -“You ought not to have bought a watch without my being with you. If you -are swindled, it is your own fault. I don’t believe it is gold.” - -“It looks like gold,” said Joshua, soberly. “How shall I find out?” - -“Come out with me, when I go back to the store. We’ll stop at a -jeweler’s on the way, and he will tell us.” - -It must be confessed that Joshua ate his lunch in a state of painful -suspense. Forty dollars was a good deal to lose. Besides, it was, or -would be, mortifying to feel that he had been swindled. The watch and -chain looked all right. He could not help thinking that it was gold, -after all. - -When lunch was over, he went out with Sam. Two blocks distant, there was -a small jeweler’s shop. Sam led the way in, and he followed. - -“Give me the watch,” said Sam. - -He handed it to the clerk behind the counter. - -“Will you tell me what this watch and chain are worth?” he asked. - -The clerk took it, and, after a slight examination, said, with a smile: - -“I hope you didn’t give much for it.” - -“It does not belong to me. My friend purchased it this morning. Is there -any gold about it?” - -“A little--on the outside. It is covered with a thin coating of gold. I -will tell you in a moment what is underneath.” - -“It is a kind of composition,” he announced, after a pause. - -“How much is the whole thing worth?” - -“Three or four dollars, at the outside. The works are good for nothing. -It won’t keep good time. If you want a really good gold watch, I will -show you some.” - -“Not to-day,” said Sam. “I may be getting one soon; then I will call on -you.” - -The feeling with which Joshua listened to this revelation may be -imagined better than described. He followed Sam out of the store, with a -very red face. - -“I’d like to get hold of the feller that sold me the watch,” he said, -elevating his fist. - -“Serves you right,” said Sam, coolly, “for not waiting till I was with -you. I shouldn’t get swindled easily. I’ve been in the city too long. I -know the ropes.” - -“You had your pocket picked last evening,” said Joshua. - -“That’s true,” Sam was forced to answer--though it was not true. “I was -talking with you, and that made me careless. But I shouldn’t be cheated -on a bargain. How much did you give for the watch? Forty dollars?” - -“Yes,” answered Joshua, wincing. - -“Then it’s forty dollars thrown away, for the watch won’t go, and it -will never do you any good.” - -“I should like to sell it for as much as I gave,” said Joshua, not very -honestly. “I might go out to Central Park this afternoon.” - -“You wouldn’t catch a greenhorn every day that would let himself be -taken in as you were.” - -“Do you call me a greenhorn?” added Joshua, angrily. - -“Of course, you’re a little green,” said Sam. “I was myself, at first,” -he added, in a conciliatory manner. “But you’ll soon get over it. Only -don’t buy anything of importance unless I am with you. That will be your -safest way for the present.” - -Joshua did not reply, but he reluctantly decided that perhaps he would -do better to follow Sam’s advice. Evidently, the city was full of snares -and swindlers of which he had no idea, and it wouldn’t do for him to -lose forty dollars very often. He felt unhappy whenever he thought of -his loss. He had been in the city only twenty-four hours, yet it had -cost him in the neighborhood of fifty dollars. He decided henceforth to -beware of plausible strangers, especially if they professed to hail from -the country. - -We must now return to Stapleton, where Mr. Drummond was still nursing -his indignation at the audacity of his son, whom he had never supposed -daring enough to rob his strong box. Mrs. Drummond essayed to say one -word in defense of Joshua. - -“He is a vile, young scoundrel!” exclaimed the angry father. “Mark my -words, Mrs. Drummond--he will end his days on the gallows.” - -“How can you say such dreadful things, Mr. Drummond?” said the mother. -“Remember, he is your son!” - -“I am ashamed to own that I am the father of a thief.” - -“He would not have taken the money if you had not kept him so close. -Twenty-five cents a week is very small to give a boy of Joshua’s age. -All of his companions get more.” - -“It was more than he deserved, the idle vagabond!” - -“You are very hard upon him, Mr. Drummond,” said his wife. - -“I have reason to be. I suppose,” he added, with a sneer, “you justify -him in robbing his father of his hard earnings?” - -“You know I do not; I only say that, if you had treated him more -generously, this would never have happened. You certainly might have -afforded him a dollar a week. The poor boy used to feel mortified, -because he never had a cent in his pocket.” - -“I work hard for my money, Mrs. Drummond, and you needn’t expect me to -waste it on an idle young rascal, who wants to live without work.” - -“He was willing to work. He has told me more than once that if you would -let him go to the city he would get a place in a store, and work -cheerfully. He was tired of Stapleton.” - -Mr. Drummond’s attention was excited. - -“So he was very anxious to go to the city?” he said, inquiringly. - -“Yes; he used often to speak to me of wanting to go there.” - -“Then that’s where he is now,” said his father. “I might have known it. -All the idle vagabonds who are too lazy and shiftless to earn an honest -living in the country go to the city. My mind is made up. I shall go to -New York to-morrow, Mrs. Drummond. Now, go and lay out a clean shirt for -me. I shall start for the city by the early train.” - -“If you find the poor boy, don’t be harsh with him, Jacob,” pleaded the -mother. - -“If I find him,” said Mr. Drummond, significantly, “I’ll give him a -lesson that will cure him of thieving for a long time, I can tell you -that!” - -Mrs. Drummond turned away, with a sigh, to obey her husband’s request. -She did not justify Joshua in his course, but she was a mother, and -could not help making some excuse for her son. She felt that her husband -had treated him too much like a young boy, not having sufficient -consideration for the fact that in age he was now bordering upon -manhood. - -The next day, Mr. Drummond was one of the passengers by the early train -which left Stapleton for New York. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - IN SEARCH OF A THIEF. - - -IT was with no pleasant feelings that Jacob Drummond landed in New York. -His paternal affection for Joshua had never been very great, and, now -that his son had robbed him, his anger was strongly stirred against him. - -“If I get hold of him, I’ll flog him within an inch of his life,” he -muttered, between his closed teeth. “The ungrateful villain! to make me -such a return for supporting him in idleness all his life!” - -But it is not so easy to find a particular person in a city of a million -inhabitants, and Mr. Drummond was very much puzzled to know what to do, -or where to go first. He might have sought the aid of the police, but, -though deeply incensed against Joshua, he wished, rather, to inflict -private punishment upon him. - -“I won’t give him any allowance at all,” he said to himself. “I’ll let -him get along without a penny, and see how he likes that! I wonder if -he’s spent much of the money he stole from me?” - -His face contracted with anguish, as he thought that Joshua might -squander the greater part of the money before he found him; or, worse -still, lose it. His father had a contemptuous opinion of Joshua’s -shrewdness, and thought it not at all unlikely that he would be robbed. - -Not knowing where else to go, he walked toward the Astor House. Whenever -he came to the city--which was not often--he was in the habit of -stopping at Lovejoy’s Hotel, near by, and the force of habit led him -thither now. At every step, he looked inquisitively about him; but no -Joshua met his gaze. In fact, Joshua was walking about on Eighth avenue -at this time, and about an hour later went to Central Park, where he -made the surprising bargain of which we already know, so that there was -very little chance of his father’s coming upon him for some hours, since -it was not probable that it would occur to him to go to Central Park. - -After walking about in a desultory way, during the forenoon, Mr. -Drummond all at once had a bright thought. He remembered that Sam -Crawford was in a shoe store in the city, and naturally concluded that -Joshua, whom he had seen in Sam’s company during the latter’s vacation -at Stapleton, would, in his inexperience, seek him out. He remembered, -also, that, on a previous visit to New York, Sam’s direction had been -given him. He felt in his pocket, and, to his great satisfaction, found -that he still had it. - -“I’ll go and see young Crawford,” he at once decided. “He may put me on -the track of Joshua.” - -Taking the Eighth avenue cars at the Astor House, half an hour brought -him to the shoe store so fortunate as to have secured the services of -Mr. Crawford. Sam himself was standing in front of the door, ticketing -some shoes, when Mr. Drummond got off the car, and touched him on the -arm. - -Sam started, and flushed a little, when he saw who it was that had -touched him. - -“Mr. Drummond!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t expect to see you!” - -“Have you seen anything of Joshua, Sam?” asked Mr. Drummond, hastily. - -Sam made up his mind not to betray Joshua--not from any high-minded -feeling of friendship, but because he wanted to help Joshua spend the -money he had with him. Accordingly, he threw as much surprise as -possible into his tone, as he answered: “Joshua! Is he in the city?” - -“Then you haven’t seen him?” said Mr. Drummond, disappointed. - -“When did he come up?” asked Sam. “I wonder he didn’t come to see me.” - -“He’s a young villain!” exclaimed Mr. Drummond, in excitement. - -“What has he done?” asked Sam, curious to hear the story, of which he -could readily guess the nature. - -“He’s run away with several hundred dollars of my money,” said Mr. -Drummond, sternly. “It’ll be a sorry day for him when I get hold of -him!” - -“Just as I thought,” said Sam to himself. “How could he do such a -thing?” he said, aloud. “I didn’t think that of Joshua.” - -“Nor I,” said his father; “but he’s long been pestering me to let him -come to New York, but I wouldn’t let him. Didn’t he ever say anything to -you about it?” - -“Yes,” said Sam. “He’s often spoken of it.” - -“I hoped you could tell me where to find him,” said Mr. Drummond. - -“I haven’t the least idea where he is,” said Sam, which was, to some -extent, true, so far as Joshua’s present whereabouts were concerned. - -“I may have to go back to Stapleton without finding him,” continued Mr. -Drummond. “If you see anything of him, I wish you would telegraph up to -me at once, and I’ll pay all expenses, and----” here Mr. Drummond -paused, but at last added, liberally: “I’ll give you a dollar besides.” - -“I shan’t want any reward,” he said, but he inwardly pronounced him a -pretty mean fellow. “Very likely I shall see him, if he stays in the -city.” - -“He won’t go away from the city,” said Mr. Drummond. “He wanted to live -here, most of all. Well, good-by. It won’t do for me to miss the -afternoon train home.” - -“The old man’s precious mad!” said Sam to himself, as he entered the -store. “I would not like to stand in Joshua’s shoes when his -affectionate papa gets hold of him. It’s lucky he didn’t happen along -just now. So the old man expects to buy me for a dollar. It’s too cheap. -I always knew he was mean; and Joshua isn’t much better. I must see how -I can get as much out of him as possible, and that soon.” - -About five o’clock Joshua came round to the store. - -“’Most ready to go to supper, Sam?” he asked. - -“Wait five minutes, and I’ll be ready.” - -Joshua waited till his friend signified that he was ready. - -“Where have you been, Joshua?” he asked. - -“Walking all around. I’m as tired as a dog. I shan’t want to go anywhere -to-night.” - -“Who do you think I have seen to-day?” asked Sam, scanning his friend’s -face. - -“I don’t know,” said Joshua, indifferently. - -“The old man!” answered Sam, in italics. - -“The old man!” repeated Joshua, turning pale. “Where did you see him?” - -“I was standing outside the door, when I felt some one touch my -shoulder. I looked round, and there he was.” - -“My father?” - -“Mr. Jacob Drummond, of Stapleton, himself.” - -“Did he ask after me?” inquired Joshua, nervously. - -“You bet he did!” answered Sam, significantly. - -“What did he say?” asked Joshua, looking frightened. - -“What did he say?” repeated Sam, a little maliciously. “Well, he called -you a young villain, the first thing. In fact, he didn’t seem -affectionate.” - -“He always treated me mean,” said Joshua, resentfully. “What else did he -say?” - -“He said you’d run away with several hundred dollars of his, and he -seemed very anxious to get hold of you. He’s going to give you a warm -reception when that time comes.” - -“You didn’t tell him where I was, did you?” said Joshua, in alarm. - -“Of course not. I pretended I didn’t know anything about you. What do -you think the old man wants me to do?” - -“What?” - -“He thinks you’ll come and see me, sooner or later, and asked me to -telegraph to him when you did, so that he might come for you.” - -“You wouldn’t do it, would you, Sam?” said Joshua, uneasily. - -“Do you think I’d betray a friend?” demanded Sam, loftily. “No, Joshua; -I am your firm friend. I will never desert you, although your father -offered me money if I would.” - -“Did he?” - -“Yes,” answered Sam. - -He was about to mention how much, but it occurred to him that, if he -didn’t mention the smallness of the sum, he would get more credit for -disinterested friendship. - -“How much?” - -“Oh, no doubt he would come down handsomely; but, as I had no intention -of betraying you, I didn’t inquire.” - -“Do you think he will come to the city again?” asked Joshua. - -“Yes, I think he will.” - -“He might get hold of me,” said Joshua, panic-stricken. “I wouldn’t go -back to Stapleton for anything. Oh, Sam, where shall I go?” - -“I’ll tell you what, Joshua,” said Sam, after a pause, “I think you’d -better leave the city.” - -“Where shall I go?” - -“Go out West. Your father won’t think of looking for you there. Of -course, I don’t want to part with you, but it wouldn’t be safe for you -to stay here. He might get mad--the old man, I mean--and set the police -on your track. You know, he could, on account of the money you took.” - -This was a very uncomfortable suggestion, and Joshua began to find his -dream of happiness in a city unsubstantial. - -“When had I better go?” he asked. - -“Soon. Of course, you’ll need to turn your government bond into money -before you go.” - -“I’ll go and sell the bond to-morrow,” said Joshua. - -“It wouldn’t be safe,” said Sam, shaking his head. - -“Why not?” - -“Your father may have put the police on your track already. When you -came to sell the bond, the police might be all ready to nab you.” - -“Then, what am I to do?” - -“I’ll tell you what, Joshua, you’re my friend, and I won’t desert you. -Give me the bond, and I’ll sell it for you. It’ll be a little risky; -still, I wasn’t the one who stole it, and so I shall not be in as much -danger as you.” - -“Thank you, Sam,” said Joshua, considerably relieved to find his friend -willing to incur the danger. - -“Let me see. I’ll take it at lunch time to-morrow. I can take an hour -and a half, and pretend I was detained.” - -Sam was not quite so disinterested in this offer of service as Joshua -supposed. He had a plan for making a handsome commission out of the -sale. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - IN DANGER. - - -JOSHUA handed Sam the five-twenty bond for five hundred dollars the next -morning. - -“How much do you think you can sell it for, Sam?” he asked. - -“I ought to get five hundred and fifty dollars for it,” said Sam. - -“Five hundred and fifty dollars!” repeated Joshua, elated, for he knew -nothing about the money market, and supposed the bond would only bring -its par value. But the next words of Sam lowered his spirits. - -“That’s what the bond is worth, but I don’t expect to get so much.” - -“Why not?” - -“The dealers will think it is stolen, and will refuse to buy unless I -sell it under price. It’s better to do that than keep the bond.” - -“Yes,” said Joshua, hastily; “sell it any way, but get as much as you -can.” - -“Trust me for that,” said Sam. “I’ll do better for you than you could do -for yourself; besides, running all the danger.” - -“Thank you, Sam. I don’t know what I should do without you.” - -“I never desert a friend,” said Sam, loftily. He should have added, -“while that friend has money.” - -At twelve o’clock Sam left the store, ostensibly to get lunch, but -really to sell the bond. He went downtown, and had no difficulty in -disposing of the bond for five hundred and sixty dollars, the market -price. - -“How much of this can I venture to take?” he said to himself. - -After a little consideration, he divided the sum into two parts. Four -hundred dollars he set apart for Joshua. The balance--a hundred and -sixty dollars--he decided to retain as his commission. He relied upon -Joshua’s verdancy to help him in this barefaced swindle, and had his -story all ready for his credulous mind. - -He was half an hour late at the store, but received the sharp reprimand -of his employer with equanimity, consoling himself with the hundred and -sixty dollars he had hidden in his pocket. - -It was not until the six o’clock dinner that he met Joshua. - -“Well,” said the latter, eagerly, “did you sell the bond?” - -“Yes.” - -“How much did you get?” - -“I hope you won’t be disappointed, Joshua, but I had to submit to be -cheated. The old fellow felt sure it was stolen, when I refused to refer -him to anybody in proof of my right to sell the bond. He wanted to get -it for seventy-five cents on the dollar, but I got him up to eighty.” - -“How much did that come to?” asked Joshua, who was not strong in -mathematics. - -“Four hundred dollars.” - -“Then I was cheated out of a hundred and fifty,” said Joshua, -disappointed. - -“It couldn’t be helped. You’d rather have four hundred dollars than -nothing, I suppose.” - -“Yes, of course; but the man was a swindler.” - -“Of course he was,” said Sam, cheerfully. “I’d like to kick him myself; -but I’ll tell you what, Joshua, you may think yourself lucky to get off -as well as you have. Nobody can prove that you took the money, but the -bond could be proved against you, as your father no doubt remembers the -number of it. Didn’t I do right to sell, or would you rather have had me -bring back the bond?” - -“I am glad you sold it, only a feller doesn’t like to be cheated.” - -“I shouldn’t wonder if the old man thought that way, when he found the -bond was gone,” said Sam, slyly. - -“You needn’t speak of that!” said Joshua, irritably. “When would you -advise me to start for the West?” - -“To-morrow. The fact is, the old man is liable to be after you with a -sharp stick any day, and the sooner you get out of his reach the better. -I’ll go round with you to-night, and inquire the price of tickets. You’d -better buy a ticket for Chicago.” - -“I wish I knew somebody in Chicago,” said Joshua, whose inexperience as -a traveler made him shrink from such a long journey. - -“Oh, you’ll get along well enough!” said Sam. “Just try to find some -cheap boarding house when you get out there, and then go around and look -for a place in a store. Plenty of fellows make money there. When you’re -a rich man you can come back East again. You can pay up the old man what -you took from him, and that’ll make him all right.” - -“Ye-es,” said Joshua, hesitatingly; “but it would be mean in him to take -it, considering I am his only son.” - -“You’d get it back again some time, you know; so what’s the odds?” - -Though Mr. Drummond was far from being a model father, I by no means -defend the disrespectful allusion to him as “the old man.” Many boys are -thus disrespectful in speech who really respect and love their fathers; -but, even then, the custom is offensive to good taste and good feeling, -and is always to be condemned. - -“You owe me some money, you know, Sam,” said Joshua. “Can’t you pay me -before I go?” - -“Certainly,” said Sam. “I’ll do it now, if you can change a five. I -raised some money from a fellow that was owing me.” - -So saying, he tendered Joshua a five-dollar bill from the hundred and -sixty he had reserved as his commission, and the latter gave him back -the change. This raised Joshua’s spirits somewhat, and enhanced his idea -of Sam’s honesty, as he had begun to fear he should lose the money. - -“Now, Joshua,” said Sam, tucking the money into his vest pocket, “you -must come to the theatre with me this evening at my expense. I want your -last evening in New York to be a jolly one.” - -“Thank you,” said Joshua, graciously; “I’d like to go.” - -So they went to Wallack’s Theatre, and had got quite interested in the -performance, when, all at once, Joshua clutched his companion by the -arm. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired the wondering Sam. - -“Do you see that man?” said Joshua, pointing to a gentleman on the -opposite side of the house, in a row near the stage. - -“Yes, I see him. He ain’t very handsome. What’s his name?” - -“It’s a man from Stapleton, a neighbor of ours. If he sees me, I’m -lost!” and Joshua began to tremble. “Let us go out.” - -“It’s a pity to lose the play,” said Sam, reluctantly. - -“But I’m in danger,” said Joshua, nervously. - -“I’ll tell you what. We’ll go out quietly, and go upstairs, where he -can’t see us.” - -“Do you think it will be safe?” - -“Of course it will. Come along.” - -They left their seats in the parquet, and went upstairs, where they took -back seats, inferior to those they had occupied below, but out of range -of the man from Stapleton. - -“I am afraid he will see me when I go out,” said Joshua. - -“We can go five minutes before the play is over,” said Sam. - -Satisfied with this arrangement, Joshua stayed on, and enjoyed the play, -now that his anxiety was removed. - -The play went on, but about a quarter to eleven, when it was evident -that it was nearly over, Sam said: “We’d better be going, Joshua. We can -get out before the grand rush, and your friend from Stapleton will be -none the wiser.” - -“Yes, come along,” said Joshua, eagerly. - -But, as Burns has it, “The best-laid schemes of mice and men oft gang -aglee.” The same thought of getting out before the grand rush occurred -to Mr. Draper, of Stapleton, and when the two boys emerged from the -theatre they met face to face. - -“Why, Joshua Drummond!” said Mr. Draper, in surprise. “How came you -here? I didn’t know you were here!” - -“Then he hasn’t heard,” thought Joshua, recovering, in a measure, from -his temporary panic. - -“I’ve only been here a day or two,” he answered. - -“Are you going to live in New York?” - -“Yes,” said Joshua. “I’m going to get a place in a store.” - -“You are in a store already, Sam?” said Mr. Draper to Joshua’s -companion. - -“Yes, sir. I am in a store on Eighth avenue.” - -“Do you like being in the city?” - -“Oh, yes; I wouldn’t go back to the country for anything.” - -“I am glad I met you both. I will tell your father I met you, Joshua.” - -This proposal was not agreeable to Joshua, for obvious reasons; but, of -course, he did not dare to say so. - -“When are you going back to Stapleton?” he asked, faintly. - -“To-morrow night.” - -“And to-morrow night I shall be on my way out West,” thought Joshua. - -“Good-night to you both.” - -“Good-night.” - -“You had a narrow escape, Joshua,” said Sam. “It’s lucky he didn’t know -about your leaving home without leave. I didn’t recognize him when you -first pointed him out to me. Now I suppose I shall get into a scrape -with your father for not telegraphing to him that I had met you. It’s -pretty clear that the sooner you leave New York, the better.” - -The next evening Mr. Draper dropped into Jacob Drummond’s store. - -“Well, Mr. Drummond,” said he, “I met your son in the city.” - -“You met Joshua?” exclaimed Mr. Drummond, eagerly, pausing in cutting -off a dress pattern. “Where?” - -“At Wallack’s Theatre.” - -“At the theatre! The young villain! Was he alone?” - -“He was with Sam Crawford. What is the matter?” - -“He left home without leave. I shall go up to-morrow and bring him -back.” - -He went to New York the next day, and had an unsatisfactory interview -with Sam. The latter admitted having seen Joshua, but said he did not -like to betray him. He said that he had tried to induce Joshua to return -home, but that the latter had refused. He said he did not know where he -was now, but thought he had gone to Boston. Mystified and bewildered, -Mr. Drummond was forced to go home without his son, who was now some -distance on the way to Chicago. Having accompanied him thus far, we must -now go back to our principal hero, and inquire how Walter was getting on -with his Western school. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - AN EVENTFUL MONDAY. - - -AND now to return to Walter Conrad, whom we left looking forward to -commencing school as Mr. Barclay’s successor, on Monday morning. It was -certainly a difficult and responsible task for one who was in age but a -schoolboy, especially as Walter had reason to believe that there were -some who had resolved in advance to dispute his authority. Had he been -of a nervous or timid character, he would have been led to back out at -the eleventh hour, but Walter was resolute and plucky. He had a modest -self-reliance, which his brief experience as a book agent had confirmed. -The spirit in which he approached his new vocation may be inferred from -his own remark to Allen Barclay, at the end of the tenth chapter: “At -any rate, the die is cast; I have agreed to take the school, and I shall -do what I can to succeed. - - - “‘_In battle I’ll fall, or in death be laid low, - With my face to the field, and my feet to the foe._’” - -Monday morning came at length. So far as the weather was concerned, it -opened auspiciously. The excitement of having a new teacher, more -especially one who, as was generally supposed, even among the more -orderly scholars, would fail in discipline, caused the pupils to -assemble earlier than usual on the green plot in front of the -schoolhouse. - -Among these was Peter Groot, already described as more likely than any -other to prove troublesome. It had always been found necessary by past -teachers to appeal to force in this case. When he found that the teacher -could “whip” him, he subsided into a sullen submission. Allen Barclay -had been compelled to flog him on the second day, and he did it so -effectually that Peter never needed a second lesson. But as, both in -appearance and reality, Peter was a little older than the new teacher, -and, as he himself supposed, considerably stronger, he looked forward -with confidence to “licking” Walter, if the latter should endeavor to -enforce the commands which he intended to disobey. - -“How are you, Peter?” said John Wall, on arriving at the schoolhouse, -twenty minutes early. “How do you like having a new teacher?” - -“I like it,” said Peter, significantly. - -“I suppose you’re going to be a good boy, and mind all he says,” said -John, desirous of making trouble for Walter. - -“Not much,” said Peter. - -“You ain’t going to rebel, are you?” inquired John, smiling -encouragingly. - -“That depends on how the teacher behaves. He ain’t going to order me -round, and he’d better not try it,” said Peter, emphatically. “He’ll -find he has waked up the wrong customer.” - -“He don’t look as if he could manage you,” said John, glancing at -Peter’s sturdy form. “I guess you’re as strong as he is.” - -“Manage me!” repeated Peter, contemptuously. “I can lick him with one -hand.” - -“He may be stronger than he looks,” said John, artfully, bent on -stirring up Peter to open rebellion. - -“He don’t weigh as much as me, and I’ve got twice his muscle,” said -Peter. “Why, I could keep school better than he.” - -“I don’t think I should like to come to school to you, Peter,” said -Alfred Clinton, laughing. “I’m afraid you’d break down on teaching -fractions.” - -Alfred referred to an occurrence of the previous week, where Peter, who -was by no means as strong mentally as physically, showed the most -lamentable ignorance. He did not relish the allusion. - -“You’d better not be impudent, Alfred Clinton,” he said, coloring, “or I -may lick you.” - -“Don’t trouble yourself,” said Alfred, indifferently. “You’d better save -your strength, for you may need it.” - -“Do you mean that I’ll need it to lick the master?” - -“I hope you won’t make any trouble for him,” said Alfred. - -“On his account?” - -“No; I looked at him carefully the other day, and I made up my mind -about him.” - -“Did you?” said Peter, sneeringly. “Will you oblige me by telling me -what you think about him?” - -“I think that you’ll find him a tougher customer to deal with than you -think.” - -Peter burst into derisive laughter. - -“What do you think of that, John?” demanded Peter. - -John Wall, who was, in feeling, a young aristocrat, did not in general -affect the society of Peter, nor care to be considered intimate with -him, but a common hatred often makes strange yoke-fellows; so now he was -disposed to co-operate with Peter, and be gracious to him, in the hope -that he would make trouble for Walter, whose independent spirit had -occasioned his cordial dislike. When, therefore, Peter addressed him -familiarly, he overlooked what, under other circumstances, would have -been disagreeable to him, and replied: “I’ll bet on you, Peter.” - -“Of course you will; you’d be a fool not to,” said Peter. - -John did not quite like the way in which he expressed it, but, for the -reason before mentioned, did not show it. - -“He must be crazy,” continued John, “or he would know better than to try -keeping school here. I don’t believe he knows much.” - -“I guess he knows enough to teach you,” said Alfred Clinton, who had -taken a fancy to the new teacher, and felt like defending him. - -“Speak for yourself, Alfred Clinton,” said John, superciliously. “I’m -reading Cæsar.” - -He drew himself up, as he spoke, in a way intended to impress the boys -that one who was reading Cæsar must be a very advanced Latin scholar. - -“I know it,” said Alfred, “but I shouldn’t think you understood it very -well, the way you recite.” - -“You’re not qualified to judge,” said John, in a lofty tone. “You’re -only a beginner in Latin. You don’t know enough to criticise one who -studies Cæsar.” - -“Maybe not,” said Alfred, “but I know that _habeo_ isn’t of the first -conjugation, as you called it in your last recitation.” - -“It was only a slip of the tongue. I knew well enough it was the third,” -returned John, not quite liking the turn the conversation had taken. - -“Indeed, that’s news,” said Alfred, quietly. “I always supposed it was -the second.” - -“That’s what I meant,” said John, coloring. “But I don’t care to -continue the conversation. I feel sure that the new teacher don’t know -much.” - -“I think he will know enough to teach either of us,” said Alfred. - -John pursed up his mouth, and was silent. He regarded Alfred, who was -the son of a poor widow, as far below him in social position, and did -not often condescend to exchange as many words with him as at present. -Indeed, John looked upon himself as superior in social rank to any of -his schoolmates, but was condescending enough to associate with the sons -of the leading men on terms of equality. - -Just then up came Phineas Morton, who has already been referred to as a -young man of twenty, and standing six feet in his stockings. He was -several inches taller, and necessarily much stronger, than Walter, but, -fortunately, he was very good-natured, and of a very different -disposition from Peter Groot. - -“Good-morning, boys,” he said, pleasantly; “hasn’t the master come yet?” - -“Not yet,” said Peter. “I guess he don’t feel in any hurry.” - -“Why not?” - -“I guess he thinks he’s undertaken a big job.” - -“Yes; it isn’t easy to teach school. I shouldn’t like it myself.” - -“You could do it better than he.” - -“Why could I?” - -“You could lick any of us, easy.” - -“A teacher needs more than that. He’s got to know something. I don’t -know enough to teach this school,” said Phineas, modestly. - -“The master’s a boy compared with you,” said Peter, who would have liked -to receive the co-operation of Phineas. - -“I know it,” said Phineas, quietly, “but he looks as if he might know -something. If he knows enough to help me along in my studies, I would -just as lief have him teacher as Mr. Barclay.” - -“Then I wouldn’t,” said Peter. - -“Nor I,” said John, who, though he rather disliked Allen Barclay, -disliked Walter considerably more. - -“Why not?” - -“I don’t want to be ordered round by a boy. I don’t believe he is as old -as I am.” - -“I don’t believe you would learn much under any teacher, Peter,” said -Phineas, laughing. - -“Why not?” asked Peter, scowling. - -“Why, learning isn’t your strong point, you know.” - -“That’s my strong point,” said Peter, tapping the muscle of his right -arm, significantly. - -“You’re about right,” said Phineas; “you’re stronger there than you are -in the head.” - -Peter did not like this remark, but he knew that it would be of no use -to show his anger. He was a bully in the case of younger boys, but he -very well knew that Phineas could manage him with one hand, as he -boasted he could manage the new teacher. - -Phineas went into the schoolhouse after his last remark, and a minute -later one of the younger boys called out: “The master’s coming!” - -All eyes were turned upon Walter, who was ascending the hill, with -several books under his arm. As he approached, Peter, with derisive -politeness, took off his hat and bowed low. - -Walter quietly raised his hat slightly in return, and said: -“Good-morning, boys.” - -He entered the schoolhouse, and the scholars followed him. - -“He’ll be sick of his bargain before the week’s out,” said Peter, aside, -to John; “you’ll see if he don’t.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - THE NEW TEACHER. - - -TO say that Walter felt quite cool and unconcerned as he entered the -schoolroom and advanced to his place behind the teacher’s desk, would -not be entirely true. It was a novel situation for a boy not quite -sixteen, and he felt it to be such. If for a moment he regretted having -assumed so grave a responsibility, it was not strange. But, if Walter -felt a little nervous and apprehensive, he had self-command enough not -to show it. He looked calmly about him, meeting the expectant glances of -all the scholars, and, fixing his eyes on the nearest boy, said: - -“Will you go to the door and ring the bell?” - -Alfred Clinton, for he was the one addressed, has already been alluded -to as an excellent student, and a boy of fine disposition. He was ready -and determined to co-operate with the young teacher in every way that -might be in his power. - -He advanced respectfully, and, taking the bell, rang it from the door -outside. - -There was little need of the summons, however, this morning. Led by -curiosity, the habitual loiterers were all in their seats. - -There was a general silence and pause of expectation. The scholars were -sitting in judgment on the new teacher, and wondering how he would -proceed. - -Walter rose, and, calmly surveying the fifty scholars whose charge he -had assumed, spoke as follows: - -“Scholars, before entering upon our duties, it may be proper for me to -say a few words. When I came to this place, it was not with the -intention of teaching. You know how it has happened that I have -undertaken to do so. You will easily judge, from my appearance, that I -have not experience to fit me for the post, and am younger than some of -you. But I have made up my mind to do my best, and I hope the relations -between us will be mutually pleasant and profitable. I will do all I can -to make them so. I will, in the first place, go round and take your -names, and make inquiries as to the studies you wish to take up. -To-morrow we shall be ready to begin in earnest, and go on regularly.” - -This speech was favorably received by the generality of the scholars. It -was greeted with applause, in which, after a while, all joined, with two -exceptions. These two were Peter Groot and John Wall. Peter leaned back -in his seat, with both hands in his pockets, looking at Walter, with an -impudent smile on his face, as much as to say, “I am quiet now, but I’ll -make it hot enough for you by and by.” As for John, he regarded Walter -with a supercilious glance. He was not likely to break out into open -rebellion, not having the courage, but he did not intend to trouble -himself to be respectful, but to treat the new teacher with a cool -disdain and assumption of superiority, which, though disagreeable, would -not subject him to censure. He depended on his new friend, Peter, to -take bolder measures. - -Walter took the school register, and went to the nearest desk. He took -down the name and age of the scholar, and learned to what classes he -belonged, and then went on. He met with perfectly respectful answers -till he came to Peter Groot. - -Peter sat in the position already described, leaning back, with both -hands in his pockets. Walter noticed it, and he had no difficulty in -foreseeing trouble. But he did not care to precipitate matters. Whenever -it came, he meant to be ready. - -“What is your name?” he asked. - -Peter pretended not to hear. - -“What is your name?” demanded Walter, in a quick, imperative tone. - -Peter turned slowly, and answered: “Peter.” - -“What other name?” - -“Groot.” - -“What is your age?” - -“Sixteen. What is yours?” - -Of course, the question was an impudent one, but Walter answered it. - -“We are about the same age,” he said, quietly. - -“So I thought,” said Peter, smiling meaningly. - -“What branches do you study?” - -“Pretty much all.” - -“That is not definite enough.” - -“Reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography.” - -“Very well. You may come up in your usual classes.” - -Walter advanced to the next desk, which chanced to be that of John Wall. - -“Your name is John Wall, I believe?” said Walter, writing it down. - -“Yes.” - -“Your age?” - -“Fifteen--’most sixteen.” - -“What do you study?” - -“I study Cæsar,” said John, in an important tone. - -“Yes, I remember. How far did you go with Mr. Barclay?” - -“I am at the fifth chapter in the second book.” - -“You may go on where you left off. How much are you accustomed to take?” - -“Fifteen lines.” - -“That is a short lesson, but perhaps it will be well not to take any -more till I find out whether you are able to do so.” - -“Did you take any more when you studied Cæsar?” asked John, who -privately thought fifteen lines a very good lesson. - -“From fifty to seventy-five lines,” answered Walter, rather to the -mortification of John. Then it occurred to the latter that it would be a -good thing if he could “stick” the new teacher; that is, to convict him -of ignorance. Accordingly he opened his Cæsar at a passage in the -preceding lesson, which he had found difficult, and said: “There is -something here that I don’t understand. Will you read it to me?” - -“Certainly. What is the passage?” - -It was a passage which Walter would have been able to read at any rate, -but he had the additional advantage of having read it over the week -before in Mr. Barclay’s book, and so, of course, it was very familiar. -Though Walter was a good scholar, as far as he had gone, I don’t, of -course, claim that he could read anywhere in Cæsar at sight. But this -passage he understood perfectly well. He read it fluently, and John was -disappointed to find that he had failed in his benevolent design. -Indeed, he saw that Walter was probably a better Latin scholar than the -previous teacher; and, though he ought to have been glad of this, he was -so prejudiced against Walter, and so anxious to humiliate him, that he -was sorry, instead. - -“Whenever you meet with a difficulty, John,” said Walter, after -finishing the reading, “I shall be ready to help you. But I strongly -advise you not to apply to me until you have done your best to make it -out yourself. That will do you more good. You may recite your first -lesson to-morrow.” - -He left John, and went to the next desk. - -“He knows more than I thought he did,” said John to himself, “but he -can’t manage this school. He’ll have to give up before the week is out, -I’ll bet. Father ought to have known better than to give us a boy for a -teacher.” - -Among the last, Walter came to the seat occupied by Phineas Morton. -Phineas has already been mentioned as the oldest pupil in the school. He -was twenty years of age, and six feet in height. There was a decided -contrast between him and the youthful teacher, and Phineas felt a little -mortified by it. He had been set to work early, and from twelve to -eighteen had not gone to school at all. Then, becoming aware of his -deficiencies, he decided to make them up, as far as he could. So he came -to school, and was, of course, placed in classes with boys much younger. -But he submitted to this patiently, knowing that it was necessary, and -had studied so faithfully since that he was now in the highest class in -all the English branches. Latin he did not study. - -“I do not need your name,” said Walter, politely. “I believe you are -Phineas Morton?” - -“Yes, sir,” said Phineas. - -“What is your age?” - -“Twenty. Rather old to come to school,” he added. - -“One is never too old to learn, Mr. Morton,” said Walter. “I hope to be -studying when I am older than you are now.” - -“I didn’t feel the importance of study when I was younger,” said -Phineas. “If I had, I should not have been so ignorant now.” - -“Some of our most prominent public men have only made a beginning after -they have reached twenty-one,” said Walter. “You are quite right not to -mind your being older than the rest of the scholars.” - -“I have minded it a little, I am afraid,” Phineas acknowledged; “but you -have encouraged me, by what you have just said, and I shall not care so -much hereafter.” - -“I am glad to hear you say this, Mr. Morton. Now, you will be kind -enough to tell me what studies you are pursuing?” - -When he had taken down the names of all the boys, Walter commenced with -the girls. Here he had no trouble, for all were disposed to regard the -young teacher with favor. It might have been, in part, because he was -good-looking, but it was also, in part, because he was quiet and -self-possessed, and appeared to understand his business. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - A STORM BREWING. - - -WHEN he had taken the names of all the scholars Walter said: “We shall -not be able to enter upon our studies regularly till to-morrow. We will -occupy the rest of the forenoon by such tasks as do not require -preparation. First of all I will hear you read. Mr. Morton, will you -commence?” - -Phineas Morton rose, and, opening his book, began to read. He read -respectably till he came to the word “misled,” which he pronounced as if -it were mizzled. Instantly there was a shout of laughter from the other -scholars, Peter’s being louder than the rest, though but for the general -laughter he would not have known that a mistake had been made. - -Phineas looked abashed and mortified. - -“Have I made a mistake?” he said, inquiringly. - -“Yes,” said Walter, who preserved his own gravity. “The word should be -pronounced mis-led. It is the participle of the verb mislead.” - -“I didn’t know that.” - -“The mistake you made is not an uncommon one,” said Walter; “I remember -making it once myself.” - -The mortification of Phineas Morton was removed by this frank confession -of his teacher. Peter tried to get up a laugh at Walter’s expense, but -failed ignominiously. - -“I take it for granted,” continued our hero, “that those who have -laughed just now will not object to be laughed at when they come to make -mistakes.” - -Phineas went on, and finished his reading without further mistakes. At -length it came to the turn of Peter Groot. As we have already said, he -was by no means remarkable in scholarship, and particularly read in a -stumbling, hesitating manner, which made it very improbable that he -would ever win reputation as a public reader. It so happened that in the -passage he was reading occurred the geographical name, Straits of the -Dardanelles. Now, this was a common term, and Peter ought not to have -made any mistake in reading it. But he read it “Straits of the Darning -Needles,” which was so ludicrous that Walter had hard work not to join -in the general chorus of laughter. - -Peter looked up, scowling, for, though he was ready enough to laugh at -others, he did not enjoy being laughed at. - -“You should say Straits of the Dardanelles, Peter,” said Walter. - -“That’s what I said,” growled Peter, with a cloudy brow, looking around -him with displeasure. - -“We all understood you ‘darning needles.’ You may go on.” - -Peter continued sullenly, and sat down at the end. He saw that he had -made a blunder quite as bad as Phineas, and it took away the -satisfaction he expected to have in reminding his fellow pupil of his. -He didn’t like Phineas Morton, mainly because, on account of his -superior size, he was unable to bully him. Besides, Phineas had more -than once interfered to protect younger boys from the despotism of -Peter, and the latter had been compelled to respect the remonstrances of -the oldest pupil. - -When the reading was concluded, Walter rang the bell for recess. Nearly -all the scholars went out. Phineas Morton came up to the teacher’s desk. - -“Thank you, Mr. Howard,” he said, “for your kindness about my mistake. -Some teachers would have laughed at me.” - -“I suppose it is natural to laugh at our mistakes,” returned Walter. “I -was laughed at when I made the same one. But I know, from my own -feelings, that it is not agreeable, and I don’t laugh unless I can’t -help it. Peter’s mistake was more amusing than yours. Though he was -ready to laugh at you, I observed that he didn’t enjoy being laughed at -himself.” - -“Peter is a bad boy. I am afraid you will have trouble with him, Mr. -Howard.” - -“So Mr. Barclay told me. I expect it, but I do not fear it. If Peter -behaves well, I shall treat him well. If he undertakes to make trouble, -I shall be ready for him.” - -There was a firmness in Walter’s tone, and a determination in his -manner, which tended to reassure Phineas; still, as he looked at -Walter’s youthful form and thought of Peter’s strength, he was not -entirely without apprehension. - -“I am ready to stand by you, Mr. Howard,” he said, in a low tone. “If -you need any help, I will be on hand.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Morton,” said Walter, gratefully, for he knew how to -value such assistance as the stalwart oldest pupil could render. “If -there is need of it, I will certainly accept your offer. But if there -should be any difficulty between Peter and myself, I think I can hold my -own without assistance.” - -“Peter is strong,” suggested Phineas, doubtfully. - -“I should judge so, from his appearance, but strength is not all. Can he -box?” - -“No; he knows nothing of it.” - -“I do,” said Walter, significantly. “If there shall be need of it, I -mean to let him feel what I know about boxing.” - -Phineas smiled. “I am glad to hear that, Mr. Howard,” he said. “Peter -will be troublesome till you best him in a fair fight. After that, all -will go right.” - -Meanwhile Peter and John were standing together at one end of the -playground. - -“What do you think of the new teacher, Peter?” asked John. - -“He’s nothing but a boy,” returned Peter, contemptuously. - -“Do you think he’ll stay long?” asked John, insinuatingly. - -“Not more’n a week.” - -“Perhaps he will,” said John, intent upon drawing Peter on. - -“He can’t keep order,” said Peter. “I can lick him myself.” - -“Perhaps he is stronger than you think for,” suggested John. - -“Look here, John Wall, do you mean ter say you think he can lick me?” -said Peter, facing about. - -“No, I don’t believe he can.” - -“Of course he can’t. Do you see that muscle?” and Peter stiffened his -arm in a way that my boy readers will understand. - -“You have got a good deal of muscle, Peter, that’s a fact.” - -“Of course I have. Just feel it. Do you see that fist?” - -“Yes.” - -“If the master should feel it, he wouldn’t know what had happened to -him. I could knock him higher’n a kite.” - -“Very likely you could.” - -“There ain’t any likely about it. It’s a sure thing.” - -“I guess he’s afraid of you, Peter. He didn’t laugh at you when you made -that mistake.” - -“I’d like to see him laugh at me,” said Peter, his vanity and conceit -getting worse under the flattery of John. “But I saw you laugh,” he -added, in a tone of displeasure. - -“Did I?” said John. - -“Yes, you did.” - -“Then it was because the other boys laughed. You know a fellow can’t -help laughing when he sees others.” - -“I don’t know about that,” said Peter, only half satisfied. - -“You didn’t make half as bad a mistake as Phineas Morton.” - -“Phineas is an old fool.” - -Probably Peter would not have said this, if he had known that the person -of whom he was speaking was within hearing distance. He realized it, -however, when he was suddenly tripped up, and found himself lying on his -back, looking up in the face of Phineas. - -“What did you do that for?” he demanded, angrily. - -“To teach you better manners,” said Phineas, coolly. “When you feel like -calling me names, you had better look round first to make sure that I am -not near by.” - -Peter was very angry. He would gladly have retaliated, but one look at -the broad shoulders and stalwart form of Phineas was enough to -discourage any such attempt. - -“Why don’t you take one of your size?” he said, sulkily, as he gathered -himself slowly up from the ground. - -“One reason is, because there isn’t any one of my size in school.” - -“It’s cowardly to attack a smaller fellow.” - -“Not when the smaller fellow sees fit to be impudent and insulting. But -how long have you acted on that rule, Peter? Didn’t I see you fighting -yesterday with Alfred Johnson, who is a head shorter than you are?” - -“He wouldn’t lend me his ball.” - -“He wasn’t obliged to, was he?” - -“I hate a fellow that’s so careful of his things.” - -“All right; I may want to borrow something of you some time. If you -don’t lend it, I am to knock you down, am I?” - -Peter did not find it convenient to answer this question. Circumstances -altered cases, and it didn’t seem quite the same when he took the case -to himself. - -“Come along, John,” he said. - -John Wall followed him to a different part of the yard. - -“I hate that Phineas Morton,” said Peter. “He’s a brute.” - -“I don’t like him myself,” said John. - -“Just because he’s so big, he wants to boss it over the rest of us,” -said Peter. - -Now, if there was anybody in school of whom it could be said that he -wanted to “boss it” over his schoolfellows, it was Peter himself. John -knew this, but it was his interest at present to flatter Peter, since -both cherished a common dislike for the new teacher, and John depended -upon his companion, who was bolder than himself, to make trouble. - -At this point the schoolbell rang, indicating that the recess was over. - -“There goes the bell,” said John. “Shall we go in?” - -“I’m in no hurry,” said Peter. “I’d just as lief go home. He couldn’t do -anything to me.” - -“Are you going home?” - -“No, I want to see how he gets along. When I get ready, you’ll see fun.” - -The two boys entered a little later than the rest. Walter observed their -companionship, and drew his own conclusions, knowing the enmity of both -toward him. But he said nothing. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - A PRACTICAL JOKE. - - -THE remainder of the day passed without incident. Peter was no less -determined to make trouble, but had not decided in what manner to do it. -He was content to bide his time. He sat idle, but watchful, apparently -“taking stock” of the young teacher, and making up his mind about him. - -Soon after eight the next morning Peter called at the house of his new -associate. John observed with surprise that he carried in his hand a -covered basket, from which proceeded some signs of dissatisfaction of an -unmistakable character. - -“What have you got there, Peter?” asked John, curiously. - -“Can’t you tell?” - -“A hen, isn’t it?” - -“Yes.” - -“What are you going to do with it?” - -“It’s a present for the teacher.” - -“What!” exclaimed John, in surprise. - -“Are you surprised that I am going to give him a present?” said Peter. - -“Yes. I thought you didn’t like him.” - -“No more I do.” - -“Then why----” - -“I’ll tell you. I’m going to fasten the hen in his chair, so that when -he comes he will find his seat occupied. - -“Good!” said John. “He’ll be mad.” - -“Of course he will.” - -“He may find out who put the hen there.” - -“That’s what I want him to do.” - -“He may punish you.” - -“I’d like to see him do it,” said Peter, wagging his head. “He’d find -out he’d got a hard job on hand. Come, are you ready to go to school?” - -“I don’t generally go so soon.” - -“I want to be there early, so as to tie the hen.” - -“All right; I’ll get my hat.” - -The two boys started for school, and arrived nearly half an hour early. -They entered the house, and, by means of a stout cord, soon secured the -hen to the “master’s” chair. The poor bird did not appreciate or enjoy -the high dignity which had been forced upon her. She probably thought -that her personal wishes ought to have been consulted in the choice of a -profession. She began to give vent to her dissatisfaction in the manner -characteristic of her kind. - -Soon some of the other scholars arrived. Most of them laughed, but -Alfred Clinton ventured to remonstrate. - -“You ought not to do that, Peter,” he said. - -“What makes you think I did it?” - -“I know well enough.” - -“Well, have you got anything to say about it?” asked Peter, defiantly. -“Do you want to fight? If you do, come on.” - -“I am not anxious to fight,” said Alfred, quietly. “I think that’s a -poor way to settle a dispute.” - -“I thought you wouldn’t care about it,” said Peter, significantly. - -“I am not afraid of you, if that’s what you mean.” - -“You’d better shut up your mouth.” - -“I admire your elegant style of conversation.” - -“It suits me.” - -“Yes, it does suit you. It wouldn’t suit anybody else.” - -“What do you mean?” said Peter, suspiciously. - -“It is too much trouble to explain all I say. You are not very quick at -understanding.” - -“You look out, Alfred Clinton, or I may hurt you.” - -“Don’t trouble yourself.” - -“I shall have to fight that boy some time,” said Peter to John. “He’s -getting impudent.” - -“He ain’t much,” said John, contemptuously. “He and his mother are as -poor as poverty. He’s a proud beggar.” - -“So he is,” said Peter, whose worldly circumstances were scarcely any -better than Alfred’s, his father being a mechanic, whose drunken habits -rendered his income very precarious and fluctuating. He did not realize -that John looked down upon him quite as much as he did on Alfred, but -thought fit to conceal this feeling at present, on account of his hatred -to Walter. - -As may naturally be supposed, the arrival of the young teacher was -looked forward to with eager anticipation on the part of the scholars. -They wanted to see how he would regard the occupation of his seat. Most -thought he would be “mad.” - -At last Walter was seen ascending the hill on which the schoolhouse was -situated. The scholars who were grouped in front immediately entered, -and took their seats. - -Walter was a little surprised at their unusual promptness, but when he -was still in the entry he heard the hen, and guessed the trick that had -been attempted. One glance at the teacher’s chair, on entering the -schoolroom, showed him what had made the scholars take their seats so -promptly. - -He was too much of a boy still not to be amused. He turned to the -scholars with a smile. - -“I see you have got a new teacher,” he said. - -The scholars laughed, and the hen, by way of asserting her position, -flapped her wings and uttered a cry. - -“I dare say,” continued Walter, “the hen is competent to teach the one -who put her there, but I am afraid she wouldn’t prove generally -satisfactory.” - -There was another laugh, but this time it was at Peter’s expense. Peter -did not join in the mirth. It always made him angry to feel that he was -the subject of mirth, or ridicule, and his face showed his anger. - -“Besides,” said Walter, “in this free country I don’t approve of -compulsion, and the hen is evidently unwilling to assume the duties of -teacher; therefore I shall release her. If her owner is present and -would like to take charge of her, he can come forward.” - -Walter took out his knife and was about to sever the string which -secured the hen to the chair, when Peter, with a defiant air, rose from -his seat, and advancing to the front, said: “That is my hen.” - -“Is it?” said Walter, not appearing surprised. “Didn’t it give you -considerable trouble to bring her here?” - -“No,” said Peter, regarding the teacher attentively, to see whether he -was making game of him. But there was nothing in the young teacher’s -manner to indicate this. - -“How did you bring her--in your hand?” - -“No, in a basket.” - -“That was better. Well, Peter, we are indebted to you for a good joke, -and if you would like to carry the hen back now, I will excuse you for -half an hour.” - -He rose from his seat, and came forward. - -Peter was astonished at being thanked for a practical joke, which he -thought would make the teacher “mad.” Walter had turned the tables upon -him, and he began to ask himself whether the success of his joke was -sufficient to pay him for the trouble he had incurred. There wasn’t much -fun in transporting the hen back again alone. Still he felt that it -would be rather hard to keep it secure until school was over. - -“May John Wall go with me?” he asked. - -“Yes, if he desires it,” said Walter. - -Peter looked toward John. The latter, after a little hesitation, decided -to go. He was not particularly afraid of losing half an hour of school, -and it would give him a chance for consultation with Peter. - -Peter brought in the basket, and the hen, after a little trouble, was -put in. Then the two boys, Peter and John, started away with her. Walter -commenced the duties of the forenoon. By the coolness and good nature -with which he had met the trick attempted to be played upon him, he had -disarmed his adversaries, strengthened his hold upon the other pupils, -and now remained master of the situation. If he had only flown into a -passion Peter would have felt repaid for his trouble. Now, as he trudged -along the road, he was not quite sure whether he was not sorry for -having attempted it. - -“I thought he’d be mad,” he said at length. - -“So did I,” said John. - -“He’s a queer fellow; I don’t know what to make of him.” - -“He didn’t seem surprised when you came forward, and said the hen was -yours.” - -“Do you think he thought it was me?” - -“Yes, I shouldn’t wonder.” - -“Perhaps,” said Peter, brightening up, “he was afraid of making a fuss -about it.” - -“Very likely,” said John. - -“I think he is afraid of me,” said Peter, complacently. “He must know -that I am stronger than he.” - -“I guess you are right.” - -“That’s the reason he turned it off as a joke. I guess he wants to keep -on good terms with me.” - -“Only, you know he said that the hen was qualified to teach the one who -put her there.” - -“Do you think he meant me then?” asked Peter, scowling. - -“I guess he did.” - -“Then he insulted me.” - -“It does look like it,” said John, who wanted to make mischief. - -“I’ll get even with him--you see if I don’t,” said Peter, angrily. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - A POOR GRAMMARIAN. - - -PETER hardly knew what to think of the new teacher. He would have liked -to believe Walter afraid of him, but he was reluctantly forced to admit -that there was no satisfactory evidence of this feeling as yet. The -young teacher’s manner was by no means aggressive, but there was a -firmness and self-possession about him that indicated anything but -timidity. At length he came to a satisfactory conclusion. - -“He doesn’t know how strong I am. He thinks he can lick me,” he -suggested to John. - -“Very likely,” acquiesced his companion. - -“But don’t you think I can lick him?” - -“Of course you can.” - -“I am heavier than he.” - -“How much do you weigh?” - -“A hundred and thirty pounds.” - -“That’s good weight. I only weigh a hundred and twelve.” - -“How much do you think he weighs?” - -“About a hundred and twenty.” - -This was a good guess, Walter weighing really but four pounds more. He -was not quite so “chunky” as Peter, but he was quicker and more agile. -Besides, as we know, he knew something of boxing; but of this Peter was -absolutely ignorant. Peter’s plan in fighting was to pitch in heavily, -and as he generally tackled those who knew no more than himself of the -“noble art of self-defence,” and was careful to fight only with those -whom he knew to be smaller and weaker than himself, he had achieved a -long list of victories. The natural result was to make him confident in -his prowess, and a bully. He had convinced himself that Walter was his -inferior in physical strength, and was sure he could master him in a -conflict. - -“I’d just as lief get into a fight with the master to-day,” said Peter; -“but there’s one thing I’m afraid of.” - -“What’s that?” - -“I am afraid that old fool Phineas Morton would come to his help. I -couldn’t fight with such a big fellow as that. It would be mean in -Phineas.” - -“Of course it would,” said John. “What makes you think he would -interfere?” - -“He don’t like me. You saw what he did to-day--the brute!” - -“Yes.” - -“Besides, the master’s been tryin’ to get him on his side.” - -“Because he’s afraid of you?” - -“It’s likely.” - -“You might try it some day when Phineas is absent.” - -“He ain’t absent very often.” - -“He gets a headache sometimes, and gets dismissed.” - -“So he does. I wish he’d have a headache to-day.” - -While this conversation was proceeding the boys had been walking in the -direction of Peter’s house. They had nearly reached there when General -Wall rode by in his chaise. Recognizing the boys and wondering why they -were out during school hours, he stopped his horse and called out: - -“John, where are you going?” - -“With Peter.” - -“Hasn’t school commenced?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then why are you not there?” - -“We were in school, but the master let us go for half an hour.” - -“What for?” - -“To carry home this hen.” - -Then for the first time General Wall’s attention was attracted to the -covered basket, the occupant of which took the opportunity of indicating -her presence. - -“Whose hen is it?” - -“Peter’s.” - -“How came it at school?” - -John looked at Peter, and the latter answered readily, not being -overbashful, “I carried it there.” - -“What for?” asked the general, surprised. - -“I tied it in the master’s chair.” - -“You wanted to play a trick upon him, I suppose?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“What did he say?” asked General Wall, in some curiosity. - -“He said,” answered John, who took a little malicious satisfaction in -annoying Peter, “that the hen was qualified to teach the one who brought -her there.” - -“Very good,” said the general, laughing. “He had you there, Peter.” - -Peter scowled, but did not reply. The joke was at his expense, and he -did not relish it. He felt angry with John for repeating the offensive -remark, and with his father for laughing at it. - -“Was the teacher angry?” was the next question. - -“No; he took it as a joke, and told Peter he might carry the hen home.” - -“There was no need of your coming too, John.” - -“Peter wanted me.” - -General Wall was a little surprised at this. He knew his son and had -heard him more than once speak in contemptuous terms of Peter, whose -company he now appeared to seek. However, he said nothing further, -except to caution Peter against playing any further tricks, and -enjoining upon both boys to return to school as soon as possible. - -“What made you tell your father what the master said of me?” demanded -Peter, angrily, when General Wall had driven by. - -“I didn’t think you’d care,” said John, not quite truthfully. - -“Well, I do care,” said Peter, sullenly, “and I don’t want you to speak -of it again.” - -“You won’t mind after you’ve got even with him.” - -“No, but I haven’t got even with him yet.” - -“You will, though.” - -“Of course I will. I wish I could to-day.” - -There was some more conversation of this character, but it did not vary -in substance from what has already been reported. - -When the boys returned to the schoolhouse it was time for Peter’s class -in grammar to recite. The latter did not belong to the first class, but -the second, and it happened that he was the oldest and largest scholar -in his class, but not by any means the most proficient. He had applied -to Mr. Barclay to let him join the first class, which request was very -promptly refused. Peter did not dare to make a fuss, knowing that Mr. -Barclay had the physical strength to enforce his decision. But with -Walter he believed it to be different. He therefore proposed to make a -transfer, that he might no longer be humiliated by being associated with -those smaller and younger than himself. When, therefore, the second -class in grammar took their places, he remained in his seat. Walter -might not have noticed this, but one of the class spoke, saying: “Peter -Groot belongs to this class.” - -Peter looked up and said: “No, I don’t.” - -“Yes, he does.” - -“Have you been accustomed to recite in this class, Peter?” asked Walter. - -“Yes.” - -“Then why do you not take your place?” - -“I’m goin’ into the first class,” said Peter, defiantly. - -“I have no objections to that, if you are qualified.” - -“I am qualified.” - -“That I can determine after one recitation. Take your place to-day with -your old class, and then, if I judge you fit I will let you enter the -first class.” - -Peter hesitated. He did not want to recite with his old class at all. -But he reflected that, even if the teacher decided against him, he could -refuse to obey him, and this would bring on the collision and trial of -strength which he desired. He knew very well that he was not qualified -for promotion, and had no doubt the teacher would so decide, unless he -was afraid to do so. On the whole, therefore, he thought it best to -submit for the present, and, rising, advanced to his place. - -Presently it came to Peter’s turn to parse. - -“You may parse ‘had been conquered,’ Peter,” said the young teacher. - -“Had been conquered is an adverb,” said Peter, hesitatingly. - -“You surely cannot mean that!” said Walter. - -“I thought it was an adverb.” - -“It is a verb. Go on and parse it.” - -The whole sentence read thus: “If the Americans had been conquered in -their struggle for independence, the cause of political liberty and -human progress would have been retarded by at least a century.” - -“It is a common active passive verb,” said Peter, “masculine gender, -objective case, and governed by Americans.” - -This was so evidently absurd that the entire class burst into a shout of -laughter, in which Walter had great difficulty in not joining. - -“I am afraid you spoke without reflecting, Peter,” he said. “The verb -could not be both active and passive, and the rest of your description -applies properly to nouns.” He went on to correct Peter’s mistakes, and -tried to draw out of him what he ought to say, but with only partial -success. Peter’s ideas of grammar were very far from clear. He was not -well grounded in the fundamental principles of this branch of study, and -was not even qualified to keep up with the second class. - -At the end of the recitation, Walter said: “You may remain in this -class, Peter. You are not qualified to enter the first class.” - -“Why not?” demanded Peter, in a surly tone. - -“You must know as well as I do,” said Walter, rather provoked. “If not, -the rest of your class can tell you.” - -“I want to go into the first class,” persisted Peter. - -“I cannot consent to your doing so. Judging from your recitation to-day, -I should say it would be better for you to join a lower class.” - -Peter was so astonished at this decided remark that he did not make any -further remonstrance. He was very angry and equally mortified, but in -addition to these feelings there dawned upon him the conviction that -Walter could not be afraid of him, or he would never have dared to speak -to him in such terms. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - PUNISHING A BULLY. - - -ABOUT an hour before the close of the afternoon school Phineas Morton -went up to the teacher’s desk and said: “I have a bad headache, Mr. -Howard. If you will excuse me, I would like to go home.” - -“Certainly, Mr. Morton. Are you often troubled in that way?” - -“About once a week. It affects me so that I cannot study while it -lasts.” - -“You had better go. I hope you will soon recover.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Phineas went back to his seat, took a couple of books from his desk, and -went out of the schoolroom. Peter Groot exchanged looks with John Wall. -All had happened as he desired. Now he felt safe in precipitating a -conflict. - -His first overt act was to drop his slate heavily on the floor. The -noise was such as to draw general attention. Walter looked up, but as he -had no evidence that the disturbance was intentional, he said nothing. -Five minutes later, Peter, having piled all his books near the edge of -his desk, gave them a push and they, too, dropped on the floor. - -“Be a little more careful, Peter,” said Walter, mildly. “You are -disturbing the school.” - -Peter mistook this mild tone for a confession of timidity, and it -emboldened him. He threw up his head, and, leaning back in his seat, -stared insolently at the young teacher, as much to say: “What are you -going to do about it?” - -“It’s coming,” thought Walter. “Well, it’s just as well now as at any -other time.” - -“Peter, will you pick up your books?” he said, calmly. - -Peter made no motion to obey, but sat still, staring insolently at the -teacher. - -“Didn’t you hear me?” said Walter. - -“Yes,” said Peter, “I heard you.” - -“Then why don’t you obey me?” - -“I will pick them up when I get ready,” said Peter, impudently. - -Walter found it difficult to restrain his temper at this open insolence, -but he succeeded by an effort. - -“You appear to forget that I am the teacher of this school, and you are -my scholar,” said Walter. - -“You are a boy like me,” said Peter. “I ain’t goin’ to be ordered round -by a boy no older than I am.” - -“I am aware,” said Walter, quietly, “that I am only a boy, and that some -of my pupils, probably yourself, are older than I am. But that does not -alter the fact that I am your teacher. The trustees knew my age when -they appointed me teacher. They placed me here not only to teach, but to -keep good order. I have had no trouble thus far with any one but you. -What is your object in making trouble?” - -“I ain’t goin’ to be ordered round by a boy,” said Peter. - -“I don’t intend to do any ordering, except what is absolutely necessary. -But I intend to keep order,” said Walter, firmly. “You can continue to -attend school, and I will do my best to advance you in your studies, or -you can leave it, if you are unwilling to be orderly. Take your choice.” - -“I am comin’ to school,” said Peter, “and I will behave as I have a mind -to.” - -“Not if I can prevent it,” said Walter, resolutely, his eyes flashing -with anger. - -“What are you goin’ to do about it?” demanded Peter, insolently. - -“Come out on the floor if you would like to be informed.” - -“I shall stay where I am,” said Peter, defiantly. - -“I have no objection, but you must keep order.” - -Peter’s answer to this was to throw his slate on the floor. - -Walter felt that the time for forbearance was past. If he suffered this -insolence to go unpunished his authority in the school was overthrown. -In that case he might as well retire at once. Moral suasion was thrown -away upon Peter Groot. He must understand what was meant by physical -suasion. - -“Scholars,” said Walter, “I am sorry for what is about to happen, but I -call you to witness that it has been forced upon me.” - -He walked up to Peter’s desk, eying him in a quiet, determined manner. - -“You have defied my authority,” he said, “and insulted me before the -rest of the scholars. You believe me to be unable to enforce my orders. -Come out on the floor and I will convince you to the contrary.” - -“I am comfortable where I am,” said Peter, glancing about him -triumphantly. - -“Then, as you don’t accept my offer, I must force it upon you.” - -Walter, who now stood beside Peter’s desk, seized him suddenly by the -collar, and by a quick movement, jerked him into the aisle between the -desks. Peter had not anticipated this. He was astonished and indignant -beyond measure. The smile of triumph faded from his face, and his -features were distorted with rage. - -“You’ll be sorry for this!” he screamed, adding an oath, which is better -omitted. “I’ll pay you up for it.” - -He knew how to fight after his style, and prepared to “pitch in” in his -customary manner. Walter had drawn back a little, so as to be clear of -the desks, and Peter followed him up. He aimed a blow at the young -teacher’s head, which would have been likely to give him a headache, but -Walter had assumed an attitude of defence, and fended it off with the -greatest ease. Peter quickly followed up the blow by another quite as -vigorous. But this again was warded off. Walter did not immediately act -offensively. He wished before doing so to show Peter that his own -efforts were futile. In proportion as Peter discovered the ill success -of his attempts to hit his opponent, his rage became more ungovernable, -and he began to curse and swear. At length, when he felt it to be time, -Walter retaliated. One swift, well-planted blow, which Peter was utterly -unable to ward off, and the troublesome pupil found himself lying upon -his back on the floor of the schoolroom. - -Walter remained standing, a little flushed, but otherwise calm, and made -no attempt to prevent Peter’s rising. Peter was not a hero, but he was -not altogether without pluck, and he was up again quickly and ready to -renew the contest. - -Walter held himself in readiness, but did not speak. He wished this to -be a decisive battle. “I will give Peter all the chance he wants,” he -said to himself. “He must find out once for all that I am more than his -match, and then he will cease to trouble me.” - -Peter pitched in again, but he was unable to profit by the lessons he -had learned. He saw that the teacher was more scientific than himself, -but feeling that in strength he was quite his equal, he did not -understand why he could not match him. He tried to grasp Walter around -the waist, which would, of course, have given him a decided advantage, -and neutralized Walter’s superior science, but our hero was too wary for -this. Taking advantage of Peter’s unguarded state, he planted another -heavy blow, which, like the first, prostrated his opponent. - -The scholars looked on with intense interest. Not one except John Wall -sympathized with Peter. Not one was sorry to see the insolent boy -receiving his deserts. Some of the better class had feared that the new -teacher would prove unequal to the encounter, but a very short time -undeceived them. When Peter went down a second time there was a stamping -of feet, intended as applause. - -“Be kind enough not to applaud,” said Walter, turning to them. “I am -glad your sympathies are with me, but I hope you will not mortify your -schoolfellow, who, I hope, will some time be ashamed of the course which -he is now taking.” - -This manly request raised Walter still higher in the opinion of his -pupils. They saw that he had no desire to triumph over Peter; that he -was only influenced by the desire to maintain his authority. When Peter -had renewed the contest, and again been thrown, Walter addressed him -calmly: “If you wish to keep on, Peter, I will accommodate you, but you -must know by this time that you stand no chance of success. I know -something of boxing, and it is clear that you do not.” - -“I’m as strong as you are,” growled Peter. - -“You may be, but you don’t know how to use your strength. Suppose we -stop here, and forget all that has happened. I shall bear you no grudge, -and shall only expect the same of you that I do from the other -scholars.” - -“That’s fair, Peter,” said half a dozen boys from their seats. - -Peter did not answer, but on the other hand he did not offer to renew -the contest. He rose and walked quietly to his desk, and seated himself, -with his opinions of the “master’s” prowess decidedly revolutionized. -Walter walked back to the teacher’s desk, and quietly called the next -class. He might have felt a little excited by the conflict in which he -had just been engaged, but, if so, he did not betray it in his manner. -He was very glad that the ordeal was over, and that his efforts were -crowned with success. He had known boys like Peter before, and he felt -confident that he should have no more trouble with him. He made up his -mind neither by look nor word to remind Peter of his defeat, but to do -all he could to spare him humiliation. He wanted, if possible, to -convert him from an enemy to a friend. