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line-height: 1.75em; } +.the-bill .tdr { padding-left: 1em; } + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #AAA; +} /* page numbers */ + +blockquote { margin: 1em 1.5em; } + + +.bb {border-bottom: 2px solid;} + +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } +.right {text-align: right;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} +.allcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: 1.5em auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + + +/* Poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} +.transnote h2 { margin-top: 1em; } + +.full-title { line-height: 1.1em; } +.title-series { font-size: 110%; letter-spacing: 0.2em; } +.title-main { letter-spacing: 0.2em; } +.title-or { font-size: 40%; font-weight: normal; } +.subtitle { font-size: 80%; margin-top: 2em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.1em; } +.title-by { font-size: 90%; margin-top: 2.5em; } +.title-author { font-size: 150%; margin-top: 1em; letter-spacing: 0.2em; } +.title-also { font-size: 80%; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 1.5em; } +.title-space { margin: 5em auto; } +.title-pub-city { font-size: 100%; margin-top: 0.5em; } +.title-pub1 { font-size: 80%; letter-spacing: 0.15em; } +.title-pub2 { font-size: 70%; letter-spacing: 0.05em; } +.pub-year { font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0.1em; } + +.copyright { margin-top: 4em; font-size: 75%; line-height: 2em; } +.printer { margin-top: 10em; font-family: serif; font-size: 70%; + letter-spacing: 0.25em; line-height: 1.75em; word-spacing: 0.1em; + margin-bottom: 4em; } + +.blackletter { font-family: "Old English Text MT", "Lucida Blackletter", + "Noto Serif Display Black", "Luminari", serif; } + +.dedication-1 { margin-top: 6em; font-size: 70%; } +.dedication-2 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 90%; letter-spacing: 0.2em; } +.dedication-3 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 110%; letter-spacing: 0.2em; word-spacing: 0.4em;} +.dedication-4 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 110%; word-spacing: 0.2em; } +.dedication-5 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 6em; word-spacing: 0.4em; } + +.series-list { margin: 6em auto; } +.series-list ol { text-align: left; } +.series-list ol li { padding-left: .4em; margin-top: 1em; } +.series-list-title { font-weight: bold; font-size: 110%; letter-spacing: 0.1em; } + +.preface-space { margin: 3em auto; } + +.chap-title { font-size: 75%; } +.ht-rule { margin-top: 2em; } + +p.drop-cap { + text-indent: -0.2em; +} +p.dc-extra { text-indent: -1em; } +p.drop-cap:first-letter { + float: left; + margin: 0.15em 0.15em 0em 0em; + font-size: 400%; + line-height: 0.75em; +} +.x-ebookmaker-2 p.drop-cap, .x-ebookmaker-2 p.dc-extra { + text-indent: 0em; /* restore default */ +} +.x-ebookmaker-2 p.drop-cap:first-letter { + float: none; + margin: 0; + font-size: 100%; +} +.ht-1 { font-size: 200%; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.2em; margin-top: 4em; } +.ht-2 { font-size: 90%; margin-top: 2em; } +.ht-3 { font-size: 150%; letter-spacing: 0.1em; margin-top: 1.2em; } + + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp44 {width: 44%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp44 {width: 100%;} +.illowp95 {width: 95%;} +.illowp96 {width: 96%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77372 ***</div> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i"></a><a id="Page_ii"></a>[ii]</span></p> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp44 x-ebookmaker-drop" id="i_001" style="max-width: 50.0em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_001.jpg" alt="Illustrated title page"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center title-series"> +<i>THE LAKE SHORE SERIES.</i></p> +<hr class='r20s'> + +<div class='full-title'> +<h1> +<span class='title-main'>BRAKE UP;</span><br> +<span class='title-or'>OR,</span><br> +<span class='subtitle'>THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS.</span> +</h1> + +<p class='center title-by'>BY</p> +<p class='center title-author'>OLIVER OPTIC,</p> +<p class='center title-also'><span class='allsmcap'> +AUTHOR OF “YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD,” “THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES,”<br> +“THE WOODVILLE STORIES,” “THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES,”<br> +“THE STARRY FLAG STORIES,” ETC.</span></p> + +<div class='title-space'> +<hr class='r20'> +</div> + +<p class='center title-pub-city'> +BOSTON:</p> +<p class='center title-pub1'> +LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.</p> +<p class='center title-pub-city'> +NEW YORK:</p> +<p class='center title-pub2'> +LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.</p> +<p class='center pub-year'> +1873. +</p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class='center copyright'> + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by<br> + WILLIAM T. ADAMS,<br> + In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class='center printer'> + ELECTROTYPED AT THE<br> + BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY,<br> + NO. 19 SPRING LANE. +</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span></p> +<p class='center dedication-1'>TO</p> +<p class='center dedication-2'>MY YOUNG FRIEND</p> +<p class='center dedication-3'><i>ELLIOT WILLIAM SAYWARD</i></p> +<p class='center dedication-4 blackletter'>This Book</p> +<p class='center dedication-5'>IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. +</p> + +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p> +</div> + +<div class='series-list'> +<p class='center series-list-title'> + <i>THE LAKE SHORE SERIES.</i> + </p> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<div class='poetry-container'> +<div class='poetry'> +<div class='stanza'> +<ol> + <li><i>THROUGH BY DAYLIGHT</i>; or, + The Young Engineer of the Lake Shore Railroad.</li> + + <li><i>LIGHTNING EXPRESS</i>; or, The Rival Academies.</li> + + <li><i>ON TIME</i>; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga Steamer.</li> + + <li><i>SWITCH OFF</i>; or, The War of the Students.</li> + + <li><i>BRAKE UP</i>; or, The Young Peacemakers.</li> + + <li><i>BEAR AND FORBEAR</i>; or, The Young Skipper of Lake Ucayga.</li> +</ol></div></div></div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE"> + PREFACE. + </h2> +</div> + +<div class='preface-space'> +<hr class='r5'> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Brake Up</span>” is the fifth of <span class="smcap">The Lake Shore Series</span>, +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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></p> + +<p>The railroad phrase “<span class="smcap">Brake Up</span>” 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.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harrison Square, Boston</span>,</p> +<p class='pl9'>January 26, 1870.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS. + </h2> +</div> + +<div class='toc-space'> +<hr class='r5'> +</div> + + +<table class='toc'> +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_I'>CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td class='tdr toc-page'><span class='allsmcap'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl toc-first'> + <span class="smcap">Colonel Wimpleton won’t have it.</span> +</td><td class='tdr toc-first'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_II'>CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Brake Up!</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_III'>CHAPTER III.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Mr. Nicholas Van Wolter.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_31'>31</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV'>CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">A Glorious Opportunity.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_V'>CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Romance and Reality.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI'>CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">A Discomfited Aspirant.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII'>CHAPTER VII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Colonel Wimpleton drops the Reins.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'>CHAPTER VIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Secrets for Two.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX'>CHAPTER IX.</a> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">The Tipsy Magnate.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_96'>96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_X'>CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Tom Walton expresses his Opinion.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI'>CHAPTER XI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">A Generous Tippler.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII'>CHAPTER XII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Another Calamity.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'>CHAPTER XIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">After the Accident.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'>CHAPTER XIV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'>“<span class="smcap">The Occurrences of Yesterday.</span>”</td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_150'>150</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV'>CHAPTER XV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">A Tempting Offer.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'>CHAPTER XVI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">The Ucayga in Trouble.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'>CHAPTER XVII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">An Act of Courtesy.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_185'>185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'>CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">The Mystery of the Check.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_196'>196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'>CHAPTER XIX.</a> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Colonel Wimpleton humiliated.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_208'>208</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX'>CHAPTER XX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">A Night Trip to Hitaca.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI'>CHAPTER XXI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">What happened in the Road.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_232'>232</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII'>CHAPTER XXII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">Seven per cent. Bonds.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_244'>244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII'>CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">The Committee of Conference.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_256'>256</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV'>CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">The Magnates join Hands.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_268'>268</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV'>CHAPTER XXV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">More seven per cent. Bonds.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_280'>280</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class='tdc' colspan='2'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI'>CHAPTER XXVI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tdl'><span class="smcap">In Honor of the Reconciliation.</span></td> +<td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_292'>292</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> + +<p class='center ht-1'>BRAKE UP;</p> +<p class='center ht-2'>OR,</p> +<p class='center ht-3'>THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS.</p> +<div class='ht-rule'> +<hr class='r20'> +</div> +</div> + + <h2 class="nobreak first" id="CHAPTER_I"> + CHAPTER I. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>COLONEL WIMPLETON WON’T HAVE IT.</span> + </h2> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“I won’t</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“I won’t have it!” repeated Colonel Wimpleton, +with greater emphasis, as he dropped into the chair in +my state-room.</p> + +<p>“What, sir?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“I say I won’t have it,” he replied, fixing a kind of +vacant stare upon the floor.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II"> + CHAPTER II + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>BRAKE UP!</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>I looked</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span></p> + +<p>“What, sir?” I inquired again.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“You must go with me, Wolf,” said he, after another +long pause.</p> + +<p>“Where, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Over to Middleport.—No, I won’t have it! I’ll +put a stop to it!”</p> + +<p>“I really don’t understand you, Colonel Wimpleton,” +I pleaded.</p> + +<p>“You don’t understand it, Wolf? Yes, you do +understand it, Wolf. You know all about it.”</p> + +<p>“What, sir?”</p> + +<p>“What, sir!” sneered the colonel, fixing a stare of +drunken ire upon me. “You must go with me, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“But the boat must start in less than an hour,” I +added, consulting my watch.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care for the boat. This thing is of more +consequence than the boat, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“What thing, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Boys musn’t be men till they are old enough to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +be men, Wolf,” protested the great man. “Come +with me.”</p> + +<p>He rose with some difficulty from the chair, and +tottered towards the door.</p> + +<p>“Where am I to go, sir?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Over to the other side of the lake.”</p> + +<p>“But the boat⁠—”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, sir; I will tell Mr. Van Wolter that I +shall not go down the lake with him.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Courting!” ejaculated the colonel, as I put on my +cap. “I won’t have it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t understand you, sir,” I replied, startled by +the suggestive word he had used.</p> + +<p>“You’ll understand it very soon, Wolf, for I won’t +have it. Come with me.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“See where who have gone, sir?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“Why, Tom Toppleton and Waddie.”</p> + +<p>“I know where they have gone.”</p> + +<p>“Where?” he demanded, jerking up his head +suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Down to the Horse Shoe, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose you know all about it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span></p> + +<p>“They have gone to select a camp for the regiment—that’s +all.”</p> + +<p>“No, sir! That’s not all, Wolf! You know very +well that’s not all.”</p> + +<p>“At least, that’s all I know about it,” I pleaded.</p> + +<p>“Now, where’s Grace Toppleton? That’s what I +want to know,” said he, savagely.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I will ascertain where she is,” I replied, not unwilling +to call at the house of the major, where I +might see her.</p> + +<p>“Go, and don’t stop long.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span></p> + +<p>“I will, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Courting!” snuffed the colonel.</p> + +<p>“Who, sir?”</p> + +<p>“In love.”</p> + +<p>“Who, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I won’t have it! No, I won’t.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Wolf?” said the colonel, +awaking with a start.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, sir; perhaps a cow is on the track.”</p> + +<p>“Go ahead and see,” said he, thrusting his hand +into his breast pocket, where he must have kept his +bottle.</p> + +<p>I obeyed him, and as I opened the forward door, I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +my blood. Colonel Wimpleton lay on the track between +the rails, apparently unable to save himself.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Did ye mean to run over me?” said he; and it +was evident that his last dram had nearly finished him.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>[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.]</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_f001" style="max-width: 63.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_f001.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + BRAKE UP! + </figcaption> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III"> + CHAPTER III. