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diff --git a/77372-0.txt b/77372-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c207839 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7020 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77372 *** + + + + +[Illustration: Illustrated title page] + + + + + _THE LAKE SHORE SERIES._ + + BRAKE UP; + + OR, + + THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. + + BY + + OLIVER OPTIC, + + AUTHOR OF “YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD,” “THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES,” + “THE WOODVILLE STORIES,” “THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES,” + “THE STARRY FLAG STORIES,” ETC. + + + BOSTON: + LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. + + NEW YORK: + LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM. + + 1873. + + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS, + + In the Clerk’s Office of the + District Court of the District of Massachusetts. + + + ELECTROTYPED AT THE + BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, + NO. 19 SPRING LANE. + + + + + TO + + MY YOUNG FRIEND + + _ELLIOT WILLIAM SAYWARD_ + + This Book + + IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. + + + + +_THE LAKE SHORE SERIES._ + + + 1. _THROUGH BY DAYLIGHT_; or, The Young Engineer + of the Lake Shore Railroad. + + 2. _LIGHTNING EXPRESS_; or, The Rival Academies. + + 3. _ON TIME_; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga Steamer. + + 4. _SWITCH OFF_; or, The War of the Students. + + 5. _BRAKE UP_; or, The Young Peacemakers. + + 6. _BEAR AND FORBEAR_; or, The Young Skipper of Lake Ucayga. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +“BRAKE UP” is the fifth of THE LAKE SHORE SERIES, and was one of the +serials which appeared in Oliver Optic’s Magazine. Although the volume +contains an independent story, the same characters that appeared in +preceding issues of the series are introduced. While Captain Wolf +Penniman still remains true to his high standard of duty, Nick Von +Wolter is presented to the reader in strong contrast with the hero. +The latter, ambitious to put himself forward in the world, makes the +oft-repeated mistake of those who follow any other guide than that of +religious principle. The result to the evil-doer is but the reflection +of the world’s experience; and though all who seek and follow the True +Light may not realize the same worldly success that crowned the life of +Wolf, they are absolutely sure to attain that peace of mind which alone +is happiness here and hereafter. + +The railroad phrase “BRAKE UP” is not used in its technical sense, +but figuratively indicates how the wrong-doer should proceed when he +becomes conscious of his error; and the author hopes his young friends, +as well as those of mature years, will follow the example of the +magnate of Centreport when they find themselves on the “wrong track.” + + HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON, + January 26, 1870. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. PAGE + COLONEL WIMPLETON WON’T HAVE IT. 11 + + CHAPTER II. + BRAKE UP! 20 + + CHAPTER III. + MR. NICHOLAS VAN WOLTER. 31 + + CHAPTER IV. + A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY. 41 + + CHAPTER V. + ROMANCE AND REALITY. 52 + + CHAPTER VI. + A DISCOMFITED ASPIRANT. 63 + + CHAPTER VII. + COLONEL WIMPLETON DROPS THE REINS. 74 + + CHAPTER VIII. + SECRETS FOR TWO. 84 + + CHAPTER IX. + THE TIPSY MAGNATE. 96 + + CHAPTER X. + TOM WALTON EXPRESSES HIS OPINION. 106 + + CHAPTER XI. + A GENEROUS TIPPLER. 117 + + CHAPTER XII. + ANOTHER CALAMITY. 128 + + CHAPTER XIII. + AFTER THE ACCIDENT. 139 + + CHAPTER XIV. + “THE OCCURRENCES OF YESTERDAY.” 150 + + CHAPTER XV. + A TEMPTING OFFER. 162 + + CHAPTER XVI. + THE UCAYGA IN TROUBLE. 173 + + CHAPTER XVII. + AN ACT OF COURTESY. 185 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + THE MYSTERY OF THE CHECK. 196 + + CHAPTER XIX. + COLONEL WIMPLETON HUMILIATED. 208 + + CHAPTER XX. + A NIGHT TRIP TO HITACA. 220 + + CHAPTER XXI. + WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROAD. 232 + + CHAPTER XXII. + SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS. 244 + + CHAPTER XXIII. + THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE. 256 + + CHAPTER XXIV. + THE MAGNATES JOIN HANDS. 268 + + CHAPTER XXV. + MORE SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS. 280 + + CHAPTER XXVI. + IN HONOR OF THE RECONCILIATION. 292 + + + + +BRAKE UP; + +OR, + +THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +COLONEL WIMPLETON WON’T HAVE IT. + + +“I won’t have it, Wolf Penniman! No, I won’t have it!” said and +repeated Colonel Wimpleton, as, with an uncertain step, he shuffled up +to the door of my state-room, on board of the Ucayga. + +The magnate of Centreport was more than usually intoxicated. For two +or three years he had kept himself well filled with rum. His face had +grown red, and toddy-blossoms had gathered upon his aquiline nose, but +he seldom manifested any of the ordinary symptoms of drunkenness. It +was not often that he reeled, or became incoherent in his speech, as on +the present occasion. If he was ever overcome by his besetting vice, +it was not in public. I had certainly never before seen him in the +condition in which he presented himself at the door of my state-room. + +I was aware that the habit of drinking was gaining upon him. I had +frequently seen him when he was affected by the liquor he had taken. +I had known him to fall asleep in company when the conversation +flagged, and I had often noticed the stupor of inebriation. He took +less interest in the steamer, and in other business enterprises in +which he was engaged, than formerly. Under the influence of his drams, +when excited, he was even more violent than when he was sober. For +years he had been the deadly enemy of Major Toppleton, the rich man of +Middleport, on the opposite side of the lake. His intemperance did not +moderate his hatred, though it deprived him of the energy to prosecute +malicious schemes against his rival. + +Three years before, Major Toppleton had completed the Lake Shore +Railroad, intended in the beginning rather as a plaything for the +students of the Toppleton Institute, and as a means of giving the young +men a knowledge of railroad business, though the idea had enlarged on +his hands, and the line had become a regular thoroughfare of travel. A +violent competition had sprung up between the two sides of the lake. +The projector of the railroad had purchased the old line of steamers, +and ran them only to Middleport, thus compelling the people of the +large and thriving town of Centreport to do all their business through +the rival place on the other side of the lake. This was more than the +choleric temper of Colonel Wimpleton could endure, and he immediately +built the large, swift, and beautiful steamer Ucayga, to run between +Centreport and the lower end of the lake, thus giving the town direct +communication with the great business centres of the nation. + +For a time the Lake Shore line had the advantage, and obtained nearly +all the through business; but the new steamer, of which I had the honor +to be captain, by making one through trip a day to Hitaca, at the upper +extremity of the lake, beating the railroad line by three quarters +of an hour, and affording better accommodation, without change from +boat to cars and from cars to boat, turned the current of travel, and +Centreport obtained a complete and decided victory over Middleport. +Of course Major Toppleton was sorely vexed at the triumph of his great +rival. He had vainly sought the means of recovering his lost prestige. +The best time he could make was four hours and a quarter, while the +steamer line accomplished the distance in three and a half. He could +regain the ground he had lost only by building a steamer like the +Ucayga, or extending his railroad through a wild region for twenty-five +miles, to the head of the lake. Either of these expedients involved +a very large outlay of money, which he was not willing to make. But +he continued to talk of doing something, and there was no end to the +agitation of the subject. + +I had certain very decided views of my own, and earnestly hoped +that the major would adopt neither of his expensive expedients. All +Middleport and all Centreport had been at war with each other for +years. Not only the major and the colonel, but their two sons, and the +two academies under their patronage, had hated and fought each other; +but now all had been reconciled except the two magnates, though the +business rivalry between the two places was not abated. But it seemed +to me that, after the two sons had become good friends and the two +Institutes had fraternized, the two magnates hated each other more +bitterly than ever. I could not help fearing that a new steamer, or an +extension of the railroad, would increase the malignant rivalry; and, +acting through Tommy Toppleton, the major’s son, and Waddie Wimpleton, +the colonel’s son, I had done what I could to keep the two lines as +they were at the opening of my present story. + +Major Toppleton had proposed to me, and I had suggested to Colonel +Wimpleton, the plan of uniting the two lines; but the magnate of +Centreport had indignantly and scornfully repudiated the proposition. +He would have nothing to do with the Toppletons. Such a union would +be a benefit to the travelling public, while it would afford a +remunerative business to each line. It would reduce the time from +Hitaca to Ucayga three quarters of an hour, and make an end of all +the ill feeling engendered by the competition. The one purpose of my +existence, at this time, was to accomplish this union. I hoped and +prayed for some happy circumstance that would reconcile the great men. +I was even daring enough to attempt to contrive a plan by which this +blessed result might be attained; but I had not been able to devise any +expedient which appeared hopeful enough to be attempted. + +Colonel Wimpleton was more than usually intoxicated when he presented +himself at the door of my state-room. As he spoke he staggered into +the apartment, and dropped heavily into a chair. It was mortifying and +disgusting even to me to see him in this condition; but how much more +so to his family! I pitied his wife, I pitied Waddie, and I pitied +Minnie Wimpleton, the oldest daughter of the magnate; indeed, I pitied +all who were connected with him; for if he was a terrible man when +sober, he was vastly more terrible when intoxicated. Though he had +occasionally found fault with me since I had been in charge of the +steamer, he never indulged in anything which could be called abuse. On +the other hand, if anybody could be said to have any influence over +him, I had a very little. It was by my plans, and through my direct +agency, that the steamer had won the victory over the rival line. +I had always treated him with respect, and even with “distinguished +consideration,” but at the same time I maintained my independence. The +colonel knew that the moment he cast me off, the major was ready to +take me up, and restore me to my old position on the railroad. Perhaps +it is not exactly modest for me to state these things, but it would be +mere affectation for me to ignore them. + +“I won’t have it!” repeated Colonel Wimpleton, with greater emphasis, +as he dropped into the chair in my state-room. + +“What, sir?” I inquired. + +“I say I won’t have it,” he replied, fixing a kind of vacant stare upon +the floor. + +I concluded that what he would not have related to the steamer, +and I was prepared to receive the rebuke he had apparently come to +administer. I could think of nothing I had done to deserve censure. +The Ucayga had made all her trips with clock-work regularity. We had +been “on time;” and except when the days were too short, we had put +her “through by daylight.” The pleasure season was just opening, and +we were carrying crowds of passengers. Certainly everything seemed to +be lovely, and I was not conscious of deserving a rebuke. But in my +relations with the colonel I often received what I did not deserve. I +was tolerably intimate in the family of Major Toppleton. Tommy, now +thoroughly reformed, was one of my best friends. He was grateful to me +because I had assisted in saving him from the wrath of Jed Trotwood, +and as he still had a great influence over his father, he always +insured me a welcome at the Toppleton mansion. + +Grace Toppleton was very kindly disposed towards me; and being eighteen +now, I am willing to confess that I believed her to be the prettiest +and the dearest girl in the whole world. I had become very particular +in regard to my dress, and my mother often declared that she was afraid +I should yet be a dandy, I was so particular to wear good clothes, and +to have my neck-tie nicely adjusted. But, then, I was the commander of +the Ucayga, and it was a part of my duty to make myself agreeable to +the passengers, including many elegant and accomplished ladies. Yet +I could not conceal from myself the truth that I cared more for the +opinion of Grace than of all others. For her I wore the good clothes; +for her I was particular about my neck-tie; and for her I brushed my +hair till every individual lock had found its most graceful position. +By continued perseverance in shaving my upper lip, I had coaxed a +tolerable mustache into being, which, I fondly believed, not only +overcame the juvenility of my appearance, but added a manly feature to +my face. + +I was very much interested in Grace, as I had been from the first +moment I saw her. Indeed, this interest had grown upon me in a manner +which I need not stop to explain. I acknowledged to myself that I +had “intentions” in regard to her, though I could not help feeling +that they were very presumptuous in me, who had neither a great name +nor a great family to boast of. I had never said anything to Grace +about these intentions, but I flattered myself that she was not +wholly indifferent towards me. Her father did not seem to notice my +attentions, but I was afraid he would. As this was the thought always +nearest to my heart, it occurred to me, as the tipsy colonel sat +looking at the floor in my state-room, that my devotion to Grace was +what he would not have. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +BRAKE UP! + + +I looked at Colonel Wimpleton, as he sat gazing, with a stupid stare, +upon the floor of the state-room. I began to feel some trepidation +lest my relations with the family of Major Toppleton were to be +criticised and censured. But true to the instincts of all young men +in my situation, I was ready to die rather than yield the breadth of +a hair in my devotion to Grace. The magnates might quarrel as much +as suited their imperial pleasure, but I would neither be coaxed nor +driven into the feud. I was resolved to be discharged from my pleasant +and lucrative position rather than have my agreeable relations with the +Toppletons suspended. + +“Wolf, I won’t have it!” exclaimed the colonel, suddenly, as he stamped +his foot upon the floor, after a silence which enabled me to review my +previous conduct for months. + +“What, sir?” I inquired again. + +But the tipsy magnate did not condescend to reply to my question. +He contracted the muscles of his face into a maudlin expression of +indignation, and continued to brood over the evil which disturbed him. + +“You must go with me, Wolf,” said he, after another long pause. + +“Where, sir?” + +“Over to Middleport.--No, I won’t have it! I’ll put a stop to it!” + +“I really don’t understand you, Colonel Wimpleton,” I pleaded. + +“You don’t understand it, Wolf? Yes, you do understand it, Wolf. You +know all about it.” + +“What, sir?” + +“What, sir!” sneered the colonel, fixing a stare of drunken ire upon +me. “You must go with me, Wolf.” + +“But the boat must start in less than an hour,” I added, consulting my +watch. + +“I don’t care for the boat. This thing is of more consequence than the +boat, Wolf.” + +“What thing, sir?” + +“Boys musn’t be men till they are old enough to be men, Wolf,” +protested the great man. “Come with me.” + +He rose with some difficulty from the chair, and tottered towards the +door. + +“Where am I to go, sir?” I asked. + +“Over to the other side of the lake.” + +“But the boat--” + +“Don’t say any more to me about the boat, Wolf. Van Wolter can run the +boat as well as you can. Come along with me.” + +“Very well, sir; I will tell Mr. Van Wolter that I shall not go down +the lake with him.” + +When I had seen the mate, I returned to my state-room, where the +colonel had again seated himself. I kept a tumbler and a pitcher of ice +water in the room, and as I went to take a drink, I found the glass +smelled strongly of liquor. The magnate had a bottle in his pocket, +and had taken another dram. I did not like to go with him while he was +in his present condition, and evidently growing worse, but I could not +refuse without creating a tempest. + +“Courting!” ejaculated the colonel, as I put on my cap. “I won’t have +it.” + +“I don’t understand you, sir,” I replied, startled by the suggestive +word he had used. + +“You’ll understand it very soon, Wolf, for I won’t have it. Come with +me.” + +What could the great man mean? Did he apply that word to my relations +with Grace Toppleton? I was not willing to have them called by +so vulgar a term. He rose from the chair, and bolted out of the +state-room, for he could not now maintain a steady gait. I followed +him to the gangway, where the boat I had ordered was waiting for us. +Van Wolter winked at me as I passed him, and seemed to regard the +drunkenness of the magnate as a good joke, instead of the most serious +thing in the world. With the assistance of the mate and myself, the +colonel succeeded in depositing himself in the boat without falling +into the lake, and the men landed us at Middleport. + +Bracing up his nerves to their utmost tension, the great man walked +up the wharf to the railroad station, whence he dropped into a chair, +overcome by his exertions to act like a sober man. The last dram +imbibed had not yet produced its full effect, and I hoped, in the +stupor of intoxication, he would forget his mission, whatever it was. +People looked at him, smiled, winked, and sneered, as he sat in the +waiting-room, and it was very disagreeable to me to be obliged to be +his companion. There is no knowing what a tipsy man may do, and I was +fearful that he would place me in a still more embarrassing position. +The vulgar expression he had used--“courting”--indicated that there was +a lady in the affair. I suspected that he meant to proceed to the house +of Major Toppleton; but I was determined not to go there with him, for +such a step would imply that he intended to meddle with my affair. + +“No, I won’t have it, Wolf! Now go and see where they have gone,” said +the colonel, after he had sat a few moments. + +“See where who have gone, sir?” I inquired. + +“Why, Tom Toppleton and Waddie.” + +“I know where they have gone.” + +“Where?” he demanded, jerking up his head suddenly. + +“Down to the Horse Shoe, sir.” + +“I suppose you know all about it.” + +“They have gone to select a camp for the regiment--that’s all.” + +“No, sir! That’s not all, Wolf! You know very well that’s not all.” + +“At least, that’s all I know about it,” I pleaded. + +“Now, where’s Grace Toppleton? That’s what I want to know,” said he, +savagely. + +“I don’t know where she is,” I replied, not pleased to have her name +connected with the matter, whatever it might prove to be. + +“You go and find out where she is--that’s what I want you to do. Don’t +talk to me! I tell you I won’t have it.” + +“I will ascertain where she is,” I replied, not unwilling to call at +the house of the major, where I might see her. + +“Go, and don’t stop long.” + +I did go, and I did not stop long. Grace was not at home. She had gone +to the Horse Shoe in the same boat with Tommy, where he was to meet +Waddie. I reported this intelligence to the colonel. + +“That is just what I supposed!” exclaimed he, springing to his feet. “I +won’t have it. Get two tickets, Wolf, and take me to the Horse Shoe.” + +“I will, sir.” + +“Courting!” snuffed the colonel. + +“Who, sir?” + +“In love.” + +“Who, sir?” + +“I won’t have it! No, I won’t.” + +By this time I began to believe that I was not the object of his +suspicion; but I was very anxious to know who was implicated in this +grave charge of “courting,” or of being in love. I knew that Nick Van +Wolter, the mate’s son, had gone down to the Horse Shoe with Waddie, +in the Raven; and now it appeared that Tommy and Grace had also gone. +My present information assured me that Grace was the only young lady +of the party, and if any “courting” was meditated, it was plain to +me, from the nature of the circumstances, that she must be one of the +parties. + +I confess that I began to feel very uneasy when the possibility of the +occasion dawned upon me. Grace, so far as I knew, was the only lady in +the party. If any one was in love with her, who could it be? Certainly +it was not Tommy; and it was almost as certain that it could not be +Nick Van Wolter, though the latter was a very conceited young man, +with assurance enough to fall in love with one so much his superior as +Grace. But if it was Nick, why should the colonel trouble himself about +the matter? I was satisfied that it could not be Nick. Then it must be +Waddie. + +My blood seemed to grow cold in my veins as the only reasonable +explanation of the problem was forced upon my mind. Such an event would +inflame the magnate of Centreport to wrath, for he could conceive of no +more terrible calamity than an alliance by marriage between the rival +families. I was shocked and confounded. Yet I was reasonable enough +to believe that it was the most natural thing in the world for Waddie +to fall in love with Grace. She was beautiful and winning beyond any +words of mine to express. He was socially her equal, which I was not. +Distressed as I was, I could offer no objection to the idea. + +I procured two tickets for Grass Springs, and assisted the colonel into +the rear car. He still persisted that he would not “have it,” talked +wild, foolish, and angry, by turns, till the stupor of his last dram +overcame him, and he dropped asleep, much to my satisfaction, for I was +disgusted with his speech. Besides, I did not feel like talking with +any one. I had experienced a terrible blow. I had lost Grace Toppleton. +I had mistaken her kindness to me for a more tender sentiment, and +I felt like lying down on the bottom of the lake in deep water, or +emigrating to some distant and unknown region. + +The cars stopped a moment at Spangleport. Major Toppleton had built a +bridge over the outlet of the lake, so that the train ran into Ucayga, +thus gaining time enough to allow the stops at the two towns on the +route. The dummy also made two trips a day to Grass Springs, so that +the people along the line were better accommodated than ever before. +About half way between Spangleport and the Springs, the engineer +whistled furiously, and the train began to brake up rather sharply. + +“What’s the matter, Wolf?” said the colonel, awaking with a start. + +“I don’t know, sir; perhaps a cow is on the track.” + +“Go ahead and see,” said he, thrusting his hand into his breast pocket, +where he must have kept his bottle. + +I obeyed him, and as I opened the forward door, I saw him drinking +from his flask. I had walked through three cars, when the train +stopped. As I had supposed, an obstinate cow had placed herself on +the track, and not having the fear of locomotives before her, refused +to budge till the fireman drove her off by pelting her with coal. The +train started again, and I did not hurry back to the colonel; but when +I reached the rear of the last car, he was not there. I was alarmed, +and immediately looked through the train for him. I could not find him. +The passengers had not observed him. I was afraid he had fallen off, +and I hastened to find the conductor. + +He was in the forward car. I stated the case to him, and begged him to +run back a little way. After many objections he consented, and gave +the order. A brakeman was sent to the rear platform, but the conductor +detained me to tell me the consequences that might follow the delay. +I promised to help him out on some other occasion when he was behind +time, by inducing the conductors on the great line to wait for him. +I hastened back to the rear platform, but before I could reach it, I +heard the whistle to brake up. On reaching the end of the car, I saw a +sight which froze my blood. Colonel Wimpleton lay on the track between +the rails, apparently unable to save himself. + +The brakeman had pulled the connecting line, and was jamming down the +brake with all his might; but it was still a problem whether the train +could be stopped in season to avoid running over him. I rushed to the +assistance of the man, and the brake creaked under our united efforts. +Fortunately the signal from the engine had been prompt, and the train +was stopped, but only a few feet from the tipsy magnate, who shook his +fist at the car as it came near. + +“Did ye mean to run over me?” said he; and it was evident that his last +dram had nearly finished him. + + * * * * * + +[We intended to let Wolf tell his own story, but we are obliged to take +the pen out of his hand, for a time, to relate certain incidents of +which he was not a witness. Nicholas Van Wolter is no scholar; and if +he were, we could not trust him to narrate the matter of the succeeding +chapters, for we fear he would suppress the truth, and introduce too +much of his own personal vanity.] + +[Illustration: BRAKE UP!] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +MR. NICHOLAS VAN WOLTER. + + +Mr. Nick Van Wolter, a young gentleman of eighteen, and the oldest son +of the mate of the Ucayga, was dressing himself with extraordinary care +on the morning preceding the incidents of the last chapter. He was very +little like his father, who was a plain, honest, straightforward man, +and very much like his mother, who was a vain, aspiring, ambitious +woman. The mate was willing to do his duty faithfully and patiently, +and let the future take care of itself, though he was not without a +reasonable ambition to distinguish himself, and make his fortune. His +wife thought the world, and particularly Colonel Wimpleton, had wronged +and defrauded her husband out of money and position. She had high hopes +of Nick, for he was of an aspiring nature, and did not believe that he +had yet found his true sphere. + +Nick had brushed his hair with remarkable precision; he had carefully +laid each individual hair of his downy mustache; and he was now +engaged in the difficult and trying operation of tying his cravat. +He had donned his Sunday clothes, though it was Monday, and though +he was going in the Raven, which was the name of Waddie Wimpleton’s +new sail-boat. The fact that Miss Minnie Wimpleton was to be one of +the party may explain the reason of all the extra pains the young man +bestowed upon himself. Miss Wimpleton was certainly a very beautiful +girl, though this need not have made any difference with Nick, who had +only been invited to help work the Raven, for Waddie had a lame arm, +wrenched at the shoulder in playing base ball. + +It would be difficult to describe the precise social or business +position of Nick Van Wolter. He had worked on the steamer as a deck +hand, and as a waiter in the cabin; but he had become disgusted with +both of these places. They were beneath his dignity, and below his +sphere. He had obtained a place in a store in Centreport, where his +father’s family resided; but sweeping out, working in the cellars, and +carrying bundles were so far beneath his aspirations that he had also +abandoned the store. He now appeared to be “waiting for something to +turn up.” He wanted to be the clerk of the Ucayga, as a stepping-stone +to a higher place; but the present incumbent obstinately persisted +in retaining the situation. He was devoted, mind, heart, and soul, +to Waddie Wimpleton, through whom he expected finally to accomplish +his purpose. He was willing to “toady” to the great man’s son, to bow +down before him, and cling to the skirts of his garments. When Waddie, +therefore, in his partially disabled condition, needed assistance in +the boat, Nick was available for the service, and had gladly accepted +the invitation. + +Nick labored heavily at the neck-tie, and his ambitious mother stood in +the middle of the floor, watching with interest the effect produced by +various experiments. Bow knots, square knots, and sailor’s knots were +successively tried and successively discarded, until it was evident +that the cravat would be worn out before it could be adjusted. But at +last Mrs. Van Wolter interfered, and insisted that a simple crossing +of the ends of the tie, fastened by a large breast-pin, which was +borrowed from the mate’s wardrobe, gave the most stunning effect. She +was satisfied, and Nick could devise nothing better, though he was not +wholly pleased. + +“Now, let me put this moss-rose on the lapel of your coat,” said the +devoted mother. “If Miss Wimpleton thinks it is a pretty one, or makes +any remark about it, be sure you make her a present of it.” + +“I don’t think she cares anything about me,” replied Nick, as he +glanced at the looking-glass to observe the effect of the rose. + +“Well, I don’t suppose she does; but you must make her care for you. If +you have any wit at all, you can make yourself useful and agreeable. +Why, look at Wolf Penniman. They do say that he and Grace Toppleton are +good friends, at the very least. Wolf is smart; he knows what he is +about.” + +“So do I know what I am about,” retorted Nick, repelling what appeared +to him to be an insinuation that he did _not_ know what he was about. +“If there is any such thing as getting on the right side of Minnie +Wimpleton, you will find me there.” + +“I hope so. You ought to be as high up in the world as Wolf Penniman. +You are a better looking fellow,” added the fond mother, gazing with +admiration at the form and features of her son. “If you are not as +smart as he, it is because you have never put yourself forward, and it +is high time for you to begin. There’s Wolf, captain of the Ucayga, +while you can’t even be clerk. It’s a shame. I know your father ought +to be captain of that steamer, for he has really run the boat, while +Wolf has had all the credit of it. But I can’t get your father to do +anything about it.” + +“Father is his own master,” said Nick, with something like malice in +his tones. + +“I know he is. If he would hear to me, he would be captain of the +steamer, and you would be clerk. Only to think of it! Your father, who +has been a steamboat man all the days of his life, acting as mate to a +boy, a mere snipper-snapper, who don’t know any more about managing a +steamboat than I do! It’s a shame! I can’t bear to think of it!” + +“Don’t, then.” + +“Well, if your father won’t do anything for the family, you must, +Nicholas. Waddie is your best friend; and, if you can only make an +impression upon Miss Minnie, your fortune will be made, for I don’t +believe the colonel will live a great many years. He is soaked in rum +all the time.” + +“If I only get the chance, mother, I shall show Minnie who and what I +am. She is very gentle and kind to me, and all I want is an opportunity +to lay myself out before her.” + +“If you don’t find the chance, make it, Nicholas--make it.” + +Nick was thoughtful at this suggestion. It seemed to be a new idea to +him. He had devoted no inconsiderable portion of his valuable time to +the reading of exciting romances, and he was confident that if he could +obtain the opportunity to save Miss Minnie from a watery grave, rescue +her from a burning house, or stay the mad flight of her runaway horse, +just as she was about to be dashed to pieces over a yawning precipice, +doing the noble deed at the imminent peril of his own life, the prize +would be won. The proud daughter of a noble house would be filled with +admiration and gratitude, and would, of course, fall in love with him, +and the third part of Colonel Wimpleton’s millions would drop into his +lap. The last chapter of the romance would end in the unutterable +bliss of the noble hero and the beautiful heroine. This was about the +idea Nick had of “a chance to lay himself out before her.” He wanted +such a chance, and his mother, doubtless without exactly comprehending +her son’s views, had suggested that he should make the chance. The +thought was worthy of consideration. + +“Your father is too tame and spiritless to do anything for the family. +You must do it for him, Nicholas,” added Mrs. Van Wolter. + +“I’m willing to do what I can,” meekly responded the hopeful son. + +“If you do, your father shall be captain of the steamer; you shall be +clerk, and in good time the husband of Miss Minnie.” + +“What do you mean, mother? You don’t expect me to make father +captain--do you?” + +“Well, well; we won’t talk about that now,” answered the mother, +evasively. “We must use circumstances for our own advantage.” + +Mrs. Van Wolter appeared to be a bold schemer, and even Nick was +astonished at the magnitude of her ideas. He was looking for a +brilliant future, and to his mind there was no reason why Wolf +Penniman should monopolize all the honors and all the emoluments of the +high positions. He put on his hat, and left the house. He was rather +anxious to know by what means his mother expected to promote the mate +to the captaincy, and to make him the clerk of the steamer; but his +present business was in relation to Minnie Wimpleton, and he hastened +to the pier where the Raven was moored. + +Nick was only a tolerable boatman; and he was not conceited in regard +to his ability to manage a sail-boat. He was willing to take lessons of +Waddie, who had no superior. Indeed, he yielded the palm in everything +to the young magnate. He hoisted the mainsail, and put everything in +order about the boat. By the time he had finished the preparations for +the trip, Waddie and his sister appeared. The young gentleman had his +arm in a sling, and the young lady, in the estimation of Nick, was +radiant with loveliness. + +“Good morning, Mr. Van Wolter,” said Minnie, as she arrived at the pier. + +There was a twinkle in her eye, and one would have judged there was +no little mischief in her composition. She glanced at the elaborate +toilet, and particularly at the huge breast-pin in the cravat of the +aspiring Nick. Perhaps she was vain enough to suspect that all this +extra preparation had been made for her sake. + +“Good morning, Miss Wimpleton,” replied Nick, removing his hat with an +extensive flourish, probably to afford the wealthy little divinity an +opportunity to see how nicely his hair was parted, oiled, and brushed. +“May I have the pleasure of assisting you on board the Raven?” + +“Will it be a pleasure, Mr. Van Wolter?” said she, mischievously, as +she extended her gloved hand to him. + +“A very great pleasure indeed, Miss Wimpleton,” he replied, as he +eagerly took the offered hand, his heart beating like the throes of an +earthquake, under the delicious sensations of the moment. + +He handed her to a seat in the standing-room, touched his hat, and +bowed, as if to thank her for the unexpected honor she had conferred +upon him. + +“Cast off, and run up the jib, Nick,” said Waddie, impatiently. “We +are going to have a shower to-day, and we must get up to Grass Springs +before it comes on.” + +“A shower, Waddie?” added Minnie. + +“It looks like one.” + +“I don’t want to go if it is to be rainy.” + +“Only a shower. The cabin will keep you as dry as your own room,” +answered Waddie. “There is a good breeze, and we shall be down there in +a couple of hours.” + +“It will spoil Nick’s new clothes,” laughed the sprightly miss. + +“Don’t you tease the simpleton,” whispered Waddie. + +“I can’t help it. I enjoy it hugely,” she replied. + +“There goes the Belle,” added Waddie, pointing to Wolf’s boat, which +Tommy Toppleton had chartered for the occasion, as she shot out from +the wharf at Middleport. “Now for a race!” + +Nick ran up the jib, and, as the Raven took the breeze, he seated +himself opposite Miss Minnie, to feast his eyes upon her “matchless +loveliness.” + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY. + + +The boat-builder at Hitaca had promised Waddie he should have a boat +that would beat the Belle, or any other craft of her inches on the +lake. He had evidently kept his word, though the respective merits of +the two boats had not yet been fairly tested; but, in building for +speed, he had not built for safety. The