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - REFORMATION. - - -THE result of his conflict with the new teacher mortified Peter not a -little. Had it been a close contest he would not have minded it so much, -but the advantage was all on Walter’s side from the first, and, what was -worse, all the scholars could see it. Peter had been tripped up by -Phineas Morton, as we know, but the difference in size was such that it -was no mortification. Now he recalled his boasts that he could “lick the -master,” with some shame, since it had turned out that he was no match -for him. - -When school was over, Peter slipped off alone, not caring for the -company of his school companions. He was afraid they would twit him with -his defeat. Defeat is a test of friendship, and even John Wall, since -the ignominious failure of Peter, was disposed to be less intimate with -him. He had been drawn toward him by the hope that he could successfully -rebel against Walter’s authority. John was no less anxious for the new -teacher’s failure, but he saw that Peter was not the one to bring it -about. - -The next day Peter was walking slowly along to school, not quite decided -whether he would not play truant, when he heard himself called by name. -Looking around, he recognized the last one he wished to meet--the -teacher. - -“He wants to crow over me,” he thought, hastily. - -But Walter advanced, smiling cordially. - -“Good-morning, Peter,” he said. - -“Morning,” muttered Peter. - -“I suppose you are on your way to school. I am glad to have your -company.” - -“Are you?” asked Peter, superciliously, walking unwillingly by the side -of his victor. - -Walter saw his feelings, and was resolved to change them, if possible. - -“You mustn’t bear a grudge against me, Peter, for our little difficulty -yesterday.” - -“You wouldn’t have thrown me, if you hadn’t known how to box,” said -Peter. - -“No, I don’t believe I should,” said Walter, frankly. “You are pretty -strong, Peter.” - -“I thought I was strong as you,” said Peter, thawing a little. - -“I think you are, but strength isn’t everything. Do you know anything -about boxing?” - -“No; I never had no chance to learn.” - -“I don’t pretend to know much about it myself,” said Walter. “Still, I -know something about the first principles. I will teach you all I know, -if you want to learn.” - -“Will you?” asked Peter, astonished. - -“With pleasure. It will be good practice for me.” - -“I shouldn’t think you would want to,” said Peter. - -“Why not?” - -“Because you can lick me now; but if I knew as much about boxing as you, -perhaps you couldn’t.” - -“Oh,” said Walter, laughing, “there won’t be any need of it.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because you are going to be my friend.” - -“How do you know?” said Peter; but Walter saw a difference in his tone. - -“Because there is no reason why we should not be. I am a boy like -yourself, and the only difference between us is that I have a better -education.” - -“I don’t know very much,” said Peter. - -“But you want to know more, don’t you?” - -“Ye-es,” said Peter, hesitatingly. - -“Of course you do. You want to rise in the world, and you won’t be -likely to do it without education. It’s the same way with me.” - -“Don’t you know enough?” asked Peter. - -“Far from enough. I want to go through college, but I must earn money -enough, first. My father failed, or I should still have been studying. -Now, Peter, as long as I remain here, I will do all I can to help you -on, if you will work yourself.” - -Peter was not wholly bad. There was something in him that responded to -this magnanimity of the teacher, whom he had striven to annoy. - -“I shouldn’t think you’d be so kind to me, Mr. Howard,” he said, “when I -tried to trouble you so much.” - -“Oh, that’s gone by, Peter! I depend upon the older scholars, such as -you and Phineas Morton, to help me, instead of hindering me. Will you do -it, Peter?” - -“Yes, I will,” said Peter. - -“That’s right. Then we are friends.” - -He offered his hand to Peter, and the latter took it. He felt flattered -at being classed with Phineas Morton. It gave him a feeling of -importance to be called upon by the master for help. - -“If any of the boys make trouble, I’ll help you, Mr. Howard,” he -volunteered. - -“Thank you, Peter. With you and Phineas on my side, I am not afraid of -any trouble.” - -“When will you give me the first boxing lesson?” asked Peter. - -“To-night, after school, if you like.” - -“All right. I’ll stop.” - -Great were the surprise and curiosity of the scholars assembled in front -of the schoolhouse when they saw Peter Groot and the “master” walking -together, and apparently on friendly terms. They had speculated upon -what course Peter would pursue, and whether he would venture to continue -his annoyances, but they were far from imagining that there would be -such a speedy reconciliation. Even now they hardly believed the evidence -of their senses. When Walter had entered the schoolhouse, they crowded -upon Peter with questions. - -“Did he give you a scolding, Peter?” asked Charles Carney. - -“Of course he didn’t,” said Peter. - -“What did he say?” - -“He promised to teach me to box.” - -“He did?” exclaimed Charles, in astonishment. - -“Yes, he’s goin’ to give me my first lesson to-night, after school.” - -“And you don’t hate him any more?” - -“No; he’s a tiptop feller. I’ll lick any boy that says he ain’t.” - -Among those who listened with astonishment to this sudden change of tone -on Peter’s part was Phineas Morton, who had recovered from his headache, -and had just heard an account of what had taken place the afternoon -previous. - -“That’s the way to talk, Peter,” said Phineas. “We’re together in that. -If we stand by Mr. Howard he’ll get along.” - -“That’s what he told me,” said Peter, gratified at his rising -importance. “I’m goin’ to study hard, and see if I can’t be somebody.” - -“Then you may count me your friend, Peter. We won’t laugh at each -other’s mistakes hereafter, but we’ll both see if we can’t improve.” - -Thus was Peter confirmed in his good resolutions. Walter had managed to -strike the right chord, and produced a complete revulsion of feeling in -his once rebellious pupil. - -There was one, however, who was not pleased at Peter’s change. This was -John Wall. He did not want the new teacher to secure friends, and he was -sorry for Peter’s defection. At recess he managed to speak to Peter -alone. - -“It seems to me you’ve changed since yesterday, Peter,” he said, with a -sneer. - -“So I have,” said Peter. - -“Was it the licking the teacher gave you that changed you?” asked John, -with the same tone. - -“Look here, John Wall,” said Peter, “if you say that again, I’ll knock -you over.” - -“I didn’t think you were going back on me, after all you said. I thought -it must be because you was afraid.” - -“I ain’t afraid of you, as you’ll find out. You’re a mean feller, and a -coward. You wanted me to get into a fight with the master, because you -hated him, and didn’t dare to fight him yourself. I like him a good deal -better than I do you.” - -“You may if you want to,” said John, mortified. “I’m a gentleman’s son, -and I can get as many friends as I like.” - -“You ain’t a gentleman yourself, that’s sure.” - -John walked away in dudgeon. He saw that Peter had gone over to the -enemy, and that Walter had conquered. There was no hope now of breaking -down his authority. Whether he liked it or not, he must submit to be -taught by a boy, and one that he did not like. - -Meanwhile Phineas Morton had gone up to the teacher’s desk. - -“Have you recovered from your headache, Mr. Morton?” asked Walter. - -“Yes, thank you, Mr. Howard. I find you gained a great victory while I -was away.” - -Walter smiled. - -“What surprises me is that Peter has turned over to your side. I heard -him threaten to lick any boy that said anything against you.” - -“Did he say that?” asked Walter. - -“Yes. How did you manage it, Mr. Howard?” - -“By letting him see that I was his friend.” - -“There’s a good deal in that,” said Phineas, thoughtfully. “But Peter’s -a hard case. I didn’t think you could manage him.” - -“There is a good side to every one, if you can only find it.” - -“You won’t have any more trouble now, Mr. Howard. Peter has been the -ringleader in all school disturbances, and now that you have won him -over all will go smoothly.” - -Phineas Morton’s prediction was verified. For the remainder of the day, -and for weeks to come, Peter exhibited an astonishing change. He studied -well, and began to improve rapidly in his studies. He was a boy of good -capacity, but had been perversely unwilling to exert himself hitherto. -Walter encouraged him in every way, and strove to make him ambitious. He -carried out his promise, and taught Peter what he knew of boxing, -sending to a neighboring large town for boxing gloves. Peter learned -rapidly, but Walter also profited by the practice he obtained, and kept -a slight superiority over his pupil. - -So matters stood when Walter gained some information that led to -important results. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - A FORTUNE AT STAKE. - - -AFTER his victory over Peter, Walter had no further trouble. Peter had -always been at the bottom of all opposition to the different teachers -who from time to time had been employed, and he had been instrumental in -getting rid of more than one. Now he was converted into a friend and -supporter of the administration, through Walter’s pluck and judicious -management, and things went on smoothly. It was the general testimony -that not for years had such an interest been manifested in study by the -pupils, or the discipline been more gentle, yet effectual, in securing -order. Our young hero won golden opinions from all. - -He still boarded at the Portville House, occupying the same room which -his predecessor had left to him. Miss Melinda Athanasia Jones still -continued her attentions to the new teacher, and seemed disposed to get -up a flirtation with him. But Walter wisely thought that he was too -young for that, nor were the attractions of Miss Jones, who was more -than ten years his senior, sufficiently great to turn his head. Still, -he occasionally passed an evening in company with her and her brother, -and on such occasions was generally called upon to listen to some poetic -effusion from the prolific pen of Miss Jones. In general they were in -manuscript, editors generally not appreciating Miss Jones’ poems. One -evening, however, the poetess exhibited to her young visitor, with great -complacency, a copy of a small weekly paper published at a neighboring -township, in which appeared, in a conspicuous place:-- - - - “LINES ON AN AUTUMN LEAF,” - BY MELINDA ATHANASIA JONES.” - - -These she had sent to the editor with a year’s subscription to the -paper, which perhaps operated upon the editor’s judgment, and led to a -flattering editorial reference to the verses. Miss Jones called Walter’s -attention to it. - -“See what a kind notice the editor has of my poor verses,” she said, -reading aloud the following paragraph: - -“We welcome to our columns this week ‘Lines on an Autumn Leaf,’ by Miss -Jones. The fair authoress will please accept our thanks.” - -“Read the lines, Melinda,” said Ichabod, her brother. - -“I don’t know but Mr. Howard will find them tiresome,” she said, -modestly. - -“Please read them, Miss Jones,” said Walter, politely. - -Thus invited, the young lady read, in an affected voice, the following -verses, which it is to be hoped the reader will admire: - - - “_O yellow dying leaf, - Thy life has been very brief, - Only a summer day, - And now thou art wasting away. - But yesterday thou wert green, - And didst grace the woodland scene, - And the song of the tuneful bird - Under thy shadow was heard. - Now thou art yellow and sere, - For it is the fall of the year, - And soon thou wilt fall from the tree, - And thy place will vacant be. - Thou wilt be trampled under foot, - Beneath the wayfarer’s boot. - Even such, it seems to me, - My journey of life must be. - Green in the early spring, - And the flowers their fragrance fling, - But when the autumn days appear, - Toward the close of the year, - Withered my roses will be, - And my leaves will fall from the tree, - And the winds will moan--will moan-- - And I shall be overthrown! - Oh, it makes me pensive and sad, - As I view thee, dying leaf, - And sorrow rends my heart, - And sighs afford relief._” - -“Melindy wrote that in half an hour, Mr. Howard,” said the admiring -Ichabod. “I timed her. I never knew her to do up a poem so quick before. -Generally she has to stop a long time between the verses, and rolls her -eyes, and bites the end of her pen-handle; but this time she wrote it -off like two-forty.” - -“Because I gave my heart to it, Ichabod,” explained his sister. “The -lines seemed to flow right from my pen.” - -“The muses inspired you,” suggested Walter. - -“You are very kind to say so, Mr. Howard. I am too humble to think so. -The lines were written in a sad and pensive mood, as you will guess. But -I find it sweet to be sad at times--don’t you?” - -“I don’t think I do,” said our hero. - -“I’d rather be jolly, a good deal,” said Ichabod. - -“Tastes differ,” said the hostess. “I am of a pensive, thoughtful -temperament, and at times my thoughts go roaming away from the world -around me, and I seem to live in a world of my own. ’Twas so with Byron -and Mrs. Hemans, I have been told.” - -“I am glad I ain’t a poet,” said Ichabod. “I shouldn’t like to feel so.” - -“You never will, Ichabod,” said his sister. “You are not gifted with the -poetic temperament.” - -“No more I am. I never could make a rhyme, to save my life. The first -line comes sort of easy, but it’s the second that is the sticker.” - -“Strange what differences are found in the same family, Mr. Howard,” -said Melinda, with a calm superiority. “You see how different Ichabod -and I are.” - -“Very true, Miss Jones,” said Walter; though, to tell the truth, he -preferred the illiterate and prosaic Ichabod, with his absence of -pretension, to his “gifted” sister. - -“Have you provoked the muse lately, Mr. Howard?” she asked. - -“No, Miss Jones. I find school teaching unfavorable to poetry. If I -should undertake to write verses after I get home from school, my mind -would certainly stray away to fractions, or the boundaries of States, or -something equally prosaic.” - -“That is a pity. You should try to cultivate and develop your powers. -Perhaps the editor of this paper would insert some of your verses.” - -“I don’t think I shall offer any. I must wait till I get more leisure. -Besides, I am afraid I could not reach the high standard which the paper -has attained since you became a contributor.” - -“You are a sad flatterer, Mr. Howard,” said the delighted Melinda. - -“I assure you, Miss Jones, that I could not write anything like the -lines on a ‘dying leaf.’” - -“Oh, I am sure you could, Mr. Howard. You are too modest. Those lines -you once read me were so sweet.” - -“Now it is you that flatters, Miss Jones.” - -I am afraid Walter was not quite justifiable in so ministering to the -vanity of Miss Jones, since, of course, he was not sincere. He perhaps -thought it required by politeness, but it is desirable to be as sincere -as possible, of course avoiding rudeness. - -Nine weeks of the school term had passed, and two more would bring a -vacation of a month. Nothing had been said to Walter about his teaching -the following term, but he presumed it would be offered him, since his -administration had been an undoubted success. In another way, however, -he had not yet succeeded. He had not been able to learn anything more of -the Great Metropolitan Mining Company, and this, as our readers know, -was the great object of his present visit to Portville. He was thinking -over this, and wondering what course it was best for him to take, when -Edward Atkins, one of his scholars, brought him a letter from the post -office. - -“I was passing by, Mr. Howard,” he said, “and I thought I would bring -you this letter.” - -“Thank you, Edward. You are very kind.” - -He opened it hastily, for he saw by the postmark and the handwriting, -that it was from Mr. Shaw, his guardian. - - -“DEAR WALTER,” (it commenced):--“I am sorry you have not yet been able -to learn anything more definite about the affairs of the Mining Company, -as it would guide us in a decision which we shall soon be compelled to -make. I am in receipt of another letter from Mr. Wall, offering three -thousand dollars, or three dollars per share, for your interest in the -mine. He says that it will be necessary to decide at once, or the offer -will be withdrawn. Now my impression is that the last clause is only -meant to force us to a decision that may be prejudicial to our -interests. On the other hand, three thousand dollars, although far less -than the sum your father invested, are not lightly to be rejected. With -economy it would be more than enough to carry you through college, thus -putting you in a way to earn an honorable living. Still, it is not to be -lightly accepted. We do not want to be cheated by a designing man. I am -not sure whether it would not be a good idea for you to visit the mines -yourself, and form your own opinion from what you see. You might, at any -rate, report to me, and between us we would come to some decision. I -understand that you will have a vacation soon. Suppose you devote that -time to a journey to the mines, saying nothing, of course, in Portville, -of your design. - -“Let me know your decision in the matter as soon as possible. I will -meanwhile write to Mr. Wall, postponing our decision, but promising to -make one speedily. - - “Truly your friend, - - “CLEMENT SHAW.” - - -Walter had scarcely finished reading this letter, when General Wall was -ushered into his room. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - THE MYSTERY OF THE MINE. - - -WALTER hastened to place a chair for his visitor. - -“I am glad to see you, General Wall,” he said. - -“Ahem! you are quite pleasantly situated, Mr. Howard,” said the great -man, sitting down. - -“Yes, sir; I am quite satisfied with my boarding place.” - -“I hope you like our town, also.” - -“I have found my residence here very pleasant thus far.” - -“I must do you the justice to say that your services as a teacher have -proved generally satisfactory.” - -“I am glad to hear you say so.” - -“You may depend upon it that public sentiment is strongly in your favor. -I have occasion to know from my official relation to the school.” - -“Things have gone very smoothly. I believe the relations between the -scholars and myself have been very friendly. Peter Groot was at first -inclined to make trouble, but he is now one of my strongest supporters.” - -“You have certainly succeeded remarkably well, Mr. Howard. I was at -first led to fear that, on account of your youth, you would be unable to -maintain the necessary discipline, though I knew that your scholarship -was all that was needed. But the result has proved that my fears were -groundless. How has John progressed?” - -“He has made progress, General Wall, especially of late. I think he has -been dissatisfied with me at times, and thought me too strict, but I -wanted to make him thorough. He has good abilities, but at first he did -not apply himself sufficiently.” - -“I think you are right, Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, who was a -sensible man. “You have pursued the right course with him. I want him to -become a thorough scholar. But my object in calling this evening was to -ask you if you would agree to take the school next term.” - -“I hardly know what to say, General Wall. My plans are not fixed.” - -“I hope you will agree to do so. I shall be willing to add five dollars -a month to your salary from my own purse.” - -“That is liberal, General Wall, and I think it very possible that I may -be willing to remain here. How long will vacation be?” - -“Four weeks. During that time, if you are willing to teach my son an -hour a day, I will pay your board here.” - -“If I were intending to remain in Portville I would accept the offer, -but I shall spend the time in traveling.” - -“Indeed! In what direction?” - -Walter answered vaguely, for he was not willing to let General Wall know -that he meant to visit the mines, in which they were mutually -interested. - -“Then,” said the visitor, rising to go, “I will consider that you are -engaged to teach the next term.” - -“Yes, sir, on this condition, that if circumstances arise, rendering it -impossible, I may be released upon notifying you.” - -“But such circumstances are not likely to arise, are they, Mr. Howard?” - -“I think not.” - -“Well, I will trust that nothing will occur to prevent your remaining -with us. Good-evening.” - -“Good-evening, sir.” - -Walter was gratified to receive so decided a mark of approval from the -chairman of the trustees. He had undertaken a task in which few boys of -his age would have succeeded, but his pluck and good judgment had -carried him through. - -“What would my classmates at the Essex Classical Institute think, if -they should hear of my setting up as a Western schoolmaster? They would -be amused, I am sure,” he thought to himself. “We don’t know what we can -do till we try. I have heard that said often, and now I know it to be -so.” - -Next his thoughts reverted to Mr. Shaw’s letter, given in the last -chapter, and he wrote the following answer: - - -“MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. SHAW:--I was very glad to get your letter, which I -have considered carefully. I like your plan for me to visit the mines -during my vacation, and I have decided to do so. I shall have four -weeks, and that will be quite sufficient. General Wall, the chairman of -the school trustees, has just called upon me, to engage me to teach the -next term. He offers to pay me five dollars a month extra out of his own -pocket. Of course, my success pleases me, especially as there was some -disposition to make trouble at first. But I conciliated the ringleader, -after beating him in a fair fight, and now he is my friend. - -“If we can’t do any better, we will take the three thousand dollars; but -I hope that we may be able to obtain more. If I get it, I will devote it -to educating myself, as you suggest. I feel more and more anxious to -obtain a good education. - -“You will hear from me again as soon as I have any information to send. -Give my regards to Mrs. Shaw, and consider me, with many thanks for your -kind interest, - - “Your sincere friend, - - “WALTER CONRAD.” - - -The next evening Walter was seated in the public room of the inn, when -he overheard a conversation that interested him. It was between the -landlord and a stout man with red whiskers, whom he had not seen before. - -“Have you seen General Wall yet, Mr. Carter?” asked the landlord. - -“Not yet. I went over there this afternoon, but found he had driven over -to Plimpton. He wouldn’t have gone, if he had known I was coming,” he -said, in a satisfied way. - -“I suppose you bring good news, then?” said the other. - -“Yes, I do.” - -“The mine is going to turn out well, then?” - -“No doubt of it. It is an excellent mine, and between you and me, our -friend Wall is going to make a fortune, or he will, if he plays his -cards right.” - -“Is that so?” - -“There’s no doubt of it. Why, he has managed to buy in for himself and -friends about all the original shares, at two cents on a dollar, and he -controls the whole thing.” - -“I shouldn’t have thought they would sell out.” - -“Bless you, they knew nothing of the mine; thought it was bu’st up, -worth nothing. Most of them were glad to realize anything at all. You -see we’ve kept the thing quiet. We knew all the while that the mine was -good, but took good care not to find anything of value till we had run -down the stock, and bought it for a song. We needed the money of the -other stockholders to carry the thing on. Now we’re all ready to go -ahead. There is only one cause of delay.” - -“What is that?” - -“There is a party at the East that owns a thousand shares; we have tried -to secure it, offering three thousand dollars; but he fights shy.” - -“It’s worth--how much is it worth?” - -“We’ll give fifty dollars a share sooner than not get it. But there -won’t be any need of that. He don’t know the value of his shares, and -will sell out for five thousand sure. We don’t want to be too much in a -hurry about it, or it might excite suspicion.” - -“Well, you’re in luck,” said the landlord. “I only wish I had some -shares myself. You wouldn’t give me the address of that Eastern party, -would you?” - -“I rather think not,” said the red-whiskered man, slapping the landlord -on the shoulder. “You’re a deep one, but you don’t get round me quite so -easy.” - -“I suppose you’ve got enough shares to make you independent, Mr. -Carter?” - -“I had a hundred, but I managed to pick up five hundred more, at two -dollars apiece. I wouldn’t sell ’em for fifty dollars a share.” - -“When are you going out to the mines again?” - -“In a week or two. I’ve got to go home to St. Paul, to see my family and -transact a little business, and then I shall go back. I want to see -General Wall and ascertain if he has succeeded in buying up those -Eastern shares first.” - -“To whom do they belong?” - -“They were bought by a man named Conrad. He died, leaving a son--a mere -boy--in charge of a village lawyer as guardian. The lawyer is a slow, -cautious man, and we haven’t succeeded in getting him round yet, or -hadn’t, at last accounts from the general. I may have to go East and -interview him myself.” - -“Are they working the mine now?” - -“Yes; but we are not doing very much till that is decided. What time is -it?” - -“Eight o’clock.” - -“The general was to be home at eight--so his wife said. I think I will -go up there, as I want to be off in the morning stage, if possible. Can -you let me have breakfast at half-past six?” - -“Certainly, Mr. Carter.” - -“All right. Just send somebody in time to wake me up for it. I am liable -to oversleep myself.” - -“I won’t forget.” - -The man with the red whiskers rose, and, putting on his hat, took his -way to the residence of General Wall. It may be imagined with what -feelings Walter listened to the details of the plot by which he was to -have lost his property. It was clear that the despised mining stock was -worth fifty thousand dollars, and with the information he had acquired -he could doubtless obtain that sum. He would be rich once more! How this -would affect his plans he could not yet determine. One thing he did, -however. He wrote another letter to Mr. Shaw, giving him a full account -of what he had overheard, and asking his advice in the matter. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXX - - A DISCOURAGING SEARCH. - - -WHEN we took leave of Joshua Drummond, several chapters back, he was -about to start for Chicago. New York was too near Stapleton to make it a -safe place of residence. Joshua knew his father, and understood how he -must be affected by his running away, and more than all by the loss of -the government bond. In Chicago he would feel safe, and accordingly he -bought a ticket to that city. He had never traveled, and dreaded the -experience; but his apprehensions were soon succeeded by greater -confidence, and in due time he landed in the busy Western city. - -He first went to a hotel, but was dismayed on finding the charge to be -three dollars per day. In his opinion this was enough for a week’s -board. He remembered Sam’s advice to seek out a cheap boarding house, -and decided to seek one out without delay. He picked up a copy of the -Chicago _Tribune_ in the reading-room of the hotel, and took down the -numbers of three houses where board was offered to the public. He put -down the numbers on a piece of paper, and started out in search of them. - -The first was a large and handsome house, on a fashionable street. It is -needless to say that Joshua found the prices altogether above the figure -he was willing to pay. The second was cheap and dirty. The third was a -respectable-looking place, and would just suit him, so he thought. - -“How much do you charge for board?” he asked the landlady. - -“Well,” said Mrs. Foster, for that was her name, “our price varies -according to the room. It ranges from five to twelve dollars.” - -“I would like a room for five dollars,” said Joshua. - -“We have but one room vacant at present--a third-story back--but it is -of good size, and if it is occupied alone, we must charge eight -dollars.” - -“I couldn’t pay so much; I can’t afford it,” said Joshua, decidedly. - -“Haven’t you a friend you could get to room with you? In that case, I -will charge ten dollars for the two.” - -“I don’t know anybody in Chicago; I am a stranger here.” - -“My rent is heavy,” continued the landlady, “and I ought to get ten -dollars for the room, or eight dollars for one.” - -“I can’t pay it. I must go somewhere else.” - -“Would you mind rooming with another gentleman?” - -“I would rather not,” said Joshua, reluctantly. - -“Then, if you room alone, you must expect to pay for the privilege.” - -“I don’t know any gentleman to room with.” - -“I tell you what you can do,” said the landlady, after a pause; “you may -go into the room at once, and pay me five dollars a week, on condition -that if I find another gentleman to room with you, you will agree to -take him in with you.” - -“I might not like him.” - -“I don’t take any but respectable gentlemen,” said Mrs. Foster. “You may -be sure that I won’t ask you to take any improper person to room with -you. However, do as you please. I would just as lief let the room to you -alone at eight dollars a week. I should make just as much money, and -very likely more.” - -Joshua thought it over, and the more he thought of it, the more inclined -he was to accept Mrs. Foster’s proposal. He would prefer, of course, to -room alone, unless he could have some friend like Sam Crawford for his -roommate. But he was by no means inclined to pay three dollars a week -extra for the privilege. He liked money better than privacy, and -besides, he had only four hundred dollars left, and he felt that he -could not afford it. Besides, again, it might be some time before -another person applied for board, and meanwhile he would have the entire -room for only five dollars. - -“I think I will take the room,” he said, “and you can put another -gentleman with me. When can I come in?” - -“How soon do you want to come?” - -“Right away. I can’t afford to stay at a hotel--it costs too much.” - -“I will have the room ready for you this afternoon.” - -“All right. I will come.” - -Joshua lost no time in transferring himself to Mrs. Foster’s boarding -house. He felt in very good spirits when he thought how much his -expenses would be diminished by the change. - -“There’s some difference between three dollars a day and five a week,” -he said to himself. “I think it will suit me very well. Now all I want -is to get a place, so that I can lay by my four hundred dollars. I’ll -look around to-morrow.” - -The next day Joshua commenced his rounds. Wherever he saw the sign “A -Boy Wanted,” he went in. At one place he came near being engaged. - -“How old are you?” he was asked. - -“Eighteen.” - -“You look younger. We don’t need a clerk so old.” - -“Won’t I do?” - -“You might. How much wages do you expect?” - -“I don’t know what they usually pay.” - -“Well, we haven’t very much for a boy to do. He will have an easy -place.” - -Joshua liked this. He wanted an easy place. - -“But we pay only three dollars a week.” - -“Three dollars a week! Why, my board costs me five dollars, and I have -to pay for washing besides. Then there’s clothes.” - -“Have you ever been in a place before?” - -“No.” - -“Then, as you have no experience, you cannot expect to make your -expenses the first year.” - -Joshua’s countenance fell. His father would do better by him than that. -At home he got his board, such as it was, and was offered a little -besides. What would Sam Crawford, who represented that he got a thousand -dollars a year, say, if he should learn that he, Joshua, was working for -three dollars a week! - -“Can’t you give me more?” - -“No, if you choose to come for three dollars we will take you a week on -trial.” - -Joshua shook his head. - -“I can’t afford it,” he said; “I must look around a little more.” - -The next place at which he made application was a dry-goods store. - -“I see you want a clerk,” he said. - -Joshua happened to be the first applicant here. - -“Yes; have you experience?” - -Now Joshua had tended a little in his father’s store, when the other -clerk was at dinner, and he thought it might help his cause to answer in -the affirmative. - -“Yes,” he said, “I have had experience.” - -“In this city?” - -“No, not in this city,” Joshua was compelled to admit. - -“Where, then?” - -“In my father’s store.” - -“Where is your father’s store?” - -“In Stapleton.” - -“Where’s Stapleton?” - -“In New York State.” - -“Never heard of it. Is it much of a place?” - -“It’s rather small.” - -“What sort of a store does your father keep?” - -“He keeps dry goods, and other things.” - -“I’m afraid your experience there wouldn’t fit you for employment with -us. However, I will examine you a little.” - -The shopkeeper led Joshua to the counter, on which was piled a variety -of goods, which had been taken out to show customers, and asked for -their names, and what he supposed to be their prices. Now, Joshua had -never taken any pains to become acquainted with his father’s business -and knew next to nothing about it. His ignorance proved to be so -complete that his questioner saw at once that he would never do for -their trade. - -“I am sorry to say that you won’t suit us,” he said. - -“We should have to teach you everything from the beginning. What we want -is a competent salesman.” - -Joshua was rather discouraged by this failure. He saw that he was by no -means so well qualified to make his way in the city as he supposed. He -didn’t care very much about working, to be sure. What he would have -liked was, a competent income without the necessity of doing anything. -In that case he thought he could enjoy himself. - -“When the old man dies,” he thought, “I won’t do anything. I’ll sell out -the store. I shall have enough to live upon, and it won’t be any use -troubling myself with work.” - -I hope none of my young readers have imbibed Joshua’s pernicious ideas. -If so, they stand a chance of leading a very useless and unprofitable -life. - -Joshua’s application continued unsuccessful, and he began to get -discouraged. - -On the afternoon of the third day Mrs. Foster knocked at his door. “Mr. -Drummond,” she said, “there’s a gentleman below that has applied for -board. I have told him of this room, and he will come up and look at it. -I thought I’d come and speak to you about it first.” - -Of course, Joshua could make no objection. Three minutes later the -landlady reappeared, followed by the gentleman referred to. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI - - JOSHUA’S ROOMMATE. - - -“MR. DRUMMOND, let me make you acquainted with Mr. Remington,” said the -landlady. - -“I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Drummond,” said the newcomer, -politely. - -“How do you do?” said Joshua, awkwardly. - -“Mrs. Foster says you will be willing to take a roommate. I am sure we -should get on well together. At first, I was a little doubtful, but now -that I have seen you I shall be glad to take the room.” - -“I should like it, too,” said Joshua, flattered by the stranger’s words. - -“Then it is agreed; I will come to-night. Five dollars a week, I think -you said, Mrs. Foster?” - -“Yes, sir. It would be eight dollars if you roomed alone.” - -“Precisely. We shall be worth three dollars a week to each other, Mr. -Drummond. That is what I call a good arrangement, to secure an agreeable -roommate, and be paid for it.” - -The newcomer was a middle-sized man, of easy manners and fluent speech. -Joshua, who was not much accustomed to the world, was quite captivated -by his politeness and compliments, and the prospect of having him for a -roommate was rather pleasant than otherwise. He was tired of solitude, -having no friend in Chicago, and thought he would like company. - -Mr. Remington moved to his new quarters in the evening about eight -o’clock. Joshua was alone, finding the time hang rather heavily upon his -hands. - -“Have you been long in Chicago, Mr. Drummond?” asked Remington. - -“Only four days.” - -“You came from the East, I suppose?” - -“From New York.” - -“Ah, indeed! Big place that.” - -“Yes, it is.” - -“Do you expect to stay here long?” - -“Well,” said Joshua, hesitatingly, “that depends on whether I can get a -place. I am looking for something to do.” - -“Indeed! I thought you already in business.” - -“Did you?” - -“Yes, you have a business air about you.” - -Joshua was quite pleased at the compliment. - -“I have been in my father’s store some.” - -“To be sure. I knew you must have some experience. Well, a young man of -your appearance ought to find a situation very quick.” - -“I’ve been looking around for two or three days, but I can’t find -anything yet.” - -“That’s because you are a stranger. Did you ever think of going into -business for yourself?” - -“That takes a good deal of money, don’t it?” - -“Not so very much.” - -“I have only got four hundred dollars,” said Joshua. “Of course, that -isn’t enough.” - -“It isn’t much, to be sure. Still you might obtain a partnership in a -small business for that.” - -“What sort of business?” asked Joshua, interested. - -“I am not prepared to say on the instant, but I will think the matter -over, and see what I can do for you.” - -“I wish you would. You see I don’t know anybody here, and that goes -against me.” - -“To be sure. I was about to propose something to you, but I don’t know -that you would think it worth your while.” - -“What is it?” said Joshua, eagerly. - -“I keep a fancy goods store, and find more to do than I like. I need an -assistant, but I can only offer six dollars a week. You might be willing -to take up with that till something better offers.” - -“Yes, I’ll take it,” said Joshua, promptly, for his fruitless -applications for employment had made him ready to accept anything at all -decent. - -“Of course, I know that it is not enough for a young man of your -business experience and abilities, Mr. Drummond, but if I can do better -by you after a while, I will.” - -Joshua knew that he was without experience, and was not sure about his -abilities, but he did know that it would not do to draw upon his -principal continually, and was thankful to accept the salary offered. - -“How lucky I am!” he thought. “Mr. Remington seems such a perfect -gentleman. I think we shall get along first-rate. If my father had only -treated me that way, I never would have left home.” - -“What are you going to do this evening, Mr. Drummond?” said his new -friend. - -“I don’t know.” - -“Suppose we go round the corner, and have a game of billiards.” - -“I don’t know how to play.” - -“Then I’ll teach you. You’re old enough to learn and everybody plays -nowadays.” - -“Does it cost much to learn?” questioned Joshua. - -“Not much; but of course I pay, as I invite you.” - -Joshua made no further objections, but left the house in company with -Mr. Remington, who took his arm, and talked socially, like an old -friend. Joshua was more and more charmed with him. - -After a five minutes’ walk they reached the billiard hall. It was a -large room, containing twelve tables. - -“I think we will try a pocket-table. It is easier for a beginner. Select -a cue, Mr. Drummond.” - -Joshua didn’t know what a cue was, but, following his companion’s -example, selected one from a rack against the wall. - -“Now,” said Mr. Remington, after the balls were placed, “the principle -of the game is very simple. With this ball, you must try to hit two -others. If you succeed in doing it, you count three, or if you succeed -in sending either ball into any one of the four pockets, you count -three. If you do both, it counts you six. One hundred is the game. I -will take the first shot, which is difficult for a beginner, and then -you take your turn.” - -He made the shot, but without counting. Next Joshua, under his -direction, made a shot, and by what billiard-players call a “scratch,” -hit two balls, sending one into a pocket. - -“Bravo! good shot! You have played before, haven’t you, Mr. Drummond?” - -“I never saw a billiard table before,” said Joshua, elated. “Now it is -your turn.” - -“No, since you succeeded, you are to keep on. I foresee that you will -make an excellent player.” - -“It’s a first-rate game,” said Joshua. - -“Yes; I was sure you would like it; now it is my turn.” - -It would be wearisome to detail the progress of the game. Remington, who -was really a skillful player, “played off,” and helped his adversary to -such an extent that he made a respectable score. Joshua was elated, and -found the billiard-room a much more attractive place to spend the -evening than his room at the boarding house. - -“Come,” said Remington, at the close of the game, “you must be thirsty. -Let us have something to drink.” - -Joshua understood that his companion proposed to bear the expense, and -therefore made no objection. - -“What will you have, Drummond?” - -“What are you going to take?” - -“A sherry cobbler.” - -“I’ll take one, too.” - -“Two sherry cobblers, and mind you make them strong enough.” - -Joshua imbibed the drink through a straw, in imitation of his companion. -Not being used to liquor of any kind, it exhilarated him, and made him -feel happy and sanguine. He had never liked Chicago so well before. - -“This is seeing life,” he thought. “I’ve come to the right place. I -haven’t been here a week, and got a situation already. I guess I’ll -write to Sam in a day or two, and let him know how I’m getting along. -I’m glad I left Stapleton.” - -“Well, Drummond,” said Mr. Remington, who had become more familiar as -their acquaintance progressed, “if you’re ready, we’ll go back to our -room. You know you’ll have to go to business to-morrow.” - -“All right, Mr. Remington. Do you think you can raise my salary soon?” - -“No doubt of it. I’ve taken a fancy to you, and shall push you right -along.” - -“I’m sure I’m much obliged to you.” - -“I have been in the habit of judging men, and as soon as I saw you I -felt sure that you would suit me.” - -“Did you?” said Joshua, flattered. - -“At once. Of course, I did not know but you might already be engaged in -business. If you had been, I would not have offered you an engagement, -as I would scorn to take a good clerk from another man. To let you into -a little secret, I’ve got a nephew who is expecting the place. I suppose -he will be angry when he hears I have taken a stranger. But, though I -would like to oblige him, he would not suit me at all. He hasn’t got the -‘snap’ in him. He’ll never make a good business man. It takes a smart -man to succeed in Chicago.” - -All this was very gratifying to Joshua. Nobody had ever taken a fancy to -him before; nobody had ever detected his superior business abilities; -yet here was a stranger, a man of discrimination and business -experience, who had selected him in preference to his own nephew. No -wonder Joshua felt elated. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII - - THE “CHIEF” SALESMAN. - - -THE next morning Joshua went round with his roommate to his new place of -business. The shop was a small one, with a moderate stock of fancy -goods. There was one little circumstance that attracted his attention. -His employer’s name was Remington, but the name on the sign was - - JOHN FORBES. - -“I thought this was your store,” said he, a little surprised. - -“So it is.” - -“But your name isn’t Forbes.” - -“Oh,” said Remington, “you noticed the sign. That’s easily explained. I -bought the business of Mr. Forbes, but as his name was well known in the -neighborhood, I thought it best to keep the old name. Do you see?” - -“Yes, I understand.” - -“You see it isn’t a large place,” said Mr. Remington, as they entered, -“but I do a pretty good business. What do you think, now, that my clear -profits were last year?” - -“Two thousand dollars,” hazarded Joshua, who was used to the small -incomes of a country trader. - -“Six,” answered Mr. Remington. - -“What, six thousand dollars?” - -“Certainly. You see we turn our goods over quickly. This isn’t the busy -season, but that will soon be here, and then the store will be crowded -with customers from morning till night.” - -As the entire stock in trade probably did not exceed two, or at most, -three thousand dollars in value, this was rather a hard statement to -believe; but then Joshua was fresh from the country, and rather -unsophisticated. - -Mr. Remington gave his new clerk some instructions as to the locality of -the goods, and the prices, and he took his place behind the counter, -proud of being a city salesman. He was not compelled to work very hard. -There was seldom more than one customer in the store at a time, and none -bought heavily. - -“It’s rather quiet this morning,” said Mr. Remington, laying down the -morning paper, over which he had spent an hour without interruption. - -Joshua assented. - -“You see it isn’t the busy season. That makes a great difference.” - -“I suppose it does.” - -“You’d hardly know the place two months hence. You must make up your -mind to work, then, Drummond. They’ll keep you running, I assure you.” - -Joshua was not particularly fond of work, as we know, but it occurred to -him that it would not be quite so dull if he had more customers to wait -upon, and was rather enlivened by the prospect of a busier time. - -When half-past twelve came, his employer said, “I’m going to dinner. I -shall be gone an hour. When I come back, you can go.” - -So Joshua was left alone. He felt a little hungry himself. Still he had -a feeling of importance in being left in sole charge of the store. As -there was nothing else in particular to do, he went to the desk, and -wrote the following letter to his friend, Sam Crawford, in New York: - - - “CHICAGO, Sept. --, 186--. - -“DEAR SAM:--I seize a few moments from business”--Joshua wrote this with -great complacence--“to write you an account of how I am getting along. I -have not been a week in Chicago, yet am already chief salesman in one of -the principal stores here.” (I am afraid our friend Joshua purposely -exaggerated in this statement.) “I like my employer very much, and he -seems to have taken a great fancy to me. His nephew was very anxious to -obtain the situation, but he seemed to think I had good business -abilities, and gave it to me instead. - -“I have been about the city some, and like it. I think I shall make it -my home, and some time Mr. Remington will probably take me into -partnership. I am writing at noon, when we have few customers. I like -this store better than yours. I am sorry we are not in the same city, as -I should like to go round with you. Last evening I played a game of -billiards with Mr. Remington. He said I did finely for the first time, -and thinks I would make an excellent player. - -“But I must leave off to wait on a customer”--it was an old woman, who -wanted a paper of pins--“and must close for this time. - - “Your friend, - - “JOSHUA DRUMMOND. - -“P. S.--Have you seen anything of the old man since I left New York? -Don’t let anybody know I am in Chicago. I only get twelve dollars a week -now”--this again was a slight exaggeration--“but I expect to have my -salary raised soon.” - - -When Sam received this letter, it surprised him, and I am not quite sure -whether he was entirely pleased with his friend’s good fortune. - -“Well, that beats all!” he exclaimed, “that such a greenhorn as Joshua -Drummond should get a situation in Chicago within a week; at twelve -dollars a week, too! Why, he don’t know a cane from a broomstick, and -yet he gets half as much again as I do. Chicago must be a good place to -go. If such a greenhorn can get twelve dollars, I ought to get eighteen -or twenty. I wonder whether it would pay me to go out there.” - -It will be seen that Sam had no suspicion of the falseness of Joshua’s -statements. In fact, he did not give him credit for the ability to -deceive him. He really thought, therefore, that Joshua obtained the sum -he claimed. Still he had prudence enough not to give up a certainty for -an uncertainty, and contented himself with writing Joshua to look round, -and, if he saw an opening for a clerk with several years’ experience, to -let him know. - -“I would be willing to come for my present salary--twenty dollars a -week,” he wrote. “My present employer is willing I should go away until -I am twenty-one, when I will come back, and go into partnership with -him. He thinks it will be of advantage to me to become acquainted with -Western trade. Besides, I should like to be with you. We might room -together, you know.” - -This was adroitly written, so that Joshua need not doubt the truth of -representations he had made in New York. They answered the purpose. So -the two were mutually deceived by the representations of the other. - -It made Joshua feel rather important to have Sam apply to him for a -situation, and he at once wrote back, saying that he would let him know -at once if he heard of any vacancy. “But I am afraid,” he added, “that -we can’t room together. The fact is, I and Mr. Remington room together, -and he would be disappointed to have me leave him. But you might get a -room in the same house. They change eight dollars a week board; it is -nicer than your boarding place in New York, though that will do very -well.” - -“That Remington must be a fool!” thought Sam. “He seems perfectly taken -up with Joshua, and I am sure he’s about as stupid a fellow as I ever -set eyes on.” - -You see Sam and Joshua were intimate friends, and intimate friends are -very apt to notice each other’s faults, and to judge them most severely, -are they not? What is the use of having friends if you can’t abuse them? - -So the result was that Sam, toiling in an obscure Eighth avenue store -for eight dollars a week, felt very much wronged to think that Joshua -had at one bound stepped into a more desirable situation than himself. -If he could only have known the real state of the case, and how much -Joshua had exaggerated the advantages of his position, he would have -been very much comforted. If he had been a disinterested friend he would -have rejoiced at the good fortune of Joshua; but then he was not -disinterested. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII - - IN PARTNERSHIP. - - -AT the end of the week Joshua received the six dollars promised him. He -received it with great satisfaction. It was a tangible evidence that he -was a clerk on salary. - -“I wish it were more,” said Mr. Remington, as he paid it to him. “I am -thinking of some new arrangements by which I shall be able to do better -by you.” - -This was encouraging, and Joshua was led to hope that he might, ere -long, receive the sum which he claimed to get in his letter to Sam. He -began to build castles in the air, and form sanguine pictures of what -the future was to bring him, when all at once his dreams were rudely -broken in upon. - -It was three mornings afterward that Mr. Remington called him to the -desk. - -“Drummond,” he said, “I’ve something to say to you.” - -Of course, Joshua gave immediate attention. - -“You remember that I told you something of a nephew, my sister’s child, -who expects the place I gave to you.” - -“Yes,” said Joshua, uneasily. - -“Well, it appears that my sister is very much disturbed that I refused -to give it to her son. I have just received a letter from her. Here it -is.” - -“Shall I read it?” - -“Yes.” - -Rather disturbed in mind, Joshua took the letter, and read as follows: - - -“MY DEAR BROTHER:--I think you have acted most unkindly in refusing to -receive my Henry into your employ, and taking instead a stranger. I -think the poor boy, not to mention myself, had a right to expect -something better at your hands. Certainly, so near a relation ought to -be preferred to a stranger. I could not believe it when I first heard of -your very unkind treatment. I hope you may yet change your mind, and -discharge this stranger, who can have no claim upon you. - -“I will tell you what I will do. I have heard you say that you are -cramped for capital to enlarge your business; now, if you will discharge -this stranger, and will take Henry, I will agree to let you have a -thousand dollars with him, in return for which you can give him a slight -interest in the business. Please let me hear from you at once. - - “Your sister, CORNELIA BARKER.” - - -“He is going to discharge me,” thought Joshua, very much disturbed, as -he finished reading the letter. - -“You see in what a position I am placed, Drummond,” said Mr. Remington. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“I would rather have you than my nephew. You have more business capacity -than he.” - -“I shall be sorry to go,” said Joshua, very much disappointed and -mortified. - -“And I to part with you. But perhaps we can make an arrangement.” - -Joshua brightened up. - -“My sister offers to put a thousand dollars into the business, in return -for which my nephew is to have a small interest in the business; now, if -you could do the same, I would prefer to arrange with you.” - -“I can’t. I have only four hundred dollars.” - -“Couldn’t you raise more?” - -Joshua shook his head. - -“It is a very small sum,” returned Mr. Remington, doubtfully. - -Joshua said nothing, and his employer appeared to be thinking busily. - -“Drummond,” he said, suddenly, “I am going to make you a proposal that I -wouldn’t make to any one else.” - -Of course, Joshua listened intently. - -“If you think well to put your four hundred dollars into the business, -I’ll decline taking my nephew, raise your salary to ten dollars a week, -and give you one-tenth interest in my business.” - -“How much do you think that would be?” - -“One-tenth of the profits, at the lowest estimate, would come to six -hundred dollars a year.” - -“And ten dollars a week besides?” - -“Yes.” - -Joshua rapidly calculated that his income would amount, in that case, to -over a thousand dollars a year. What a triumph that would be over Sam, -and how handsomely he could live, and yet save money! Why, the very -first year he could save the four hundred dollars he was now investing. -Suppose he refused: he would lose his place, and have to live on his -principal. - -“I’ll do it,” he said. - -“Very well, Drummond, I’ll draw up the papers, and you can pay me the -money.” - -In fifteen minutes Joshua, who always carried the money with him, had -paid it over into Mr. Remington’s hands, and received instead a paper, -in which was expressed, with great particularity, the agreement which -had been spoken of. - -“My sister will be very angry,” said Mr. Remington, “but I can’t help -it. Why should I take my nephew into my employ, when he has not a -particle of business capacity? It is too much to ask.” - -As Joshua was to profit by the refusal, he agreed perfectly with Mr. -Remington. His heart glowed with exultation as he thought of his changed -circumstances. Why, he was really a partner in the concern, in virtue of -his one-tenth interest. Was ever rise so rapid? Reflecting that Mr. -Remington had taken him at six hundred dollars less than was offered -with his nephew, he began to entertain quite a lofty opinion of his -business abilities, and put on some very amusing airs behind the -counter, which his senior partner secretly laughed at. - -“Drummond,” said Mr. Remington the next day, “I must leave you in charge -of the store for a day or two. I am called into the country on -business--to collect a bill of a hundred dollars due us. As you share -the profits, you are interested, too. Can you manage alone?” - -“Oh, yes,” said Joshua, confidently. - -“I don’t expect to be gone over two days.” - -So the next day and the next also Joshua was alone. On the second, an -elderly man, with a carpetbag, walked into the store. He looked at -Joshua with some surprise. - -“Where is Mr. Remington?” he said. - -“He is away for a day or two.” - -“Where is he gone?” - -“Into the country, on business.” - -“And who are you?” - -“I am his partner,” said Joshua, loftily. - -“His what!” exclaimed the stranger, in visible amazement. - -“His partner!” - -“In what?” - -“In this business.” - -“You must be crazy.” - -“I have bought an interest in the business,” said Joshua. “What can I do -for you?” - -“Well, this beats all. I come back to my own store, after a month’s -absence, and am coolly told by a boy that he has bought an interest in -the business.” - -“Who are you?” asked Joshua, amazed. - -“I am the man whose name is over the door--John Forbes.” - -“Mr. Remington told me he had bought you out, but he kept the name, -because it was known to customers.” - -“Then Mr. Remington deceived you.” - -“Isn’t he in the business?” - -“He was only my clerk. I left him in charge while I was away.” - -It dawned upon Joshua now. All his dreams were dissipated. He had been -cruelly swindled out of his four hundred dollars. It was all a pretence -about the nephew. Good heavens! he was ruined, and almost penniless. He -turned pale and sick at heart. - -“How much money did you let Remington have?” asked Mr. Forbes. - -“Four hundred dollars. Can’t I--don’t you think I shall be able to get -it back?” - -“Not a cent. The rascal is far away by this time, you may be sure.” - -“What shall I do?” asked Joshua, in dismay. - -“Well, you may stay here until the end of the week. I am sorry for you, -but can’t help you. I am afraid that villain, Remington, has carried off -some of my cash also.” - -It proved to be true. Mr. Forbes was a sufferer also. The police were -put on the track of the swindler, but Remington managed to elude all -inquiries. Where he got away with his ill-gotten gains could not be -discovered. - -As for Joshua, Mr. Forbes unluckily formed a different idea of his -business capacity from Mr. Remington. He discovered that our unhappy -fugitive knew little or nothing of the goods in stock, and got quite out -of patience with his numerous blunders. He did not believe in paying six -dollars a week to such an inexperienced novice, when he could obtain for -half the money a substitute who would at least know as much. So, at the -end of the week, Joshua received notice that his services were no longer -required. - -“But what shall I do?” he asked, in anguish. “Mr. Remington carried off -all my money.” - -“Oh, you’ll get along somehow!” said the unfeeling Forbes. “You ain’t -fit for my business, so, of course, you can’t expect me to keep you.” - -Joshua returned to his boarding house with a heavy heart. He would have -only three dollars left after paying his board bill, and what should he -do if he could not get another situation? - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV - - A HUMBLE POSITION. - - -JOSHUA realized with anguish the desperate situation to which he was -reduced. The money he had taken from his father, and which at the time -he considered a small fortune, had all melted away, and nothing remained -to him save a portion of his last week’s wages. He had fallen into the -hands of the Philistines, and been fleeced by abler and more experienced -rogues than himself. - -What should he do? He had not money enough to go back to New York, even -if he had wished it. He must stay in Chicago, and find something to do, -if possible. But suppose he should fail? This possibility--probability, -I might rather say--suggested itself to the unhappy Joshua, and he -shuddered at the fate which might befall him. He could remain a week at -his boarding place before board would be demanded, and he decided to do -so, though he was not quite sure whether he might not be arrested if he -failed at the end of that to pay his board bill. - -“But I may get a place before that time,” he thought. - -At any rate, there seemed nothing else to do. So, prudently omitting to -say anything about the critical state of his finances, he continued to -retain his room, mentioning to Mrs. Foster that Mr. Remington had been -called away on business for a few days. Not wishing to have it known -that he had lost his place, he absented himself during the usual -business hours, spending his time in wandering about the city in search -of a situation. - -It so happened, however, that there was a lull in business, and there -was even less chance for him than usual. Everywhere he received the same -answer. No help was wanted. In one or two cases, where he saw upon a -window, “Boy Wanted,” he found himself too late. - -On Saturday morning he was wandering about listlessly, dreading the bill -which his landlady would render at night, when he chanced to step into a -bowling-alley. - -“Where’s the boy to set up the pins?” asked a young man, who had entered -just before with a friend. - -“He’s sick,” said the proprietor. “I must get another in his place.” - -“Get one in a hurry, then, for my friend and I want a game.” - -Joshua heard what was said, and it gave him an idea. - -“I’ll set up the pins,” he said. - -“Go ahead, then, Johnny.” - -Joshua walked down to the end of the alley, and set to work. There was -no difficulty about it, of course, and he performed the work -satisfactorily. The young men played two games, occupying about half an -hour. When it was over they paid for the games, and calling Joshua, gave -him twenty cents. - -As they went out others came in. - -“Look here, boy,” said the proprietor of the establishment, “if you -choose to stay here and set up pins, you can do it.” - -“I’d like to do it,” said Joshua. - -The position was not a very dignified one, but it was better than -starving, and Joshua had been afraid that such a fate was in store for -him. - -“I don’t pay no wages,” said the man; “but the gentlemen that play will -mostly give you something.” - -“All right,” said Joshua. - -So he remained through the day. By that time he had picked up -seventy-five cents. Had all paid him, he would have had more; but some -neglected it, and he was not allowed to ask anything. He came back in -the evening, as desired, and picked up fifty cents more. - -“At this rate I can make a living,” he thought, with a feeling of -relief. “But I wouldn’t have Sam know what I was doing for anything.” - -He had enough to settle his board bill and about a dollar over. So he -paid it without explaining anything of his change of circumstances. - -“When do you expect Mr. Remington back?” asked the landlady. - -“I don’t know,” said Joshua. - -“You are working for him, I believe?” - -“Yes; but I have been offered another situation, and I think I shall -take it.” - -During the next week, Joshua made seven dollars at his new business, and -was able to pay his board bill. He was heartily tired of the -bowling-alley, where he received treatment which he considered -derogatory to one of his age, the son of a rich man; but it was of no -use to say anything. He could not afford to lose this place, the only -plank that lay between him and starvation. So he bore in silence all the -curses he received from the proprietor of the place, when, as was -frequently the case, that gentleman was excited by liquor, and kept -steadily at work. Indeed, humble as was Joshua’s present position, there -is at least this to be said, that for the first time in his life he was -earning his living by honest labor. - -When he paid his second bill, Mrs. Foster asked him again when Mr. -Remington would return. - -“I don’t know, ma’am,” he said; “I’ve left his store.” - -“What for?” - -“He cheated me out of my money,” answered Joshua, truly, “and I don’t -think he means to come back at all.” - -“But I can’t afford to let you have this room alone for five dollars a -week.” - -“I can’t pay any more.” - -“There is a gentleman going to give up the hall bedroom on the third -floor; you can have that for five dollars.” - -“I will take it, then, for I can’t pay any more.” - -So Joshua made the change. About this time he received a letter from -Sam, asking him if he had heard of any good opening in Chicago for him. -Joshua wrote back that business was very dull at present, but when he -heard of anything he would write. - -“I am getting on pretty well,” he wrote; “but there are some things -about my situation I don’t like; I find it very expensive living here, -and I don’t save up any money. I shall change my business as soon as I -can.” - -But about the nature of the business in which he was engaged, Joshua -wrote nothing. Had Sam known his true position, he would have been -spared the jealousy he felt of his friend’s supposed success, and cured -of any desire to try his luck in Chicago. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV - - THE EVIDENCE OF POPULARITY. - - -THE day came for Walter’s examination. It was pleasant, and the -Portville people were out in full force. Conspicuous among them were -General Wall and Squire Griffiths, the latter looking exceedingly wise -with his stiff, iron-gray hair rising erect over his brow like a -palisade. - -Walter conducted the examination, but after every recitation inquired of -the trustees if they had any questions to ask. Once in a while General -Wall asked one, but in general contented himself with saying, blandly, -“The recitation has been quite satisfactory, Mr. Howard.” - -After the recitation in geography, Squire Griffiths, who had studied up -one or two questions in the atlas before coming, thought it time to take -part. - -“Can you tell me,” he said, straightening himself up with dignity, after -a preparatory cough, “can you tell me where is the river Nigger?” - -I have attempted to indicate the squire’s pronunciation. - -There was a little titter in the class, and Walter himself, though he -preserved his gravity, looked a little red in the face. - -“Answer the gentleman’s question,” he said. - -“In Africa,” said one of the girls. - -“Quite right,” said the squire, nodding wisely. - -“Where is the Island of Madagascar?” - -“In the Mediterranean Sea,” answered promptly the poorest scholar in the -class. - -Walter was about to correct the mistake, when, to his surprise, Squire -Griffiths said: “Correct. Mr. Howard, your class is quite purficient. I -have no more questions to ask.” - -“First class in arithmetic,” called Walter, hurriedly, evidently anxious -to cover up the squire’s mistake. - -It was generally agreed that the examination passed off satisfactorily. -A few of the boys declaimed, and some of the girls read compositions. -When the end was reached, Walter called on General Wall to make a -speech; the latter did so. He was a little pompous and condescending in -his manner, but what he said was grammatical and complimentary to the -teacher. - -“Won’t you make a few remarks, Squire Griffiths?” said Walter. - -The squire rose, and, putting one hand under his coattail, glanced -impressively around him, through his iron bowed spectacles, and spoke as -follows: - - -“MY YOUNG FRIENDS:--I am gratterfied to meet you on this occasion. As -one of the school trustees, it was my duty to come and see what -purficiency you had made in your studies. I have listened to your -recitations with--ahem--with gratterfication. I have been most -gratterfied by your purficiency in joggrify--here some of the scholars -were seen to smile--joggrify was allers my favorite study when I was a -lad and went to school. But when I was a youngster we didn’t have so -good schools as you have. The teachers wasn’t so well eddicated. But we -did as well as we could. I shall always be glad that I got an eddication -when I was young. But for my improvin’ my time I shouldn’t have riz to -be one of the school trustees. I hope, my young friends, you will -improve the importunities the town has given you to get a good -eddication. If you study hard, you will get up in the world, and your -feller-citizens will respect you. I congratterlate your teacher on your -purficiency, especially in joggrify. It is one of the most important -studies you have. If Christopher Columbus hadn’t studied joggrify when -he was a boy, how could he have discovered America, and if he hadn’t -discovered it, where would we be at this moment?” Here the orator -paused, as if for a response; but none being made, he went on: “But I -didn’t mean to speak so long. I congratterlate you on having so good a -teacher, and I am gratterfied to say that he will be your teacher next -term.” - - -Here the scholars applauded, and Walter was really pleased by this -evidence of his popularity. Squire Griffiths was also pleased, for in -his foolish vanity he supposed that it was he who had been applauded, -and not the allusion to Walter. - - -“My young friends,” he continued, “I thank you for your respectful -attention to my remarks. Go on as you have begun, and you will never -regret it. Let your motto be ‘Excelsior!’” - - -With this effective ending he sat down, and the boys mischievously -applauded, greatly to the “gratterfication” of the squire, who secretly -thought that he had done himself great credit. He was one of those vain -and pompous old men, who like to hear themselves talk, and are always -ready to assume any responsibility, wholly unaware of their own -deficiencies. But Squire Griffiths was well-to-do in worldly affairs, -and the town offices which were given him were a tribute to his money, -and not to his ability. Of course, it was a glaring absurdity to put -such a man in charge of the schools, but fortunately his associates in -office were men of greater education than himself. - -Among the spectators was Miss Melinda Jones, the poetess. Considering -her literary claims, she could not well be absent from an occasion of -this character. Besides, we know the interest she felt in the teacher. - -At the close of the exercises, she came to our hero to tender her -congratulations. - -“Mr. Howard,” she said, “I can hardly tell you how much I have enjoyed -this day. It carried me back to my girlhood days, when I, too, was one -of the eager aspirants for knowledge. Oh, could I but have enjoyed the -instructions of a superior teacher like yourself, how happy should I -have been!” - -“You flatter me, Miss Jones.” - -“Indeed, I do not. I leave that to the men who are, alas! sad -flatterers, as we poor girls know too well. The recitations were -beautiful. I could have listened for hours longer.” - -“I fancy you would have got hungry after a while, if, indeed, poetesses -are ever hungry.” - -“Now, Mr. Howard, I shall really scold you,” said Melinda, who was -always delighted to be recognized as a poetess. - -“I am sorry I did not call upon you for a speech, Miss Jones; I would if -I had thought of it.” - -“I should positively have sunk into the ground, if you had been so -cruel. You can’t think how diffident I am, Mr. Howard.” - -“Diffidence and genius are generally found in company.” - -“Oh, you sad flatterer!” said Miss Jones, tossing her ringlets in -delight. - -But the conversation must not be prolonged. Miss Jones was hoping to -secure Walter’s escort home; but he was backward about offering it, and -finally she was obliged to go home with her brother. - -The next day Walter left Portville for the mines. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI - - THE CLOSE OF THE STORY. - - -WE do not propose to accompany Walter to the mines; it is sufficient to -say that on arriving there he found a complete confirmation of the story -to which he had been a listener. The Great Metropolitan Mine was a -success! It promised to be one of the most profitable in the entire -mining region. There were considerable signs of activity, and as soon as -General Wall and his clique obtained the entire control they were going -to work in earnest. So much Walter picked up on the ground. Of course, -he did not reveal his real name, but still figured as Gilbert Howard. - -Walter remained three days, during which he gathered all the information -he desired; then he took the cars for Portville. Less than a fortnight -from the time of his departure he was set down by the stage at the door -of the Portville Hotel. - -“Back again, Mr. Howard?” said the landlord. “Your vacation is not over -yet, is it?” - -“Business called me back,” said Walter. - -“This is indeed a delightful surprise, Mr. Howard,” said Miss Melinda -Jones. “We did not expect you for a fortnight yet.” - -“I couldn’t remain so long away from you, Miss Jones,” said Walter, -roguishly. - -“Oh, you wicked flatterer!” exclaimed Melinda, shaking her ringlets with -delight, for she had faith in the power of her own attractions, and was -half inclined to believe this statement true. “I have missed you ever so -much.” - -“Now it is you who are the flatterer.” - -“It’s true; isn’t it, Ichabod?” - -“Melinda had no appetite when you were gone, Mr. Howard,” said the -brother. “She was all the time writin’ poetry.” - -“Won’t you come to my bower this evening, Mr. Howard? We will commune -with the muses.” - -“I am sorry, Miss Jones, but I must call on General Wall this evening.” - -“Then let it be to-morrow evening.” - -“I won’t promise, but if I can, I will come.” - -General Wall was sitting at his desk, making a calculation of the -profits that would accrue to him from the Great Metropolitan Mining -Company. His calculation appeared to be a satisfactory one, judging from -his complacent look. He was interrupted by the entrance of the servant -ushering in Walter. Not having heard of our hero’s return, he was -surprised to see him. - -“Good-evening, Mr. Howard,” he said. “I had not heard of your return. -When did you get back?” - -“This evening.” - -“You expected to be absent longer, did you not?” - -“Yes, sir; but I accomplished the object of my journey, and had no -inducement to remain longer.” - -“As it’s over a fortnight before school begins, if you choose to give -John private lessons, I shall be glad to have you do so,” said the -general. “I will pay you five dollars a week.” - -General Wall looked as if he expected his offer to be accepted with -thanks. Surely it must be an object for an ill-paid school teacher like -Walter to earn five dollars a week during his vacation. - -“Will John be willing to study in vacation?” asked Walter. - -“No doubt. I will see that he makes no objections.” - -General Wall intended to obtain his son’s consent by the offer of a -handsome present, knowing that the desire of improvement would not alone -be sufficient. What was his surprise when Walter answered, “I shall be -obliged to decline your proposal, General Wall!” - -“You don’t care about working in vacation, perhaps, Mr. Howard? Or are -you going off again on another journey?” - -“I have a different reason, sir--a reason which will also oblige me to -disappoint you about the school. I shall not be able to teach next term, -but must ask you to find another teacher.” - -“Really, Mr. Howard, I hope you are not in earnest,” said the general, -surprised and disappointed. “Have you secured another position?” - -“No, sir. I do not intend to teach again--at any rate, for some years.” - -“Are you going to leave Portville?” - -“Yes, sir; but before I go I have some business which I should like to -settle with you.” - -“Business--to settle with me!” repeated General Wall, in surprise. - -“Yes, sir; to begin with, I have a confession to make.” - -General Wall looked suspicious. What was it that Walter was intending to -confess? Was he a thief, or had he violated the laws any way? He was -completely mystified. - -“Proceed, Mr. Howard,” he said. “I can’t say that I apprehend your -meaning.” - -“In the first place, then, I have no claim to the name by which you -called me.” - -“Is not your name Howard?” - -“No, sir.” - -“What then?” - -“I am Walter Conrad.” - -“Conrad!” exclaimed General Wall, starting and looking disturbed. -“Surely you are not----” and he came to a pause. - -“I am the son of Mr. Conrad, whom you induced to buy a thousand shares -in the Great Metropolitan Mining Company.” - -“Ah, indeed!” said General Wall, a little nervously. “That was indeed a -disastrous speculation. I lost by it heavily.” - -“It was the cause of my poor father’s death,” said Walter, faltering for -a moment. - -“A most unfortunate affair,” muttered the general; “but”--here he -rallied--“I am glad to say, my young friend, that it will not prove a -total loss. I and a few others are going to see if we can’t revive it -and make it pay something. I have already written to Mr. Clement -Shaw--your guardian, is he not?--offering three thousand dollars for -your shares. We may lose by it, but the money will go into good hands. I -hope you are empowered to accept the offer.” - -“General Wall,” said Walter, firmly, “don’t you consider the shares -worth more?” - -“I am hardly justified in offering so much.” - -“Then I will keep the shares.” - -“Better think it over, my young friend. It is not by any means certain -that the shares are worth anything.” - -“I will take the risk,” said Walter, coolly. “I have just returned from -visiting the mines.” - -General Wall listened to this statement with dismay. He found the -negotiations more difficult than he had anticipated. - -“Well,” said he, after a pause, “have you any offer to make?” - -“I will sell the shares for sixty thousand dollars.” - -“You must be crazy,” said the general, in excitement. - -“I have no fears on that subject.” said our hero, coolly, “But I may as -well tell you, General Wall, that I am entirely acquainted with your -plan for obtaining complete control of the stock. I know you have -succeeded in buying up most of it at little or nothing, and that you -will probably realize a fortune out of it. But my eyes are open. They -were opened three weeks since, when I overheard, at the Portville House, -a conversation between the landlord and an agent of yours, who gave full -details of the conspiracy into which you had entered to defraud the -original owners of stock. I learned that you had succeeded with all -except myself. The result of this revelation was that I determined to -visit the mines, and see for myself. I spent three days there, and I -have returned to tell you that you may have the stock for sixty thousand -dollars, or I will keep it. I know it is worth more than I ask, but I -live in the East, and I prefer to have my money invested there.” - -General Wall had risen, and was pacing the room in some agitation. - -“The revelation you have made has taken me by surprise, Mr.--Conrad. I -will think over what you have said, and call upon you at the hotel -to-morrow.” - -“Very well, sir. You won’t forget about looking up a new teacher?” - -“Oh, ah--yes--I had nearly forgotten that.” - -Negotiation was protracted for some days. At length General Wall acceded -to Walter’s terms, and agreed to purchase the stock at the price -named--sixty thousand dollars--ten thousand down, and the balance -payable monthly. Walter instantly telegraphed the good news to Mr. Shaw, -his faithful friend, and received his heartiest congratulations. The -report got about that Walter had inherited a fortune, and Miss Jones was -more devoted than ever. But she shook her ringlets to no purpose. Walter -was not to be fascinated. - -When the business was completed, our hero started for the East. He had -striven under difficult circumstances, and he had succeeded. He felt -proud and happy, and grateful to God for having so ordered events as to -lead to this fortune. - -He stopped over one day in Chicago. Stepping into the bowling-alley -connected with the hotel, what was his surprise when, in the boy who set -up the pins, shabby and ill clad, he recognized Joshua Drummond! - -“Joshua!” he exclaimed, in amazement. “What brings you here?” - -Joshua turned scarlet with shame and mortification. - -Walter, whom he had once looked down upon, was handsomely dressed, a -gentleman in appearance, while he looked like a beggar. - -“I have been very unlucky,” he whined. - -“Surely, you don’t like this business?” - -“I have to like it. I should starve if I didn’t.” - -“Are you so reduced?” - -“I have no money, except what I earn here.” - -“Would you go home if you could?” - -“My father would not receive me. He is angry on account of the money I -took. But it didn’t do me any good. I was swindled out of it.” - -“I am going to take you home,” said Walter, resolutely. “It isn’t fit -that you should be in such a business. I will undertake to reconcile -your father.” - -“I haven’t money to pay my fare.” - -“I have plenty. I have succeeded in getting back a good share of my -property, and am going back to the Essex Classical Institute to finish -preparing for college. If you would like it, I will pay your expenses -there one year. You won’t be the worse off for another year’s -schooling.” - -“You are a good fellow, Cousin Walter,” said Joshua, stirred at last to -gratitude. “I should like it much better than going back to Stapleton.” - -Walter bought Joshua some new clothes, and together they returned to the -East. Mr. Drummond at first refused to receive his son, but when Walter -revealed his own good fortune, and offered to support his cousin at -school for a year, his sternness relaxed, and reconciliation took place, -much to the delight of Mrs. Drummond, who, bad as Joshua had behaved, -could not forget her only son. I am glad to say that Joshua was improved -by his trials. He acquitted himself fairly at school, and is now -employed in his father’s store, Mr. Drummond, at Walter’s solicitation, -paying him ten dollars a week for his services, besides, of course, -board. Let us hope he will continue to do well. - - -------------- - -A few words in conclusion. Walter is now in college, and stands very -near the head of the senior class. It is his purpose to study law, and -though his fortune is already made, we have reason to believe that he -will work hard and acquire distinction. He knows what it is to Strive -and Succeed. General Wall made a good deal of money out of the Great -Metropolitan Mining Company; but, unluckily for himself, he invested it -in other mines of less worth, and lost all. He is to-day a poor man, and -his son John will have to make his own way in the world. Peter Groot is -learning the carpenter’s trade, and seems likely to become a -respectable, if not brilliant, member of society. Alfred Clinton has -just entered a Western college. His old teacher, our hero, has kindly -offered to defray the expenses of his collegiate education, and Alfred -is longing for the time when he can relieve his mother from work and -surround her old age with comfort. It is an honorable ambition, and -likely to be gratified. - -The next volume in this series will be - - - - - TRY AND TRUST; - - OR, - - THE STORY OF A BOUND BOY. - - THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Strive and Succeed, by Horatio Alger - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STRIVE AND SUCCEED *** - -***** This file should be named 56207-0.txt or 56207-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/0/56207/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -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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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Strive and Succeed - or The Progress of Walter Conrad - -Author: Horatio Alger - -Release Date: December 19, 2017 [EBook #56207] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STRIVE AND SUCCEED *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>STRIVE AND SUCCEED</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div>OR</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>THE PROGRESS OF WALTER CONRAD</span></div> - <div class='c000'>BY</div> - <div><span class='large'>HORATIO ALGER, <span class='sc'>Jr.</span></span></div> - <div class='c000'>AUTHOR OF “ERIE TRAIN BOY,” “YOUNG ACROBAT,”</div> - <div>“ONLY AN IRISH BOY,” “BOUND TO RISE,”</div> - <div>“STRONG AND STEADY,” “JULIUS,</div> - <div>THE STREET BOY,” ETC.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>NEW YORK</div> - <div><span class='large'>HURST & COMPANY</span></div> - <div>PUBLISHERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>ALGER SERIES FOR BOYS.</span></div> - <div>UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME.</div> - <div><span class='sc'>By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c004'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Adrift in New York.</div> - <div class='line'>A Cousin’s Conspiracy.</div> - <div class='line'>Andy Gordon.</div> - <div class='line'>Andy Grant’s Pluck.</div> - <div class='line'>Bob Burton.</div> - <div class='line'>Bound to Rise.</div> - <div class='line'>Brave and Bold.</div> - <div class='line'>Cash Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Chester Rand.</div> - <div class='line'>Do and Dare.</div> - <div class='line'>Driven from Home.</div> - <div class='line'>Erie Train Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Facing the World.</div> - <div class='line'>Five Hundred Dollars.</div> - <div class='line'>Frank’s Campaign.</div> - <div class='line'>Grit.</div> - <div class='line'>Hector’s Inheritance.</div> - <div class='line'>Helping Himself.</div> - <div class='line'>Herbert Caster’s Legacy.</div> - <div class='line'>In a New World.</div> - <div class='line'>Jack’s Ward.</div> - <div class='line'>Jed, the Poor House Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Joe’s Luck.</div> - <div class='line'>Julius, the Street Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Luke Walton.</div> - <div class='line'>Making His Way.</div> - <div class='line'>Mark Mason.</div> - <div class='line'>Only an Irish Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Paul, the Peddler.</div> - <div class='line'>Phil, the Fiddler.</div> - <div class='line'>Ralph Raymond’s Heir.</div> - <div class='line'>Risen from the Ranks.</div> - <div class='line'>Sam’s Chance.</div> - <div class='line'>Shifting for Himself.</div> - <div class='line'>Sink or Swim.</div> - <div class='line'>Slow and Sure.</div> - <div class='line'>Store Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>Strive and Succeed.</div> - <div class='line'>Strong and Steady.</div> - <div class='line'>Struggling Upward.</div> - <div class='line'>Tin Box.</div> - <div class='line'>Tom, the Bootblack.</div> - <div class='line'>Tony, the Tramp.</div> - <div class='line'>Try and Trust.</div> - <div class='line'>Wait and Hope.</div> - <div class='line'>Walter Sherwood’s Probation.</div> - <div class='line'>Young Acrobat.</div> - <div class='line'>Young Adventurer.</div> - <div class='line'>Young Outlaw.</div> - <div class='line'>Young Salesman.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><i>Price, Post-Paid, 35c. each, or any three books for $1.00.</i></div> - <div class='c000'>HURST & COMPANY</div> - <div><span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, <span class='sc'>New York</span>.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>TO</div> - <div class='c000'>MY YOUNG FRIENDS,</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>ISABELLA AND EDWIN,</span></div> - <div class='c000'>THIS VOLUME</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>Strive and Succeed</span>” is reprinted from the -pages of <i>Young Israel</i>, a New York juvenile -magazine, to which it was contributed as a -serial. It is complete in itself, and can be -read independently; but those who have read -its predecessor, “Strong and Steady,” may be -interested to learn that it traces the subsequent -career of Walter Conrad, showing how -he continued to paddle his own canoe, and -chronicles the adventures of Joshua Drummond -after his flight from home.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As Walter’s success as a teacher at the -West may seem to some improbable, in view -of his youth, I am led to say that I know of -more than one case equally remarkable, in -particular that of a gentleman since prominent -as a politician. The moral of the book -is contained in the title. As a rule of action, -I recommend it confidently to all my young -readers.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='sc'>New York</span>, Oct. 1, 1872.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>STRIVE AND SUCCEED.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c008' /> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER I <br /> <br /> WALTER CONRAD’S MISSION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>A long</span> train was running at moderate -speed over a Wisconsin railroad. Among the -passengers was a stout, gentlemanly-looking -boy, who looked much more than sixteen, although -he had not yet reached that age. On -the seat beside him was a large carpetbag, -which contained all the clothing he carried -with him. As the conductor passed through -the car, the boy asked:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are we near Benton?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the next station.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that the place to take the stage for Portville?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can you tell me how far I shall have to -ride in the stage?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A matter of ten miles or thereabouts.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The conductor passed on, and the boy began -to shake the dust from his coat, and, opening -his carpetbag, deposited therein a copy of -<i>Harper’s Magazine</i> which he had been reading. -I may as well introduce him at once to -the reader as Walter Conrad, whose previous -adventures have been related in “Strong and -Steady.” For the benefit of such of my present -readers as have not read this volume, I will -sketch his history in brief.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter Conrad, then, not quite a year since, -had received, when at boarding school, the -unexpected intelligence of his father’s serious -illness. On reaching home, he found his parent -dead. Subsequently he learned that his -father had bought shares to the extent of a -hundred thousand dollars in the Great Metropolitan -Mining Company, and through the -failure of this company had probably lost -everything. This intelligence had doubtless -hastened his death. Walter was, of course, -obliged to leave school, and accepted temporarily -an invitation from Mr. Jacob Drummond, -of Stapleton, a remote kinsman, to visit -him. In extending the invitation Mr. Drummond -was under the illusion that Walter was -the heir to a large property. On learning the -truth, his manner was changed completely, -and Walter, finding himself no longer welcome -as a guest, proposed to enter Mr. Drummond’s -store as a clerk. Being a strong and capable -boy, he was readily received on board wages. -The board, however, proved to be very poor, -and his position was made more disagreeable -by Joshua Drummond, three years older than -himself, who, finding he could get nothing out -of him, took a dislike to him. Walter finally -left Mr. Drummond’s employ, and, led by his -love of adventure, accepted an offer to travel -as a book agent in Ohio. Here he was successful, -though he met with one serious adventure, -involving him in some danger, but -was finally led to abandon the business at the -request of Clement Shaw, his father’s executor, -for the following reason:</p> - -<p class='c007'>The head of the Great Metropolitan Mining -Company, through whom his father had been -led to invest his entire fortune in it, was a -man named James Wall, a specious and plausible -man, through whose mismanagement it -was believed it had failed. He was strongly -suspected of conspiring to make a fortune out -of it at the expense of the other stockholders. -He had written to Mr. Shaw, offering the sum -of two thousand dollars for the thousand -shares now held by Walter, an offer which the -executor did not feel inclined to accept until -he knew that it was made in good faith. He, -therefore, wrote to Walter to change his name -and go on to Portville, the home of Mr. Wall, -and there use all his shrewdness to discover -what he could of the position of the mining -company, and Mr. Wall’s designs in relation -thereto. It may be added that after selling the -balance of the estate, Walter was found -entitled to five hundred dollars. He had, besides, -cleared eighty-seven dollars net profit -on his sales as book agent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Such is Walter’s story, though, for the present, -we shall have to call our hero Gilbert -Howard--an assumed name, which he had -adopted at the executor’s suggestion, lest his -real name might excite the suspicions of Mr. -Wall and so defeat the purpose of his journey.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter had scarcely made his preparations -to leave the cars, when the whistle sounded, -and the train, gradually slackening its speed, -came to a stop.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Benton!” called the conductor, rapidly, -half opening the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am near my journey’s end,” thought Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Several passengers descended from the train -and gathered on the platform. Among them, -of course, was our hero.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A shabby-looking stage stood just beside the -station house. Knowing that it was a ten -miles’ journey, and important to get a comfortable -seat, Walter passed through the -building, and took a seat inside. Several -other passengers followed leisurely until the -carriage was nearly full. While Walter was -wondering how soon they would start, a gentleman, -accompanied by a boy of about Walter’s -age, approached the driver, who was -about to take his seat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t you see anything of my carriage, -Abner?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, General Wall,” said Abner, respectfully. -“I didn’t see it anywhere on the road.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is very strange,” muttered Mr. Wall, -discontentedly. “I told Henry to drive over -for me. Are you sure you might not have -passed without seeing it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d have seed it if it had been on the road,” -said Abner, with more emphasis than strict -adherence to grammatical rules.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose we must ride with you, then,” -said Mr. Wall. “Can you give us seats inside?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The driver came to the door, and, opening -it, looked in.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s one seat,” he said. “Your son can -ride outside with me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John Wall evidently did not fancy this arrangement. -The fact was that it was beginning -to sprinkle, and, being nicely dressed, he -did not want to get wet.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want to ride inside,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to accommodate you,” said the -driver, “but there’s only room for one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t see why I haven’t as good right to -a seat inside as anybody else,” said John, in -a grumbling tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John Wall was rather a stout, freckle-faced -boy, dressed with some pretension to style, -and sporting a pair of kid gloves. He secretly -considered himself to be unusually good-looking, -and on the strength of his father’s wealth -gave himself airs of superiority to which he -was not entitled. His manners were decidedly -arrogant and overbearing, and he was -far from being a favorite in Portville, although -a great many things, which would not -have been excused in another less favored by -fortune, were forgiven him on account of his -father’s wealth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to stretch the inside of the stage -if I could,” said Abner, good-naturedly, “but -that ain’t easy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may sit in my lap, John,” said his -father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d rather not,” said John, sullenly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I think you will have to make up -your mind to sit with Abner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ain’t going to spoil my clothes,” growled -the discontented boy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here is an umbrella for you,” said his -father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile John had been peering into the -coach and espied Walter on the back seat. -Accustomed to regard his own convenience -as a matter of more importance than that of -anybody else, he was led to make a very selfish -proposal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s a boy inside,” he said. “Perhaps -he’ll get outside and give me his seat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This proposal struck Walter as refreshingly -cool, but having a sense of what was due to -himself, and always having been in the habit -of standing up for his rights, he did not propose -to gratify John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said he, dryly; “I’d rather -keep my seat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I don’t want to get wet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor I,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t see why I haven’t as much right to -ride inside as he,” grumbled John, turning to -the driver.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So you would, and better, too, if you’d got -in first,” said Abner, rather disgusted at -John’s selfishness. “But I must be starting. -So if you’re going along with me, you’d better -climb up.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll give you twenty-five cents if you’ll give -me your seat,” said John, making a last appeal -to Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Walter, coldly; “I’m not -in want of money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Get up without any more fuss, John,” said -his father, impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Very discontentedly John climbed up to the -box and took his seat beside the driver. He -felt very angry with our hero for declining to -sacrifice his own convenience to him. It appeared -to him that, as the son of General -Wall, the richest man in Portville, he had a -right to the best of everything.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you know who that boy is, that -wouldn’t give me his seat?” he asked of -Abner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never saw him before,” said the driver.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is he going to Portville?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, so he told me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you know where he is going to stop?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, he didn’t tell me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think it’s going to rain much?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I reckon it will be a smart sprinkle. You’d -better take off them kid gloves of your’n if -you don’t want them spoiled.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t see why that boy wouldn’t give me -his seat. He hasn’t got on as good clothes as -I have,” grumbled John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, if your clothes are spoiled your -father’s got money enough to buy you some -new ones,” said Abner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s true,” said John, with an air of -importance. “My father’s very rich.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I expect you’ll be rich, too, some day,” -said Abner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I expect I shall,” said John, complacently. -“I’m going to be a lawyer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” said the driver, jocosely; “I’ll -give you all my law business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I shan’t settle down here,” said John, -loftily. “I’m going to Detroit or Chicago. I -want to be in a big place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I reckon you’ll be too smart for Portville,” -said Abner, with sly sarcasm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess I can do as well as any of the city -lawyers,” said John. “I am reading Cæsar -already.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who’s he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A Latin author.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t say! You must know a mighty -lot.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, it ain’t hard when you’re used to it,” -said John, condescendingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The rain subsided, and John had the satisfaction -of saving his clothes from injury, so -that he ended the journey in a more amiable -frame of mind than could have been anticipated.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II <br /> <br /> THE SON OF GENERAL WALL.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Mr. Wall</span>, or General Wall, as he was commonly -designated in Portville, as a kind of -tribute to his wealth, for he had no other -right to the title, took a seat opposite Walter. -Our hero examined him with some attention. -This, then, was the man who had ruined his -father by his plausible misrepresentations--who -even now, perhaps, was conspiring to defraud -him, and probably others. Under ordinary -circumstances he would have been -favorably impressed by his appearance. He -had a popular manner, and was quite a good-looking -man, much more agreeable than his -son, who, it was safe to predict, would never -win popularity unless his manners were -greatly changed for the better.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, general,” said one of the passengers, -“have you been on a journey?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only to the county town. I had some business -at the probate office.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Been buyin’ any real estate?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have just purchased Mr. Newton’s place. -I had a mortgage on it, and we agreed to make -a bargain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wonder whether he bought it with my -father’s money,” thought Walter, rather bitterly, -for he felt that the man opposite was -responsible not alone for his loss of fortune, -but for his father’s sudden death.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a nice place,” said the other.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, a pretty good place. I didn’t need it, -but Mr. Newton wanted to sell, and I accommodated -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How’s that mining company coming out?” -was the next question. Walter listened -eagerly for the answer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why,” said Mr. Wall, cautiously, “that -isn’t easy to say just yet. We may realize five -per cent. I can’t tell yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Five per cent.! In the letter containing the -offer General Wall had only hinted at two per -cent., and based his offer upon this. Supposing -only five per cent. were saved out of the -wreck, that on Walter’s thousand shares -would amount to five thousand dollars, instead -of two--a very material increase.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am already paid for my journey by this -intelligence,” thought Walter. “I shouldn’t -wonder if I got considerably more out of it -in the end.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What was the cause of the break-up?” -asked the other passenger, who seemed to be -propounding questions in Walter’s interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why,” said General Wall, slowly, “it cost -a good deal more to work the mine than we -expected, and the first indications promised -much better than the mine afterward realized.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have they stopped working it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, yes, for the present. But there’s a -prospect of selling it out to a new company -with larger means. Of course, we shan’t realize -much. I shall be a heavy loser myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t believe that,” thought Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ain’t often bit, I reckon, general,” -said his questioner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I lay claim to a fair share of judgment,” -said General Wall, “but you know we -are all liable to be deceived. I’ve lost nigh on -to thirty thousand dollars, I reckon, by this -affair. However, I expect to keep my head -above water,” he added, complacently. “I -mean to come out of it as well as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“’Tain’t every man that can lose thirty -thousand dollars and think no more of it,” -said the other, who appeared to act as a sort -of toady to the great man, so much influence -does wealth exert even over those who don’t -expect to gain anything by their subservience -to it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, no, I suppose not,” said Wall, in the -same complacent tone. “I shall be left tolerably -well off, even if I do lose the full value of -my stock. I’ve been luckier in some of my investments.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I haven’t lost anything, because I -hadn’t got anything to lose,” said his fellow-passenger; -“that is, outside of my farm. Me -and the old woman manage to pick up a living -off that, and that’s all we reckon on. There -ain’t much money in farmin’.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Suppose not,” said the general. “Still, -Mr. Blodgett,” he added, patronizingly, “you -farmers are not subject to so many cares and -anxieties as we men of business. You are -more independent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s hard work and poor pay,” answered -the farmer. “It ain’t easy to get forehanded.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you ever have a small surplus to invest, -Mr. Blodgett, I may be able to put you in the -way of making something out of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, General Wall. Maybe I’ll remind -you of it some day. I might have a little -over.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No matter how little. I can add it to -some of my own funds. I should like to help -you to make a little something.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, general. I’m much obliged to -you. I’ll talk to Betsy about it, and maybe -I’ll see you again.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Any time, Mr. Blodgett. It’s no object to -me, of course, but I like to see my neighbors -prosperous.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The conversation now took another turn, in -which Walter was not so much interested. -He wondered whether General Wall really -meant honestly by the farmer, or whether he -only wanted to get his money into his possession.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was not naturally suspicious, but knowing -what he did of Wall he felt inclined to -doubt whether he was quite as disinterested -as he appeared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They had a little more than half completed -the ten miles which separated them from -Portville, when a passenger got out. This left -a vacancy, and John Wall, descending from -his elevated perch, made his appearance at -the door of the coach.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you get much rain, John?” asked his -father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My kid gloves are spoiled,” grumbled John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why didn’t you take them off? Didn’t -you have another pair in your pocket?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t like to wear woollen gloves. They -ain’t stylish.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid, John, you are getting a little -aristocratic,” said his father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why shouldn’t I be?” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now I am perfectly willing to wear woollen -gloves,” said the general, who wanted to be -popular, and so avoided putting on airs, “or -no gloves at all,” looking around to observe -the effect of his republican speech. “Kid -gloves do not make a man any better.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile John had taken the vacant -place. But it happened to be on the front -seat, and so, of course, he had to ride backward. -Now John fancied that he should prefer -to sit on the back seat, as it would enable -him to look out of the window, besides being -on the whole more agreeable. Walter, having -his choice of seats, had on entering taken one -of the back ones. John conceived the idea of -exchanging with him, without considering -that our hero might possibly prefer to retain -his, to which he was fairly entitled by prior -possession.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t like to ride backward,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?” asked his father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t look out of the window.” Then, -addressing Walter, “Change seats with me, -will you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is pretty cool,” thought Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” he answered, coldly, “but I -prefer to remain where I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I don’t like to ride backward,” grumbled -John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor do I,” returned Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John was indignant at the refusal. That -he, the son of General Wall, should have to sit -in an inferior seat, while a boy who did not -wear kid gloves occupied a better one, was -very vexatious. He frowned at Walter, but -the latter was by no means annihilated by the -frown. Indeed, from what he was able to -judge of John Wall, he felt a degree of satisfaction -in disappointing him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will change seats with you, John,” said -his father, “if you are so anxious to look out -of the window.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll give him my seat,” said the farmer. -“I don’t mind riding backward; and, as for -seein’ out, I know the road by heart.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Without a word of thanks John took the -proffered seat, and this brought him next to -Walter. He eyed our hero attentively, but -could not make up his mind as to his social -position. Walter was well dressed in a neatly -fitting suit, but the cloth was not as fine as -his. John glanced at his hands, which were -encased in a pair of woollen gloves. On the -other hand, our hero wore a gold watch and -chain--his father’s--and so he might be -worth noticing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s your name?” asked John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may call me Gilbert Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going to Portville?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you got any relations there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not that I know of.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going to stay long?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That depends on circumstances.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where are you going to stop?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the hotel, I suppose. There is one, isn’t -there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. It is called the Portville House.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I shall go there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John was about to continue his questions -when Walter thought it was his turn.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your name?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John Wall,” replied John. “My father is -General Wall,” he added, in a tone of some -importance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you live in Portville?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where have you been?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“On a journey,” answered John, stiffly, -thinking to himself that Walter was very impertinent. -It did not occur to him that it is -a poor rule that will not work both ways.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your business?” John asked, preferring -to question rather than be questioned. -“Are you a peddler?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Walter, coolly. “Are you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John glared at his questioner feeling deeply -insulted, and did not deign a reply. That he, -the son of General Wall, the richest man in -Portville, should be asked if he were a peddler -was something his pride could not brook. -Walter ought to have been annihilated by his -look, but he stood it unflinchingly, secretly -amused at the effectual manner in which he -had silenced his questioner.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III <br /> <br /> UNDER AN ASSUMED NAME.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>At</span> length the stage reached its destination. -With a flourish the driver drew up in front -of the Portville House, a hotel of moderate -size, yet large enough to accommodate all the -travelers likely to stand in need of shelter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter got out, and taking his carpetbag, -which was handed down from the roof, where -it had been stored with other parcels, entered -the inn. General Wall and his son retained -their places, and the driver, after a short -pause, set out to leave them at their own -house.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter entered the barroom, which was at -the same time the office, and asked if he could -be accommodated with a room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can have your choice of half a dozen,” -said the landlord. “We ain’t crowded just at -present.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Put me in any. I am not particular as -long as it’s comfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you go up now?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I think so. How soon will supper be -ready?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In half an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well, I’ll be down.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter entered himself in the hotel register -as Gilbert Howard, the name he had assumed. -It was the name of a schoolmate at the Essex -Classical Institute, and the first one that had -occurred to him. It was not altogether agreeable -to Walter to pass under an assumed -name. It seemed like sailing under false -colors. He had, however, a great respect for -the judgment of Mr. Shaw, and the circumstances -seemed to require it. Under his own -name he realized that it would be impossible -to learn anything of Mr. Wall’s fraudulent -purposes. Now there seemed a very good -chance of doing so. Indeed, he had already -learned something from the conversation he -had overheard in the stage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After washing his face and hands, he descended -to the public room, and in a short -time supper was ready. It was not a luxurious -supper, but a good, plain meal, to which -his appetite enabled him to do full justice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There were five other guests besides himself. -These, however, were regular boarders. On -the opposite side of the table were a man of -middle age and his wife. These Walter -learned were Mr. and Mrs. Carver. The -former had something to do with a manufacturing -establishment recently opened, and -was boarding at the hotel with his wife, until -he could find a suitable house. There were -also a young man, employed as clerk in one of -the village stores, and his sister. His name -was Jones--a young man with nothing striking -about him. His sister wore ringlets, and -doted on the poets, of whom she did not know -much. The fifth guest was a tall young man, -of sickly appearance. He was narrow-chested -and had inherited a consumptive tendency. -His lungs being weak, he had left Vermont for -the West, in the hope that the more equable -climate might be favorable to his health. Unfortunately -it did not produce the desired -effect. He coughed at intervals during the -meal, and the hard, dry cough had an alarming -sound.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have a hard cough,” said Walter, who -sat beside him at the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, it seems to be getting worse,” said the -young man. “I came out here, thinking I -might be benefited by the change of climate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you are not a native of Wisconsin?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was born and brought up in Vermont.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And I am from the State of New York.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed. Have you just arrived from the -East?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is several months since I left home. I -have been traveling in Ohio.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to meet one who comes from -near home. Will you come up into my room -after supper?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall be glad to do so. I have no friends -or acquaintances here, and I might be rather -dull by myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What may I call you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gilbert Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My name is Allen Barclay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you boarded at this hotel long?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ever since I came to Portville. That is -four months since. By way of further introduction, -I will mention that I am a teacher, -and keep the grammar school in the village.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was glad to hear this. He felt that -he should take more pleasure in his companion’s -society since their tastes were probably -somewhat similar. Though his life for a few -months had been an active one, he had by no -means lost his relish for study, nor had he -given up his intention of resuming his studies -at some time. In case he should realize five -per cent. on the mining shares, this would -amount to five thousand dollars, a sum with -which he would be justified in continuing his -preparation for college, and a four years’ collegiate -course. He estimated that his expenses -as a student would not average more than five -hundred dollars a year, and as the interest -would amount to considerable--three hundred -dollars the first year--he concluded -that he could educate himself, and have considerably -more than half his capital left to -start in life with, when his education was -complete. I mean, of course, his college education, -for, strictly speaking, one’s education -is never complete, and those who attain eminence -in any branch are willing to confess -themselves perpetual learners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But, while these speculations were very -pleasant, the five thousand dollars were not -yet in his possession. To gain them he must -learn more of General Wall and his schemes, -and to this object he resolved to devote himself -in earnest. He had no settled plan. Indeed, -without considerably more knowledge -of how the land lay it was impossible to decide -upon any. He must be guided by circumstances, -ready to avail himself of any favorable -turn which affairs might take.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This way, please,” said Allen Barclay, -leading the way out of the dining-room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His room was on the second floor, and -though hotel chambers are in general--at any -rate, in country towns--the reverse of pleasant -or comfortable, this room looked both. -There was an open fire in the grate which -blazed pleasantly. Before the fire a cosy armchair -was drawn up. Next to it was a table -covered with books. Two or three pictures -hung on the walls, and books and pictures -do a great deal to give a homelike appearance -to an apartment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You look very comfortable here, Mr. Barclay,” -said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I have made the room pleasant. The -books and pictures I brought with me, and the -armchair I bought in the village. I am sensitive -to cold, and so of late, as the weather -has become colder, I have had a fire lighted -just before I come home in the afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you any scholars in Latin?” asked -Walter, seeing a copy of “Cæsar’s Commentaries” -on the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One--John Wall, the son of General Wall, -the most prominent man in Portville.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have already made the young gentleman’s -acquaintance,” said Walter, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed!” returned Allen Barclay, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I met him in the stage. I don’t think we -were either of us very favorably impressed -with the other.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here he gave a brief account of the altercation -between himself and John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What you say does not surprise me,” said -the teacher. “John is a thoroughly selfish, -disagreeable boy, with a very lofty idea of -himself and his position as the son of a rich -man. He considers himself entitled to the -best of everything. I am glad you did not -give way to him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am too independent for that,” answered -Walter. “I don’t allow myself to be imposed -upon if I can help it, though I hope I am not -often disobliging.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You had no call to yield to him to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I thought. What sort of a scholar is -he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John Wall? Very poor. He will never -set the river on fire with his learning or talents. -In fact, if he were a better scholar, I -might feel different about teaching him. I -have only had an academy education, and have -not been beyond Cæsar myself. However, I -have no trouble in keeping ahead of John.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here Mr. Barclay was seized with a violent -attack of coughing, which seemed to distress -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I shall be able to keep on -teaching,” he said, when the fit was over. -“The climate does not agree with me, and I -shall not be willing to run the risk of wintering -here. If I could only find some one to -take my place as teacher, I would leave at -once. It is the middle of the term, and I don’t -want the school closed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>An idea came to Walter. He was a good -English scholar--had been as far in Latin as -his companion--and was probably qualified -to teach any scholars he was likely to have. -It was desirable that he should have something -to do, which would serve as a good excuse -for remaining in Portville. Why should -he not offer to supply Barclay’s place, since -he thought it necessary to resign?</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV <br /> <br /> PORTVILLE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>How</span> many scholars have you, Mr. Barclay?” -inquired Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“About fifty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are they mostly boys?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There are about thirty boys--rather more -than half.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do they vary in age?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“From ten to eighteen. I have three boys, -or young men I might almost call them, of -eighteen, two of seventeen, and three girls of -sixteen and upwards.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are they hard to manage?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The older ones? No; the most troublesome -age is from thirteen to fifteen. Those -who are older generally come to school for improvement, -and are inclined to obey the rules -of the school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was reassuring. Walter knew that, in -case he should be accepted as a teacher, he -could not hope to cope with those two or three -years older than himself. But if he could rely -on the co-operation of the older pupils, he -might get along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Barclay,” said he, after a moment’s -thought, “do you think I would be too young -to undertake the school?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You look pretty young,” answered the -teacher. “You are not yet seventeen, I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not yet sixteen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is pretty young for a teacher. But -then I was not much older than that when I -commenced teaching.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where did you teach?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In my native town, in Vermont. It was a -winter district school of about forty scholars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did you get along?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Pretty well. I got the good will of the -scholars, and they saw that I wanted to help -them on as fast as possible.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I know enough to pass the examination,” -said Walter, “and I am in search of -some business to employ my time. If you -want to give up the school, and recommend -me to try it, I will offer myself to the school -trustees.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of a fellow are you, Mr. Howard--excusing -the term I accidentally used--but -have you got grit? Do you generally succeed -in what you undertake?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I do,” said Walter, smiling. “I -wouldn’t give it up, unless I was obliged to.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I asked the question,” said the young man, -“because grit weighs heavily in this world. I -have noticed that successful men are generally -plucky, which is about the same thing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t had much chance to tell yet,” -said Walter. “Until a few months since -everything was done for me, my father being -rich; then I was thrown upon my own resources, -and so far I have been successful.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here he gave an account of his adventures -as book agent, and detailed the experiences of -the night he passed in the cabin in the woods. -But one thing he thought it best not to mention--his -father’s business connection with -General Wall, and the object of his present -visit to Portville. He would have been as -willing to confide in Allen Barclay as any one, -but he thought his best course would be to -make a confidant of no one, but to work out -his plans by himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“From what you have told me,” said Allen -Barclay, “I think you have a chance of succeeding, -in spite of your youth. I shall be -really glad to be relieved of the school, for I -feel that every day I spend here is injurious -to my health. I didn’t like to have the school -closed, however, in the middle of the term.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are teachers so scarce about here,” asked -Walter, “that you could not find a substitute?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, there is a good supply of teachers who -can teach the ordinary English branches; but -General Wall insists upon a teacher who can -teach Latin, chiefly on account of his son, -John.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is John Wall the only boy who studies -Latin in school?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, there is a class of four beginners, who -have just commenced reading easy sentences. -This class consists of two girls and two boys.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t claim to be a very good Latin -scholar,” said Walter, “but from what you -say I think I know enough to teach John -Wall.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much have you read?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was in the sixth book of Cæsar when I -left the Essex Classical Institute.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you have read more than I have, and -I have had no difficulty in teaching John. He -is just commencing the second book.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I shouldn’t have any trouble, especially -as I read the Latin Reader through -before commencing Cæsar. My father meant -me to enter Columbia College.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will tell you what you had better do, Mr. -Howard,” said the young man. “Come and -visit the school to-morrow, and stay all the -forenoon. The Latin recitations come then. -Thus you will see the scholars, and become -acquainted with my way of management, and -can form a better idea of whether you would -like to undertake it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This struck Walter as an excellent suggestion, -and he at once accepted the invitation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That will be much the best way,” he replied. -“I suppose the school commences at -nine o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, that is the usual time all over the -country, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The conversation now passed to other subjects, -and Walter spent quite a pleasant evening -with his new acquaintance. At half-past -nine he rose to withdraw.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t be in a hurry, Mr. Howard,” said -Allen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, I don’t think I have been. I -should have felt quite lonely but for your kind -invitation. I feel a little tired with traveling, -and shall go to bed as soon as I get to my -room.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-night, then. We shall meet at breakfast, -I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, unless I oversleep myself,” said Walter, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter found his bed a comfortable one, -and slept soundly. In the morning he felt -thoroughly refreshed, and was prepared to do -justice to a plentiful breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At what time do you start?” he asked of -Allen Barclay, who was again seated next to -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At fifteen minutes of nine. The schoolhouse -is only five minutes distant, and this -allows me plenty of time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It will seem like going to school again myself. -I can almost fancy myself back again at -the institute.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will hardly find the scholars as far -advanced,” said Barclay, “or the teacher,” he -added, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That would certainly be true if I were -teacher,” returned Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you say to a little walk before it -is time to go to school?” asked the teacher. -“I generally walk for half an hour or more, -as an offset to the long confinement of school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall be very glad to accompany you, Mr. -Barclay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The two put on their hats, and walked up -the road slowly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Portville contained about two thousand inhabitants. -Of these the majority lived in the -village, while perhaps two-fifths were scattered -about within a radius of three miles. It was -rather a flourishing place on the whole, and -most of the houses were neat and comfortable. -There were several shops or stores, of different -kinds; for farmers came from ten miles -around to trade in Portville.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It seems like a pleasant village,” said Walter -to his companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said the teacher, “the town is pleasant, -and I have found most of the people pleasant -also. I should be very well satisfied to remain -if my health would allow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whose house is that?” asked Walter, -pointing to a residence larger and more pretentious -than he had yet seen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is the nicest house in town, and it belongs -to the man who is reputed to be the richest -man in town.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“General Wall?” said Walter, inquiringly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The same.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of a man is he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have seen him, so that I need not describe -his personal appearance. He is a popular -man, and I think tries to make himself -agreeable in order to gain influence.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You say he is rich?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is thought to be.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did he gain his wealth?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has been connected with mines, banks, -real estate speculations, and, in fact, with -whatever has money in it. He is something of -a politician, and I hear that he hopes some -day to go to Congress. In fact, he is a pushing -man, and likely to make his influence -felt.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is his son like him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He will never be as popular as his father. -General Wall may be as selfish as his son, but -he is too wise to show it as openly. John is -disagreeable by nature. He wouldn’t trouble -himself to appear agreeable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“From what I saw of him,” said Walter, “I -should think it would be a good deal of trouble -for him to be agreeable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no doubt you got the correct impression -of him. I like him as little as any -of my scholars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>While they were thus speaking, General -Wall opened the front door of his house, and -they met him at a short distance from his -front gate. He bowed, as Walter thought, -with an air of condescension, and said to the -teacher, “Good-morning, Mr. Barclay. You -are taking an early walk, I see.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not very early, sir. I always take a short -walk before school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And how is the school? Is John getting -on well with his Latin?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tolerably well, General Wall.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Push him, Mr. Barclay, push him! I want -my son to have a good education.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will do my best.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall walked on with a self-satisfied -air, as if he took a good deal of credit to -himself for honoring the poor teacher with -so much notice. He glanced at Walter, whom -he recognized as his fellow-traveler of the -night before, and concluded, from seeing him -with Allen Barclay, that he was a friend or -relative of the teacher.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V <br /> <br /> A LATIN EXERCISE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>It</span> was five minutes of nine when Allen Barclay, -accompanied by Walter, approached the -schoolhouse. It was a plain wooden building -of two stories, painted white. Beside it was -a good-sized playground, on which from a -dozen to twenty boys were engaged in a game -of ball. As Walter saw the ball flying across -the field, impelled by a hard knock from the -bat, he felt a strong impulse to join in the -game. When a student at the Essex Institute -he had played ball a good deal, and was considered -quite a superior player. But since his -departure he had not joined in a game. Now -as he witnessed the game of the Portville boys, -he wished himself again a scholar, and a -sharer in their fun.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you ever play ball, Mr. Barclay?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; the physician has forbidden all violent -exercise as likely injurious to my health. -It increases my cough. For that matter, however, -I don’t think I should play if I were able. -I tried it sometimes as a boy, but I never succeeded -very well. Do you play?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I used to play considerably, but for several -months I have not touched a bat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s the master,” called out one of the -players.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give me another ball,” said the boy at the -bat. “The bell won’t ring just yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So the game continued.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among those who were watching the game, -Walter noticed John Wall. John was more -carefully dressed than any of the other boys, -many of whom had taken off their coats, and -were playing in their shirt sleeves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is John Wall, isn’t it?” asked Walter. -“Does he play ball?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not often. He isn’t much of a player. -Besides, he doesn’t like to run the risk of soiling -his clothes. He is something of a dandy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I should think. He wore kid gloves -the other day in the rain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is partial to kid gloves. He thinks -they distinguish him as the son of a gentleman -from his more plebeian companions. But -come in, Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter followed the teacher into the schoolroom. -It was about forty feet by fifty in size, -and well supplied with desks. The girls sat -upon one side, the boys on the other. Some -were already in their seats, while others were -grouped near the teacher’s desk. They separated -on the entrance of Allen Barclay, and -repaired to their seats, not without curious -glances at Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a larger desk for the teacher, -with a chair drawn up behind it. There was -another chair in the room, which the teacher -drew up near his own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is the company chair, Mr. Howard,” -said he, smiling. “Will you occupy it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All his associations with schools were in the -character of a scholar, and he felt a little out -of place. It seemed to him that he ought to -be seated at one of the desks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Julius, will you ring the bell?” said Mr. -Barclay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A boy of twelve advanced to the teacher’s -desk, and took from his hand a large bell, with -which he went out into the entry and rang -with emphasis, as if he enjoyed it. Soon, in -answer to the sonorous summons, came trooping -in the boys from the playground, flushed -with exercise, some of them drawing on their -coats as they walked to their desks. John -Wall alone looked as if he were fresh from a -bandbox, his hair plastered down with pomatum, -and his clothes innocent of dust or -wrinkle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If he cared less for his appearance he -would have a good deal more fun,” thought -Walter, judging from a boy’s standpoint.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last all were in their seats. After the -preliminary exercises, the recitations commenced. -The first were in arithmetic. Walter -listened attentively to the recitations of -the different classes, and concluded that he -would have no difficulty in instructing any -of them. The mathematical teacher at the -Essex Institute was well fitted for his duties, -and had a remarkably clear and simple way -of explaining the leading principles of arithmetic. -Allen Barclay, as Walter quickly perceived, -was deficient in the art of teaching. -He did not know how to explain difficulties in -a plain, simple way. Walter felt desirous -more than once of coming to his assistance, -but of course could not do so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe I should like to teach,” he thought -to himself. “It must be interesting.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last the classes in arithmetic finished -their recitations.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will now have a chance to hear John -Wall recite,” said the teacher, in a low voice. -Walter’s interest was at once enlisted, partly -because he was fond of Latin, and partly because -he knew something already of John, and -wished to see how he would acquit himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The class in Cæsar,” said the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John rose slowly from his seat, and, book -in hand, advanced pompously to the bench occupied -by classes reciting. There was no -other scholar so far advanced in Latin, and he -looked down from his superior place of knowledge -with calm contempt upon his fellow-pupils. -His manner, as he advanced to recite, -seemed to say, “Look at me! I am going to -recite in Cæsar! I am a long way ahead of -everybody else in school. They can’t any of -them hold a candle to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where does your lesson commence, Mr. -Wall?” asked the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the beginning of the second book.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well. You may read and translate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John read the first line as follows, pronouncing -according to a method of his own, -<i>Cum esset Cæsar in citeriore Gallia in hibernis</i>, -and furnished the following translation:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He might be with Cæsar in hither Gaul in -the winter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think that is quite correct, Mr. -Wall,” said the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It makes good sense,” said John, pertly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It doesn’t make the right sense. <i>Cum</i> is -not a preposition, and if it were it could not -govern <i>Cæsar</i> in the nominative case.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t see what else you can make of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a conjunction, and means ‘when,’ -‘Cæsar’ being the subject of the sentence. -Then there is another mistake. <i>Hibernis</i> -means winter-quarters, not winter. The -clause is to be translated, ‘When Cæsar was -in winter-quarters in hither Gaul.’ Proceed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Ita uti supra demonstravimus</i>,” continued -John; “so have we shown to be used above.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think that makes good sense, Mr. -Wall?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t quite understand it,” John condescended -to acknowledge.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Uti</i>,” explained the teacher, “is not from -the verb <i>utor</i>, as you appear to have taken it, -and, if it were, could not be translated passively. -It means ‘as’ here. Translate, ‘just -as we have shown above.’