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>MR. NICHOLAS VAN WOLTER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>Mr. Nick Van Wolter</span>, 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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“So do I know what I am about,” retorted Nick, +repelling what appeared to him to be an insinuation +that he did <i>not</i> 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.”</p> + +<p>“I hope so. You ought to be as high up in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“Father is his own master,” said Nick, with something +like malice in his tones.</p> + +<p>“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!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t, then.”</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“If you don’t find the chance, make it, Nicholas—make +it.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Your father is too tame and spiritless to do anything +for the family. You must do it for him, Nicholas,” +added Mrs. Van Wolter.</p> + +<p>“I’m willing to do what I can,” meekly responded +the hopeful son.</p> + +<p>“If you do, your father shall be captain of the +steamer; you shall be clerk, and in good time the +husband of Miss Minnie.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, mother? You don’t expect +me to make father captain—do you?”</p> + +<p>“Well, well; we won’t talk about that now,” answered +the mother, evasively. “We must use circumstances +for our own advantage.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Good morning, Mr. Van Wolter,” said Minnie, as +she arrived at the pier.</p> + +<p>There was a twinkle in her eye, and one would have +judged there was no little mischief in her composition. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Will it be a pleasure, Mr. Van Wolter?” said she, +mischievously, as she extended her gloved hand to him.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span></p> + +<p>“A shower, Waddie?” added Minnie.</p> + +<p>“It looks like one.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to go if it is to be rainy.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It will spoil Nick’s new clothes,” laughed the +sprightly miss.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you tease the simpleton,” whispered +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“I can’t help it. I enjoy it hugely,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“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!”</p> + +<p>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.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV"> + CHAPTER IV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>The</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Let her slide!” shouted Tom Walton, who was +not yet quite ready to believe that the new boat could +beat the Belle.</p> + +<p>“So we are to have a race, Waddie,” said his sister, +as the Belle shaped her course for the Horse Shoe.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“But you will drown us all, Waddie!” exclaimed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +Minnie, as the Raven careened under a flaw till the +gunwale was nearly submerged.</p> + +<p>“There is not the least danger while Mr. Wimpleton +is at the helm. He is the most skilful boatman +on the lake,” interposed Nick.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot steer as well as you can, Waddie; but +I will do the best I can,” added Nick.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“But you will certainly drown us, Waddie!” +cried Minnie, as the boat went down on the lee +side to her washboard.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p> + +<p>“Certainly, Mr. Van Wolter. Don’t be so polite +as to drown me.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Take in the jib, Nick,” said Waddie. “The +point is settled. The Raven is the fastest boat on +the lake.”</p> + +<p>The willing assistant obeyed this order, and the +boat went along a little steadier, much to the satisfaction +of the young lady passenger.</p> + +<p>“I hope you have not injured your coat, Mr. +Van Wolter,” said she, as he resumed his seat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span></p> + +<p>“Not at all, though it would be of no consequence +if I had,” replied Nick.</p> + +<p>“I think it would. When a young gentleman +has a really elegant appearance, it breaks my heart +to see it disturbed.”</p> + +<p>“Your heart is very tender, Miss Wimpleton.”</p> + +<p>“Like all ladies’ hearts.”</p> + +<p>Nick sighed.</p> + +<p>Minnie laughed.</p> + +<p>“What a beautiful breast-pin you wear, Mr. Van +Wolter!”</p> + +<p>“Do you like it?”</p> + +<p>“I think it is lovely.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by that, Waddie?” asked +Minnie, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“We may have a squall,” replied he, coolly.</p> + +<p>“A squall!” exclaimed she, terrified by the word. +“Do let us get ashore.”</p> + +<p>“A squall is nothing, if you only mind your eye,” +added the young boatman, lightly.</p> + +<p>“But I am afraid of squalls,” persisted Minnie. +“Can’t we go on shore?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Look out for a squall!” shouted Tom Walton +from the Belle, which had fallen astern as the breeze +died out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span></p> + +<p>“Ay, ay!” replied Waddie. “I see it.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“If we can get a puff or two of wind, we can +run up to the South Shoe, and anchor,” said Waddie.</p> + +<p>“It’s coming!” shouted Tom Walton, whose quick +eye had already discovered the approach of the +squall.</p> + +<p>“Yes, there it comes,” added Waddie, quietly. “I’ll +take the helm, Nick; you may go forward and +stand by the halyards.”</p> + +<p>“I will,” replied Nick.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span></p> + +<p>“Say when you are ready,” added Nick, as he +stationed himself on the half deck.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Look out for it!” roared Tom Walton, whose +voice could scarcely be heard above the noise of +the wind and waters.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Let go the halyards!” shouted Waddie, sharply. +“Be lively about it! The squall is upon us!”</p> + +<p>“Down with your mainsail!” cried Tom, as the +blast swept down upon the Raven. “Let go your +sheet!”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Let go! Down with the mainsail!” cried Waddie, +furiously.</p> + +<p>“Ay, ay!” replied Nick, as he let go the halyards; +but he was just half a second too late.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p051" style="max-width: 64.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p051.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + A LOST OPPORTUNITY. + </figcaption> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V"> + CHAPTER V. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>ROMANCE AND REALITY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>The</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“How is Minnie?” demanded Waddie, anxiously, +as soon as he was helped into the boat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“There wasn’t any need of jumping overboard—not +a bit,” interposed Tom Walton, with his good-natured +grin.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>The skipper of the Belle was a very practical young +man. Perhaps his education had been neglected, for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +he had never read a romance in his life, and was +utterly unable to appreciate the sublime heights to +which Nick soared.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“By the great horn spoon, Tommy, you did the +biggest thing a fellow ever did,” said Waddie, with +great enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I did what I thought was best,” repeated Tommy. +“We won’t say anything more about it now. What +shall we do?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span></p> + +<p>“We will run over to Grass Springs, and the girls +can dry themselves at the hotel,” suggested Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Good! Run for Grass Springs, Tom,” said Tommy +Toppleton.</p> + +<p>“All right,” answered the skipper, as he hoisted his +mainsail; and in a few moments the Belle was headed +towards the place indicated.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I am very glad Tommy was able to help you,” +replied Grace.</p> + +<p>“I want to see him, and thank him for what he +did,” added Minnie.</p> + +<p>“I will call him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span></p> + +<p>Tommy came at the summons, dripping like an eel +just from his native element.</p> + +<p>“Miss Wimpleton wishes to see you,” said Grace, +as he crawled into the cabin.</p> + +<p>“I do, Mr. Toppleton. I must thank you for saving +my life. I shall remember you with gratitude as long +as I live.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Tom Walton says there was not the least need of +my jumping overboard,” laughed the hero of the hour.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care what Tom Walton says; I shall +always feel that I owe my life to you.”</p> + +<p>“O, no! Not quite so bad as that. Tom would +have saved you in half a minute more, if I hadn’t.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Nick Van Wolter says he was just going to swim +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +to you when he saw me close beside you; so you +could not have drowned.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I am very much obliged to you for your good +opinion, Miss Wimpleton. I’m sure you don’t inherit +the family rancor.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t exactly understand how the Raven was +upset. Waddie is one of the best skippers on the +lake,” replied Tommy.</p> + +<p>“He has a lame arm, you know.”</p> + +<p>“That boat went over very easy.”</p> + +<p>“I certainly will never get into that boat again. +Where are we going now?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Your brother is a real nice young man,” said Minnie, +as the subject of her remark disappeared.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It’s just so with Waddie. Isn’t it strange what a +change has come over both of them?”</p> + +<p>“Very strange, indeed; but what a blessed change +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +it is! A year ago, Tommy would not even let me go +in a boat with him, though I am very fond of sailing.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I was not aware that I did blush,” added Grace, +with some confusion.</p> + +<p>“They say he is very fond of you.”</p> + +<p>“He is a very good friend of mine.”</p> + +<p>“I knew it,” said Minnie, archly. “What does +your father say about it?”</p> + +<p>“My father?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“About what?”</p> + +<p>“About Wolf, of course.”</p> + +<p>“He thinks very highly of him, and is grateful to +him for his kindness to Tommy when he was sick.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span></p> + +<p>“But what does he say about you and Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“About Wolf and me! Why, nothing, of course,” +replied Grace, evidently astonished at the remark.</p> + +<p>“How dull you are!” laughed Minnie. “Everybody +says Wolf is in love with you, and that you are +not indifferent towards him.”</p> + +<p>“Why, I never thought of any such thing!” exclaimed +Grace. “We are very good friends—that’s +all.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I suppose that’s enough.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“How people do talk!”</p> + +<p>“Why, I’m only sixteen years old!”</p> + +<p>“Sweet sixteen!”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think boys and girls of our age ought to +meddle with such matters.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed I don’t!”</p> + +<p>“Does Wolf think so?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know; but I’m certain that he never spoke +of such things to me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span></p> + +<p>“Perhaps he will one of these days, when the time +comes.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI"> + CHAPTER VI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A DISCOMFITED ASPIRANT.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“What</span> next?” asked Waddie Wimpleton, +when the Belle was made fast to the wharf +at Grass Springs.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“What will you give for her?” replied Waddie, +jocosely.</p> + +<p>“Fifty cents.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you say seventy-five?”</p> + +<p>“No; I wouldn’t give more than half a dollar.”</p> + +<p>“The Raven is the fastest boat on the lake, since +she has beaten the Belle handsomely.”</p> + +<p>“She beats her tipping over,” laughed Tom.</p> + +<p>“That wasn’t her fault,” replied Waddie, seriously. +“The Belle would have gone over under the same +circumstances.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose it did; but I don’t usually fasten a sheet +as that one was,” said Waddie, glancing at Nick.</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t it fastened right?” asked Nick, rather +diffidently.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Intend it?” stammered Nick.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I asked you if you intended to upset the +boat?”</p> + +<p>“What makes you think I intended to upset her?” +whined the culprit.</p> + +<p>“Because, if you did, you went to work just right, +and accomplished your purpose.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But you don’t believe Nick intended to have the +squall upset the boat when it came—do you?”</p> + +<p>“Of course I don’t believe it.”</p> + +<p>Nick breathed easier.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I always like to do a thing well; and I suppose I +overdid it this time,” muttered Nick.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I can’t imagine what you were thinking about +when you fastened that sheet, Nick.”</p> + +<p>“I really don’t know, myself,” pleaded the culprit.</p> + +<p>“Neither can I understand why you didn’t let go +the halyards when I told you to do so.”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t unfasten them. The ropes were new, +and full of kinks,” replied he.</p> + +<p>“You hoisted the sail and secured the halyards +yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I know I did; I don’t pretend to be much of a +sailor.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, what’s done can’t be helped,” said the good-natured +Tom Walton. “It’s no use to cry for spilled +milk.”</p> + +<p>“But it’s better to understand the matter, so as not +to spill any more.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I should not care a straw about it if Minnie had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +not been frightened out of a year’s growth,” said +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“It is lucky she is pretty tall now,” added Tom.</p> + +<p>“She will never dare to sail in this boat again.”</p> + +<p>“We will explain it to her,” suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“I suppose I shall not be wanted any more to-day,” +said he, humbly.</p> + +<p>“I think not; but you shall dine with us at the +hotel,” replied Waddie.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I won’t say anything about the boat to them,” +added Waddie. “I was only joking when I spoke of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you let him take your boat up, and +you return with us?” suggested Tommy.</p> + +<p>“Can you take the Raven up to Centreport without +upsetting her, Nick?” asked Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I can.”</p> + +<p>“Then you may take her.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” replied Nick, as he hastened to set +the mainsail.</p> + +<p>Pushing off from the Belle, the discomfited Nick +headed his craft up the lake.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII"> + CHAPTER VII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>COLONEL WIMPLETON DROPS THE REINS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>The</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +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.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p079" style="max-width: 64.0em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p079.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + NICK’S OPPORTUNITY. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Stop him! Stop him!” cried the colonel, who +was plainly terrified by the situation, for the reins +were dragging on the ground.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span></p> + +<p>“Whoa, Major; whoa!” said Nick, in soothing +tones, for he had had some experience with horses.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Whoa, Major; whoa!” continued Nick, panting +from the violence of his own efforts.