Raven was too narrow for her +length, and it was apparent that she was very crank. However, Waddie +did not care how crank she was, if she was only fast. He was skilful +enough himself to keep her right side up. + +Tom Walton was sailing the Belle, and Tommy Toppleton and Grace were +passengers. Though the trip to the Horse Shoe was for another purpose, +the race between the two boats could not well be avoided. Waddie was +anxious to have the point settled, and as Tom Walton, the regular +skipper of the Belle, was on board, the race commenced without a +challenge, or any other preparations. The Belle waited until the Raven +came out from the wharf, and they met in the middle of the lake, where +the two parties exchanged salutations. + +“I’m afraid we shall have some bad weather,” said Tom Walton, as he +glanced at the black clouds which were piling up in the south-west. + +“We shall get to the Horse Shoe before that shower comes up,” replied +Waddie, as he put his helm up, and the Raven filled away on her course. + +“Let her slide!” shouted Tom Walton, who was not yet quite ready to +believe that the new boat could beat the Belle. + +“So we are to have a race, Waddie,” said his sister, as the Belle +shaped her course for the Horse Shoe. + +“Yes; and I’m going to beat the Belle all to pieces,” answered Waddie, +in high excitement, as the two boats, now side by side, began to spin +furiously through the water, the spray curling over their bows, as they +bent down before the lively breeze. + +“But you will drown us all, Waddie!” exclaimed Minnie, as the Raven +careened under a flaw till the gunwale was nearly submerged. + +“There is not the least danger while Mr. Wimpleton is at the helm. He +is the most skilful boatman on the lake,” interposed Nick. + +“But I don’t like such furious sailing as this,” added Minnie, as half +a bucket of spray dashed upon the half deck forward of her. + +“Don’t be alarmed, Minnie,” said Waddie, gently. “She is doing +beautifully, and we are gaining on the Belle. I wish my arm was not so +lame. It bothers me.” + +“I cannot steer as well as you can, Waddie; but I will do the best I +can,” added Nick. + +“If we were on the other tack I could do it very well; but I don’t like +to sit on the lee side to steer. We are beating her,” continued Waddie, +when the Raven was a length ahead of her rival. + +“But you will certainly drown us, Waddie!” cried Minnie, as the boat +went down on the lee side to her washboard. + +“If you will permit me to sit on the same side with you, Miss +Wimpleton, I can relieve her a little,” suggested Nick, as he rose from +his place. + +“Certainly, Mr. Van Wolter. Don’t be so polite as to drown me.” + +Nick took a seat on the weather side, where he should have gone before. +He again assured his fair companion that there was no danger, though +he was really not so confident on this point as he pretended to be. He +certainly was not afraid himself; on the contrary, he rather wished +the boat would upset, and thus afford him the coveted opportunity to +save Miss Wimpleton from the “watery grave.” He could swim like a fish, +and Waddie was so disabled that he could do no more than help himself. +But the two boats dashed on, and the Raven did not go over. She soon +ran away from the Belle, though it was done at the expense of a severe +trial to Miss Minnie’s nerves. + +“Take in the jib, Nick,” said Waddie. “The point is settled. The Raven +is the fastest boat on the lake.” + +The willing assistant obeyed this order, and the boat went along a +little steadier, much to the satisfaction of the young lady passenger. + +“I hope you have not injured your coat, Mr. Van Wolter,” said she, as +he resumed his seat. + +“Not at all, though it would be of no consequence if I had,” replied +Nick. + +“I think it would. When a young gentleman has a really elegant +appearance, it breaks my heart to see it disturbed.” + +“Your heart is very tender, Miss Wimpleton.” + +“Like all ladies’ hearts.” + +Nick sighed. + +Minnie laughed. + +“What a beautiful breast-pin you wear, Mr. Van Wolter!” + +“Do you like it?” + +“I think it is lovely.” + +Nick put his hands up to take it out of the cravat, in order to make +her a present of it; but he happened to remember, in season to save it, +that it was the rose, and not the breast-pin, he was to give her, if +she admired it. She did not allude to the flower, and all opportunities +seemed to elude his grasp. It was provoking that the Raven would not +upset, and afford him a chance to do a gallant deed. He thought Miss +Minnie was in a very agreeable frame of mind. She spoke very kindly +to him, and smiled with the utmost sweetness; for his vanity did not +permit him to realize that she was making fun of him. If an opportunity +could only be presented for him to do a big thing,--to tear her from +the jaws of death,--all would be well with him, and, he was conceited +enough to believe, with her also. + +Waddie came about, and threw the boat up into the wind, to wait for the +Belle. The Raven had fully justified her builder’s promise, and the +owner was satisfied. Tom Walton was nettled at his signal defeat. He +could not quite understand it; so he did just what other smart boatmen +do under similar circumstances--he declared that it was not the right +breeze for the Belle. She was a heavy-weather boat, and he should like +to catch the Raven out when it blew a fresh breeze. He would either +beat her or drown her. + +Waddie thought they had a pretty stiff breeze, but he would be happy to +accommodate Tom on his own terms. The two boats sailed along together +towards their destination. Waddie’s shoulder troubled him, after the +exercise he had taken, and he gave up the helm to Nick. The wind had +gradually subsided until it was a dead calm off the South Shoe. The +great black clouds had been travelling steadily towards the zenith, +till the sun was obscured, and the aspect of the weather was decidedly +threatening. Waddie looked at the rolling black clouds, and declared +there was wind in them. + +“What do you mean by that, Waddie?” asked Minnie, anxiously. + +“We may have a squall,” replied he, coolly. + +“A squall!” exclaimed she, terrified by the word. “Do let us get +ashore.” + +“A squall is nothing, if you only mind your eye,” added the young +boatman, lightly. + +“But I am afraid of squalls,” persisted Minnie. “Can’t we go on shore?” + +“Not very conveniently, as the shore is half a mile distant, and there +is not a breath of wind. Don’t be alarmed, Minnie. I have been out in +twenty squalls, and really there is nothing to fear, if the boat is +well handled.” + +“Look out for a squall!” shouted Tom Walton from the Belle, which had +fallen astern as the breeze died out. + +“Ay, ay!” replied Waddie. “I see it.” + +A squall! After all, there might be a chance for Nick to do a great +deed in behalf of the fair passenger. It was evident enough that +the Raven would go over with the slightest excuse for doing so. As +Waddie said nothing about it, he did not deem it incumbent upon him to +suggest the propriety of taking in sail. His mother told him to “make a +chance.” It was wicked to do so, and perhaps it was involuntarily that +he put several half hitches in the mainsheet, as he made it fast to the +cleat. + +“If we can get a puff or two of wind, we can run up to the South Shoe, +and anchor,” said Waddie. + +“It’s coming!” shouted Tom Walton, whose quick eye had already +discovered the approach of the squall. + +“Yes, there it comes,” added Waddie, quietly. “I’ll take the helm, +Nick; you may go forward and stand by the halyards.” + +“I will,” replied Nick. + +“Don’t let go till I tell you,” continued Waddie. “It may not come +here, and a capful of wind will take us to the shore.” + +“Say when you are ready,” added Nick, as he stationed himself on the +half deck. + +The tempest drove down the lake, piling up great billows before it, +stirring up the sleet and spray in its path, till the shore was hid +from the gaze of the voyagers. + +“Look out for it!” roared Tom Walton, whose voice could scarcely be +heard above the noise of the wind and waters. + +He had lowered the mainsail of the Belle half way down, so that the +light puffs which came before the squall drove her almost up to the +spot where the Raven lay motionless on the still waters. + +“Let go the halyards!” shouted Waddie, sharply. “Be lively about it! +The squall is upon us!” + +“Down with your mainsail!” cried Tom, as the blast swept down upon the +Raven. “Let go your sheet!” + +By this time the Belle’s mainsail was down, with a couple of stops +on to secure it to the boom. Waddie had already, with his single +serviceable hand, sprung to the quarter to let go the sheet. The +half hitches which Nick had put in the rope bothered him, and his +fingers seemed to be all thumbs. The wind began to swell the sail, and +increased the difficulty of the operation, while Nick seemed to be +having no little trouble in detaching the halyards. + +“Let go! Down with the mainsail!” cried Waddie, furiously. + +“Ay, ay!” replied Nick, as he let go the halyards; but he was just half +a second too late. + +The squall struck the sail, and the Raven toppled over as easily as +though she had been built for the express purpose of upsetting. In an +instant Miss Minnie was floundering in the mad waves, and screaming for +help. The glorious opportunity to do a noble deed, for which Nick had +so devotedly hoped, had come. Waddie was thrown into the water, but he +clung to the boom with his uninjured arm. + +Unfortunately for Nick, his legs were tangled in the halyards of the +sail. The Raven’s ballast shifted, and she rolled over till she lay +bottom upwards on the waves. Nick was drawn under water by the action +of the boat; but he quickly freed his legs from the rope, and coming +up, clung to the hull till he could ascertain the position of Miss +Minnie, who was still struggling in the waves some distance from the +boat. + +He was too late. The circumstances mocked him again. The squall was +subsiding, and Tommy Toppleton, like a true knight, had leaped into the +water the instant he saw Minnie’s condition, and was swimming towards +her. The glorious opportunity was lost. + +[Illustration: A LOST OPPORTUNITY.] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +ROMANCE AND REALITY. + + +The squall was very brief in its duration, lasting hardly a minute; +but it was immediately followed by torrents of rain. Tommy Toppleton +was a strong swimmer, and having but a short distance to make, he soon +reached the spot where Minnie was vainly struggling. She was nearly +exhausted by the violence of her useless efforts, when Tommy grasped +her in his arms, and lifted her head above the water. Half a minute +later, the Belle came to his assistance, and Tom Walton drew the +sufferer into the boat. + +Mr. Nicholas Van Wolter was disgusted, and highly indignant that +Tommy Toppleton should venture to perform the noble part which he had +assigned to himself. All his brilliant prospects were imperilled, for +not only had Nick lost the prestige of saving the fair being himself, +but another had won it. The admiration, gratitude, and love which +the rescue was to secure for him, had been wrested from him by the +venturesome Tommy. His Sunday clothes had been wet for nothing, and +he was even willing to believe that he had come nearer being drowned +himself than any other member of the party. + +The gallant Tommy was hastily assisted into the Belle, and Tom Walton +headed her towards the wreck of the Raven, where Waddie and Nick were +relieved from their uncomfortable situation. Minnie was in the little +cuddy forward, with Grace Toppleton, who had retired to its friendly +shelter before the squall came on. Strange as it may seem, these young +ladies were hardly acquainted with each other, for the relations +between their respective families had prevented them from meeting, +except by accident. Once, since Tommy and Waddie had buried the +hatchet, their sisters had been together for a few moments, and for the +first time in their lives had spoken to each other. But Grace was all +kindness and attention, and did all that the circumstances would admit +for the comfort of Minnie. + +“How is Minnie?” demanded Waddie, anxiously, as soon as he was helped +into the boat. + +“She is doing very well, I think,” replied Tommy. “She was not in the +water more than a couple of minutes, and her clothing buoyed her up so +that she did not go down at all.” + +“You are a noble fellow, Tommy. You saved her life, and I shall always +be grateful to you,” added Waddie, grasping the hand of the hero. + +“There wasn’t any need of jumping overboard--not a bit,” interposed Tom +Walton, with his good-natured grin. + +“I don’t know that there was any need of it, but it seemed to me just +as though something ought to be done at once,” replied Tommy. “Our +sails were down, and I was afraid she would sink before we could get to +her in the boat.” + +“You did just what you thought was right, Tommy,” added Tom Walton. +“You were just as noble as George Washington himself; but, if you had +taken the other oar, and helped me work the boat, we could have reached +Miss Wimpleton just as quick, if not a little quicker, than you could +swim to her.” + +The skipper of the Belle was a very practical young man. Perhaps his +education had been neglected, for he had never read a romance in his +life, and was utterly unable to appreciate the sublime heights to which +Nick soared. + +“If there was no need of jumping overboard, I am sorry I did it,” said +Tommy, laughing. “I did not suppose you could move the boat without +hoisting the mainsail, and my idea was, that the young lady would drown +before the Belle could be started. But Miss Wimpleton is safe, and we +need not trouble ourselves any more about the matter.” + +“You did first rate, Tommy,” replied Tom Walton; “but I hate to see +a fellow risk his life when there isn’t any need of it. That’s all I +wanted to say.” + +“By the great horn spoon, Tommy, you did the biggest thing a fellow +ever did,” said Waddie, with great enthusiasm. + +“That’s so,” added Tom Walton. “He risked his life. I think just as +much of the act as any of you, I want you to understand; but there +wasn’t any need of it.” + +“I did what I thought was best,” repeated Tommy. “We won’t say anything +more about it now. What shall we do?” + +“We will run over to Grass Springs, and the girls can dry themselves at +the hotel,” suggested Waddie. + +“Good! Run for Grass Springs, Tom,” said Tommy Toppleton. + +“All right,” answered the skipper, as he hoisted his mainsail; and in a +few moments the Belle was headed towards the place indicated. + +The rain continued to pour down in torrents, and Tom Walton, who had +not been overboard, was just as wet as those who had been. Grace, in +the cabin, was the only dry one of the party. But the boys had been so +often ducked that they did not heed it. Under the gentle ministrations +of Grace, Minnie recovered from the terror of the accident, and +regained her self-possession. + +“Your brother is a noble fellow,” said she. “I am sure I should have +sunk in another instant, if he had not come to my assistance.” + +“I am very glad Tommy was able to help you,” replied Grace. + +“I want to see him, and thank him for what he did,” added Minnie. + +“I will call him.” + +Tommy came at the summons, dripping like an eel just from his native +element. + +“Miss Wimpleton wishes to see you,” said Grace, as he crawled into the +cabin. + +“I do, Mr. Toppleton. I must thank you for saving my life. I shall +remember you with gratitude as long as I live.” + +“O, not at all, Miss Wimpleton. I only did what I thought was right, +and I hope you won’t feel under any obligations to me,” replied Tommy, +lightly. + +“But I do feel under very great obligations to you, for I value my life +very highly. I should certainly have been drowned if you had not come +when you did.” + +“Tom Walton says there was not the least need of my jumping overboard,” +laughed the hero of the hour. + +“I don’t care what Tom Walton says; I shall always feel that I owe my +life to you.” + +“O, no! Not quite so bad as that. Tom would have saved you in half a +minute more, if I hadn’t.” + +“You need not try to disparage what you have done; and if Tom Walton or +anybody else does so, I shall hate him as long as I live.” + +“Nick Van Wolter says he was just going to swim to you when he saw me +close beside you; so you could not have drowned.” + +“Well, I am so thankful I owe my life to you, instead of Nick!” +exclaimed Minnie, with a candor which did not pause to consider the +possible consequences of such an admission. + +“I am very much obliged to you for your good opinion, Miss Wimpleton. +I’m sure you don’t inherit the family rancor.” + +“Indeed, I do not! I used to hate all the Toppletons; but Waddie says +you are a splendid fellow, though he did not find it out till since he +made up with you.” + +“I am very much obliged to him,” answered Tommy. “I know I used to be +a pretty hard boy; but I have been trying to do better, and I am sure +your good opinion will be a great encouragement to me.” + +“I don’t know that my good opinion will do you much good; but I shall +always think of you as a noble fellow, who risked his own life to save +mine.” + +“I can only try to merit your esteem and regard,” replied Tommy, as he +gazed with an unwonted interest at the fair face and graceful form of +Minnie. + +“I don’t think I shall ever dare to get into a boat again,” added she, +with something like a shudder. “At least, I shall not unless I know you +are near, Mr. Toppleton.” + +“I don’t exactly understand how the Raven was upset. Waddie is one of +the best skippers on the lake,” replied Tommy. + +“He has a lame arm, you know.” + +“That boat went over very easy.” + +“I certainly will never get into that boat again. Where are we going +now?” + +“Over to the hotel at Grass Springs. You can dry yourself there, and +then we will have some dinner,” answered Tommy, as he left the cabin. + +“Your brother is a real nice young man,” said Minnie, as the subject of +her remark disappeared. + +“I think so myself, though he was not always so. Now he is kind and +obliging to me, and to all the family. He would do anything for us, and +never speaks a rude word, or does an ugly thing.” + +“It’s just so with Waddie. Isn’t it strange what a change has come over +both of them?” + +“Very strange, indeed; but what a blessed change it is! A year ago, +Tommy would not even let me go in a boat with him, though I am very +fond of sailing.” + +“It was just so with Waddie. Now he invites me very often, though +he has had the Raven only a few days. I hope he will have a safer +boat. Do you know how my brother happened to become such a good boy?” +inquired Minnie, suddenly raising her head and gazing earnestly at her +companion, as though a new idea had flashed upon her mind. “I’ll tell +you. It was Captain Wolf Penniman that did it. Pooh! you needn’t blush, +Miss Toppleton.” + +“I was not aware that I did blush,” added Grace, with some confusion. + +“They say he is very fond of you.” + +“He is a very good friend of mine.” + +“I knew it,” said Minnie, archly. “What does your father say about it?” + +“My father?” + +“Yes.” + +“About what?” + +“About Wolf, of course.” + +“He thinks very highly of him, and is grateful to him for his kindness +to Tommy when he was sick.” + +“But what does he say about you and Wolf?” + +“About Wolf and me! Why, nothing, of course,” replied Grace, evidently +astonished at the remark. + +“How dull you are!” laughed Minnie. “Everybody says Wolf is in love +with you, and that you are not indifferent towards him.” + +“Why, I never thought of any such thing!” exclaimed Grace. “We are very +good friends--that’s all.” + +“Well, I suppose that’s enough.” + +“Wolf was always very kind and very polite to me, and I think he is a +very good and a very smart young man. I never had any other thought in +regard to him.” + +“How people do talk!” + +“Why, I’m only sixteen years old!” + +“Sweet sixteen!” + +“I don’t think boys and girls of our age ought to meddle with such +matters.” + +“Don’t you?” + +“Indeed I don’t!” + +“Does Wolf think so?” + +“I don’t know; but I’m certain that he never spoke of such things to +me.” + +“Perhaps he will one of these days, when the time comes.” + +It was plain that Minnie had devoted more attention to a certain class +of subjects than Grace had; but then she was nearly a year older. It +was a question with her whether Major Toppleton would permit the young +steamboat captain to entangle the affections of his daughter; for he +could hardly permit her to become the wife of a common mechanic’s +son, even though he was the commander of a lake steamer. But, however +different the views of the two young ladies in regard to these trying +subjects, they were rapidly becoming the most devoted friends. + +When the Belle reached the shore at Grass Springs, Tommy had made up +his mind that Minnie was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen, +and he wondered that he had not discovered the fact before, for he had +occasionally met her since the healing of the rupture between himself +and her brother. Tommy was not quite eighteen, but he was progressive +in his ideas. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A DISCOMFITED ASPIRANT. + + +“What next?” asked Waddie Wimpleton, when the Belle was made fast to +the wharf at Grass Springs. + +“I will get a carriage to convey the ladies to the hotel,” proposed +Tommy. “And, while they are drying their clothes, we will go back and +pick up the Raven.” + +“That will do it,” replied Waddie. “We can order dinner at the same +time. The sun is coming out, and we shall all be dry enough by the time +we return.” + +Tommy soon procured a covered vehicle, and handed Miss Minnie to a seat +within it. He appeared to be much interested in the young lady, and Mr. +Nicholas Van Wolter watched him with a keen eye. It was natural enough +that he should be so, and equally natural that the young lady should +smile sweetly upon him, as she certainly did. According to Nick’s +theory, the parties were already in love; and, in his own heart, he +abused the stars that had deprived him of the glorious opportunity +which he had supposed was within his grasp. He had “made the chance,” +in the language of his ambitious mother, but another had gathered the +fruit. He was sorely disappointed and disheartened at his ill luck. He +had beaten the bush, but Tommy Toppleton had caught the game. + +Nothing could rob him of the satisfaction of remembering that Minnie +had smiled upon him, had spoken kindly to him, and had hinted at her +admiration of him. Something might yet occur to turn the current in +his favor, and all he could do at present was to watch his chances. He +wished Tommy Toppleton was somewhere else, for it vexed him; and, in +the language of the literature he patronized, “wrung the cords of his +soul” to see his rival handing the fair one into the carriage, and to +see her, dripping like a mermaid from the depths of the sea, smiling so +significantly upon him. + +It was agreed that Tommy should go up to the hotel with the ladies, and +make the necessary arrangements for their accommodation, and for dinner +for the whole party. It gave Nick an additional pang to see the hero +of the day seat himself opposite the moist divinity, where he could +gaze unrestrained into her face; and still another to observe that Miss +Wimpleton seemed to be pleased with his company. It was a plain case, +and the houses of Wimpleton and Toppleton were in imminent danger of +being united by a marriage at no very distant day. + +“Do you want to sell that boat of yours, Waddie?” said Tom Walton, as +the carriage drove off; and the rest of the party seated themselves in +the sun, which was now shining brightly, to dry their wet garments. + +“What will you give for her?” replied Waddie, jocosely. + +“Fifty cents.” + +“Won’t you say seventy-five?” + +“No; I wouldn’t give more than half a dollar.” + +“The Raven is the fastest boat on the lake, since she has beaten the +Belle handsomely.” + +“She beats her tipping over,” laughed Tom. + +“That wasn’t her fault,” replied Waddie, seriously. “The Belle would +have gone over under the same circumstances.” + +“I don’t know but she would with the mainsail up and the sheet fast,” +answered Tom. “I suppose your lame arm prevented you from letting go +the sheet.” + +“I suppose it did; but I don’t usually fasten a sheet as that one was,” +said Waddie, glancing at Nick. + +“Wasn’t it fastened right?” asked Nick, rather diffidently. + +“It was fastened to hold, but not to let go,” replied Waddie, more +sharply than he was in the habit of speaking of late. “Boatmen don’t +often put three or four hitches in a sheet, especially when there is a +squall coming up. Did you intend to have the Raven upset?” + +“Intend it?” stammered Nick. + +“Yes, I asked you if you intended to upset the boat?” + +“What makes you think I intended to upset her?” whined the culprit. + +“Because, if you did, you went to work just right, and accomplished +your purpose.” + +“Come, come, that’s rather rough on a fellow,” interposed Tom Walton, +with a deprecatory grin. “Of course no fellow would intend to upset a +boat when there was a lady in it.” + +“Do you put three or four half hitches on the cleat when you make fast +your main sheet, Tom?” demanded Waddie, who was justly indignant at the +discovery he had made just as the Raven upset--so indignant that he +could not trust himself to speak of the matter in the presence of the +ladies. + +“Of course not. I never fasten the sheet at all when the wind is heavy +or flawy. I always pass it over the cleat, and hold the end in my +hand,” answered the skipper of the Belle. + +“That’s the right way; and I have told Nick more than once, when he +has been sailing with me, never to fasten the sheet, not even in a +dead calm. When I went to cast off the sheet, I found three hitches at +least, and I don’t know but four or five, hauled up so tight that I +could not loose them.” + +“But you don’t believe Nick intended to have the squall upset the boat +when it came--do you?” + +“Of course I don’t believe it.” + +Nick breathed easier. + +“Because he was in the boat himself. It stands to reason a fellow don’t +want to upset the boat in which he is himself a passenger,” argued Tom. + +“Well, I only said if he had intended to upset her, he could not have +done anything different from what he did. I don’t mean to accuse him of +anything out of the way,” explained Waddie. + +“I always like to do a thing well; and I suppose I overdid it this +time,” muttered Nick. + +“I don’t think, if I had had two hands to work with, I could have cast +off the sheet in season to save the boat,” continued Waddie. + +“I can’t imagine what you were thinking about when you fastened that +sheet, Nick.” + +“I really don’t know, myself,” pleaded the culprit. + +“Neither can I understand why you didn’t let go the halyards when I +told you to do so.” + +“I couldn’t unfasten them. The ropes were new, and full of kinks,” +replied he. + +“You hoisted the sail and secured the halyards yourself.” + +“I know I did; I don’t pretend to be much of a sailor.” + +“But you have been in a boat enough to know how to handle one; and a +fellow ought to be able to untie his own knots,” continued Waddie. + +“Well, what’s done can’t be helped,” said the good-natured Tom Walton. +“It’s no use to cry for spilled milk.” + +“But it’s better to understand the matter, so as not to spill any more.” + +Waddie had no idea that his assistant had intended to upset the boat, +though he rubbed very closely in his remarks upon the subject. The +conduct of Nick seemed to be either criminal or inexcusably stupid. The +Raven was disparaged, and he defended her when he exposed the bungling +work of his companion. Indeed, when any one is careless with a boat, +he ought to be severely censured; and Waddie, without malice, and +only with a reasonable indignation, felt it to be his duty to express +himself very plainly. The return of Tommy from the hotel put an end +to the discussion, and the party embarked in the Belle to recover the +wreck of the Raven. + +They found her near the South Shoe, towards which she had drifted +till her masts struck the sands of the shoal water. She did not carry +ballast enough to sink her when she filled, and her cuddy had been +closed when the accident happened, so that a portion of air remained +to assist in buoying her up. She had turned into a nearly inverted +position; but when the mast struck the bottom of the lake, the boat had +continued to drift, till she was thrown up nearly on her beam ends. +With the aid of a boat-hook, a rope was passed under the topmast, and +the end carried in the Belle to the other side of the hull, which lay +parallel with the line of shore. The Belle was then anchored, and all +hands heaved on the rope till the Raven was brought to an upright +position. + +Both boats were supplied with buckets and bailing dippers, and, +after an hour’s hard work, she was relieved of the load of water she +contained, sponged out, and the sun soon dried her seats, so that she +was in as good order as when she left Centreport in the morning. As +soon as the party went on board of her, Waddie called the attention of +the others to the manner in which the sheet was secured. There were +four half hitches on the cleat, and even Tom Walton was forced to +admit that Nick was crazy, or had intended to upset the boat. It was +charitable to believe that he had lost his wits. + +“I should not care a straw about it if Minnie had not been frightened +out of a year’s growth,” said Waddie. + +“It is lucky she is pretty tall now,” added Tom. + +“She will never dare to sail in this boat again.” + +“We will explain it to her,” suggested Tom. + +“And let her understand that it was all Nick’s fault,” continued +Waddie, roguishly; for, without comprehending the magnitude of the +aspiring young gentleman’s intentions, he knew that he had manifested a +strong admiration for his sister. + +Poor Nick could not say a word. His precious scheme for winning the +favor of Minnie had resulted in covering him with odium and disgrace +in her eyes. The day seemed to be absolutely lost, though he was +brave enough to hope that the future would redeem his chances. Tommy +Toppleton had won the day without any hard thought, without any +difficult scheming. He was the glorious hero in Miss Wimpleton’s +estimation. She had bestowed sweet smiles on the fortunate fellow. Now, +Waddie was going over to tell her that the unhappy Mr. Van Wolter had +been the sole cause of all the mischief. The owner of the Raven would +win back her reputation as a safe boat at his expense. He could not +afford to quarrel with the little magnate; so he was obliged to be meek +and submissive; but he did not wish to appear again that day in the +presence of the injured divinity. + +“I suppose I shall not be wanted any more to-day,” said he, humbly. + +“I think not; but you shall dine with us at the hotel,” replied Waddie. + +“I thank you; I don’t want any dinner. I think I have taken cold. I +don’t feel very well. My digestion is out of order,” stammered Nick. +“If it is all the same to you, I would rather go home. I will take the +next train at the Springs for Middleport.” + +“I don’t want you to go back without your dinner, Nick,” added Waddie, +more gently; and his assistant was so humble that he began to think he +had been too severe. + +“I really don’t want any dinner. I hope you will excuse me. I made a +very bad blunder in the boat, and I know you all despise me, and that +the ladies will despise me too,” pleaded Nick. + +“I won’t say anything about the boat to them,” added Waddie. “I was +only joking when I spoke of telling Minnie it was your fault. I will +forgive you if you will promise never to put even a single hitch in a +sheet again.” + +“I never will. On my honor, I never will. It was a bad mistake; but it +shall never be repeated. Really I would rather go home.” + +“Why don’t you let him take your boat up, and you return with us?” +suggested Tommy. + +“Can you take the Raven up to Centreport without upsetting her, Nick?” +asked Waddie. + +“Certainly I can.” + +“Then you may take her.” + +“Thank you,” replied Nick, as he hastened to set the mainsail. + +Pushing off from the Belle, the discomfited Nick headed his craft up +the lake. + +“I’ll bet there will be music in Grass Springs this afternoon,” +muttered he, shaking his head, as he saw the other boat fill away on +her course. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +COLONEL WIMPLETON DROPS THE REINS. + + +The breeze was light after the shower, and the Raven did not give Nick +Van Wolter much trouble to manage her. He was able, therefore, to +devote his undivided thought to the disappointment he had experienced, +and the odium he had incurred. Tommy Toppleton had stepped between him +and the richest prize that ever lured a mortal young man; and Nick +seemed to have no doubt that the treasure would have been easily won +if his brilliant scheme had not miscarried. He did not thank Tommy for +what he had done; and he envied him in the enjoyment of Miss Minnie’s +smile. + +But one was a Toppleton and the other was a Wimpleton. The two houses +had been at war for many years, and the two heads of the families were +still as implacable and bitter as ever towards each other. Major +Toppleton would not permit his daughter to become a Wimpleton; and +Colonel Wimpleton would not permit his daughter to share the lot of a +Toppleton. Nick found consolation in this reflection. Yet it was a fact +that Tommy and Minnie would dine and spend the day together. With the +perversity of young men and young women under such circumstances, they +would meet again without the knowledge of their fathers, and in a short +time the matter would have gone so far that it could not be checked. + +What would Colonel Wimpleton say if he knew that his daughter was +filled with admiration and gratitude towards the son of his great +enemy? Would he allow them to spend a whole day together? Certainly +not. But he, the disinterested Mr. Nick Van Wolter, knew all about it. +He was well aware that Tommy and Minnie were cementing an attachment +which fathers could not break off. As a friend of the family, as +a sincere well-wisher of Miss Wimpleton, was it not his duty to +interfere, and inform the colonel of the nature of the proceedings +at Grass Springs? He had no difficulty in convincing himself that +such a course was the highest duty of the hour, and that it would be +inexcusable in him to neglect to perform it. + +Yet it was a disagreeable duty. Any interference on his part might cost +him the valuable friendship of Waddie, though it might secure to him +the more valuable influence of the colonel himself. As he considered +the subject in all its bearings, he found himself very unwilling to +incur the displeasure of Waddie, and, at the same time, of Minnie +herself. It would ruin all his possible chances in the future. He had +fully intended from the first that there should be “music” at Grass +Springs that afternoon, and that Colonel Wimpleton should make it; but +when he looked the matter fair in the face, he was not disposed to +become the informer in person. + +The colonel must know what was going on at the Springs. It was not +prudent for Nick to tell him, and he thought of various expedients +to accomplish the purpose. He could invent nothing that was quite +satisfactory, though he had been nearly two hours in the boat +considering this subject alone. He finally concluded to consult +his mother, who was a veritable female Talleyrand in the art of +diplomacy. This disposition of the matter did not suit him much better, +inasmuch as he could not see how she was to manage the matter without +implicating him. + +While he was still arguing the case with himself, adopting and then +rejecting various methods, the Raven’s keel ground roughly on the sands +at the bottom, and then came to a sudden stop. As the wind was not +exactly fair to go up the lake, he had been obliged to beat, making a +long and a short tack. The Raven had passed clear of a headland, about +half way between Ruoara and Centreport, and was standing into a little +bay above the point. Nick had been so absorbed in his reflections, that +he did not notice the rapid shoaling of the water as he neared the +shore. He immediately let go the sheet, in which he had put no half +hitches this time; and seizing an oar, he attempted to push the boat +off the shallow beach. But she had taken the ground while under full +headway, and all his strength was not sufficient to move her. + +In vain he pushed and swayed the boat; her keel was buried in the sand, +and it was impossible for him to move her a single inch. He labored, +sweat, and swore till he was heartily discouraged. The water was not +knee deep over the bow, and rolling up the legs of his pants, he stood +upon the bottom, and tried to pry her off with the oar; but in this +task he was also unsuccessful. He was still three miles from home, and +he did not like to walk this distance, on the one hand, or to endure +the censure and criticism of Waddie, on the other, if he exposed his +mismanagement to him. The road from Centreport to Ruoara lay close to +the shore, and there was a house within a quarter of a mile of the +spot. He finally concluded to go in search of assistance, for with the +help of one or two others he could push the Raven off into deep water. + +Taking his shoes and stockings in his hand, he waded ashore, and, +having put them on, he started for the nearest house, in the direction +of Ruoara. He had gone but a few steps before he was startled by +the appearance of a buggy coming towards him, the horse attached to +which was running at the top of his speed. His first impulse was to +get out of the road, and let the frightened animal go on his way to +destruction, with the helpless gentleman who occupied the seat of the +vehicle. But a second glance assured him that the individual in the +buggy was Colonel Wimpleton. Possessed of the current information in +regard to the personal habits of the magnate of Centreport, Nick had no +difficulty in satisfying himself that the great man was intoxicated, +and had lost the control of the spirited animal he drove. Perhaps this +was the chance which had long been in store for the ambitious young man. + +[Illustration: NICK’S OPPORTUNITY.] + +Perhaps it would serve his turn as well to save the father as the +daughter. But it was no easy matter to stop a terrified horse, though, +if the stars were favorable, he might succeed in doing it. Nick had +only one instant for reflection; if he had had two, very likely he +would have declined to attempt the perilous feat. Impelled only by the +desire to do a big thing in the service of the powerful and influential +man of Centreport, he pulled off his coat and commenced flourishing it +furiously in the middle of the road. The horse saw this obstacle in his +path, and evidently did not like the looks of it. He snorted wildly, +and exhibited an evident intention to dodge it. Sheering towards the +lake, he attempted to pass the obstruction; but Nick changed his +position, and the animal abated his headlong speed. + +“Stop him! Stop him!” cried the colonel, who was plainly terrified by +the situation, for the reins were dragging on the ground. + +The horse, intimidated by this movement on the part of Nick, threw +himself back upon the breeching with such force as to pitch the +colonel forward upon the dasher of the buggy. The mad animal snorted +furiously in his terror, and then seemed disposed to wheel and run in +the opposite direction; but the instant his speed was checked, Nick +dropped his coat and sprang to the bridle of the horse. It was the +coat, and not the young man, which had frightened the animal; and when +this was no longer before him, he attempted to renew his flight towards +home, and dragged poor Nick for twenty rods before he could produce any +effect by his bold action. + +Having once grasped the bridle rein, Nick was obliged to hold on for +his own safety; for if he let go, he was sure to be thrown down and +mangled under the wheels. The horse had not yet broken into a run +after his flight was checked, and, dragging Nick by his bit, he was +not likely to do so till he had shaken off this burden. By the dint of +tugging and jerking, the young man had drawn the horse’s head round to +one side, which impeded his efforts to go forward. The animal was not +ugly, but frightened, and his struggles were only honest efforts to +escape. + +“Whoa, Major; whoa!” said Nick, in soothing tones, for he had had some +experience with horses. + +By these gentle means he succeeded in quieting the animal, and finally +in stopping him, though he was still quivering with terror, and very +impatient of restraint. + +“Whoa, Major; whoa!” continued Nick, panting from the violence of his +own efforts. + +He had learned the horse’s name at the owner’s stable; and patting him +on the neck, he soon reduced him to a state of tolerable calmness. +Colonel Wimpleton improved the earliest opportunity to get out of the +buggy. It was plain enough that he had been drinking a great deal; but +the perils through which he had passed had done something to modify the +influence of his drams. + +“You have done me a good turn, young man,” said the magnate, when he +was safe on the solid ground. + +“Whoa, Major; whoa!” added Nick, as the horse began to be impatient +again. + +“O, it’s Nick Van Wolter!” exclaimed the colonel, as he recognized the +person to whom he was indebted for this signal service. + +“Yes, sir; that is my name,” replied Nick. “The Major is wide awake +to-day.” + +“I never knew him to attempt to run away before. I don’t know exactly +how it was; but in brushing a fly from his flank, I dropped the reins. +While I was trying to get them again, he got frightened, and broke into +a run,” added the colonel. + +Nick was not so impolitic and impolite as to hint at the true +explanation; but probably the great man, overcome by his frequent cups, +had dropped asleep, and lost the reins from his grasp; and doubtless +they had dangled against the horse’s heels, and terrified him. This was +the most probable solution of the problem. + +“Yes, sir; I did that same thing once myself, when I was driving the +mail wagon; but my horse was not smart enough to run away,” replied +Nick, wishing to do all he could to soften the mortification of the +great man. “Whoa, Major; whoa. Stand still; that’s a good fellow!” + +“You have done me a good turn, young man,” added the colonel, who felt +compelled to express his obligations. + +“I’m glad to serve you, sir,” answered Nick, struggling to be modest. + +“Come to my house, when you get back to town, and I will make it all +right with you.” + +“O, it’s all right now, sir.” + +“Not quite,” said the colonel. “You have done well; but this will be a +good day’s work for you. You shall be well paid for what you have done.” + +“I don’t want any pay, sir, for doing a thing like this,” replied Nick, +in the words of the romances he had read. + +“Come and see me, at any rate.” + +“I will, sir, if you desire; but I don’t wish to be paid for a slight +service like this.” + +“Won’t you ride home with me?” added the colonel, as he stepped into +the buggy, the horse being by this time apparently quite reconciled. + +“Thank you, sir; I have a boat here.” + +“Very well; but come and see me as soon as you return;” and the magnate +started his horse. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SECRETS FOR TWO. + + +“I have done a big thing now, anyhow!” exclaimed Nick to himself, as +the great man of Centreport drove off. + +But the buggy had proceeded but a short distance before it stopped. +Colonel Wimpleton had forgotten something which he wished to say or do, +and Nick hastened back to ascertain what more he could do for him. + +“Is anything the matter, sir?” asked Nick, as he rushed up to the +vehicle. + +“No; nothing. I want to say a word to you, young man, before I go,” +said the colonel, whose expression was sheepish and embarrassed. + +“Yes, sir,” answered Nick, as the speaker paused. + +“You are, no doubt, a very discreet young man,” continued the colonel. + +“I try to be so, sir.” + +“I don’t like to be talked about.” + +“No one does, sir.” + +“By the merest accident in the world I dropped my reins, and my horse +ran away with me.” + +“It was only what might happen to any one, sir.” + +“Very true.” + +“Even to the minister, if he drove a smart horse,” suggested Nick, who +exactly comprehended the meaning of the great man. + +“Certainly; but people talk more about what I do and say than they do +about other folks.” + +“Your high position and vast influence make you very prominent in the +community, sir. It is not strange they should talk about you.” + +“Perhaps not; but I don’t like to be misapprehended.” + +In other words, Colonel Wimpleton feared if people knew his horse ran +away with him, that they would think he had been drinking too much. +He was morbidly sensitive in regard to his besetting vice; and though +there was hardly a man, woman, or child within ten miles of Centreport +who had not heard that he drank too much, he supposed only a few +intimate friends suspected his infirmity. Like all tipplers of his +description, he did not believe that he was ever actually intoxicated. + +“I understand you precisely, sir,” added Nick. “Nothing happens to any +one around here but somebody says he was drunk.” + +Colonel Wimpleton frowned. + +“Of course, no one can suspect you of anything of that sort, unless +he belongs on the other side of the lake,” continued Nick, taking due +notice of the frown. + +“In a word, young man, you need not mention that my horse ran away +to-day,” said the colonel. + +“Certainly not, sir; I did not intend to mention it, unless you did so +first yourself. I hope I understand my position better than to do such +a thing.” + +“Keep your tongue still, and you shall not lose anything by it.” + +“I understand you, sir; and no one shall ever be the wiser for anything +I say.” + +“That’s right; come and see me as soon you return. What are you doing +up here?” + +“I have been down to Grass Springs with Waddie and Miss Minnie,” +answered Nick, who thought if he kept the colonel’s secret, the colonel +ought to keep his secret. + +“Were they out in the boat?” + +“Yes, sir; and Tommy Toppleton and Miss Grace were with them.” + +“Humph!” sneered the magnate, with a savage frown. “What are they doing +there?” + +“They are going to have a dinner at the hotel, and a good time +generally, I suppose. We met with an accident going down, sir.” + +“What was that?” + +“Waddie’s boat capsized in the squall, and we were all pitched into the +lake.” + +“What!” exclaimed the colonel, startled at the intelligence. + +“But they are all safe, sir,” added Nick, promptly. “Tommy Toppleton +swam out and rescued Miss Minnie.” + +“She is safe, then,” said the father, with a sigh of relief. + +“O, yes! She is all right now. I didn’t mean to say anything to you +about it, sir,” continued Nick, fixing his eyes on the ground, as +though he was mortified at the mistake he had made. + +“Why didn’t you mean to say anything to me about it?” demanded the +colonel. + +“Well, sir, only because I make it a point to mind my own business. If +you will excuse me, I won’t say any more. I did not intend to mention +the subject.” + +“What do you mean? What is going on over there?” + +“O, nothing, sir,” replied Nick, in just that style of expression which +assures the hearer there is a secret to be concealed. “I hope you will +not mention the fact that I spoke of the affair, for I had no right to +meddle with it.” + +“What affair? What are you talking about?” said the magnate, sharply. + +“I ought not to have said that the boat was upset.” + +“Why not?” + +“Because Tommy Toppleton saved Minnie. But I hope you won’t ask me to +say anything more about it,” pleaded Nick. + +“What more is there to be said?” + +“Nothing, sir.” + +“Yes, there is!” protested the colonel, his curiosity excited to the +highest pitch. + +“You and Major Toppleton don’t agree very well together, sir; and, so +far as you are concerned, I don’t wonder at it. Of course Miss Minnie +is very grateful to Tommy; but, really, I must not say anything more. I +shall ruin myself with Waddie and Miss Minnie, if they find that I have +spoken to you about a matter which does not concern me.” + +“Don’t you be alarmed, young man; I will not mention to any one that +I have even seen you,” replied the colonel, more gently. “If you have +anything to say, speak out.” + +“I don’t like to say anything; but I couldn’t help thinking all the +morning that you would be very angry if you knew what was going on.” + +“What is going on?” demanded the great man, his patience exhausted by +the apologies and explanations of Nick. + +“Well, sir, one of these days, your daughter, Miss Minnie, will be the +wife of Tommy Toppleton,” replied Mr. Van Wolter, desperately. “Of +course I give it only as my opinion, and you can take it for what it is +worth.” + +“The wife of Tommy Toppleton! Why, they are only children!” exclaimed +the colonel. + +“Tommy is a child of eighteen, and Miss Minnie is a child of sixteen,” +added Nick, shrugging his shoulders. + +The magnate knit his brow. Fathers are the last to ascertain that their +sons and daughters are men and women. He knew that Waddie and Tommy had +been quite intimate for several months, and it was possible that the +daughter might share these friendly relations. In his estimation, a +matrimonial alliance between the two families would be a terrible thing. + +“So Tommy saved Minnie’s life,” said the colonel, musing on the +probabilities of the case. + +“Not quite so bad as that. The Belle would have picked her up in a +moment, if he had not gone to her assistance. I was on the point of +swimming to her myself; but I got tangled up in the halyards, and was +dragged under the boat when she upset. Tom Walton said there was no +need of Tommy’s jumping overboard.” + +“But he did swim to her?” + +“Yes; and Miss Minnie says he is a noble and generous fellow, and all +that sort of thing. I saw how the matter was going, and I’ll bet my +life it will end in a ring.” + +“It shall not! I’ll send Minnie to the other end of the world before +any such thing shall happen,” protested the colonel, wrathfully. + +“Well, sir, I don’t want to meddle with matters that do not concern me, +but I thought you ought to know it,” continued Nick. “I’m not quite +sure that Waddie and Miss Grace are not a little sweet with each other, +but I don’t like to say anything.” + +“I am very glad you have spoken to me about this matter, Nick,” said +Colonel Wimpleton. “I think I have been a little blind. Waddie and Tom +Toppleton have been together a great deal lately; and now, if the girls +are going with them, there certainly will be mischief. I won’t have it!” + +“I knew you wouldn’t, sir, if you only knew it; but I’m afraid I’ve +made a great mistake in meddling with a matter which does not concern +me. Waddie and Miss Minnie would hate me if they knew I had said +anything to you.” + +“They shall not know it. No one shall know that you have even seen me +to-day.” + +“They shall not know it from me,” replied Nick, significantly. + +“I won’t have it!” repeated the colonel, musing upon the suspected +relations between Tommy and his daughter, as he picked up the reins and +started his horse. + +“There’ll be music over there this afternoon,” muttered Nick, as he +walked towards the house where he expected to obtain help in getting +the Raven afloat. + +Colonel Wimpleton drove a short distance, and then stopped. Drawing a +flask from his breast pocket, he drank another dram. He had been to +Ruoara to call upon a friend, with whom he had drank several times, +and who had presented him this flask of brandy, because the colonel +had praised it as a very superior article. His runaway horse had +neutralized the effects of what he had taken in Ruoara; but the news +given him by Nick had excited him, and under any excitement he drank +more freely than usual. Before he reached home he had repeated the +draught two or three times. His mind dwelt heavily upon the perils +which threatened his family. Nick seemed so unwilling to say anything, +that he concluded the case was much worse than he had described it. +He was willing to believe that Waddie and Grace, Tommy and Minnie, +had met before, and that a double union between the embittered houses +was impending. He must put a stop to it without an hour’s delay. Wolf +Penniman was the intimate friend of both Waddie and Tommy; and the +colonel had no difficulty in believing that he was their confidant and +helpmate. In his tipsy condition he hastened on board of the Ucayga, +which had just arrived from the foot of the lake. Wolf would know where +the culprits were, and should go with him to the place. + +Nick reached the house, towards which he had directed his steps, just +after twelve o’clock. The “men folks” had come home to dinner, and the +farmer’s boys were willing to help him. + +“Did you see anything of a runaway horse down the road, about an hour +ago?” asked the farmer. + +“Yes; I saw a horse hitched to a buggy going it at a pretty lively gait +towards Centreport,” replied Nick. + +“Do you know what became of it?” + +“The horse stopped on the hill below here. I suppose he got tired of +running,” answered Nick, cautiously. + +“Do you know who it was?” + +“No; he was a stranger to me.” + +“I was so far off I couldn’t see very well; but it looked a little like +Colonel Wimpleton’s team.” + +“It wasn’t the colonel’s horse. He passed within a short distance of +me. I know the colonel and his team very well. It wasn’t he, I’m very +sure,” protested Nick, who could lie a little more easily than he could +speak the truth. + +“I didn’t know but it might be Colonel Wimpleton. They say he steams it +pretty hard now.” + +“It wasn’t the colonel, I know; for I saw the man’s face very +distinctly. He was a younger man than the colonel.” + +The farmer was apparently satisfied, and the two young men accompanied +Nick to the place where the Raven was aground. With their friendly +aid she was soon floated in deep water, and headed towards Centreport, +where she arrived just as the Ucayga was leaving the wharf on her down +trip. + + * * * * * + +[We are ready to let Wolf continue his narrative, from the point where +we left him, with Colonel Wimpleton lying on the track, between the +rails. The choice brandy presented to him by his friend in Ruoara +had been an evil spirit to him, not only inflaming his wrath against +his son and daughter, but depriving him of the power to take care of +himself. When the train stopped he had got out to ascertain the cause +of the delay. The cars started, but he was too tipsy to reach the steps +in season to get on board, and was left behind. He shouted, but no +one heard him. He was vexed, and believing that brandy was the best +medicine for vexation, he took a liberal dose of it from the flask. +His repeated libations had impaired his locomotive powers to such an +extent that he could hardly walk, and just as the train had backed down +to him, his legs gave way, and he fell between the rails. But let Wolf +proceed.] + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE TIPSY MAGNATE. + + +I was shocked and mortified to see my employer in such a terrible state +of intoxication. He had been growing worse and worse from the moment +he came into the state-room, on board of the Ucayga. He had narrowly +escaped being crushed beneath the train, and my heart beat wildly as I +realized the peril of his situation. + +“What zye about, Wolfz?” said he, as I hastened to the assistance of +the inebriate. “What’d zye go off and leave me here for--dzeh?” + +“Why did you get out of the cars, sir?” + +“To dzee what’s the matter.” + +“Let me help you, sir.” + +“I don’t zwant any help.” + +“Hurry up,” said the conductor, from the platform of the rear car. +The colonel tried to get up alone, but he could not. The brakeman +and myself each took an arm, and lifted him up. With considerable +difficulty, we got him into the car, for he seemed to have sense +enough left to know that he was intoxicated, and was not willing to be +assisted, lest it should be regarded as an acknowledgment of the fact. +He apparently wished to conceal his condition, obvious as it was. We +put him in his seat, and he tried to stiffen up his relaxed muscles, +and appear like a sober man. If he had not been a pitiable spectacle, +he would have been a ludicrous one; though many in the car, who had no +special interest in his fate, laughed at his silly and stupid struggles +to conceal his condition. + +As talking was rather a difficult achievement for him, he kept still +till the train arrived at Grass Springs. I told him we had reached +our destination, and he rose unsteadily to his feet. He insisted upon +walking alone, and repulsed all my efforts to assist him. By holding on +to the chains and the railings on the platform, he succeeded in getting +out of the car; but it was simply impossible for him to walk, and he +would have fallen if I had not taken his arm. I called a carriage, and +assisted him to a seat in it. People stared, smiled, and jeered at the +magnate of Centreport in this unhappy condition, and I was glad enough +to get him out of sight. I told the driver to convey us to the hotel, +where I intended to take a private room for him, and let him sleep off +the effects of his debauch, or, at least, keep out of sight until he +was in condition to be seen. + +Of the circumstances which had excited the indignation of Colonel +Wimpleton I knew but little. He had somehow discovered that Waddie and +Grace were together. I had ascertained that Tommy Toppleton had come +down with Grace to meet Waddie on the Horse Shoe. They had started +after the steamer left for Ucayga, and I had not seen their departure. +I was to procure a boat, as I understood the plan, and convey the +colonel to the island, where he could interfere with the “courting” +which was alleged to be in progress; but in his present condition I had +no idea of doing anything of the kind. I seated myself in the carriage +with him. + +“Now, where’s--where’s--yes--where’s Waddie?” said he, with much +difficulty; for he was so tipsy that his tongue almost refused to +perform its office. + +“I don’t know where he is. We will go up to the hotel and inquire,” I +replied. + +“That’s zright--the hotel.” + +The driver, as I had directed him, stopped at the side door of the +house, on his arrival. The landlord opened it, and I whispered to him +that I wanted a private apartment for the colonel. With his assistance +I conducted the drunken magnate to the room, and seated him on a sofa. + +“Hadn’t you better lie down, sir?” I asked, when the landlord had left +me alone with him. + +“Lie dzown!” exclaimed he, with a convulsive jerk of the head; “what +for?” + +“You don’t seem to be very well to-day,” I suggested. + +“No; not--not very well. I’ve been dzick--dzick all day to-day. I took +a little brandy for my--brandy for my stomach’s sake,” stammered he. + +“Perhaps if you lie down you will feel better.” + +“I dzon’t know--but you are right, Wolfz. I’m dzick. Did you dzell the +folks--the folks on the dzrain that--I was--that I was--I was dzick?” + +“No, sir; I did not tell them so; but they could not help seeing that +something was the matter with you.” + +“I dz’pose they did. I’ll lie down, Wolfz.” + +He sprang to his feet, and, with a desperate effort, attempted to throw +off his coat. He did not succeed, but pitched over upon his face on the +bed. I pulled his coat off; while he lay in this position, and, rolling +him over, placed him in as comfortable a posture as I could. After +covering him with a blanket, I seated myself on the sofa, to consider +the situation. I was unwilling to believe that the great man had ever +been in such a deplorable condition before. His coat lay on the chair +where I had thrown it. I could see the neck of the flask protruding +from the pocket. I think I inherited from my mother a spite against +bottles used to contain liquor. By this time the colonel was asleep, +and I took the flask from the coat. It was about one third filled, and +I had no doubt the inebriate had consumed the other two thirds. I went +to the window, and poured it out upon the ground. I had once performed +a similar service for my father, and I had no scruples in doing it +for the magnate of Centreport, as he was, just then, by the force of +circumstances, in my care. Screwing on the stopple of the flask, I +restored it to the pocket where I had found it. My patient could now +drink no more till he left the room. + +He slept very soundly, snoring heavily in his drunken stupor. Slumber +was the best thing in the world for him, and I left him “to fight it +out on this line.” I decided to take a boat and go over to the Horse +Shoe, to ascertain for my own sake, rather than the colonel’s, the +nature of the relations which had so violently disturbed my employer. +I had a pair of eyes, and I flattered myself I could tell, by his +actions, whether Waddie had become suddenly interested in Grace. I knew +that he had seldom seen her, and had hardly spoken to her since the +reconciliation with her brother. But in such matters those who are most +deeply concerned are often the blindest, and it was possible that my +friend, and in some sense my _protégé_, had unwittingly stepped between +me and my hopes. + +Colonel Wimpleton would probably sleep soundly for a couple of hours, +at least, and I went to the office to request the landlord to look out +for him during my absence, and especially not to furnish him with any +more liquor, if he could possibly avoid it. + +“I’m going over to the Horse Shoe,” I began. + +“Didn’t you come down to join the party here?” he asked, interrupting +me. + +“What party?” + +“Why, the young gentlemen and young ladies.” + +“Whom do you mean?” + +“Mr. Toppleton and Mr. Wimpleton.” + +“Are they here?” I replied. + +“They have been here these two hours; the ladies longer than that.” + +“Who are the ladies?” + +“Miss Wimpleton and Miss Toppleton.” + +“Is Miss Wimpleton here?” I inquired, gaining a crumb of comfort from +the suggestion, for it might be Tommy and Minnie whose progressive +tendencies had excited the alarm of the colonel. + +“Yes, they are both here. They ordered dinner for six, but Tom Walton +seems to be the only other person present.” + +“Don’t tell them I am here, if you please,” I added. “I wouldn’t have +Waddie and his sister see their father in his present condition for +anything in the world.” + +“I never saw the colonel so bad before,” said the landlord, shaking his +head. + +“He will sleep it off, after a while, I hope,” I replied. “Then Waddie +and Tommy are not on the Horse Shoe?” + +“No; they were going there, and met with an accident.” + +“What was that?” I asked, with no little anxiety; for I could not +forget that Grace was one of the party. + +“The Raven upset in the squall this forenoon, and Miss Wimpleton came +pretty near getting drowned.” + +“Indeed! Was Miss Toppleton with her?” + +“No; she was in the Belle, with her brother. Tommy Toppleton jumped +overboard, and swam to Miss Wimpleton’s assistance, or it would have +been all over with her. Tom Walton picked them up. The ladies came +right over here, and my wife and daughters gave them some clothes, +while they dried and ironed their own.” + +“I am glad they got out of the scrape so well.” + +“They were lucky.” + +“I didn’t like the looks of that Raven, when she came down from +Hitaca,” I added. “She didn’t look as though she knew how to stay right +side up.” + +“Tom Walton says the boat is crank, but it was not her fault. The other +fellow with Waddie--” + +“Who was that?--Nick Van Wolter?” + +“Yes, that’s the one. He put three or four half hitches in the main +sheet, so that Waddie could not cast it off when the squall came up. +They sent him back with the Raven; and I reckon they wanted to get rid +of him,” said the landlord, with a sly twinkle in his eye. + +“Why so?” + +“I suppose they did not like the looks of him, after he had caused +the boat to be capsized,” laughed mine host. “But I reckon that Tommy +Toppleton is a little sweet with the Wimpleton girl, since he helped +her out of the water.” + +I did not care to encourage the landlord in speaking on this delicate +topic. I confess I was pleased to learn that there was nothing as yet +to implicate Waddie in the “courting.” I could not understand how +Colonel Wimpleton had obtained his hint of these proceedings. Possibly +he had no suggestion of them, except the fact that the party were at +the Springs. Waddie had sent Nick Van Wolter home with the Raven, but I +was confident she had not arrived when I left Centreport. I concluded +that the colonel’s suspicions simply grew out of his knowledge that his +son and daughter were with the son and daughter of his great enemy. + +I learned from the landlord that the party were then at dinner. I was +anxious to know more of the relations of the suspected lovers; but I +was fully determined to conceal from Waddie and his sister the fact +that their father was in the house. The Belle was my boat, and Tom +Walton had been running her on shares for me, intending to purchase her +as soon as he was able to do so. He regarded himself as under great +obligations to me, not only for the use of the boat, but because I had +given him employment during the winter on board of the steamer. I could +confide in him, and I asked the landlord to inform him privately that I +was in the house, and wished to see him as soon as he had finished his +dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +TOM WALTON EXPRESSES HIS OPINION. + + +I knew that the mention of my name would bring Tom Walton to me, for +he was one of the most devoted fellows in the world. He had a habit of +remembering what a friend had done for him, and the manifestation of +his gratitude was so profuse as to be rather embarrassing to me, for I +did not like to see any one so weighed down by the burden of obligation +as he appeared to be. I was in the room adjoining that in which I had +put the colonel to bed; for I dared not expose myself where it was +possible for Waddie, or any other member of the party except Tom, to +see me, when he came to me. + +“I didn’t expect to see you here, Wolf,” said he, his face lighted up +with the broad grin which usually expressed his satisfaction at passing +events. “Why don’t you come in and take some dinner with Waddie and +Tommy? I know they will be glad to see you.” + +“I should be very sorry to have them see me just now,” I replied. + +“Why, what’s the matter? What’s the row? Has anything broke?” he asked, +a shade of anxiety overspreading his face. + +“In a word, Tom, Colonel Wimpleton is as drunk as a beast, in the next +room.” + +“Whew!” said, or rather whistled, Tom, his eyes opening till they +looked like a couple of saucers. + +“Yes; and he came within about a quarter of an inch of being run over +and smashed by the train that brought us down.” + +“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Tom, with genuine feeling. + +“That’s so. I wouldn’t have Waddie or Miss Minnie see him now for all +the money that he is worth.” + +“But I didn’t know the colonel got so bad. I have heard people say he +drank till he was about how-came-you-so: I never knew he got right down +boozy.” + +“I never saw him so bad before,” I replied; “and I hope I never shall +again. It’s really horrible.” + +“What are you doing down here with him, if he is so much over the bay?” + +“He was not so bad when we started. He has been nursing on brandy ever +since we left Centreport, and now he don’t know himself from a bar of +yellow soap. He is asleep, and I hope he will come out of it all right. +I have emptied the contents of his bottle out the window.” + +“Good for you, Wolf!” said Tom, with an expressive grin. + +I then told him all that had passed between the colonel and myself +since he came into my state-room, on board of the steamer, dwelling +particularly on the suspicions which had induced the magnate to visit +Grass Springs. Tom smiled significantly as I proceeded, and I judged +from his expression that he understood the case perfectly. + +“Now, Tom, what does all this mean?” I asked, when I had finished the +narrative. + +“Well, I reckon the colonel is considerable more than half right,” +replied the skipper of the Belle, candidly. + +“You really think that Waddie and Miss Grace are interested in each +other,” I added, squarely, determined to know the worst, so far as I +was personally concerned, at once. + +“O, no! no! no!” protested Tom, vehemently, as his chin dropped down; +“I don’t mean anything of that sort.” + +He was much disturbed to think he had conveyed to me a wrong impression +on a subject that so deeply affected me. + +“What is it, then?” + +“It’s Tommy Toppleton and Miss Minnie;” and he proceeded to relate to +me the particulars of the upsetting of the Raven, and of the gallant +deed of Tommy. + +“There wasn’t the least need of jumping overboard; but Miss Minnie +thinks her life was saved by it, and she is as grateful as though +she had been pulled out of a burning fiery furnace. It’s none of my +business; so I don’t say anything to her about it. I think she likes +him, and he likes her. Between you and me, Wolf, she isn’t a bad +looking girl, and I don’t blame Tommy.” + +“But he has hardly ever met her before to-day,” I suggested. + +“I don’t care anything about that. Of course, they don’t say anything, +but I can tell by their looks which way the wind blows. I’ll bet the +biggest fish in the deepest water off Priam that something will come of +it.” + +“I don’t exactly understand how I took the idea from the colonel that +it was Grace and Waddie who were getting things mixed,” I added, +laughing, to assure Tom that I had no feeling about the matter. + +“O, no! Not a bit of it,” protested the skipper, earnestly, shaking +his head to emphasize his words. “Waddie behaves like a gentleman, of +course; but, between us, he knows better than to look sidewise at Miss +Grace.” + +“Why shouldn’t he, if he is disposed to do so?” + +“I reckon he knows a mill-stone from a hogshead of molasses,” replied +Tom, with his usual significant grin. “In the first place, he thinks +too much of you to try to go to sea in your boat.” + +“My boat?” + +“O, come, Wolf! What’s the use of beating to windward when you have a +fair breeze? You believe in Miss Grace, and she thinks a heap of you.” + +“We are very good friends; but she is the daughter of a wealthy man, +while I am the son of a mechanic,” I replied, rather gloomily. + +“I don’t care for that,” said Tom, with a show of indignation at the +vain distinctions of this world. “It will come out all right.” + +“I don’t know,” I answered, not caring to discuss the subject at any +greater length; “Colonel Wimpleton is very much disturbed about the +courting, as he calls it.” + +“How should he know anything about it?” demanded Tom, suddenly, as he +recalled the circumstances of the day. + +“I don’t know.” + +“Did that Nick Van Wolter tell him?” + +“No; he had not returned with the Raven when we left Centreport.” + +“If he did, I should be willing to break his head on my own account.” + +“I think the colonel ascertained that the girls had come down with the +boys, and imagined all the rest,” I suggested, giving the explanation +which I had myself adopted. + +“Well, he imagined it about right, then,” said Tom. + +“I am not sorry it is as you say; but I am afraid the affair will make +a good deal of trouble. When are you going back?” + +“Whenever my party says the word.” + +“Can’t you hurry them up?” I inquired, anxiously; for I did not like to +have Waddie and his sister in the house with their father, under the +present circumstances. + +“I don’t know but I can. They were going to the Horse Shoe this +afternoon,” answered Tom. “I have been looking for another shower +to-day, for ‘thunder in the morning bids the sailor take warning.’” + +There were as yet no signs of another shower, and the skipper left me +to ascertain whether his party intended to visit the Horse Shoe or not. +I carefully opened the door, and entered the colonel’s room. He was +still sleeping in the stupor of intoxication, and I left him. I wished +to be at Centreport in season to take the steamer at half past five, +but I was afraid my patient would not be in a condition to go home by +the last train. Tom soon returned to me with the intelligence that +his party would start in half an hour for the Horse Shoe. I did not +feel easy until I was assured by the landlord that they had actually +embarked on the Belle. + +Perhaps it was useless for me to attempt to conceal the father’s +infirmity from the children; but I believed that the colonel’s present +excess was exceptional, and I hoped he would not again indulge so +deeply. I could not endure the thought of witnessing the shame and +mortification of Waddie and Minnie, if compelled to encounter their +father in his intoxication. While I was considering this unpleasant +subject, I heard my patient in the next room, the door of which I had +left open, get out of the bed. I hastened into the apartment. The +colonel stood holding on at the bed-post, and looked confused and lost. +He glanced at me with a stare, and then a