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John continued: “<i>Crebri ad eum rumores -afferebantur</i>--frequent persons brought rumors -to him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid, Mr. Wall, I must correct you -again,” said the teacher. “<i>Crebri</i> agrees with -<i>rumores</i>, and the verb is passive. How, then, -will you translate the clause?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Frequent rumors were brought to him,” -answered John, correctly, for a wonder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Literisque item Labieni certior fiebat</i>--and -letters made the same Labienus more -sure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No less than four mistakes, Mr. Wall. I -hardly know where to begin to correct you. -What part of speech is <i>item</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A pronoun.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What does it mean?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The same.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you decline it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Item--eatum--item.</i>”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You need not go on. You have mistaken -the word for <i>idem</i>. It means ‘likewise.’ Is -<i>literis</i> nominative?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir; it is dative.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is ablative, and <i>fiebat</i> cannot be rendered -actively. Without specifying all the -mistakes, I will translate for you, ‘and likewise -was informed by the letters of Labienus,’ -<i>Certior fiebat</i> means, literally, ‘was made more -certain;’ but we cannot always translate literally.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It would be tedious to follow John through -his blundering recitation. He made fewer -mistakes in the passages that succeeded, but it -was easy to see that he knew very little Latin. -His lesson comprised the whole of the first -section, and was on the whole the worst recitation -to which Walter had ever listened. He -could not help thinking that Mr. Barclay -made a mistake in merely correcting the errors, -without adding directions by which a -repetition of them might be avoided; and he -resolved, if John should become his pupil, to -drill him thoroughly in the elementary principles -of the language.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think of that recitation?” -asked the teacher, in a low voice, as John took -his seat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very poor,” answered Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid he will never make a Latin -scholar. I will now call up the other class in -Latin.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was a class of beginners, and acquitted -itself much more creditably than the student -in Cæsar. It might be supposed that -John would have been mortified by his mistakes; -but it was enough for him that he -could report himself as studying Cæsar, and -he appeared to think it of no importance how -he got along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Other classes succeeded, and the session at -length ended.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Mr. Howard,” said Mr. Barclay, as -they were returning homeward, “do you think -you would like to take the school?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will take it if the trustees will accept -me,” said Walter, promptly.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI <br /> <br /> RECOMMENDED.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>If</span> you really think you would be willing -to take my place,” said Allen Barclay, “I will -see at once if I can obtain your appointment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not in any hurry to commence, Mr. -Barclay, though I may be in a hurry to get -through, if I should take the place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is my feeling now. The sooner I can -be free, the better it will be for my health. -The climate is getting worse for me with the -approach of winter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I leave the matter in your hands, then. -Who are the trustees?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“General Wall is the principal one, and I -will call to see him this evening. Besides him -there is the village doctor--Dr. Owens--but -he has so much to attend to that he has very -little to do with the schools. Then there is -Squire Griffiths, a man who was selected because -he is rather prominent in town affairs, -but he is a man of no education. General -Wall is the only one at all qualified for the -position. Last year the minister belonged to -the board, and was competent and useful, but -he got unpopular by taking sides in a local -dispute, and was left off.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose teachers are examined by the -trustees so that they may discover whether -they are competent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, but the examinations don’t amount to -much, as you can judge from the composition -of the Board of Trustees.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I can pass pretty well. I have not -been out of school long enough to forget my -studies.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no doubt you’ll be all right. I’ll -call on the general this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In accordance with his determination, Allen -Barclay knocked at the door of General Wall’s -residence about an hour after supper.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is the general in?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; will you come in?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would like to see him a few minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was ushered into the sitting-room, and -General Wall soon made his appearance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, Mr. Barclay,” he said, in -his usual patronizing way, “I am glad to see -you. Nothing wrong at the school, I hope?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir; there is nothing wrong at the -school; but it is about the school I have come -to speak.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Any advice, ahem! which I can give, will -be freely tendered. This is, of course, incumbent -upon me in the official position which I -hold, but I feel an additional interest as a -parent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You haven’t much reason as a parent to -feel proud,” thought Allen Barclay; but there -are some thoughts that are best unspoken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid, General Wall, that I shall be -compelled to give up the school!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What!” exclaimed General Wall, in surprise. -“Have you any cause of dissatisfaction? -Are you not content with the salary?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t complain of that, but I find that -the climate does not agree with my health.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed! Are you feeling unwell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My lungs are weak, and I find that the -cough with which I have been troubled for a -year past, instead of improving, as I hoped it -would, is increasing, and becoming daily more -troublesome. I think it will be best, therefore, -for me to give up teaching, and go elsewhere.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry to hear this, Mr. Barclay. -Don’t you think you can keep along to the end -of the term--six weeks, I believe?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think it would be wise, General -Wall.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We shall find it difficult to fill your place. -We could get teachers, but we want one who -is competent to teach Latin as well as English. -I want my son John to go on in the -same liberal course which I have projected for -him,” said the general, rather pompously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is on this account that I have delayed -mentioning the matter before, but I now think -I can recommend a substitute.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed! May I inquire who it is?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You perhaps observed the young man who -was walking with me this morning when we -met.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw a boy with you, Mr. Barclay. Surely -you do not allude to him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know he is young, General Wall, but I -have reason to think he is a good scholar. In -Latin he is as far advanced as I am. He was -educated at an Eastern institution of high -rank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid,” said General Wall, dubiously, -“that his extreme youth would prevent -his succeeding.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was not much older when I commenced -teaching, but I got along well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is the young man desirous of teaching? Is -that the object of his coming here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; he was not certain that there was an -opening. He is looking round for some business -to occupy him. Being well educated, he -thinks he might like to be a teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should prefer that you would remain, -Mr. Barclay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, General Wall; I like teaching, -and if my health would allow of it, I would be -glad to continue; as it is, I must resign at -any rate. I think you had better try this -young man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is his name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gilbert Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Were you previously acquainted with him, -Mr. Barclay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir; but from what I have seen of him, -I have formed a favorable opinion of him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was my fellow-passenger on the stage -last evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So he told me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John and he didn’t quite agree, but I dare -say John was in fault. John is a spirited -boy, Mr. Barclay, and is disposed to stand up -for his rights.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And sometimes for what are not his -rights,” thought the teacher; but this again -was one of the things which he thought it -would not be best to express.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think he will be a smart man,” continued -the general.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I hope,” said Allen Barclay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As a lawyer, it won’t do him any harm to -be a little tenacious.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Allen Barclay thought the term tenacious -rather a mild one to express John’s overbearing -and grasping tendency. But he only said, -“It won’t do for a lawyer to be too mild and -unselfish.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just my idea, Mr. Barclay. A milk-and-water -sort of a man won’t succeed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this moment John Wall entered the -room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t you see Mr. Barclay, John?” said -his father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John nodded carelessly, for he thought the -teacher of a country school, earning a salary -of forty dollars a month, out of which he had -to pay his board, by no means his equal in the -social scale; and financially speaking, certainly, -Allen Barclay could make no great -pretensions; but he was a gentleman, which -John Wall was not, and probably never would -be.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, John,” said the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Evening,” was all that could be heard in -reply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Considering the manner in which he got on, -or rather did not get on, in Latin, John might -have supposed that Mr. Barclay had called to -speak on the subject to his father; but he was -too conceited to think he was doing poorly, -and never dreamed that, if he were, the teacher -would have the temerity to complain of him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John is, I believe, your most advanced -pupil, Mr. Barclay,” said General Wall, complacently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is further advanced in Latin than any -other,” answered the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I referred to that. I am not acquainted -with Latin myself, but I consider it a highly -important branch of education.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A good deal of benefit may be derived from -the study, I think,” said Barclay. “But John -is not likely to know enough to be of much advantage -to him,” was his inward reflection.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should be sorry to have John discontinue -it, now that he is so far advanced. However, -the young man you speak of understands it -well, you say.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; at least I have every reason to -think so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was something in this remark which -caught John’s attention. Who was the young -man referred to, and what connection could -his scholarship have with his continuing the -study of Latin?</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you speaking of?” he inquired -of his father.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Barclay is thinking of giving up teaching, -John, on account of his health. I was -speaking of the young man whom he has -recommended in his place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You remember the young man who was in -the stage yesterday?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you mean the one that wouldn’t give -up his seat to me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As he took the seat first, he had the best -right to it. He is the one I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What! is he a teacher? Why, he is only a -boy!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is rather young, but Mr. Barclay tells -me he is an excellent scholar, especially in -Latin. However, we shall examine him to-morrow -evening, and see if he is qualified.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He can’t keep school,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not, my son?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He can’t keep order. He is only a boy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If the scholars behave themselves, and he -knows enough to teach, I don’t see why he -should not succeed. I hope, John, you do not -propose to make any trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said John, slowly, “but the other fellows -will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then,” said Mr. Barclay, “you can exert -your influence to prevent them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John felt rather flattered by this reference -to his influence, but nevertheless he did not -like the idea of having Walter for a teacher. -Mr. Barclay, though he entertained no very -flattering opinion of John, was worldly wise, -and had shown him some subserviency on account -of his father’s position. John had a -secret feeling that Walter would not do this, -and he determined to make trouble for him. -He didn’t mean to help him, at any rate.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII <br /> <br /> A NOVEL SITUATION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>You</span> are to be examined to-morrow evening -at General Wall’s, Mr. Howard,” reported -Allen Barclay to Walter, who was waiting -the result of his visit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does General Wall know that I am the -one whom he met in the stage?” inquired Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, he mentioned it himself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say when you first mentioned -me as your successor?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He thought you were too young. But I -told him that I should resign at any rate, and -he had better try you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will the examination be very difficult?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not if the trustees confine themselves to -what they know themselves,” answered Barclay, -laughing. “Squire Griffiths will probably -ask a question or two in geography and -spelling; but you need not trouble yourself. -They won’t be hard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It might be a good plan to study a little -to-morrow,” suggested Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are welcome to sit in my room, and -use my books, if you wish, Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you. Did you see John Wall?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he was at home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he know anything about the plan of -my teaching?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; his father mentioned it to him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say?” asked Walter, curiously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope it won’t hurt your feelings if I tell -you, but he did not seem in favor of your appointment. -He seems to think that you will -not succeed. Are you frightened?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall not expect a very cordial welcome -from John,” said Walter; “but if that is all -the opposition I am to encounter, I shan’t -trouble myself much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have never inquired the salary paid,” -said Barclay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was true. Walter had not thought of -this, as he had another object in view of much -more importance, and chiefly desired the -school because it would give him an excuse to -remain in Portville without suspicions as to -his real motive. However, he felt some interest -in the matter, and inquired as to the -amount he might expect.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There isn’t much chance of a teacher growing -rich in Portville,” said Mr. Barclay. “All -I receive is forty dollars per month, and I pay -five dollars a week board. That is below the -usual price, but they make allowance at the -hotel for my small income.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That will satisfy me,” said Walter. “I -made more as a book agent, but then it was -harder work.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you will find the position agreeable. -I shall feel relieved to give up the school. I -ought to have done it before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Allen Barclay was seized with a violent fit -of coughing, which confirmed his statement in -an emphatic manner. He inherited a consumptive -tendency, and it seemed probable -that, do what he would, he would be short-lived.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day Walter, according to the -teacher’s invitation, installed himself in his -room, and spent the greater part of the day in -a hasty review of the English branches which -he would be called upon to teach. He found -the task of refreshing his memory comparatively -an easy one, for he had been good in all -his studies. By the time Allen Barclay returned -from school he had completed his review.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Mr. Howard, how have you spent -the time?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In literary pursuits, Mr. Barclay. I have -been examining myself in the different -branches of study, and feel pretty confident -of passing the ordeal. What time had I better -go to General Wall’s?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is best to be punctual. I think they will -be ready for you by seven o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Seven o’clock found Walter knocking at -the door of the chairman of the school trustees. -He felt tolerably composed. Still it -was a novel situation, and the undertaking he -contemplated might well be formidable to one -so young and inexperienced. But Walter was -not a timid boy. He had plenty of pluck, and -he meant to do his best, whatever might be the -issue. As to the examination, he did not feel -much alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The servant had her orders, and ushered -him at once into the presence of General Wall, -who seemed to be alone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, Mr. Howard,” said the -chairman of the trustees. “Mr. Barclay has -mentioned your name to me in connection -with the school, which he is compelled to -resign.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir. He thinks he must give up teaching.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have never taught before, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where were you educated?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the Essex Classical Institute, in the -State of New York.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are acquainted with the Latin language, -I presume.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My son, whom you saw in the stage the -other evening, is studying Latin. Do you feel -competent to teach so advanced a pupil?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I shall find any difficulty in -doing so,” said Walter, who felt strongly inclined -to laugh, but knew it would not do.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My son is studying Cæsar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; I am familiar with that author.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear it. It is my desire that -John should not lose any time. In fact, we -should have little difficulty in filling Mr. Barclay’s -place, but for requiring a knowledge of -Latin. For example, there is an experienced -teacher in the next town, Epaminondas Smith, -who has been teaching for fourteen years, and -would be glad of the place, but he only teaches -English branches. He has a great reputation -for management, stands six feet in his stockings, -and weighs a hundred and ninety-five -pounds. I went into his school once. I tell -you, Mr. Howard, the boys were as still as -mice. They knew what they would get if they -broke the rules.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was large for his age; still he only -measured five feet six inches in height, and -weighed but one hundred and twenty-eight -pounds. While General Wall was speaking, -he could not help observing that he was comparing -unfavorably his small physical proportions -with those of the redoubted Epaminondas -Smith. He might have felt discouraged, -but he remembered that one of the most effective -teachers at the Essex Institute, who commanded -the general respect and obedience of -the students, was an inch shorter than himself, -and probably weighed no more.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is the school hard to manage?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I should say not. Mr. Barclay has had -no trouble that I have heard of. Still he is -an experienced teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is an advantage, of course,” said -Walter, answering the implication. “But he -tells me that he succeeded as well in his first -school, though he was less than a year older -than I am now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is encouraging. I have spoken to -my fellow-trustees, Dr. Owens and Squire -Griffiths, Mr. Howard, and we have determined -to give you a trial; that is, if you pass -a satisfactory examination. I am afraid the -doctor won’t be able to come this evening, as -he has to visit a patient five miles distant. -However, he said he was willing to agree to -anything the squire and myself might decide -upon. Have you long been in the West, Mr. -Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir; I have never before been as far -west as Wisconsin. I spent the last three -months in Ohio, however.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We hardly call Ohio a Western State. We -always look upon it as in the East.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The West is a large country,” remarked -Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is very large, and has vast resources. -Its prairies are immense in extent, its rivers -are numerous and long, its mines are the -richest in the world,” said General Wall, -rather oratorically.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should like to inquire all about the Great -Metropolitan Mining Company,” thought -Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do all the mines pay well?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Those that are well managed do for the -most part. I am myself connected with one -or two, which we hope will pay in the end. -One of them has thus far been unsuccessful, -but it only needs reorganization and improved -management to pay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I knew whether he meant the -Metropolitan mine,” thought Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But General Wall did not specify whether -this was the one he referred to, and Walter -was left in doubt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you know when Mr. Barclay wishes to -cease teaching?” inquired General Wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think at once. He has a severe cough, -and he thinks the climate here does not suit -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The door opened at this point, and John -Wall entered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here is a letter, father,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His father took the letter with some eagerness -and opened it. He turned the envelope -in such a way that Walter saw the postmark, -and with no little interest recognized it as -Willoughby, N. Y. He also recognized the -handwriting as that of Mr. Shaw. It was -doubtless the letter in which the lawyer declined -to close at once with the offer of two -per cent. for Mr. Conrad’s claims. Walter -was confirmed in this supposition by seeing -a look of dissatisfaction upon the face of General -Wall. The latter had imagined that the -executor of Mr. Conrad’s estate would be glad -to realize so much from what he might have -concluded to be a worthless claim. The temporary -refusal would necessarily interfere -with his plans for the organization of a new -company, who should enrich themselves at -the expense of the original owners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Excuse me, Mr. Howard,” said General -Wall, “but I recognize this as an important -business letter. This is my son, as you doubtless -know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening,” said Walter, politely, offering -his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John took the proffered hand coldly, just -touching it, and muttering “Good-evening” -in a not very gracious manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I foresee that he won’t prove a very agreeable -scholar,” thought Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this moment a knock was heard at the -door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That must be Squire Griffiths,” said General -Wall. “John, you may go to the door -and let him in.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII <br /> <br /> THE SCHOOL TRUSTEE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Squire Griffiths</span> was a small man, with -stiff gray hair, which he usually brushed in -such a manner that it stood up straight in -front, forming a palisade, so to speak. It -might have been to increase his apparent -height, or again it might have been regarded -as adding to the dignity of his presence, for -the squire had by no means a contemptible -opinion of himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, Squire Griffiths,” said General -Wall, advancing to meet him. “This is -Mr. Howard, the young man whom Mr. Barclay -has recommended to fill his place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Squire Griffiths drew a pair of glasses from -his pocket, and, adjusting them in a leisurely -manner, scrutinized the face of our hero.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How old be you?” he inquired, rather unceremoniously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nearly sixteen,” answered Walter, a little -embarrassed by the abruptness of the question.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Seems to me you’re enterin’ on the teacher’s -purfession a leetle airly,” remarked the -squire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir, I am rather young,” answered -Walter, “but I hope I am qualified, and if I -undertake the school I shall do my best to -succeed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course,” said the squire. “I expected -you’d say that. Why, there’s some of the -scholars could thrash you easy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps so,” said Walter, smiling; “but I -shouldn’t let them do it without resisting.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You look as if you’d got some grit, to be -sure,” said the squire, reflectively. “Ever -taught afore?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, experience would be desirable -in a teacher,” interrupted the general at this -point; “but everybody has to begin, and some -succeed very well from the first. Mr. Howard -is a good Latin scholar, and that is in his -favor.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think much of Latin, for my part,” -said the squire. “If a man knows how to talk -English, that’s as much as he actilly needs.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t quite agree with you there, Squire -Griffiths,” said the general. “My boy John -is reading Cæsar’s works, and I want him to -be a fine Latin scholar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Was Cæsar a Latin?” asked Squire Griffiths.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He used the Latin language,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, maybe it’s all right to study Latin,” -said the squire, “though I’ve lived man and -boy more’n sixty year, and have got along -without it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Squire Griffiths had rather a limited idea -of the range of education, and thought if a -boy could read and write and cipher, he was -prepared to go out into the world.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Latin is considered indispensable to a -thorough education,” said General Wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s a lot of new-fangled things come -up since my day,” said the squire. “My -Amandy says she wants to study botany. I -asked her if it made the flowers smell any -sweeter to know about ’em. Then there’s algebrey, -or some sich nonsense.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By the way, Mr. Howard, can you teach -algebra?” asked General Wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John has not commenced it yet, but if you -would advise it, I will buy him a book.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should think he was old enough to study -it,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall was evidently disposed to employ -Walter. He feared that if he was not engaged -some teacher would be procured who -would be unable to carry John forward in the -advanced course upon which he had entered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Squire Griffiths, shall we proceed to -the examination?” he suggested. “Dr. Owens -will be unable to attend our meeting this evening, -so that duty will be thrown upon us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t no objection, general. You may -start, and I’ll come in with a few questions -bimeby.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will ask you to read first, Mr. Howard,” -said the general. “Here’s a book. You can -open it anywhere, and read.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The book chanced to be an historical work, -written in a style clear and flowing. Walter -read it easily and fluently for half a page.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think that will do,” said General Wall. -“Are you satisfied, Squire Griffiths?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Pretty fair,” said the squire, patronizingly; -“but there was one word which I think -Mr. Howard pronounced a leetle wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Which word was it?” inquired Walter, -somewhat surprised.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you read that last sentence over -again, Mr. Howard?” said the squire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly, sir,” and Walter read as follows:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The army of Napoleon suffered less from -the military forces which Russia opposed to -him, than from the frigidity of the climate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s one of the last words,” said the squire, -“what you call frigidity.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is not that correct?” asked Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I always say frig-i-dity,” said the squire, -giving a hard sound to the letter “g” and emphasizing -the last syllable but one.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter found it difficult not to laugh, and -General Wall, who was a considerably better -scholar than his associate, said, “I think, -squire, that yours is the old-fashioned pronunciation, -and that Mr. Howard’s is now -more in use.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Maybe you are right,” said the squire. -“For my part, I like the old ways best. Still -I suppose people in gineral will like the new-fangled -ways.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The squire indulged in no further questioning, -and General Wall said, “Will you ask a -few words in spelling, Squire Griffiths?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Squire Griffiths readjusted his spectacles, -and, opening the book, gave out in a loud voice:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ridiculous,” emphasizing the third syllable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter spelled it correctly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next word the squire pronounced spet-tikle; -but Walter, inferring that he meant -spectacle, spelled that word.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here the squire looked off the book, and -gave out the word Philadelphia.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“P-h-i-l, phil, a, phila, d-e-l, del, philadel, -p-h-i-a, Philadelphia.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that right, General Wall?” asked the -squire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve always spelled it p-h-y, phy,” said the -squire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I happen to have a Philadelphia paper -here,” said General Wall. “We’ll look at -that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The result, of course, was to decide the matter -in Walter’s favor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think the other way must be right, too,” -said the squire. “I’ve got a nephew there, and -that’s the way he always writes it. On the -whole, I’m satisfied with the young man’s -readin’ and spellin’. Suppose we proceed to -geography.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well. Mr. Howard, will you bound -Russia?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter did so promptly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well; that is right, I believe, Squire -Griffiths.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe he didn’t mention Italy, on the -west.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Italy is at some distance from Russia, -squire,” said General Wall. “Perhaps you are -thinking of Turkey.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Maybe I was. Did he say Turkey?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, he mentioned it. Where are the Alps, -Mr. Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In Switzerland, chiefly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Correct.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Which is the longest river in the United -States?” asked the squire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Mississippi.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very good,” said the squire, as if he hardly -anticipated a correct answer to so difficult a -question.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Squire Griffiths now essayed a more ambitious -flight.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where are the Amazon Mountains?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Amazon Mountains?” repeated Walter, -puzzled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. Where are they?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe the Amazon is a river, Squire -Griffiths,” suggested General Wall, with -suavity. “You are probably thinking of the -Andes Mountains.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I was,” said the squire, a little discomposed, -for he did not know where the -Andes Mountains were, and was surprised to -learn that the Amazon was a river.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In South America,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Correct, is it not?” asked General Wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Quite so,” said the squire, glad to have got -out of his quandary so well.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are the two great rivers of Africa, -Mr. Howard?” asked the General.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Nile and the Niger.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And what great desert is in Africa?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The desert of Sahara.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is just the question I was going to -ask,” said the squire, who felt a little jealous -of the more prominent part General Wall was -taking in the examination. I am sorry to say, -however, that the assertion was without -foundation, as he had never before heard of -Sahara, to his knowledge.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have asked all the questions I wished,” -said General Wall. “I leave you to finish the -examination in geography.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Howard, where is Cape Horn?” asked -the squire, straightening himself up and clearing -his throat. He asked this question with -confidence, because he happened to know the -answer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the southern point of South America,” -said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That will do, General Wall. Mr. Howard -appears to be very well posted in geography. -It was always a favorite study of mine, and I -am gratified to find him so perficient.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The examination closed with a few questions -in arithmetic, which were satisfactorily -answered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, “we are -satisfied with the result of the examination. -We consider you competent to teach, so far as -your education is concerned. We will take -Mr. Barclay’s word for your being a good -Latin scholar. We authorize you to commence -teaching as soon as he gives up the school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just so,” said the squire. “I hope you’ll -get along with the big boys.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will do my best,” answered our hero.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As he walked home, he could not help wondering -how such an ignoramus as Squire -Griffiths came to be selected as a school -trustee.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX <br /> <br /> THE FASCINATING MISS JONES.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>Well</span>,” said Allen Barclay, as Walter entered -his room on his return from the examination, -“how did you get along, Mr. Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I came off with flying colors. Squire -Griffiths asked me where the Amazon mountains -were!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Squire Griffiths is not quite so wise as Solomon,” -answered Allen Barclay, laughing, -“though he looks so with his glasses on. Well, -I am glad you came out all right. When shall -you be ready to commence?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will go in on Monday morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well. Then I will pack up my trunk -and prepare to leave Portville by the three P. -M. train.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish you were going to remain here; I -shall be lonely.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you for the compliment. I like -Portville well enough, but the air is too bracing. -However,” he added, in a lighter tone, -“I leave behind me one who will solace you for -my loss.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know to whom you refer,” said Walter, -mystified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To whom could I refer but Miss Jones?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The young lady with ringlets,” said Walter, -smiling. “I didn’t know you were interested -in that quarter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t say whether I am or not. Be that -as it may, I resign her willingly to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She pays me very little attention compared -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You flatter me. If I have attracted her attention, -it is only as a schoolmaster. She professes -to have literary tastes, and supposes -that I am gifted in the same way. When you -ascend my vacant throne her attention will be -transferred to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You enchant me,” said Walter, amused. -“But I am afraid I look too young to attract -the young lady’s attention.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will prove to the contrary. Do you see -that note?” exhibiting a small <i>billet</i>, written -on pink paper.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will read it. You will see that it concerns -both of us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Barclay held up the note and read in -pompous tones the contents, as follows:</p> -<p class='c010'>“Miss Melinda Athanasia Jones presents her -compliments to Mr. Barclay and his friend, -Mr. Howard, and hopes they will do her the -honor to spend Saturday evening at her bower, -that she may enjoy the rare pleasure of literary -converse with congenial spirits.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Quite a high-flown invitation,” said Walter. -“What does she mean by her bower?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only her apartment in the hotel. It is a -poetic designation, that’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who will be present?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only her brother.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is he poetical too?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Far from it. He won’t take much part in -the conversation. Such remarks as he may -venture to make will be prosaic enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see by the letters R. S. V. P., which she -puts at the bottom, that she expects a reply.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not much used to social etiquette. I -am ashamed to say I didn’t know what the -letters meant.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They stand for <i>Répondez, s’il vous plaît</i>--Answer, -if you please.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will remember that the next time a fashionable -young lady writes to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you have not answered the invitation -then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I did not understand the letters, and -thought it would do well enough to answer -verbally when we met to-morrow morning at -the breakfast table.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you allow me to draft the answer, Mr. -Barclay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly, Mr. Howard. I shall be very -glad to have you do so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will write it, and, as the answer should -come from you, you can copy it if you like.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well. You will find pens and paper -on the table.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter sat down to the table with a twinkle -of merriment in his eyes, and dashed off the -following reply:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Barclay and Mr. Howard are deeply -indebted to Miss Melinda Athanasia Jones for -her kind invitation, and will have pleasure in -visiting her Amaranthine bower at the time -appointed, and trust that they may be inspired -by the muses, whose favorite haunt it is, to -hold appropriate converse with the fair occupant, -exchanging thoughts that breathe and -words that burn.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>“What do you think of that?” asked Walter, -reading it aloud to his companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have beaten her with her own weapons,” -said Barclay, laughing. “She will be delighted. -I hope, by the way, that you will -carry some Russia salve, in case the burns -should prove severe.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The burns are only metaphorical. They -won’t be uncomfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think you had better answer the epistle -yourself, Mr. Howard. I feel a little modest -about taking the credit of so high-flown a production.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let it go in my handwriting then. It purports -to be from us both.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter sat down again, and copied his epistolary -effort in his best hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now how shall we get it to the young -lady?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Edward, the errand boy, will call at the -door in a few minutes to bring back my clean -clothes from the wash. I have just sent him. -We will get him to carry it this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In fifteen minutes Edward tapped at the -door. He brought in the bundle of clothes, -and was about going out, when Allen Barclay -intrusted the note to him with directions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Leave it this evening,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right!” said Edward, with a grin of -intelligence. “I s’pose it’s very important, -Mr. Barclay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, it’s only about an invitation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Edward nodded knowingly, as if to say, “I -know all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That fellow will report that I am courting -Miss Jones,” said Barclay, laughing as he -went out.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought he looked knowing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he thinks he is very sharp. However, -I shan’t trouble myself much about what reports -he puts in circulation. It won’t affect -me particularly, as I am going away so soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am safe enough,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you make that out?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I mean that I am too young to give countenance -to any such reports.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not sure about that. You look older -than you are.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much older?” asked Walter, who -liked to be considered above his real age.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have seen boys of seventeen--I beg pardon, -I should say young men to a teacher in -prospective--who looked no older than you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw false mustaches advertised in some -paper the other day for seventy-five cents. -Don’t you think it would be well to provide -myself with one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There might be a little danger of its slipping -off some day, and that might prove awkward, -you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I rather think it would,” said Walter, -laughing. “Well, I will save my seventy-five -cents, and wait till nature provides me with -the genuine article, warranted to stick fast.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That will be better, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you any idea as to Miss Jones’ age?” -inquired Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see you are getting interested in her. -Evidently her ringlets have done the business -for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I deny the charge,” said Walter. “I only -felt a little curious.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can gratify your curiosity. Miss Jones -calls herself twenty-one, but her brother, who -is very apt to make blunders, made some allusion -one day fixing her age at twenty-seven. I -thought she would have boxed his ears. I -shall not soon forget her look of anger and -annoyance. She took occasion the next day -to refer to herself as twenty-one; but, as the -boys say, it was too thin. However, she fancies -we are all deceived, and I allow her to -think that I consider her youthful.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of an evening shall we have?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very literary. Perhaps Miss Jones will -read us one of her poems.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does she write poetry?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She calls it poetry.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you call it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t find any appropriate name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did she ever have any of her verses -printed?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She frequently hints that she has appeared -in print, but she never showed me any of her -printed poems. I have no doubt she has offered -her verses in various directions, but -editors are flinty-hearted sometimes, and I fear -they have dropped her contributions into the -waste-basket.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“After all you have said, I feel considerably -curious to pass an evening at the bower. But -I am afraid the remembrance of the intellectual -evening before you will give you an added -pang in leaving Portville.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can stand it,” said Barclay, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“True, you can correspond. I did not think -of that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor I. Mr. Howard, I could not respond -to her letters in fitting language. You could -do it better than I.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that a compliment? Thank you,” said -Walter, with a low bow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he went to bed that night, there were -two events to which he looked forward with -interest. One was, his entrance upon his -duties as teacher on Monday morning; the -other, his visit to the bower of Miss Melinda -Athanasia Jones on the following evening.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X <br /> <br /> MR. BARCLAY’S FAREWELL.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Mr. Barclay</span> spent a part of Saturday in -packing his trunk, preparatory to leaving -Portville on Monday. Walter, having no -schoolbooks of his own at hand, purchased -those of his predecessor at a fair valuation, -and arranged to move into his room and receive -board on the same terms. Saturday, as -in some of the Eastern States, was a half-holiday. -As it would be his last day in school, Mr. -Barclay, after the school had come to order, -took occasion to make the following remarks:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My friends and scholars: It may be a surprise -to some of you when I say that this day -terminates my connection with you as teacher. -I found some time since that the climate of -Wisconsin was unfavorable to my health. -Still I didn’t like to leave you until some one -should be secured who could take my place at -once, so that you need not lose by the change. -I am happy to say that my successor has been -found. Mr. Howard, who is now present, will -take my place on Monday. He is thoroughly -qualified for the position, and if you co-operate -with him in his efforts for your advantage, -I am sure that you will have no reason to regret -the change of teachers. For myself, I -cannot leave you without great sorrow, since -I may never meet any of you again. I thank -you for your unvarying good conduct during -the terms thus far, and hope that things may -continue as pleasantly after I leave you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>While Mr. Barclay was speaking, many -curious glances were cast in the direction of -the new teacher. Walter felt a little embarrassed, -and flushed as he met the united gaze. -He felt that he had undertaken a “big job,” -but his courage rose with the occasion, and he -determined to spare no effort to succeed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Won’t you say a few words to the scholars, -Mr. Howard?” said Barclay, in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it necessary?” returned Walter, who -had not prepared himself for a speech.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think it will be expected.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Whereupon Walter rose, and, after the first -slight embarrassment, spoke as follows: “As -Mr. Barclay has told you, I have agreed to -take his place as your teacher on Monday. I -did not come to Portville with the intention -of teaching, but, finding that your teacher -wished to be relieved, I have consented to try -to fill his place. I shall do my best to advance -you in your studies, and hope to treat you all -fairly and justly. It is so short a time since -I was a student myself that I think I know -what you expect in a teacher. I hope we -shall be mutually pleased with each other.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This speech produced a favorable impression -upon the scholars--that is, upon most of -them. There were a few who were disposed to -regard Walter with contempt, as a boy who -would be quite incompetent to manage them. -Among these was John Wall, who surveyed -the new teacher with a supercilious air. Walter -noticed this, but it did not trouble him -much. If no one chose to trouble him except -John, he knew he could get along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When school was over, Mr. Barclay said: -“If the scholars will remain a few minutes, I -shall be glad to introduce them individually to -Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter rose, and one by one the scholars -came up. John Wall did not come up; but -then he had already made acquaintance with -Walter, so that it did not seem necessary. -Still, had he been friendly, he would have advanced -with the rest instead of standing aloof, -eyeing the scene askance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The greeting between Walter and the scholars -was generally formal enough. He had to -say very much the same thing to each, and it -would have become monotonous if he had not -closely scrutinized each face, partly that he -might associate it with the name, partly to -form some little idea of the character of the -boy or girl, and judge whether he or she was -likely to prove agreeable and friendly or otherwise. -There were two faces which he particularly -noticed. One attracted him. It was a -boy with dark hair, and a thoughtful, intelligent -expression, whom Mr. Barclay had already -spoken of to him as the best scholar in -school. His name was Alfred Clinton. He -was apparently fourteen. He was a beginner -in Latin, but, as far as he had gone, was a far -more thorough scholar than John Wall. As -Walter’s hand touched his, each felt instinctively -that he had found a friend, though only -the usual formal words passed between them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The other scholar whom Walter noticed was -of very different personal appearance. His -hair was red, his face freckled, and his expression -stolid; but there was something that indicated -an unusual degree of stubbornness. He -was sixteen, and, though about Walter’s -height, was more heavily molded, and looked -stronger. There was a peculiar smile on his -face as he took Walter’s offered hand, and -muttered something in return to the young -teacher’s greeting. Walter felt that the smile -boded mischief, and inwardly determined to -look out for Peter Groot, for this was his -name.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was right in distrusting Peter. His -idea of a teacher was, that he must be big -enough to “lick” any of the boys; otherwise he -had no right to expect obedience. Now, on examining -Walter, he decided that he, Peter, -could “lick him easy,” as he expressed it in -conversation with the other boys. As to obeying -a little chap like the master, he made up -his mind that he would do it only so far as it -suited him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess he won’t dare to tackle me,” he -said, stretching out a stout arm with an air -of satisfaction. Of course this was said outside -of the school and not within hearing of either -of the teachers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope, Peter, you are not going to make -trouble,” said Alfred Clinton, to whom, with -others, this was addressed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What makes you wish that?” demanded -Peter. “The master ain’t nothin’ to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is going to teach me,” said Alfred, “and -I want to profit by his instructions.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He ain’t fit to teach,” said Peter Groot, -contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why isn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I could lick him with one hand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know about that. But even if you -could, that doesn’t prove that he can’t teach, -does it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He isn’t big enough to keep order.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going to be disorderly?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess I won’t trouble him, if he don’t -trouble me,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If he don’t interfere with me, I won’t interfere -with him. I ain’t goin’ to be ordered -round by a feller I can lick.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He won’t ask anything unreasonable of -you,” said Alfred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’d better not,” said Peter Groot, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, he will expect us to obey him as -the teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You kin obey him if you want to; I’m goin’ -to do as I please.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why haven’t you done that with Mr. Barclay, -Peter?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because he’s stronger than I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It will be seen from this conversation that -Peter’s ideas as to the relation between teacher -and scholar were very rudimentary. The -“master,” to him, was the embodiment of sufficient -physical force to keep in due subjection -the unruly elements under him, and it was -perfectly legitimate for a scholar to refuse -obedience unless the one who required it was -able to enforce the demand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was still another scholar who attracted -the notice of Walter. This was a -young man of twenty, who stood six feet in his -stockings. He towered above Walter by several -inches, and our hero was tempted to laugh -when he reflected that he was about to assume -the position of teacher to one so far his superior -in age and size. However, he felt reassured -by the expression of Phineas Morton, -which, though heavy, was friendly and good-natured. -He might not be a very active friend, -but it did not seem likely that he would do -anything to annoy the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Mr. Howard,” said Barclay, as they -were walking home, “what are your first impressions -of the scholars?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Rather confused,” said Walter, laughing. -“I have got the names and faces of all mixed -up together, and can hardly tell one from the -other.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That was my first experience; but I soon -learned to distinguish them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There was one I particularly liked.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can guess who you mean--Alfred Clinton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he seemed to me very intelligent and -attractive.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will find him both. He has more talent -than any other scholar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How old is he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fourteen. His mother is a widow, and I -suspect she has a hard time to get along. You -noticed that Alfred was poorly dressed?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I did not notice that. I only looked at -his face.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He does errands out of school and whatever -work he can find, in order to assist his -mother. I wish he might have a college education. -It was at my suggestion that he commenced -Latin, and he does better in it than any -of his class. I am sure you will enjoy teaching -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think I shall enjoy Peter Groot?” -asked Walter, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think you will. He is neither a -model scholar nor a model boy. To tell the -truth, I am more afraid he will give you -trouble than any other boy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he trouble you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was impudent to me the second day, -and I knocked him over. After that, he gave -me much less trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So he needs to be conquered into good behavior?” -said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s about so.” And Barclay looked at our -hero with a natural doubt whether he would -be able to cope with the troublesome scholar.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does Peter know anything about boxing?” -asked Walter, who understood what was brewing -in the mind of his companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing at all. Do you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have a fair knowledge of it. Peter may -be a little stronger, but if worst comes to -worst, I think I am a match for him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear it, Mr. Howard, for I -suspect he will give you a chance to display -your science upon him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wouldn’t undertake to encounter the big -fellow--what is his name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Phineas Morton. He won’t require it. If -he finds you are a good teacher, he will stand -by you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I am not afraid. John Wall probably -isn’t very friendly, but I am not afraid -of him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You needn’t fear open violence from him. -If he works against you, it will be in an underhand -way.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At any rate, the die is cast; I have agreed -to take the school, and I shall do what I can -to succeed.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘<i>In battle I’ll fall, or in death be laid low,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>With my face to the field, and my feet to the foe.</i>’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>Barclay laughed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you undertake it in that spirit,” he said, -“I think you will succeed. At any rate you -have my best wishes.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI <br /> <br /> TWO POETS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Miss Melinda Athanasia Jones</span> devoted -herself during the day to the composition of -a poem to be read to the guests whom she expected -in the evening. She wanted to produce -a good impression upon them. Her vocation, -so she thought, was that of an authoress. She -had sent several poems to the <i>Atlantic Monthly</i> -and <i>Harper’s Magazine</i> at various times, but -with singular unanimity both periodicals had -“respectfully declined” them all. Melinda -understood the reason well enough.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is because I am a Western <i>literati</i>,” she -exclaimed to her brother, with a lofty contempt -for grammar. “If I were a Boston or -New York <i>literati</i>, they would be glad to get -my productions.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I reckon you’re right, Melindy,” said her -brother Ichabod. “Why don’t you have your -perductions, as you call ’em, mailed in Boston -or New York? You could send ’em to somebody -there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, I wouldn’t stoop to the subterfuge,” -said Melinda, reciting melodramatically:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>Breathes there a girl with soul so dead,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Who never to herself hath said,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Wisconsin is my native State?</i>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“Good!” said her brother. “When did you -make up them verses?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They are not mine,” confessed Melinda. -“They are by Byron.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are they, now? He was a smart feller, -wasn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was an inspired poet, Ichabod; but you -wouldn’t understand him. He soars into the -realms of the evanescent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does he? Then I guess I couldn’t. I ain’t -much on soarin’.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At half-past seven o’clock a knock was heard -at the door of Melinda’s boudoir.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ichabod, open the door,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Her brother obeyed the command. As Barclay -and Walter entered the room, they beheld -their fair hostess seated at the center -table, with a volume of poems resting on her -lap, while one hand supported her forehead, -the elbow resting on the table. She had practiced -this attitude during the afternoon before -a looking-glass, and considered it effective.</p> - -<p class='c007'>She lifted her eyes slowly, appearing wrapt -in meditation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Pardon my pensive preoccupation,” she -said, rising and greeting her guests. “I was -communing with Milton. Do you often commune -with him, Mr. Barclay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t had much time for that lately, -Miss Jones. My friend here is more poetical -than I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed, Mr. Howard, I am glad to hear -that. You and me will be congenial.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You flatter me, Miss Jones,” said Walter, -looking sober, but wanting to laugh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you ever provoke the muse, Mr. Howard?” -asked Melinda, who probably meant invoke.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sometimes,” said Walter. “I hear you are -an authoress.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A little of one,” said Melinda, modestly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you will favor us by reading something -of your own.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed, Mr. Howard,” said Melinda, with -affected bashfulness, “I should be afraid to -submit my careless productions to gentlemen -of such literary taste. I did indeed throw off -a few rhymes to-day, but----”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We shall be glad to hear them, Miss Jones. -Perhaps, after you have read them, my friend, -Mr. Howard, will read something.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, that will be delightful! In that case -I cannot refuse. Ichabod, will you bring me -that portfolio from the desk?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Her brother, whom Melinda was in the -habit of ordering around, complied with his -sister’s request.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Melinda drew out a sheet of note paper and -unfolded it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope, Mr. Howard, you will not be severe -upon my verses. They were written this afternoon, -in a fit of inspiration. You will see that -they reveal my too susceptible soul. I am subject -to fits----”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, Melinda,” broke in her brother, “you -never told me you had fits?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To fits of lonely contemplation,” continued -Melinda, looking severely at her brother, “and -it was in one of these that I penned the following -stanzas.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Melinda cleared her throat, and read as follows, -in an impressive voice:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>Oh, lay me to sleep in the deep, deep sea,</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>For my life is dark and drear;</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Or give me the wings to soar aloft,--</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>I am tired of living here.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>I feel that I am not understood;</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>My thoughts are far too deep</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>For the common crowd, who only care</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>To eat and drink and sleep.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>My soul walks through the world alone,</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>Where it e’er must sadly roam.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Pining for congenial company</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>In some celestial home.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>I wreathe my face in hollow smiles,</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>And people think me glad;</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>They cannot see my aching heart,</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>For I am ever sad.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>Then lay me to sleep in the deep, deep sea;</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>For my life is dark and drear;</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Or give me wings to soar aloft,--</i></div> - <div class='line in3'><i>I am tired of living here.</i>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“It takes Melinda to string off the rhymes,” -said Ichabod, who took his sister at her own -valuation, and firmly believed her to be a -genius. “She writes ’em just as easy!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you share her talent, Mr. Jones?” asked -Walter, gravely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Me? I couldn’t write poetry if you was to -pay me ten dollars a line. I shouldn’t want -to, either, if I’d got to feel as Melinda says she -does in them verses she just read.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the penalty of a too-sensitive soul. -Surely you have had such feelings, Mr. Howard. -I am afraid you were not favorably impressed -by my poor verses.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This she said, anxious to draw out expressions -of admiration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The lines are very smooth, Miss Jones,” -said Walter, “but I cannot say I ever have -quite such feelings. I am of a cheerful temperament, -and my muse would not soar to -such lofty heights as yours.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I envy you, Mr. Howard,” said Melinda, -with a sigh. “I wish my muse were not so -thoughtful and contemplative. Have you not -some poem you could read us? Mr. Barclay -says you are a poet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid Mr. Barclay has spoken without -authority.