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“You have done me a good turn, young man,” said +the magnate, when he was safe on the solid ground.</p> + +<p>“Whoa, Major; whoa!” added Nick, as the horse +began to be impatient again.</p> + +<p>“O, it’s Nick Van Wolter!” exclaimed the colonel, +as he recognized the person to whom he was indebted +for this signal service.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; that is my name,” replied Nick. “The +Major is wide awake to-day.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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!”</p> + +<p>“You have done me a good turn, young man,” +added the colonel, who felt compelled to express his +obligations.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span></p> + +<p>“I’m glad to serve you, sir,” answered Nick, struggling +to be modest.</p> + +<p>“Come to my house, when you get back to town, +and I will make it all right with you.”</p> + +<p>“O, it’s all right now, sir.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want any pay, sir, for doing a thing like +this,” replied Nick, in the words of the romances he +had read.</p> + +<p>“Come and see me, at any rate.”</p> + +<p>“I will, sir, if you desire; but I don’t wish to be +paid for a slight service like this.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir; I have a boat here.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; but come and see me as soon as you +return;” and the magnate started his horse.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII"> + CHAPTER VIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>SECRETS FOR TWO.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“I have</span> done a big thing now, anyhow!” exclaimed +Nick to himself, as the great man of +Centreport drove off.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Is anything the matter, sir?” asked Nick, as he +rushed up to the vehicle.</p> + +<p>“No; nothing. I want to say a word to you, +young man, before I go,” said the colonel, whose +expression was sheepish and embarrassed.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” answered Nick, as the speaker paused.</p> + +<p>“You are, no doubt, a very discreet young man,” +continued the colonel.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span></p> + +<p>“I try to be so, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t like to be talked about.”</p> + +<p>“No one does, sir.”</p> + +<p>“By the merest accident in the world I dropped +my reins, and my horse ran away with me.”</p> + +<p>“It was only what might happen to any one, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Very true.”</p> + +<p>“Even to the minister, if he drove a smart horse,” +suggested Nick, who exactly comprehended the meaning +of the great man.</p> + +<p>“Certainly; but people talk more about what I +do and say than they do about other folks.”</p> + +<p>“Your high position and vast influence make you +very prominent in the community, sir. It is not +strange they should talk about you.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not; but I don’t like to be misapprehended.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“I understand you precisely, sir,” added Nick. +“Nothing happens to any one around here but somebody +says he was drunk.”</p> + +<p>Colonel Wimpleton frowned.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“In a word, young man, you need not mention +that my horse ran away to-day,” said the colonel.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Keep your tongue still, and you shall not lose +anything by it.”</p> + +<p>“I understand you, sir; and no one shall ever be +the wiser for anything I say.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right; come and see me as soon you return. +What are you doing up here?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Were they out in the boat?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; and Tommy Toppleton and Miss Grace +were with them.”</p> + +<p>“Humph!” sneered the magnate, with a savage +frown. “What are they doing there?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What was that?”</p> + +<p>“Waddie’s boat capsized in the squall, and we +were all pitched into the lake.”</p> + +<p>“What!” exclaimed the colonel, startled at the +intelligence.</p> + +<p>“But they are all safe, sir,” added Nick, promptly. +“Tommy Toppleton swam out and rescued Miss +Minnie.”</p> + +<p>“She is safe, then,” said the father, with a sigh +of relief.</p> + +<p>“O, yes! She is all right now. I didn’t mean to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you mean to say anything to me +about it?” demanded the colonel.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean? What is going on over +there?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What affair? What are you talking about?” +said the magnate, sharply.</p> + +<p>“I ought not to have said that the boat was +upset.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Because Tommy Toppleton saved Minnie. But +I hope you won’t ask me to say anything more +about it,” pleaded Nick.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span></p> + +<p>“What more is there to be said?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, there is!” protested the colonel, his curiosity +excited to the highest pitch.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What is going on?” demanded the great man, +his patience exhausted by the apologies and explanations +of Nick.</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, one of these days, your daughter, Miss +Minnie, will be the wife of Tommy Toppleton,” replied +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +Mr. Van Wolter, desperately. “Of course I +give it only as my opinion, and you can take it for +what it is worth.”</p> + +<p>“The wife of Tommy Toppleton! Why, they are +only children!” exclaimed the colonel.</p> + +<p>“Tommy is a child of eighteen, and Miss Minnie +is a child of sixteen,” added Nick, shrugging his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“So Tommy saved Minnie’s life,” said the colonel, +musing on the probabilities of the case.</p> + +<p>“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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +Tom Walton said there was no need of Tommy’s +jumping overboard.”</p> + +<p>“But he did swim to her?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It shall not! I’ll send Minnie to the other end +of the world before any such thing shall happen,” +protested the colonel, wrathfully.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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!”</p> + +<p>“I knew you wouldn’t, sir, if you only knew it; +but I’m afraid I’ve made a great mistake in meddling +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> +with a matter which does not concern me. +Waddie and Miss Minnie would hate me if they +knew I had said anything to you.”</p> + +<p>“They shall not know it. No one shall know +that you have even seen me to-day.”</p> + +<p>“They shall not know it from me,” replied Nick, +significantly.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Did you see anything of a runaway horse down +the road, about an hour ago?” asked the farmer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes; I saw a horse hitched to a buggy going +it at a pretty lively gait towards Centreport,” replied +Nick.</p> + +<p>“Do you know what became of it?”</p> + +<p>“The horse stopped on the hill below here. I +suppose he got tired of running,” answered Nick, +cautiously.</p> + +<p>“Do you know who it was?”</p> + +<p>“No; he was a stranger to me.”</p> + +<p>“I was so far off I couldn’t see very well; but +it looked a little like Colonel Wimpleton’s team.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know but it might be Colonel Wimpleton. +They say he steams it pretty hard now.”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t the colonel, I know; for I saw the +man’s face very distinctly. He was a younger man +than the colonel.”</p> + +<p>The farmer was apparently satisfied, and the two +young men accompanied Nick to the place where +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +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.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>[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.]</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX"> + CHAPTER IX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE TIPSY MAGNATE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>I was</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Why did you get out of the cars, sir?”</p> + +<p>“To dzee what’s the matter.”</p> + +<p>“Let me help you, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t zwant any help.”</p> + +<p>“Hurry up,” said the conductor, from the platform +of the rear car. The colonel tried to get up alone, but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t know where he is. We will go up to the +hotel and inquire,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“That’s zright—the hotel.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Hadn’t you better lie down, sir?” I asked, when +the landlord had left me alone with him.</p> + +<p>“Lie dzown!” exclaimed he, with a convulsive jerk +of the head; “what for?”</p> + +<p>“You don’t seem to be very well to-day,” I suggested.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps if you lie down you will feel better.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I did not tell them so; but they could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +not help seeing that something was the matter with +you.”</p> + +<p>“I dz’pose they did. I’ll lie down, Wolfz.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>protégé</i>, +had unwittingly stepped between me and my hopes.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span></p> + +<p>“I’m going over to the Horse Shoe,” I began.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you come down to join the party here?” he +asked, interrupting me.</p> + +<p>“What party?”</p> + +<p>“Why, the young gentlemen and young ladies.”</p> + +<p>“Whom do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Toppleton and Mr. Wimpleton.”</p> + +<p>“Are they here?” I replied.</p> + +<p>“They have been here these two hours; the ladies +longer than that.”</p> + +<p>“Who are the ladies?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Wimpleton and Miss Toppleton.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Yes, they are both here. They ordered dinner for +six, but Tom Walton seems to be the only other +person present.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span></p> + +<p>“I never saw the colonel so bad before,” said the +landlord, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>“He will sleep it off, after a while, I hope,” I +replied. “Then Waddie and Tommy are not on the +Horse Shoe?”</p> + +<p>“No; they were going there, and met with an +accident.”</p> + +<p>“What was that?” I asked, with no little anxiety; +for I could not forget that Grace was one of the +party.</p> + +<p>“The Raven upset in the squall this forenoon, and +Miss Wimpleton came pretty near getting drowned.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed! Was Miss Toppleton with her?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad they got out of the scrape so well.”</p> + +<p>“They were lucky.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t like the looks of that Raven, when she +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +came down from Hitaca,” I added. “She didn’t look +as though she knew how to stay right side up.”</p> + +<p>“Tom Walton says the boat is crank, but it was not +her fault. The other fellow with Waddie⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Who was that?—Nick Van Wolter?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Why so?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X"> + CHAPTER X. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>TOM WALTON EXPRESSES HIS OPINION.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>I knew</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +and Tommy? I know they will be glad to see +you.”</p> + +<p>“I should be very sorry to have them see me just +now,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Why, what’s the matter? What’s the row? Has +anything broke?” he asked, a shade of anxiety overspreading +his face.</p> + +<p>“In a word, Tom, Colonel Wimpleton is as drunk +as a beast, in the next room.”</p> + +<p>“Whew!” said, or rather whistled, Tom, his eyes +opening till they looked like a couple of saucers.</p> + +<p>“Yes; and he came within about a quarter of an +inch of being run over and smashed by the train that +brought us down.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Tom, with genuine +feeling.</p> + +<p>“That’s so. I wouldn’t have Waddie or Miss Minnie +see him now for all the money that he is worth.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I never saw him so bad before,” I replied; “and +I hope I never shall again. It’s really horrible.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span></p> + +<p>“What are you doing down here with him, if he is +so much over the bay?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Wolf!” said Tom, with an expressive +grin.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Now, Tom, what does all this mean?” I asked, +when I had finished the narrative.</p> + +<p>“Well, I reckon the colonel is considerable more +than half right,” replied the skipper of the Belle, +candidly.</p> + +<p>“You really think that Waddie and Miss Grace are +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +interested in each other,” I added, squarely, determined +to know the worst, so far as I was personally +concerned, at once.</p> + +<p>“O, no! no! no!” protested Tom, vehemently, as +his chin dropped down; “I don’t mean anything of +that sort.”</p> + +<p>He was much disturbed to think he had conveyed +to me a wrong impression on a subject that so deeply +affected me.</p> + +<p>“What is it, then?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But he has hardly ever met her before to-day,” +I suggested.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Why shouldn’t he, if he is disposed to do so?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“My boat?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“How should he know anything about it?” demanded +Tom, suddenly, as he recalled the circumstances +of the day.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Did that Nick Van Wolter tell him?”</p> + +<p>“No; he had not returned with the Raven when +we left Centreport.”</p> + +<p>“If he did, I should be willing to break his head +on my own account.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, he imagined it about right, then,” said Tom.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Whenever my party says the word.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.’”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I feel a little better of that pain, Wolf,” said +he; “but I haven’t got quite over it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span></p> + +<p>“I am glad you feel better, sir,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“I’m better, but I am not well,” he continued, +grasping his coat, which I had hung on the bed-post.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>He paused, and continued to stare at me, with a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +savage frown on his brow. It was useless for me to +say anything, and I did not speak.</p> + +<p>“For sickness, Wolf,” repeated he. “I told you I +was sick, and I take brandy for it.”</p> + +<p>He stopped again, but I made no reply.</p> + +<p>“Did you empty this flask, Wolf?” demanded he, +sternly.</p> + +<p>“I did, sir,” I answered, as gently as I could speak.</p> + +<p>“You did!” roared he.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; I did.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“You impudent puppy!” said he, grinding his teeth.</p> + +<p>I was silent and motionless.</p> + +<p>“Are you my guardian?”</p> + +<p>“I have tried to take care of you, sir.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by that?” he continued, after +thinking a moment, probably to determine the meaning +of my words.</p> + +<p>I think he had sense enough to understand his own +condition, though doubtless he did not realize how +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“I have done what I could for you, sir,” I replied, +evasively.</p> + +<p>“What did you throw away my brandy—my +medicine—for?”</p> + +<p>“Because I thought you had taken enough, sir,” I +answered, finding that it was useless for me to attempt +to dodge the issue.</p> + +<p>“You did!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. You were very much intoxicated,” I +continued, mildly, but firmly.