maudlin smile came upon his +lips, as though the events of the day had suddenly flashed upon his +mind, and he remembered where he was. + +“I feel a little better of that pain, Wolf,” said he; “but I haven’t +got quite over it.” + +“I am glad you feel better, sir,” I replied. + +“I’m better, but I am not well,” he continued, grasping his coat, which +I had hung on the bed-post. + +He wanted his flask again. He had partially recovered from the effect +of former drams, but he was not satisfied. He took the bottle from his +pocket. Of course he would discover that it was empty. I hoped that his +memory would not serve him in regard to the condition of the flask when +he last drank from it, for I was afraid he would suspect my agency in +emptying it. With some difficulty he unscrewed the stopple, and took a +tumbler from the wash-stand. He turned the bottle until it was inverted +over the glass, but not a drop came forth. His hands trembled, and his +frame quivered. Lowering the flask from the glass, he gazed as steadily +at me as his shaky condition would permit. He was angry, and I dreaded +his wrath. + +“Wolf, I left this flask half full of brandy,” said he, fixing a stern +gaze upon me. “It was very choice brandy, which my friend in Ruoara +gave me for sickness.” + +He paused, and continued to stare at me, with a savage frown on his +brow. It was useless for me to say anything, and I did not speak. + +“For sickness, Wolf,” repeated he. “I told you I was sick, and I take +brandy for it.” + +He stopped again, but I made no reply. + +“Did you empty this flask, Wolf?” demanded he, sternly. + +“I did, sir,” I answered, as gently as I could speak. + +“You did!” roared he. + +“Yes, sir; I did.” + +He dropped into a chair, though he did not for an instant remove his +gaze from me. I had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that I +had got into a bad scrape; but I had acted for the best. + +“You impudent puppy!” said he, grinding his teeth. + +I was silent and motionless. + +“Are you my guardian?” + +“I have tried to take care of you, sir.” + +“What do you mean by that?” he continued, after thinking a moment, +probably to determine the meaning of my words. + +I think he had sense enough to understand his own condition, though +doubtless he did not realize how helpless he had been. The fact that +I had emptied his flask assured him that I understood his situation +perfectly. He knew I had helped him into the bed. It is reasonable +to suppose that he was ashamed of himself, even after he had put in +the plea of sickness. But for the magnate of Centreport to be thus +humiliated before one whom he regarded as a dependant appeared to be +more than he could endure, and the thought stirred his ire. + +“I have done what I could for you, sir,” I replied, evasively. + +“What did you throw away my brandy--my medicine--for?” + +“Because I thought you had taken enough, sir,” I answered, finding that +it was useless for me to attempt to dodge the issue. + +“You did!” + +“Yes, sir. You were very much intoxicated,” I continued, mildly, but +firmly. + +He sprang to his feet with a celerity of which I had not believed him +capable; and I began to think it would be necessary for me to run for +life. He halted before me an instant, and then rushed out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A GENEROUS TIPPLER. + + +I was not anxious to quarrel with Colonel Wimpleton, for he carried too +many guns for me; but I followed him out of the apartment, keeping at a +respectful distance behind him. He went into the bar-room, and called +for brandy. The landlord, who was behind the counter, pretended not to +understand him, and began to speak of something else. + +“Brandy!” repeated the great man, in a loud and imperative tone. + +It was folly to attempt to refuse him, and the landlord promptly placed +the fire-water before his savage guest. The colonel poured out and +swallowed a large potion of the fiery fluid. Throwing down the payment +for the dram with a lordly air, he turned and departed from the room. +I stepped out of his way as he approached, concluding that my mission +was finished. I decided to take the dummy back to Middleport. The +colonel returned to his chamber, while I moved towards the outside +door. I did not wish to have a scene with him. I had, with what now +seemed to me unparalleled audacity, told him he was drunk. I expected +to be discharged from my position as captain of the steamer, and to be +annihilated at once. + +“Wolf!” shouted he from his room. + +I was not absolutely afraid of him, though I dreaded his violence. I +went to the door of his apartment, and entered. He sat on the bed, +and looked up at me. He did not appear to be as savage as before. The +heavy dram he had just taken was beginning to have its effect, and his +expression was rather maudlin and silly than stern. + +“If you have no further occasion for me, I think I will return to +Middleport by the dummy.” + +“Don’t go. I want you,” said he. “You said I was drunk.” + +“Yes, sir; I did say so; but only to explain what I had done.” + +“Do you mean to say I _was_ drunk, Wolf?” + +“Yes, sir; I have no doubt of it,” I replied, with a candor which +astonished myself. + +“You are the first person that ever told me I was drunk.” + +“I hope it will be the last time any one will have occasion to say so, +sir.” + +“Don’t preach to me, Wolf. You are a very proper young man, but I never +let any one preach to me. You say I _was_ drunk.” + +“Yes, sir; and you are drunk now.” + +“Now?” he repeated, with a silly laugh. + +“Yes, sir. You fell down between the rails this afternoon, and the +train came very near backing over you. When you arrived here you +couldn’t possibly stand up,” I answered, as honestly as though I had +been his social equal. + +I was amazed at my own temerity; but I had already incurred his +displeasure, and with the possibility of opening his eyes to the +scandal of his beastly conduct, I made up my mind that I might as well +be hanged for an old sheep as a lamb, and that it should not be my +fault if he did not thoroughly comprehend his disgraceful situation. + +“What has become of Waddie and that girl?” he inquired. + +“What girl?” + +“Why, the Toppleton girl.” + +“They have gone to the Horse Shoe, sir; but they were in the house when +you arrived.” + +“Were they? Why didn’t you tell me of it?” + +“I would not have had them see you as you were then for all you are +worth.” + +He pursed up his lips, as he had a habit of doing when he was vexed or +chagrined, and gazed upon the floor. + +“You think I was drunk--do you, Wolf?” + +“I know you were, sir; and I took you into this room, and put you +to bed. I kept you out of sight of Waddie and Miss Minnie, and told +the landlord not to tell any one you were here,” I continued, with +considerable spirit. + +“Did you say you thought I was drunk, Wolf?” repeated he again. + +“I am entirely satisfied that you were--beastly drunk,” I answered, +resolved, if there was any sense at all in him, that he should not +misunderstand me. + +“Wolf, bring me a pen and ink,” he added, after gazing at the floor a +while. + +“Don’t you think you had better lie down and take another nap, sir?” + +“Bring me a pen and ink, I say.” + +“I think you had better lie down.” + +“Will you bring me a pen and ink, or shall I go myself for them?” said +he, sharply. + +I did not think he could use a pen if I brought one, and I could not +imagine what he wished to write. I had no success in evading his +requests, and I went to the office for pen and ink. I placed the +articles upon the table, and wondered what was to be done. The colonel +rose from his seat on the bed, and bracing up his nerves, walked +tolerably straight across the floor, seating himself at the table. + +“Don’t you want some paper, sir?” + +“No; bring me my coat,” he replied. + +I handed him the garment, and he took from one of the pockets of it +a small, narrow book, which he opened upon the table. I was in hopes +he intended to write a temperance pledge, or something of that sort. +He dipped the pen in the ink, and, with a convulsive effort, began to +write. I saw that the little volume before him was a pocket check-book. +He wrote what I supposed to be the date, for I was not impolite enough +to look over his shoulder. + +“Wolf, do you say, upon your honor, that you thought I was drunk?” said +he, turning around, and looking me full in the face, as though there +was still a doubt upon the point. + +“I know you were, sir; but if you think I am mistaken, I will call the +landlord.” + +“Did he see me, too?” + +“He couldn’t well help seeing you.” + +“It’s a mistake, Wolf. I never was drunk in my life,” muttered he, in a +lower tone, as he wrote in the check-book. + +I could form no very accurate idea of the current of thought which was +passing in his mind. The fury of his wrath had suddenly abated, though +I had told him the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I could not +imagine for what purpose he was drawing a check, unless it was to pay +my wages, and discharge me from his service. He wrote very rapidly, and +by jerks, apparently taking advantage of momentary periods, when his +nerves were more quiet. He finished the writing, after he had regularly +made the memoranda in the margin to indicate the amount and the payee +of the check. It was marvellous to me that he could write at all, and +especially so that he was able to go through all the business forms so +correctly. He tore the check from the book, and with a very peculiar +smile on his face, thrust it out at arm’s length towards me. + +“Take that, Wolf,” said he, the drunken leer on his face becoming more +intense. + +“What is it, sir?” + +“Take it.” + +I obeyed him. It was a check for ten thousand dollars, payable to Wolf +Penniman or bearer. I was astonished and bewildered. + +“What is this for, sir?” I inquired. + +“You can draw the money at the Centreport Bank,” he replied. + +“I do not understand you, Colonel Wimpleton.” + +“I make you a present of ten thousand dollars, Wolf; can’t you +understand that;” said he, the leer on his face deepening to a laugh. + +“What is it for, sir?” + +“That’s what I owe you, Wolf.” + +“I think not.” + +“O, I do,” protested he, vehemently; “you saved my life once, but I +never gave you a dollar for it.” + +“But you gave me the command of the steamer, sir.” + +“No matter for that. You beat the Lake Shore Line in her, and put twice +that sum of money into my pocket by it. The money is yours, Wolf. Now +don’t say another word about it.” + +What was the magnate thinking about? What had given him this sudden fit +of generosity? A few moments before, he had been angry with me; now he +had gone to the other extreme. But the man was intoxicated. I did not +regard the check as mine, for it was the gift of a man not in his right +mind. It was a princely sum for a young person in my situation; but the +thought that the money would ever come into my possession did not occur +to me. + +“Now, Wolf, you are my friend,” said he. “If you think I’m drunk, a +friend must bear a friend’s infirmities--humor them, and try to hide +them. Do you understand me, Wolf?” + +“Is this the price of my silence in regard to the events of to-day?” +I asked, beginning to think that this was the solution of his +extraordinary generosity. + +“No, no; by no means!” protested he. “It’s only just what I ought to do +for all you have done for me, and for Waddie.” + +“But I cannot take this, sir. Your secret, so far as it is a secret, is +safe in my keeping. I have prevented you from being seen by Waddie and +Minnie.” + +“I say, Wolf, you shall keep it,” he replied, with an oath, as he +brought his fist down upon the table with such force as to make the ink +fly from the inkstand. + +It was useless to contend, and I did not attempt to oppose him. + +“I would rather have your name to another paper than to this one,” +I replied, rather jocosely, as I laid the check upon the table, and +pointed to it with my finger. + +“What’s that, Wolf?” he demanded, with excited interest. “Bring the +paper. Let me see it.” + +I took the blank sheet of a letter from my pocket, and wrote as +follows: “I promise, on the honor of a man and a gentleman, to abstain +entirely from the use of intoxicating drinks, unless prescribed by a +physician.” I pushed the paper across the table to him. Adjusting his +eye-glass, he read it. + +“I would rather have your name to that paper than to this,” I repeated, +pointing to the check, and pushing it towards him. + +“Do you mean to insult me, Wolf?” demanded he, sternly. + +“By no means, sir,” I replied, fearful that I had gone too far. “I mean +exactly what I say.” + +Taking the paper from the table, he indignantly tore it into very small +pieces, and then, rushing to the window, threw them out. + +“I am not an idiot! I am not a child!” protested he. “I know what I am +about, you see.” + +“I did not mean to offend you, sir.” + +“You have the check. We will change the subject,” he added, with an +attempt to put on his dignity. “I am not offended. Now, where is +Waddie?” + +“On the Horse Shoe, I suppose, unless he has left for home.” + +“Is the Toppleton girl with him?” + +“I believe she is.” + +“Courting!” sneered he. “I won’t have it! No, I won’t!” + +“I assure you, sir, that you are entirely mistaken. I have seen Tom +Walton, who has been with them all day, and he says Waddie behaves like +a gentleman to Miss Toppleton, and nothing more.” + +“But they are together.” + +“You have nothing to fear from Waddie, if they are.” + +“I am going over to the Horse Shoe, Wolf. I’m going to stop this thing +before it goes any farther,” said he, rising, and putting on his coat. + +“I hope you will not, sir,” I interposed. + +“I will.” + +“I cannot keep your secret, if you expose yourself.” + +“I am as regular as you are, Wolf;” and he went out of the room by the +door opening into the entry. + +I followed him, determined that he should not go to the Horse Shoe, if +I could possibly prevent him from doing so. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ANOTHER CALAMITY. + + +It was not easy to prevent a man like Colonel Wimpleton from having +his own way. He was not nearly so bad as he had been before he went to +bed; but he was still in no condition to exhibit himself to his son and +daughter. He went to the landlord and paid the bill. He then produced +his flask, and demanded that it should be filled. The hotel-keeper +demurred, and did not sell liquor except by the glass; but the colonel +began to storm and swear, and he was obliged to comply. + +Just then I happened to think that I had left the check the colonel +had given me on the table, in the room he had occupied, and I hastened +to get it; for, though I did not mean to use it myself, I did not +intend that any one else should do so. It was not where I had left it, +or where I supposed I had left it. It was not on the table, and it +was not on the floor. In a word, I could not find it, though I made a +diligent search in every part of the room, thinking the wind might have +blown it from the table. The door of the adjoining room, where I had +remained a portion of the time, was open, and I passed through this +apartment into the entry. + +I searched my pockets, thinking I might possibly have deposited it +in one of them, while I was talking with the colonel. The last time +I remembered to have noticed it, was when I pointed to it, after the +tipsy great man had read the paper I wrote. Then the conversation +became rather exciting to me, and I walked across the room several +times. It was possible that the colonel had torn up both the check and +the pledge at the same time. + +“Where are you, Wolf? I’m looking for you,” said the colonel, appearing +at the entry door. + +“Did you tear up the check you wrote, sir?” + +“The check?” repeated he, evidently trying to stimulate his memory. + +“You wrote a check for ten thousand dollars in my favor, and handed it +to me.” + +“Yes, of course; I know that,” replied he, impatiently, as though my +statement implied that he had not known what he was about when he did +the generous act. “I was trying to think whether I tore it up with the +other paper. I didn’t mean to tear it up; and if I did, I will give you +another.” + +“I cannot find it anywhere,” I added. + +“Then, of course, I destroyed it with the other paper. I will give you +another just like it,” said he, dropping into the chair before the +table. + +“I would not write another now, sir,” I interposed. “Perhaps I may find +the other, or at least the pieces of it, if you tore it up.” + +I did not regard the check as of any consequence to me, under the +circumstances; but it was possible, if it fell into the hands of some +other person, that an improper use might be made of it; and for this +reason only was I anxious to ascertain what had become of it. I left +the colonel sitting at the table, and went out doors to see if I could +find any of the pieces of the check. The window, from which he had +thrown the fragments of paper, opened into an alley between the hotel +and the adjoining building, through which the wind blew quite sharply. +I could not find even a single piece of either paper; but I continued +the search at the leeward of the hotel. I found two or three pieces +of the paper I had written, on the railroad; but the rest of them had +probably gone into the lake. I was no wiser than before; but I was +forced to conclude that, as I could not find the check, the colonel +must have destroyed it with the other paper. Both of them had lain on +the table, within his reach, for I remembered that I had pushed the +check towards him, when I told him I would rather have his name on the +pledge I had written. If the valuable little paper was destroyed, it +was all right, and I need trouble myself no more about it. + +“Hallo, Wolf.” + +I turned. It was Nick Van Wolter. + +“How are you, Nick?” I replied. + +“What are you looking for, Wolf?” + +I did not deem it necessary to inform him what I was looking for; so I +did not give him a direct answer. + +“Where is the colonel? I heard he was on a regular bat!” asked Nick, +with a coarse grin. + +“He is at the hotel.” + +“The landlord told me he was there,” continued Nick. “You see, I was +mixed up in this business down here this morning. After the Raven +upset, Waddie sent me home in her. I got to Centreport just as the +steamer was going out, and I went on board of her, and came down as +far as Ruoara. My father told me that the colonel was on a regular +bat,”--by which I understood him to mean a spree. “He said you had +crossed the lake with him, and that something was said about going to +Grass Springs. I was a little curious to know what was going on, as I +was with the party this morning.” + +I could not exactly see why Nick had volunteered this explanation. + +“Did you think the colonel was after the party?” I inquired. + +“From what my father said, I supposed he was.” + +Then the mate had understood Colonel Wimpleton much better than I +could, before we left the Ucayga, which seemed a little odd to me. + +“What did your father say?” I asked. + +“He said the colonel was on a regular bat, and that he was mad. I knew +the fellows and girls went off together, and I concluded the colonel +had found it out, and that was what made him mad. I didn’t want to +have Waddie get into any scrape with his father when he was a little +over the bay; for you know the colonel isn’t exactly a saint when he +is all right, and I suppose he isn’t any better when he is tight. So +I took a boat at Ruoara, and sailed over this way. I saw the party on +the island, though I didn’t go very near it, for I didn’t want them to +see me, unless it was necessary. I saw the colonel was not there; so I +came over here, and found he was at the hotel. I thought, if there was +any danger of his going over to the Horse Shoe, I would see Waddie in +season to tip him the wink. You understand me, Wolf?” + +“Yes, I understand.” + +“You see, if the colonel caught Waddie and Miss Minnie with Tom and his +sister, he would raise Cain with them.” + +“I do not think that he would trouble them under ordinary +circumstances,” I replied. + +“O, yes, he would!” protested Nick, who, strangely enough, as I +thought, seemed to know more about the matter than I did. + +“Certainly he suspects some mischief to-day, though I do not understand +why he should. He insists upon going over to the Horse Shoe, Nick; and +I don’t know that I can prevent him from doing so. You have a boat +here?” + +“Yes; the one I hired at Ruoara.” + +“If you will go over to the Horse Shoe, as you return, and give them a +hint that Colonel Wimpleton is after them, I will be very much obliged +to you.” + +“O, I will do that, certainly,” replied the obliging Nick. + +“Don’t say a word about his being out of the way.” + +“No; certainly not,” answered he, with a prudent shake of the head. + +“You understand the case as well as I do, and you must manage it as +best you can.” + +“I’ll go right over;” and he hastened towards the landing, which was a +short distance up the lake. + +I returned to the hotel, abundantly satisfied with the arrangement I +had made. While I could not exactly understand how Nick happened so +accurately to divine the object of the colonel’s visit to the Springs, +I was willing to admit that it was very kind of him to endeavor to save +Waddie and Minnie from the wrath of their tipsy father. I found the +colonel still seated at the table, though I was soon convinced that +he had not been there all the time of my absence; for his limbs were +more unsteady, and his voice thicker, than when I had left him. He had +evidently taken another dram. + +“There’s another check, Wolf,” said he, handing me a duplicate of the +former one, which, I noticed, was regularly numbered, as the first had +been. + +“I didn’t mean to destroy the other.” + +“Perhaps you did not, sir; though I cannot find it.” + +“No matter; put the check in your pocket. Now take me over to the Horse +Shoe, and I will put an end to this courting business.” + +“I think it is rather late to go there to-night; and it looks a little +like another shower,” I replied. + +“Don’t talk to me, Wolf! I say I’m going to the Horse Shoe.” + +It was useless to contend, and I accompanied him down to the public +landing. As I had sent Nick forward to warn the party of the approach +of the colonel, I was satisfied there would be no scene that day. The +only boat I could obtain at the landing was a small bateau, very frail +and unsteady for such a burden as I had to carry. I objected to using +it, but Colonel Wimpleton declared it would do very well, and insisted +that I should row him over to the island. I deemed it dangerous to do +so, and I tried to deter him; but he was as obstinate as usual, and all +the more obstinate for being intoxicated. Very reluctantly I helped him +into the bateau, and soon repented that I had not absolutely refused to +go with him. + +While I was getting ready, I had occasion to regret that his flask had +been refilled, for he took a long draught from it. When he had with +great difficulty taken his seat in the stern of the boat, I pushed +off. I saw nothing of the Belle, though the boat in which Nick had +come from Ruoara lay on the shore of the island, where he had landed +to communicate with the party. Another shower was coming up from the +south-west, and I thought our chances for getting a ducking were very +good. The last dram of my passenger had begun to produce its effect, +and he swayed to and fro on his unsteady seat, and I regretted very +much that I had consented to come with him. + +When I had pulled about two thirds of the distance to the Horse Shoe, +I saw the Belle standing out from the deep channel, on the other +side of the island. Nick had delivered his message, and the peril of +a disagreeable encounter was avoided. I called the attention of the +colonel to the fact that the party had left the Horse Shoe, hoping +he would permit me to row back to Grass Springs. Unfortunately, the +intelligence produced a different effect upon him, and roused his anger. + +“Stop zem, Wolf! Stop zem!” said he, angrily. + +I did hail the Belle, but no notice was taken of my call. + +“Pull for zat boat,” added he, pointing to the Belle. + +He did not know what he was about, and I decided not to heed his +requests. Nick had now embarked in his sail-boat, and in order to +double the southern part of the island, was obliged to stand out +towards my craft. + +“Why don’t you do dzi tell you, Wolf?” demanded the colonel, rising in +the boat as though he intended to come at me. + +His legs yielded beneath him, and he dropped upon the rail of the +bateau, careening the frail skiff till the water poured in over the +side. Before I could get hold of him, he rolled over into the lake, I +was horror-struck, for it was no easy matter to rescue a heavy man, as +tipsy as he was. + +[Illustration: COLONEL WIMPLETON SLIPS.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +AFTER THE ACCIDENT. + + +My skiff was nearly full of water, which rendered it quite +unmanageable. In my attempt to save Colonel Wimpleton before he went +into the water, I had lost both oars overboard. There was no romance +in leaping into the lake after a tipsy man, and there were two chances +that he would drown me to one that I should save him. I did not +consider such a movement on my part as hopeful, and therefore I did not +make it. I simply endeavored to recover my oars, and back the boat so +that the struggling magnate could get hold of it. + +The colonel floundered and fought the destroying element with mad +zeal; but of course the more he labored the worse it was for him. It +was evident that he could not hold out long, and what was done must be +quickly done, or it would be too late. One of my oars floated on the +water not six feet from me, but I could not move the boat, for the want +of anything like a paddle. I coiled up the painter, and threw it so +that the end dropped beyond the oar. I pulled in, but the line slipped +over it. I then tied a heavy bunch of keys I had in my pocket to the +end of the painter, and tried again. This effort was successful, and I +hauled in the oar till I could reach it with my hand. + +I placed it in the stern, heaved the skiff round, and sculled with all +my might towards the drowning magnate; but the boat rolled, and dipped +the water over her gunwale, so that I made little or no progress. My +heart was in my mouth, and I was almost certain the colonel would +drown, when Nick Van Wolter’s boat dashed by me. The helm was put +hard down, and, as the craft came up into the wind, Nick sprang into +the bow. He certainly managed the matter exceedingly well, whatever +bungling he had done earlier in the day. Reaching down, he seized the +drowning magnate by the collar of his coat with both hands, and held on +with all his might. + +If Colonel Wimpleton had been sober, he would not have fallen into the +water; but if he had fallen overboard being sober, and had remained in +the water so long, he would certainly have been drowned, for drunken +men seem to have a remarkable facility for escaping from perils which +overwhelm men in their right mind. Nick held on to his helpless burden +like a good fellow, and I struggled to urge forward my water-logged +boat, so as to render him some assistance. The skiff and the oars had +drifted some distance from the spot, and my efforts were absolutely +vain. + +“Hurry up, Wolf!” shouted Nick, with a gasp, extorted from him by the +weight of his burden. + +“My skiff is full of water, and I can’t do anything with it,” I replied. + +Taking the oar from the stern, I tried to paddle the skiff. I succeeded +better, but my progress was very slow. I saw Nick make a tremendous +effort to haul in the colonel. He stood upon the gunwale of the boat, +and as he lifted with all his strength, the craft careened, and he +dragged the shoulders of his burden up to the rail. Falling back +himself as he gained in his task, the boat righted a little, and +assisted in lifting the heavy load. After pausing a moment to recover +his breath, he renewed the effort, and, to my great satisfaction, he +hauled the colonel into the boat, just as I came within a painter’s +length of him. + +“Catch this rope, Nick,” I called to him, as I coiled up my painter, +ready to toss it to him. + +But Nick had sunk down upon the thwart, overcome by the violence of +his efforts. So I paddled away again with the oar, and at last came +alongside the sail-boat. I jumped aboard, and hastened to ascertain the +condition of the colonel. It seemed to me he must be filled with water; +but perhaps the natural repulsion of the pure element for the viler one +with which he was thoroughly saturated, saved him. Of course the severe +ordeal to which he had been subjected nullified the effects of the +brandy he had drank. Nick had placed him upon a seat, but he was unable +to sit up. He had not lost his senses, strange as it may seem; but he +was completely exhausted by the violence of his struggles. + +“How do you feel, Colonel Wimpleton?” I asked. + +He made me no reply, though he looked up at me. I took my handkerchief, +wiped his face and head, and rubbed his temples. He began to shiver +with the chill of his cold bath, and to throw up the water he had +swallowed. He was rather stupid, and did not answer any of the +questions I put to him. By this time Nick had recovered in a measure +from his exhaustion, and wanted to do something more for the comfort of +the great man he had saved. + +“What shall we do, Wolf?” asked he. + +“Run for Grass Springs,” I replied. + +He hauled in the sheet, and put the helm up, heading the boat to the +point I suggested. + +“That was a narrow escape for the colonel,” added Nick, in a low tone, +as he glanced at the sufferer on the seat. + +“Yes, it was. You came just at the right time. My skiff was full of +water, and I could not get along. I lost my oars when the colonel went +over.” + +“How did it happen?” + +I shook my head slightly, to indicate that we had better not discuss +this matter in the presence of the colonel. Seeing that the skiff, +whose painter I had made fast to the sail-boat, retarded her progress, +I cast it off, and let it go adrift. There was a fair breeze, and the +craft made good time through the water; but nearly half an hour must +elapse before we could reach Grass Springs, which was about two miles +distant. I placed myself by the side of the colonel, and began to rub +him again; but a gesture of impatience indicated that he disliked the +operation, and I desisted. But I had the satisfaction of seeing that +he was steadily improving. He had a fit of coughing, during which he +relieved himself of much of the water he had swallowed during his +struggles. + +“How do you feel, colonel?” I inquired, when he had recovered from the +fit. + +“A little better,” he replied, raising his hand to his breast pocket. + +He took out his brandy flask, and attempted to remove the stopple; but +his trembling hands refused to perform the task. + +“Let me open it for you,” I interposed. + +If brandy is ever good for anything, it is for a person in his +condition. At first he was not disposed to let me take the flask. + +“I think you need a little now. It will do you good,” I added. + +Then he permitted me to take the bottle, and I unscrewed the top. +Pouring a quantity of it into the cup, which formed the lower part of +the flask, I offered it to him. He looked into it, and held it out to +me. + +“Put more in,” said he. + +I obeyed him, and filled the cup nearly full. + +“Will you have some water with it?” I inquired. + +“No;” and he drank it off, or rather poured it down his throat. + +I have no doubt it warmed his stomach, and afforded him immediate +relief from the intense chill which pervaded his frame. At any rate, +he ceased to shiver. Before we reached the shore, he took another, but +smaller dose, and then declared that he was quite comfortable. + +By this time the Belle was off Ruoara, and I concluded that those +on board of her were in happy ignorance of the alarming event which +had just transpired. When I had first seen her, she was beating +towards home, and at the time of the accident she had run behind the +southern point of the Horse Shoe. It was very fortunate that we had not +been seen, for Waddie and his sister were again spared the pain and +mortification of beholding their father in the most pitiable condition +to which a man can be reduced. + +As soon as we landed I procured a carriage, and we conveyed the colonel +to the hotel. The landlord provided dry clothing for him, and we +rubbed his limbs with flannel till the circulation was restored. He +continued to drink brandy, but it did not seem to have so powerful an +effect upon him as before his involuntary bath. Though he did not say +anything about the exciting event of the day, I have no doubt he kept +up a tremendous thinking. In the evening, after his clothes had been +dried, and he had eaten his supper, he said he wanted to go home. He +consented, at Nick’s suggestion, to go to Ruoara in the boat in which +the latter had come from that place, and we embarked just after dark. +We borrowed a heavy overcoat for him, and he kept warm on the passage, +which, in the fresh breeze we had, was made in an hour and a quarter. + +At Ruoara I procured a carriage and a pair of fast horses; but it was +eleven o’clock when we reached the colonel’s mansion in Centreport. He +invited us to go in on our arrival, and led the way to the library. His +family had all retired, for he was frequently away nights, and they had +learned not to sit up for him. + +“I suppose all this will be in the newspapers by to-morrow, or next +day,” said the colonel, as he seated himself before the fire he had +ordered John, his man, to make. + +“No, sir, not at all!” protested Nick. “We didn’t even tell the +landlord over to the hotel at Grass Springs what had happened to +you--did we, Wolf?” + +“We did not. I am not aware that any one except ourselves knows +anything about it,” I replied. + +“And no one ever shall,” added Nick, looking at me, and evidently +speaking for both of us. + +“Certainly not,” I answered. “If there is nothing more that I can do +for you to-night, Colonel Wimpleton, I believe I will go home.” + +“You can sleep here, Wolf,” suggested the colonel. + +“I thank you, sir; but I think I will go home,” I replied; and, bidding +him good night, I left the house. + +I had a skiff at the wharf, in which I pulled across the lake. It was +after midnight when I reached my father’s house. My mother let me in, +and of course she wanted to know where I had been. I simply replied +that I had been to Grass Springs with Colonel Wimpleton, evading all +her inquiries in regard to the object of the visit. I went to my room +immediately. When I put my hand in my vest pocket for the key of my +watch, which it was my custom to wind on retiring, I felt the duplicate +check which my employer had given me. I took it out, and unfolded it. +The paper was written in due form, and I had no doubt it was good for +the ten thousand dollars for which it was drawn. + +The check had been given me by an intoxicated man. It was not possible +that he would have done so absurd a thing if he had been sober. +Certainly it was not morally right for me to take advantage of his +great infirmity. Though the donor could give me this large sum, and +not feel the loss, yet it seemed to be nothing less than robbery to use +the check. It would be base and dishonorable in me to hold him to a +promise given in his inebriation. I might lose the check if I kept it, +and another might find it who had less scruples. If I left it at home, +my father and mother might discover it, and desire an explanation, +which I could not give. + +Rather impulsively, I folded up the check, lighted it at the lamp, and +threw it into the fireplace. I watched the paper till it was entirely +consumed, and then scattered and ground up with my foot the tinder +which was left. Having thus prevented the check from doing any mischief +in the future, I went to bed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +“THE OCCURRENCES OF YESTERDAY.” + + +The next morning, at eight o’clock, my father and I crossed the lake to +perform our daily duties on board of the steamer, which arrived from +Hitaca at half past eight. I could not help thinking of the stirring +events of the previous day, and I was anxious to learn whether the +colonel had suffered any serious injury in consequence of his bath, and +more especially in consequence of the inordinate quantity of brandy he +had drank. While I was waiting for the arrival of the Ucayga, Waddie +came down the wharf, and, as he walked with a brisk step directly +towards me, I had no doubt