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, Mr. Howard, you must read Miss -Jones the verses you wrote this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What! Were you, too, provoking the -muse, Mr. Howard?” asked Melinda, with -eager interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid I was,” said Walter, gravely, -choosing to understand the young lady’s -words literally.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In fact he had written a few verses, at Mr. -Barclay’s suggestion, “for the fun of it,” in -order to contribute his quota to the feast of -reason expected in the evening.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I hope you will excuse my reading it,” -he added, with affected bashfulness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed I will not. Mr. Barclay, help me -to persuade Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter finally yielded, as he intended to do -all the while, but on condition that Mr. Barclay -would read the poem. This being accepted, -Barclay read, with appropriate emphasis, -the following verses, which were -modeled after a song found in a small collection -of minstrel verses in Walter’s possession:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>Around the little cottage</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Waved fields of golden grain</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And in it lived my heart’s delight,--</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>My Sophronisba Jane.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>It was an humble cottage,</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>But peace and comfort reign</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Within the pleasant homestead</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Of Sophronisba Jane.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>Her cheeks were like red apples,</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Her dress of neat de laine;</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>She was an artless maiden,</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Was Sophronisba Jane.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>You cannot find in far-off climes,</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>In Italy or Spain,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>A girl that’s half so charming</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>As Sophronisba Jane.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>And if I were a monarch,</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Instead of humble swain,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>I still would seek to win the love</i></div> - <div class='line in2'><i>Of Sophronisba Jane.</i>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“How sweet!” murmured Melinda. “Indeed -you are a true poet, Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Walter, who had hard -work not to laugh, knowing himself what -ridiculous rubbish his verses were.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By Jove! that’s my style of poetry,” said -Mr. Jones, energetically. “I like that better -than yours, Melindy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, it don’t compare with your sister’s, -Mr. Jones,” said Walter, modestly. “It doesn’t -soar to such lofty heights.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, Mr. Howard, I think it excellent,” -said Miss Jones, who was delighted at the -praise of her own production. “I cannot expect -all to be so contemplative as I am. My -muse loves to dwell alone in primeval solitude. -Yours seeks the woodland glade.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have expressed the difference admirably, -Miss Jones,” said Barclay, gravely. -“Mr. Jones and myself unluckily cannot soar -with you and Mr. Howard. We can only look -on in silent admiration.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you often indite verses, Mr. Howard?” -asked Melinda. “I hope you will show me all -your productions.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I seldom write, Miss Jones. Whenever I -do, I shall be sure to ask your critical opinion -of my verses.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But it is unnecessary to detail the rest of -the conversation. Later in the evening some -nuts, apples and raisins were passed around, -to which Melinda did full justice, notwithstanding -her unsatisfied longings and the solitude -of her soul.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII <br /> <br /> LED BY A BOOTBLACK.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>While</span> Walter is anticipating commencing -his duties as teacher on Monday morning, we -leave him awhile to chronicle the adventures -of Joshua Drummond, his distant relative. -Readers of “Strong and Steady” will -call to mind that he was the son of Jacob -Drummond, of Stapleton, a country shopkeeper, -with whom Walter passed a few weeks -shortly after his father’s death. Mr. Drummond -was thoroughly a mean man, and, though -his son was now eighteen years of age, allowed -him only twenty-five cents a week for spending-money. -When Joshua asked for more, he -told him he might go to work in a shoeshop, or -in his own store, though in the latter case he -only agreed to pay him fifty cents. But work -was not what Joshua wanted. He thought -that, as a rich man’s son, he was entitled to a -liberal allowance without working at all. He -was willing, nevertheless, to take a situation -in the city, being anxious to see life, as he -termed it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Finally, seeing no other way to compass his -desire, Joshua opened his father’s strong box -with a key which he had found, and abstracted -from it fifty dollars in gold, and a five-twenty -government bond for five hundred dollars, excusing -himself for the theft by the specious -reasoning that it was only taking in advance -what would be his some day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus provided, he secretly left the house, -and took the train for New York, saying to -himself, in exultation, as he took his seat at -the car window, “Now I am going to see life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua felt immensely wealthy with the -proceeds of the robbery, amounting, at the -price of bonds, to over six hundred dollars. -Accustomed to the paltry sum of twenty-five -cents a week, never having had in his possession -more than a dollar at a time, and seldom -that, it is not surprising that he should have -regarded six hundred dollars as a small fortune. -He knew nothing of the city and its -dangers. He had an idea that he should easily -get a situation in a week or two, which time -he proposed to spend in seeing life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he reached New York, he left the -depot and went out into the street. He felt -bewildered. The change from the quiet streets -of Stapleton to the thronged avenues of the -great city was very great, and he hardly knew -whether he stood on his head or his heels. -But he realized, with a thrill of exultation, -that he was in the city of which he had so -often dreamed. He felt that a new page was -to be turned over in his life, and that his future -would be much more brilliant than his -past.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua knew nobody in the city except Sam -Crawford. His first desire was to find out -where Sam lived. Sam he was accustomed to -regard as a personage of a good deal of importance. -But how to find him--that was the -question. He knew that Sam was a clerk in -a shoe store on Eighth avenue, but where that -avenue was he had not the least idea.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While he was standing outside the depot in -some perplexity, wondering how far off Sam’s -store was, he was accosted by a sharp-looking -bootblack, whose hands indicated his profession.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Shine yer boots, mister?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was not reckless in his expenditures, -and he inquired, cautiously, “How much do -you ask?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty-five cents,” said the bootblack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty-five cents!” exclaimed Joshua, -aghast, reflecting that the sum asked represented -what hitherto had been his entire -weekly allowance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” said the bootblack, “seein’ you’re -from the country, I’ll call it twenty cents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What makes you think I’m from the country?” -asked Joshua, quite unconscious of his -rustic air.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw you git off the cars,” said the bootblack, -not caring to offend a possible customer -by commenting on his verdant appearance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua, satisfied; “I came from -the country this morning. I don’t know much -about the city. I’ve got a friend here. He is -in a store in Eighth avenue. His name is Sam -Crawford. Do you know him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Know Sam Crawford? In course I do,” -said the bootblack, who had never heard the -name before. “I black his boots every mornin’.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you?” asked Joshua, brightening up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. He always gives me twenty cents. -He wouldn’t go round with no such lookin’ -boots as yours. They ain’t respectable here in -the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua believed all this. He was not yet -accustomed to the “ways that are dark and -tricks that are vain” of city street Arabs, and -he decided to have his boots blacked notwithstanding -the price, which he could not help -regarding as very steep. He was anxious to -conform, as speedily as possible, to city fashions, -and, if it was not respectable to walk -about in unpolished boots, he decided to have -them blacked, so that his friend Sam might -not feel ashamed of him when he came into -his store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess I’ll have my boots blacked,” he -said. “Can’t you take less than twenty -cents?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s the regular price, fixed by the city -gov’ment,” protested the bootblack. “If I was -to take less, I’d have my license took away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you have a license?” asked Joshua, with -curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In course I do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you got it here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I’ve got it to home, along with my gold -valooables. I had to pay fifty dollars for it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s high, isn’t it?” asked Joshua, who -was gathering valuable information with great -rapidity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, it is; but then, you see we have to -support the gov’ment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile the mendacious young bootblack -was vigorously employed upon Joshua’s boots. -He had a hard job. They were made of cow-hide, -for Jacob Drummond was not in the -habit of spending much for the outfit of his -son, and they had never been well polished -since they were new. At length, however, they -were polished, and certainly were greatly improved -by the process, though in shape they -would hardly have been taken for the work of -a fashionable city bootmaker.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There,” said the young Arab, surveying -his work complacently, “now they look respectable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They do look better than they did,” Joshua -was compelled to admit. He drew out twenty -cents from his vest pocket and handed it to -the boy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it far to Sam Crawford’s store?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“About two miles,” was the answer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Could I find the way easy?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; all you’ve got to do is to go up Madison -avenue till you get to the Battery. Go -round it; then cross Madison square, keepin’ -the Astor House on your left hand. Turn into -the Bowery at Trinity Church; then cross over -to Twenty-seventh street. Go up Twenty-seventh -street six blocks till you get to A. T. -Stewart’s store; then take a short cut to -Eighth avenue, and there you are.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>These false and absurd directions were delivered -with great volubility by the bootblack; -but it is needless to say that they made a very -confused impression upon the mind of Joshua, -who felt more bewildered and helpless than -before.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know any of those places,” he said. -“I am afraid I couldn’t find the way.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Maybe you couldn’t. I know a man who -was two days findin’ a place only a mile off. -If he’d paid a dollar to somebody that knew -the way he’d been all right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This put a new idea into Joshua’s mind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you’ll show me the way to Sam Crawford’s, -I’ll give you fifty cents,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s too little,” said the boy. “I couldn’t -neglect my business so long for that. I should -lose money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you want?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A dollar. It’s worth a dollar to go so fur. -I might lose half a dozen shines.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The boy would have stood out for a dollar -but for the fact that another bootblack had -come up--one of his rivals in business--and -he was afraid he might offer to go for less. -Accordingly he hastened to strike a bargain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” said he. “Hand over your -money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wait till I get there,” said Joshua, cautiously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Payment in advance,” said the young -Arab. “That’s the way they do business in -the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua drew out seventy-five cents, and -placed them in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Follow me, mister,” said the young conductor. -“I guess I won’t go the way I told -you. I’ll take a short cut,” he added.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The bootblack led Joshua by a pretty direct -course to Eighth avenue. It was a considerable -walk, and to Joshua an interesting one. -As he noted block after block of elegant buildings -he felt elated to think that his home was -from henceforth to be in the great city. Some -time or other, when his father had forgiven -him, he would go back to Stapleton, and show -off the same city airs which had so impressed -him in the case of Sam Crawford. He was -rather alarmed when he came to cross Broadway, -and came near being run over by a passing -omnibus.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look out, mister,” said his young guide, -“or you’ll get knocked into a cocked hat. Folks -is in such a hurry here that they don’t stop -to pick up dead bodies.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Arrived in Eighth avenue, the bootblack, -who had cunningly managed to find out Sam -Crawford’s business, pointed to the first shoe -store they reached, and said, “That’s the -place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does Sam Crawford work there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In course he does. You jest go in, and -you’ll see him at the back of the store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua went in, never dreaming that he had -been deceived. Meanwhile his guide took to -his heels with the money he had extracted -from Joshua by false pretenses.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII <br /> <br /> A STRANGER IN NEW YORK.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Joshua</span> entered the shoe store pointed out -by his guide without the least suspicion that -he had been imposed upon by that enterprising -young gentleman. Like most of the shoe stores -on this avenue, it had a liberal stock of boots -exposed outside, at prices low enough to attract -the attention of those passing. Within -it was narrow, but deep. There was a counter -on one side, with two or three sofas in the -open space for the accommodation of customers -who wished to try on shoes. Behind the -counter were two shopmen, while one outside -was fitting a boy with boots. Joshua looked -about him, but failed to recognize the friend -of whom he was in quest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps he has gone out a little while,” -thought Joshua. “I will inquire.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He walked up to the counter, and asked, “Is -Sam Crawford out?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He hasn’t been in very lately,” answered -the clerk, taking in the rustic appearance of -his questioner at a glance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua did not infer from this answer the -true state of the case.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is he coming in soon?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I really don’t know,” said the clerk, indifferently, -winking to his fellow-salesman, -who was within hearing distance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Something in his tone excited doubt in -Joshua’s mind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose he works here, don’t he?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not that I ever heard of.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why,” said Joshua, puzzled, “the boy that -showed me the way told me he did.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then the boy told a lie.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua felt disturbed at this information, -It appeared that he had paid away seventy-five -cents without receiving value therefor. -Besides, apart from this, he wanted to find -Sam. He felt helpless in a large city, without -a single acquaintance or friend to instruct him -in what he ought to do.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are there any other shoe stores in this -street,” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should say there were--several,” answered -the clerk; “but of course we sell the -best articles at the lowest price.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you?” said Joshua, with an air of one -receiving information.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; can’t we sell you a pair?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess not to-day,” answered Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you know that your boots are -out of style,” said the other, surveying -Joshua’s boots contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t buy any to-day,” said Joshua, to -whom it occurred that when he found Sam the -latter would sell to him cheaper on the score -of acquaintance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Take a card,” said the salesman, “and give -us a call when you need a pair.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua took the card and put it in his -pocket. As he left the store he looked about -for the boy who had deceived him. The latter -would probably have been invisible, but a gentleman -had hailed him, and he was now engaged -in polishing his second boot. Joshua -waited till he was through, and then commenced -the attack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here,” said he, “you said Sam Crawford -worked in that store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The bootblack, who had not contemplated -another meeting with the customer he had deceived, -decided to brazen it out, and deny all -knowledge of the affair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who’s Sam Crawford?” he asked, vacantly. -“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You told me Sam Crawford worked in that -store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did I? I don’t know any Sam Crawford.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You told me you blacked his boots every -morning,” persisted Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, mister, haven’t you got hold of -the wrong boy?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was rather taken aback by this question, -but, looking closely at the boy before -him, he was convinced that he was right.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I have not,” he said; “I paid you seventy-five -cents for showing me the way to the -store where Sam Crawford worked.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How could I show you when I never heard -of Sam Crawford?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You said you knew him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess you’re crazy, mister.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’ve cheated me,” said Joshua, getting -provoked. “Just give me back that seventy-five -cents I paid you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you see any green in my eye, mister?” -inquired the bootblack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What makes you ask that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see what you are,” said the bootblack, -boldly carrying the war into the enemy’s -camp; “you’re one of them swindlin’ fellers -that go round cheatin’ the poor out of their -hard earnings. I’ll call a cop.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s a cop?” asked Joshua, uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A peeler.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s a peeler?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A purlice officer. Where was you brought -up?” demanded the boy, contemptuously. “If -I knowed where Sam Crawford lived, wouldn’t -I tell you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you sure you ain’t the boy that showed -me the way?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In course I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You just look like him,” said Joshua, -doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know who it was,” said the bootblack, -who had no scruples about lying. “It was Pat -Brady. He and me look like twin brothers. -He’s a bad boy, Pat is--he’ll lie as fast as he -can talk.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was at last convinced that he had -made a mistake. He was completely taken in -by the young rascal, who proceeded to follow -up his deception.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did Pat black your boots?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought so,” said the bootblack, contemptuously. -“He can’t shine boots. How -much did you pay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty cents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then he cheated you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He said it was the regular price.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How that boy will lie!” said the young -Arab, virtuously. “The regular price is ten -cents. Don’t you want me to give you a -shine?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Joshua, hastily drawing back his -foot, upon which the bootblack was about to -commence operations. “They don’t need any -more blacking.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t you ever get Pat Brady to shine your -boots ag’in.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I won’t,” said Joshua, indignant at the -swindle which the virtuous young bootblack -had exposed. “If I ever see him again I’ll -give him a licking.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right, mister; I’ll help you do it any -time,” said his new friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I knew where to find Sam Crawford,” -said Joshua, in perplexity. “Is this -Eighth avenue?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sam is in a shoe store somewhere in this -street.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why don’t you go into every store, and ax -’em if he works there. I’ll go with you for -fifty cents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Joshua thought, very justly, that this -was something in which he required no help, -and did not therefore feel disposed to throw -away any more money. He began to think -that New York was a very extensive place, -where it was quite necessary to be on the look-out -for swindlers. If he could only find Sam -Crawford, for whose knowledge of life he had -high respect, he would, undoubtedly, be all -right; but there were difficulties in the way. -Still, he was not without hope. If he inquired -in every shoe store on the avenue, he must -come across him after a while.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We are often very near the truth without -suspecting it. The store of which Joshua was -in search was in reality on the next block below -the one which he had entered; but, ignorant -of this, he directed his steps uptown, -and very soon found another store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does Sam Crawford work here?” he asked, -entering.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, he don’t; but I’ll sell you a pair of -shoes or boots as cheap as he will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t want to buy anything. Sam Crawford -is a friend of mine; I want to find him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry I can’t help you. I don’t know -any such man. Hadn’t you better let me show -you a pair of boots?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I don’t need any,” said Joshua, and, -disappointed a second time, beat a retreat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s strange Sam Crawford isn’t any better -known,” thought Joshua. “I should think -those that keep stores in the same street would -know him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>My readers may conclude that Joshua was -very verdant, but the fact was that he had -lived all his lifetime in a country village, -where everybody knew everybody else, and this -will help to account for his limited knowledge -of life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I had Sam’s letter,” he said to himself; -“it would save me a good deal of trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the next store the young man to whom he -addressed his stereotyped question prided -himself on being a wag, and, perceiving that -Joshua was from the country, resolved to have -a little fun with him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sam Crawford!” he repeated. “He’s a -young man, isn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Dark hair?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Black eyes?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A mustache?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Acquainted with the shoe business?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. Do you know him?” asked Joshua, -eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And a hump-back?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With a hump between his shoulders?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then it can’t be the Crawford I know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was deeply disappointed. The young -man had drawn him on till he believed that -Sam was practically found. Now, discovery -seemed as remote as ever. Again he emerged -into the street. There was a shoe store on the -next block. His hope revived. He entered -that also, but the faces were all unfamiliar. -He asked as before, but succeeded in eliciting -no information. He kept on his way -for a mile, entering store after store, marveling -inwardly why there should be need of so -many shoe stores, and, as he failed to discover -Sam, almost beginning to doubt whether he -hadn’t made a mistake about the street. He -began to feel lonely, not for the lack of human -faces, for he had met hundreds of persons, but -the peculiar loneliness of a stranger in a great -city, who, among the multitudes that he meets, -recognizes not one familiar face.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV <br /> <br /> A FRIEND IN NEED.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Joshua</span> walked as far up as Central Park. -Then he judged that it would be useless to go -any farther. What if he should be unable to -find Sam at all? It was an alarming suggestion, -for he depended upon his friend to get -him a place, and make him acquainted with -the ways of the city. He resolved to retrace -his steps, and explore that part of the avenue -which he had not yet visited. He felt tired, -and would have entered a car, but was afraid -he might not know where to get out. Besides, -there was a possibility of his meeting Sam on -the street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was fortunate for him that he decided to -walk. About Thirtieth street he met the one -of whom he was in search. Sam was looking -in at a shop window, and did not perceive his -approach. Overjoyed, Joshua hurried forward -and touched him on the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Joshua Drummond!” exclaimed Sam, in -surprise; “where in the world did you come -from?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I came from Stapleton this morning,” said -Joshua. “I didn’t know as I should ever find -you. I have been walking a long way, going -into all the shoe stores I could find, asking -for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t you know my number? You had it -in a letter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I forgot to bring the letter. All I could -remember was that you lived somewhere on -Eighth avenue.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How long are you going to stay in the -city?” asked his friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ain’t going back to Stapleton,” answered -Joshua. “I’ve got sick and tired of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going into a store in New York?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, if I can find a place. You’ll help me, -won’t you, Sam?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll do all I can. So the old man was willing -to let you come?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, he wasn’t. I came away without asking -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you?” said Sam, cooling a little, for he -was afraid that in that case Joshua was not -supplied with money. “How do you expect to -live while you’re looking out for a place?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can board somewhere. Can’t I get in at -your boarding place?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, you see,” said Sam, “they’ll expect -you to pay your board every week in advance -unless you can give references. I’m hard up, -so I can’t help you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I’ve got money,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you have!” said Sam, feeling considerably -relieved. “Have you got enough to last -you a month?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve got most six hundred dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t say so!” said Sam, cordially. -“Where did you raise it? Did you draw a -prize in the lottery?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Joshua, “I drew a blank. The -old man found out about the ticket and made -a row.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then how came he to give you the money?” -asked his friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He didn’t give it to me,” said Joshua, a -little awkwardly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never mind,” said Sam, quickly, for he suspected -the true state of the case, but thought -it best not to appear to know that the money -was dishonestly acquired. “The main thing -is that you’ve got the money. Now, my dear -fellow,” he continued, with a remarkable increase -of cordiality, “I want you to come and -room with me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s just what I should like,” said -Joshua, gratified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have a hall bedroom now; but Mrs. Jones -has a larger room with a double bed. We’ll -take that together, and I’ll show you round.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s just what I want,” said Joshua. -“You see, I’ve never been in New York before, -and I’ve got to get used to it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know all about it,” said Sam, with an air -of consequence. “I know the ropes, if anybody -does. I’ll show you life. Have you got -the money with you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Five hundred dollars of it is in a government -bond. Can I sell it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes; that’s easy enough. Have you got -some money besides?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; I’ve got over seventy dollars in -money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad you came to me,” said Sam, who -had already made up his mind to help Joshua -spend his money. “You are a friend of mine, -and of course I feel an interest in you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was quite true; Sam did feel an interest -in Joshua, now that he had ascertained his -ability to pay his own expenses. Otherwise, -it is to be feared that the interest would have -been considerably less.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come with me,” he said; “I’ve got to go -back to the store now, but in an hour or more -I shall be going out to supper. You can come -with me, and then we will fix it about having -a room together.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>To this proposal Joshua willingly acceded. -He had walked till he was tired, and was quite -willing to rest before going further.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you happen to be out of the store -at this time?” asked Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I came out on a little business,” said Sam, -loftily. “But it is time for me to go back. -They can’t get along without me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>To this Joshua listened with pleasure, for -he looked forward to the time when he, too, -should be finally settled in business like his -friend, for whom he had a high respect, not -being aware how insignificant his position -was.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much salary do you get, Sam?” he -inquired.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A thousand a year,” answered Sam, with -an air of consequence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In reality he was receiving eight dollars a -week; but he did not intend to be quite candid -with Joshua, lest the truth should weaken his -ascendancy over him. He judged shrewdly; -for, to the unsophisticated boy from the country -a thousand dollars a year seemed like a -very large income, as, indeed, Sam himself -would have considered it, if by good luck he -had obtained it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think I will ever get as much, -Sam?” asked Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course not for a long time,” said Sam. -“You know you haven’t had experience like -me. By the way, you needn’t mention how -much I get. I don’t care about letting it be -known. If the other clerks in the store knew -it, they might be jealous.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right; I won’t say anything about it if -you don’t want me to.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here’s the store,” said Sam, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua now saw that it was only a block -below the point where he had entered Eighth -avenue, and realized that he had had a long -tramp for nothing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not a very imposing establishment. -The front was probably about twenty feet, the -depth seventy, leaving the back part of the -store rather dark and gloomy. A variety of -cheap shoes, with the prices attached, were -exposed in front of the store. They looked -very common to a practiced eye; however, -Joshua was not accustomed to seeing superior -goods, as the people of Stapleton did not, in -general, wear the best French kid.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come in, Joshua,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where have you been gone so long?” demanded -the proprietor of the establishment, -addressing Sam rather sharply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I met a friend from the country,” answered -Sam, blushing a little at being thus addressed -before Joshua. “I thought he might need a -pair of slippers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, very well,” said the proprietor, more -graciously. “I am glad to see you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My friend’s name is Drummond, Mr. Craven,” -said Sam. “Joshua, Mr. Craven.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Glad to see you, Mr. Drummond,” said Mr. -Craven, offering his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Much obliged,” said Joshua, awkwardly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your friend will show you some slippers. -I guess we can fit you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know as I shall need any slippers,” -commenced Joshua, but he was quickly interrupted -by Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes you will!” he said. “You need ’em -in the evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua yielded to his friend’s superior -knowledge of what was necessary in the city, -and tried on several pairs, till at last one was -found which Sam declared to be just right for -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much will they be?” asked Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ain’t that rather high?” asked Joshua, -who privately doubted whether it would not -be better to keep his money.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not at all. We should charge two dollars -and a half to anybody else. As you’re a -friend, I make allowances. You’ll want some -new boots soon. Those you have on are countrified.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess they’ll last me a little longer,” said -Joshua, hurriedly; for, though the money was -dishonestly acquired, he was inclined to be -frugal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you needn’t buy to-day. Next week -will answer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam’s object in urging Joshua to purchase -was to reconcile his employer to his presence -in the store, for he foresaw that his visitor -would be likely to spend considerable time -there. He wished, besides, to obtain an extra -evening off duty, meaning to accompany -Joshua to the theatre at the latter’s expense. -He did not expect that Joshua, who inherited, -as he knew, a mean disposition from his father, -would voluntarily pay for the tickets; but -there is such a thing as borrowing without the -intention of repaying the money, and this -Sam meant to do.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In pursuance of this plan, he soon after -went up to the desk behind which Mr. Craven -was standing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Craven,” said he, “can you spare me -this evening?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You had your regular evening off yesterday,” -was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would not ask but for my friend, who is -a stranger in the city, and depends upon me -to find him a boarding place,” said Sam, -whose devotion to friendship was not wholly -disinterested.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you sell him anything?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, he took a pair of two-dollar slippers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will try to do without you this evening, -as you particularly desire it,” said Mr. Craven; -“but you must not repeat the application.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, sir,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m in luck, Joshua,” he said, returning to -his country friend; “I am off for the evening. -We’ll go to the theatre and have a high old -time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you have to work in the evening, Sam?” -asked Joshua, surprised.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Sam. “You see,” he added, -consequentially, “I know all the business, and -they can’t get along very well without me.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV <br /> <br /> “A BAD PENNY.”</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> boarding house to which Sam conducted -his friend was not externally prepossessing. -It was a shabby brick house, between -Seventh and Eighth avenues. It was occupied -by clerks and salesmen employed, like Sam, on -Eighth avenue, and the price and accommodations -were both adapted to the small salaries -which, as a rule, they received. The hall was -covered with oilcloth, dirty, and in places worn -away, while the stair-carpeting was of the same -material.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam opened the door with a latchkey, and -led the way upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come up to my room, Joshua,” he said. -“While you are fixing your hair, I’ll go down -and let Mrs. Jones know you are here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam’s room was a hall bedroom on the third -floor. It was barely large enough for a narrow -bedstead, a trunk, a chair, and a washstand. -There was no bureau, and no room for -any; but in place, there were nails to hang his -clothes upon just opposite the bed. It fell below -Joshua’s anticipations, being quite inferior -to the room he occupied at home. He -had supposed that Sam, who had strutted -about Stapleton the summer before, was handsomely -situated. So it was with a feeling of -disappointment that he regarded the small -room, the thin, cheap carpet, the common -wooden bedstead, and untidy washstand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s rather small,” said Sam, in a tone of -apology, “but there’s a larger room on this -floor. We will take it together. I’ll speak to -Mrs. Jones about it. There’s a brush and -comb; you can be fixing your hair, while I run -down and see about a seat at the table for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua proceeded to arrange his toilet, while -Sam did as proposed. He returned in a couple -of minutes and announced his success.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The old lady’ll be glad enough to take you,” -he said. “We can have the other room. We’ll -go into it after dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“After dinner?” repeated Joshua, who had -been accustomed to regard the third meal as -supper.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, we always have dinner at this hour,” -explained Sam. “We never take supper except -Sunday evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That seems strange, Sam.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you’ll get used to it very soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t you eat anything in the middle of the -day?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We take lunch then. You’ll find New York -a different sort of a place from Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was ready to believe this. He was -not used to it yet, but had no doubt he should -like it after a while.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, if you are ready, we will go down to -dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The dining-room proved to be in the front -basement. Three or four young men were -already seated at the table, while a red-haired -girl was waiting upon them. The mistress of -the boarding house was a thin, tired-looking -woman, who, to judge from her appearance, -found her business rather a wearing one.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mrs. Jones, Mr. Drummond,” introduced -Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to see you, Mr. Drummond,” said -Mrs. Jones; and she really was glad, for a new -boarder was a welcome addition to her household. -“Sit down there, if you please, next to -Mr. Crawford.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua took his seat as directed, and the -waitress came to receive her orders.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you have roast beef or roast lamb?” -she asked of Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Beef for me,” answered Sam. “What will -you have, Joshua?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The same,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I suppose it is useless to say that Mrs. Jones -did not keep a first-class boarding house. The -fare she furnished to her boarders was considerably -inferior to that at the Fifth Avenue -Hotel, or a good many other hotels of lower -standing; but this was a point in which Joshua -was not likely to be disappointed. His father, -as has been explained in the preceding volume, -was a man so fond of money that he always -furnished a very mean table, and neither he -nor any of his family had ever been in danger -of gout or dyspepsia. So to Joshua the fare at -Mrs. Jones’ boarding house seemed excellent. -His wanderings had given him quite an appetite, -and he did substantial justice to the food -before him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When they rose from the table Mrs. Jones -said, “I will come upstairs immediately, Mr. -Crawford, and show you and your friend the -large room next to yours.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Joshua, how do you like the feed?” -asked Sam, as they were going upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s very good,” answered Joshua, in a tone -of satisfaction. “Do you always have as good -a dinner?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, always. On Sundays we have something -extra.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I shall like it. How much does Mrs. -Jones charge for board?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“For room and board, six dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ain’t that rather high?” asked the frugal-minded -Joshua, who had been used to Stapleton -prices.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, it’s very cheap, for the city. Of course, -board’s much higher here than in the country.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly. There’s a friend of mine pays -fifteen dollars a week for board.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does he? Why, that’s enough to support -a family in Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We do things on a larger scale here in -New York, as you will soon find out,” said -Sam. “We make money fast, and we spend it -fast.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s just what I want.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To spend money fast?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, to make money fast.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, well, you can do it after a while. I’ll -help you get a place by my influence,” continued -Sam, loftily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>By this time Mrs. Jones made her appearance -at the head of the stairs. She opened the -door of an adjoining room and invited them in.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was a room about twelve feet square, with -a double bed in the middle. The carpet was -the same quality as that in Sam’s smaller -room, but there was a little more furniture, -and there were two windows. Two cheap -prints in pine frames gave an elegant, artistic -look to the apartment. Joshua was not, however, -as favorably impressed with it as with -the dinner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How’ll this do, Joshua?” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We shall want to sleep here to-night, Mrs. -Jones,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It shall be ready, Mr. Crawford. I suppose -you will be going out this evening?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Sam. “My friend and I -are going to the theatre.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It shall be ready by the time you return, -then.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Joshua,” said his friend, “just give me a -lift with my trunk, and I’ll move now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you didn’t bring a trunk, did -you? Came away in too great a hurry, eh?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Joshua, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can buy one to-morrow or next day. I -wonder if there is a closet? Oh, yes, here’s -one. I tell you what would improve the looks -of the room.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A sofa.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So it would.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t suppose the old lady would put one -in. What do you say to buying one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I buy a sofa?” ejaculated Joshua, alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, or a lounge. I guess you could get a -decent one for fifteen dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think we need any,” said Joshua, -hastily; “but if you want to buy one----”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, it’s no matter,” said Sam. “It’ll be -pretty hard to get money out of him,” he -thought to himself. “However, I guess I can -manage him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was likely to prove true. Joshua had -got into dangerous company, and under the -auspices of Sam Crawford the fund of money, -which he considered as so large, was not likely -to last long. Could his father have looked in -upon him, and realized the manner in which -the money he had scraped together was likely -to be expended, he would have been angry and -horror-stricken. But up to this moment he -did not suspect the double loss he had incurred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Let us return to Stapleton for a moment, -and look in upon the home which Joshua had -deserted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the supper table was spread Mr. -Drummond came in from the store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is Joshua?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know,” said his wife, anxiously. -“He wasn’t here to dinner. I hope he hasn’t -gone out on the pond and got drowned.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No fear,” said her husband, philosophically. -“He’s got a sullen fit and wandered off -somewhere. He’ll be back some time this -evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I was sure nothing had happened to -him,” said Mrs. Drummond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll risk him. His being away won’t spoil -my appetite,” said the father, rather contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think you treat him just right, -Jacob,” said Mrs. Drummond; “he’s been -looking down for some days.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know what it’s about. He wants me to -increase his allowance.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty-five cents does seem small for a boy -of Joshua’s age.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If he wants more, let him go to work and -earn it. That’s the way I had to do when I -was of his age. I’ll tell you what it is, wife, -Joshua is a lazy, good-for-nothing boy. If he -had his own way, he’d spend five dollars a -week, and do nothing but loaf around the village. -Now, I’m not going to permit this. He -shan’t squander the money I have worked so -hard for.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The suspicion that Joshua had run away -from home had not entered his father’s mind. -He did not think that his son, for whom he felt -contempt in spite of the relationship, had -spirit enough to take such a step; and, besides, -he knew that he could not go far without -money.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After supper Mr. Drummond went back to -the store, and did not return till it had closed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Has Joshua got home?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” answered his wife, anxiously. “I am -afraid, Jacob, you have driven him to some -desperate step.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nonsense! I am not in the least troubled -about him. A bad penny always returns.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He went upstairs to deposit the money he -had brought from the till, in his little black -trunk. Two minutes afterward he hurried -downstairs, pale with passion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think your son has done?” -he demanded of his startled wife.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?” gasped she. “Tell me, quick.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has robbed me of over six hundred dollars. -If I ever catch him I’ll flog him within -an inch of his life.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI <br /> <br /> IN THE SPIDER’S WEB.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Joshua</span> and his friend, Sam Crawford, having -selected Niblo’s Theatre as the one which -on the whole seemed most attractive, left their -boarding house at a quarter past seven o’clock.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Shall we walk?” asked Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Sam; “it’s too far. We should -get there late.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do they charge in the horse -cars?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only five cents,” answered Sam, thinking -that Joshua must be mean to trouble himself -about such a trifle, and that he might find -it a harder job than he anticipated to get -money out of him. “That’s cheap enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua, doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They stopped the next car and got in. They -were lucky enough to find just two seats unoccupied, -which they at once took.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the conductor came round, Joshua put -his hand into his pocket, but Sam said, in an -offhand manner: “Never mind, Joshua; I’ve -got the change. I’ll pay for both.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Joshua, his face brightening, -as he withdrew his hand from his -pocket, with alacrity. He did not know that -Sam meant to get twenty times as much out -of him before the evening was over.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They reached the theatre some minutes before -the performance commenced. There was -a popular play to be performed, and there was -a line of men waiting their turns before the -ticket office.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Join the line, Joshua,” said Sam, “and get -two reserved seats in the parquet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, one for me. I’ll pay you afterward.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much will they be?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Isn’t that high?” asked Joshua, alarmed. -“They only charge fifteen cents for concerts -at home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is much better than a concert. Take -your place, quick.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus exhorted, Joshua took his place in the -line, and in due time purchased the tickets.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, come along,” said Sam, seizing him -by the arm. “It’s about time for the performance -to commence.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So they passed the wicket, giving up their -tickets, and were speedily ushered to their -seats. Joshua looked around him with curiosity, -for to him it was a novel scene; but -even this did not lead him to forget that Sam -was indebted to him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You owe me a dollar,” he whispered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” said Sam; “I’ll pay you afterward. -I don’t want to take out my pocketbook -here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua would have preferred to be paid on -the spot, but no suspicion had yet entered his -mind that Sam intended to cheat him, and he -made no objection to the delay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are those men playing?” he inquired -of his more experienced friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s the orchestra.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When does the show begin?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You mustn’t call it a show, Joshua,” said -Sam, “or people will think you green. Say the -play, or the performance.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, when does the play begin?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In about five minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the time specified, the curtain rose, and -Joshua’s eager attention was soon absorbed by -the play. It interested him so much that he -temporarily forgot how much it had cost him. -He asked various questions of Sam, which led -the latter to smile, though but a year before -he had been quite as unsophisticated. It is not -my intention, however, to follow the course of -the performance. Suffice it to say that at a -quarter to eleven o’clock the curtain fell, and -the audience rose and made their way out of -the theatre.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did you like it, Joshua?” asked Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“First-rate,” said Joshua. “It cost a good -deal, though.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s worth the money. Everything is much -higher in the city than in the country.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In Stapleton they never charge more than -twenty-five cents admittance to anything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s some difference between Stapleton -and New York.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know it, but----”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must enlarge your ideas, Joshua. People -make money here fast, and they spend it -fast. Country people are mean. They count -every cent, and are more afraid to spend a -cent than city people are to spend a dollar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My father’s mean,” said Joshua. “What -do you think he used to allow me a week for -spending money?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A dollar?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only twenty-five cents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The old man was tight, that’s a fact. A -young man of your age ought to have had five -dollars. However, you’re in the city now, and -are better off. I feel hungry. Shall we go in -and get some oysters? I know a tiptop place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much will it cost?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I’ll treat!” said Sam, nonchalantly. -“Come along.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As Joshua had no objection to the oysters, -but only to the expense, he readily accepted -the invitation, which he would hardly have -done had he known that his companion had -but ten cents in his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam led the way into a recess, and, in a tone -of authority, ordered “stews for two.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They were soon brought, and speedily disposed -of.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did you like them?” asked Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Splendid!” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Suppose we order a fry?” suggested Sam; “I -think I can eat a little more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know,” hesitated Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll treat. Here (to the waiter), bring us two -fries, and be quick about it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua likewise ate his plate of fried oysters -with relish.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the repast was concluded, Sam felt for -his pocketbook. First he felt in one pocket, -then in the other.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How stupid I am!” he muttered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” inquired Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a good joke. I came from home and -forgot my pocketbook. I must have left it in my -other pants.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You paid in the cars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; it was a little change I had in my vest -pocket. See, I’ve got ten cents more, enough to -pay for our fare home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you going to do?” asked Joshua, -uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall have to borrow a little money of you -to pay for the oysters. Let me see; it’ll be a -dollar and ten cents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Won’t they trust you? You can come in -to-morrow and pay them,” suggested Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No they won’t trust. They don’t know -me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They’ll have to, if you haven’t got the -money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; they’ll hold you responsible.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That isn’t fair. I didn’t order the oysters.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ate part of them. There won’t be any -trouble. I’ll pay you as soon as we get back -to the room.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish we hadn’t come in,” said Joshua, -uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why? It won’t do you any harm to lend -me the money for an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You owe me a dollar already for your -ticket.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can pay you for both together. You ain’t -afraid to trust me, are you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No-o,” said Joshua, slowly; and very reluctantly -he drew out a dollar and ten cents, -and placed it in the hands of his friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s all right,” said Sam, and he stepped -up to the counter and settled the bill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was now half-past eleven o’clock.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is time we were setting home, Joshua,” -said Sam. “We’ll cross Broadway, and take -the University place cars. We’ll get home by -twelve, or before. That would be pretty late -hours for the country.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Joshua. “At home I always -was in bed by ten o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, well; no wonder! There was nothing -going on in Stapleton. It’s an awfully slow -place. Not much like the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t want to go back, do you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I never want to go back,” answered -Joshua, thinking of the money and bond he -had stolen, and rightly reflecting that the reception -he would get from his father would -be a disagreeably warm one.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I thought. Everybody likes the city. -Why, in ten years you’ll be richer than the old -man!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will I, do you think?” asked Joshua, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I think so. There’s Ned Evans, a -young man not thirty, who came to the city -ten years ago, who is worth now--how much -do you think?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fifty thousand dollars!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t say so!” exclaimed the gratified -Joshua. “Did he have to work very hard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, pretty hard; but, then, it’s a good deal -easier to work hard when you are well paid for -it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, that’s so. Do you expect to get rich -soon?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You won’t repeat it if I tell you something, -will you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You mustn’t breathe a word of it, for it’s a -secret. When I am twenty-one, old Craven is -going to take me into partnership.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is he?” said Joshua, looking at his companion -with new respect. “Does he make -much money?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Made fifteen thousand dollars last year. -Half of that’ll be pretty nice for me, won’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I need not remark that Sam Crawford had -told two most unblushing falsehoods. He had -grossly exaggerated the profits of the establishment, -and, moreover, Mr. Craven was no more -likely to take him into partnership than I am -to be appointed prime minister to the Emperor -of Japan. But he had a purpose to serve in -imposing upon his companion’s credulity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’re in luck, Sam,” said Joshua. “Do -you think I’ll ever get such a chance?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think you can, with my influence,” said -Sam, loftily. “I’ll do my best for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here a car came along, and the two jumped -on board.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII <br /> <br /> SUBTLE FLATTERY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> two boys reached their boarding house -as the clock struck twelve.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The best thing we can do is to get to bed -as soon as possible,” said Sam, as they entered -the room and locked the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You might as well pay me what you owe -me,” suggested Joshua, who did not intend -Sam to forget his indebtedness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes!” said Sam. “Let me find my -pocketbook.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He felt in the pocket of his “other pants,” -but of course did not find what was not there. -To let the reader into a secret, he had, before -leaving for the theatre, carefully locked it up -in his trunk, where it was even now, as he very -well knew.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By Jove!” he exclaimed, whistling, as he -withdrew his hand, empty.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” inquired Joshua, -anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My pocketbook isn’t there!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Isn’t it? Where is it, then?” demanded -Joshua, beginning to be alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I must have taken it with me to-night, after -all,” said Sam. “I understand now,” he -added, suddenly. “I must have had my pocket -picked in the car.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Had your pocket picked?” repeated Joshua, -as ruefully as if it had been his own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; didn’t you notice that black-whiskered -man that sat next me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sure it was he. I thought he looked -suspicious as I entered the car. If I hadn’t -been talking with you, he couldn’t have robbed -me without my knowing it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Was there much in the pocketbook?” inquired -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not much,” said Sam, indifferently. “Between -twenty-seven and twenty-eight dollars, -I believe--a mere trifle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I call that a good deal.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s more than I like to lose, to be sure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, you can’t pay me what you owe me?” -said Joshua, soberly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not just now. In fact, I must wait till the -end of the week, when I get my wages.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you get then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will surely pay me then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course. You ain’t afraid to trust me?” -said Sam, in a tone indicating his enjoyment -of the joke.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” returned Joshua, slowly; but he -would have much preferred to receive payment -there and then.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I shall run away on account -of such a debt,” said Sam, laughing. “If it -was two thousand dollars, instead of two, I -might, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two dollars and ten cents,” corrected -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What a mean hunks!” thought Sam. “He’s -going to be worse than his father, and that’s -saying a good deal.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Had Joshua known the real state of the case, -he would have been more alarmed for his -money, but, as he supposed that Sam really -received twenty dollars a week, and was to be -taken into partnership at twenty-one by his -employer, and thenceforth to be a prosperous -business man, with a large income, he was reassured, -and did not doubt that he should be -paid.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Joshua, what are you going to do -with yourself?” asked Sam the next morning, -as they rose from breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve got to go to business, you know. I’d -like to go round the city with you, but I can’t -be spared.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll walk down to your store with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right; only I wouldn’t advise you to -stay very long in the store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, Craven would think I was neglecting -my business, and, as I am to be his future partner, -I want to keep his good opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To be sure,” said Joshua. “I suppose I can -walk round?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, you can go around and see the city--only -keep your eyes peeled, so you will know -the way back. And, if you ride in the cars, -look out for pickpockets.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is there much danger?” asked Joshua, -hastily thrusting his hand into his pocket, to -ascertain the safety of his money.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Plenty of danger. If I am in danger of -being robbed, you are much more so, not being -used to the city. If you like, I’ll take your -money--that is, what you don’t need to use--and -lock it up in the safe.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess I’ll keep it,” said Joshua, hastily. -“I’ll look out for pickpockets. Besides, I don’t -think I’ll ride in the cars--I’ll walk.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’ll get tired if you tramp about all -day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I get tired, I’ll come back to the room -and rest a while.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As proposed, Joshua accompanied his friend -to the shoe store, and entered, but, after a few -minutes, went out to see what he could of the -city. He wandered about for two hours, looking -in at shop windows, and examining with -curiosity the many unusual objects which -everywhere met his view. It was interesting, -but it was also tiresome, particularly as he -walked everywhere. At length, his attention -was drawn to a car going uptown, on which -was printed its destination, “Central Park.” -Joshua had heard a good deal of Central Park -in his country home, and he naturally was -curious to see it. The car was nearly empty, -and, therefore, as it struck him there could not -be much danger of pickpockets, he resolved, -especially as he felt quite tired, to get in and -ride to the park, even if it did cost five cents. -Getting into the car, he seated himself at a -distance from other passengers, and kept his -hand on his pocket. After a time, he reached -Fifty-ninth street, and had no difficulty in -guessing that the beautiful inclosed space before -him was the park of which he had heard -so much. He was a little afraid, on seeing the -policeman at the entrance, that there was a -fee for admission, but was gratified to find -that no money was required.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He wandered on, with the other promenaders, -and by and by sat down on one of the -seats considerately placed at intervals for the -benefit of weary pedestrians.