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI"> + CHAPTER XI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A GENEROUS TIPPLER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>I was</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“Brandy!” repeated the great man, in a loud and +imperative tone.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf!” shouted he from his room.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“If you have no further occasion for me, I think I +will return to Middleport by the dummy.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t go. I want you,” said he. “You said I +was drunk.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; I did say so; but only to explain what I +had done.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say I <i>was</i> drunk, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; I have no doubt of it,” I replied, with a +candor which astonished myself.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span></p> + +<p>“You are the first person that ever told me I was +drunk.”</p> + +<p>“I hope it will be the last time any one will have +occasion to say so, sir.”</p> + +<p>“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 <i>was</i> drunk.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; and you are drunk now.”</p> + +<p>“Now?” he repeated, with a silly laugh.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What has become of Waddie and that girl?” he +inquired.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span></p> + +<p>“What girl?”</p> + +<p>“Why, the Toppleton girl.”</p> + +<p>“They have gone to the Horse Shoe, sir; but they +were in the house when you arrived.”</p> + +<p>“Were they? Why didn’t you tell me of it?”</p> + +<p>“I would not have had them see you as you were +then for all you are worth.”</p> + +<p>He pursed up his lips, as he had a habit of doing +when he was vexed or chagrined, and gazed upon the +floor.</p> + +<p>“You think I was drunk—do you, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Did you say you thought I was drunk, Wolf?” +repeated he again.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, bring me a pen and ink,” he added, after +gazing at the floor a while.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span></p> + +<p>“Don’t you think you had better lie down and take +another nap, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Bring me a pen and ink, I say.”</p> + +<p>“I think you had better lie down.”</p> + +<p>“Will you bring me a pen and ink, or shall I go +myself for them?” said he, sharply.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you want some paper, sir?”</p> + +<p>“No; bring me my coat,” he replied.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +wrote what I supposed to be the date, for I was not +impolite enough to look over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I know you were, sir; but if you think I am +mistaken, I will call the landlord.”</p> + +<p>“Did he see me, too?”</p> + +<p>“He couldn’t well help seeing you.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Take that, Wolf,” said he, the drunken leer on his +face becoming more intense.</p> + +<p>“What is it, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Take it.”</p> + +<p>I obeyed him. It was a check for ten thousand +dollars, payable to Wolf Penniman or bearer. I was +astonished and bewildered.</p> + +<p>“What is this for, sir?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“You can draw the money at the Centreport +Bank,” he replied.</p> + +<p>“I do not understand you, Colonel Wimpleton.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“What is it for, sir?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I owe you, Wolf.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span></p> + +<p>“I think not.”</p> + +<p>“O, I do,” protested he, vehemently; “you saved +my life once, but I never gave you a dollar for it.”</p> + +<p>“But you gave me the command of the steamer, +sir.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Is this the price of my silence in regard to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +events of to-day?” I asked, beginning to think that +this was the solution of his extraordinary generosity.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>It was useless to contend, and I did not attempt to +oppose him.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“What’s that, Wolf?” he demanded, with excited +interest. “Bring the paper. Let me see it.”</p> + +<p>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.” +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +I pushed the paper across the table to him. +Adjusting his eye-glass, he read it.</p> + +<p>“I would rather have your name to that paper than +to this,” I repeated, pointing to the check, and pushing +it towards him.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to insult me, Wolf?” demanded he, +sternly.</p> + +<p>“By no means, sir,” I replied, fearful that I had +gone too far. “I mean exactly what I say.”</p> + +<p>Taking the paper from the table, he indignantly tore +it into very small pieces, and then, rushing to the window, +threw them out.</p> + +<p>“I am not an idiot! I am not a child!” protested +he. “I know what I am about, you see.”</p> + +<p>“I did not mean to offend you, sir.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“On the Horse Shoe, I suppose, unless he has left +for home.”</p> + +<p>“Is the Toppleton girl with him?”</p> + +<p>“I believe she is.”</p> + +<p>“Courting!” sneered he. “I won’t have it! No, +I won’t!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But they are together.”</p> + +<p>“You have nothing to fear from Waddie, if they +are.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I hope you will not, sir,” I interposed.</p> + +<p>“I will.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot keep your secret, if you expose yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I am as regular as you are, Wolf;” and he went +out of the room by the door opening into the entry.</p> + +<p>I followed him, determined that he should not go to +the Horse Shoe, if I could possibly prevent him from +doing so.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII"> + CHAPTER XII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>ANOTHER CALAMITY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>It</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Where are you, Wolf? I’m looking for you,” said +the colonel, appearing at the entry door.</p> + +<p>“Did you tear up the check you wrote, sir?”</p> + +<p>“The check?” repeated he, evidently trying to +stimulate his memory.</p> + +<p>“You wrote a check for ten thousand dollars in my +favor, and handed it to me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot find it anywhere,” I added.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Hallo, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>I turned. It was Nick Van Wolter.</p> + +<p>“How are you, Nick?” I replied.</p> + +<p>“What are you looking for, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>I did not deem it necessary to inform him what I +was looking for; so I did not give him a direct +answer.</p> + +<p>“Where is the colonel? I heard he was on a +regular bat!” asked Nick, with a coarse grin.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span></p> + +<p>“He is at the hotel.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>I could not exactly see why Nick had volunteered +this explanation.</p> + +<p>“Did you think the colonel was after the party?” +I inquired.</p> + +<p>“From what my father said, I supposed he was.”</p> + +<p>Then the mate had understood Colonel Wimpleton +much better than I could, before we left the +Ucayga, which seemed a little odd to me.</p> + +<p>“What did your father say?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“He said the colonel was on a regular bat, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +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?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I understand.”</p> + +<p>“You see, if the colonel caught Waddie and Miss +Minnie with Tom and his sister, he would raise Cain +with them.”</p> + +<p>“I do not think that he would trouble them under +ordinary circumstances,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“O, yes, he would!” protested Nick, who, strangely +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +enough, as I thought, seemed to know more about +the matter than I did.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; the one I hired at Ruoara.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“O, I will do that, certainly,” replied the obliging +Nick.</p> + +<p>“Don’t say a word about his being out of the way.”</p> + +<p>“No; certainly not,” answered he, with a prudent +shake of the head.</p> + +<p>“You understand the case as well as I do, and +you must manage it as best you can.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll go right over;” and he hastened towards the +landing, which was a short distance up the lake.</p> + +<p>I returned to the hotel, abundantly satisfied with +the arrangement I had made. While I could not +exactly understand how Nick happened so accurately +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t mean to destroy the other.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you did not, sir; though I cannot find it.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I think it is rather late to go there to-night; and +it looks a little like another shower,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk to me, Wolf! I say I’m going to the +Horse Shoe.”</p> + +<p>It was useless to contend, and I accompanied him +down to the public landing. As I had sent Nick +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Stop zem, Wolf! Stop zem!” said he, angrily.</p> + +<p>I did hail the Belle, but no notice was taken of +my call.</p> + +<p>“Pull for zat boat,” added he, pointing to the Belle.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span></p> + +<p>“Why don’t you do dzi tell you, Wolf?” demanded +the colonel, rising in the boat as though he +intended to come at me.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p138" style="max-width: 64.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p138.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + COLONEL WIMPLETON SLIPS. + </figcaption> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII"> + CHAPTER XIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>AFTER THE ACCIDENT.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>My</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Hurry up, Wolf!” shouted Nick, with a gasp, +extorted from him by the weight of his burden.</p> + +<p>“My skiff is full of water, and I can’t do anything +with it,” I replied.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Catch this rope, Nick,” I called to him, as I coiled +up my painter, ready to toss it to him.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span></p> + +<p>“How do you feel, Colonel Wimpleton?” I asked.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What shall we do, Wolf?” asked he.</p> + +<p>“Run for Grass Springs,” I replied.</p> + +<p>He hauled in the sheet, and put the helm up, +heading the boat to the point I suggested.</p> + +<p>“That was a narrow escape for the colonel,” added +Nick, in a low tone, as he glanced at the sufferer +on the seat.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“How did it happen?”</p> + +<p>I shook my head slightly, to indicate that we had +better not discuss this matter in the presence of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“How do you feel, colonel?” I inquired, when he +had recovered from the fit.</p> + +<p>“A little better,” he replied, raising his hand to +his breast pocket.</p> + +<p>He took out his brandy flask, and attempted to +remove the stopple; but his trembling hands refused +to perform the task.</p> + +<p>“Let me open it for you,” I interposed.</p> + +<p>If brandy is ever good for anything, it is for a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +person in his condition. At first he was not disposed +to let me take the flask.</p> + +<p>“I think you need a little now. It will do you +good,” I added.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Put more in,” said he.</p> + +<p>I obeyed him, and filled the cup nearly full.</p> + +<p>“Will you have some water with it?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“No;” and he drank it off, or rather poured it +down his throat.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +he kept warm on the passage, which, in the fresh +breeze we had, was made in an hour and a quarter.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“We did not. I am not aware that any one except +ourselves knows anything about it,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“And no one ever shall,” added Nick, looking at +me, and evidently speaking for both of us.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span></p> + +<p>“You can sleep here, Wolf,” suggested the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I thank you, sir; but I think I will go home,” +I replied; and, bidding him good night, I left the +house.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV"> + CHAPTER XIV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>“THE OCCURRENCES OF YESTERDAY.”</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>The</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“How are you this morning, Wolf?” said he.</p> + +<p>“All right. How is it with you, after the disaster +of yesterday?” I inquired.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“How is your sister? I hope she don’t suffer any +on account of her bath.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Now, what was the matter with my father yesterday, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“I did. Your father suspected that you and Grace, +and Tommy and Miss Wimpleton, were becoming +too well acquainted.”</p> + +<p>“Grace and I!” laughed Waddie, opening his +eyes. “You can tell him from me that there isn’t +a particle of truth in that.”</p> + +<p>His earnest declaration removed the last doubt +that disturbed me.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know where he obtained his information, +if he did obtain any, but he was very much incensed +against you.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Have you seen your father this morning?” I inquired, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +with more interest than I was willing to +manifest.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“There is not much to say,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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:⁠—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Wolf Penniman</span>: 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.</p> + +<p>“Your father may still retain his place as engineer. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +He is a faithful man, and I hope he will remain +where he is.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p class="right pr1"> + <span class="smcap">Wimpleton.</span>” +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What have you there, Wolf?” asked my father, +who stood near me.</p> + +<p>“A letter from Colonel Wimpleton,” I replied, handing +it to him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Why, what does this mean, Wolf?” demanded +my father; and I think I never saw him look more +anxious and disturbed in my life.</p> + +<p>“You know as much about it as I do, father,” +I replied.</p> + +<p>“No, I don’t. I can’t tell what he means by the +occurrences of yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“They had nothing whatever to do with the +steamer.”</p> + +<p>“Wolf, there is some terrible secret under this.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed there is not, father,” I protested. “I have +done nothing which I should be ashamed to have +published in the newspapers.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“There are certain occurrences which I cannot mention +to any one; but I think of nothing to explain +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not satisfied, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I want to talk with you. Can’t you go down to +Ucayga in the boat?”</p> + +<p>“I have no objection, if the colonel has not.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What’s going on, Captain Penniman?” said he, +in high excitement.</p> + +<p>“I only know that I am dismissed,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“Read that,” he added, handing me his letter.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span></p> + +<p>“What’s the trouble, Captain Penniman?” asked +he, as I returned the letter.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t the least idea, Captain Van Wolter,” I +replied; and by this time I had fully recovered my +self-possession.</p> + +<p>“This is all new to me. I never asked to be appointed +captain of this boat, and never expected the +place,” he continued.