his mission there was with me. + +“How are you this morning, Wolf?” said he. + +“All right. How is it with you, after the disaster of yesterday?” I +inquired. + +“I’m all right, except my shoulder, which don’t feel quite so well +to-day. My mother thinks I took a little cold in it.” + +“How is your sister? I hope she don’t suffer any on account of her +bath.” + +“O, no! She is as bright as a dollar this morning. By the great horn +spoon, it was a close shave she made of it! Tom Walton may say what he +pleases, but I believe, if Tommy Toppleton hadn’t swam after her, she +would have been drowned, for she says she was sinking when he got hold +of her.” + +“You must have a safer boat, Waddie, if your sister is going to sail +with you,” I added. “I didn’t quite like the looks of the craft the +other day, when I saw her.” + +“The Raven is safe enough. She may be a little crank, but she can +outsail anything on the lake. It wasn’t her fault that she upset +yesterday. Any boat would have gone over treated as she was;” and he +proceeded to explain the circumstances implicating Nick Van Wolter, +which have already been stated. + +“Now, what was the matter with my father yesterday, Wolf?” asked +Waddie; but he looked so good-natured about it that I was sure he did +not suspect the mortifying truth. “You went up to Grass Springs with +him, in search of our party.” + +“I did. Your father suspected that you and Grace, and Tommy and Miss +Wimpleton, were becoming too well acquainted.” + +“Grace and I!” laughed Waddie, opening his eyes. “You can tell him from +me that there isn’t a particle of truth in that.” + +His earnest declaration removed the last doubt that disturbed me. + +“I don’t know where he obtained his information, if he did obtain any, +but he was very much incensed against you.” + +“Perhaps there will be a regular breeze one of these days, for I think +myself that Tommy and Minnie like each other pretty well,” added +Waddie, lightly. “That’s their business, not mine. Of course, I don’t +mean to say that anything will come of it; but I shouldn’t be surprised +if it did amount to something.” + +“Have you seen your father this morning?” I inquired, with more +interest than I was willing to manifest. + +“No; he had not got up when I left the house. I expect he will talk to +me very seriously about yesterday; but I shall only answer for myself.” + +“There is not much to say,” I replied. + +“When he gets at the fact, as I understand it, I’m afraid poor Minnie +will have to take it; but we won’t borrow any trouble. I must go to +school now. Of course you won’t tell him what I say about Tom and +Minnie.” + +“Certainly not.” + +He left me. I wanted to ask him several questions in relation to his +father; but I was fearful of exposing the colonel, or awakening the +curiosity of the son. It was plain enough that he had no idea of what a +debauch his father had been on the day before. Those who had heard of +the great man’s narrow escape on the railroad were considerate enough +not to mention it in Waddie’s presence. I had not time to call upon the +colonel, even if it had been proper for me to do so, at this early hour +in the morning. The Ucayga was coming in sight from behind the Gulfport +Point. + +“Captain Penniman, Colonel Wimpleton told me to deliver this note to +you before you left,” said the magnate’s man servant, handing me the +epistle. + +I took it, and saw that it was directed in the well-known handwriting +of the colonel. He seldom wrote notes to me, and this one, after the +events which had transpired the day before, excited my curiosity and +interest. I tore open the envelope, and, as I read its contents, my +heart rose into my throat. Before I had finished it, I made up my mind +that if I had ever supposed I understood the character of Colonel +Wimpleton, I was entirely mistaken. The letter was as follows:-- + + “WOLF PENNIMAN: After the occurrences of yesterday, I can no longer + retain you in my employ as the master of the steamboat. It is not + necessary to explain any further than to say that I feel compelled to + discharge you from your place. You need not trouble yourself to call + upon me, for I shall not see you; and henceforward you will regard me + as a stranger, as I shall regard you. + + “Your father may still retain his place as engineer. He is a + faithful man, and I hope he will remain where he is. + + “If you have that high sense of honor for which people give you + credit, you will still regard what passed between us yesterday as + confidential, especially after the consideration I gave you, and + which, I will add, shall not be dishonored. + + WIMPLETON.” + +I will not say I was stunned or overwhelmed by the contents of this +letter; but I was astounded. It was incomprehensible to me. I could +not understand it. I had left the colonel just before midnight, and +we were then apparently on as good terms as ever. He had expressed no +dissatisfaction at anything I had done. I read the note a second and a +third time; but it still afforded me no intimation of what wicked thing +I had done to deserve such harsh treatment. + +“What have you there, Wolf?” asked my father, who stood near me. + +“A letter from Colonel Wimpleton,” I replied, handing it to him. + +He read it, and was more astounded even than I had been. I had been +regarded as a necessity to the magnate of Centreport; but now I was +discharged without a word of explanation, with the assurance beforehand +that he would not even see me. + +“Why, what does this mean, Wolf?” demanded my father; and I think I +never saw him look more anxious and disturbed in my life. + +“You know as much about it as I do, father,” I replied. + +“No, I don’t. I can’t tell what he means by the occurrences of +yesterday.” + +“They had nothing whatever to do with the steamer.” + +“Wolf, there is some terrible secret under this.” + +“Indeed there is not, father,” I protested. “I have done nothing which +I should be ashamed to have published in the newspapers.” + +“I don’t say that you have,” answered my father, as the Ucayga came up +to the wharf, and made fast. “I must know more about this.” + +“There are certain occurrences which I cannot mention to any one; but I +think of nothing to explain this note. When I left Colonel Wimpleton’s +house, at nearly midnight, we were as good friends as ever. I have no +idea why I am discharged.” + +“I’m not satisfied, Wolf.” + +“Neither am I; but the colonel informs me that he will give no +explanation, and I suppose I may as well make the best of it.” + +“I want to talk with you. Can’t you go down to Ucayga in the boat?” + +“I have no objection, if the colonel has not.” + +I saw the same servant who had delivered the note to me hasten on board +the Ucayga as soon as the plank was laid down. He had a letter in his +hand, which I saw him give to Van Wolter. As soon as the passengers +landed I went on board of the boat. The first person I met was the mate. + +“What’s going on, Captain Penniman?” said he, in high excitement. + +“I only know that I am dismissed,” I answered. + +“Read that,” he added, handing me his letter. + +It simply informed him that he was appointed captain of the steamer, +at the same salary I had received, and that he would enter upon the +discharge of his duties immediately. + +“What’s the trouble, Captain Penniman?” asked he, as I returned the +letter. + +“I haven’t the least idea, Captain Van Wolter,” I replied; and by this +time I had fully recovered my self-possession. + +“This is all new to me. I never asked to be appointed captain of this +boat, and never expected the place,” he continued. + +“I am satisfied you did not. I congratulate you upon your promotion, +with all my heart; and I hope you will retain the place longer than I +did.” + +“I thank you, captain; but I don’t feel just right about it,” said +he; and really he did not seem to be half so much elated at his good +fortune as I should have been. “You have always been a good friend of +mine, and I don’t exactly like to step into your boots in this manner.” + +“Don’t be at all concerned about that. The colonel has his whims, and I +suppose he can afford to have them, whoever suffers thereby. Take the +place, and do your duty in the future, as you have in the past.” + +“You are very kind, Captain Penniman. Of course I should like the +place; but I don’t wish to have you shoved out of it. I am tempted to +decline it.” + +“Don’t do that.” + +“I’m not sure that I can take the boat through the Horse Shoe Channel. +You know I never tried it. Yesterday afternoon I went around the South +Shoe, and came within half a minute of losing the trains.” + +“I will go down with you on this trip, and give you the bearings,” I +replied. + +“You are a Christian, Wolf, if there ever was one. It is time to be +off, and we will talk over the matter on the way down.” + +While he was starting the boat I went into the state-room,--no longer +mine,--and seated myself to think over the mighty event of the hour. +Why had the colonel discharged me? I had told him the plain truth in +regard to his condition. I had spoken to him as directly as Nathan did +to David when he said, “Thou art the man.” I had declared to him, in +so many words, that he was drunk. Perhaps the remembrance of my plain +speech was too humiliating when he was sober. It was possible that +he thought I was assuming too much. As I recalled his words and his +actions, his efforts to disguise his condition, and his ridiculous +attempt to purchase my silence, I concluded that I had solved the +problem. + +No doubt the colonel was ashamed of himself, and he could not endure +the reflection that any human being, and especially one whom he +regarded as his dependant, had dared to tell him he was intoxicated. +The note indicated wounded pride in its tone. I was willing to +accept this explanation, for I could think of no other. The colonel +was certainly considerate towards my father; and this favor, with +the check, which he took pains to say would not be dishonored, was +doubtless deemed sufficient to conciliate me, and keep me from exposing +the secrets of the chamber at the hotel in Grass Springs. The note +was mild in its terms; and perhaps the writer thought that, with +ten thousand dollars in my pocket, I should not take a place on the +railroad line. + +While I was thinking of the matter, my father, who had asked Christy +Holgate to take charge of the engine on his down trip, came into the +room, and seated himself before me. He was very much agitated; and the +fact that he had not been discharged did not close his eyes to the vast +injustice which had been done to me. He wanted the matter settled at +once, and he would not run the engine another day if I could not have +fair play. I begged him to keep cool, and he began to question me very +sharply in regard to the “occurrences of yesterday.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +A TEMPTING OFFER. + + +“Wolf, there is a story in circulation that Colonel Wimpleton was very +much intoxicated yesterday,” said my father, as he seated himself in +the state-room. “I heard two passengers speaking of it on the main +deck, just now. Is this one of the occurrences of yesterday?” + +“Probably Colonel Wimpleton does not so regard it,” I replied. + +“They say he fell off the train, and came very near being killed.” + +“That is not true. He got out of the car when the train stopped to +avoid killing a cow. It started before he could get on. When I missed +him, I induced the conductor to go back, for I was afraid he had been +hurt. He was on the track, and came very near being run over; but he +did not fall off. We put on the brakes hard, or he might have been +killed,” I added, stating the case as mildly as possible. + +“If he don’t brake up there will an end of him,” said my father, +shaking his head. “They say he drinks very hard.” + +“I think there is no doubt about that.” + +“You picked him up, I suppose,” continued my father. + +“I assisted in doing it. Of course all this was known to the people on +the train.” + +“It’s no secret, for the passengers on board are spreading it as fast +as they can. But what else happened yesterday?” + +“Colonel Wimpleton regards these matters as confidential, and I do +not consider myself at liberty to speak of them. I can only say I did +nothing to compromise myself, and, except getting intoxicated, I don’t +know that the colonel did. There is really no secret to be revealed; +and I don’t think the colonel wishes to conceal anything, except the +fact that he was intoxicated.” + +“But everybody knows that.” + +“Everybody but the tippler himself,” I added. “He thinks no one has +any idea that he drinks more than he can carry.” + +“You took care of him while he was in this state.” + +“I did what I could for him.” + +“And he discharges you for this!” exclaimed my father, compressing his +lips, as if to suppress his indignation. + +“Colonel Wimpleton occupies a high position. He is a very proud man. As +I understand the matter, he does not want any one in his employ who has +witnessed his degradation and humiliation. That is all I can make of +it. As I said before, I have no idea of the reason why I am discharged.” + +“It’s very singular,” added my father, with a puzzled expression. + +We continued to discuss the subject, with no better results, till I was +called to pilot the boat through the Horse Shoe Channel. I gave all +the bearings to Captain Van Wolter, but he declared it was the most +difficult piece of navigation he knew of, and he did not believe his +nerves would ever let him do it. I regarded it as a very easy matter, +because I had learned every foot of the bottom in my small boat. After +the Ucayga passed into the open lake again, Van Wolter came into the +state-room, where my father still remained. We again debated the knotty +problem, and the new captain was fair and square in his position. If my +father had any suspicion that he had used underhand means to obtain the +place, I had none. + +When the Ucayga returned to Centreport, all of us had become tolerably +reconciled to the new order of things. I advised my father to attend +to his duty as usual, and say nothing about me. Hard as it was for +him, he consented, and I went on shore, taking with me all my effects, +and bidding good by to my associates. My occupation was gone; but it +was not generally known yet that I had been superseded. I was not +disposed to make any sensation; so I took my skiff and pulled over to +Middleport. I went home, and had a three hours’ talk with my mother +upon “the occurrences of yesterday,” so far as I felt justified in +alluding to them. Then I went out into the garden, which my father and +I were planting in our leisure hours. + +I had plenty of time for reflection. I was out of employment now; +but I had saved my wages, and did not feel much concerned about the +future, though I had no idea of remaining long without work. Captain +Portman, who had come after me the year before to serve as skipper of +his yacht, might still wish to employ me in that capacity. Very likely +Major Toppleton would give me a position as soon as he learned that his +great rival had dismissed me. The Belle was still my property; but I +could not think of depriving my good friend Tom Walton of the excellent +business he was doing in her. He paid me a very handsome income on my +investment in the boat. While I was thus meditating upon the past and +the future, I saw Waddie Wimpleton coming up the walk towards me. He +had heard the news. + +“Wolf, I shall not stand this. By the great horn spoon, I shall not,” +said he, in excited tones, as he grasped my dirty hand, with which I +had been dropping potatoes. + +“What’s the matter, Waddie?” I asked, pleasantly and coolly. + +“I am the president of the Steamboat Company, and until I discharge +you, you are not discharged.” + +“I am willing to waive the forms.” + +“I don’t care for the forms. You are still captain of the steamer.” + +“Have you seen your father?” + +“I have; he is not very well to-day.” + +I did not see how he could be very well after the debauch of the day +before. + +“What does he say?” I asked. + +“He will not say anything that satisfies me. He don’t want you any +longer, and he says you are entirely satisfied with what he has done. +Is that so?” + +“I can’t say that it is. I do not understand why I am discharged. Here +is your father’s note to me,” I added, handing him the letter. + +He read it, and looked even more puzzled than before. + +“Well, what does all this mean? ‘Occurrences of yesterday,’ +‘confidential,’ ‘consideration,’” he added, glancing over the note a +second time. + +“So far as there was anything confidential between your father and me, +it must remain so.” + +“Of course,” said Waddie. “I don’t mean to pry into anything that does +not concern me.” + +“Now, Waddie, I am going to submit to the action of your father, and I +wish you to do the same.” + +“I can’t do it,” protested he. “It is mean to discharge you in this +manner.” + +“Not as your father understands it,” I replied, thinking of the ten +thousand dollars he had given me, perhaps intended, at the time it was +given, to compensate me for being discharged. + +“If I am not to be allowed to know the facts, of course I can’t judge +whether it is mean or not.” + +“I advise you not to mention the matter to any one. There is something +unpleasant about the occurrences of yesterday, and the more you stir +the subject, the more unpleasant it will become.” + +Waddie looked at me, and a certain sadness which overspread his face +assured me that he was not ignorant of his father’s infirmity. He was +not disposed to talk with me about it, or to acknowledge the terrible +truth. + +“Wolf, we all have a theory to explain everything; and I have mine,” +said he, after a long pause. “I am afraid you have got into this scrape +by what you did for our party yesterday. My father believes that +Tommy Toppleton is in love with Minnie, or I with Grace. He hates the +Toppletons as badly as ever, and I am afraid he would rather see us +dead than have a marriage between the two families.” + +“Does he say anything?” + +“Not a word; it isn’t his style. If he caught us together he would. He +spoke of going to Europe this morning for his health, and of taking +Minnie and me with him. He is thinking how he can separate us from +the Toppletons. From his taking you with him yesterday, he must have +supposed you knew what was going on.” + +“Why should he suppose so?” I asked. + +“I don’t know. Then you sent Nick Van Wolter to warn us to keep out of +the way.” + +“He could not have known that.” + +“Perhaps he did.” + +“How?” + +“I have about come to the conclusion that Nick is a snake.” + +“Do you think so?” I added, rather startled by the suggestion. + +“John says Nick did not leave my father till after one o’clock last +night; and I know he was in the library to-day.” + +“What makes you think Nick is a snake?” + +“I don’t like his actions. He is a regular swell, to begin with. I +am not sure of anything, but I can’t help thinking that Nick told my +father you sent him to warn us to keep out of his way. If he knew that +he would not look at you again as long as he lives.” + +“It may be so.” + +“I shall keep an eye on Nick, and find out, if possible, what is going +on between him and my father.” + +“I hope Nick is not playing foul,” I added, musing. + +“I shall follow your advice, Wolf, and keep still for a while; but I am +not going to let this thing rest as it is a great while. My father told +me to pay you your last week’s salary. Here is a check for the amount.” + +I took the check, for I had fairly earned the money. Waddie was +determined to know more, and only his fear of opening a tender subject +prevented him from taking a stand at once in my favor. He left me, +and I continued to plant potatoes till night. I had a feeling that +justice would be done me in the end, and that I could afford to wait. +I determined to keep quiet for a few days, and the result of this +decision was, that a great deal of work was done in our garden. But it +was soon known that I had been discharged, or had voluntarily retired, +from the command of the steamer. Many of my friends came to see me. Tom +Walton was ready to give up the Belle; but I told him I was satisfied +with the present arrangement, and would sell him the boat for whatever +she would bring at auction. Tommy Toppleton, at the suggestion of his +father, offered me the position of agent of the Lake Shore Railroad and +Steamboat Line, at the same salary I had been receiving in the Ucayga. + +This was a tempting offer; but I felt that I could do nothing for the +line, and I reserved my answer for a future time. I could not suggest +any plan which would enable the line to compete with the steamer, and +I did not wish to increase the ill feeling between the two great men. +I told Waddie of the offer made me, and he was reasonable enough to +think I ought to accept it. After his father had discharged me, he +had no further claims upon me. I asked him to mention the subject to +his father as a “feeler,” and he promised to do so. Colonel Wimpleton +believed he had given me ten thousand dollars, and probably regarded +this sum as a retainer against the enemy, if nothing more. + +A few days after my dismissal, I went over to Centreport to draw the +check given me for my last week’s pay. As I walked up from the wharf, I +met Colonel Wimpleton in his buggy. He glanced at me, and then looked +the other way, true to his promise to treat me as a stranger. I obeyed +his injunction, and did not presume to bow or otherwise recognize him. +I met Nick Van Wolter, who only nodded to me, and hurried on as though +he did not wish to speak with me. I could not help thinking of what +Waddie had said of him, and his impression of Nick’s double dealing +seemed to be confirmed by his present conduct. + +I walked up the hill towards the Institute, for I wished very much to +see Waddie, and learn what his father had said about my taking the +agency of the Lake Shore Line. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE UCAYGA IN TROUBLE. + + +It was nearly noon when I reached the Institute grounds, and, as the +forenoon session would soon be over, I waited for Waddie to come out. +I could not help smiling, as I recalled the stiff look of the colonel +when I met him. But I was pleased to see that he appeared better than +usual. His face was not so red, and it was easy to believe that he had +tippled in moderation, if at all, since our visit to Grass Springs. +Waddie joined me when the bell rang, and put an end to my moral +reflections. We walked together into the grove to get away from the +rest of the students. + +“What did your father say, Waddie?” I asked, opening the subject which +was uppermost in my thought. + +“He is rather non-committal,” replied my friend. “He says it is for you +to do as you think proper.” + +“Did he make no objection?” + +“He said, if you could accept any position on the Lake Shore Line after +what had passed between you, he should have nothing to say.” + +By “what had passed between us” I judged that he meant the check for +ten thousand dollars; but, if he had made the inquiry at the bank, he +must have known that the check had not been presented for payment. + +“Was that all?” + +“Every word. He didn’t want to say anything; and I dragged this out of +him.” + +“That is not very satisfactory,” I replied. + +“You are a queer fellow, Wolf!” laughed Waddie, stepping back a +couple of paces. “After my father has discharged you, without any +explanation, and told you to regard him as a stranger, you want to ask +his permission to accept another situation.” + +“I don’t ask his permission. I only want to know what he thinks of it. +I don’t wish to stir up the old rivalry again. If I can quietly take +the place offered me, I should like to do so.” + +“Take it, Wolf, and ask no more questions,” said he, as we walked +towards the town. + +I was far from satisfied. I could not mention the check the colonel +had given me, and which I had destroyed; but this was the key to the +whole matter between the magnate and myself. It was necessary for him +to know that I had destroyed the check, and the reasons why I had done +so. If I wrote to him to this effect, I had no doubt that he would +send me another check for the same sum; for nothing could be more +offensive to him than for me to say he had drawn the check when he was +not in condition to do business. If it had been for a hundred thousand +dollars, he would have insisted on paying the money, rather than admit +the mortifying truth. If he insisted on compensating me with this large +sum for my discharge, why should I refuse to take it? I was poor and +proud. The money looked like “hush-money,” and I was afraid it would +burn my fingers. + +I decided to write to the colonel a true statement in regard to the +check, without alluding to any other subject. If he sent me another, I +would return it, with the assurance that whatever had been confidential +between us would remain so, but my silence could not be purchased. I +was not the magnate of Centreport, or of Middleport; but, so far as +anything which looked dishonorable or belittling was concerned, I was +as proud as either of them. Having reached a conclusion which was quite +satisfactory to me, I parted with Waddie, and walked towards the bank. + +It is said that the evil one is always near when you speak of him; but +it is more true that the angels are near when you think of them. As +I walked along I met Captain Portman, of whom I had thought several +times while at work in the garden, and whom I intended to visit if my +involuntary vacation was prolonged. He invited me to dine with him +at the hotel, and we were on our way thither, when Waddie Wimpleton, +driving one of his father’s horses, drew up in the street beside us. + +“I want you, Wolf,” said he, in excited tones. + +“What’s the matter?” I inquired. + +“Jump in, and I will tell you,” he replied, impatiently. + +“I have just accepted an invitation to dine with Captain Portman,” I +added. + +“Perhaps he will be kind enough to excuse you to-day.” + +“Certainly, if you desire,” said my friend, in a low tone. + +“I will return, if possible,” I answered, as I jumped into the buggy +with Waddie. + +I was satisfied that something important had happened, and I was +curious to know what it was. + +“The Ucayga is aground in the Horse Shoe Channel!” said Waddie, as he +started. + +“Indeed! I am very sorry to hear it,” I replied; and my first thought +was of Van Wolter, who had all my sympathy in his misfortune. + +“It’s so. She went on this morning, at a little after nine, and they +have been at work ever since, trying to get her off.” + +“I am sorry for the captain.” + +“He will kill the line in a month,” replied Waddie, fretfully, “He +missed his connection yesterday, and now the boat is aground.” + +“Van Wolter is a first-rate man.” + +“He’s a first-rate man, but he isn’t fit for captain.” + +“I don’t know about that. The Horse Shoe Channel is all that troubles +him.” + +“Well, he must go through there in order to be on time. He lost the +trains yesterday by going round the South Shoe.” + +“But where are you going?” I inquired, for Waddie had turned his horse, +and was driving furiously towards the steamboat wharf. + +“I want you to go up and get her off.” + +“Me!” I exclaimed. “I don’t know that I can get her off.” + +“I know you can,” added Waddie, confidently. “She will stay there till +doomsday if you don’t get her off.” + +“O, come, Waddie, you are rather extravagant in your ideas,” I +protested. “If Captain Van Wolter cannot get her off, I shall not be +likely to succeed any better.” + +“You can get her off, if you will. Everybody says you can. The +passengers are still on board, as mad as maniacs at the detention. They +say they will never go in the Ucayga again till you are restored.” + +“You are making it rather strong, Waddie.” + +“I’m not! By the great horn spoon, I’m only telling you just what the +messenger that came down for assistance says. They are firing up the +old tow-boat, and you must go down with me in her.” + +“I am willing to go, so far as I am concerned, though it is rather +embarrassing to have so much expected of a fellow as you require of me. +What does your father say?” + +“I haven’t seen him. He has gone down to Gulfport, I believe. I was +unanimously elected president of the Steamboat Company, and I am going +to get her out of the scrape without waiting the return of my father,” +continued Waddie, earnestly. + +“I am not willing to go down without his knowledge and consent, +especially if there is any dissatisfaction among the passengers. Your +father might say I went down to make trouble. If he wishes me to go, I +will.” + +“But he is not here.” + +“He will be back, perhaps, before the tow-boat is ready to start. She +can’t get off under an hour.” + +“Very well; I will see him.” + +“In the mean time, I will go over to Middleport. I will return by half +past two.” + +Reluctantly he consented to my plan; and I borrowed the Raven of him, +in which to cross the lake. I was willing to believe, with Waddie, that +the steamboat line would be ruined in a short time if these accidents +were repeated. I was sorry for poor Van Wolter, and I could not imagine +how he had contrived to get aground. It did not seem to me I could have +done so if I had tried. I was going over to Middleport for a purpose. +The tow-boat on which they were getting up steam was a wheezy old +thing, and I was confident she could do nothing to help the Ucayga out +of her trouble, even if they had anybody on board who knew the channel +well enough to get her through the passage to the place where the +Ucayga lay. + +The Horse Shoe Channel had never been used by steamers till I took the +Ucayga through it. There was not a pilot on the lake who was familiar +with its bearings except Van Wolter and myself. As the unfortunate boat +had taken the ground in going down the lake, and at the point where +the channel bends between the Horse Shoe and the North Shoe, it was +necessary to approach her in the same way, for she could only be hauled +off the shoal in the opposite direction from that she had gone upon it. + +I crossed the lake, and hastened to the house of Major Toppleton. +I saw Tommy first, and told him the news. A year before he would +have rejoiced at it; now he was apparently sorry. I told him that +the accident afforded a splendid opportunity for his father to do +a magnanimous deed. He listened to me with deep interest, while I +proposed that the Ruoara, the railroad boat which arrived from Hitaca +at half past two, should go down to the assistance of the Ucayga. It +would be returning “good for evil;” it would be an illustration of +the divine precept, “Love your enemies.” Tommy was delighted with the +suggestion, but he was doubtful whether his father would consent to it. +We went together to see him. He laughed at us at first; but we argued +the case very earnestly, and were assisted by Mrs. Toppleton and Grace. +We carried the point at last, and he wrote an order placing the boat at +my disposal for three hours, for she must return in season to take the +passengers up the lake. It was nearly two when I embarked in the Raven +to cross back to Centreport. Waddie was on the wharf, very nervous, +when I arrived. + +“I have seen my father,” said he, as soon as I came within hailing +distance of him. + +“What does he say?” I asked, as I came up to the wharf. + +“He would not say anything about you, but he told me I might get the +boat off the best way I could; and I am going to have you do it.” + +“I am satisfied with this arrangement,” I answered, and proceeded +to explain the provision I had made on the other side to meet the +emergency. + +The tow-boat was all ready, and Waddie was impatient to be off. I told +him to send her along, and we should overtake her before she reached +the channel. We crossed at once to Middleport in the Raven, for the +Ruoara was coming, a little ahead of her time. The order was delivered +to the captain, and in a short time the boat was headed down the lake. +From the statement of Waddie I knew just where the Ucayga lay. Van +Wolter had hugged the shore a little too closely in going round the +bend of the channel, and had run his bow into the sand. I used all my +time in studying the situation, and the means to be used for getting +the boat off, and I was reasonably confident that I should be able +to realize Waddie’s high hope of my ability. + +[Illustration: THE UCAYGA IN TROUBLE.] + +When we passed the tow-boat, I told Waddie to send her round the +Horse Shoe, and let her come up the channel from the north, because +her captain could not take her through the narrow passage. I took +the wheel of the Ruoara, and backed her through the channel myself, +stopping her wheels just astern of the grounded steamer. I then took a +jolly-boat, with a couple of deck hands to row, and hastened to examine +the position of the steamer. Waddie went with me, because he was too +nervous to remain idle while anything was going on. + +The position of the Ucayga had been correctly described to me. She had +run her bow upon the sands which bordered the sides of the channel, and +was listed over on the port side. As my boat pulled towards her bow, +the crowd of passengers on board of her rushed forward to see what was +to be done. + +“Three cheers for Captain Wolf Penniman!” shouted some one on the +deck; and the cheers were given with a will that confounded me; for, +as I have said twenty times before, I am a modest man, and applause +embarrasses me. + +I continued my survey of the position of the Ucayga, as though I did +not understand the cheers; but they were repeated, and I was obliged to +take off my cap and acknowledge the salute, which seemed to satisfy my +friends. I then went on board the steamer, to consult with Captain Van +Wolter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +AN ACT OF COURTESY. + + +“Captain Penniman, I have been tempted to jump overboard and drown +myself,” said Van Wolter, as he grasped my hand when I stepped on board +of the Ucayga. + +His face was the impersonation of abject misery, and I realized that he +was suffering intensely. + +“Don’t take it so hard, captain,” I replied, pressing his hand. +“Accidents do happen to the best of men.” + +“I am ruined!” groaned he. + +“Not at all! There is no ruin about it. How did it happen?” + +“I hardly know. I suppose I gave her a little too much helm, and she +got to swinging.” + +“Did you stop her wheels?” + +“Yes; but I had to hug the port side to keep her from swinging, and +then she ran on.” + +“She has gone on pretty hard, I see.” + +“Yes, she has; I have done everything I could to haul her off; but she +sticks tight.” + +“You had nothing to work with, and you could hardly expect to get her +off. But what have you done?” I inquired. + +“I have doubled up all the hawsers, and carried them ashore to that +tree on the Shooter. Then we heaved on the capstan, till the hawser +parted. But I have tied the parts together, and we were going to try +again just as you came.” + +“All right. That’s a good idea,” I added. + +“But I don’t see what you can do with that boat in the Horse Shoe +Channel. If you attempt to haul us off with her, you must keep her in +the deep water, and that will only pull us on the harder.” + +“I think we can manage that,” I replied, moving towards the +engine-room, where my father was in charge. + +The passengers crowded around me, and not a few of them were unkind +enough to say things which must have wounded the feelings of Van +Wolter. I found that my father had kept steam up, and I told him in +brief the plan upon which I intended to operate. I have said before +that I had always been a diligent student in scientific subjects, +especially in the department of mechanics and machinery. I am confident +now that I could never have taken the Ucayga through the narrow +and curving channel of the Horse Shoe without the information thus +obtained; and it was the want of this scientific knowledge which had +caused Van Wolter to run the boat on the shore. He knew the channel, +and had the bearings, but he had made his blunder in handling the boat. + +“Now, captain, we will go to work,” said I. “Let your men bring that +hawser to the shaft.” + +He promptly followed my directions, without asking any questions. + +“Pass the rope under and over the shaft. Give it about three turns,” I +continued. + +“I see the idea,” replied Van Wolter; “but I am afraid the hawser will +part.” + +“You must not let it part. If it strains too hard, ease it off,” I +answered, giving him a fuller explanation of my plan. + +Having seen the hawser properly adjusted, I returned to the jolly-boat +at the bow. While I