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He had not been sitting there long, when a -dark-complexioned man of forty also seated -himself on the bench. Joshua took no particular -notice of him till the stranger looked -toward him, and remarked, politely: “It’s a -fine day, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua, who was secretly flattered -at being called “sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a fine day to enjoy the park.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you live in the city?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; that is, I do now,” answered Joshua, -flattered again at being mistaken for an old -resident of New York.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am a stranger in the city,” said the other; -“I live in the country. I came up here on a -little business. I never was in the park before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Weren’t you?” asked Joshua, with the air -of one who had visited it a great many times.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I like it very much. It reminds me of -the country where I live.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is very pretty, we city people think,” said -Joshua, swelling with satisfaction as he classed -himself among the city people.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ought to like it,” said the stranger, laughing, -“for I have had a piece of great good luck -here this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed!” said Joshua, pricking up his ears, -with curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was walking just above here, when I -found this in the path.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As he spoke, he drew from his pocket what -appeared to be a handsome gold watch of considerable -size.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you find that?” said Joshua, enviously, -wishing he had had the same good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; somebody must have dropped it. It -must be worth a hundred dollars. Why, the -chain is worth thirty, at least,” and he pointed -to the chain, which also was, to all appearances, -gold.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I had been as lucky,” said Joshua, -gazing at the watch and chain with longing -eyes. “How long is it since you found it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“About twenty minutes. However, I’ve got -another watch at home. I don’t need it. I’d -sell it for a good deal less than it is worth,” -and he looked suggestively in Joshua’s face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now, Joshua had long cherished the desire -of having a watch, though his hopes had been -confined to a silver one, and a chain of silk -braid. Never, in his wildest and most ambitious -dreams, had he thought of an elegant -gold watch and chain like this.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much will you take?” he asked, -eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, it’s well worth a hundred dollars,” -said the stranger, “but I’ll take half price.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is, fifty dollars?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; it’ll be a great bargain at that. Any -jeweler would give more, but I haven’t time to -go and see one; I must go out of this city in an -hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t afford to give fifty dollars,” said -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I might take a little less,” said the stranger, -“considering that I found it; but it’s well -worth fifty dollars, or seventy-five, for that -matter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll give you thirty dollars,” said Joshua, -after a little pause.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s too little,” said the other. “I’d -rather stay here till the next train, and sell -it to a jeweler. I feel sure they would pay me -sixty, at least.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>If that was the case, it would certainly be a -good speculation to buy the watch and sell it -again. Joshua began to be anxious to get it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want it for myself,” he said, “but I can’t -afford to pay fifty dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you give forty-five?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll give thirty-five.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Say forty, and it’s yours; though I ought -not to sell it at that. Just put it on, and see -how well it looks.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua put it in his watch-pocket, and was -conquered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” he said; “I’ll take it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He paid the forty dollars, and bade farewell -to the kind stranger who had given him so -good a bargain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You city people are sharp,” said the -stranger, as he bade him good-morning. “We -poor countrymen don’t stand much chance -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This remark flattered Joshua immensely, -and he strutted about the park, glancing continually -at his new acquisition, and fancying -that he already had quite a city air.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII <br /> <br /> TROUBLE IN STAPLETON.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>I could</span> never have got such a bargain if I -had stayed in the country,” thought Joshua. -“I don’t believe I should have had a watch -until I was thirty years old. The old man is -awful mean. If he had treated me right, I -shouldn’t have had to help myself; that’s certain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua congratulated himself that, though -he now possessed a hundred-dollar gold watch -and chain, purchased at less than half price, -he still had left considerably more than five -hundred dollars. When he purchased the -watch, his first thought was to sell it almost -immediately, and so realize something by the -speculation. But, being well provided with -money, he decided, on the whole, to keep it, -for the present, at least, and not to sell unless -he should stand in need of money. That -would not probably be for a long time, as five -hundred dollars seemed quite a fortune to him. -Besides, in a short time, probably, he would -get a place, with a salary large enough to pay -his expenses.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua wandered about the park a short -time, but returned to his boarding house in -time for lunch. Here he met Sam Crawford. -The latter looked with surprise at the watch -and chain so ostentatiously displayed by his -friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where did you get that watch and chain?” -he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I bought it,” said Joshua, in a tone of importance. -“I made a pretty good bargain, -too.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At what jeweler’s shop did you buy it?” -asked Sam, rather vexed that Joshua should -have made so important a purchase without -consulting him. If any money was to be spent, -he wanted to have something to do with it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t buy it at any jeweler’s,” answered -Joshua. “If I had, I couldn’t have got it so -cheap.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t buy it at a jeweler’s!” repeated Sam, -suspiciously. “Where did you buy it, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I bought it of a man I met in Central -Park.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A man you knew?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; a stranger--a man from the country.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let me see the watch,” said Sam, abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He took it in his hands, and looked at it, -but, not being a professional, he could not tell -whether it was genuine or not.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shouldn’t wonder if you had got swindled,” -he said, handing it back. “How much -did you pay for it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Forty dollars. The man said it was worth -a hundred,” said Joshua, beginning to feel uncomfortable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, he would say so,” returned Sam, -contemptuously. “They always do. What -made him sell it to you so cheap, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He found it in the park, and had to go out -of the city very soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ought not to have bought a watch -without my being with you. If you are swindled, -it is your own fault. I don’t believe it is -gold.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It looks like gold,” said Joshua, soberly. -“How shall I find out?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come out with me, when I go back to the -store. We’ll stop at a jeweler’s on the way, -and he will tell us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It must be confessed that Joshua ate his -lunch in a state of painful suspense. Forty -dollars was a good deal to lose. Besides, it -was, or would be, mortifying to feel that he -had been swindled. The watch and chain -looked all right. He could not help thinking -that it was gold, after all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When lunch was over, he went out with -Sam. Two blocks distant, there was a small -jeweler’s shop. Sam led the way in, and he -followed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give me the watch,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He handed it to the clerk behind the counter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you tell me what this watch and chain -are worth?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The clerk took it, and, after a slight examination, -said, with a smile:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you didn’t give much for it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It does not belong to me. My friend purchased -it this morning. Is there any gold -about it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A little--on the outside. It is covered with -a thin coating of gold. I will tell you in a -moment what is underneath.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a kind of composition,” he announced, -after a pause.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much is the whole thing worth?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Three or four dollars, at the outside. The -works are good for nothing. It won’t keep -good time. If you want a really good gold -watch, I will show you some.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not to-day,” said Sam. “I may be getting -one soon; then I will call on you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The feeling with which Joshua listened to -this revelation may be imagined better than -described. He followed Sam out of the store, -with a very red face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to get hold of the feller that sold -me the watch,” he said, elevating his fist.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Serves you right,” said Sam, coolly, “for -not waiting till I was with you. I shouldn’t -get swindled easily. I’ve been in the city too -long. I know the ropes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You had your pocket picked last evening,” -said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s true,” Sam was forced to answer--though -it was not true. “I was talking with -you, and that made me careless. But I -shouldn’t be cheated on a bargain. How -much did you give for the watch? Forty dollars?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Joshua, wincing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then it’s forty dollars thrown away, for -the watch won’t go, and it will never do you -any good.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should like to sell it for as much as I -gave,” said Joshua, not very honestly. “I -might go out to Central Park this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You wouldn’t catch a greenhorn every day -that would let himself be taken in as you -were.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you call me a greenhorn?” added -Joshua, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, you’re a little green,” said Sam. -“I was myself, at first,” he added, in a conciliatory -manner. “But you’ll soon get over -it. Only don’t buy anything of importance -unless I am with you. That will be your safest -way for the present.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua did not reply, but he reluctantly decided -that perhaps he would do better to follow -Sam’s advice. Evidently, the city was full -of snares and swindlers of which he had no -idea, and it wouldn’t do for him to lose forty -dollars very often. He felt unhappy whenever -he thought of his loss. He had been in the city -only twenty-four hours, yet it had cost him in -the neighborhood of fifty dollars. He decided -henceforth to beware of plausible strangers, -especially if they professed to hail from the -country.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We must now return to Stapleton, where -Mr. Drummond was still nursing his indignation -at the audacity of his son, whom he had -never supposed daring enough to rob his -strong box. Mrs. Drummond essayed to say -one word in defense of Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is a vile, young scoundrel!” exclaimed -the angry father. “Mark my words, Mrs. -Drummond--he will end his days on the gallows.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How can you say such dreadful things, Mr. -Drummond?” said the mother. “Remember, -he is your son!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am ashamed to own that I am the father -of a thief.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He would not have taken the money if you -had not kept him so close. Twenty-five cents -a week is very small to give a boy of Joshua’s -age. All of his companions get more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was more than he deserved, the idle vagabond!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are very hard upon him, Mr. Drummond,” -said his wife.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have reason to be. I suppose,” he added, -with a sneer, “you justify him in robbing his -father of his hard earnings?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know I do not; I only say that, if you -had treated him more generously, this would -never have happened. You certainly might -have afforded him a dollar a week. The poor -boy used to feel mortified, because he never -had a cent in his pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I work hard for my money, Mrs. Drummond, -and you needn’t expect me to waste it -on an idle young rascal, who wants to live -without work.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was willing to work. He has told me -more than once that if you would let him go -to the city he would get a place in a store, and -work cheerfully. He was tired of Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Drummond’s attention was excited.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So he was very anxious to go to the city?” -he said, inquiringly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he used often to speak to me of wanting -to go there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then that’s where he is now,” said his -father. “I might have known it. All the idle -vagabonds who are too lazy and shiftless to -earn an honest living in the country go to the -city. My mind is made up. I shall go to New -York to-morrow, Mrs. Drummond. Now, go -and lay out a clean shirt for me. I shall start -for the city by the early train.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you find the poor boy, don’t be harsh -with him, Jacob,” pleaded the mother.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I find him,” said Mr. Drummond, significantly, -“I’ll give him a lesson that will -cure him of thieving for a long time, I can tell -you that!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mrs. Drummond turned away, with a sigh, -to obey her husband’s request. She did not -justify Joshua in his course, but she was a -mother, and could not help making some excuse -for her son. She felt that her husband -had treated him too much like a young boy, -not having sufficient consideration for the fact -that in age he was now bordering upon manhood.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day, Mr. Drummond was one of the -passengers by the early train which left Stapleton -for New York.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX <br /> <br /> IN SEARCH OF A THIEF.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>It</span> was with no pleasant feelings that Jacob -Drummond landed in New York. His paternal -affection for Joshua had never been very -great, and, now that his son had robbed him, -his anger was strongly stirred against him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I get hold of him, I’ll flog him within -an inch of his life,” he muttered, between his -closed teeth. “The ungrateful villain! to -make me such a return for supporting him in -idleness all his life!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But it is not so easy to find a particular -person in a city of a million inhabitants, and -Mr. Drummond was very much puzzled to -know what to do, or where to go first. He -might have sought the aid of the police, but, -though deeply incensed against Joshua, he -wished, rather, to inflict private punishment -upon him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t give him any allowance at all,” he -said to himself. “I’ll let him get along without -a penny, and see how he likes that! I -wonder if he’s spent much of the money he -stole from me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>His face contracted with anguish, as he -thought that Joshua might squander the -greater part of the money before he found him; -or, worse still, lose it. His father had a contemptuous -opinion of Joshua’s shrewdness, -and thought it not at all unlikely that he -would be robbed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Not knowing where else to go, he walked toward -the Astor House. Whenever he came to -the city--which was not often--he was in the -habit of stopping at Lovejoy’s Hotel, near by, -and the force of habit led him thither now. -At every step, he looked inquisitively about -him; but no Joshua met his gaze. In fact, -Joshua was walking about on Eighth avenue -at this time, and about an hour later went to -Central Park, where he made the surprising -bargain of which we already know, so that -there was very little chance of his father’s -coming upon him for some hours, since it was -not probable that it would occur to him to go -to Central Park.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After walking about in a desultory way, -during the forenoon, Mr. Drummond all at -once had a bright thought. He remembered -that Sam Crawford was in a shoe store in the -city, and naturally concluded that Joshua, -whom he had seen in Sam’s company during -the latter’s vacation at Stapleton, would, in -his inexperience, seek him out. He remembered, -also, that, on a previous visit to New -York, Sam’s direction had been given him. He -felt in his pocket, and, to his great satisfaction, -found that he still had it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll go and see young Crawford,” he at once -decided. “He may put me on the track of -Joshua.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Taking the Eighth avenue cars at the Astor -House, half an hour brought him to the shoe -store so fortunate as to have secured the services -of Mr. Crawford. Sam himself was -standing in front of the door, ticketing some -shoes, when Mr. Drummond got off the car, -and touched him on the arm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam started, and flushed a little, when he -saw who it was that had touched him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Drummond!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t -expect to see you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you seen anything of Joshua, Sam?” -asked Mr. Drummond, hastily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam made up his mind not to betray Joshua--not -from any high-minded feeling of friendship, -but because he wanted to help Joshua -spend the money he had with him. Accordingly, -he threw as much surprise as possible -into his tone, as he answered: “Joshua! Is -he in the city?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you haven’t seen him?” said Mr. -Drummond, disappointed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When did he come up?” asked Sam. “I -wonder he didn’t come to see me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s a young villain!” exclaimed Mr. -Drummond, in excitement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What has he done?” asked Sam, curious to -hear the story, of which he could readily guess -the nature.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s run away with several hundred dollars -of my money,” said Mr. Drummond, -sternly. “It’ll be a sorry day for him when I -get hold of him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just as I thought,” said Sam to himself. -“How could he do such a thing?” he said, -aloud. “I didn’t think that of Joshua.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor I,” said his father; “but he’s long been -pestering me to let him come to New York, but -I wouldn’t let him. Didn’t he ever say anything -to you about it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Sam. “He’s often spoken of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hoped you could tell me where to find -him,” said Mr. Drummond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t the least idea where he is,” said -Sam, which was, to some extent, true, so far -as Joshua’s present whereabouts were concerned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I may have to go back to Stapleton without -finding him,” continued Mr. Drummond. -“If you see anything of him, I wish you would -telegraph up to me at once, and I’ll pay all expenses, -and----” here Mr. Drummond paused, -but at last added, liberally: “I’ll give you a -dollar besides.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shan’t want any reward,” he said, but he -inwardly pronounced him a pretty mean fellow. -“Very likely I shall see him, if he stays -in the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He won’t go away from the city,” said Mr. -Drummond. “He wanted to live here, most -of all. Well, good-by. It won’t do for me to -miss the afternoon train home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The old man’s precious mad!” said Sam -to himself, as he entered the store. “I would -not like to stand in Joshua’s shoes when his -affectionate papa gets hold of him. It’s lucky -he didn’t happen along just now. So the old -man expects to buy me for a dollar. It’s too -cheap. I always knew he was mean; and -Joshua isn’t much better. I must see how I -can get as much out of him as possible, and -that soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>About five o’clock Joshua came round to -the store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“’Most ready to go to supper, Sam?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wait five minutes, and I’ll be ready.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua waited till his friend signified that -he was ready.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where have you been, Joshua?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Walking all around. I’m as tired as a -dog. I shan’t want to go anywhere to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who do you think I have seen to-day?” -asked Sam, scanning his friend’s face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know,” said Joshua, indifferently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The old man!” answered Sam, in italics.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The old man!” repeated Joshua, turning -pale. “Where did you see him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was standing outside the door, when I -felt some one touch my shoulder. I looked -round, and there he was.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My father?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Jacob Drummond, of Stapleton, himself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he ask after me?” inquired Joshua, -nervously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You bet he did!” answered Sam, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say?” asked Joshua, looking -frightened.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say?” repeated Sam, a little -maliciously. “Well, he called you a young -villain, the first thing. In fact, he didn’t seem -affectionate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He always treated me mean,” said Joshua, -resentfully. “What else did he say?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He said you’d run away with several hundred -dollars of his, and he seemed very -anxious to get hold of you. He’s going to give -you a warm reception when that time comes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You didn’t tell him where I was, did you?” -said Joshua, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course not. I pretended I didn’t know -anything about you. What do you think the -old man wants me to do?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He thinks you’ll come and see me, sooner -or later, and asked me to telegraph to him -when you did, so that he might come for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You wouldn’t do it, would you, Sam?” said -Joshua, uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think I’d betray a friend?” demanded -Sam, loftily. “No, Joshua; I am -your firm friend. I will never desert you, although -your father offered me money if I -would.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” answered Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was about to mention how much, but it -occurred to him that, if he didn’t mention the -smallness of the sum, he would get more credit -for disinterested friendship.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, no doubt he would come down handsomely; -but, as I had no intention of betraying -you, I didn’t inquire.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think he will come to the city -again?” asked Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I think he will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He might get hold of me,” said Joshua, -panic-stricken. “I wouldn’t go back to Stapleton -for anything. Oh, Sam, where shall -I go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll tell you what, Joshua,” said Sam, after -a pause, “I think you’d better leave the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where shall I go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go out West. Your father won’t think -of looking for you there. Of course, I don’t -want to part with you, but it wouldn’t be safe -for you to stay here. He might get mad--the -old man, I mean--and set the police on your -track. You know, he could, on account of the -money you took.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was a very uncomfortable suggestion, -and Joshua began to find his dream of happiness -in a city unsubstantial.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When had I better go?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Soon. Of course, you’ll need to turn your -government bond into money before you go.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll go and sell the bond to-morrow,” said -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It wouldn’t be safe,” said Sam, shaking -his head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your father may have put the police on -your track already. When you came to sell -the bond, the police might be all ready to nab -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, what am I to do?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll tell you what, Joshua, you’re my -friend, and I won’t desert you. Give me the -bond, and I’ll sell it for you. It’ll be a little -risky; still, I wasn’t the one who stole it, and -so I shall not be in as much danger as you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Sam,” said Joshua, considerably -relieved to find his friend willing to incur -the danger.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let me see. I’ll take it at lunch time to-morrow. -I can take an hour and a half, and -pretend I was detained.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sam was not quite so disinterested in this -offer of service as Joshua supposed. He had -a plan for making a handsome commission -out of the sale.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX <br /> <br /> IN DANGER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Joshua</span> handed Sam the five-twenty bond -for five hundred dollars the next morning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you think you can sell it for, -Sam?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ought to get five hundred and fifty dollars -for it,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Five hundred and fifty dollars!” repeated -Joshua, elated, for he knew nothing about the -money market, and supposed the bond would -only bring its par value. But the next words -of Sam lowered his spirits.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what the bond is worth, but I don’t -expect to get so much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The dealers will think it is stolen, and will -refuse to buy unless I sell it under price. It’s -better to do that than keep the bond.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua, hastily; “sell it any -way, but get as much as you can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Trust me for that,” said Sam. “I’ll do -better for you than you could do for yourself; -besides, running all the danger.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Sam. I don’t know what I -should do without you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I never desert a friend,” said Sam, loftily. -He should have added, “while that friend has -money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At twelve o’clock Sam left the store, ostensibly -to get lunch, but really to sell the bond. -He went downtown, and had no difficulty in -disposing of the bond for five hundred and -sixty dollars, the market price.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much of this can I venture to take?” -he said to himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a little consideration, he divided the -sum into two parts. Four hundred dollars he -set apart for Joshua. The balance--a hundred -and sixty dollars--he decided to retain as his -commission. He relied upon Joshua’s verdancy -to help him in this barefaced swindle, -and had his story all ready for his credulous -mind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was half an hour late at the store, but -received the sharp reprimand of his employer -with equanimity, consoling himself with the -hundred and sixty dollars he had hidden in -his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not until the six o’clock dinner that -he met Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” said the latter, eagerly, “did you sell -the bond?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much did you get?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you won’t be disappointed, Joshua, -but I had to submit to be cheated. The old -fellow felt sure it was stolen, when I refused -to refer him to anybody in proof of my right -to sell the bond. He wanted to get it for seventy-five -cents on the dollar, but I got him up to -eighty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much did that come to?” asked -Joshua, who was not strong in mathematics.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Four hundred dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I was cheated out of a hundred and -fifty,” said Joshua, disappointed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It couldn’t be helped. You’d rather have -four hundred dollars than nothing, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, of course; but the man was a swindler.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course he was,” said Sam, cheerfully. -“I’d like to kick him myself; but I’ll tell you -what, Joshua, you may think yourself lucky to -get off as well as you have. Nobody can prove -that you took the money, but the bond could -be proved against you, as your father no doubt -remembers the number of it. Didn’t I do right -to sell, or would you rather have had me bring -back the bond?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad you sold it, only a feller doesn’t -like to be cheated.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shouldn’t wonder if the old man thought -that way, when he found the bond was gone,” -said Sam, slyly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You needn’t speak of that!” said Joshua, -irritably. “When would you advise me to -start for the West?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To-morrow. The fact is, the old man is -liable to be after you with a sharp stick any -day, and the sooner you get out of his reach -the better. I’ll go round with you to-night, -and inquire the price of tickets. You’d better -buy a ticket for Chicago.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish I knew somebody in Chicago,” said -Joshua, whose inexperience as a traveler made -him shrink from such a long journey.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you’ll get along well enough!” said -Sam. “Just try to find some cheap boarding -house when you get out there, and then go -around and look for a place in a store. Plenty -of fellows make money there. When you’re a -rich man you can come back East again. You -can pay up the old man what you took from -him, and that’ll make him all right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ye-es,” said Joshua, hesitatingly; “but it -would be mean in him to take it, considering -I am his only son.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’d get it back again some time, you -know; so what’s the odds?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though Mr. Drummond was far from being -a model father, I by no means defend the disrespectful -allusion to him as “the old man.” -Many boys are thus disrespectful in speech -who really respect and love their fathers; but, -even then, the custom is offensive to good taste -and good feeling, and is always to be condemned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You owe me some money, you know, Sam,” -said Joshua. “Can’t you pay me before I go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly,” said Sam. “I’ll do it now, if -you can change a five. I raised some money -from a fellow that was owing me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So saying, he tendered Joshua a five-dollar -bill from the hundred and sixty he had reserved -as his commission, and the latter gave -him back the change. This raised Joshua’s -spirits somewhat, and enhanced his idea of -Sam’s honesty, as he had begun to fear he -should lose the money.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, Joshua,” said Sam, tucking the money -into his vest pocket, “you must come to the -theatre with me this evening at my expense. -I want your last evening in New York to be a -jolly one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Joshua, graciously; “I’d -like to go.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So they went to Wallack’s Theatre, and had -got quite interested in the performance, when, -all at once, Joshua clutched his companion by -the arm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” inquired the wondering -Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you see that man?” said Joshua, pointing -to a gentleman on the opposite side of -the house, in a row near the stage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I see him. He ain’t very handsome. -What’s his name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a man from Stapleton, a neighbor of -ours. If he sees me, I’m lost!” and Joshua -began to tremble. “Let us go out.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a pity to lose the play,” said Sam, reluctantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I’m in danger,” said Joshua, nervously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll tell you what. We’ll go out quietly, -and go upstairs, where he can’t see us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think it will be safe?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course it will. Come along.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They left their seats in the parquet, and -went upstairs, where they took back seats, inferior -to those they had occupied below, but -out of range of the man from Stapleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid he will see me when I go out,” -said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We can go five minutes before the play is -over,” said Sam.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Satisfied with this arrangement, Joshua -stayed on, and enjoyed the play, now that his -anxiety was removed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The play went on, but about a quarter to -eleven, when it was evident that it was nearly -over, Sam said: “We’d better be going, Joshua. -We can get out before the grand rush, and -your friend from Stapleton will be none the -wiser.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, come along,” said Joshua, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But, as Burns has it, “The best-laid schemes -of mice and men oft gang aglee.” The same -thought of getting out before the grand rush -occurred to Mr. Draper, of Stapleton, and -when the two boys emerged from the theatre -they met face to face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, Joshua Drummond!” said Mr. Draper, -in surprise. “How came you here? I -didn’t know you were here!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then he hasn’t heard,” thought Joshua, recovering, -in a measure, from his temporary -panic.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve only been here a day or two,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going to live in New York?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua. “I’m going to get a -place in a store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are in a store already, Sam?” said Mr. -Draper to Joshua’s companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir. I am in a store on Eighth avenue.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you like being in the city?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes; I wouldn’t go back to the country -for anything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad I met you both. I will tell your -father I met you, Joshua.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This proposal was not agreeable to Joshua, -for obvious reasons; but, of course, he did not -dare to say so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When are you going back to Stapleton?” -he asked, faintly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To-morrow night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And to-morrow night I shall be on my way -out West,” thought Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-night to you both.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You had a narrow escape, Joshua,” said -Sam. “It’s lucky he didn’t know about your -leaving home without leave. I didn’t recognize -him when you first pointed him out to me. -Now I suppose I shall get into a scrape with -your father for not telegraphing to him that I -had met you. It’s pretty clear that the sooner -you leave New York, the better.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next evening Mr. Draper dropped into -Jacob Drummond’s store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Mr. Drummond,” said he, “I met -your son in the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You met Joshua?” exclaimed Mr. Drummond, -eagerly, pausing in cutting off a dress -pattern. “Where?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At Wallack’s Theatre.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the theatre! The young villain! Was -he alone?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was with Sam Crawford. What is the -matter?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He left home without leave. I shall go up -to-morrow and bring him back.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He went to New York the next day, and had -an unsatisfactory interview with Sam. The -latter admitted having seen Joshua, but said -he did not like to betray him. He said that -he had tried to induce Joshua to return home, -but that the latter had refused. He said he -did not know where he was now, but thought -he had gone to Boston. Mystified and bewildered, -Mr. Drummond was forced to go home -without his son, who was now some distance -on the way to Chicago. Having accompanied -him thus far, we must now go back to our principal -hero, and inquire how Walter was getting -on with his Western school.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI <br /> <br /> AN EVENTFUL MONDAY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>And</span> now to return to Walter Conrad, whom -we left looking forward to commencing school -as Mr. Barclay’s successor, on Monday morning. -It was certainly a difficult and responsible -task for one who was in age but a schoolboy, -especially as Walter had reason to believe -that there were some who had resolved in advance -to dispute his authority. Had he been -of a nervous or timid character, he would have -been led to back out at the eleventh hour, but -Walter was resolute and plucky. He had a -modest self-reliance, which his brief experience -as a book agent had confirmed. The spirit in -which he approached his new vocation may -be inferred from his own remark to Allen Barclay, -at the end of the tenth chapter: “At any -rate, the die is cast; I have agreed to take the -school, and I shall do what I can to succeed.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘<i>In battle I’ll fall, or in death be laid low,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>With my face to the field, and my feet to the foe.</i>’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>Monday morning came at length. So far as -the weather was concerned, it opened auspiciously. -The excitement of having a new -teacher, more especially one who, as was generally -supposed, even among the more orderly -scholars, would fail in discipline, caused the -pupils to assemble earlier than usual on the -green plot in front of the schoolhouse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among these was Peter Groot, already described -as more likely than any other to prove -troublesome. It had always been found necessary -by past teachers to appeal to force in this -case. When he found that the teacher could -“whip” him, he subsided into a sullen submission. -Allen Barclay had been compelled to -flog him on the second day, and he did it so -effectually that Peter never needed a second -lesson. But as, both in appearance and reality, -Peter was a little older than the new -teacher, and, as he himself supposed, considerably -stronger, he looked forward with confidence -to “licking” Walter, if the latter should -endeavor to enforce the commands which he -intended to disobey.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How are you, Peter?” said John Wall, on -arriving at the schoolhouse, twenty minutes -early. “How do you like having a new -teacher?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I like it,” said Peter, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you’re going to be a good boy, -and mind all he says,” said John, desirous of -making trouble for Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not much,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ain’t going to rebel, are you?” inquired -John, smiling encouragingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That depends on how the teacher behaves. -He ain’t going to order me round, and he’d -better not try it,” said Peter, emphatically. -“He’ll find he has waked up the wrong customer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He don’t look as if he could manage you,” -said John, glancing at Peter’s sturdy form. -“I guess you’re as strong as he is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Manage me!” repeated Peter, contemptuously. -“I can lick him with one hand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He may be stronger than he looks,” said -John, artfully, bent on stirring up Peter to -open rebellion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He don’t weigh as much as me, and I’ve -got twice his muscle,” said Peter. “Why, I -could keep school better than he.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I should like to come to school -to you, Peter,” said Alfred Clinton, laughing. -“I’m afraid you’d break down on teaching fractions.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Alfred referred to an occurrence of the previous -week, where Peter, who was by no means -as strong mentally as physically, showed the -most lamentable ignorance. He did not relish -the allusion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’d better not be impudent, Alfred Clinton,” -he said, coloring, “or I may lick you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t trouble yourself,” said Alfred, indifferently. -“You’d better save your strength, for you may need it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you mean that I’ll need it to lick the master?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you won’t make any trouble for him,” said Alfred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“On his account?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I looked at him carefully the other -day, and I made up my mind about him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you?” said Peter, sneeringly. “Will -you oblige me by telling me what you think -about him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think that you’ll find him a tougher customer -to deal with than you think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter burst into derisive laughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think of that, John?” demanded -Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John Wall, who was, in feeling, a young -aristocrat, did not in general affect the society -of Peter, nor care to be considered intimate -with him, but a common hatred often makes -strange yoke-fellows; so now he was disposed -to co-operate with Peter, and be gracious to -him, in the hope that he would make trouble -for Walter, whose independent spirit had occasioned -his cordial dislike. When, therefore, -Peter addressed him familiarly, he overlooked -what, under other circumstances, would have -been disagreeable to him, and replied: “I’ll -bet on you, Peter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course you will; you’d be a fool not to,” -said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John did not quite like the way in which -he expressed it, but, for the reason before mentioned, -did not show it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He must be crazy,” continued John, “or he -would know better than to try keeping school -here. I don’t believe he knows much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess he knows enough to teach you,” -said Alfred Clinton, who had taken a fancy -to the new teacher, and felt like defending him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Speak for yourself, Alfred Clinton,” said -John, superciliously. “I’m reading Cæsar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He drew himself up, as he spoke, in a way -intended to impress the boys that one who was -reading Cæsar must be a very advanced Latin -scholar.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know it,” said Alfred, “but I shouldn’t -think you understood it very well, the way you -recite.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’re not qualified to judge,” said John, -in a lofty tone. “You’re only a beginner in -Latin. You don’t know enough to criticise -one who studies Cæsar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Maybe not,” said Alfred, “but I know that -<i>habeo</i> isn’t of the first conjugation, as you -called it in your last recitation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was only a slip of the tongue. I knew -well enough it was the third,” returned John, -not quite liking the turn the conversation had -taken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed, that’s news,” said Alfred, quietly. -“I always supposed it was the second.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what I meant,” said John, coloring. -“But I don’t care to continue the conversation. -I feel sure that the new teacher don’t know -much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think he will know enough to teach either -of us,” said Alfred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John pursed up his mouth, and was silent. -He regarded Alfred, who was the son of a poor -widow, as far below him in social position, and -did not often condescend to exchange as many -words with him as at present. Indeed, John -looked upon himself as superior in social rank -to any of his schoolmates, but was condescending -enough to associate with the sons of the -leading men on terms of equality.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Just then up came Phineas Morton, who has -already been referred to as a young man of -twenty, and standing six feet in his stockings. -He was several inches taller, and necessarily -much stronger, than Walter, but, fortunately, -he was very good-natured, and of a very different -disposition from Peter Groot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-morning, boys,” he said, pleasantly; -“hasn’t the master come yet?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not yet,” said Peter. “I guess he don’t feel -in any hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess he thinks he’s undertaken a big -job.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; it isn’t easy to teach school. I -shouldn’t like it myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You could do it better than he.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why could I?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You could lick any of us, easy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A teacher needs more than that. He’s got -to know something. I don’t know enough to -teach this school,” said Phineas, modestly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The master’s a boy compared with you,” -said Peter, who would have liked to receive the -co-operation of Phineas.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know it,” said Phineas, quietly, “but he -looks as if he might know something. If he -knows enough to help me along in my studies, -I would just as lief have him teacher as Mr. -Barclay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I wouldn’t,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor I,” said John, who, though he rather -disliked Allen Barclay, disliked Walter considerably -more.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t want to be ordered round by a boy. -I don’t believe he is as old as I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t believe you would learn much under -any teacher, Peter,” said Phineas, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?” asked Peter, scowling.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, learning isn’t your strong point, you -know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s my strong point,” said Peter, tapping -the muscle of his right arm, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’re about right,” said Phineas; “you’re -stronger there than you are in the head.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter did not like this remark, but he knew -that it would be of no use to show his anger. -He was a bully in the case of younger boys, -but he very well knew that Phineas could -manage him with one hand, as he boasted he -could manage the new teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas went into the schoolhouse after his -last remark, and a minute later one of the -younger boys called out: “The master’s coming!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>All eyes were turned upon Walter, who was -ascending the hill, with several books under -his arm. As he approached, Peter, with derisive -politeness, took off his hat and bowed -low.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter quietly raised his hat slightly in return, -and said: “Good-morning, boys.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He entered the schoolhouse, and the scholars -followed him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’ll be sick of his bargain before the -week’s out,” said Peter, aside, to John; “you’ll -see if he don’t.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII <br /> <br /> THE NEW TEACHER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>To</span> say that Walter felt quite cool and unconcerned -as he entered the schoolroom and -advanced to his place behind the teacher’s -desk, would not be entirely true. It was a -novel situation for a boy not quite sixteen, -and he felt it to be such. If for a moment he -regretted having assumed so grave a responsibility, -it was not strange. But, if Walter -felt a little nervous and apprehensive, he had -self-command enough not to show it. He -looked calmly about him, meeting the expectant -glances of all the scholars, and, fixing his -eyes on the nearest boy, said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you go to the door and ring the bell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Alfred Clinton, for he was the one addressed, -has already been alluded to as an excellent -student, and a boy of fine disposition. He was -ready and determined to co-operate with the -young teacher in every way that might be in -his power.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He advanced respectfully, and, taking the -bell, rang it from the door outside.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was little need of the summons, however, -this morning. Led by curiosity, the habitual -loiterers were all in their seats.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a general silence and pause of -expectation. The scholars were sitting in -judgment on the new teacher, and wondering -how he would proceed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter rose, and, calmly surveying the fifty -scholars whose charge he had assumed, spoke -as follows:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Scholars, before entering upon our duties, -it may be proper for me to say a few words. -When I came to this place, it was not with the -intention of teaching. You know how it has -happened that I have undertaken to do so. -You will easily judge, from my appearance, -that I have not experience to fit me for the -post, and am younger than some of you. But -I have made up my mind to do my best, and I -hope the relations between us will be mutually -pleasant and profitable. I will do all I can to -make them so. I will, in the first place, go -round and take your names, and make inquiries -as to the studies you wish to take up. -To-morrow we shall be ready to begin in earnest, -and go on regularly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This speech was favorably received by the -generality of the scholars. It was greeted with -applause, in which, after a while, all joined, -with two exceptions. These two were Peter -Groot and John Wall. Peter leaned back in -his seat, with both hands in his pockets, looking -at Walter, with an impudent smile on his -face, as much as to say, “I am quiet now, but -I’ll make it hot enough for you by and by.” -As for John, he regarded Walter with a supercilious -glance. He was not likely to break out -into open rebellion, not having the courage, -but he did not intend to trouble himself to be -respectful, but to treat the new teacher with a -cool disdain and assumption of superiority, -which, though disagreeable, would not subject -him to censure. He depended on his new -friend, Peter, to take bolder measures.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter took the school register, and went to -the nearest desk. He took down the name and -age of the scholar, and learned to what classes -he belonged, and then went on. He met with -perfectly respectful answers till he came to -Peter Groot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter sat in the position already described, -leaning back, with both hands in his pockets. -Walter noticed it, and he had no difficulty in -foreseeing trouble. But he did not care to -precipitate matters. Whenever it came, he -meant to be ready.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your name?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter pretended not to hear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your name?” demanded Walter, -in a quick, imperative tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter turned slowly, and answered: -“Peter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What other name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Groot.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your age?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sixteen. What is yours?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of course, the question was an impudent -one, but Walter answered it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We are about the same age,” he said, -quietly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I thought,” said Peter, smiling meaningly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What branches do you study?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Pretty much all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is not definite enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, -geography.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well. You may come up in your -usual classes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter advanced to the next desk, which -chanced to be that of John Wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your name is John Wall, I believe?” said -Walter, writing it down.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your age?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fifteen--’most sixteen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you study?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I study Cæsar,” said John, in an important -tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I remember. How far did you go -with Mr. Barclay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am at the fifth chapter in the second -book.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may go on where you left off. How -much are you accustomed to take?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fifteen lines.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is a short lesson, but perhaps it will -be well not to take any more till I find out -whether you are able to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you take any more when you studied -Cæsar?” asked John, who privately thought -fifteen lines a very good lesson.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“From fifty to seventy-five lines,” answered -Walter, rather to the mortification of John. -Then it occurred to the latter that it would -be a good thing if he could “stick” the new -teacher; that is, to convict him of ignorance. -Accordingly he opened his Cæsar at a passage -in the preceding lesson, which he had found -difficult, and said: “There is something here -that I don’t understand. Will you read it -to me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly. What is the passage?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was a passage which Walter would have -been able to read at any rate, but he had the -additional advantage of having read it over -the week before in Mr. Barclay’s book, and -so, of course, it was very familiar. Though -Walter was a good scholar, as far as he had -gone, I don’t, of course, claim that he could -read anywhere in Cæsar at sight. But this -passage he understood perfectly well. He -read it fluently, and John was disappointed to -find that he had failed in his benevolent design. -Indeed, he saw that Walter was probably -a better Latin scholar than the previous -teacher; and, though he ought to have been -glad of this, he was so prejudiced against -Walter, and so anxious to humiliate him, that -he was sorry, instead.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whenever you meet with a difficulty, -John,” said Walter, after finishing the reading, -“I shall be ready to help you. But I -strongly advise you not to apply to me until -you have done your best to make it out yourself. -That will do you more good. You may -recite your first lesson to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He left John, and went to the next desk.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He knows more than I thought he did,” -said John to himself, “but he can’t manage -this school. He’ll have to give up before the -week is out, I’ll bet. Father ought to have -known better than to give us a boy for a -teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among the last, Walter came to the seat -occupied by Phineas Morton. Phineas has -already been mentioned as the oldest pupil in -the school. He was twenty years of age, and -six feet in height. There was a decided contrast -between him and the youthful teacher, -and Phineas felt a little mortified by it. He -had been set to work early, and from twelve -to eighteen had not gone to school at all. -Then, becoming aware of his deficiencies, he -decided to make them up, as far as he could. -So he came to school, and was, of course, -placed in classes with boys much younger. -But he submitted to this patiently, knowing -that it was necessary, and had studied so faithfully -since that he was now in the highest -class in all the English branches. Latin he -did not study.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not need your name,” said Walter, -politely. “I believe you are Phineas Morton?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir,” said Phineas.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is your age?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Twenty. Rather old to come to school,” -he added.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One is never too old to learn, Mr. Morton,” -said Walter. “I hope to be studying when I -am older than you are now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t feel the importance of study when -I was younger,” said Phineas. “If I had, I -should not have been so ignorant now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Some of our most prominent public men -have only made a beginning after they have -reached twenty-one,” said Walter. “You are -quite right not to mind your being older than -the rest of the scholars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have minded it a little, I am afraid,” -Phineas acknowledged; “but you have encouraged -me, by what you have just said, and I -shall not care so much hereafter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear you say this, Mr. Morton. -Now, you will be kind enough to tell me what -studies you are pursuing?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he had taken down the names of all -the boys, Walter commenced with the girls. -Here he had no trouble, for all were disposed -to regard the young teacher with favor. It -might have been, in part, because he was good-looking, -but it was also, in part, because he -was quiet and self-possessed, and appeared to -understand his business.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII <br /> <br /> A STORM BREWING.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>When</span> he had taken the names of all the -scholars Walter said: “We shall not be able -to enter upon our studies regularly till to-morrow. -We will occupy the rest of the forenoon -by such tasks as do not require preparation. -First of all I will hear you read. Mr. -Morton, will you commence?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas Morton rose, and, opening his book, -began to read. He read respectably till he -came to the word “misled,” which he pronounced -as if it were mizzled. Instantly there -was a shout of laughter from the other scholars, -Peter’s being louder than the rest, though -but for the general laughter he would not -have known that a mistake had been made.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas looked abashed and mortified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have I made a mistake?” he said, inquiringly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Walter, who preserved his own -gravity. “The word should be pronounced -mis-led. It is the participle of the verb mislead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t know that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The mistake you made is not an uncommon -one,” said Walter; “I remember making -it once myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The mortification of Phineas Morton was -removed by this frank confession of his -teacher. Peter tried to get up a laugh at Walter’s -expense, but failed ignominiously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I take it for granted,” continued our hero, -“that those who have laughed just now will -not object to be laughed at when they come -to make mistakes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas went on, and finished his reading -without further mistakes. At length it came -to the turn of Peter Groot. As we have already -said, he was by no means remarkable -in scholarship, and particularly read in a -stumbling, hesitating manner, which made it -very improbable that he would ever win reputation -as a public reader. It so happened -that in the passage he was reading occurred -the geographical name, Straits of the Dardanelles. -Now, this was a common term, and -Peter ought not to have made any mistake in -reading it. But he read it “Straits of the -Darning Needles,” which was so ludicrous -that Walter had hard work not to join in the -general chorus of laughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter looked up, scowling, for, though he -was ready enough to laugh at others, he did -not enjoy being laughed at.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You should say Straits of the Dardanelles, -Peter,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what I said,” growled Peter, with a -cloudy brow, looking around him with displeasure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We all understood you ‘darning needles.’ -You may go on.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter continued sullenly, and sat down at -the end. He saw that he had made a blunder -quite as bad as Phineas, and it took away the -satisfaction he expected to have in reminding -his fellow pupil of his. He didn’t like Phineas -Morton, mainly because, on account of his -superior size, he was unable to bully him. -Besides, Phineas had more than once interfered -to protect younger boys from the despotism -of Peter, and the latter had been compelled -to respect the remonstrances of the oldest -pupil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the reading was concluded, Walter -rang the bell for recess. Nearly all the scholars -went out. Phineas Morton came up to the -teacher’s desk.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Mr. Howard,” he said, “for -your kindness about my mistake. Some teachers -would have laughed at me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose it is natural to laugh at our mistakes,” -returned Walter. “I was laughed at -when I made the same one. But I know, from -my own feelings, that it is not agreeable, and -I don’t laugh unless I can’t help it. Peter’s -mistake was more amusing than yours. -Though he was ready to laugh at you, I observed -that he didn’t enjoy being laughed at -himself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Peter is a bad boy. I am afraid you will -have trouble with him, Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So Mr. Barclay told me. I expect it, but -I do not fear it. If Peter behaves well, I shall -treat him well. If he undertakes to make -trouble, I shall be ready for him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a firmness in Walter’s tone, and -a determination in his manner, which tended -to reassure Phineas; still, as he looked at Walter’s -youthful form and thought of Peter’s -strength, he was not entirely without apprehension.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am ready to stand by you, Mr. Howard,” -he said, in a low tone. “If you need any -help, I will be on hand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Mr. Morton,” said Walter, -gratefully, for he knew how to value such assistance -as the stalwart oldest pupil could -render. “If there is need of it, I will certainly -accept your offer. But if there should be any -difficulty between Peter and myself, I think -I can hold my own without assistance.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Peter is strong,” suggested Phineas, doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should judge so, from his appearance, -but strength is not all. Can he box?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; he knows nothing of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do,” said Walter, significantly. “If there -shall be need of it, I mean to let him feel what -I know about boxing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas smiled. “I am glad to hear that, -Mr. Howard,” he said. “Peter will be troublesome -till you best him in a fair fight. After -that, all will go right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile Peter and John were standing -together at one end of the playground.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think of the new teacher, -Peter?” asked John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s nothing but a boy,” returned Peter, -contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think he’ll stay long?” asked John, -insinuatingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not more’n a week.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps he will,” said John, intent upon -drawing Peter on.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He can’t keep order,” said Peter. “I can -lick him myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps he is stronger than you think -for,” suggested John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, John Wall, do you mean ter -say you think he can lick me?” said Peter, -facing about.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I don’t believe he can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course he can’t. Do you see that muscle?” -and Peter stiffened his arm in a way -that my boy readers will understand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have got a good deal of muscle, Peter, -that’s a fact.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course I have. Just feel it. Do you -see that fist?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If the master should feel it, he wouldn’t -know what had happened to him. I could -knock him higher’n a kite.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very likely you could.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There ain’t any likely about it. It’s a sure -thing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess he’s afraid of you, Peter. He didn’t -laugh at you when you made that mistake.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to see him laugh at me,” said -Peter, his vanity and conceit getting worse -under the flattery of John. “But I saw you -laugh,” he added, in a tone of displeasure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did I?” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, you did.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then it was because the other boys -laughed. You know a fellow can’t help laughing -when he sees others.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know about that,” said Peter, only -half satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You didn’t make half as bad a mistake as -Phineas Morton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Phineas is an old fool.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Probably Peter would not have said this, -if he had known that the person of whom he -was speaking was within hearing distance. -He realized it, however, when he was suddenly -tripped up, and found himself lying on -his back, looking up in the face of Phineas.