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You are very kind, Captain Penniman. Of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +course I should like the place; but I don’t wish to +have you shoved out of it. I am tempted to decline +it.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t do that.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I will go down with you on this trip, and give +you the bearings,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>While I was thinking of the matter, my father, +who had asked Christy Holgate to take charge of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +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.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV"> + CHAPTER XV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A TEMPTING OFFER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“Wolf,</span> 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?”</p> + +<p>“Probably Colonel Wimpleton does not so regard +it,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“They say he fell off the train, and came very +near being killed.”</p> + +<p>“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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +We put on the brakes hard, or he might have been +killed,” I added, stating the case as mildly as possible.</p> + +<p>“If he don’t brake up there will an end of him,” +said my father, shaking his head. “They say he +drinks very hard.”</p> + +<p>“I think there is no doubt about that.”</p> + +<p>“You picked him up, I suppose,” continued my +father.</p> + +<p>“I assisted in doing it. Of course all this was +known to the people on the train.”</p> + +<p>“It’s no secret, for the passengers on board are +spreading it as fast as they can. But what else +happened yesterday?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But everybody knows that.”</p> + +<p>“Everybody but the tippler himself,” I added. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>“He thinks no one has any idea that he drinks more +than he can carry.”</p> + +<p>“You took care of him while he was in this state.”</p> + +<p>“I did what I could for him.”</p> + +<p>“And he discharges you for this!” exclaimed my +father, compressing his lips, as if to suppress his +indignation.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It’s very singular,” added my father, with a puzzled +expression.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>I had plenty of time for reflection. I was out of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Waddie?” I asked, pleasantly +and coolly.</p> + +<p>“I am the president of the Steamboat Company, +and until I discharge you, you are not discharged.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span></p> + +<p>“I am willing to waive the forms.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care for the forms. You are still captain +of the steamer.”</p> + +<p>“Have you seen your father?”</p> + +<p>“I have; he is not very well to-day.”</p> + +<p>I did not see how he could be very well after the +debauch of the day before.</p> + +<p>“What does he say?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>He read it, and looked even more puzzled than +before.</p> + +<p>“Well, what does all this mean? ‘Occurrences +of yesterday,’ ‘confidential,’ ‘consideration,’” he added, +glancing over the note a second time.</p> + +<p>“So far as there was anything confidential between +your father and me, it must remain so.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” said Waddie. “I don’t mean to pry +into anything that does not concern me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span></p> + +<p>“Now, Waddie, I am going to submit to the +action of your father, and I wish you to do the +same.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t do it,” protested he. “It is mean to discharge +you in this manner.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“If I am not to be allowed to know the facts, of +course I can’t judge whether it is mean or not.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“Does he say anything?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Why should he suppose so?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. Then you sent Nick Van Wolter +to warn us to keep out of the way.”</p> + +<p>“He could not have known that.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he did.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“I have about come to the conclusion that Nick +is a snake.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think so?” I added, rather startled by +the suggestion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What makes you think Nick is a snake?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It may be so.”</p> + +<p>“I shall keep an eye on Nick, and find out, if possible, +what is going on between him and my father.”</p> + +<p>“I hope Nick is not playing foul,” I added, musing.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI"> + CHAPTER XVI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE UCAYGA IN TROUBLE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>It</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“What did your father say, Waddie?” I asked, +opening the subject which was uppermost in my +thought.</p> + +<p>“He is rather non-committal,” replied my friend. +“He says it is for you to do as you think proper.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span></p> + +<p>“Did he make no objection?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Was that all?”</p> + +<p>“Every word. He didn’t want to say anything; +and I dragged this out of him.”</p> + +<p>“That is not very satisfactory,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Take it, Wolf, and ask no more questions,” said +he, as we walked towards the town.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I want you, Wolf,” said he, in excited tones.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“Jump in, and I will tell you,” he replied, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“I have just accepted an invitation to dine with +Captain Portman,” I added.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he will be kind enough to excuse you +to-day.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span></p> + +<p>“Certainly, if you desire,” said my friend, in a low +tone.</p> + +<p>“I will return, if possible,” I answered, as I jumped +into the buggy with Waddie.</p> + +<p>I was satisfied that something important had happened, +and I was curious to know what it was.</p> + +<p>“The Ucayga is aground in the Horse Shoe Channel!” +said Waddie, as he started.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry for the captain.”</p> + +<p>“He will kill the line in a month,” replied Waddie, +fretfully, “He missed his connection yesterday, and +now the boat is aground.”</p> + +<p>“Van Wolter is a first-rate man.”</p> + +<p>“He’s a first-rate man, but he isn’t fit for captain.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that. The Horse Shoe Channel +is all that troubles him.”</p> + +<p>“Well, he must go through there in order to be on +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +time. He lost the trains yesterday by going round +the South Shoe.”</p> + +<p>“But where are you going?” I inquired, for Waddie +had turned his horse, and was driving furiously +towards the steamboat wharf.</p> + +<p>“I want you to go up and get her off.”</p> + +<p>“Me!” I exclaimed. “I don’t know that I can +get her off.”</p> + +<p>“I know you can,” added Waddie, confidently. +“She will stay there till doomsday if you don’t get +her off.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You are making it rather strong, Waddie.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not! By the great horn spoon, I’m only +telling you just what the messenger that came down +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +for assistance says. They are firing up the old tow-boat, +and you must go down with me in her.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But he is not here.”</p> + +<p>“He will be back, perhaps, before the tow-boat is +ready to start. She can’t get off under an hour.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; I will see him.”</p> + +<p>“In the mean time, I will go over to Middleport. +I will return by half past two.”</p> + +<p>Reluctantly he consented to my plan; and I borrowed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span></p> + +<p>“I have seen my father,” said he, as soon as I came +within hailing distance of him.</p> + +<p>“What does he say?” I asked, as I came up to +the wharf.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +reasonably confident that I should be able to realize +Waddie’s high hope of my ability.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p183" style="max-width: 63.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p183.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE UCAYGA IN TROUBLE. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII"> + CHAPTER XVII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>AN ACT OF COURTESY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“Captain Penniman</span>, 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.</p> + +<p>His face was the impersonation of abject misery, +and I realized that he was suffering intensely.</p> + +<p>“Don’t take it so hard, captain,” I replied, pressing +his hand. “Accidents do happen to the best +of men.”</p> + +<p>“I am ruined!” groaned he.</p> + +<p>“Not at all! There is no ruin about it. How +did it happen?”</p> + +<p>“I hardly know. I suppose I gave her a little +too much helm, and she got to swinging.”</p> + +<p>“Did you stop her wheels?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; but I had to hug the port side to keep +her from swinging, and then she ran on.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span></p> + +<p>“She has gone on pretty hard, I see.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, she has; I have done everything I could +to haul her off; but she sticks tight.”</p> + +<p>“You had nothing to work with, and you could +hardly expect to get her off. But what have you +done?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“All right. That’s a good idea,” I added.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I think we can manage that,” I replied, moving +towards the engine-room, where my father was in +charge.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Now, captain, we will go to work,” said I. “Let +your men bring that hawser to the shaft.”</p> + +<p>He promptly followed my directions, without asking +any questions.</p> + +<p>“Pass the rope under and over the shaft. Give +it about three turns,” I continued.</p> + +<p>“I see the idea,” replied Van Wolter; “but I +am afraid the hawser will part.”</p> + +<p>“You must not let it part. If it strains too hard, +ease it off,” I answered, giving him a fuller explanation +of my plan.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I am not too fast.”</p> + +<p>“I think you are. You are very kind; but I am +not sure that your promises can be redeemed.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“But I am not sure that your father will consent +to any change.”</p> + +<p>“He must consent.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Are you all ready?” I shouted.</p> + +<p>“All ready,” replied the captains, one after another.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead!” I called.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“She moves!” cried Captain Van Wolter; and I +thought I could hear the keel grate upon the sand.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span></p> + +<p>“Stop her!” I shouted, at the top of my lungs, +at the same time making violent gestures to the +three boats.</p> + +<p>The order was promptly obeyed.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, Ucayga!” I continued, fearful that she +would take the ground on the other side of the +channel.</p> + +<p>Van Wolter started the wheels, and checked her; +but she lay obliquely across the channel, where it +was impossible to start her.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“I shall never take her through there again,” +said he.</p> + +<p>“You will soon get the hang of it,” I replied, as +I rang to stop her. “I will help you.”</p> + +<p>“Are you not going down with us?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid not, sir; but I would,” replied Waddie.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I will, with pleasure, sir,” answered Waddie, as +the major left the spot.</p> + +<p>“Does he mean it?” asked Waddie, after musing +a moment.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, I must go home,” continued Waddie. +“Good by.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“No matter if it is. You shall have your money, +if they have to open the bank for you.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton sends his regards to you, and +says he is glad the Ucayga has been got off,” said +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“What!” exclaimed the magnate, his cheeks reddening.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"> + CHAPTER XVIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE MYSTERY OF THE CHECK.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“I will</span> go with you to the bank, and see that +you get your money, Wolf,” said Waddie.</p> + +<p>“What does your father think about the boat?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton stands first rate, just now,” I +added.</p> + +<p>“He would make up, I think, if my father would.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> +upon his books and papers. I handed him my check. +Waddie requested him to pay it, and then walked +into another room.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“In my favor!” I exclaimed, confounded by the +statement, and rather inclined to think he was quizzing +me.</p> + +<p>“Yes; ten thousand dollars.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean so!”</p> + +<p>“Certainly I do,” answered the cashier, very good-naturedly, +I thought, considering that there was a +suspicion of something wrong about the matter.</p> + +<p>“I think you are joking, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all. I am entirely serious,” he added, +still smiling.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Am I to understand, sir, that you paid a check +for ten thousand dollars in my favor?” I demanded, +rather warmly.</p> + +<p>“That is precisely what I did,” answered the +cashier, squarely.</p> + +<p>“And to me?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not to you in person.”</p> + +<p>“Who presented it?”</p> + +<p>“Van Wolter.”</p> + +<p>“What, the mate of the Ucayga—or rather the +captain?” I continued, beginning to be somewhat +excited.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I can only say that somebody has been swindling +you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“It’s a fraud, sir!” I protested, vehemently.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Private! But I tell you I sent no check, and I +have not seen the money,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span></p> + +<p>“What’s the matter;” demanded Waddie, returning +to the banking-room. “Can’t you pay the check, +Mr. Barnes?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, Waddie; there is no trouble about +that. We were speaking of another matter,” answered +the cashier. “Here is the evening paper.”</p> + +<p>Waddie took the paper, and returned to the +directors’ room.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“He did, but⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Very well; and I paid it.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“That may satisfy you, but it does not satisfy me,” +I added.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Barnes, do you regard me as a liar?” I demanded, +indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not.”</p> + +<p>“Then I say again, that I have sent no check to +the bank, and I have not received the money you +paid.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span></p> + +<p>“That is your lookout.”</p> + +<p>“Will you let me see the check?”</p> + +<p>“Of course.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Do you understand it now?” asked the cashier.</p> + +<p>“I am beginning to have an idea,” I replied, returning +to him the cancelled check. “Where may +I see you again this evening, sir?”</p> + +<p>“At my house,” he replied, indicating the locality +of it.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +morning I should be called to the command of the +Ucayga again.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Well, captain, have you obtained any light?” he +inquired, as I entered.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; I have. Nick Van Wolter is a thief and +a swindler!” I replied, warmly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span></p> + +<p>“The loss comes on you, and not on the bank,” +added the prudent man of money.