was engaged at the shaft, Waddie had been talking +with the passengers, and as he joined me, I heard him assure a group of +them that I should be restored to my former position. + +“You must not be too fast, Waddie,” said I, as the boat pulled towards +the tug, which had by this time arrived at the upper end of the channel. + +“I am not too fast.” + +“I think you are. You are very kind; but I am not sure that your +promises can be redeemed.” + +“If they cannot be, the Steamboat Line is ruined. The passengers say +they will never go in the Ucayga again while she is under her present +management; and I don’t blame them either,” added Waddie, warmly. + +“But I am not sure that your father will consent to any change.” + +“He must consent.” + +We boarded the tug-boat, which was plentifully supplied with hawsers +for towing canal-boats. I ran her under the starboard quarter of the +Ucayga, and carried off a stout rope, which was made fast to a big +cleat on deck. I pointed out a barn on the main shore, and directed the +captain to run for it when I gave him the signal. + +Taking one of the tow-boat’s heaviest hawsers into the boat, the end +of which had been made fast at the stern of the Ucayga, I carried it +to the Ruoara, where it was secured. By the several arrangements I had +made, four different forces were to act upon the grounded steamer--her +own paddles, the hawser on her shaft, made fast to the tree on the +Shooter, the line to the tow-boat, and the one to the Ruoara. The last +two, however, were to form a compound force. The tug-boat was to pull +at right angles with the keel of the Ucayga, while the Ruoara was to +act, at an acute angle, on the opposite side of the keel. The latter +line would haul her more on the sand, while the former would pull her +square off. The resultant of these two forces would carry her in the +direction opposite that in which she had run on the bank. The hawser +fastened to the tree, and the Ucayga’s wheels, would both act in the +same direction. + +Returning to the jolly-boat again, I took position near the grounded +steamer, where the captains of the three boats could see me. I had told +the mate of the Ruoara to steer for a point which would keep him in the +channel. At the word from me, all three steamers were to start their +wheels, the Ucayga back, and the other two forward. + +“Are you all ready?” I shouted. + +“All ready,” replied the captains, one after another. + +“Go ahead!” I called. + +I confess that my heart beat wildly as the wheels of the three steamers +began to turn. I had laid my plan very carefully, and a minute more was +to decide whether it was success or failure. The hawser to the tree +straightened, strained, and groaned, and the water splashed and rolled +behind the wheels of the boat. + +“She moves!” cried Captain Van Wolter; and I thought I could hear the +keel grate upon the sand. + +The moment the Ucayga felt the full force of the power exerted, she +slid off the bank and righted. The crowd of passengers on deck gave +three deafening cheers. + +“Stop her!” I shouted, at the top of my lungs, at the same time making +violent gestures to the three boats. + +The order was promptly obeyed. + +“Go ahead, Ucayga!” I continued, fearful that she would take the ground +on the other side of the channel. + +Van Wolter started the wheels, and checked her; but she lay obliquely +across the channel, where it was impossible to start her. + +“Cast off the hawser on the quarter!” I called to Van Wolter, as my +boat pulled under the Ucayga’s counter. “Go ahead, Ruoara!” I added, to +the captain of this boat. + +The Ruoara went ahead until I told her to stop, and the effect was +to haul the stern of the Ucayga round, so that she lay square in the +channel. After the hawser to the tree had been cast off, I went on +board of her, and hastening to my accustomed place in the wheel-house, +I started her ahead, taking the helm myself. As she had no headway on, +it was not necessary to hug the port side of the channel as closely as +usual--an apparent neglect which bothered Van Wolter. I explained to +him the reasons for my action, assuring him that the only difficulty in +going through the passage was in correctly providing for the swing of +the boat. + +“I shall never take her through there again,” said he. + +“You will soon get the hang of it,” I replied, as I rang to stop her. +“I will help you.” + +“Are you not going down with us?” + +“No; I must return to Centreport. You can go round the Horse Shoe on +your up trip,” I answered, as I hastened to the jolly-boat, which was +towing astern. + +The passengers greeted me very warmly, and said ever so many +complimentary things; but I did not want to hear any of them. I assured +them that they were in season for the afternoon trains; and Waddie +and I leaped into the boat, which pulled for the Ruoara. As we passed +the tug-boat, she was directed to return to Centreport. I piloted +the steamer in which I had come up out of the narrow passage, and we +arrived at Middleport in ample season for her to make her trip up the +lake. + +Major Toppleton and Tommy were on the wharf when we landed, and I +informed them of the success of the plan we had adopted. The father +seemed to be a little nervous; and I think he was really pleased with +what he had done, though his pride would not permit him to say so. + +“Do you think your father would do as much for me, Waddie, if one of my +boats got aground?” said he, after we had discussed the matter. + +“I am afraid not, sir; but I would,” replied Waddie. + +“Give my regards to your father, and tell him I am glad the Ucayga has +got off;” added the major, laughing, so that we could not tell whether +he was in jest or in earnest. + +“I will, with pleasure, sir,” answered Waddie, as the major left the +spot. + +“Does he mean it?” asked Waddie, after musing a moment. + +“I don’t know,” I replied. + +“Neither do I,” said Tommy; “but I have sometimes thought that, if +Colonel Wimpleton would meet him half way, he would be glad to heal up +all the old sores.” + +“Well, I must go home,” continued Waddie. “Good by.” + +“Hold on; I am going over with you,” I interposed. “I have your +father’s check, which I intended to draw, though I suppose the bank is +closed by this time.” + +“No matter if it is. You shall have your money, if they have to open +the bank for you.” + +I went over with him in the Raven, more because I wanted to hear what +people said on the other side than because I was anxious to get my +money that day. Colonel Wimpleton was on the wharf, talking with the +captain of the tug-boat, which had just arrived. He had heard the +result of the efforts to relieve the Ucayga by this time, and the +captain appeared to be giving him the details of the movement. He saw +me as we landed, but he took no notice of me. + +“Major Toppleton sends his regards to you, and says he is glad the +Ucayga has been got off,” said Waddie. + +“What!” exclaimed the magnate, his cheeks reddening. + +His son repeated the message, and I waited with intense interest to +observe the effect upon him. To my surprise, he did not go into a +passion, though I saw him frown,--perhaps from the force of habit. +For my own part, I could not see how the colonel, after this kind and +conciliatory act by his rival, could say or think any harsh thing. It +was true we, the young peacemakers, had rather extorted the courteous +deed from the major; but it had been done. + +“Did you pay for the use of the boat?” asked the colonel, after +frowning and pursing up his lips for a moment, as if to hide his +vexation. + +“No, sir; certainly not. It would have been little less than an insult +to offer to pay for what was done simply as an act of courtesy.” + +Colonel Wimpleton was evidently very much troubled; but, instead of +pursuing the matter any farther, he began to question the captain of +the tow-boat in regard to the event of the day. I did not consider +myself justified in listening to the conversation, and so I walked up +the wharf. Waddie followed me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE MYSTERY OF THE CHECK. + + +“I will go with you to the bank, and see that you get your money, +Wolf,” said Waddie. + +“What does your father think about the boat?” + +“I don’t know. It is impossible to tell what he thinks about anything +of this kind. If he had known of it in season, he would not have +permitted us to ask the major for the use of the Ruoara. He would have +let the Ucayga rot in the sand before he would have done it.” + +“Major Toppleton stands first rate, just now,” I added. + +“He would make up, I think, if my father would.” + +We discussed the matter on our way to the bank, and both of us were +hopeful that some good would come out of the event of the day. The bank +was closed; but the cashier was in the room, at work upon his books +and papers. I handed him my check. Waddie requested him to pay it, and +then walked into another room. + +“I paid a pretty large check in your favor to-day, Captain Penniman,” +said he, with a smile, as he took the one I gave him. + +“In my favor!” I exclaimed, confounded by the statement, and rather +inclined to think he was quizzing me. + +“Yes; ten thousand dollars.” + +“You don’t mean so!” + +“Certainly I do,” answered the cashier, very good-naturedly, I thought, +considering that there was a suspicion of something wrong about the +matter. + +“I think you are joking, sir.” + +“Not at all. I am entirely serious,” he added, still smiling. + +I was not intimate enough with the bank officer to be on joking terms +with him; but the persistent smile he wore, after I had intimated that +I knew nothing about the check, seemed to indicate that he did not mean +what he said. I had destroyed the check which Colonel Wimpleton gave +me, and of course it was not possible that the cashier had paid it. I +was quite sure that I had burned the valuable paper, and even scattered +the tinder after it had been destroyed. + +“Am I to understand, sir, that you paid a check for ten thousand +dollars in my favor?” I demanded, rather warmly. + +“That is precisely what I did,” answered the cashier, squarely. + +“And to me?” + +“Certainly not to you in person.” + +“Who presented it?” + +“Van Wolter.” + +“What, the mate of the Ucayga--or rather the captain?” I continued, +beginning to be somewhat excited. + +“No; to his son--Nick Van Wolter,” replied the cashier, who obstinately +persisted in being calm, and in wearing a smiling face, notwithstanding +my conduct must have convinced him that something was wrong. + +“I can only say that somebody has been swindling you.” + +“O, no, I think not. Of course I should not pay such a large sum to +a young man like Nick Van Wolter without making sure that there was +no mistake. I took the check to Colonel Wimpleton, who told me it was +all right, ordered me to pay it, and say nothing about it to any one,” +replied the official, whose name was Barnes, with a very significant +smile. + +“It’s a fraud, sir!” I protested, vehemently. + +“Please don’t speak so loud. Waddie is in the directors’ room, and may +hear you. I understood, from what Colonel Wimpleton said, that this +affair was to be private between you and him.” + +“Private! But I tell you I sent no check, and I have not seen the +money,” I replied. + +“You need not be afraid of me, Captain Penniman. The secret is safe +with me. Nick said you sent him because you did not wish any one to +know that the colonel paid you so much money.” + +“I don’t understand you, sir. I have never spoken a word to Nick about +a check, much less sent him to cash one for me. I tell you there is +something wrong about this business.” + +“What’s the matter;” demanded Waddie, returning to the banking-room. +“Can’t you pay the check, Mr. Barnes?” + +“Certainly, Waddie; there is no trouble about that. We were speaking of +another matter,” answered the cashier. “Here is the evening paper.” + +Waddie took the paper, and returned to the directors’ room. + +“I do not see how there can be anything wrong about the business, when +Colonel Wimpleton declared that the check was good, and ordered me to +pay it.” + +“But I say, sir, so far as I am concerned, the business is all wrong. I +had nothing whatever to do with it, and don’t know anything about it.” + +“Let me ask you one question: Did or did not Colonel Wimpleton give you +a check for ten thousand dollars?” continued Mr. Barnes, who had begun +to be a little perplexed himself. + +“He did, but--” + +“Very well; and I paid it.” + +“No, sir; you did not. I burned the check, and took pains to scatter +even the ashes of it. I don’t understand it, sir.” + +“I don’t know that it makes any difference whether you understand it +or not. You acknowledge that the colonel gave you a check for ten +thousand dollars. I have paid one for that amount, in your favor, and +the colonel examined the check, and declared that it was all right.” + +“That may satisfy you, but it does not satisfy me,” I added. + +“It is plain enough, Captain Penniman, that your relations with our +friend the colonel are disturbed. He is as careful to conceal the +existence of this check as you are. It seems to me nothing more need +be said about it. The secret is safe in my keeping, for I do not even +enter your name on the books of the bank. The check is cancelled, and +will be returned to Colonel Wimpleton on the first of the month, when I +balance his account.” + +“Mr. Barnes, do you regard me as a liar?” I demanded, indignantly. + +“Certainly not.” + +“Then I say again, that I have sent no check to the bank, and I have +not received the money you paid.” + +“That is your lookout.” + +“Will you let me see the check?” + +“Of course.” + +He took the paper from a drawer, and handed it to me. There was no +doubt in my mind that it was a genuine check. The truth suddenly +flashed upon me. This was the first check which Colonel Wimpleton had +drawn at the hotel; the one which had disappeared, and for which I +had made such diligent search in and around the house. I came to the +conclusion at the time that the magnate had torn it up with the pledge +I had written, though I had been unable to find any of the pieces. + +“Do you understand it now?” asked the cashier. + +“I am beginning to have an idea,” I replied, returning to him the +cancelled check. “Where may I see you again this evening, sir?” + +“At my house,” he replied, indicating the locality of it. + +I was afraid to detain Waddie any longer, and unwilling to intrust him +with his father’s secret. We walked down to the wharf together, and +there I parted with him. He assured me that on the next morning I +should be called to the command of the Ucayga again. + +I got into my skiff; but I could not go home with the mystery of the +check unsolved; and I sat on the thwart, considering the circumstances +connected with it. I recalled all the events of my visit to Grass +Springs. I had left the check on the table with the paper I had +written. The colonel tore up the latter, and threw the pieces out the +window, while I was walking back and forth in the room. I then followed +him to the bar-room, where he had procured a glass of brandy. He wished +to go to the Horse Shoe, and insisted that I should accompany him. +Happening to think of the check, I returned to the room for it, but +could not find it. I told the colonel that it had disappeared, and I +went out doors to see if I could identify any of the pieces. While I +was looking for them I met Nick Van Wolter. When I returned to the +colonel, he had drawn up the second check. + +Nick was at the hotel while I was in the room with the drunken magnate. +He told me he had spoken with the landlord about my patient. Therefore +he had been in the house. It was possible, and subsequent events +rendered it probable, that he had gone into the colonel’s chamber while +we were at the bar. Seeing the check upon the table, he had taken it. +This was the only theory I could devise to explain the mystery. But +all this could, perhaps, be demonstrated, and I decided to see Nick +at once. I hastened to his father’s house. On my way I could not help +recalling Waddie’s strong saying, that Nick was a snake. + +I knocked at the door, and Mrs. Van Wolter answered the summons; but +she informed me that her son had gone up to Hitaca by the afternoon +boat. He expected to obtain a situation there as clerk in one of the +hotels, and had taken all his clothes with him. If I wanted him, she +would send for him. I left the house. If Nick had obtained ten thousand +dollars, he would not be likely to stay long in Centreport. I walked +excitedly to the house of the cashier; but he had not yet returned from +the bank, and I sought him there. + +“Well, captain, have you obtained any light?” he inquired, as I entered. + +“Yes, sir; I have. Nick Van Wolter is a thief and a swindler!” I +replied, warmly. + +“The loss comes on you, and not on the bank,” added the prudent man of +money. + +“It can hardly come on me, since I never had the money to lose, though +that makes but little difference. Something must be done.” + +“Have you seen Colonel Wimpleton?” + +“No, sir; I have not. As you suggested, our relations are disturbed,” I +replied. + +“He is at home this evening, and you certainly ought to inform him of +the facts in this case. But I cannot see how, if he gave you a check +for ten thousand dollars, and you destroyed it, that same check could +have been presented at the bank to-day for payment,” said Mr. Barnes, +with a significant smile. “It seems to me utterly impossible.” + +“It was not the same check. Colonel Wimpleton will understand that part +of the story, if you do not. I do not feel at liberty to explain it; he +may, if he pleases. I will write a note to him, if you will give me pen +and paper.” + +The cashier gave me a seat at his desk, and I wrote a full statement of +what I had done with the check he had given me, adding that Nick Van +Wolter had stolen the one paid that day. I told him I had no desire +to disobey his commands, and would not have done so under any other +circumstances. I concluded by saying that, if the money was to be used +at all, it belonged to me. I should consider that Nick had stolen it +from me, and I should have him arrested. I proposed to pursue him, in +the absence of any directions from the colonel. I should be at the bank +for half an hour, and would receive his answer there, if he wished to +make any reply. The cashier sent the letter by the porter to the house +of the magnate. + +“They say you are going to have the command of the steamer again, +Captain Penniman,” said Mr. Barnes, after the messenger had gone. + +“I don’t know about that; I don’t think so myself.” + +“Van Wolter don’t make out very well.” + +“He will do very well indeed, except in the Horse Shoe Channel. I think +he is a first-rate man, obliging and reliable. I am sorry his son is +not more like him.” + +“He is more like his mother than his father. There has been a great +deal of talk about Colonel Wimpleton lately,” added the cashier, +evidently intending to lead the conversation into that channel. + +Fortunately for me,--for I was not willing to be questioned in regard +to my relations with the great man,--the messenger returned very +soon, and delivered a note to me. Eagerly I opened it, and found only +a single line: “I will see you in my library immediately.” This was +entirely satisfactory, and I hastened to his house. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +COLONEL WIMPLETON HUMILIATED. + + +Colonel Wimpleton was alone in his library when I reached the house. He +made a gesture towards a chair, but he was as stiff in his manner as he +had been when I met him that day in the street. Yet, in spite of this +display of dignity, I could see that he was troubled. He looked rather +pale, and the toddy-blossoms on his nose were in stronger contrast than +usual with the rest of his face. If I read him right, he was sorely +vexed and perplexed. + +“I received your note, Wolf,” said he, struggling, I thought, to +appear colder and stiffer than he really felt. “I am astonished at its +contents.” + +“I supposed you would be, sir,” I replied. + +“Am I to believe that you destroyed the check I gave you?” demanded he, +sternly. + +“That is the simple truth.” + +“Wolf, I have always believed you were honest, whatever else you may +have been; but this story is incredible.” + +“I grant that it looks very strange, but it is none the less true +because it is strange. You remember that you wrote two checks on the +day we were at the hotel in Grass Springs.” + +“Of course I remember it,” answered he, petulantly, as though he deemed +the question an intimation that he was not in condition at the time to +remember it. “I tore up the first one, by accident, with the paper you +wrote.” + +“Well, sir, I was not sure at the time that you did tear up the first +one. I am satisfied now that you did not. I could not find a single +piece of it.” + +“Humph! That may be.” + +“Nick Van Wolter was at the hotel that day. I met him in the street, +when I was looking for the pieces of the check.” + +“When you sent him over-- No matter about that,” said he, suddenly +checking himself. + +But he had said enough to assure me that Nick had told him something; +and I was now willing to believe that the fellow was really the snake +Waddie had declared he was. + +“I met him in the street,” I continued, without heeding the slip the +magnate had made. “He told me he had been into the hotel, and had seen +the landlord. I am confident he went into the room where we were, and +took the check.” + +“It don’t look probable.” + +“You wrote the check in a book you carried in your pocket,” I +proceeded, hoping I should be able to convince him of the truth of what +I said. + +“I did,” he replied, taking the check-book from his pocket. + +“When you had written it, you tore it out?” + +“Yes, in this place;” and he pointed out the leaf in his check-book, on +which he had made the marginal memorandum. “I tore the first check from +this margin, and here is the amount, and ‘Steamer,’ indicating for what +purpose it was paid.” + +“Where is the place from which you tore the second check?” I asked, +anxiously. + +“As the second was a duplicate, I wrote it at the end of the book, and +made no memorandum in the margin,” he replied, turning to one of the +last leaves in the volume. + +“Now, sir, I think you have the means of convincing yourself that it +was the first check, and not the second, which was paid at the bank +to-day,” I continued. “That margin, where you tore off the first check, +is rather rough and uneven. The edge of the check will correspond to +it.” + +“We will go to the bank, if Mr. Barnes is there,” said the colonel, +more interested than I supposed he would be. + +We walked to the bank, and the cashier handed him the check. The edge +where it had been torn off was very irregular, and the colonel adjusted +it against the margin. It exactly fitted, as I knew it would, and he +could not escape the conclusion that the first, and not the second +check had been used. I felt then that I had vindicated my veracity, +and I was satisfied. The magnate told the cashier that he had drawn +duplicate checks, and believed the first had been destroyed; that my +story was true, in short; but he wished nothing said. He then told me +to return to his house with him. + +“Wolf, I would rather give ten thousand dollars than have this +matter stirred up,” said the colonel, when we were again seated in +the library. “It has already given me a great deal of trouble and +uneasiness.” + +“But you do not intend to let Nick Van Wolter run away with ten +thousand dollars--do you?” I inquired. + +“Has he run away?” + +“Yes, sir; I have no doubt he has. His mother says he has gone to +Hitaca to take a situation in a hotel, and carried his clothes with +him; but I warrant he will not stay long in Hitaca.” + +“He is a scoundrel, then.” + +“Undoubtedly he is.” + +Colonel Wimpleton walked up and down the room in deep thought. I did +not know then what troubled him; but I learned the truth before morning. + +“What can be done?” he asked, pausing before me. + +“Pursue and arrest him.” + +The great man pursed up his lips, and did not seem to like the advice. + +“That would stir up the whole affair,” said he. + +“What affair, sir?” I asked. + +“He stole the check at Grass Springs. I should not like to listen to +the testimony which would be brought forward to prove that Nick was +there that day,” answered the colonel, with a sickly smile. + +“We need not arrest him, then. You can compel him to give up the +money,” I suggested. + +“Can we catch him?” + +“I don’t think he got away from Hitaca last night. The train south +leaves at twenty minutes past seven. When I ran the Ucayga, I hurried +her up so that we were in season for it; but she was late yesterday +afternoon, and I know she lost it.” + +“But he may have left by some other conveyance.” + +“There is no other, unless he took a private vehicle. If he did that, +we can easily trace him. But I think he will take the eleven o’clock +train, south, to-morrow forenoon. He will not expect any discovery at +once, and will not hurry himself. He knows very well that there is no +conveyance to Hitaca till to-morrow forenoon, and he will be a hundred +miles off before the next boat arrives there.” + +“How shall we get there? I don’t like to drive twenty-five miles in the +night. I am not very well,” replied the colonel. + +“We will go in the Belle if you please. You can take one of the berths, +and go to bed. There is a good breeze, and we shall be in Hitaca in +three or four hours.” + +“Very well; I will do so. Who goes with you?” + +“Tom Walton.” + +“Is it necessary that he should go with you?” + +“No, sir.” + +“I wish to talk with you about other matters,” he added, with an air of +embarrassment, “and do not wish for any listeners.” + +“I will be alone then, sir.” + +Fluttering with excitement, I left him, promising to be at the wharf +with the Belle in an hour. I crossed the lake, found Tom Walton, and +told him I wanted the boat till the next night. Fortunately she was +not engaged, though a gentleman had spoken about a cruise up the lake +in her. Tom went down, and put her in order for the trip, while I went +home to tell my father and mother where I was going. My father was +very curious to know what was going on; but I could only stop long +enough to tell him that I thought everything was coming around right +again. As the check was the key to all the other secrets between the +colonel and myself, I did not dare allude to it. + +Sailing the Belle across the lake, I found Colonel Wimpleton on the +wharf, muffled in his overcoat. Tom had lighted the cabin, and it was +all ready for the reception of my passenger; but he preferred a seat +with me in the standing-room. Shoving off, I headed the boat up the +lake, and she soon began to fly over the waves, under the influence +of the fresh north wind. Colonel Wimpleton was silent for a time. +Since I first met him, early in the evening, I had been impressed by +his altered manner. Something apparently weighed heavy upon his mind, +and he appeared to be struggling, with the pride of his character, to +conceal it. + +“Wolf, this is bad business,” said he, when the Belle was approaching +Gulfport. + +“Bad for Nick Van Wolter, sir,” I replied. + +“For me too,” he added, after a long pause. “I would not have this +matter stirred up for double the sum Nick has stolen. It is better for +me to give you another check, and let the scoundrel go.” + +“I have no claim upon you, sir, for such a sum. You are very generous, +and I ought to be the last one to impose upon your kindness.” + +“Why didn’t you draw the check, and not burn it?” + +“I did not think it was right for me to take so much money under the +circumstances. Pardon me, sir; I do not like to allude to the matter +again.” + +“If you had drawn the check the next day, there would have been no +trouble. If Nick had his check then, I don’t see why he did not collect +it.” + +“I haven’t been over to Centreport since the day I was dismissed, and +perhaps he thought it would not be safe to present it, unless he knew I +was in town. I met him when I first came over, and he drew the check as +soon as he had seen me.” + +“It is a pity you burned the check,” mused the magnate. + +I did not care to remind him of the unpleasant affair at Grass Springs, +and I kept still. + +“Wolf, tell me candidly why you burned that check,” said he, after a +silence of several minutes. + +“I did not think it was right for me to use it. If my father or mother +found it upon me, I could not tell how I came by it. I might lose it, +and some one else get the money,” I answered. + +“But why did you think it was not right for you to use it?” he inquired. + +“I do not like to explain.” + +“Do so; I will not be angry.” + +“Well, sir, I did not think you were in condition to do business; and +if it were known that I drew the check, people would think I had been +swindling you. It was partly for your sake and partly for my own that I +destroyed it.” + +“In my note to you the next day, I wrote that the check would be paid.” + +“I had already destroyed it then.” + +There was another long pause in the conversation, though two or three +times the colonel began to speak, and then checked himself. It was +plain to me that he was struggling to utter something at which his +pride revolted, and though I was very curious to know what was coming, +I deemed it prudent to keep still. + +“Wolf, I have been terribly humiliated,” said he, with a desperate +effort. “I have suffered intolerably since that affair at the +Springs. That one of my employés, a mere boy, should tell me I was +drunk,--_drunk_; that’s the word,--has made me miserable.” + +“I am sorry--” + +“Don’t apologize, Wolf,” he interposed. “It is not so much that you +said it, as because it was true.” + +He uttered the words with a long and heavy sigh; and really he was so +sad that I could not help pitying him. + +“I am sorry it was true; but--” + +“Hear me, Wolf. You have said to me what no other living being ever +said to me, or would have dared to say.” + +“I hope you will excuse me, sir. It was very bold in me to say it, even +if it was true.” + +“Wolf, I haven’t drank a drop since that night. I never will drink +another drop,” he continued, taking no notice of my apologies and +explanations. “To put it in the power of any one to look down upon me +is too humiliating. I have done it once. I never will do it again.” + +How far his conscience reproached him I had no means of knowing, for +he attributed his suffering wholly to mortified pride. He was silent +again, and I thought it would be impudence in me to commend his good +resolution; but certainly nothing ever afforded me more pleasure, for I +knew that his natural firmness, amounting to obstinacy, would keep him +true to his pledge. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A NIGHT TRIP TO HITACA. + + +It seemed to me that pride had had a terrible fall in the person of +Colonel Wimpleton, though in the better sense it was pride’s conquest +over the low and degrading. + +“I will not sign any paper, Wolf; but I mean what I say,” said he, +apparently feeling better for the confession he had made. + +“I know you do, sir.” + +“I am aware, now, that three times on that day I was saved from injury +or death by others. First my horse ran away with me.” + +“Your horse?” + +“You shall know all, Wolf. I had drank so much in Ruoara, that I +dropped the reins in driving home. In trying to recover them, I +frightened the horse, and he ran with me. Nick stopped him. Then I +came very near being run over by the train, and drowned in the lake. +It was all because I had been drinking too much. It was time for me to +brake up.” + +That was the very expression my father had used in regard to him. It +is not every drunkard who has the power to “brake up” when he realizes +the peril of his condition. The colonel’s revelation had given me +a new light. He had seen Nick that forenoon. I asked him about it, +and he acknowledged that the snake had informed him in regard to the +“courting” at the Horse Shoe. I could not then understand Nick’s motive +for doing so, but I have since learned it. + +“Do you know why I discharged you, Wolf?” asked the colonel. + +“I supposed it was because you did not want one in your employ who had +seen you--as you were that day.” + +“Partly for that, but more because you were working against me.” + +“Against you, sir?” + +“Nick told me you sent him to the Horse Shoe to warn the party of my +approach.” + +“I did not wish to have Waddie and Miss Minnie see you as you were +then.” + +“You were right, Wolf; and I thank you for saving them that pain and +shame,” he added, warmly. “I had no idea of saying as much to you as +I have; and I should not if Nick’s rascality had not come to light. I +gave that villain five hundred dollars.” + +“What for?” I inquired, astonished at the acknowledgment. + +“For stopping my horse, for saving my life in the boat, and for--for +keeping my secret.” + +“What secret?” + +“That my horse ran away with me.” + +“He ought to have been satisfied with that, without trying to steal any +more,” I added, more disgusted than ever with the conduct of Nick. + +The snake must have put in at Green Cove on his return from the Horse +Shoe, and had stopped the colonel’s horse in the road near it. Here he +had told the great man the mischief that was in store for his daughter. +I could not fathom the motive of Nick in this mean act. But really I +did not trouble myself much about him. I was more interested in the +colonel himself. I was amazed at the freedom with which he talked to +me. It had evidently caused him a severe mental struggle to open the +subject; but, after he had broken the way, it seemed to afford him +great relief. He owned that he had suffered intensely since his late +debauch, and I concluded that his confession even to me, with its +accompanying resolution, eased his mind. + +Probably the effects of his intemperance wore heavily upon him +physically, and the sudden change in his habits tended to produce +depression. I had heard my father say that what is called an appetite +for intoxicating drinks has no relation whatever to the taste; but +when a person accustomed to drink liquor, moderately or otherwise, +discontinues its use, he suffers from a kind of aching void in +his physical frame, which nothing but the fiery fluid can supply. +The stimulus of life seems wanting, and the spirits are fearfully +depressed. This was doubtless the condition of Colonel Wimpleton. +Certainly it was something extraordinary which had produced this change +of his very nature. + +He told me my words, declaring that he was drunk, had been ringing in +his ears ever since they were uttered. He was not aware at the time +how intoxicated he was. It was when he came to think of it in his +sober moments, and in the solitude of his chamber, that he realized his +situation. He felt that he deserved the pity of his friends and the +contempt of his enemies. He shuddered when he thought of the future, +with the habit steadily increasing upon him. Even his social position +and great wealth could not save him and his family from the shame and +disgrace which cling to the sot. His pride, rather than his principle, +saved him. + +“Wolf, do you think people generally knew that I drank too much?” he +inquired. + +“I am sorry to say they did. It was common talk,” I replied, candidly. + +“I never suspected that any one knew it.” + +“On the very day that Nick stopped your horse, he said to me that you +were on a regular bat.” + +“A what?” + +“A regular bat; another would have said a spree.” + +“Is it possible I have sunk so low!” exclaimed he, with something like +a groan. “I alone have been blind.” + +“I heard another say if you did not brake up, you would go to ruin.” + +“I did brake up on the day after we went to the Springs. I feel better +to-night than I have since we parted after our return.” + +“Will you tell me, sir, why you gave me that check?” I ventured to ask. + +“Because I felt that I was in your power. You told me I was drunk, and +money makes friends.” + +“Did you intend to discharge me then?” + +“No; though I did not like the idea of having one in my employ who +could talk to me in that way. I did not decide to dismiss you till the +next morning, after Nick had told me you were working against me. I +took this as an excuse rather than a provocation. You may resume your +position as captain of the steamer to-morrow.” + +“I am very grateful to you, sir; but I do not like to displace Van +Wolter, after he has been appointed.” + +“But he is not fit for the place.” + +“As fit as any man on the lake. You cannot find a pilot who would take +the Ucayga through