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did you do that for?” he demanded, -angrily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To teach you better manners,” said Phineas, -coolly. “When you feel like calling me -names, you had better look round first to -make sure that I am not near by.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter was very angry. He would gladly -have retaliated, but one look at the broad -shoulders and stalwart form of Phineas was -enough to discourage any such attempt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why don’t you take one of your size?” he -said, sulkily, as he gathered himself slowly -up from the ground.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One reason is, because there isn’t any one -of my size in school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s cowardly to attack a smaller fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not when the smaller fellow sees fit to be -impudent and insulting. But how long have -you acted on that rule, Peter? Didn’t I see -you fighting yesterday with Alfred Johnson, -who is a head shorter than you are?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He wouldn’t lend me his ball.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He wasn’t obliged to, was he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hate a fellow that’s so careful of his -things.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right; I may want to borrow something -of you some time. If you don’t lend it, I am -to knock you down, am I?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter did not find it convenient to answer -this question. Circumstances altered cases, -and it didn’t seem quite the same when he -took the case to himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come along, John,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>John Wall followed him to a different part -of the yard.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hate that Phineas Morton,” said Peter. -“He’s a brute.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t like him myself,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just because he’s so big, he wants to boss -it over the rest of us,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now, if there was anybody in school of -whom it could be said that he wanted to -“boss it” over his schoolfellows, it was Peter -himself. John knew this, but it was his interest -at present to flatter Peter, since both -cherished a common dislike for the new -teacher, and John depended upon his companion, -who was bolder than himself, to make -trouble.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this point the schoolbell rang, indicating -that the recess was over.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There goes the bell,” said John. “Shall -we go in?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m in no hurry,” said Peter. “I’d just as -lief go home. He couldn’t do anything to -me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going home?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I want to see how he gets along. When -I get ready, you’ll see fun.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The two boys entered a little later than the -rest. Walter observed their companionship, -and drew his own conclusions, knowing the -enmity of both toward him. But he said nothing.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV <br /> <br /> A PRACTICAL JOKE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> remainder of the day passed without -incident. Peter was no less determined to -make trouble, but had not decided in what -manner to do it. He was content to bide his -time. He sat idle, but watchful, apparently -“taking stock” of the young teacher, and making -up his mind about him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Soon after eight the next morning Peter -called at the house of his new associate. John -observed with surprise that he carried in his -hand a covered basket, from which proceeded -some signs of dissatisfaction of an unmistakable -character.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What have you got there, Peter?” asked -John, curiously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can’t you tell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A hen, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you going to do with it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a present for the teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What!” exclaimed John, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you surprised that I am going to give -him a present?” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. I thought you didn’t like him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No more I do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then why----”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll tell you. I’m going to fasten the hen -in his chair, so that when he comes he will -find his seat occupied.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good!” said John. “He’ll be mad.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course he will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He may find out who put the hen there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what I want him to do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He may punish you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to see him do it,” said Peter, wagging -his head. “He’d find out he’d got a hard -job on hand. Come, are you ready to go to -school?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t generally go so soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want to be there early, so as to tie the -hen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right; I’ll get my hat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The two boys started for school, and arrived -nearly half an hour early. They entered the -house, and, by means of a stout cord, soon secured -the hen to the “master’s” chair. The -poor bird did not appreciate or enjoy the high -dignity which had been forced upon her. She -probably thought that her personal wishes -ought to have been consulted in the choice of -a profession. She began to give vent to her -dissatisfaction in the manner characteristic -of her kind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Soon some of the other scholars arrived. -Most of them laughed, but Alfred Clinton ventured -to remonstrate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ought not to do that, Peter,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What makes you think I did it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know well enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, have you got anything to say about -it?” asked Peter, defiantly. “Do you want -to fight? If you do, come on.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not anxious to fight,” said Alfred, -quietly. “I think that’s a poor way to settle -a dispute.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought you wouldn’t care about it,” said -Peter, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not afraid of you, if that’s what you -mean.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’d better shut up your mouth.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I admire your elegant style of conversation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It suits me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, it does suit you. It wouldn’t suit -anybody else.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you mean?” said Peter, suspiciously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is too much trouble to explain all I say. -You are not very quick at understanding.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You look out, Alfred Clinton, or I may -hurt you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t trouble yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall have to fight that boy some time,” -said Peter to John. “He’s getting impudent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He ain’t much,” said John, contemptuously. -“He and his mother are as poor as -poverty. He’s a proud beggar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So he is,” said Peter, whose worldly circumstances -were scarcely any better than Alfred’s, -his father being a mechanic, whose -drunken habits rendered his income very precarious -and fluctuating. He did not realize -that John looked down upon him quite as -much as he did on Alfred, but thought fit to -conceal this feeling at present, on account -of his hatred to Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As may naturally be supposed, the arrival -of the young teacher was looked forward to -with eager anticipation on the part of the -scholars. They wanted to see how he would -regard the occupation of his seat. Most -thought he would be “mad.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last Walter was seen ascending the hill -on which the schoolhouse was situated. The -scholars who were grouped in front immediately -entered, and took their seats.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was a little surprised at their unusual -promptness, but when he was still in -the entry he heard the hen, and guessed the -trick that had been attempted. One glance -at the teacher’s chair, on entering the schoolroom, -showed him what had made the scholars -take their seats so promptly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was too much of a boy still not to be -amused. He turned to the scholars with a -smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see you have got a new teacher,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The scholars laughed, and the hen, by way -of asserting her position, flapped her wings -and uttered a cry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I dare say,” continued Walter, “the hen is -competent to teach the one who put her there, -but I am afraid she wouldn’t prove generally -satisfactory.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was another laugh, but this time it -was at Peter’s expense. Peter did not join -in the mirth. It always made him angry to -feel that he was the subject of mirth, or ridicule, -and his face showed his anger.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Besides,” said Walter, “in this free country -I don’t approve of compulsion, and the -hen is evidently unwilling to assume the -duties of teacher; therefore I shall release her. -If her owner is present and would like to take -charge of her, he can come forward.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter took out his knife and was about to -sever the string which secured the hen to the -chair, when Peter, with a defiant air, rose from -his seat, and advancing to the front, said: -“That is my hen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it?” said Walter, not appearing surprised. -“Didn’t it give you considerable -trouble to bring her here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Peter, regarding the teacher attentively, -to see whether he was making game -of him. But there was nothing in the young -teacher’s manner to indicate this.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did you bring her--in your hand?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, in a basket.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That was better. Well, Peter, we are indebted -to you for a good joke, and if you -would like to carry the hen back now, I will -excuse you for half an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He rose from his seat, and came forward.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter was astonished at being thanked for -a practical joke, which he thought would -make the teacher “mad.” Walter had turned -the tables upon him, and he began to ask himself -whether the success of his joke was sufficient -to pay him for the trouble he had incurred. -There wasn’t much fun in transporting -the hen back again alone. Still he felt -that it would be rather hard to keep it secure -until school was over.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“May John Wall go with me?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, if he desires it,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter looked toward John. The latter, after -a little hesitation, decided to go. He was not -particularly afraid of losing half an hour of -school, and it would give him a chance for consultation -with Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter brought in the basket, and the hen, -after a little trouble, was put in. Then the -two boys, Peter and John, started away with -her. Walter commenced the duties of the -forenoon. By the coolness and good nature -with which he had met the trick attempted to -be played upon him, he had disarmed his adversaries, -strengthened his hold upon the -other pupils, and now remained master of the -situation. If he had only flown into a passion -Peter would have felt repaid for his trouble. -Now, as he trudged along the road, he was not -quite sure whether he was not sorry for having -attempted it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought he’d be mad,” he said at length.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So did I,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s a queer fellow; I don’t know what to -make of him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He didn’t seem surprised when you came -forward, and said the hen was yours.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think he thought it was me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I shouldn’t wonder.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps,” said Peter, brightening up, “he -was afraid of making a fuss about it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very likely,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think he is afraid of me,” said Peter, -complacently. “He must know that I am -stronger than he.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess you are right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s the reason he turned it off as a joke. -I guess he wants to keep on good terms with -me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only, you know he said that the hen was -qualified to teach the one who put her there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think he meant me then?” asked -Peter, scowling.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess he did.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then he insulted me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It does look like it,” said John, who -wanted to make mischief.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll get even with him--you see if I don’t,” -said Peter, angrily.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXV <br /> <br /> A POOR GRAMMARIAN.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Peter</span> hardly knew what to think of the -new teacher. He would have liked to believe -Walter afraid of him, but he was reluctantly -forced to admit that there was no satisfactory -evidence of this feeling as yet. The young -teacher’s manner was by no means aggressive, -but there was a firmness and self-possession -about him that indicated anything but timidity. -At length he came to a satisfactory conclusion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He doesn’t know how strong I am. He -thinks he can lick me,” he suggested to John.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very likely,” acquiesced his companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But don’t you think I can lick him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course you can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am heavier than he.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you weigh?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A hundred and thirty pounds.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s good weight. I only weigh a hundred -and twelve.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you think he weighs?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“About a hundred and twenty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was a good guess, Walter weighing -really but four pounds more. He was not -quite so “chunky” as Peter, but he was quicker -and more agile. Besides, as we know, he knew -something of boxing; but of this Peter was -absolutely ignorant. Peter’s plan in fighting -was to pitch in heavily, and as he generally -tackled those who knew no more than himself -of the “noble art of self-defence,” and was -careful to fight only with those whom he knew -to be smaller and weaker than himself, he had -achieved a long list of victories. The natural -result was to make him confident in his -prowess, and a bully. He had convinced himself -that Walter was his inferior in physical -strength, and was sure he could master him -in a conflict.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d just as lief get into a fight with the -master to-day,” said Peter; “but there’s one -thing I’m afraid of.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid that old fool Phineas Morton -would come to his help. I couldn’t fight with -such a big fellow as that. It would be mean -in Phineas.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course it would,” said John. “What -makes you think he would interfere?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He don’t like me. You saw what he did -to-day--the brute!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Besides, the master’s been tryin’ to get -him on his side.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because he’s afraid of you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s likely.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You might try it some day when Phineas -is absent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He ain’t absent very often.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He gets a headache sometimes, and gets -dismissed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So he does. I wish he’d have a headache -to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>While this conversation was proceeding the -boys had been walking in the direction of -Peter’s house. They had nearly reached there -when General Wall rode by in his chaise. -Recognizing the boys and wondering why they -were out during school hours, he stopped his -horse and called out:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John, where are you going?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With Peter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hasn’t school commenced?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then why are you not there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We were in school, but the master let us -go for half an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To carry home this hen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then for the first time General Wall’s attention -was attracted to the covered basket, -the occupant of which took the opportunity -of indicating her presence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whose hen is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Peter’s.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How came it at school?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John looked at Peter, and the latter answered -readily, not being overbashful, “I -carried it there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What for?” asked the general, surprised.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I tied it in the master’s chair.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You wanted to play a trick upon him, I -suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say?” asked General Wall, in -some curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He said,” answered John, who took a little -malicious satisfaction in annoying Peter, -“that the hen was qualified to teach the one -who brought her there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very good,” said the general, laughing. -“He had you there, Peter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter scowled, but did not reply. The joke -was at his expense, and he did not relish it. -He felt angry with John for repeating the -offensive remark, and with his father for -laughing at it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Was the teacher angry?” was the next -question.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; he took it as a joke, and told Peter he -might carry the hen home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There was no need of your coming too, -John.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Peter wanted me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall was a little surprised at this. -He knew his son and had heard him more than -once speak in contemptuous terms of Peter, -whose company he now appeared to seek. -However, he said nothing further, except to -caution Peter against playing any further -tricks, and enjoining upon both boys to return -to school as soon as possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What made you tell your father what the -master said of me?” demanded Peter, angrily, -when General Wall had driven by.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t think you’d care,” said John, not -quite truthfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I do care,” said Peter, sullenly, “and -I don’t want you to speak of it again.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You won’t mind after you’ve got even with -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, but I haven’t got even with him yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will, though.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course I will. I wish I could to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was some more conversation of this -character, but it did not vary in substance -from what has already been reported.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the boys returned to the schoolhouse -it was time for Peter’s class in grammar to -recite. The latter did not belong to the first -class, but the second, and it happened that he -was the oldest and largest scholar in his class, -but not by any means the most proficient. He -had applied to Mr. Barclay to let him join the -first class, which request was very promptly -refused. Peter did not dare to make a fuss, -knowing that Mr. Barclay had the physical -strength to enforce his decision. But with -Walter he believed it to be different. He -therefore proposed to make a transfer, that -he might no longer be humiliated by being associated -with those smaller and younger than -himself. When, therefore, the second class in -grammar took their places, he remained in his -seat. Walter might not have noticed this, -but one of the class spoke, saying: “Peter -Groot belongs to this class.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter looked up and said: “No, I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, he does.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you been accustomed to recite in this -class, Peter?” asked Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then why do you not take your place?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m goin’ into the first class,” said Peter, -defiantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no objections to that, if you are -qualified.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am qualified.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That I can determine after one recitation. -Take your place to-day with your old class, -and then, if I judge you fit I will let you enter -the first class.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter hesitated. He did not want to recite -with his old class at all. But he reflected that, -even if the teacher decided against him, he -could refuse to obey him, and this would bring -on the collision and trial of strength which he -desired. He knew very well that he was not -qualified for promotion, and had no doubt -the teacher would so decide, unless he was -afraid to do so. On the whole, therefore, he -thought it best to submit for the present, and, -rising, advanced to his place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Presently it came to Peter’s turn to parse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may parse ‘had been conquered,’ -Peter,” said the young teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Had been conquered is an adverb,” said -Peter, hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You surely cannot mean that!” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought it was an adverb.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a verb. Go on and parse it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The whole sentence read thus: “If the -Americans had been conquered in their struggle -for independence, the cause of political -liberty and human progress would have been -retarded by at least a century.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a common active passive verb,” said -Peter, “masculine gender, objective case, and -governed by Americans.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was so evidently absurd that the entire -class burst into a shout of laughter, in -which Walter had great difficulty in not -joining.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am afraid you spoke without reflecting, -Peter,” he said. “The verb could not be both -active and passive, and the rest of your description -applies properly to nouns.” He -went on to correct Peter’s mistakes, and -tried to draw out of him what he ought to -say, but with only partial success. Peter’s -ideas of grammar were very far from clear. -He was not well grounded in the fundamental -principles of this branch of study, and was -not even qualified to keep up with the second -class.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the end of the recitation, Walter said: -“You may remain in this class, Peter. You -are not qualified to enter the first class.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?” demanded Peter, in a surly -tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must know as well as I do,” said -Walter, rather provoked. “If not, the rest of -your class can tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want to go into the first class,” persisted -Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot consent to your doing so. Judging -from your recitation to-day, I should say -it would be better for you to join a lower -class.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter was so astonished at this decided remark -that he did not make any further remonstrance. -He was very angry and equally -mortified, but in addition to these feelings -there dawned upon him the conviction that -Walter could not be afraid of him, or he -would never have dared to speak to him in -such terms.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVI <br /> <br /> PUNISHING A BULLY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>About</span> an hour before the close of the -afternoon school Phineas Morton went up to -the teacher’s desk and said: “I have a bad -headache, Mr. Howard. If you will excuse -me, I would like to go home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly, Mr. Morton. Are you often -troubled in that way?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“About once a week. It affects me so that -I cannot study while it lasts.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You had better go. I hope you will soon -recover.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas went back to his seat, took a couple -of books from his desk, and went out of the -schoolroom. Peter Groot exchanged looks -with John Wall. All had happened as he desired. -Now he felt safe in precipitating a -conflict.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His first overt act was to drop his slate -heavily on the floor. The noise was such as -to draw general attention. Walter looked up, -but as he had no evidence that the disturbance -was intentional, he said nothing. Five minutes -later, Peter, having piled all his books -near the edge of his desk, gave them a push -and they, too, dropped on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Be a little more careful, Peter,” said Walter, -mildly. “You are disturbing the school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter mistook this mild tone for a confession -of timidity, and it emboldened him. He -threw up his head, and, leaning back in his -seat, stared insolently at the young teacher, -as much to say: “What are you going to do -about it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s coming,” thought Walter. “Well, it’s -just as well now as at any other time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Peter, will you pick up your books?” he -said, calmly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter made no motion to obey, but sat still, -staring insolently at the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t you hear me?” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Peter, “I heard you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then why don’t you obey me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will pick them up when I get ready,” -said Peter, impudently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter found it difficult to restrain his -temper at this open insolence, but he succeeded -by an effort.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You appear to forget that I am the teacher -of this school, and you are my scholar,” said -Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are a boy like me,” said Peter. “I -ain’t goin’ to be ordered round by a boy no -older than I am.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am aware,” said Walter, quietly, “that I -am only a boy, and that some of my pupils, -probably yourself, are older than I am. But -that does not alter the fact that I am your -teacher. The trustees knew my age when -they appointed me teacher. They placed me -here not only to teach, but to keep good order. -I have had no trouble thus far with any one -but you. What is your object in making -trouble?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ain’t goin’ to be ordered round by a boy,” -said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t intend to do any ordering, except -what is absolutely necessary. But I intend -to keep order,” said Walter, firmly. “You can -continue to attend school, and I will do my -best to advance you in your studies, or you -can leave it, if you are unwilling to be orderly. -Take your choice.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am comin’ to school,” said Peter, “and -I will behave as I have a mind to.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not if I can prevent it,” said Walter, resolutely, -his eyes flashing with anger.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you goin’ to do about it?” demanded -Peter, insolently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come out on the floor if you would like -to be informed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall stay where I am,” said Peter, defiantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no objection, but you must keep -order.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter’s answer to this was to throw his slate -on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter felt that the time for forbearance -was past. If he suffered this insolence to go -unpunished his authority in the school was -overthrown. In that case he might as well -retire at once. Moral suasion was thrown -away upon Peter Groot. He must understand -what was meant by physical suasion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Scholars,” said Walter, “I am sorry for -what is about to happen, but I call you to -witness that it has been forced upon me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He walked up to Peter’s desk, eying him -in a quiet, determined manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have defied my authority,” he said, -“and insulted me before the rest of the scholars. -You believe me to be unable to enforce -my orders. Come out on the floor and I will -convince you to the contrary.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am comfortable where I am,” said Peter, -glancing about him triumphantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, as you don’t accept my offer, I must -force it upon you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter, who now stood beside Peter’s desk, -seized him suddenly by the collar, and by a -quick movement, jerked him into the aisle between -the desks. Peter had not anticipated -this. He was astonished and indignant beyond -measure. The smile of triumph faded -from his face, and his features were distorted -with rage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’ll be sorry for this!” he screamed, -adding an oath, which is better omitted. “I’ll -pay you up for it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He knew how to fight after his style, and -prepared to “pitch in” in his customary manner. -Walter had drawn back a little, so as -to be clear of the desks, and Peter followed -him up. He aimed a blow at the young teacher’s -head, which would have been likely to -give him a headache, but Walter had assumed -an attitude of defence, and fended it off with -the greatest ease. Peter quickly followed up -the blow by another quite as vigorous. But -this again was warded off. Walter did not -immediately act offensively. He wished before -doing so to show Peter that his own efforts -were futile. In proportion as Peter discovered -the ill success of his attempts to hit -his opponent, his rage became more ungovernable, -and he began to curse and swear. -At length, when he felt it to be time, Walter -retaliated. One swift, well-planted blow, -which Peter was utterly unable to ward off, -and the troublesome pupil found himself lying -upon his back on the floor of the schoolroom.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter remained standing, a little flushed, -but otherwise calm, and made no attempt to -prevent Peter’s rising. Peter was not a hero, -but he was not altogether without pluck, and -he was up again quickly and ready to renew -the contest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter held himself in readiness, but did -not speak. He wished this to be a decisive -battle. “I will give Peter all the chance he -wants,” he said to himself. “He must find -out once for all that I am more than his -match, and then he will cease to trouble me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter pitched in again, but he was unable -to profit by the lessons he had learned. He -saw that the teacher was more scientific than -himself, but feeling that in strength he was -quite his equal, he did not understand why -he could not match him. He tried to grasp -Walter around the waist, which would, of -course, have given him a decided advantage, -and neutralized Walter’s superior science, but -our hero was too wary for this. Taking advantage -of Peter’s unguarded state, he planted -another heavy blow, which, like the first, -prostrated his opponent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The scholars looked on with intense interest. -Not one except John Wall sympathized -with Peter. Not one was sorry to see the insolent -boy receiving his deserts. Some of the -better class had feared that the new teacher -would prove unequal to the encounter, but a -very short time undeceived them. When Peter -went down a second time there was a -stamping of feet, intended as applause.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Be kind enough not to applaud,” said Walter, -turning to them. “I am glad your sympathies -are with me, but I hope you will not -mortify your schoolfellow, who, I hope, will -some time be ashamed of the course which he -is now taking.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This manly request raised Walter still -higher in the opinion of his pupils. They saw -that he had no desire to triumph over Peter; -that he was only influenced by the desire to -maintain his authority. When Peter had renewed -the contest, and again been thrown, -Walter addressed him calmly: “If you wish to -keep on, Peter, I will accommodate you, but -you must know by this time that you stand no -chance of success. I know something of boxing, -and it is clear that you do not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m as strong as you are,” growled Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may be, but you don’t know how to -use your strength. Suppose we stop here, and -forget all that has happened. I shall bear -you no grudge, and shall only expect the same -of you that I do from the other scholars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s fair, Peter,” said half a dozen boys -from their seats.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter did not answer, but on the other hand -he did not offer to renew the contest. He -rose and walked quietly to his desk, and seated -himself, with his opinions of the “master’s” -prowess decidedly revolutionized. Walter -walked back to the teacher’s desk, and quietly -called the next class. He might have felt a -little excited by the conflict in which he had -just been engaged, but, if so, he did not betray -it in his manner. He was very glad that the -ordeal was over, and that his efforts were -crowned with success. He had known boys -like Peter before, and he felt confident that he -should have no more trouble with him. He -made up his mind neither by look nor word to -remind Peter of his defeat, but to do all he -could to spare him humiliation. He wanted, -if possible, to convert him from an enemy to -a friend.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVII <br /> <br /> REFORMATION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> result of his conflict with the new -teacher mortified Peter not a little. Had it -been a close contest he would not have minded -it so much, but the advantage was all on Walter’s -side from the first, and, what was worse, -all the scholars could see it. Peter had been -tripped up by Phineas Morton, as we know, -but the difference in size was such that it was -no mortification. Now he recalled his boasts -that he could “lick the master,” with some -shame, since it had turned out that he was no -match for him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When school was over, Peter slipped off -alone, not caring for the company of his school -companions. He was afraid they would twit -him with his defeat. Defeat is a test of friendship, -and even John Wall, since the ignominious -failure of Peter, was disposed to be less -intimate with him. He had been drawn toward -him by the hope that he could successfully -rebel against Walter’s authority. John -was no less anxious for the new teacher’s failure, -but he saw that Peter was not the one to -bring it about.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day Peter was walking slowly -along to school, not quite decided whether he -would not play truant, when he heard himself -called by name. Looking around, he recognized -the last one he wished to meet--the -teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He wants to crow over me,” he thought, -hastily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Walter advanced, smiling cordially.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-morning, Peter,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Morning,” muttered Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you are on your way to school. -I am glad to have your company.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you?” asked Peter, superciliously, -walking unwillingly by the side of his victor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter saw his feelings, and was resolved -to change them, if possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You mustn’t bear a grudge against me, -Peter, for our little difficulty yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You wouldn’t have thrown me, if you -hadn’t known how to box,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, I don’t believe I should,” said Walter, -frankly. “You are pretty strong, Peter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought I was strong as you,” said Peter, -thawing a little.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think you are, but strength isn’t everything. -Do you know anything about boxing?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I never had no chance to learn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t pretend to know much about it myself,” -said Walter. “Still, I know something -about the first principles. I will teach you -all I know, if you want to learn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will you?” asked Peter, astonished.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With pleasure. It will be good practice -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shouldn’t think you would want to,” said -Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because you can lick me now; but if I -knew as much about boxing as you, perhaps -you couldn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh,” said Walter, laughing, “there won’t be -any need of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because you are going to be my friend.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know?” said Peter; but Walter -saw a difference in his tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because there is no reason why we should -not be. I am a boy like yourself, and the only -difference between us is that I have a better -education.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know very much,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you want to know more, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ye-es,” said Peter, hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course you do. You want to rise in the -world, and you won’t be likely to do it without -education. It’s the same way with me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t you know enough?” asked Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Far from enough. I want to go through -college, but I must earn money enough, first. -My father failed, or I should still have been -studying. Now, Peter, as long as I remain -here, I will do all I can to help you on, if you -will work yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Peter was not wholly bad. There was -something in him that responded to this magnanimity -of the teacher, whom he had striven -to annoy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shouldn’t think you’d be so kind to me, -Mr. Howard,” he said, “when I tried to trouble -you so much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, that’s gone by, Peter! I depend upon -the older scholars, such as you and Phineas -Morton, to help me, instead of hindering me. -Will you do it, Peter?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I will,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right. Then we are friends.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He offered his hand to Peter, and the latter -took it. He felt flattered at being classed -with Phineas Morton. It gave him a feeling -of importance to be called upon by the master -for help.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If any of the boys make trouble, I’ll help -you, Mr. Howard,” he volunteered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Peter. With you and Phineas -on my side, I am not afraid of any trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When will you give me the first boxing -lesson?” asked Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To-night, after school, if you like.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right. I’ll stop.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Great were the surprise and curiosity of -the scholars assembled in front of the schoolhouse -when they saw Peter Groot and the -“master” walking together, and apparently on -friendly terms. They had speculated upon -what course Peter would pursue, and whether -he would venture to continue his annoyances, -but they were far from imagining that there -would be such a speedy reconciliation. Even -now they hardly believed the evidence of their -senses. When Walter had entered the schoolhouse, -they crowded upon Peter with questions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he give you a scolding, Peter?” asked -Charles Carney.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course he didn’t,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did he say?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He promised to teach me to box.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He did?” exclaimed Charles, in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, he’s goin’ to give me my first lesson to-night, -after school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you don’t hate him any more?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; he’s a tiptop feller. I’ll lick any boy -that says he ain’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among those who listened with astonishment -to this sudden change of tone on Peter’s -part was Phineas Morton, who had recovered -from his headache, and had just heard an account -of what had taken place the afternoon -previous.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s the way to talk, Peter,” said Phineas. -“We’re together in that. If we stand by -Mr. Howard he’ll get along.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what he told me,” said Peter, gratified -at his rising importance. “I’m goin’ to -study hard, and see if I can’t be somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you may count me your friend, Peter. -We won’t laugh at each other’s mistakes hereafter, -but we’ll both see if we can’t improve.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus was Peter confirmed in his good resolutions. -Walter had managed to strike the -right chord, and produced a complete revulsion -of feeling in his once rebellious pupil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was one, however, who was not pleased -at Peter’s change. This was John Wall. He -did not want the new teacher to secure friends, -and he was sorry for Peter’s defection. At -recess he managed to speak to Peter alone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It seems to me you’ve changed since yesterday, -Peter,” he said, with a sneer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I have,” said Peter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Was it the licking the teacher gave you -that changed you?” asked John, with the same -tone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, John Wall,” said Peter, “if you -say that again, I’ll knock you over.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t think you were going back on me, -after all you said. I thought it must be because -you was afraid.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I ain’t afraid of you, as you’ll find out. -You’re a mean feller, and a coward. You -wanted me to get into a fight with the master, -because you hated him, and didn’t dare to fight -him yourself. I like him a good deal better -than I do you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may if you want to,” said John, mortified. -“I’m a gentleman’s son, and I can get -as many friends as I like.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You ain’t a gentleman yourself, that’s -sure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>John walked away in dudgeon. He saw -that Peter had gone over to the enemy, and -that Walter had conquered. There was no -hope now of breaking down his authority. -Whether he liked it or not, he must submit to -be taught by a boy, and one that he did not -like.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile Phineas Morton had gone up to -the teacher’s desk.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you recovered from your headache, -Mr. Morton?” asked Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, thank you, Mr. Howard. I find you -gained a great victory while I was away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter smiled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What surprises me is that Peter has turned -over to your side. I heard him threaten to -lick any boy that said anything against you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did he say that?” asked Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. How did you manage it, Mr. Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By letting him see that I was his friend.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s a good deal in that,” said Phineas, -thoughtfully. “But Peter’s a hard case. I -didn’t think you could manage him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is a good side to every one, if you -can only find it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You won’t have any more trouble now, -Mr. Howard. Peter has been the ringleader in -all school disturbances, and now that you have -won him over all will go smoothly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Phineas Morton’s prediction was verified. -For the remainder of the day, and for weeks -to come, Peter exhibited an astonishing -change. He studied well, and began to improve -rapidly in his studies. He was a boy -of good capacity, but had been perversely unwilling -to exert himself hitherto. Walter encouraged -him in every way, and strove to make -him ambitious. He carried out his promise, -and taught Peter what he knew of boxing, -sending to a neighboring large town for boxing -gloves. Peter learned rapidly, but Walter -also profited by the practice he obtained, -and kept a slight superiority over his pupil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>So matters stood when Walter gained some -information that led to important results.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVIII <br /> <br /> A FORTUNE AT STAKE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>After</span> his victory over Peter, Walter had -no further trouble. Peter had always been at -the bottom of all opposition to the different -teachers who from time to time had been employed, -and he had been instrumental in getting -rid of more than one. Now he was converted -into a friend and supporter of the administration, -through Walter’s pluck and -judicious management, and things went on -smoothly. It was the general testimony that -not for years had such an interest been manifested -in study by the pupils, or the discipline -been more gentle, yet effectual, in securing -order. Our young hero won golden opinions -from all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He still boarded at the Portville House, occupying -the same room which his predecessor -had left to him. Miss Melinda Athanasia -Jones still continued her attentions to the new -teacher, and seemed disposed to get up a flirtation -with him. But Walter wisely thought -that he was too young for that, nor were the -attractions of Miss Jones, who was more than -ten years his senior, sufficiently great to turn -his head. Still, he occasionally passed an -evening in company with her and her brother, -and on such occasions was generally called -upon to listen to some poetic effusion from the -prolific pen of Miss Jones. In general they -were in manuscript, editors generally not appreciating -Miss Jones’ poems. One evening, -however, the poetess exhibited to her young -visitor, with great complacency, a copy of a -small weekly paper published at a neighboring -township, in which appeared, in a conspicuous -place:--</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div><span class='large'>“LINES ON AN AUTUMN LEAF,”</span></div> - <div>BY MELINDA ATHANASIA JONES.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>These she had sent to the editor with a -year’s subscription to the paper, which perhaps -operated upon the editor’s judgment, and -led to a flattering editorial reference to the -verses. Miss Jones called Walter’s attention -to it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“See what a kind notice the editor has of -my poor verses,” she said, reading aloud the -following paragraph:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We welcome to our columns this week -‘Lines on an Autumn Leaf,’ by Miss Jones. -The fair authoress will please accept our -thanks.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Read the lines, Melinda,” said Ichabod, her -brother.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know but Mr. Howard will find -them tiresome,” she said, modestly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Please read them, Miss Jones,” said Walter, -politely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus invited, the young lady read, in an -affected voice, the following verses, which it -is to be hoped the reader will admire:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<i>O yellow dying leaf,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Thy life has been very brief,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Only a summer day,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And now thou art wasting away.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>But yesterday thou wert green,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And didst grace the woodland scene,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And the song of the tuneful bird</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Under thy shadow was heard.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Now thou art yellow and sere,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>For it is the fall of the year,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And soon thou wilt fall from the tree,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And thy place will vacant be.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Thou wilt be trampled under foot,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Beneath the wayfarer’s boot.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Even such, it seems to me,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>My journey of life must be.</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Green in the early spring,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And the flowers their fragrance fling,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>But when the autumn days appear,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Toward the close of the year,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Withered my roses will be,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And my leaves will fall from the tree,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And the winds will moan--will moan--</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And I shall be overthrown!</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>Oh, it makes me pensive and sad,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>As I view thee, dying leaf,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And sorrow rends my heart,</i></div> - <div class='line in1'><i>And sighs afford relief.</i>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“Melindy wrote that in half an hour, Mr. -Howard,” said the admiring Ichabod. “I timed -her. I never knew her to do up a poem so -quick before. Generally she has to stop a long -time between the verses, and rolls her eyes, -and bites the end of her pen-handle; but this -time she wrote it off like two-forty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because I gave my heart to it, Ichabod,” -explained his sister. “The lines seemed to flow -right from my pen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The muses inspired you,” suggested Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are very kind to say so, Mr. Howard. -I am too humble to think so. The lines were -written in a sad and pensive mood, as you will -guess. But I find it sweet to be sad at times--don’t -you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I do,” said our hero.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d rather be jolly, a good deal,” said Ichabod.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tastes differ,” said the hostess. “I am of -a pensive, thoughtful temperament, and at -times my thoughts go roaming away from the -world around me, and I seem to live in a world -of my own. ’Twas so with Byron and Mrs. -Hemans, I have been told.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad I ain’t a poet,” said Ichabod. “I -shouldn’t like to feel so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You never will, Ichabod,” said his sister. -“You are not gifted with the poetic temperament.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No more I am. I never could make a -rhyme, to save my life. The first line comes -sort of easy, but it’s the second that is the -sticker.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Strange what differences are found in the -same family, Mr. Howard,” said Melinda, with -a calm superiority. “You see how different -Ichabod and I are.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very true, Miss Jones,” said Walter; -though, to tell the truth, he preferred the illiterate -and prosaic Ichabod, with his absence of -pretension, to his “gifted” sister.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you provoked the muse lately, Mr. -Howard?” she asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, Miss Jones. I find school teaching unfavorable -to poetry. If I should undertake to -write verses after I get home from school, my -mind would certainly stray away to fractions, -or the boundaries of States, or something -equally prosaic.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is a pity. You should try to cultivate -and develop your powers. Perhaps the editor -of this paper would insert some of your -verses.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t think I shall offer any. I must -wait till I get more leisure. Besides, I am -afraid I could not reach the high standard -which the paper has attained since you became -a contributor.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are a sad flatterer, Mr. Howard,” said -the delighted Melinda.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I assure you, Miss Jones, that I could not -write anything like the lines on a ‘dying leaf.’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I am sure you could, Mr. Howard. -You are too modest. Those lines you once -read me were so sweet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now it is you that flatters, Miss Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I am afraid Walter was not quite justifiable -in so ministering to the vanity of Miss Jones, -since, of course, he was not sincere. He perhaps -thought it required by politeness, but it -is desirable to be as sincere as possible, of -course avoiding rudeness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Nine weeks of the school term had passed, -and two more would bring a vacation of a -month. Nothing had been said to Walter -about his teaching the following term, but he -presumed it would be offered him, since his -administration had been an undoubted success. -In another way, however, he had not yet succeeded. -He had not been able to learn anything -more of the Great Metropolitan Mining -Company, and this, as our readers know, was -the great object of his present visit to Portville. -He was thinking over this, and wondering -what course it was best for him to take, -when Edward Atkins, one of his scholars, -brought him a letter from the post office.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was passing by, Mr. Howard,” he said, -“and I thought I would bring you this letter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Edward. You are very kind.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He opened it hastily, for he saw by the postmark -and the handwriting, that it was from -Mr. Shaw, his guardian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Walter</span>,” (it commenced):--“I am -sorry you have not yet been able to learn anything -more definite about the affairs of the -Mining Company, as it would guide us in a -decision which we shall soon be compelled to -make. I am in receipt of another letter from -Mr. Wall, offering three thousand dollars, or -three dollars per share, for your interest in the -mine. He says that it will be necessary to decide -at once, or the offer will be withdrawn. -Now my impression is that the last clause is -only meant to force us to a decision that may -be prejudicial to our interests. On the other -hand, three thousand dollars, although far less -than the sum your father invested, are not -lightly to be rejected. With economy it would -be more than enough to carry you through college, -thus putting you in a way to earn an honorable -living. Still, it is not to be lightly accepted. -We do not want to be cheated by a -designing man. I am not sure whether it -would not be a good idea for you to visit the -mines yourself, and form your own opinion -from what you see. You might, at any rate, -report to me, and between us we would come -to some decision. I understand that you will -have a vacation soon. Suppose you devote that -time to a journey to the mines, saying nothing, -of course, in Portville, of your design.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“Let me know your decision in the matter -as soon as possible. I will meanwhile write -to Mr. Wall, postponing our decision, but -promising to make one speedily.</p> -<p class='c014'>“Truly your friend,</p> -<p class='c015'>“<span class='sc'>Clement Shaw</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Walter had scarcely finished reading this -letter, when General Wall was ushered into -his room.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIX <br /> <br /> THE MYSTERY OF THE MINE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Walter</span> hastened to place a chair for his -visitor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to see you, General Wall,” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ahem! you are quite pleasantly situated, -Mr. Howard,” said the great man, sitting -down.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; I am quite satisfied with my boarding -place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you like our town, also.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have found my residence here very pleasant -thus far.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I must do you the justice to say that your -services as a teacher have proved generally satisfactory.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear you say so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may depend upon it that public sentiment -is strongly in your favor. I have occasion -to know from my official relation to the -school.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Things have gone very smoothly. I believe -the relations between the scholars and myself -have been very friendly. Peter Groot was at -first inclined to make trouble, but he is now -one of my strongest supporters.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have certainly succeeded remarkably -well, Mr. Howard. I was at first led to fear -that, on account of your youth, you would be -unable to maintain the necessary discipline, -though I knew that your scholarship was all -that was needed. But the result has proved -that my fears were groundless. How has John -progressed?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has made progress, General Wall, especially -of late. I think he has been dissatisfied -with me at times, and thought me too strict, -but I wanted to make him thorough. He has -good abilities, but at first he did not apply -himself sufficiently.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think you are right, Mr. Howard,” said -General Wall, who was a sensible man. “You -have pursued the right course with him. I -want him to become a thorough scholar. But -my object in calling this evening was to ask -you if you would agree to take the school next -term.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hardly know what to say, General Wall. -My plans are not fixed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you will agree to do so. I shall be -willing to add five dollars a month to your salary -from my own purse.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is liberal, General Wall, and I think -it very possible that I may be willing to remain -here. How long will vacation be?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Four weeks. During that time, if you are -willing to teach my son an hour a day, I will -pay your board here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I were intending to remain in Portville -I would accept the offer, but I shall spend the -time in traveling.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed! In what direction?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter answered vaguely, for he was not -willing to let General Wall know that he meant -to visit the mines, in which they were mutually -interested.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then,” said the visitor, rising to go, “I -will consider that you are engaged to teach the -next term.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir, on this condition, that if circumstances -arise, rendering it impossible, I may -be released upon notifying you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But such circumstances are not likely to -arise, are they, Mr. Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I will trust that nothing will occur -to prevent your remaining with us. Good-evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was gratified to receive so decided -a mark of approval from the chairman of the -trustees. He had undertaken a task in which -few boys of his age would have succeeded, but -his pluck and good judgment had carried him -through.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What would my classmates at the Essex -Classical Institute think, if they should hear -of my setting up as a Western schoolmaster? -They would be amused, I am sure,” he thought -to himself. “We don’t know what we can do -till we try. I have heard that said often, and -now I know it to be so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Next his thoughts reverted to Mr. Shaw’s -letter, given in the last chapter, and he wrote -the following answer:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Friend, Mr. Shaw</span>:--I was very -glad to get your letter, which I have considered -carefully. I like your plan for me to visit the -mines during my vacation, and I have decided -to do so. I shall have four weeks, and that -will be quite sufficient. General Wall, the -chairman of the school trustees, has just called -upon me, to engage me to teach the next term. -He offers to pay me five dollars a month extra -out of his own pocket. Of course, my success -pleases me, especially as there was some disposition -to make trouble at first. But I conciliated -the ringleader, after beating him in a -fair fight, and now he is my friend.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“If we can’t do any better, we will take the -three thousand dollars; but I hope that we -may be able to obtain more. If I get it, I will -devote it to educating myself, as you suggest. -I feel more and more anxious to obtain a good -education.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“You will hear from me again as soon as I -have any information to send. Give my regards -to Mrs. Shaw, and consider me, with -many thanks for your kind interest,</p> -<p class='c014'>“Your sincere friend,</p> -<p class='c015'>“<span class='sc'>Walter Conrad</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>The next evening Walter was seated in the -public room of the inn, when he overheard a -conversation that interested him. It was between -the landlord and a stout man with red -whiskers, whom he had not seen before.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you seen General Wall yet, Mr. Carter?” -asked the landlord.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not yet. I went over there this afternoon, -but found he had driven over to Plimpton. -He wouldn’t have gone, if he had known I was -coming,” he said, in a satisfied way.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you bring good news, then?” -said the other.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The mine is going to turn out well, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No doubt of it. It is an excellent mine, -and between you and me, our friend Wall is -going to make a fortune, or he will, if he plays -his cards right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that so?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s no doubt of it. Why, he has managed -to buy in for himself and friends about -all the original shares, at two cents on a -dollar, and he controls the whole thing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shouldn’t have thought they would sell -out.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bless you, they knew nothing of the mine; -thought it was bu’st up, worth nothing. Most -of them were glad to realize anything at all. -You see we’ve kept the thing quiet. We knew -all the while that the mine was good, but took -good care not to find anything of value till we -had run down the stock, and bought it for a -song. We needed the money of the other stockholders -to carry the thing on. Now we’re all -ready to go ahead. There is only one cause of -delay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is a party at the East that owns a -thousand shares; we have tried to secure it, -offering three thousand dollars; but he fights -shy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s worth--how much is it worth?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We’ll give fifty dollars a share sooner than -not get it. But there won’t be any need of -that. He don’t know the value of his shares, -and will sell out for five thousand sure. We -don’t want to be too much in a hurry about it, -or it might excite suspicion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you’re in luck,” said the landlord. -“I only wish I had some shares myself. You -wouldn’t give me the address of that Eastern -party, would you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I rather think not,” said the red-whiskered -man, slapping the landlord on the shoulder. -“You’re a deep one, but you don’t get round me -quite so easy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you’ve got enough shares to make -you independent, Mr. Carter?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I had a hundred, but I managed to pick -up five hundred more, at two dollars apiece. -I wouldn’t sell ’em for fifty dollars a share.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When are you going out to the mines -again?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In a week or two. I’ve got to go home to -St. Paul, to see my family and transact a little -business, and then I shall go back. I want to -see General Wall and ascertain if he has succeeded -in buying up those Eastern shares -first.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To whom do they belong?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They were bought by a man named Conrad. -He died, leaving a son--a mere boy--in charge -of a village lawyer as guardian. The lawyer is -a slow, cautious man, and we haven’t succeeded -in getting him round yet, or hadn’t, at -last accounts from the general. I may have -to go East and interview him myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are they working the mine now?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; but we are not doing very much till -that is decided. What time is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eight o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The general was to be home at eight--so his -wife said. I think I will go up there, as I -want to be off in the morning stage, if possible. -Can you let me have breakfast at half-past -six?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right. Just send somebody in time to -wake me up for it. I am liable to oversleep -myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t forget.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man with the red whiskers rose, and, -putting on his hat, took his way to the residence -of General Wall. It may be imagined -with what feelings Walter listened to the details -of the plot by which he was to have lost -his property. It was clear that the despised -mining stock was worth fifty thousand dollars, -and with the information he had acquired he -could doubtless obtain that sum. He would -be rich once more! How this would affect his -plans he could not yet determine. One thing -he did, however. He wrote another letter to -Mr. Shaw, giving him a full account of what he -had overheard, and asking his advice in the -matter.