</p> + +<p>“It can hardly come on me, since I never had the +money to lose, though that makes but little difference. +Something must be done.”</p> + +<p>“Have you seen Colonel Wimpleton?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I have not. As you suggested, our relations +are disturbed,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“They say you are going to have the command of +the steamer again, Captain Penniman,” said Mr. +Barnes, after the messenger had gone.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that; I don’t think so myself.”</p> + +<p>“Van Wolter don’t make out very well.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX"> + CHAPTER XIX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>COLONEL WIMPLETON HUMILIATED.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>Colonel Wimpleton</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I supposed you would be, sir,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Am I to believe that you destroyed the check +I gave you?” demanded he, sternly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span></p> + +<p>“That is the simple truth.”</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I have always believed you were honest, +whatever else you may have been; but this story +is incredible.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Humph! That may be.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“When you sent him over— No matter about +that,” said he, suddenly checking himself.</p> + +<p>But he had said enough to assure me that Nick +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +had told him something; and I was now willing to +believe that the fellow was really the snake Waddie +had declared he was.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It don’t look probable.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I did,” he replied, taking the check-book from +his pocket.</p> + +<p>“When you had written it, you tore it out?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Where is the place from which you tore the +second check?” I asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“As the second was a duplicate, I wrote it at the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +end of the book, and made no memorandum in the +margin,” he replied, turning to one of the last leaves +in the volume.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“We will go to the bank, if Mr. Barnes is there,” +said the colonel, more interested than I supposed he +would be.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But you do not intend to let Nick Van Wolter +run away with ten thousand dollars—do you?” +I inquired.</p> + +<p>“Has he run away?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“He is a scoundrel, then.”</p> + +<p>“Undoubtedly he is.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What can be done?” he asked, pausing before me.</p> + +<p>“Pursue and arrest him.”</p> + +<p>The great man pursed up his lips, and did not +seem to like the advice.</p> + +<p>“That would stir up the whole affair,” said he.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span></p> + +<p>“What affair, sir?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“We need not arrest him, then. You can compel +him to give up the money,” I suggested.</p> + +<p>“Can we catch him?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But he may have left by some other conveyance.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; I will do so. Who goes with you?”</p> + +<p>“Tom Walton.”</p> + +<p>“Is it necessary that he should go with you?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I wish to talk with you about other matters,” +he added, with an air of embarrassment, “and do +not wish for any listeners.”</p> + +<p>“I will be alone then, sir.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, this is bad business,” said he, when the +Belle was approaching Gulfport.</p> + +<p>“Bad for Nick Van Wolter, sir,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“For me too,” he added, after a long pause. “I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you draw the check, and not burn it?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It is a pity you burned the check,” mused the +magnate.</p> + +<p>I did not care to remind him of the unpleasant +affair at Grass Springs, and I kept still.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, tell me candidly why you burned that +check,” said he, after a silence of several minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“But why did you think it was not right for you +to use it?” he inquired.</p> + +<p>“I do not like to explain.”</p> + +<p>“Do so; I will not be angry.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“In my note to you the next day, I wrote that +the check would be paid.”</p> + +<p>“I had already destroyed it then.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span></p> + +<p>“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,—<i>drunk</i>; +that’s the word,—has made me miserable.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Don’t apologize, Wolf,” he interposed. “It is +not so much that you said it, as because it was true.”</p> + +<p>He uttered the words with a long and heavy sigh; +and really he was so sad that I could not help pitying +him.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry it was true; but⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Hear me, Wolf. You have said to me what no +other living being ever said to me, or would have +dared to say.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you will excuse me, sir. It was very bold +in me to say it, even if it was true.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX"> + CHAPTER XX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A NIGHT TRIP TO HITACA.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>It</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“I will not sign any paper, Wolf; but I mean what +I say,” said he, apparently feeling better for the confession +he had made.</p> + +<p>“I know you do, sir.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Your horse?”</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Do you know why I discharged you, Wolf?” +asked the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I supposed it was because you did not want one +in your employ who had seen you—as you were +that day.”</p> + +<p>“Partly for that, but more because you were working +against me.”</p> + +<p>“Against you, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Nick told me you sent him to the Horse Shoe to +warn the party of my approach.”</p> + +<p>“I did not wish to have Waddie and Miss Minnie +see you as you were then.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What for?” I inquired, astonished at the acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>“For stopping my horse, for saving my life in the +boat, and for—for keeping my secret.”</p> + +<p>“What secret?”</p> + +<p>“That my horse ran away with me.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, do you think people generally knew that +I drank too much?” he inquired.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry to say they did. It was common +talk,” I replied, candidly.</p> + +<p>“I never suspected that any one knew it.”</p> + +<p>“On the very day that Nick stopped your horse, +he said to me that you were on a regular bat.”</p> + +<p>“A what?”</p> + +<p>“A regular bat; another would have said a spree.”</p> + +<p>“Is it possible I have sunk so low!” exclaimed +he, with something like a groan. “I alone have been +blind.”</p> + +<p>“I heard another say if you did not brake up, you +would go to ruin.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Will you tell me, sir, why you gave me that +check?” I ventured to ask.</p> + +<p>“Because I felt that I was in your power. You +told me I was drunk, and money makes friends.”</p> + +<p>“Did you intend to discharge me then?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I am very grateful to you, sir; but I do not like +to displace Van Wolter, after he has been appointed.”</p> + +<p>“But he is not fit for the place.”</p> + +<p>“As fit as any man on the lake. You cannot find +a pilot who would take the Ucayga through the +Horse Shoe Channel.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you are right; but we will talk of that +another time,” replied the colonel.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I do not care to sleep, Wolf,” he replied, still +clinging to his meditations.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf!” said he, and paused.</p> + +<p>“Sir.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I have no doubt he was sincere.”</p> + +<p>Another long pause.</p> + +<p>“Twenty years ago, Toppleton was a good fellow, +and we were the best of friends,” he continued.</p> + +<p>“He has done a great deal for me; and, though +he was sometimes unjust, I always felt very grateful +to him.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I have been very unjust to you sometimes, +too.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Toppleton has offered you a good place on the +railroad.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; a very good place,” I answered, warmly.</p> + +<p>“Would you rather be in his employ than mine?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span></p> + +<p>“No, sir.”</p> + +<p>“If you would, I ought not to object.”</p> + +<p>“I would rather be in the employ of both of you,” +I suggested.</p> + +<p>“That cannot very well be.”</p> + +<p>“I think it can, sir.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Agent for two rival lines!” exclaimed he. “That +is absurd.”</p> + +<p>“Of course I mean that the two lines shall be +united.”</p> + +<p>“You are at your old trick, Wolf,” replied the +colonel; but there was no bitterness in his tones.</p> + +<p>“I honestly think it would be best for both lines, +and best for the travelling public.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Why, sir, Major Toppleton has, by his act of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But he has already proposed it.”</p> + +<p>“I will think of it, Wolf; but I do think we are +in a better condition to connect than ever before.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +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.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p231" style="max-width: 63.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p231.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + NICK VAN WOLTER RESISTS. + </figcaption> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI"> + CHAPTER XXI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROAD.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap dc-extra'><span class='allcap'>As</span> soon as the train had passed, and Nick’s +chance to escape had eluded him, I released +my grasp, and permitted him to rise.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by pitching into me in that +way?” demanded Nick, puffing with the violence of +his struggles.</p> + +<p>“I have business with you,” I replied, as much out +of wind as he was.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What do you want of me?” asked Nick, when +he had recovered his breath a little.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span></p> + +<p>“You know very well what I want.”</p> + +<p>“No, I don’t.”</p> + +<p>“You do.”</p> + +<p>“How should I know?”</p> + +<p>“Your conscience, if nothing else, will tell you.”</p> + +<p>“It don’t. I’m going to California.”</p> + +<p>“Not just yet, Nick. You will give up some of +the money you have upon you before you go to California, +or anywhere else.”</p> + +<p>“What money?” said he, snappishly; but I saw +that his lip quivered.</p> + +<p>“Ten thousand dollars that you stole from me,” +I replied, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“I never knew you had so much money.”</p> + +<p>“You stole a check in my favor, for that sum, at +the hotel in Grass Springs.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t take any check.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Colonel Wimpleton!” exclaimed Nick.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You have him,” said the colonel, as he stopped +the horse, and got out of the wagon.</p> + +<p>I picked up Nick’s travelling bag, for I suspected +that the money, or some part of it, was in it.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You may go to California, but you must give +up the ten thousand dollars you stole first.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t any ten thousand dollars.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you have; you stole my check for that +amount. It’s useless for you to deny it.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t expect this of you, Colonel Wimpleton,” +added Nick, trying to assume an air of injured +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +innocence, in which, however, he was not successful, +for he hardly understood the phases of that quality.</p> + +<p>“Instead of sending an officer after you, Nick, I +have come myself. You must acknowledge that this +was considerate.”</p> + +<p>“I saved your life, Colonel Wimpleton.”</p> + +<p>“If you did, that is no reason why you should +steal ten thousand dollars from me.”</p> + +<p>“Wolf says I took it from him.”</p> + +<p>“We will not quibble; it will come out of me +in the end.”</p> + +<p>“If I have to go back to Centreport, I think +there will be some talk about you, Colonel Wimpleton.”</p> + +<p>“If you go back, it will only be on your way to the +penitentiary. Will you give up the money, or not?”</p> + +<p>“What! the five hundred you gave me for pulling +you out of the lake?” exclaimed Nick.</p> + +<p>“No; the ten thousand you stole.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t it.”</p> + +<p>I grasped Nick by the collar, for I thought, from +a movement he made, that he intended to run for +the woods.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span></p> + +<p>“We need not parley with him,” I added. “We +had better search him at once.”</p> + +<p>“Let me alone, Wolf!” cried Nick, beginning to +struggle.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“If you will produce the money, all right; if you +won’t, I shall search you,” said the colonel.</p> + +<p>“You have no right to do that,” blubbered Nick, +who was now able fully to comprehend the situation.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I will, if you won’t send me to jail,” replied Nick.</p> + +<p>“I will not send you to jail. I have not forgotten +what you did for me a few days ago.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t the money with me. I will send it to +you to-morrow, if you will let me go.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span></p> + +<p>“I will not let you go. Were you going to California +without your money? Where is it?”</p> + +<p>“In my bag.”</p> + +<p>“Open your bag,” said the colonel.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“The money is all here, Wolf,” said the colonel. +“You may let him go now.”</p> + +<p>I released him; but he was not disposed to go.</p> + +<p>“Are you really going to California, Nick?” I +asked of him.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I will give you more, Nick,” said the colonel; +“for I think my life is worth more than five hundred +dollars.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“I will give you fifteen hundred dollars more,” said +the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I can get along with that,” answered Nick.</p> + +<p>“But I want to ask you a few questions first. Why +did you tell me that Wolf was working against me?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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—”</p> + +<p>“You impudent rascal!” exclaimed the colonel.</p> + +<p>“O, it was so! She told me so herself. I was a little +mad because Tommy Toppleton was likely to cut +me out.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Where can I go now? I have lost the train,” +added Nick, as he glanced at the wagon.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What’s going on, Wolf?” asked my father.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span></p> + +<p>“Colonel Wimpleton and I have made it all up,” +I replied.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad!” exclaimed my mother.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I will go pilot in her to-morrow,” I added.</p> + +<p>“Why not captain?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to see you, Wolf,” said he, as I presented +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +myself. “I am ordered to report to you as +captain of the Ucayga again,” said Van Wolter.</p> + +<p>“I have not received my appointment as captain,” +I replied. “Of course I cannot take the command +without authority.”