the Horse Shoe Channel.” + +“Perhaps you are right; but we will talk of that another time,” replied +the colonel. + +He was silent and thoughtful again. I permitted him to choose his own +topic; but, as one good resolution begets another, I hoped soon to +find him in a frame of mind which would allow me to introduce a matter +which was still near my heart. The magnate did not speak again for half +an hour. We were off Port Gunga, and I heard a clock on shore strike +twelve. I suggested to the colonel that he could sleep very comfortably +in the cabin of the Belle. + +“I do not care to sleep, Wolf,” he replied, still clinging to his +meditations. + +I did not venture to disturb him, and we were within five miles of +Hitaca when he spoke again. I was fearful that he regretted having said +so much, and was compensating for his freedom by his long-continued +silence. My fear was groundless, for when he spoke again I realized +that his thought had been progress. + +“Wolf!” said he, and paused. + +“Sir.” + +“I was never so astonished in my life as when I learned that Toppleton +had sent his steamer to the relief of the Ucayga,” he added. + +“It was only an act of courtesy,” I replied, my heart beating with +emotion; for this was the topic upon which I wished to talk with him. + +“Such acts of courtesy have not passed much between Toppleton and +myself of late years. Then he even had the audacity to send me a +message of congratulation on the safety of the boat.” + +“I have no doubt he was sincere.” + +Another long pause. + +“Twenty years ago, Toppleton was a good fellow, and we were the best of +friends,” he continued. + +“He has done a great deal for me; and, though he was sometimes unjust, +I always felt very grateful to him.” + +“I suppose I have been very unjust to you sometimes, too.” + +“I never had any claims upon you or Major Toppleton, and perhaps I am +not as competent to judge as a disinterested person would be.” + +“Toppleton has offered you a good place on the railroad.” + +“Yes, sir; a very good place,” I answered, warmly. + +“Would you rather be in his employ than mine?” + +“No, sir.” + +“If you would, I ought not to object.” + +“I would rather be in the employ of both of you,” I suggested. + +“That cannot very well be.” + +“I think it can, sir.” + +“How?” + +“Major Toppleton offers to appoint me agent for the Lake Shore +Railroad. If you will also appoint me agent of the steamboat, I shall +be in the employ of both.” + +“Agent for two rival lines!” exclaimed he. “That is absurd.” + +“Of course I mean that the two lines shall be united.” + +“You are at your old trick, Wolf,” replied the colonel; but there was +no bitterness in his tones. + +“I honestly think it would be best for both lines, and best for the +travelling public.” + +“But I don’t want Toppleton to think I am ready to go down on my knees +to him,” said the colonel, with a little of his old spite. + +“Why, sir, Major Toppleton has, by his act of courtesy yesterday, +opened the way for you to do a similar one. He has met you more than +half way without a word from you.” + +“I suppose I can be as courteous as he can. If one of his boats gets +into trouble, mine shall help her out; but I am not to be the first one +to propose a union of the two lines.” + +“But he has already proposed it.” + +“I will think of it, Wolf; but I do think we are in a better condition +to connect than ever before.” + +Not daring to push the matter too fast, I said no more. At about two in +the morning the Belle reached the wharf at Hitaca. We went to the hotel +where the colonel usually staid, and, calling up the landlord, took +rooms and retired. + +I was so weary that it was after eight when I waked. I went down, and +I found the colonel had not yet appeared. I called him, and after +breakfast we visited all the hotels, but obtained no tidings of Nick +Van Wolter. I had intended to get up soon enough to go on board the +Ucayga before she started, but I had overslept myself, and she had been +gone an hour and a half when I got out of bed. I blamed myself for my +neglect; but it could not be helped. However, there was no doubt that +Nick had come up in the steamer, and was somewhere in Hitaca. We could +only lie in wait for him at the railroad station. + +The railway from Hitaca has to overcome a very steep grade, and to +do this the train “beats” up the hills, first running ahead, then +switching off and backing a considerable distance, and then going ahead +again on its course, thus saving the grade in turning. It occurred +to me that Nick might go out to one of these switches, and enter the +cars when they stopped. Colonel Wimpleton was to take the train at the +station in town, while I went out in a wagon to the switches. I left my +team at the farther one, and walked back to the first on the track. My +calculation was correct. Nick had evidently heard of us in Hitaca, and +expected to dodge us in this way. I confronted him in the steep road +near the first switch, as the train was seen in the distance. + +Nick had a travelling bag in one hand, with a breech-loading rifle over +his shoulder. He turned pale when I stepped into his path. I told him +he must go back to Hitaca with me. Then he showed fight; and, not +liking the looks of his rifle, I sprang upon him, for I was in earnest. +He struggled desperately to escape me, and we had a hard tussle; but +I finally wrenched the weapon from him, and threw him on the ground. +Seizing him by the collar, I held him down till the train had passed. + +[Illustration: NICK VAN WOLTER RESISTS.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROAD. + + +As soon as the train had passed, and Nick’s chance to escape had eluded +him, I released my grasp, and permitted him to rise. + +“What do you mean by pitching into me in that way?” demanded Nick, +puffing with the violence of his struggles. + +“I have business with you,” I replied, as much out of wind as he was. + +I stood in the road, by the side of his travelling bag, resting upon +the rifle. I had arranged with Colonel Wimpleton to get out at the +second switch, and drive back the horse he would find near it, if I +did not join him. He was to understand by this that I had captured the +fugitive. + +“What do you want of me?” asked Nick, when he had recovered his breath +a little. + +“You know very well what I want.” + +“No, I don’t.” + +“You do.” + +“How should I know?” + +“Your conscience, if nothing else, will tell you.” + +“It don’t. I’m going to California.” + +“Not just yet, Nick. You will give up some of the money you have upon +you before you go to California, or anywhere else.” + +“What money?” said he, snappishly; but I saw that his lip quivered. + +“Ten thousand dollars that you stole from me,” I replied, impatiently. + +“I never knew you had so much money.” + +“You stole a check in my favor, for that sum, at the hotel in Grass +Springs.” + +“I didn’t take any check.” + +“It’s no use to lie about it, Nick. The whole thing has come out. If +you want to spend the next twenty years of your life in the state +prison, deny it. Colonel Wimpleton will be here in a few moments,” I +added, as I heard the rattle of the wagon. + +“Colonel Wimpleton!” exclaimed Nick. + +“Here he comes,” I continued, as the wagon began to descend the hill. +“If you try to get away from me, I may find it necessary to break your +head.” + +“You have him,” said the colonel, as he stopped the horse, and got out +of the wagon. + +I picked up Nick’s travelling bag, for I suspected that the money, or +some part of it, was in it. + +“Nick, we can make short work of this business,” said the colonel, +confronting my prisoner. “We haven’t brought any officers with us, but +we can obtain them when needed.” + +“What do you want of me, Colonel Wimpleton?” asked Nick. “You gave +me five hundred dollars for what I did for you, and I’m going to +California, to see if I can’t do something.” + +“You may go to California, but you must give up the ten thousand +dollars you stole first.” + +“I haven’t any ten thousand dollars.” + +“Yes, you have; you stole my check for that amount. It’s useless for +you to deny it.” + +“I didn’t expect this of you, Colonel Wimpleton,” added Nick, trying +to assume an air of injured innocence, in which, however, he was not +successful, for he hardly understood the phases of that quality. + +“Instead of sending an officer after you, Nick, I have come myself. You +must acknowledge that this was considerate.” + +“I saved your life, Colonel Wimpleton.” + +“If you did, that is no reason why you should steal ten thousand +dollars from me.” + +“Wolf says I took it from him.” + +“We will not quibble; it will come out of me in the end.” + +“If I have to go back to Centreport, I think there will be some talk +about you, Colonel Wimpleton.” + +“If you go back, it will only be on your way to the penitentiary. Will +you give up the money, or not?” + +“What! the five hundred you gave me for pulling you out of the lake?” +exclaimed Nick. + +“No; the ten thousand you stole.” + +“I haven’t it.” + +I grasped Nick by the collar, for I thought, from a movement he made, +that he intended to run for the woods. + +“We need not parley with him,” I added. “We had better search him at +once.” + +“Let me alone, Wolf!” cried Nick, beginning to struggle. + +Colonel Wimpleton came to my assistance, though I did not need his +help; for I was abundantly able to manage Nick, and we held him fast. +He made an effort to release himself; but finding it fruitless, he +began to be more reasonable. + +“If you will produce the money, all right; if you won’t, I shall search +you,” said the colonel. + +“You have no right to do that,” blubbered Nick, who was now able fully +to comprehend the situation. + +“I shall take the responsibility,” added the colonel. “Let me tell you +in the beginning, Nick, that I do not intend to prosecute you unless +you compel me to do so. You must give up the money you obtained by +fraud.” + +“I will, if you won’t send me to jail,” replied Nick. + +“I will not send you to jail. I have not forgotten what you did for me +a few days ago.” + +“I haven’t the money with me. I will send it to you to-morrow, if you +will let me go.” + +“I will not let you go. Were you going to California without your +money? Where is it?” + +“In my bag.” + +“Open your bag,” said the colonel. + +Finding that his only hope of escaping the penalty of his crime was by +giving up the money, he obeyed. Opening his bag, he took from a roll +of clothing a little package, carefully wrapped up in brown paper, and +gave it to Colonel Wimpleton. The latter opened the parcel, and found +that it really contained the bank notes, which he hastily counted. + +“The money is all here, Wolf,” said the colonel. “You may let him go +now.” + +I released him; but he was not disposed to go. + +“Are you really going to California, Nick?” I asked of him. + +“I was going there; but I haven’t money enough now to pay my fare out +and back, if I don’t find anything to do,” he replied, doggedly; and it +was plain that he was more disappointed than burdened with guilt at the +failure of his plans. + +“I will give you more, Nick,” said the colonel; “for I think my life is +worth more than five hundred dollars.” + +“I shouldn’t have used this check if you had done the handsome thing by +me,” added Nick, with an effrontery which moved me to indignation. + +“I will give you fifteen hundred dollars more,” said the colonel. + +“I can get along with that,” answered Nick. + +“But I want to ask you a few questions first. Why did you tell me that +Wolf was working against me?” + +“Because he was. He knew very well that you were after Waddie and the +rest of them, and he sent me over to the Horse Shoe to tell them to +clear out.” + +“Why did you tell Colonel Wimpleton that the party were together, and +that they were on better terms than they ought to be?” I inquired. + +“That’s my business; but, as I shall not be seen again in these parts, +I don’t mind telling,” said he, with a coarse grin. “Miss Minnie was +rather fond of me, and--” + +“You impudent rascal!” exclaimed the colonel. + +“O, it was so! She told me so herself. I was a little mad because Tommy +Toppleton was likely to cut me out.” + +“You may go now. I don’t want to see or hear any more of you,” replied +Colonel Wimpleton, disgusted with the fellow’s conceit. + +“Where can I go now? I have lost the train,” added Nick, as he glanced +at the wagon. + +“Go where you please; but don’t let me see you in these parts again,” +replied the great man, as he stepped into the vehicle. + +I took my seat at his side. The colonel opened the roll of bills which +Nick had restored to him, and gave him the sum he had promised. I +could not help thinking that it was a very handsome reward for a small +service. When this business was done, I took the reins, and drove back +to Hitaca. We arrived just in time for the colonel to take the railroad +boat, which started at quarter of twelve. After dinner, I obtained some +provisions for the Belle, and sailed for home. Unfortunately, the wind +was light from the north, where it had been on my voyage up the lake, +and from Port Gunga I was obliged to beat all the way down. It was nine +o’clock when I arrived at Middleport, and I went directly home. + +“What’s going on, Wolf?” asked my father. + +“Colonel Wimpleton and I have made it all up,” I replied. + +“I’m so glad!” exclaimed my mother. + +“He told me I might take command of the Ucayga again; but I don’t think +I shall. How did Van Wolter make out going down to-day?” + +“Lost the trains this morning; for he would not go through the Horse +Shoe Channel. He just saved them this afternoon. There is a great deal +of grumbling.” + +“I will go pilot in her to-morrow,” I added. + +“Why not captain?” + +“I’m really sorry for Van Wolter. He is a good, honest man, and I don’t +like to displace him. I hope a new arrangement will be made soon.” + +My father was curious to know what had passed between the colonel and +myself; but I told him I was not at liberty to inform him, and he was +reasonable enough not to require me to violate the confidence of the +magnate. I told him, however, that we were better friends than ever +before, and, what I regarded as the best news of all, that Colonel +Wimpleton had stopped drinking. + +For some reason or other, I felt happier that night than for years +before. I could not help believing that there was “a good time coming.” +Everything looked more hopeful to me than ever before. One thing +was very surprising to me. In the long talk I had had with Colonel +Wimpleton, he had not even alluded to the matter which had so excited +his indignation on the day we went to Grass Springs. Not a word had he +said about Tommy Toppleton and Miss Minnie, or about Waddie and Grace. +I had expected him to speak of this subject, and I feared it; for, as I +was not disposed to deceive him, it would have been a very embarrassing +topic to me. I was almost prepared to believe that he intended to +let the young people follow their own inclinations, if they had any +inclinations of this kind. + +At half past eight the next morning I was on the wharf when the Ucayga +arrived from up the lake. I saw John, the colonel’s man, hand Van +Wolter a note, as I went on board. He opened it, and read its contents. + +“I’m glad to see you, Wolf,” said he, as I presented myself. “I am +ordered to report to you as captain of the Ucayga again,” said Van +Wolter. + +“I have not received my appointment as captain,” I replied. “Of course +I cannot take the command without authority.” + +“Here it is.” + +“That is not directed to me. I want you to keep your place, Van Wolter, +for the present. I will be your pilot to-day; and, when I have seen +Colonel Wimpleton, I hope it will be all right with both of us.” + +He objected, but I prevailed upon him at last to pocket the note, and +retain his position. I took the Ucayga through the Horse Shoe Channel +on that trip, and she was on time. When I returned at noon, Colonel +Wimpleton came on board, and gave me a very pleasant greeting. + +“What does Van Wolter say about his boy?” he asked. + +“Not a word. Of course he does not know anything about the affair of +yesterday.” + +“You can tell him that Nick has gone to California, if you believe he +has gone there.” + +“I do not believe it. I think we had better say nothing about him. +Probably he will come back when he has spent his money.” + +“Well, what does Van Wolter say about losing his place as captain?” + +“I don’t think he has lost it yet. I have not been appointed.” + +“I thought you would consider what I said yesterday as an appointment.” + +“Not exactly, sir,” I replied. “I was in hopes that you would make me +the agent of the line.” + +“I have thought about that matter, Wolf,” he replied, struggling to +conceal a frown. “We will consider it.” + +We took seats in my state-room for this purpose. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS. + + +“Wolf, I have decided that I will have nothing to do with the +consolidation of the two lines,” said Colonel Wimpleton, as he seated +himself in the state-room. + +“I am sorry for that, sir,” I replied, my heart sinking under the +declaration, for I had permitted my hopes to run very high. + +“I cannot do anything which looks like receding from my position.” + +“Though I am greatly disappointed, sir, of course I have no right to +complain.” + +“You shall have no reason to complain. I purpose to leave the whole +matter in the hands of the Steamboat Company,” he added, with a smile +on his face which seemed to be struggling with a frown for the mastery +of his expression. + +“To the students?” I inquired, unable to believe that I heard him +right; for leaving the matter to the Steamboat Company was precisely +the same thing as yielding the point. + +“Yes, to the students,” he answered, pursing up his lips, as though he +were afraid I should see that what he was doing afforded him pleasure. + +“Will you do me the favor to withdraw the order you sent to Captain Van +Wolter?” I asked, delighted with the prospect, and almost giddy under +the sudden change of the colonel. + +“Certainly I will, if you desire it. Send for him.” + +I called Van Wolter from the wheel-house, and he gave up the note he +had received. + +“That means that you are still captain of the boat,” said the colonel +to Van Wolter. + +“I was quite satisfied to give up the place, sir; for I want to say +that I shall never dare to take the boat through the Horse Shoe Channel +again,” replied the captain. + +“For the present I will act as your pilot,” I interposed. + +Van Wolter withdrew, and I was curious to know whether the colonel +intended to give the Steamboat Company definite instructions in regard +to the consolidation of the two lines, or leave it to the members. + +“Do you go up to Hitaca in the boat to-night, Wolf?” + +“No, sir. I shall only act as pilot for the Horse Shoe Channel until +the Steamboat Company makes its arrangement.” + +“Then I wish to see you in my library when you return from Ucayga. I +have a little business to transact with you.” + +“I will be there, sir. But do you not intend to indicate your wishes in +regard to the union or consolidation of the two lines?” + +“I do not, though I would like to hear what the arrangement is before +it is proposed to the other side.” + +“You shall be informed, sir.” + +He went on the wharf, and I saw him drive off in his buggy. I was never +so happy in my life. The young peacemakers had a fine prospect of +success, and I was very impatient to see Waddie, and inform him of what +had taken place. + +“What’s going on, Captain Penniman?” asked Van Wolter, as I passed him +on my way to the shore. + +“There may be some change in the running of the boat,” I replied. + +“But who is to be captain of the Ucayga?” + +“I don’t know yet; but, as you have been faithful to me, I do not +intend to desert you.” + +“Thank you, Wolf. You are a Christian,” added he, with a grateful smile. + +“I will go down the lake with you this afternoon,” I continued, as I +stepped upon the wharf. + +I hastened to the Institute, and considered myself justified in asking +to see Waddie before the session was closed; and we took a seat in the +playground. + +“What’s the matter now, Wolf?” asked my friend, satisfied from my +coming at such a time that I had something important to communicate. + +“Nothing is the matter.” + +“You went up to Hitaca with my father night before last.” + +“I did; but that has nothing to do with my present business,” I +replied, evasively. “Finding your father in pretty good humor, after +what Major Toppleton had done, I opened the matter of uniting the two +lines again.” + +“Good!” exclaimed Waddie. “By the great horn spoon, I wish it could be +done.” + +“It can be.” + +“You don’t mean so.” + +“I think it can; though your father will not have anything to do with +it himself.” + +“How can it be done, then?” + +“He says he will leave it to the Steamboat Company, and they may do as +they think best.” + +“Then it is done!” shouted Waddie, jumping up, and capering about like +a crazy man. + +“Call a meeting at once.” + +“I’ll do it.” + +“At the close of the session this forenoon?” + +“Yes; but what shall we do?” + +“Simply appoint a committee of three, with full powers to make any +arrangement they think proper.” + +“Will you attend the meeting, Wolf?” asked Waddie, anxiously. + +“No; I cannot. I have to pilot the boat down to Ucayga; but I will meet +the committee, at half past six, wherever you say,” I replied. + +“All right. This is first rate, Wolf--isn’t it?” + +“Yes, it is; ever so much better than I expected. But I can stay no +longer, for I have only time to go over and see Tommy, and get him to +call a meeting of the Railroad Company.” + +“You are captain of the steamer again, Wolf,” said Waddie, laughing. + +“No; Van Wolter was displaced, though I was not appointed; but your +father has recalled the order. I’m ambitious, Waddie, and I am looking +for a better place than that of captain.” + +“What’s that?” + +“I want to be general agent of the two lines when they are united. I +think I can do more good in that capacity than in any other.” + +“You shall have the place if you want it.” + +“I do,” I replied, as I left him. + +Crossing the lake, I found Tommy Toppleton at his studies. I stated +the case to him, and he promised to call a meeting of the stockholders +if his father consented. It did not occur to me that Major Toppleton +would offer any opposition to the plan, and I returned to Centreport, +satisfied that my hopes would soon be realized. After making the trip +down the lake, I called upon Colonel Wimpleton, as I had agreed to do. + +“Well, Wolf, what have you done about consolidation?” he asked, with a +smile. + +“Both companies were to call meetings, and by this time I suppose each +has chosen a committee of conference.” + +“Very well; I don’t intend to meddle with the matter. I wished to see +you upon other business. Have you heard anything more from Nick Van +Wolter?” + +“No, sir; not a word.” + +“Doesn’t his father say anything?” + +“Of course not. Probably he thinks his son is in some hotel in Hitaca.” + +“But he would be likely to inquire about him, then, for he spends the +night at the upper end of the lake.” + +“He has not mentioned him to me. I don’t think Nick will come back till +his money is spent.” + +“We are well rid of him. I suppose, Wolf, that ten thousand dollars in +cash would be rather embarrassing to you; and instead of it, I have +made up the amount in good paying bonds, yielding seven per cent.” + +“Bonds?” I inquired, bewildered by his speech. + +“If you prefer cash, you shall have it,” added he. + +“I don’t prefer either. I don’t understand what you mean.” + +“Didn’t Nick rob you of your check?” + +“I didn’t regard it as my check. I burned mine.” + +“Come, Wolf, we will not be at loggerheads on this matter. When I gave +you that check I _gave_ it to you; and, if my pride would permit me to +withhold the gift now, my sense of duty would not. You must take either +the money or the bonds.” + +“I have no right to either, sir,” I pleaded. “I don’t know but so much +money would spoil me.” + +“I think nothing will spoil you, Wolf.” + +“I will not deny that it would be very pleasant to me to have the +money; but the manner of getting it does not suit me so well. If it is +to purchase my silence--” + +“Nonsense!” interrupted he, impatiently. “You have put more than double +this amount into my pocket by your management of the steamer. You have +saved my life, and saved me from shame and disgrace. I insist that you +take it. Shall it be in cash or bonds?” + +“In bonds, sir,” I replied, yielding the point; and for the first time +in my life I felt that I was a rich man. + +He handed me a package containing the securities. + +“I am all the richer, Wolf, for giving you this.” + +“I don’t know, sir, but that it will bother me to conceal from my +father and mother the reason for my having so much wealth.” + +“Tell your father and mother as much as you please, then; but don’t let +me be talked about in the streets, if you can help it.” + +“I will be very prudent, sir, and my father will also.” + +“When does the committee of the Steamboat Company meet, Wolf?” + +“At half past six this afternoon.” + +“Will you tell Waddie I wish to see him before they meet?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“I do not intend to meddle with the business, only to make a suggestion +to him.” + +I left him, with the securities in my pocket, hardly able to believe +that I was Wolf Penniman. When I saw Waddie, I sent him to his father; +but he appeared promptly at the place appointed for the meeting of +the Steamboat committee. The members were Waddie, who had again been +elected president, Ben Pinkerton, and Dick Bayard. + +“I believe the world is coming to an end,” said Ben, after he had +cordially greeted me. + +“No; only the war between the two sides of the lake,” I replied. + +“Well, Wolf, we are fully authorized to act for our Company,” +interposed Waddie, who was impatient to proceed with the business. “We +can do anything we like with the Company, even if we sink it.” + +“You talk about consolidation and union,” said Dick Bayard. “I don’t +think these words mean the same thing.” + +“I know they don’t,” I replied. + +“Consolidation means union, but union don’t mean consolidation,” added +Ben Pinkerton. “By the former, the two Companies would be fused into +one; by the latter, they would only run their respective lines in +connection with each other.” + +“I suppose we are to determine whether we unite or consolidate,” said +Waddie. + +“I shall be satisfied with either,” I replied. + +The committee discussed the question for some time, and finally agreed +to make a proposition to the Railroad Company, first, to consolidate, +and then, if this plan failed, to unite. All the terms of both plans +were settled, and this committee were prepared to meet the other. + +“There is one more point,” said Ben Pinkerton. “Whether we consolidate +or unite, it is necessary to have a general agent, and I move that this +committee, on its part, appoint Captain Wolf Penniman.” + +The motion was carried, after it had been seconded by Dick Bayard. + +“I move that his salary, to be paid by the consolidated Company, or by +both Companies, in the ratios of the fares, be fifteen hundred dollars +a year,” added Dick. + +“I beg you will not mention this subject yet,” I interposed. “It is +rather premature.” + +“Not at all,” replied Waddie. “This must be part of the bargain.” + +The motion was instantly carried; and I learned that this was the +matter upon which the colonel had wished to see his son. The business +was done, and I went home. The next evening the two committees met in +conference. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE. + + +The committee of conference met at the railroad station in Middleport, +and I was invited to be present on the interesting occasion. On the +part of the Railroad Company, Tommy Toppleton, Ned Skotchley, and Bob +Briscoe appeared. Each was ready to suggest a plan for a union of the +two lines. Major Toppleton had assented to the union; but he insisted +upon knowing the terms before final action was taken. + +“I have a plan for consolidating the two Companies,” said Waddie. + +“What, making one Company of the two?” asked Tommy. + +“Yes.” + +“I don’t know about that. I don’t see how it can be done.” + +“Very easily, I think,” answered Waddie. “The capital stock of the +Railroad Company is two hundred thousand; of the Steamboat Company one +hundred thousand. We make a new corporation, with a capital of three +hundred thousand, of which you own two thirds, and we one third.” + +“But the Steamboat Company has not a hundred thousand dollars’ worth of +property,” suggested Tommy. “The Ucayga did not cost that.” + +“No, she did not; but the Company have really the monopoly of the +through travel, and the line pays a dividend of twenty per cent. +on a hundred thousand dollars. Our side does not gain anything by +consolidation. The people of Centreport and Ruoara will not be so well +accommodated under the new arrangement as they are now,” responded +Waddie. + +“But you will have your share of the railroad profits,” suggested Tommy. + +“What were your dividends last year?” asked the President of the +Steamboat Company, with a smile. + +“They will be much larger under the new arrangement.” + +“And those of the steamer will be much smaller.” + +“We have spent fully two hundred thousand on the railroad,” added +Briscoe. “We have just laid down new rails, and built a bridge over the +river at the foot of the lake.” + +“And we have two steamers,” added Skotchley. + +“Let the steamers be sold, if they are not wanted,” said Ben Pinkerton. + +“And let the purchaser set up an opposition line,” replied Tommy. + +“But Middleport would have two votes in a stockholders’ meeting to one +from Centreport.” + +“No; one of the conditions is, that the stock may be equalized by the +payment of its par value, at the option of the Steamboat Company.” + +Each party felt it necessary to be very sharp, and every point and +proposition was disputed, for the holders of the mortgage bonds of +each company--Colonel Wimpleton and Major Toppleton--were to revise +and approve their action. At nine o’clock in the evening no progress +had been made, and I was satisfied that there were too many obstacles +in the way of consolidation. I thought it very doubtful whether the +colonel would allow his property in the steamer to pass into the +control of the other side. I suggested, therefore, that the other and +more simple method be considered. + +“Let each company run its own line on its own hook,” said Waddie. +“We will convey the passengers from Hitaca to Middleport, and you to +Ucayga. Each party is to have the exclusive right to his own share of +the line.” + +“But that leaves two steamers on our hands for which we shall then have +no use,” objected Tommy. + +“They are not worth much,” laughed Ben Pinkerton. + +“They are worth too much to be permitted to rot at the wharf,” answered +Tommy. “We don’t want steamers if we are to have no use for them.” + +“That’s so,” added Briscoe. “It is fair for the Steamboat Company to +buy our boats.” + +“What do you think, Wolf?” + +“I am not one of the high contracting powers, and perhaps I ought not +to say anything,” I replied, lightly. + +“Don’t stand on any ceremony, Wolf.” + +“Well, then, I think Briscoe’s suggestion is a fair one.” + +“What do you ask for them?” inquired Waddie. + +“They ought to be appraised by three disinterested men,” I added. “Both +parties should be bound to their award.” + +“I think we ought to have what they cost,” said Tommy. “We paid the par +value of the shares for the stock we bought.” + +“I don’t think so,” interposed Dick Bayard, catching the point. “They +are not worth so much now, when there is no use for them.” + +This point was discussed at considerable length; but my proposition was +finally adopted. + +“Now, how shall the fares be divided?” said Tommy. + +“In the ratio of the distance which each line carries the passengers,” +replied Pinkerton. + +“That’s not fair,” added Briscoe. “It costs more to run a railroad than +a steamboat. The ratio of the time ought to be taken into the account.” + +“I don’t see it,” interposed Waddie. + +“If we shorten the time half or three quarters of an hour by uniting +the two lines, the Steamboat Company has the benefit of it, though +it is the railroad that does it,” argued Briscoe. “The Ucayga’s best +time now is three hours and a half. If I understand Captain Penniman, +under the new arrangement the time is to be three hours from Hitaca to +Ucayga.” + +“Exactly so,” I answered. + +“Then it is the railroad that shortens the time, and the Steamboat +Company has the benefit of it,” continued Briscoe, triumphantly. “I +move you the division be equal. We take the Steamboat Company’s checks, +and they take ours. In settlement each party shall pay the other one +dollar to redeem its own checks.” + +The committee on the part of the steamer yielded this point, after some +further discussion. + +“Now we want a general agent for both lines,” said Waddie. + +“With your permission I will retire while this subject is considered,” +I interposed; and, without waiting for a reply, I went out of the room. + +I had not been absent five minutes before I was recalled, and informed +that I was to be recommended as the general agent, at a salary of +fifteen hundred a year, half of which was to be paid by each Company. I +returned my thanks for the honor done me, and for the liberality of the +salary. Many other details of the proposed union were settled, and it +was eleven o’clock before the business was finished. I went with Tommy +to his father’s house, and the major carefully read the agreement, +as it had been drawn up by the secretary of the railroad committee. +Somewhat to my surprise, he took a pen and wrote his approval upon it. + +“It’s a fair thing,” said he. “You have done the business well, Tommy. +I am afraid Wimpleton will not agree to it.” + +“Why not, father?” asked Tommy, anxiously. + +“Because there are two things in the agreement which may not seem to +be fair on the face of them--the purchase of our two steamers, and the +equal division of the fares;” and the major went over about the same +arguments that had been used in the committee of conference. + +I confess that I went to bed that night not a little worried at the +fate of the plan on the other side of the lake. In the morning I went +over to take my place on board of the Ucayga. I found Waddie there, and +with rather a long face. + +“What does your father say?” I asked, though Waddie’s face had already +answered the question. + +“He said he would not have anything to do with the matter.” + +“Will he indorse the agreement?” + +“He will give his formal assent to everything we have done, but nothing +more.” + +“That’s all we want.” + +“Not quite. He will not purchase the two old steamers,” added Waddie. +“He says they are old tubs, of no use now, and he is not disposed to +take them off the major’s hands. Perhaps you can move him, Wolf. Nobody +else can.” + +Waddie was despondent. He had objected to purchasing the steamers, and +had only yielded after consulting me. I was confident that the colonel +could be brought over. + +“If your father will agree to all the rest, Waddie, I will see that the +purchase of the steamers does not break up the arrangement,” I replied. + +“What can you do?” + +“O, I will buy them myself, and set up an opposition line,” I answered, +laughing. + +“You are the general agent, Wolf.” + +“I can resign.” + +“But you would not do that, even if you could buy the steamers.” + +“Probably not; but here comes your father. I will talk about the matter +with him.” + +Colonel Wimpleton came on board. He looked very good-natured. + +“I am going down to Ucayga, Wolf.” + +“I am glad of it, for I wish to speak with you,” I replied. + +“Do you wish to convince me that I ought to throw half our business +into the hands of Toppleton, and then compensate myself for the loss +by buying those old boats, which are not worth five thousand dollars +apiece, though they cost him double that sum?” + +“I don’t wish to convince you against your judgment, sir.” + +“I can’t buy them. If the Steamboat Company can make an arrangement +to run in connection with the railroad, I will offer no objection; but +when they ask me to buy two old tubs--that’s quite another thing.” + +“Do you think the two boats are worth ten thousand dollars?” I asked. + +“Just about that.” + +“Then I will buy them, sir,” I replied, as modestly as I could in +uttering so grand a proposition. + +“You, Wolf!” + +“I mean so, sir.” + +“What for?” he asked, opening his eyes in amazement. + +“I think I