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Title: A Boy's Fortune
Or, The Strange Adventures of Ben Baker
Author: Horatio Alger
Release Date: May 7, 2016 [eBook #52017]
Language: English
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[Illustration: "HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP."]
A BOY'S FORTUNE
Or,
The Strange Adventures of Ben Baker
by
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
Author of "Adrift in the City," "Grit," "Frank and Fearless,"
"Dan, the Detective," "Plucky Paul Palmer," etc.
The John C. Winston Co.
Philadelphia
Chicago Toronto
Copyright, 1898, by
Henry T. Coates & Co.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. OLIVER HITCHCOCK'S LUNCH-ROOM, 1
II. A LODGING IN ST. MARK'S PLACE, 10
III. THE MERCHANT'S SECRET, 19
IV. THE MOCK PHILANTHROPIST, 28
V. A YOUNG DUDE, 37
VI. BEN GETS INTO TROUBLE, 45
VII. A STRANGE ADVENTURE, 54
VIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 67
IX. CLARENCE IS PUZZLED, 72
X. AT THE OFFICE OF MR. CODICIL, 81
XI. THE HOME OF POVERTY, 90
XII. A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT, 99
XIII. A FAREWELL CALL, 108
XIV. WHAT BEN'S FRIENDS THOUGHT, 117
XV. FILIPPO NOVARRO, 126
XVI. ON BOARD THE PARTHIA, 134
XVII. THE BEAUFORTS IN TROUBLE, 143
XVIII. MRS. FLANAGAN IS DRIVEN FROM THE FIELD, 152
XIX. BRIGHTER PROSPECTS, 162
XX. THE NEW HOME, 171
XXI. THE COLLAPSE OF AN ELDERLY DUDE, 181
XXII. THE ROMANCE OF A ROSE, 190
XXIII. ON THE BORDERS OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA, 200
XXIV. THE MAISON DE FOUS, 208
XXV. IN A TRAP, 218
XXVI. INTRODUCES TWO CELEBRITIES, 227
XXVII. A MIDNIGHT ESCAPE, 236
XXVIII. BEN'S FLIGHT, 245
XXIX. BEN IS MISSED, 249
XXX. M. BOURDON'S LITTLE SCHEME, 254
XXXI. A WANDERER IN FRANCE, 262
XXXII. A STRANGE MEETING, 267
XXXIII. AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY, 271
XXXIV. ROSE MAKES AN ENEMY, 279
XXXV. A WOMAN'S JEALOUSY, 287
XXXVI. ROSE COMES INTO A FORTUNE, 296
XXXVII. BEN MEETS HIS COUSIN, 305
XXXVIII. M. BOURDON HAS A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR, 310
XXXIX. BEN AND HIS UNCLE, 314
XL. CONCLUSION, 319
A BOY'S FORTUNE;
OR, THE
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF BEN BAKER.
CHAPTER I.
OLIVER HITCHCOCK'S LUNCH-ROOM.
"Wake up there! This is no place to sleep."
The speaker was a policeman, the scene was City Hall Park, and the
person addressed was a boy of perhaps sixteen, who was reclining on
one of the park benches, with a bundle at his side.
The officer accompanied his admonition with a shaking which served
to arouse the young sleeper.
"Is it morning?" asked the boy, drowsily, not yet realizing his
situation.
"No, it isn't. Don't you know where you are?"
"I know now," said the boy, looking about him.
"Come, get up, Johnny! This is no place for you," said the officer,
not unkindly, for he was a family man, and had a boy of his own not
far from the age of the young wayfarer.
The boy got up, and looked about him undecidedly. Clearly he did not
know where to go.
"Are you a stranger in the city?" asked the policeman.
"Yes, sir. I only got here this afternoon."
"Then you have no place to sleep?"
"No."
"Haven't you got money enough to go to a hotel? There is Leggett's
Hotel, just down Park Row," pointing eastward.
"I have a little money, but I can't afford to go to a hotel."
"You can go to the Newsboys' Lodging House for six cents."
"Where is it?"
The officer told him.
"I feel hungry. I suppose there isn't any place where I can get
supper so late as this?"
"Oh, yes! There's one close by. Do you see a light over there?"
The officer pointed to a basement opposite the post-office, at the
corner of Beekman street and Park Row.
"Yes, I see it," answered the boy. "Is it a good place?"