</p> + +<p>“Here it is.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What does Van Wolter say about his boy?” he +asked.</p> + +<p>“Not a word. Of course he does not know anything +about the affair of yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“You can tell him that Nick has gone to California, +if you believe he has gone there.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what does Van Wolter say about losing +his place as captain?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think he has lost it yet. I have not +been appointed.”</p> + +<p>“I thought you would consider what I said yesterday +as an appointment.”</p> + +<p>“Not exactly, sir,” I replied. “I was in hopes +that you would make me the agent of the line.”</p> + +<p>“I have thought about that matter, Wolf,” he replied, +struggling to conceal a frown. “We will consider +it.”</p> + +<p>We took seats in my state-room for this purpose.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII"> + CHAPTER XXII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>“Wolf,</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry for that, sir,” I replied, my heart sinking +under the declaration, for I had permitted my +hopes to run very high.</p> + +<p>“I cannot do anything which looks like receding +from my position.”</p> + +<p>“Though I am greatly disappointed, sir, of course +I have no right to complain.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I will, if you desire it. Send for him.”</p> + +<p>I called Van Wolter from the wheel-house, and +he gave up the note he had received.</p> + +<p>“That means that you are still captain of the +boat,” said the colonel to Van Wolter.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“For the present I will act as your pilot,” I interposed.</p> + +<p>Van Wolter withdrew, and I was curious to know +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Do you go up to Hitaca in the boat to-night, +Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir. I shall only act as pilot for the Horse +Shoe Channel until the Steamboat Company makes +its arrangement.”</p> + +<p>“Then I wish to see you in my library when you +return from Ucayga. I have a little business to +transact with you.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“I do not, though I would like to hear what the +arrangement is before it is proposed to the other side.”</p> + +<p>“You shall be informed, sir.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span></p> + +<p>“What’s going on, Captain Penniman?” asked +Van Wolter, as I passed him on my way to the +shore.</p> + +<p>“There may be some change in the running of +the boat,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“But who is to be captain of the Ucayga?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know yet; but, as you have been faithful +to me, I do not intend to desert you.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Wolf. You are a Christian,” added +he, with a grateful smile.</p> + +<p>“I will go down the lake with you this afternoon,” +I continued, as I stepped upon the wharf.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter now, Wolf?” asked my friend, +satisfied from my coming at such a time that I had +something important to communicate.</p> + +<p>“Nothing is the matter.”</p> + +<p>“You went up to Hitaca with my father night +before last.”</p> + +<p>“I did; but that has nothing to do with my +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Waddie. “By the great horn +spoon, I wish it could be done.”</p> + +<p>“It can be.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean so.”</p> + +<p>“I think it can; though your father will not +have anything to do with it himself.”</p> + +<p>“How can it be done, then?”</p> + +<p>“He says he will leave it to the Steamboat Company, +and they may do as they think best.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is done!” shouted Waddie, jumping up, +and capering about like a crazy man.</p> + +<p>“Call a meeting at once.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do it.”</p> + +<p>“At the close of the session this forenoon?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; but what shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Simply appoint a committee of three, with full +powers to make any arrangement they think proper.”</p> + +<p>“Will you attend the meeting, Wolf?” asked +Waddie, anxiously.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span></p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“All right. This is first rate, Wolf—isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You are captain of the steamer again, Wolf,” +said Waddie, laughing.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You shall have the place if you want it.”</p> + +<p>“I do,” I replied, as I left him.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Well, Wolf, what have you done about consolidation?” +he asked, with a smile.</p> + +<p>“Both companies were to call meetings, and by +this time I suppose each has chosen a committee of +conference.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; not a word.”</p> + +<p>“Doesn’t his father say anything?”</p> + +<p>“Of course not. Probably he thinks his son is in +some hotel in Hitaca.”</p> + +<p>“But he would be likely to inquire about him, then, +for he spends the night at the upper end of the lake.”</p> + +<p>“He has not mentioned him to me. I don’t +think Nick will come back till his money is spent.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Bonds?” I inquired, bewildered by his speech.</p> + +<p>“If you prefer cash, you shall have it,” added he.</p> + +<p>“I don’t prefer either. I don’t understand what +you mean.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t Nick rob you of your check?”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t regard it as my check. I burned mine.”</p> + +<p>“Come, Wolf, we will not be at loggerheads on +this matter. When I gave you that check I <i>gave</i> +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.”</p> + +<p>“I have no right to either, sir,” I pleaded. “I +don’t know but so much money would spoil me.”</p> + +<p>“I think nothing will spoil you, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“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—”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span></p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“In bonds, sir,” I replied, yielding the point; and +for the first time in my life I felt that I was a rich +man.</p> + +<p>He handed me a package containing the securities.</p> + +<p>“I am all the richer, Wolf, for giving you this.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I will be very prudent, sir, and my father will +also.”</p> + +<p>“When does the committee of the Steamboat +Company meet, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“At half past six this afternoon.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span></p> + +<p>“Will you tell Waddie I wish to see him before +they meet?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I do not intend to meddle with the business, +only to make a suggestion to him.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I believe the world is coming to an end,” said +Ben, after he had cordially greeted me.</p> + +<p>“No; only the war between the two sides of the +lake,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You talk about consolidation and union,” said +Dick Bayard. “I don’t think these words mean the +same thing.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span></p> + +<p>“I know they don’t,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose we are to determine whether we unite +or consolidate,” said Waddie.</p> + +<p>“I shall be satisfied with either,” I replied.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>The motion was carried, after it had been seconded +by Dick Bayard.</p> + +<p>“I move that his salary, to be paid by the consolidated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> +Company, or by both Companies, in the ratios +of the fares, be fifteen hundred dollars a year,” added +Dick.</p> + +<p>“I beg you will not mention this subject yet,” I +interposed. “It is rather premature.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all,” replied Waddie. “This must be +part of the bargain.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"> + CHAPTER XXIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>The</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“I have a plan for consolidating the two Companies,” +said Waddie.</p> + +<p>“What, making one Company of the two?” asked +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that. I don’t see how it +can be done.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But the Steamboat Company has not a hundred +thousand dollars’ worth of property,” suggested Tommy. +“The Ucayga did not cost that.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“But you will have your share of the railroad +profits,” suggested Tommy.</p> + +<p>“What were your dividends last year?” asked the +President of the Steamboat Company, with a smile.</p> + +<p>“They will be much larger under the new arrangement.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span></p> + +<p>“And those of the steamer will be much smaller.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“And we have two steamers,” added Skotchley.</p> + +<p>“Let the steamers be sold, if they are not wanted,” +said Ben Pinkerton.</p> + +<p>“And let the purchaser set up an opposition line,” +replied Tommy.</p> + +<p>“But Middleport would have two votes in a stockholders’ +meeting to one from Centreport.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“But that leaves two steamers on our hands for +which we shall then have no use,” objected Tommy.</p> + +<p>“They are not worth much,” laughed Ben Pinkerton.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” added Briscoe. “It is fair for the +Steamboat Company to buy our boats.”</p> + +<p>“What do you think, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“I am not one of the high contracting powers, +and perhaps I ought not to say anything,” I replied, +lightly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t stand on any ceremony, Wolf.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, then, I think Briscoe’s suggestion is a +fair one.”</p> + +<p>“What do you ask for them?” inquired Waddie.</p> + +<p>“They ought to be appraised by three disinterested +men,” I added. “Both parties should be bound +to their award.”</p> + +<p>“I think we ought to have what they cost,” said +Tommy. “We paid the par value of the shares for +the stock we bought.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>This point was discussed at considerable length; +but my proposition was finally adopted.</p> + +<p>“Now, how shall the fares be divided?” said +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“In the ratio of the distance which each line +carries the passengers,” replied Pinkerton.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see it,” interposed Waddie.</p> + +<p>“If we shorten the time half or three quarters of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“Exactly so,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>The committee on the part of the steamer yielded +this point, after some further discussion.</p> + +<p>“Now we want a general agent for both lines,” said +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>I had not been absent five minutes before I was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“It’s a fair thing,” said he. “You have done the +business well, Tommy. I am afraid Wimpleton will +not agree to it.”</p> + +<p>“Why not, father?” asked Tommy, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>I confess that I went to bed that night not a little +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“What does your father say?” I asked, though +Waddie’s face had already answered the question.</p> + +<p>“He said he would not have anything to do with +the matter.”</p> + +<p>“Will he indorse the agreement?”</p> + +<p>“He will give his formal assent to everything we +have done, but nothing more.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all we want.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span></p> + +<p>“What can you do?”</p> + +<p>“O, I will buy them myself, and set up an opposition +line,” I answered, laughing.</p> + +<p>“You are the general agent, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“I can resign.”</p> + +<p>“But you would not do that, even if you could +buy the steamers.”</p> + +<p>“Probably not; but here comes your father. I +will talk about the matter with him.”</p> + +<p>Colonel Wimpleton came on board. He looked +very good-natured.</p> + +<p>“I am going down to Ucayga, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad of it, for I wish to speak with you,” +I replied.</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t wish to convince you against your judgment, +sir.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t buy them. If the Steamboat Company +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think the two boats are worth ten thousand +dollars?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Just about that.”</p> + +<p>“Then I will buy them, sir,” I replied, as modestly +as I could in uttering so grand a proposition.</p> + +<p>“You, Wolf!”</p> + +<p>“I mean so, sir.”</p> + +<p>“What for?” he asked, opening his eyes in amazement.</p> + +<p>“I think I could get more than seven per cent. +for my money out of them.”</p> + +<p>“If you can, then I can.”</p> + +<p>“I might set up an opposition line with them,” +I replied, laughing.</p> + +<p>“An opposition line!”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span></p> + +<p>“That’s true, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“If Major Toppleton keeps those boats, he has a +hold upon you which you may feel when any misunderstanding +occurs.”</p> + +<p>“Just so.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"> + CHAPTER XXIV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE MAGNATES JOIN HANDS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>Just</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, this little bill has just been handed to me,” +said the magnate of Centreport, giving me the paper.</p> + +<p>“What is it, sir?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span></p> + +<p>“Read it for yourself.”</p> + +<p>“Captain Penniman will see that it is all right,” +added the landlord, whose name was Sharp.</p> + +<p>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:⁠—</p> + + +<table class='the-bill'> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">To damage done to bed and bedding,</td> +<td class="tdr">$400<br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> ” spilling ink, and spoiling carpet,</td> +<td class="tdr">300<br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> ” damage to bureau and chairs,</td> +<td class="tdr">200<br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> ” keeping still about it,</td> +<td class="tdr bb">300<br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdr">$1200</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>“What do you mean by this, Mr. Sharp?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“I mean just what it says in that bill,” he replied, +with a brazen face.</p> + +<p>“Do you expect me to pay that bill?” demanded +the colonel, indignantly.</p> + +<p>“I will leave that to you, sir; but I think you will +pay it, as much for your own sake as mine.”</p> + +<p>“This is the most impudent piece of extortion I +ever saw attempted,” added the magnate.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, sir, if people will dance they must pay +the fiddler.”</p> + +<p>“Why, all the furniture in the room was not +worth a hundred dollars,” said the indignant colonel.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>The great man turned pale. The consequences +of his debauch followed him in such humiliating +demands as this bill.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“It is an outrageous imposition,” I ventured to +say, when I found it quite impossible to keep still.</p> + +<p>“That comes very well from you, Captain Penniman, +after you have had your nest feathered,” sneered +Sharp.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span></p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“He can do as he thinks best,” the fellow doggedly +replied.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Sharp?” said Major Toppleton, +approaching the spot at this moment.</p> + +<p>“Ah, I didn’t know you were here, sir!” exclaimed +the landlord, with a start.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span></p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Wolf?” asked he, mystified +by my movement.</p> + +<p>“Colonel Wimpleton is in that state-room,” I replied, +when we had walked abaft the engine.</p> + +<p>“Whew!” whistled he. “I did not know he was +on board; but I wanted to see you about this union +of the two lines.”