could get more than seven per cent. for my money out of +them.” + +“If you can, then I can.” + +“I might set up an opposition line with them,” I replied, laughing. + +“An opposition line!” + +“Or, if I had not the conscience to do it myself, some one else might. +In a word, sir, if you are going to run the Ucayga from Hitaca to +Middleport, you ought to control all the passenger steamers on the +lake.” + +“That’s true, Wolf.” + +“If Major Toppleton keeps those boats, he has a hold upon you which you +may feel when any misunderstanding occurs.” + +“Just so.” + +“Besides, you want those boats, sir. If you can buy them cheap, it will +pay to run them as ferry boats--one between Centreport and Middleport, +and the other between Ruoara and Spangleport.” + +“Well, Wolf, I don’t care about bothering with referees. You may offer +Toppleton ten thousand dollars for the two,” continued the colonel, +who, I was satisfied, did not really object to the terms of the union, +but, rather from the force of habit than for any other reason, deemed +it necessary to offer some resistance to his old enemy. + +I had not expected this easy victory in the argument, and I was +convinced that Colonel Wimpleton was an altered man. I doubt whether he +had seen a time in three years before when he was entirely free from +liquor. He had always been a regular drinker, and for several years an +immoderate one. I was forced to attribute his former malignity to the +rum in which he had steeped himself. + +The colonel went down to Ucayga in the steamer, and went on shore. As +he did so I saw the landlord of the hotel at Grass Springs step up to +him, and, with an exceedingly supercilious air, present him a paper. +I was interested at once, and, while the boat lay at the wharf, I +observed them very closely. The colonel appeared to be considerably +excited, and looked at the paper the landlord had given him with great +apparent interest. As the bell rang for the steamer to start, he came +on board, followed by his companion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE MAGNATES JOIN HANDS. + + +Just as the deck hands were hauling in the plank, Major Toppleton +rushed down and leaped on deck. Probably he was not aware of the fact +that Colonel Wimpleton was on board, or he would not have incurred the +liability of seeing him. I concluded that he was nervous about the +arrangements for the union of the two lines, and wished to see me in +relation to them. + +I had nothing to do till the steamer reached the North Shoe, and I +sat down near the door of my state-room. Presently Colonel Wimpleton +appeared on the hurricane deck, closely followed by the landlord of the +hotel. + +“Wolf, this little bill has just been handed to me,” said the magnate +of Centreport, giving me the paper. + +“What is it, sir?” + +“Read it for yourself.” + +“Captain Penniman will see that it is all right,” added the landlord, +whose name was Sharp. + +I glanced at the bill. It was so absurd that I could not help laughing. +The charges were all for damage done to his house and furniture by the +colonel, during his visit to the hotel. The items were as follows:-- + + To damage done to bed and bedding, $400 + ” spilling ink, and spoiling carpet, 300 + ” damage to bureau and chairs, 200 + ” keeping still about it, 300 + ----- + $1200 + +“What do you mean by this, Mr. Sharp?” I inquired. + +“I mean just what it says in that bill,” he replied, with a brazen face. + +“Do you expect me to pay that bill?” demanded the colonel, indignantly. + +“I will leave that to you, sir; but I think you will pay it, as much +for your own sake as mine.” + +“This is the most impudent piece of extortion I ever saw attempted,” +added the magnate. + +“Well, sir, if people will dance they must pay the fiddler.” + +“Why, all the furniture in the room was not worth a hundred dollars,” +said the indignant colonel. + +“I don’t want to say much about the matter, Colonel Wimpleton. If you +are not willing to pay the bill, I don’t care about arguing the matter. +If you don’t pay it up, it won’t be my fault if people don’t know what +took place in that room.” + +The great man turned pale. The consequences of his debauch followed him +in such humiliating demands as this bill. + +“Why didn’t you put it all down under the last item of ‘keeping still +about it’?” added Colonel Wimpleton; but he was alarmed at the threat +of the landlord, and his speech was very mild. + +“It is an outrageous imposition,” I ventured to say, when I found it +quite impossible to keep still. + +“That comes very well from you, Captain Penniman, after you have had +your nest feathered,” sneered Sharp. + +In my turn, I was abashed at this home thrust, though I could not +believe that it was anything more than a supposition on his part. + +“I never attempted to extort money from any person,” I replied. “I was +with Colonel Wimpleton, and I say this bill is a swindle. I hope he +will not think of such a thing as paying even a penny of it.” + +“He can do as he thinks best,” the fellow doggedly replied. + +“There isn’t a shadow of justice in it,” I added, as the colonel +stepped into the state-room, and seated himself there, evidently to +prevent any one from seeing him. + +“He was the drunkest man that ever came into my house,” continued +Sharp; “and, if he wants to keep it out of the newspapers, he had +better pay up.” + +“What’s the matter, Sharp?” said Major Toppleton, approaching the spot +at this moment. + +“Ah, I didn’t know you were here, sir!” exclaimed the landlord, with a +start. + +The major stopped before he came in front of the state-room door, and +he did not see that his old rival was within. With the bill in my +hand,--for I had not yet given it back to the colonel,--I beckoned the +magnate of Middleport away from the dangerous locality. + +“What’s the matter, Wolf?” asked he, mystified by my movement. + +“Colonel Wimpleton is in that state-room,” I replied, when we had +walked abaft the engine. + +“Whew!” whistled he. “I did not know he was on board; but I wanted to +see you about this union of the two lines.” + +“He did not see you, sir; and Sharp has moved away from the door, so he +will not tell him you are here.” + +“I don’t care about meeting him just now,” laughed the major. + +“I thought you would not, and so I beckoned you away. You know Sharp, +the landlord?” + +I knew he did, for I was aware that the major owned the hotel in Grass +Springs, and had set Sharp up in his business. + +“I know he is not the man I took him to be when I assisted him to his +present position,” replied the major. “He seems to be excited about +something.” + +“Read this bill,” I added, handing him the document. + +Major Toppleton opened his eyes as he examined the account. + +“Is this a joke?” he asked. + +“No, sir; Sharp actually demands twelve hundred dollars of Colonel +Wimpleton. The last item is hush-money, but it all comes under that +head.” + +“The miserable scoundrel!” exclaimed the major, indignantly. “I am +tempted to kick him.” + +“He says the colonel was the drunkest man that ever entered his house, +and, if he does not pay this swindle, everybody shall know it.” + +“What if he was drunk? The man that sells him the liquor is not the one +to condemn and expose him. I will give the scoundrel a lesson he will +never forget. Sharp!” said he, as the landlord, who was pacing the deck +rather nervously, passed within hailing distance of him. + +“At your service, Major Toppleton,” replied Sharp, in cringing tones. + +“What have you been doing? What does this bill mean?” + +The wretch started when he saw the account in the hands of his powerful +patron. Knowing the enmity which had so long existed between the two +sides of the lake, and especially between the two great men, he would +have counted upon the assistance rather than the opposition of Major +Toppleton in any movement against his rival. + +“Colonel Wimpleton came to my house the drunkest man I ever saw,” +replied he. + +“And you are going to swindle him for it!” added the major, severely. +“Sharp, your lease expires in July; it will not be renewed. I will not +tolerate such a scoundrel.” + +“If you don’t think it is right--” + +“Right! you villain! Is it ever right to swindle a man?” + +“But it was Colonel Wimpleton, and--” + +“No matter who it was. Colonel Wimpleton is a gentleman, and if he were +a hundred times my enemy, I would stand up for him against any such +miserable trick as this.” + +“I won’t say anything more about it, Major Toppleton,” pleaded Sharp. + +“But I will. I will go to every man within ten miles of Grass Springs, +and tell him you are a liar, a swindler, and a scoundrel,” continued +the major, much excited, as he shook his fist in the face of the +landlord. “In this matter Colonel Wimpleton is my best friend.” + +“Major Toppleton!” + +To my surprise, Colonel Wimpleton stepped out from behind the engine, +and walking square up to his old enemy, extended his hand to him. + +“I was not aware that you were near,” said the major, rather startled. + +“I offer you my hand, Major Toppleton,” said the colonel, his lip +quivering with emotion. + +“I accept it,” replied the magnate of Middleport. + +[Illustration: THE MAGNATES JOIN HANDS.] + +They grasped hands. If there had been any artillery on board the +Ucayga, I should have fired a hundred guns in honor of this auspicious +event. As it was, I called Van Wolter, and asked him to display every +piece of bunting on the steamer. I was so delighted that it seemed to +me I should “go up.” The young peacemakers had been at work for a year +to bring about this result; but both of the great men had hung back. +I did not consider that the reconciliation was actually made on the +deck of the Ucayga. The major had been prepared for it for months, and +the colonel from the time the steamer was hauled off the sands by +the Ruoara. Neither had had the courage to approach the other, and I +regarded the coming of the landlord as a fortunate event. + +Sharp hung his head with shame, as he saw the magnates join hands. +He had brought his bill to a bad market. I wondered whether Nick Van +Wolter had not put him up to this trick. The fellow had boldly told me +that my nest had been feathered, and no one but Nick had known about +the check until it was drawn. + +“Major Toppleton, probably you understand this matter now,” said the +colonel, still trembling with emotion. + +“I know nothing about it, except that this scoundrel was trying to +swindle you. I have already told him his lease would not be renewed,” +replied the major, still holding the hand of his old rival. “Whatever +differences we have had, I know you to be a gentleman and a man of +honor; and I would protect even an enemy from such a swindle as this.” + +“I trust we shall no longer be enemies,” added Colonel Wimpleton. + +“Not by my choice, certainly,” answered the major. “Our boys and girls +have set us a good example. They have made peace among themselves, and +we ought not to be behind them in this matter.” + +I was obliged to go to the wheel, as the steamer was approaching the +North Shoe; but I was so excited by the auspicious event which had just +transpired, that I was afraid I should run the boat aground myself, +as Van Wolter had done. But I had hardly taken my place at the wheel +before both the major and the colonel entered, and continued their +conversation. The unwonted sight of the two great men talking together +on friendly terms had been noticed by the passengers, and they were +gathering on the hurricane deck to witness the strange exhibition. The +two gentlemen were annoyed by the interest manifested in their affairs, +and retreated to the wheel-house to escape observation. + +“I must beg you to retire to the captain’s state-room, gentlemen,” I +interposed. “I am so interested in what you say, that I am afraid I +shall run the steamer aground if I listen to it.” + +I pointed to the door which opened from the wheel-house into the +state-room, and they were considerate enough to retire. + +“The world’s coming to an end,” said Van Wolter, standing opposite me +at the wheel. + +“On the contrary, I think it is only just beginning to exist,” I +replied; and it did seem to me that we were all about to enter upon a +new life--a life of peace. + +“They have really made up.” + +“They have indeed. I wish we had a twenty-four pounder on board,” I +continued. “I would make a noise in honor of the event.” + +“I have put out all the bunting we have, and it makes quite a show.” + +“Everything will go right now, and the union will certainly be +arranged,” I added. + +“What union?” asked Van Wolter, who had had no hint of the negotiations +in progress. + +“The union of the two lines. In a short time, this boat will make two +trips a day from Middleport to Hitaca, connecting with the railroad.” + +“You don’t say it!” exclaimed Van Wolter. + +“The two companies split on only one point. That will be arranged now.” + +“I suppose one of the captains of the old boats will take this one, +then,” added he, rather gloomily. + +“Not at all. I am to be general agent for both lines, and you will +remain in command of this boat.” + +“Is that so?” + +“I shall insist upon this arrangement. I never go back on a good +friend.” + +“You are a Christian, Captain Penniman.” + +“I try to be one. You will have no more trouble about the Horse Shoe +Channel. You must make yourself agreeable to your passengers, and I +have no doubt you will be as popular as you deserve to be.” + +As we approached the bend of the channel the conversation was +discontinued; but, when I could leave the helm, I joined the magnates +in the state-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +MORE SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS. + + +When I entered the state-room where the magnates were, Colonel +Wimpleton was inviting Major Toppleton to dine with him that day. Men +are apt to go from one extreme to the other, and, from the exceeding +cordiality of the reunion, I was afraid they might overdo the +matter. Yet they had once been warm personal friends, and had chosen +this locality on the lake in order to be near each other. Long and +bitter had the quarrel been; but now, by the influence of the young +peacemakers, it was happily ended. + +“Wolf, you must dine with us,” said Colonel Wimpleton, as I entered the +state-room. “We will smoke the pipe of peace to-day.” + +“I thank you; I never smoke, but I will dine with you,” I replied. “At +what hour?” + +“Three o’clock.” + +“Then I shall be obliged to decline, for I must pilot the boat down +this afternoon.” + +“We will make it six o’clock, then. Major Toppleton, you must bring all +your family with you.” + +“They will all be very happy to come,” answered the magnate of +Middleport. + +Then Grace would be there, which offered an additional inducement to +me. I concluded that the colonel would not say anything more about +“courting,” though I happened to know that Tommy and Miss Minnie had +met two or three times since the affair off the Horse Shoe. + +“You will excuse me, gentlemen, for speaking of business at such a time +as this; but I should like to know if you have agreed upon the terms of +the union between the two lines,” I continued. + +“We have not mentioned the subject,” said Major Toppleton. “Whatever +Colonel Wimpleton agrees to, I shall fully indorse.” + +“I am authorized to make you an offer for the two steamers, Major +Toppleton,” I added. + +“You needn’t make the offer, Wolf,” interposed the colonel. “I will +accept the terms of the arrangement in all respects, as drawn up by the +committee of conference.” + +“If the arrangement is not entirely satisfactory, I will modify it in +any manner my friend Colonel Wimpleton may suggest.” + +“Everything is entirely satisfactory to me,” persisted he of Centreport. + +“But you did raise an objection,” insisted he of Middleport. + +“Colonel Wimpleton thought it was not worth while to bother with +referees to fix the value of the two steamers,” I interposed. “Of +course nothing can be done till they have been appraised.” + +“That’s an excellent suggestion of my friend. What was the offer, +Wolf?” asked the major. + +“Don’t mention it, Wolf,” said the colonel. + +“I accept it, whatever it was,” continued the major. + +“We had not met when I authorized Wolf to make the offer. I am ashamed +of it now,” added the colonel. + +“I think I can settle this matter, gentlemen, to the satisfaction of +both of you,” I ventured to say. “You shall each mark the price on a +piece of paper, and the sum to be paid shall be found by splitting the +difference between the two.” + +“I agree,” said Major Toppleton, promptly. + +“So do I,” as promptly replied Colonel Wimpleton. + +I gave each of them a piece of paper and a pencil. + +“I shall take into consideration the fact that the new arrangement +renders the old boats of less value than they are in the railroad +line,” said the major, as he wrote his valuation on the paper, and +handed it to me. + +Colonel Wimpleton made his figures, and gave me his paper. One was +eight thousand,--the major’s,--the other twelve thousand. Half the +difference between them, added to the smaller, or taken from the +greater, gave the agreed price. + +“Just the amount I was authorized to offer,” said I, exhibiting the two +papers. + +“I am satisfied,” replied the colonel. + +“So am I,” added the major. + +“The question is settled, then,” I continued. + +“Wolf, where is Sharp?” asked the major. + +“Probably he went on shore at Ruoara,” I replied. + +“I will clean him out on the first of next month.” + +“Not on my account,” interposed the colonel. + +“I will not permit so great a scoundrel as he is to occupy a house of +mine,” protested the major. + +“His tongue may cause me some annoyance,” added the colonel, fixing his +gaze upon the floor. + +“You may be sure that he will never utter a word to your disparagement.” + +“I am aware that I have given him cause to--” + +“My dear colonel, we are all human,” interrupted Major Toppleton. “But, +if Sharp says a word against you, I shall consider it as said against +myself. Give yourself no uneasiness about it. I will take care of him.” + +“You are very kind and considerate, major. I wish to tell you what +I told Wolf the other night--that I have determined never to taste +intoxicating drinks in any form again. If there is no wine on my table +to-day,--and there will not be,--you will understand the reason. It was +absolutely necessary for me to ‘brake up.’” + +Major Toppleton politely changed the topic, which was even more +embarrassing to him than to the colonel. The Ucayga was approaching the +wharf at Centreport, and the two gentlemen came out of the state-room. + +“Why do you show so much bunting to-day, Wolf?” asked Colonel +Wimpleton, when, for the first time, he discovered the display of flags. + +“In honor of the great event of the day,” I replied. + +“It is a great event--isn’t it?” he added, with a smile. + +“The greatest thing that ever happened, sir!” + +The boat was made fast to the wharf, and, as the major wished to return +home at once, the colonel directed Captain Van Wolter to run the Ucayga +over to the Middleport side, and went over himself. For my own part, +I went on shore, for I was in a hurry to see Waddie, and give him the +astounding news. I hastened up to the Institute, and called him out. + +“What’s up, Wolf?” asked he, anxiously, as he met me in the principal’s +office. “I hope nothing has gone wrong with the union.” + +“No; that’s all settled as square as a brick; but the biggest thing +that ever occurred on the Western Continent, since the landing of +Columbus, took place to-day,” I continued in high excitement. + +“What’s that, Wolf?” + +“What do you guess, Waddie?” + +“I can’t guess. Why don’t you tell me?” + +“Your father and Major Toppleton shook hands to-day, and the war is +ended.” + +“No! You don’t mean so!” exclaimed Waddie, his eyes opening at the news. + +“It’s a fact.” + +“By the great horn spoon!” + +“O, it’s so! Do you see the Ucayga there, making a landing at +Middleport?” I asked, pointing out the window. + +“I see her.” + +“Your father sent her over to land the major, and he has gone with him +himself.” + +“It’s too good news to be true.” + +I sat down and told him all about it--how they happened to be on board +of the Ucayga, and how Sharp had brought about the reconciliation. +I was careful, however, not to expose the colonel’s secret to his +son, and there was something wanting to complete the narrative, which +troubled Waddie. + +“Wolf, there is something about that visit to Grass Springs which +I don’t understand,” said he. “Tell me honestly; was not my +father--wasn’t he--” + +Waddie blushed, and hung his head. + +“I know what you mean, Waddie,” I interposed. “It is all right now. +Your father has not drank a drop since, and he never will again. +Everything has turned out for the best, and we won’t say a word about +what is past and gone. Your father has invited Major Toppleton and all +his family to dine with him at six o’clock to-day.” + +“By the great horn spoon, we must turn out the regiment this afternoon, +and escort the major up to the house,” said Waddie. “Where is Tommy +Toppleton?” + +“At home, I suppose.” + +“I must see him. Our battalion shall turn out, at any rate. We’ll have +a time over this.” + +Waddie was as enthusiastic as I supposed he would be. I left him, and +went on board of the Ucayga on her arrival from the other side. I +worked for an hour on the programme for the new line, which had now +become a fixed fact, and then went over to Middleport to dinner. My +father was at home, and the good news had preceded me, though I had to +answer a great many questions. + +“When does the new arrangement go into effect, Wolf?” asked my father. + +“Next Monday, I think, if we can get the bills out in season.” + +“The Ucayga will not go down the lake then.” + +“No, sir. She will make two trips each way between Hitaca and +Middleport.” + +“We shall have to hurry up, I suppose.” + +“No, not much. The boat will have to land at Hitaca, and return without +any delay. At this end of the route she will wait two hours between +trips.” + +“Do you mean to leave me in Hitaca over night?” + +“No, sir; Christy will run the boat down in the morning, and return in +her at night; you will leave Middleport at eleven, and be back again at +three. You will be on duty from ten till four.” + +“That will not make a very hard day’s work,” laughed my father. “What +are you going to do, Wolf? Van Wolter is to command the boat.” + +“I am to go and come, and draw my salary of fifteen hundred a year.” + +“Fifteen hundred!” exclaimed my father. + +“Fifteen hundred dollars, Wolf!” repeated my mother. + +“My total income will be about twenty-two hundred dollars a year,” I +added, as seriously as I could speak. + +“Where is the rest of it to come from?” asked my father. + +“From the income of my property.” + +“What property?” + +“I declare I believe I have forgotten to mention that I am worth ten +thousand dollars, besides what I have saved up from my salary. But it +is true. I have the amount in bonds, which pay seven per cent.” + +“You don’t mean so, Wolf,” said my father. + +“I would show them to you, but I deposited them in the vault of the +Centreport bank for safe keeping.” + +“Where did you get so much money, Wolf?” + +As Colonel Wimpleton allowed me to inform my parents, I told them the +whole story about the check, and our trip to Hitaca. + +“Well, Wolf, you are a richer man than I am; but I suppose you will +help me out when I am short.” + +“O, certainly! Can I do anything for you now?” + +“No; I’m doing very well myself, Wolf. This place is paid for, and I +have something laid up for a rainy day.” + +“There’s somebody at the front door,” said my mother, as the door bell +rang. + +To my surprise Major Toppleton followed my sister, who had opened the +door, into the kitchen, where we were at dinner. + +“Wolf, here is a package for you,” said the magnate, dropping it on the +table, as I was rising to show him proper respect. + +“What is it, sir?” I inquired, picking up the parcel, which had a +marvellous resemblance to the one the other magnate had presented to me. + +“It contains ten thousand dollars in seven per cent. bonds.” + +“Really, sir, I don’t--” + +“Yes, you do,” laughed the major. “You are in a hurry; so am I, and +we will make a short story of it. My friend Colonel Wimpleton”--the +major’s eyes twinkled--“told me what he had done for you in this +way. My conscience would not let me do less than he has done. I am +determined to be even with him. Good morning, Wolf!” + +He turned on his heel, and fled from the house as though an enemy were +after him. My father laughed, my mother cried, and I endeavored to keep +cool. But it was time to return to the steamer, and we hastened to our +duties. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +IN HONOR OF THE RECONCILIATION. + + +There was evidently a conspiracy to make a rich man of me; and, if +there had been any more magnates in the vicinity, I should certainly +have expected a contribution from all of them. Vast as were the sums +bestowed upon me, a poor boy, these were really but drops in the bucket +to the _millionnaires_ who gave them. I could find no excuse for the +liberality of Major Toppleton, but I concluded not to quarrel with +my destiny. The magnate of Middleport was certainly in condition to +do business when he made the gift, and I was not willing to hurt his +feelings by declining the princely present. + +On the trip down to Ucayga I completed the programme for the new line. +The trip from one end of the lake to the other was to be run in less +than three hours, with time enough to spare to make up for a ten +minutes’ detention in both steamer and the railroad. The Ucayga was +to leave Hitaca at seven in the morning, which was quite a reasonable +hour. Connecting with the train at Middleport at nine, passengers were +to reach Ucayga in ample time for the trains. On the return of the cars +at eleven, the boat was to leave Middleport for Hitaca, and come back +immediately, leaving Middleport for the last trip up the lake at five, +and arriving at seven. The ferries were to convey passengers across +the lake from Ruoara and Centreport. I was abundantly pleased with the +programme, and was sure it would give satisfaction to all parties. + +On the arrival of the boat at Ucayga, I was rather surprised to see a +couple of brass field-pieces on the wharf, ready to be rolled on board. +The appearance of Tommy Toppleton explained the meaning of them, though +they were to be allowed to speak for themselves in the course of the +day. Tommy, who was in full uniform as the colonel of the regiment, +came up to me, on the hurricane deck. He was as lively and cheerful as +the occasion required. He had seen Waddie, and the regiment was to +form at Centreport in season for the festivities. He had procured the +services of a detachment of the Ucayga Artillery to fire the salutes, +which Waddie had suggested. + +“We are going to make a big time of it,” said Tommy, with enthusiasm. +“We have engaged the band here, besides the one that belongs to the +regiment-- There they come. Waddie is going to have a grand collation +in the grove near his father’s house. If we don’t wake things up, it +will be because we haven’t spunk enough to do it.” + +“It’s a big thing, Tommy,” I mildly suggested. + +“That’s so, Wolf; and more than anybody else, you have brought it +about.” + +“Well, we have all been peacemakers,” I modestly added. + +“I never expected to see the day when my father and Colonel Wimpleton +would shake hands and dine together. We will let off a hundred guns at +six o’clock, when the two families sit down to supper,” added Tommy. +“By the way, Wolf, this is a splendid thing for me.” + +“It is for all of us.” + +“Well, I mean for me in particular,” replied he, significantly. + +“Why?” + +“You needn’t try to be dull, Wolf. Wasn’t Colonel Wimpleton after me +with a sharp stick the day we went down to Grass Springs?” + +“O, you mean Miss Minnie?” + +“To be sure I do--you are not stupid. I think Minnie is the prettiest +girl in the state, and if I ever marry anybody, she will be my +wife--that is, if she consents;” and Tommy’s under jaw dropped a +little, as though he realized that he had been talking too fast. + +I told him I would guarantee her consent for one and a half per cent. +of two and sixpence, whereat his face livened up again. I asked him +into the state-room to examine the programme of the new line. He +indorsed it on the part of the Railroad Company. + +As the boat approached Centreport we saw that there was an unusual +stir on the wharf. The battalion from Middleport was landing, and the +other was drawn up on the shore. Tommy prinked up his uniform, threw +back his shoulders, and looked as soldierly as possible. His sorrel +pony stood waiting for him, and Waddie was already mounted. As soon +as the steamer touched the wharf I left her, and hastened to see the +preparations for the great occasion. + +“You are to ride in the barouche with the Toppletons, Wolf,” said +Waddie, dashing his fiery steed up to me as soon as I appeared, so +furious that I trembled for my corns, for these military people are +always very impressive. + +“Thank you, Waddie. I suppose I could walk, on a pinch.” + +“No pinch about it; you must be escorted up to the house with our +guests.” + +“All right; I surrender,” I replied; when a toot from a trumpet +startled his horse, and again imperilled my corns. + +Tom Walton was sailing the Toppletons over in the Belle, which had +nearly reached the shore. I was not posted in regard to the order of +exercises, and I watched the proceedings with interest. The regiment +was drawn up in line, with the band at the head. Colonel Wimpleton’s +barouche was at the end of the wharf, ready to receive the honored +guests. The field officers were all mounted, and they kept flashing up +and down the line, just as though something would burst if they did not +make haste, and look especially savage. They could not have been more +impressive if they had been engaged in a great battle upon which the +fate of the nation depended. + +As the Belle drew near the landing stairs, I hastened to greet the +Toppletons. I had never seen Grace look prettier or more interesting, +and the smile she bestowed upon me was a rapture to me. I assisted her +out of the boat and up the steps to the carriage. Mrs. Toppleton and +Grace occupied the back seat, while the major and myself sat on the +front seat. Adjutant Briscoe mounted the box, to see that the driver +complied with all the military forms. + +“Present--arms!” shouted Colonel Tommy Toppleton, as the carriage +started. + +The major and I uncovered, while the ladies waved their handkerchiefs. +The band played “Hail to the Chief,” though who the particular chief +was I had no means of knowing. We passed the line, and the adjutant +in charge of our party directed the driver to draw up at the side +of the road. Half the regiment then marched by us, and a guard of +honor, composed of twelve sergeants, was stationed on each side of the +barouche. + +“Forward--march!” shouted Colonel Tommy Toppleton. + +“Drive on,” added Briscoe; and the procession moved off. + +Somewhat to the annoyance, perhaps, of the major and his lady, the line +of march was through the principal streets of Centreport, and of course +the sensation was tremendous. But, as the young peacemakers desired +to make this display, no objection was offered by the guests, and in +the carriage we voted that we were first-class lions. The procession +entered the grounds of Colonel Wimpleton, and when the carriage +stopped at the door of the mansion, the magnate and his lady appeared +to welcome their guests. It was the first time the wives of the two +magnates had met for many years; and, as they had not shared in the +enmity of their husbands, the occasion was a joyful one to them. We +were ushered into the drawing-room, and as the clock struck six, dinner +was announced. At this moment, Colonel Tommy Toppleton and Lieutenant +Colonel Waddie Wimpleton entered the room. + +“Bang! bang!” spoke the guns which had been stationed in the grove, +with a concussion that shook the windows of the house, and was rather +trying to the nerves of the ladies. + +At the same time the Ucayga band struck up “Met again,” a familiar +Sunday school air, known to everybody in that vicinity. Colonel +Wimpleton gave his arm to Mrs. Toppleton, and Major Toppleton escorted +Mrs. Wimpleton to the dinner table. Tommy took Miss Minnie, and I +offered my arm to Miss Grace. Waddie, who seemed to be out in the cold, +conducted one of his younger sisters, while the clergyman who had been +invited led the other. When the party were seated, the minister said +grace, in which he briefly alluded to the reconciliation, while the +booming guns and the melodious strains still celebrated the happy event. + +The dinner was a splendid affair, and, for one, I did full justice to +it, for I have a weakness for good dinners, especially when they are +given in honor of great events. The conversation soon became general, +and the best feeling in the world prevailed. We talked of the events +of the past, as well as of the present, and the reconciliation was +perfect. I need not attempt to tell how much I enjoyed the society of +Grace, who sat at my side. + +After dinner, the party walked out into the grove, where the gallant +soldiers of the regiment were banqueting in honor of the occasion. +Grace leaned on my arm, and we had a delightful chat. When she called +me Mr. Wolf, I asked her to omit the “Mr.,” which she was kind enough +to do. + +“I suppose you know, Wolf, that you have done more than any one else to +bring about this happy event,” said she. + +“I know that I have had it in my mind for several years. Your father +wanted to continue the railroad to Hitaca, or build a new steamer; but +I always advised him to do neither. I have tried to prevent quarrels; +but, Grace, I think you have been the inspiration, in part at least, +of my conduct. If you only approve it, I am happy.” + +“I do approve it, with all my heart,” she replied, blushing. + +I had not the courage to utter all that I felt, but I was sure that she +had a very kind regard for me. + +At eight o’clock the regiment again formed in line, and we were +escorted down to the wharf, where we embarked in the Belle for +Centreport. Major Toppleton had invited the Wimpletons to dine with him +the next day, and the invitation had been accepted. I was not neglected. + +With this happy occasion my story ought to close. The peace which was +made that day was a lasting one, though, as is always the case even +among the dearest friends, it was sometimes necessary for them to “BEAR +AND FORBEAR.” The two families dined together, the next day, at the +major’s, and the same programme was repeated, even to the parade of the +regiment, the music, and the guns, that the Middleporters might make no +possible mistake in regard to the reconciliation. + +Handbills, announcing the new arrangement of the “Union Line,” as I +called it, were immediately issued, and on the following Monday all +the Wimpletons and all the Toppletons went over the new route. We went +Through by Daylight; the Lightning Express was On Time, and we did not +find it necessary to Switch Off or Brake Up, in the moral sense, though +both were done on the Lake Shore Railroad. The travelling public were +pleased with the new arrangement, and even those who had to cross the +lake in the ferries did not growl, for they were amply compensated for +the extra trouble by the better time. + +We heard nothing more of Nick Van Wolter for two months, though he +turned up at the end of that time. I had a long talk with his father +about him, and he acknowledged to me that the young man’s mother was +too ambitious in regard to him. Certainly her husband had proved to her +that a faithful discharge of his duty in his own humble sphere was the +safer course. + +Colonel Wimpleton was true to his noble resolution. He drank no more; +and the change in his morals was as great as in his manners. While his +nature was the same, it was not depraved by intemperance, and he was a +different man, though he was not always gentle and courteous. + +When you find yourself indulging as he did in a bad habit, when you +find your course of life is wrong in any respect, do as he did--“BRAKE +UP.” + + + + +Transcriber’s Notes + + + • Italics represented with surrounding _underscores_. + + • Small caps converted to ALL CAPS. + + • Illustrations relocated close to related content. + + • Page number references in illustration captions removed. + + • Obvious typographic errors silently corrected. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77372 *** |