"I should say so. Why, that's Oll Hitchcock's. You can't get a
better cup of coffee or sandwich anywhere in New York. I often get
lunch there myself, when I don't have time to go home."
"Thank you for telling me. I'll go over."
Ben Baker, for that is the name of our young hero, walked across
the street, and descended the steps into the well-known restaurant
or lunch-room of Oliver Hitchcock. Open by night as well as by day,
there is hardly an hour of the twenty-four in which it is not fairly
well patronized, while at times it is thronged. It is a favorite
resort for men of all classes--printers, journalists, newsmen--who
drop in in the early morning on their way to or from the offices of
the great morning papers for their regular supplies--politicians and
business men of all kinds.
More than once in Oliver Hitchcock's old saloon, farther up the
same street, Horace Greeley, the elder Bennett, and Raymond, of the
_Times_, could be found at the plain tables, unprovided with cloths,
but bearing appetizing dishes.
When Ben entered the restaurant at half-past eleven he was surprised
to find most of the tables occupied.
Coming from the country, where ten o'clock found nearly every one in
bed, he was much surprised to find so many persons up and engaged in
supping.
"People in New York seem to sit up all night," he thought.
He took a vacant seat, and the waiter soon coming up to him, stood
in silent expectation of an order.
"Give me a cup of coffee and a sandwich," said Ben.
"What kind?"
"Ham."
The waiter sped on his errand, and soon set before our hero a cup
of fragrant coffee, steaming hot, and a sandwich made of tender
meat and fresh bread, which tasted delicious to the hungry boy--so
delicious that he resolved to forego the intended piece of pie and
ordered another.
While he was eating the second sandwich, he observed that a young
man, sitting just opposite, was eyeing him attentively.
He was tall, dark-complexioned, slender, and had a kindly face.
"You seem to relish your supper, Johnny," he said.
"Yes, I do, but my name isn't Johnny."
The young man smiled.
"Excuse me," he said, "but in New York we call boys by that name,
if we don't know their real names. I suppose you have not been here
long?"
"No; I only arrived this afternoon."
"Come to make your fortune, eh?"
"Well, I don't know. I should like to, but if I can make a living
it is all I expect. Besides, I have another object," added the boy,
slowly.
"Were you ever here before?"
"No, sir."
"You are up rather late. You don't sit up so late in the country, do
you?"
"Oh, no, I am in bed by nine o'clock generally."
"We don't go to bed early here. I myself haven't been in bed before
midnight for three years."
"Do you like to sit up so late?" asked Ben.
"I didn't at first. Now I am used to it. My business keeps me up
late."
Seeing that Ben looked curious, he added:
"I am a reporter on a morning paper."
"Do you like it?" asked Ben, doubtfully.
"Oh, yes. It isn't a bad business."
"What paper do you write for?" asked Ben, with considerable respect
for a man who wrote for the papers.
"I used to work on the _Sun_. Now I'm on the _Herald_. It suits me
very well while I am a young man, but I should like a different
position when I am older."
"Is it hard work?"
"Sometimes. I am liable to be sent off at five minutes' notice to
any part of the city. Then I am expected to keep my eyes open, and
make note of anything that comes in my way. There was a big fire
last night about one o'clock, up town. I heard of it as I was going
up in the horse-cars, so I hurried to the spot, and instead of going
to bed I got all the information I could, hurried back to the office
and wrote it up. I got extra pay for it. Besides, it shows interest,
and may help me to promotion."
"Have you got through for to-night?" asked Ben.
"Yes; I feel tired, being up so late last night. When I leave here I
shall go home and to bed. By the way, where are you staying?"
"Nowhere," answered Ben, in some embarrassment.
"You are not going to sit up all night, are you?"
"No. I suppose I must go somewhere."
"There is a hotel close by--Leggett's."
"So a policeman told me, but I haven't much money, and I had better
not go to a hotel. He said there was a Newsboys' Lodging House,
where I could get lodging for six cents."
"I am afraid you couldn't get in at this late hour."
Ben looked perplexed. He felt sleepy, and needed rest.
"Then I suppose I shall have to go to the hotel," he answered. "Do
you know how much they charge?"
"Not exactly. It depends on the room. I can direct you to a cheaper
lodging even than you could get at the Newsboys' Lodging House."