</p> + +<p>“He did not see you, sir; and Sharp has moved +away from the door, so he will not tell him you are +here.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care about meeting him just now,” +laughed the major.</p> + +<p>“I thought you would not, and so I beckoned you +away. You know Sharp, the landlord?”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Read this bill,” I added, handing him the document.</p> + +<p>Major Toppleton opened his eyes as he examined +the account.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span></p> + +<p>“Is this a joke?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; Sharp actually demands twelve hundred +dollars of Colonel Wimpleton. The last item is +hush-money, but it all comes under that head.”</p> + +<p>“The miserable scoundrel!” exclaimed the major, +indignantly. “I am tempted to kick him.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“At your service, Major Toppleton,” replied Sharp, +in cringing tones.</p> + +<p>“What have you been doing? What does this +bill mean?”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> +great men, he would have counted upon the assistance +rather than the opposition of Major Toppleton +in any movement against his rival.</p> + +<p>“Colonel Wimpleton came to my house the drunkest +man I ever saw,” replied he.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“If you don’t think it is right⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Right! you villain! Is it ever right to swindle +a man?”</p> + +<p>“But it was Colonel Wimpleton, and⁠—”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t say anything more about it, Major Toppleton,” +pleaded Sharp.</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +landlord. “In this matter Colonel Wimpleton is +my best friend.”</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton!”</p> + +<p>To my surprise, Colonel Wimpleton stepped out +from behind the engine, and walking square up to +his old enemy, extended his hand to him.</p> + +<p>“I was not aware that you were near,” said the +major, rather startled.</p> + +<p>“I offer you my hand, Major Toppleton,” said the +colonel, his lip quivering with emotion.</p> + +<p>“I accept it,” replied the magnate of Middleport.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p275" style="max-width: 64.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p275.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE MAGNATES JOIN HANDS. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton, probably you understand this +matter now,” said the colonel, still trembling with +emotion.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I trust we shall no longer be enemies,” added +Colonel Wimpleton.</p> + +<p>“Not by my choice, certainly,” answered the major. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>I pointed to the door which opened from the +wheel-house into the state-room, and they were considerate +enough to retire.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span></p> + +<p>“The world’s coming to an end,” said Van Wolter, +standing opposite me at the wheel.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“They have really made up.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“I have put out all the bunting we have, and it +makes quite a show.”</p> + +<p>“Everything will go right now, and the union will +certainly be arranged,” I added.</p> + +<p>“What union?” asked Van Wolter, who had had +no hint of the negotiations in progress.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t say it!” exclaimed Van Wolter.</p> + +<p>“The two companies split on only one point. That +will be arranged now.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose one of the captains of the old boats +will take this one, then,” added he, rather gloomily.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span></p> + +<p>“Not at all. I am to be general agent for both +lines, and you will remain in command of this boat.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so?”</p> + +<p>“I shall insist upon this arrangement. I never go +back on a good friend.”</p> + +<p>“You are a Christian, Captain Penniman.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV"> + CHAPTER XXV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>MORE SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>When</span> 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.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, you must dine with us,” said Colonel Wimpleton, +as I entered the state-room. “We will smoke +the pipe of peace to-day.”</p> + +<p>“I thank you; I never smoke, but I will dine +with you,” I replied. “At what hour?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span></p> + +<p>“Three o’clock.”</p> + +<p>“Then I shall be obliged to decline, for I must +pilot the boat down this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>“We will make it six o’clock, then. Major Toppleton, +you must bring all your family with you.”</p> + +<p>“They will all be very happy to come,” answered +the magnate of Middleport.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“We have not mentioned the subject,” said Major +Toppleton. “Whatever Colonel Wimpleton agrees +to, I shall fully indorse.”</p> + +<p>“I am authorized to make you an offer for the +two steamers, Major Toppleton,” I added.</p> + +<p>“You needn’t make the offer, Wolf,” interposed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> +the colonel. “I will accept the terms of the arrangement +in all respects, as drawn up by the committee +of conference.”</p> + +<p>“If the arrangement is not entirely satisfactory, +I will modify it in any manner my friend Colonel +Wimpleton may suggest.”</p> + +<p>“Everything is entirely satisfactory to me,” persisted +he of Centreport.</p> + +<p>“But you did raise an objection,” insisted he of +Middleport.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“That’s an excellent suggestion of my friend. +What was the offer, Wolf?” asked the major.</p> + +<p>“Don’t mention it, Wolf,” said the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I accept it, whatever it was,” continued the +major.</p> + +<p>“We had not met when I authorized Wolf to +make the offer. I am ashamed of it now,” added +the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I think I can settle this matter, gentlemen, to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> +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.”</p> + +<p>“I agree,” said Major Toppleton, promptly.</p> + +<p>“So do I,” as promptly replied Colonel Wimpleton.</p> + +<p>I gave each of them a piece of paper and a pencil.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Just the amount I was authorized to offer,” said +I, exhibiting the two papers.</p> + +<p>“I am satisfied,” replied the colonel.</p> + +<p>“So am I,” added the major.</p> + +<p>“The question is settled, then,” I continued.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, where is Sharp?” asked the major.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span></p> + +<p>“Probably he went on shore at Ruoara,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“I will clean him out on the first of next month.”</p> + +<p>“Not on my account,” interposed the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I will not permit so great a scoundrel as he is to +occupy a house of mine,” protested the major.</p> + +<p>“His tongue may cause me some annoyance,” added +the colonel, fixing his gaze upon the floor.</p> + +<p>“You may be sure that he will never utter a +word to your disparagement.”</p> + +<p>“I am aware that I have given him cause to⁠—”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.’”</p> + +<p>Major Toppleton politely changed the topic, which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Why do you show so much bunting to-day, +Wolf?” asked Colonel Wimpleton, when, for the +first time, he discovered the display of flags.</p> + +<p>“In honor of the great event of the day,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“It is a great event—isn’t it?” he added, with +a smile.</p> + +<p>“The greatest thing that ever happened, sir!”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“No; that’s all settled as square as a brick; but +the biggest thing that ever occurred on the Western +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> +Continent, since the landing of Columbus, took place +to-day,” I continued in high excitement.</p> + +<p>“What’s that, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“What do you guess, Waddie?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t guess. Why don’t you tell me?”</p> + +<p>“Your father and Major Toppleton shook hands +to-day, and the war is ended.”</p> + +<p>“No! You don’t mean so!” exclaimed Waddie, +his eyes opening at the news.</p> + +<p>“It’s a fact.”</p> + +<p>“By the great horn spoon!”</p> + +<p>“O, it’s so! Do you see the Ucayga there, making +a landing at Middleport?” I asked, pointing out the +window.</p> + +<p>“I see her.”</p> + +<p>“Your father sent her over to land the major, and +he has gone with him himself.”</p> + +<p>“It’s too good news to be true.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span></p> + +<p>“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—”</p> + +<p>Waddie blushed, and hung his head.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“At home, I suppose.”</p> + +<p>“I must see him. Our battalion shall turn out, +at any rate. We’ll have a time over this.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“When does the new arrangement go into effect, +Wolf?” asked my father.</p> + +<p>“Next Monday, I think, if we can get the bills +out in season.”</p> + +<p>“The Ucayga will not go down the lake then.”</p> + +<p>“No, sir. She will make two trips each way between +Hitaca and Middleport.”</p> + +<p>“We shall have to hurry up, I suppose.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to leave me in Hitaca over night?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span></p> + +<p>“I am to go and come, and draw my salary of fifteen +hundred a year.”</p> + +<p>“Fifteen hundred!” exclaimed my father.</p> + +<p>“Fifteen hundred dollars, Wolf!” repeated my +mother.</p> + +<p>“My total income will be about twenty-two hundred +dollars a year,” I added, as seriously as I could +speak.</p> + +<p>“Where is the rest of it to come from?” asked +my father.</p> + +<p>“From the income of my property.”</p> + +<p>“What property?”</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean so, Wolf,” said my father.</p> + +<p>“I would show them to you, but I deposited them +in the vault of the Centreport bank for safe keeping.”</p> + +<p>“Where did you get so much money, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>As Colonel Wimpleton allowed me to inform my +parents, I told them the whole story about the check, +and our trip to Hitaca.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, Wolf, you are a richer man than I am; +but I suppose you will help me out when I am +short.”</p> + +<p>“O, certainly! Can I do anything for you now?”</p> + +<p>“No; I’m doing very well myself, Wolf. This +place is paid for, and I have something laid up for +a rainy day.”</p> + +<p>“There’s somebody at the front door,” said my +mother, as the door bell rang.</p> + +<p>To my surprise Major Toppleton followed my sister, +who had opened the door, into the kitchen, +where we were at dinner.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, here is a package for you,” said the magnate, +dropping it on the table, as I was rising to +show him proper respect.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“It contains ten thousand dollars in seven per +cent. bonds.”</p> + +<p>“Really, sir, I don’t⁠—”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you do,” laughed the major. “You are in +a hurry; so am I, and we will make a short story +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +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!”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"> + CHAPTER XXVI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>IN HONOR OF THE RECONCILIATION.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class='drop-cap'><span class='allcap'>There</span> 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 +<i>millionnaires</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a big thing, Tommy,” I mildly suggested.</p> + +<p>“That’s so, Wolf; and more than anybody else, +you have brought it about.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we have all been peacemakers,” I modestly +added.</p> + +<p>“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.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span></p> + +<p>“It is for all of us.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I mean for me in particular,” replied he, +significantly.</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“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?”</p> + +<p>“O, you mean Miss Minnie?”</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Waddie. I suppose I could walk, on a +pinch.”</p> + +<p>“No pinch about it; you must be escorted up to +the house with our guests.”</p> + +<p>“All right; I surrender,” I replied; when a toot +from a trumpet startled his horse, and again imperilled +my corns.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“Present—arms!” shouted Colonel Tommy Toppleton, +as the carriage started.</p> + +<p>The major and I uncovered, while the ladies waved +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“Forward—march!” shouted Colonel Tommy +Toppleton.</p> + +<p>“Drive on,” added Briscoe; and the procession +moved off.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>“I suppose you know, Wolf, that you have done +more than any one else to bring about this happy +event,” said she.</p> + +<p>“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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> +the inspiration, in part at least, of my conduct. If +you only approve it, I am happy.”</p> + +<p>“I do approve it, with all my heart,” she replied, +blushing.</p> + +<p>I had not the courage to utter all that I felt, but +I was sure that she had a very kind regard for me.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 “<span class="allsmcap">BEAR AND FORBEAR</span>.” 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.</p> + +<p>Handbills, announcing the new arrangement of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> +was the same, it was not depraved by intemperance, +and he was a different man, though he was not always +gentle and courteous.</p> + +<p>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—“<span class="smcap">Brake up</span>.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<div class='transnote'> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes"> + Transcriber’s Notes + </h2> + + +<ul> +<li>Illustrations relocated close to related content.</li> + +<li>Page number references in illustration captions removed.</li> + +<li>Obvious typographic errors silently corrected.</li> +</ul> +</div></div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77372 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77372-h/images/cover.jpg b/77372-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c98215d --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_001.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e3521c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_001.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_f001.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_f001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..47c2480 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_f001.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p051.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p051.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eea1a2f --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p051.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p079.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p079.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7f5fd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p079.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p138.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p138.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dae7483 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p138.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p183.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p183.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef124a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p183.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p231.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p231.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..228b84a --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p231.jpg diff --git a/77372-h/images/i_p275.jpg b/77372-h/images/i_p275.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..972bf43 --- /dev/null +++ b/77372-h/images/i_p275.jpg |