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXX <br /> <br /> A DISCOURAGING SEARCH.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>When</span> we took leave of Joshua Drummond, -several chapters back, he was about to start -for Chicago. New York was too near Stapleton -to make it a safe place of residence. -Joshua knew his father, and understood how -he must be affected by his running away, and -more than all by the loss of the government -bond. In Chicago he would feel safe, and accordingly -he bought a ticket to that city. He -had never traveled, and dreaded the experience; -but his apprehensions were soon succeeded -by greater confidence, and in due time -he landed in the busy Western city.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He first went to a hotel, but was dismayed -on finding the charge to be three dollars per -day. In his opinion this was enough for a -week’s board. He remembered Sam’s advice -to seek out a cheap boarding house, and decided -to seek one out without delay. He picked -up a copy of the Chicago <i>Tribune</i> in the reading-room -of the hotel, and took down the numbers -of three houses where board was offered -to the public. He put down the numbers on a -piece of paper, and started out in search of -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first was a large and handsome house, -on a fashionable street. It is needless to say -that Joshua found the prices altogether above -the figure he was willing to pay. The second -was cheap and dirty. The third was a respectable-looking -place, and would just suit -him, so he thought.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you charge for board?” he -asked the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” said Mrs. Foster, for that was her -name, “our price varies according to the room. -It ranges from five to twelve dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would like a room for five dollars,” said -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We have but one room vacant at present--a -third-story back--but it is of good size, and -if it is occupied alone, we must charge eight -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I couldn’t pay so much; I can’t afford it,” -said Joshua, decidedly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Haven’t you a friend you could get to room -with you? In that case, I will charge ten dollars -for the two.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know anybody in Chicago; I am a -stranger here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My rent is heavy,” continued the landlady, -“and I ought to get ten dollars for the room, or -eight dollars for one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t pay it. I must go somewhere else.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Would you mind rooming with another -gentleman?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would rather not,” said Joshua, reluctantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, if you room alone, you must expect -to pay for the privilege.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know any gentleman to room with.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I tell you what you can do,” said the landlady, -after a pause; “you may go into the room -at once, and pay me five dollars a week, on condition -that if I find another gentleman to room -with you, you will agree to take him in with -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I might not like him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t take any but respectable gentlemen,” -said Mrs. Foster. “You may be sure -that I won’t ask you to take any improper person -to room with you. However, do as you -please. I would just as lief let the room to -you alone at eight dollars a week. I should -make just as much money, and very likely -more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua thought it over, and the more he -thought of it, the more inclined he was to -accept Mrs. Foster’s proposal. He would prefer, -of course, to room alone, unless he could -have some friend like Sam Crawford for his -roommate. But he was by no means inclined -to pay three dollars a week extra for the privilege. -He liked money better than privacy, -and besides, he had only four hundred dollars -left, and he felt that he could not afford it. -Besides, again, it might be some time before -another person applied for board, and meanwhile -he would have the entire room for only -five dollars.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I will take the room,” he said, “and -you can put another gentleman with me. -When can I come in?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How soon do you want to come?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Right away. I can’t afford to stay at a -hotel--it costs too much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will have the room ready for you this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right. I will come.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua lost no time in transferring himself -to Mrs. Foster’s boarding house. He felt in -very good spirits when he thought how much -his expenses would be diminished by the -change.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There’s some difference between three dollars -a day and five a week,” he said to himself. -“I think it will suit me very well. Now -all I want is to get a place, so that I can lay -by my four hundred dollars. I’ll look around -to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day Joshua commenced his rounds. -Wherever he saw the sign “A Boy Wanted,” -he went in. At one place he came near being -engaged.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How old are you?” he was asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eighteen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You look younger. We don’t need a clerk -so old.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Won’t I do?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You might. How much wages do you expect?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know what they usually pay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, we haven’t very much for a boy to -do. He will have an easy place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua liked this. He wanted an easy place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But we pay only three dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Three dollars a week! Why, my board -costs me five dollars, and I have to pay for -washing besides. Then there’s clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you ever been in a place before?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, as you have no experience, you cannot -expect to make your expenses the first -year.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua’s countenance fell. His father would -do better by him than that. At home he got -his board, such as it was, and was offered a -little besides. What would Sam Crawford, -who represented that he got a thousand dollars -a year, say, if he should learn that he, Joshua, -was working for three dollars a week!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can’t you give me more?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, if you choose to come for three dollars -we will take you a week on trial.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t afford it,” he said; “I must look -around a little more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next place at which he made application -was a dry-goods store.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see you want a clerk,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua happened to be the first applicant -here.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; have you experience?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now Joshua had tended a little in his -father’s store, when the other clerk was at -dinner, and he thought it might help his cause -to answer in the affirmative.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” he said, “I have had experience.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In this city?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, not in this city,” Joshua was compelled -to admit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In my father’s store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is your father’s store?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where’s Stapleton?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In New York State.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never heard of it. Is it much of a place?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s rather small.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of a store does your father -keep?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He keeps dry goods, and other things.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m afraid your experience there wouldn’t -fit you for employment with us. However, I -will examine you a little.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The shopkeeper led Joshua to the counter, -on which was piled a variety of goods, which -had been taken out to show customers, and -asked for their names, and what he supposed -to be their prices. Now, Joshua had never -taken any pains to become acquainted with -his father’s business and knew next to nothing -about it. His ignorance proved to be so complete -that his questioner saw at once that he -would never do for their trade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry to say that you won’t suit us,” -he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We should have to teach you everything -from the beginning. What we want is a competent -salesman.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was rather discouraged by this failure. -He saw that he was by no means so well -qualified to make his way in the city as he supposed. -He didn’t care very much about working, -to be sure. What he would have liked -was, a competent income without the necessity -of doing anything. In that case he thought -he could enjoy himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When the old man dies,” he thought, “I -won’t do anything. I’ll sell out the store. I -shall have enough to live upon, and it won’t be -any use troubling myself with work.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I hope none of my young readers have imbibed -Joshua’s pernicious ideas. If so, they -stand a chance of leading a very useless and -unprofitable life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua’s application continued unsuccessful, -and he began to get discouraged.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the afternoon of the third day Mrs. Foster -knocked at his door. “Mr. Drummond,” -she said, “there’s a gentleman below that has -applied for board. I have told him of this -room, and he will come up and look at it. I -thought I’d come and speak to you about it -first.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of course, Joshua could make no objection. -Three minutes later the landlady reappeared, -followed by the gentleman referred to.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXI <br /> <br /> JOSHUA’S ROOMMATE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'>“<span class='sc'>Mr. Drummond</span>, let me make you acquainted -with Mr. Remington,” said the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. -Drummond,” said the newcomer, politely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you do?” said Joshua, awkwardly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mrs. Foster says you will be willing to take -a roommate. I am sure we should get on well -together. At first, I was a little doubtful, but -now that I have seen you I shall be glad to -take the room.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should like it, too,” said Joshua, flattered -by the stranger’s words.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then it is agreed; I will come to-night. -Five dollars a week, I think you said, Mrs. -Foster?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir. It would be eight dollars if you -roomed alone.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Precisely. We shall be worth three dollars -a week to each other, Mr. Drummond. That is -what I call a good arrangement, to secure an -agreeable roommate, and be paid for it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The newcomer was a middle-sized man, of -easy manners and fluent speech. Joshua, who -was not much accustomed to the world, was -quite captivated by his politeness and compliments, -and the prospect of having him for a -roommate was rather pleasant than otherwise. -He was tired of solitude, having no friend in -Chicago, and thought he would like company.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Remington moved to his new quarters in -the evening about eight o’clock. Joshua was -alone, finding the time hang rather heavily -upon his hands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you been long in Chicago, Mr. Drummond?” -asked Remington.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only four days.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You came from the East, I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“From New York.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ah, indeed! Big place that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, it is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you expect to stay here long?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” said Joshua, hesitatingly, “that depends -on whether I can get a place. I am looking -for something to do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed! I thought you already in business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, you have a business air about you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was quite pleased at the compliment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been in my father’s store some.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To be sure. I knew you must have some -experience. Well, a young man of your appearance -ought to find a situation very quick.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve been looking around for two or three -days, but I can’t find anything yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s because you are a stranger. Did -you ever think of going into business for yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That takes a good deal of money, don’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not so very much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have only got four hundred dollars,” said -Joshua. “Of course, that isn’t enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It isn’t much, to be sure. Still you might -obtain a partnership in a small business for -that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of business?” asked Joshua, interested.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not prepared to say on the instant, -but I will think the matter over, and see what -I can do for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish you would. You see I don’t know -anybody here, and that goes against me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To be sure. I was about to propose something -to you, but I don’t know that you would -think it worth your while.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?” said Joshua, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I keep a fancy goods store, and find more -to do than I like. I need an assistant, but I -can only offer six dollars a week. You might -be willing to take up with that till something -better offers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I’ll take it,” said Joshua, promptly, -for his fruitless applications for employment -had made him ready to accept anything at all -decent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, I know that it is not enough for -a young man of your business experience and -abilities, Mr. Drummond, but if I can do better -by you after a while, I will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua knew that he was without experience, -and was not sure about his abilities, -but he did know that it would not do to draw -upon his principal continually, and was thankful -to accept the salary offered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How lucky I am!” he thought. “Mr. Remington -seems such a perfect gentleman. I -think we shall get along first-rate. If my -father had only treated me that way, I never -would have left home.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you going to do this evening, Mr. -Drummond?” said his new friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Suppose we go round the corner, and have -a game of billiards.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know how to play.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I’ll teach you. You’re old enough to -learn and everybody plays nowadays.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does it cost much to learn?” questioned -Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not much; but of course I pay, as I invite -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua made no further objections, but left -the house in company with Mr. Remington, -who took his arm, and talked socially, like an -old friend. Joshua was more and more -charmed with him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a five minutes’ walk they reached the -billiard hall. It was a large room, containing -twelve tables.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think we will try a pocket-table. It is -easier for a beginner. Select a cue, Mr. Drummond.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua didn’t know what a cue was, but, -following his companion’s example, selected -one from a rack against the wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” said Mr. Remington, after the balls -were placed, “the principle of the game is very -simple. With this ball, you must try to hit -two others. If you succeed in doing it, you -count three, or if you succeed in sending either -ball into any one of the four pockets, you count -three. If you do both, it counts you six. One -hundred is the game. I will take the first shot, -which is difficult for a beginner, and then you -take your turn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He made the shot, but without counting. -Next Joshua, under his direction, made a shot, -and by what billiard-players call a “scratch,” -hit two balls, sending one into a pocket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bravo! good shot! You have played before, -haven’t you, Mr. Drummond?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I never saw a billiard table before,” said -Joshua, elated. “Now it is your turn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, since you succeeded, you are to keep -on. I foresee that you will make an excellent -player.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a first-rate game,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; I was sure you would like it; now it -is my turn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It would be wearisome to detail the progress -of the game. Remington, who was really a -skillful player, “played off,” and helped his -adversary to such an extent that he made a -respectable score. Joshua was elated, and -found the billiard-room a much more attractive -place to spend the evening than his room -at the boarding house.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come,” said Remington, at the close of the -game, “you must be thirsty. Let us have something -to drink.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua understood that his companion proposed -to bear the expense, and therefore made -no objection.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What will you have, Drummond?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you going to take?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A sherry cobbler.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll take one, too.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two sherry cobblers, and mind you make -them strong enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua imbibed the drink through a straw, -in imitation of his companion. Not being used -to liquor of any kind, it exhilarated him, and -made him feel happy and sanguine. He had -never liked Chicago so well before.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is seeing life,” he thought. “I’ve come -to the right place. I haven’t been here a week, -and got a situation already. I guess I’ll write -to Sam in a day or two, and let him know how -I’m getting along. I’m glad I left Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, Drummond,” said Mr. Remington, -who had become more familiar as their acquaintance -progressed, “if you’re ready, we’ll -go back to our room. You know you’ll have -to go to business to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right, Mr. Remington. Do you think -you can raise my salary soon?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No doubt of it. I’ve taken a fancy to you, -and shall push you right along.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m sure I’m much obliged to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been in the habit of judging men, -and as soon as I saw you I felt sure that you -would suit me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you?” said Joshua, flattered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At once. Of course, I did not know but -you might already be engaged in business. If -you had been, I would not have offered you an -engagement, as I would scorn to take a good -clerk from another man. To let you into a -little secret, I’ve got a nephew who is -expecting the place. I suppose he will -be angry when he hears I have taken -a stranger. But, though I would like -to oblige him, he would not suit me at all. -He hasn’t got the ‘snap’ in him. He’ll never -make a good business man. It takes a smart -man to succeed in Chicago.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>All this was very gratifying to Joshua. Nobody -had ever taken a fancy to him before; nobody -had ever detected his superior business -abilities; yet here was a stranger, a man of -discrimination and business experience, who -had selected him in preference to his own -nephew. No wonder Joshua felt elated.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXII <br /> <br /> THE “CHIEF” SALESMAN.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> next morning Joshua went round with -his roommate to his new place of business. -The shop was a small one, with a moderate -stock of fancy goods. There was one little circumstance -that attracted his attention. His -employer’s name was Remington, but the name -on the sign was</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>JOHN FORBES.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought this was your store,” said he, a -little surprised.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So it is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But your name isn’t Forbes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh,” said Remington, “you noticed the -sign. That’s easily explained. I bought the -business of Mr. Forbes, but as his name was -well known in the neighborhood, I thought it -best to keep the old name. Do you see?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I understand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You see it isn’t a large place,” said Mr. -Remington, as they entered, “but I do a pretty -good business. What do you think, now, that -my clear profits were last year?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Two thousand dollars,” hazarded Joshua, -who was used to the small incomes of a country -trader.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Six,” answered Mr. Remington.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What, six thousand dollars?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Certainly. You see we turn our goods over -quickly. This isn’t the busy season, but that -will soon be here, and then the store will be -crowded with customers from morning till -night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As the entire stock in trade probably did not -exceed two, or at most, three thousand dollars -in value, this was rather a hard statement to -believe; but then Joshua was fresh from the -country, and rather unsophisticated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Remington gave his new clerk some instructions -as to the locality of the goods, and -the prices, and he took his place behind the -counter, proud of being a city salesman. He -was not compelled to work very hard. There -was seldom more than one customer in the -store at a time, and none bought heavily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s rather quiet this morning,” said Mr. -Remington, laying down the morning paper, -over which he had spent an hour without interruption.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua assented.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You see it isn’t the busy season. That -makes a great difference.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose it does.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’d hardly know the place two months -hence. You must make up your mind to work, -then, Drummond. They’ll keep you running, -I assure you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua was not particularly fond of work, -as we know, but it occurred to him that it -would not be quite so dull if he had more -customers to wait upon, and was rather enlivened -by the prospect of a busier time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When half-past twelve came, his employer -said, “I’m going to dinner. I shall be gone an -hour. When I come back, you can go.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So Joshua was left alone. He felt a little -hungry himself. Still he had a feeling of importance -in being left in sole charge of the -store. As there was nothing else in particular -to do, he went to the desk, and wrote the following -letter to his friend, Sam Crawford, in -New York:</p> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>Chicago</span>, Sept. --, 186--.</p> -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Sam</span>:--I seize a few moments from -business”--Joshua wrote this with great complacence--“to -write you an account of how I -am getting along. I have not been a week in -Chicago, yet am already chief salesman in one -of the principal stores here.” (I am afraid our -friend Joshua purposely exaggerated in this -statement.) “I like my employer very much, -and he seems to have taken a great fancy to -me. His nephew was very anxious to obtain -the situation, but he seemed to think I had -good business abilities, and gave it to me instead.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“I have been about the city some, and like -it. I think I shall make it my home, and some -time Mr. Remington will probably take me -into partnership. I am writing at noon, when -we have few customers. I like this store better -than yours. I am sorry we are not in the -same city, as I should like to go round with -you. Last evening I played a game of billiards -with Mr. Remington. He said I did finely for -the first time, and thinks I would make an -excellent player.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“But I must leave off to wait on a customer”--it -was an old woman, who wanted a paper -of pins--“and must close for this time.</p> -<p class='c015'>“Your friend,</p> -<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Joshua Drummond</span>.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“P. S.--Have you seen anything of the old -man since I left New York? Don’t let anybody -know I am in Chicago. I only get twelve -dollars a week now”--this again was a slight -exaggeration--“but I expect to have my salary -raised soon.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>When Sam received this letter, it surprised -him, and I am not quite sure whether he was -entirely pleased with his friend’s good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, that beats all!” he exclaimed, “that -such a greenhorn as Joshua Drummond should -get a situation in Chicago within a week; at -twelve dollars a week, too! Why, he don’t -know a cane from a broomstick, and yet he -gets half as much again as I do. Chicago must -be a good place to go. If such a greenhorn can -get twelve dollars, I ought to get eighteen or -twenty. I wonder whether it would pay me -to go out there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It will be seen that Sam had no suspicion of -the falseness of Joshua’s statements. In fact, -he did not give him credit for the ability to deceive -him. He really thought, therefore, that -Joshua obtained the sum he claimed. Still he -had prudence enough not to give up a certainty -for an uncertainty, and contented himself with -writing Joshua to look round, and, if he saw -an opening for a clerk with several years’ experience, -to let him know.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would be willing to come for my present -salary--twenty dollars a week,” he wrote. -“My present employer is willing I should go -away until I am twenty-one, when I will come -back, and go into partnership with him. He -thinks it will be of advantage to me to become -acquainted with Western trade. Besides, I -should like to be with you. We might room together, -you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was adroitly written, so that Joshua -need not doubt the truth of representations he -had made in New York. They answered the -purpose. So the two were mutually deceived -by the representations of the other.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It made Joshua feel rather important to -have Sam apply to him for a situation, and he -at once wrote back, saying that he would let -him know at once if he heard of any vacancy. -“But I am afraid,” he added, “that we can’t -room together. The fact is, I and Mr. Remington -room together, and he would be disappointed -to have me leave him. But you might -get a room in the same house. They change -eight dollars a week board; it is nicer than -your boarding place in New York, though that -will do very well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That Remington must be a fool!” thought -Sam. “He seems perfectly taken up with -Joshua, and I am sure he’s about as stupid a -fellow as I ever set eyes on.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>You see Sam and Joshua were intimate -friends, and intimate friends are very apt to -notice each other’s faults, and to judge them -most severely, are they not? What is the use -of having friends if you can’t abuse them?</p> - -<p class='c007'>So the result was that Sam, toiling in an obscure -Eighth avenue store for eight dollars a -week, felt very much wronged to think that -Joshua had at one bound stepped into a more -desirable situation than himself. If he could -only have known the real state of the case, and -how much Joshua had exaggerated the advantages -of his position, he would have been very -much comforted. If he had been a disinterested -friend he would have rejoiced at the good -fortune of Joshua; but then he was not disinterested.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIII <br /> <br /> IN PARTNERSHIP.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>At</span> the end of the week Joshua received the -six dollars promised him. He received it with -great satisfaction. It was a tangible evidence -that he was a clerk on salary.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I wish it were more,” said Mr. Remington, -as he paid it to him. “I am thinking of some -new arrangements by which I shall be able to -do better by you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was encouraging, and Joshua was led -to hope that he might, ere long, receive the -sum which he claimed to get in his letter to -Sam. He began to build castles in the air, and -form sanguine pictures of what the future was -to bring him, when all at once his dreams were -rudely broken in upon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was three mornings afterward that Mr. -Remington called him to the desk.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Drummond,” he said, “I’ve something to -say to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of course, Joshua gave immediate attention.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You remember that I told you something -of a nephew, my sister’s child, who expects the -place I gave to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Joshua, uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it appears that my sister is very -much disturbed that I refused to give it to her -son. I have just received a letter from her. -Here it is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Shall I read it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rather disturbed in mind, Joshua took the -letter, and read as follows:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Brother</span>:--I think you have -acted most unkindly in refusing to receive my -Henry into your employ, and taking instead a -stranger. I think the poor boy, not to mention -myself, had a right to expect something -better at your hands. Certainly, so near a relation -ought to be preferred to a stranger. I -could not believe it when I first heard of your -very unkind treatment. I hope you may yet -change your mind, and discharge this stranger, -who can have no claim upon you.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“I will tell you what I will do. I have -heard you say that you are cramped for capital -to enlarge your business; now, if you will discharge -this stranger, and will take Henry, I -will agree to let you have a thousand dollars -with him, in return for which you can give -him a slight interest in the business. Please -let me hear from you at once.</p> -<p class='c017'>“Your sister, <span class='sc'>Cornelia Barker</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>“He is going to discharge me,” thought -Joshua, very much disturbed, as he finished -reading the letter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You see in what a position I am placed, -Drummond,” said Mr. Remington.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would rather have you than my nephew. -You have more business capacity than he.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall be sorry to go,” said Joshua, very -much disappointed and mortified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And I to part with you. But perhaps we -can make an arrangement.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua brightened up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My sister offers to put a thousand dollars -into the business, in return for which my -nephew is to have a small interest in the business; -now, if you could do the same, I would -prefer to arrange with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t. I have only four hundred dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Couldn’t you raise more?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a very small sum,” returned Mr. Remington, -doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua said nothing, and his employer appeared -to be thinking busily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Drummond,” he said, suddenly, “I am going -to make you a proposal that I wouldn’t -make to any one else.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of course, Joshua listened intently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you think well to put your four hundred -dollars into the business, I’ll decline taking -my nephew, raise your salary to ten dollars a -week, and give you one-tenth interest in my -business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much do you think that would be?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One-tenth of the profits, at the lowest estimate, -would come to six hundred dollars a -year.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And ten dollars a week besides?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua rapidly calculated that his income -would amount, in that case, to over a thousand -dollars a year. What a triumph that would be -over Sam, and how handsomely he could live, -and yet save money! Why, the very first year -he could save the four hundred dollars he was -now investing. Suppose he refused: he would -lose his place, and have to live on his principal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll do it,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well, Drummond, I’ll draw up the -papers, and you can pay me the money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In fifteen minutes Joshua, who always carried -the money with him, had paid it over into -Mr. Remington’s hands, and received instead -a paper, in which was expressed, with great -particularity, the agreement which had been -spoken of.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My sister will be very angry,” said Mr. -Remington, “but I can’t help it. Why should -I take my nephew into my employ, when he -has not a particle of business capacity? It is -too much to ask.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As Joshua was to profit by the refusal, he -agreed perfectly with Mr. Remington. His -heart glowed with exultation as he thought of -his changed circumstances. Why, he was -really a partner in the concern, in virtue of -his one-tenth interest. Was ever rise so rapid? -Reflecting that Mr. Remington had taken him -at six hundred dollars less than was offered -with his nephew, he began to entertain quite a -lofty opinion of his business abilities, and put -on some very amusing airs behind the counter, -which his senior partner secretly laughed at.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Drummond,” said Mr. Remington the next -day, “I must leave you in charge of the store -for a day or two. I am called into the country -on business--to collect a bill of a hundred dollars -due us. As you share the profits, you are -interested, too. Can you manage alone?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes,” said Joshua, confidently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t expect to be gone over two days.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So the next day and the next also Joshua -was alone. On the second, an elderly man, -with a carpetbag, walked into the store. He -looked at Joshua with some surprise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is Mr. Remington?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is away for a day or two.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is he gone?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Into the country, on business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And who are you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am his partner,” said Joshua, loftily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“His what!” exclaimed the stranger, in visible -amazement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“His partner!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In this business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must be crazy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have bought an interest in the business,” -said Joshua. “What can I do for you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, this beats all. I come back to my -own store, after a month’s absence, and am -coolly told by a boy that he has bought an interest -in the business.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are you?” asked Joshua, amazed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am the man whose name is over the door--John -Forbes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Remington told me he had bought you -out, but he kept the name, because it was -known to customers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then Mr. Remington deceived you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Isn’t he in the business?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was only my clerk. I left him in charge -while I was away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It dawned upon Joshua now. All his -dreams were dissipated. He had been cruelly -swindled out of his four hundred dollars. It -was all a pretence about the nephew. Good -heavens! he was ruined, and almost penniless. -He turned pale and sick at heart.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How much money did you let Remington -have?” asked Mr. Forbes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Four hundred dollars. Can’t I--don’t you -think I shall be able to get it back?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not a cent. The rascal is far away by this -time, you may be sure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What shall I do?” asked Joshua, in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you may stay here until the end of -the week. I am sorry for you, but can’t help -you. I am afraid that villain, Remington, has -carried off some of my cash also.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It proved to be true. Mr. Forbes was a sufferer -also. The police were put on the track -of the swindler, but Remington managed to -elude all inquiries. Where he got away with -his ill-gotten gains could not be discovered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As for Joshua, Mr. Forbes unluckily formed -a different idea of his business capacity from -Mr. Remington. He discovered that our unhappy -fugitive knew little or nothing of the -goods in stock, and got quite out of patience -with his numerous blunders. He did not believe -in paying six dollars a week to such an -inexperienced novice, when he could obtain for -half the money a substitute who would at least -know as much. So, at the end of the week, -Joshua received notice that his services were -no longer required.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But what shall I do?” he asked, in anguish. -“Mr. Remington carried off all my money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you’ll get along somehow!” said the -unfeeling Forbes. “You ain’t fit for my business, -so, of course, you can’t expect me to keep -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua returned to his boarding house with -a heavy heart. He would have only three dollars -left after paying his board bill, and what -should he do if he could not get another situation?</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIV <br /> <br /> A HUMBLE POSITION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Joshua</span> realized with anguish the desperate -situation to which he was reduced. The money -he had taken from his father, and which at the -time he considered a small fortune, had all -melted away, and nothing remained to him -save a portion of his last week’s wages. He -had fallen into the hands of the Philistines, -and been fleeced by abler and more experienced -rogues than himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>What should he do? He had not money -enough to go back to New York, even if he had -wished it. He must stay in Chicago, and find -something to do, if possible. But suppose he -should fail? This possibility--probability, I -might rather say--suggested itself to the unhappy -Joshua, and he shuddered at the fate -which might befall him. He could remain a -week at his boarding place before board would -be demanded, and he decided to do so, though -he was not quite sure whether he might not be -arrested if he failed at the end of that to pay -his board bill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I may get a place before that time,” -he thought.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At any rate, there seemed nothing else to do. -So, prudently omitting to say anything about -the critical state of his finances, he continued -to retain his room, mentioning to Mrs. Foster -that Mr. Remington had been called away on -business for a few days. Not wishing to have -it known that he had lost his place, he absented -himself during the usual business hours, spending -his time in wandering about the city in -search of a situation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It so happened, however, that there was a -lull in business, and there was even less chance -for him than usual. Everywhere he received -the same answer. No help was wanted. In -one or two cases, where he saw upon a window, -“Boy Wanted,” he found himself too late.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On Saturday morning he was wandering -about listlessly, dreading the bill which his -landlady would render at night, when he -chanced to step into a bowling-alley.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where’s the boy to set up the pins?” asked -a young man, who had entered just before -with a friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s sick,” said the proprietor. “I must get -another in his place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Get one in a hurry, then, for my friend and -I want a game.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua heard what was said, and it gave -him an idea.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll set up the pins,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go ahead, then, Johnny.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua walked down to the end of the alley, -and set to work. There was no difficulty about -it, of course, and he performed the work satisfactorily. -The young men played two games, -occupying about half an hour. When it was -over they paid for the games, and calling -Joshua, gave him twenty cents.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As they went out others came in.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, boy,” said the proprietor of the -establishment, “if you choose to stay here and -set up pins, you can do it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’d like to do it,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The position was not a very dignified one, -but it was better than starving, and Joshua -had been afraid that such a fate was in store -for him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t pay no wages,” said the man; “but -the gentlemen that play will mostly give you -something.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>So he remained through the day. By that -time he had picked up seventy-five cents. Had -all paid him, he would have had more; but -some neglected it, and he was not allowed to -ask anything. He came back in the evening, -as desired, and picked up fifty cents more.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At this rate I can make a living,” he -thought, with a feeling of relief. “But I -wouldn’t have Sam know what I was doing for -anything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He had enough to settle his board bill and -about a dollar over. So he paid it without explaining -anything of his change of circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When do you expect Mr. Remington back?” -asked the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know,” said Joshua.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are working for him, I believe?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; but I have been offered another situation, -and I think I shall take it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the next week, Joshua made seven -dollars at his new business, and was able to -pay his board bill. He was heartily tired of -the bowling-alley, where he received treatment -which he considered derogatory to one -of his age, the son of a rich man; but it was -of no use to say anything. He could not afford -to lose this place, the only plank that lay between -him and starvation. So he bore in silence -all the curses he received from the proprietor -of the place, when, as was frequently -the case, that gentleman was excited by liquor, -and kept steadily at work. Indeed, humble as -was Joshua’s present position, there is at least -this to be said, that for the first time in his -life he was earning his living by honest labor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he paid his second bill, Mrs. Foster -asked him again when Mr. Remington would -return.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know, ma’am,” he said; “I’ve left -his store.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He cheated me out of my money,” answered -Joshua, truly, “and I don’t think he means to -come back at all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I can’t afford to let you have this room -alone for five dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t pay any more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is a gentleman going to give up the -hall bedroom on the third floor; you can have -that for five dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will take it, then, for I can’t pay any -more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So Joshua made the change. About this -time he received a letter from Sam, asking him -if he had heard of any good opening in Chicago -for him. Joshua wrote back that business -was very dull at present, but when he heard -of anything he would write.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am getting on pretty well,” he wrote; -“but there are some things about my situation -I don’t like; I find it very expensive living -here, and I don’t save up any money. I shall -change my business as soon as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But about the nature of the business in -which he was engaged, Joshua wrote nothing. -Had Sam known his true position, he would -have been spared the jealousy he felt of his -friend’s supposed success, and cured of any -desire to try his luck in Chicago.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXV <br /> <br /> THE EVIDENCE OF POPULARITY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> day came for Walter’s examination. It -was pleasant, and the Portville people were -out in full force. Conspicuous among them -were General Wall and Squire Griffiths, the -latter looking exceedingly wise with his stiff, -iron-gray hair rising erect over his brow like -a palisade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter conducted the examination, but after -every recitation inquired of the trustees if -they had any questions to ask. Once in a -while General Wall asked one, but in general -contented himself with saying, blandly, “The -recitation has been quite satisfactory, Mr. -Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>After the recitation in geography, Squire -Griffiths, who had studied up one or two questions -in the atlas before coming, thought it -time to take part.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can you tell me,” he said, straightening -himself up with dignity, after a preparatory -cough, “can you tell me where is the river -Nigger?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I have attempted to indicate the squire’s -pronunciation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a little titter in the class, and -Walter himself, though he preserved his gravity, -looked a little red in the face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Answer the gentleman’s question,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In Africa,” said one of the girls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Quite right,” said the squire, nodding -wisely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is the Island of Madagascar?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In the Mediterranean Sea,” answered -promptly the poorest scholar in the class.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter was about to correct the mistake, -when, to his surprise, Squire Griffiths said: -“Correct. Mr. Howard, your class is quite purficient. -I have no more questions to ask.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“First class in arithmetic,” called Walter, -hurriedly, evidently anxious to cover up the -squire’s mistake.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was generally agreed that the examination -passed off satisfactorily. A few of the -boys declaimed, and some of the girls read -compositions. When the end was reached, -Walter called on General Wall to make a -speech; the latter did so. He was a little -pompous and condescending in his manner, -but what he said was grammatical and complimentary -to the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Won’t you make a few remarks, Squire -Griffiths?” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The squire rose, and, putting one hand under -his coattail, glanced impressively around -him, through his iron bowed spectacles, and -spoke as follows:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<span class='sc'>My Young Friends</span>:--I am gratterfied to -meet you on this occasion. As one of the school -trustees, it was my duty to come and see what -purficiency you had made in your studies. I -have listened to your recitations with--ahem--with -gratterfication. I have been most gratterfied -by your purficiency in joggrify--here -some of the scholars were seen to smile--joggrify -was allers my favorite study when I was -a lad and went to school. But when I was a -youngster we didn’t have so good schools as -you have. The teachers wasn’t so well eddicated. -But we did as well as we could. I -shall always be glad that I got an eddication -when I was young. But for my improvin’ my -time I shouldn’t have riz to be one of the -school trustees. I hope, my young friends, you -will improve the importunities the town has -given you to get a good eddication. If you -study hard, you will get up in the world, and -your feller-citizens will respect you. I congratterlate -your teacher on your purficiency, -especially in joggrify. It is one of the most -important studies you have. If Christopher -Columbus hadn’t studied joggrify when he was -a boy, how could he have discovered America, -and if he hadn’t discovered it, where would we -be at this moment?” Here the orator paused, -as if for a response; but none being made, he -went on: “But I didn’t mean to speak so long. -I congratterlate you on having so good a -teacher, and I am gratterfied to say that he -will be your teacher next term.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Here the scholars applauded, and Walter -was really pleased by this evidence of his popularity. -Squire Griffiths was also pleased, for -in his foolish vanity he supposed that it was -he who had been applauded, and not the allusion -to Walter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My young friends,” he continued, “I thank -you for your respectful attention to my remarks. -Go on as you have begun, and you -will never regret it. Let your motto be ‘Excelsior!’”</p> - -<p class='c006'>With this effective ending he sat down, and -the boys mischievously applauded, greatly to -the “gratterfication” of the squire, who secretly -thought that he had done himself great -credit. He was one of those vain and pompous -old men, who like to hear themselves -talk, and are always ready to assume any responsibility, -wholly unaware of their own deficiencies. -But Squire Griffiths was well-to-do -in worldly affairs, and the town offices -which were given him were a tribute to his -money, and not to his ability. Of course, it -was a glaring absurdity to put such a man in -charge of the schools, but fortunately his associates -in office were men of greater education -than himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among the spectators was Miss Melinda -Jones, the poetess. Considering her literary -claims, she could not well be absent from an -occasion of this character. Besides, we know -the interest she felt in the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the close of the exercises, she came to -our hero to tender her congratulations.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Howard,” she said, “I can hardly tell -you how much I have enjoyed this day. It -carried me back to my girlhood days, when I, -too, was one of the eager aspirants for knowledge. -Oh, could I but have enjoyed the instructions -of a superior teacher like yourself, -how happy should I have been!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You flatter me, Miss Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed, I do not. I leave that to the men -who are, alas! sad flatterers, as we poor girls -know too well. The recitations were beautiful. -I could have listened for hours longer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I fancy you would have got hungry after -a while, if, indeed, poetesses are ever hungry.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, Mr. Howard, I shall really scold -you,” said Melinda, who was always delighted -to be recognized as a poetess.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry I did not call upon you for a -speech, Miss Jones; I would if I had thought -of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should positively have sunk into the -ground, if you had been so cruel. You can’t -think how diffident I am, Mr. Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Diffidence and genius are generally found -in company.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you sad flatterer!” said Miss Jones, -tossing her ringlets in delight.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the conversation must not be prolonged. -Miss Jones was hoping to secure Walter’s escort -home; but he was backward about offering -it, and finally she was obliged to go home with -her brother.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day Walter left Portville for the -mines.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVI <br /> <br /> THE CLOSE OF THE STORY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>We</span> do not propose to accompany Walter to -the mines; it is sufficient to say that on arriving -there he found a complete confirmation of -the story to which he had been a listener. The -Great Metropolitan Mine was a success! It -promised to be one of the most profitable in the -entire mining region. There were considerable -signs of activity, and as soon as General -Wall and his clique obtained the entire control -they were going to work in earnest. So -much Walter picked up on the ground. Of -course, he did not reveal his real name, but -still figured as Gilbert Howard.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter remained three days, during which -he gathered all the information he desired; -then he took the cars for Portville. Less than -a fortnight from the time of his departure he -was set down by the stage at the door of the -Portville Hotel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Back again, Mr. Howard?” said the landlord. -“Your vacation is not over yet, is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Business called me back,” said Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is indeed a delightful surprise, Mr. -Howard,” said Miss Melinda Jones. “We did -not expect you for a fortnight yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I couldn’t remain so long away from you, -Miss Jones,” said Walter, roguishly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you wicked flatterer!” exclaimed Melinda, -shaking her ringlets with delight, for -she had faith in the power of her own attractions, -and was half inclined to believe this -statement true. “I have missed you ever so -much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now it is you who are the flatterer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s true; isn’t it, Ichabod?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Melinda had no appetite when you were -gone, Mr. Howard,” said the brother. “She -was all the time writin’ poetry.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Won’t you come to my bower this evening, -Mr. Howard? We will commune with the -muses.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry, Miss Jones, but I must call on -General Wall this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then let it be to-morrow evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t promise, but if I can, I will come.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall was sitting at his desk, making -a calculation of the profits that would accrue -to him from the Great Metropolitan Mining -Company. His calculation appeared to -be a satisfactory one, judging from his complacent -look. He was interrupted by the entrance -of the servant ushering in Walter. Not -having heard of our hero’s return, he was surprised -to see him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good-evening, Mr. Howard,” he said. “I -had not heard of your return. When did you -get back?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You expected to be absent longer, did you -not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; but I accomplished the object of -my journey, and had no inducement to remain -longer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As it’s over a fortnight before school begins, -if you choose to give John private lessons, -I shall be glad to have you do so,” said the -general. “I will pay you five dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall looked as if he expected his -offer to be accepted with thanks. Surely it -must be an object for an ill-paid school teacher -like Walter to earn five dollars a week during -his vacation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Will John be willing to study in vacation?” -asked Walter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No doubt. I will see that he makes no objections.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall intended to obtain his son’s -consent by the offer of a handsome present, -knowing that the desire of improvement would -not alone be sufficient. What was his surprise -when Walter answered, “I shall be obliged to -decline your proposal, General Wall!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t care about working in vacation, -perhaps, Mr. Howard? Or are you going off -again on another journey?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have a different reason, sir--a reason -which will also oblige me to disappoint you -about the school. I shall not be able to teach -next term, but must ask you to find another -teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Really, Mr. Howard, I hope you are not in -earnest,” said the general, surprised and disappointed. -“Have you secured another position?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir. I do not intend to teach again--at -any rate, for some years.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you going to leave Portville?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; but before I go I have some business -which I should like to settle with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Business--to settle with me!” repeated -General Wall, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir; to begin with, I have a confession -to make.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall looked suspicious. What was -it that Walter was intending to confess? Was -he a thief, or had he violated the laws any -way? He was completely mystified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Proceed, Mr. Howard,” he said. “I can’t -say that I apprehend your meaning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In the first place, then, I have no claim to -the name by which you called me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is not your name Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am Walter Conrad.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Conrad!” exclaimed General Wall, starting -and looking disturbed. “Surely you are -not----” and he came to a pause.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am the son of Mr. Conrad, whom you induced -to buy a thousand shares in the Great -Metropolitan Mining Company.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ah, indeed!” said General Wall, a little -nervously. “That was indeed a disastrous -speculation. I lost by it heavily.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was the cause of my poor father’s death,” -said Walter, faltering for a moment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A most unfortunate affair,” muttered the -general; “but”--here he rallied--“I am glad -to say, my young friend, that it will not prove -a total loss. I and a few others are going to -see if we can’t revive it and make it pay something. -I have already written to Mr. Clement -Shaw--your guardian, is he not?--offering -three thousand dollars for your shares. We -may lose by it, but the money will go into good -hands. I hope you are empowered to accept -the offer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“General Wall,” said Walter, firmly, “don’t -you consider the shares worth more?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am hardly justified in offering so much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I will keep the shares.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better think it over, my young friend. It -is not by any means certain that the shares -are worth anything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will take the risk,” said Walter, coolly. -“I have just returned from visiting the -mines.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall listened to this statement -with dismay. He found the negotiations more -difficult than he had anticipated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” said he, after a pause, “have you -any offer to make?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will sell the shares for sixty thousand -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must be crazy,” said the general, in -excitement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no fears on that subject.” said our -hero, coolly, “But I may as well tell you, -General Wall, that I am entirely acquainted -with your plan for obtaining complete control -of the stock. I know you have succeeded in -buying up most of it at little or nothing, and -that you will probably realize a fortune out -of it. But my eyes are open. They were -opened three weeks since, when I overheard, -at the Portville House, a conversation between -the landlord and an agent of yours, who gave -full details of the conspiracy into which you -had entered to defraud the original owners of -stock. I learned that you had succeeded with -all except myself. The result of this revelation -was that I determined to visit the mines, -and see for myself. I spent three days there, -and I have returned to tell you that you may -have the stock for sixty thousand dollars, or -I will keep it. I know it is worth more than -I ask, but I live in the East, and I prefer to -have my money invested there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Wall had risen, and was pacing the -room in some agitation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The revelation you have made has taken -me by surprise, Mr.--Conrad. I will think -over what you have said, and call upon you -at the hotel to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well, sir. You won’t forget about -looking up a new teacher?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, ah--yes--I had nearly forgotten that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Negotiation was protracted for some days. -At length General Wall acceded to Walter’s -terms, and agreed to purchase the stock at the -price named--sixty thousand dollars--ten -thousand down, and the balance payable -monthly. Walter instantly telegraphed the -good news to Mr. Shaw, his faithful friend, -and received his heartiest congratulations. -The report got about that Walter had inherited -a fortune, and Miss Jones was more -devoted than ever. But she shook her ringlets -to no purpose. Walter was not to be fascinated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the business was completed, our hero -started for the East. He had striven under -difficult circumstances, and he had succeeded. -He felt proud and happy, and grateful to God -for having so ordered events as to lead to this -fortune.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He stopped over one day in Chicago. Stepping -into the bowling-alley connected with -the hotel, what was his surprise when, in the -boy who set up the pins, shabby and ill clad, -he recognized Joshua Drummond!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Joshua!” he exclaimed, in amazement. -“What brings you here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Joshua turned scarlet with shame and mortification.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter, whom he had once looked -down upon, was handsomely dressed, a gentleman -in appearance, while he looked like a -beggar.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been very unlucky,” he whined.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Surely, you don’t like this business?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have to like it. I should starve if I -didn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you so reduced?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no money, except what I earn here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Would you go home if you could?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My father would not receive me. He is -angry on account of the money I took. But it -didn’t do me any good. I was swindled out -of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am going to take you home,” said Walter, -resolutely. “It isn’t fit that you should be -in such a business. I will undertake to reconcile -your father.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t money to pay my fare.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have plenty. I have succeeded in getting -back a good share of my property, and am -going back to the Essex Classical Institute -to finish preparing for college. If you would -like it, I will pay your expenses there one -year. You won’t be the worse off for another -year’s schooling.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are a good fellow, Cousin Walter,” -said Joshua, stirred at last to gratitude. “I -should like it much better than going back to -Stapleton.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Walter bought Joshua some new clothes, -and together they returned to the East. Mr. -Drummond at first refused to receive his son, -but when Walter revealed his own good fortune, -and offered to support his cousin at -school for a year, his sternness relaxed, and -reconciliation took place, much to the delight -of Mrs. Drummond, who, bad as Joshua had -behaved, could not forget her only son. I am -glad to say that Joshua was improved by his -trials. He acquitted himself fairly at school, -and is now employed in his father’s store, Mr. -Drummond, at Walter’s solicitation, paying -him ten dollars a week for his services, besides, -of course, board. Let us hope he will -continue to do well.</p> - -<hr class='c018' /> - -<p class='c007'>A few words in conclusion. Walter is now -in college, and stands very near the head of -the senior class. It is his purpose to study -law, and though his fortune is already made, -we have reason to believe that he will work -hard and acquire distinction. He knows what -it is to Strive and Succeed. General Wall -made a good deal of money out of the Great -Metropolitan Mining Company; but, unluckily -for himself, he invested it in other mines -of less worth, and lost all. He is to-day a -poor man, and his son John will have to make -his own way in the world. Peter Groot is -learning the carpenter’s trade, and seems -likely to become a respectable, if not brilliant, -member of society. Alfred Clinton has just -entered a Western college. His old teacher, -our hero, has kindly offered to defray the expenses -of his collegiate education, and Alfred -is longing for the time when he can relieve -his mother from work and surround her old -age with comfort. It is an honorable ambition, -and likely to be gratified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next volume in this series will be</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c019'> - <div><span class='sc'>Try and Trust</span>;</div> - <div class='c000'>OR,</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='sc'>The Story of a Bound Boy</span>.</div> - <div class='c000'>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Strive and Succeed, by Horatio Alger - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STRIVE AND SUCCEED *** - -***** This file should be named 56207-h.htm or 56207-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/0/56207/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -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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