"I wish you would," said Ben, looking up hopefully.
"Then come home with me. My room-mate is away for a few days, and I
have room for you."
"Thank you, sir, if it won't inconvenience you."
"Not at all."
Ben had read of adventurers that lie in wait for unsuspecting
travellers and "rope them in," but he entertained no suspicion
of the young man who had so kindly offered him a bed. The mere
fact that he was a newspaper man seemed to Ben a guarantee of
respectability.
As Hugh Manton (the reporter) and he went up to the counter to pay
the amount of their checks, a stout, handsomely-dressed man, of
portly form and medium stature, entered the restaurant. As his eye
fell upon Ben he started and muttered to himself:
"That boy in New York! What does he want here?"
CHAPTER II.
A LODGING IN ST. MARK'S PLACE.
Hugh Manton, whose calling had trained him to quick observation, did
not fail to notice that the stout gentleman was in some way moved by
the sight of his young companion. This surprised him not a little,
for in the portly gentleman he recognized a wealthy retail merchant
whose store was located on the upper part of Broadway.
"Can there be any connection between this country boy and the rich
Mr. Walton?" he asked himself, curiously.
He resolved to take an early opportunity to question Ben.
When their bills were paid they went out of the restaurant. It was
twelve o'clock by the clock on the City Hall when they emerged from
the lunch-room. A Third Avenue horse-car was just passing.
"Follow me!" said the reporter, as he jumped aboard.
Ben did so.
"My room is on St. Mark's place," he said. "I suppose you don't know
where that is?"
"No; I have never been in New York before."
"It must be nearly two miles from the City Hall Park. It is the
eastern part of Eighth street."
"Fare!" said the conductor.
Ben put his hand into his pocket.
"No," said his companion, "I have the change."
"Thank you!" said Ben, "but you ought not to pay for me."
"Oh, you shall take your turn some time."
They sat down in the car, and, both being tired, sat silent.
After riding fifteen to twenty minutes they came in sight of a large
brown-colored building, set between Third and Fourth avenues, just
beyond the termination of the Bowery.
"We will get out here," said Hugh Manton. "That building is the
Cooper Institute. Of course you have heard of it? We turn to the
right, and will soon reach my den."
Time was when St. Mark's place had some pretension to gentility, but
now it is given up to lodging and boarding-houses. In front of a
brick house, between Second and First avenues, the reporter paused.
"This is where I live," he said.
He opened the door with a latch-key, and they entered a dark hall,
for at eleven o'clock the light was extinguished.
"Follow me," he said to Ben. "Take hold of the banister, and feel
your way. I am generally the last in," he said, "unless some one
of my fellow-lodgers is out having a good time. One more flight of
stairs. So, here we are."
The rear room on the third floor was his. Opening a door, he quickly
lighted a gas-jet on one side of the room.
"There, my young friend," said the reporter, "you can undress as
soon as you please, and jump into that bed nearest the window. It
isn't luxurious, but will serve your turn."
"Thank you," said Ben. "I feel very tired. I shan't lie awake long
to consider what kind of a bed I am in. Do you get up early?"
"Sometimes I get up as early as nine o'clock."
Ben laughed.
"Do you call that early?" he said. "Six o'clock isn't extra early in
the country."
"My young friend--by the way, what's your name?"
"Ben Baker."
"Well, Ben, let me tell you that nine o'clock is a very early
hour for a reporter. We'll rise at nine, and go out to breakfast
together."
"I think I can sleep till then," said Ben, "for I am as tired as I
ever was after a hard day's work on the farm."
* * * * *
"Wake up, Ben."
It was the next morning and the words were spoken by Hugh Manton, as
he gave a gentle shake to the still sleeping boy.
Ben opened his eyes and looked about him in a confused way. Finally
recollection came to him.
"I thought I was in that park down town," he said, with a smile.
"Do you know where you are now?"
"Yes."
"Have you slept well, youngster?"
"I have had a bully sleep."
"And you feel ready for breakfast?"
"I think I can eat some."
The two new acquaintances dressed and went down stairs. Ben was
about to take his bundle, but the reporter stopped him.
"Leave it here," he said, "for the present. Blodgett won't be back
for three or four days, and you can stay here till he returns. You
won't want to be lugging that bundle all over town."
"You are very kind," said Ben, gratefully.
"Why shouldn't I be? I came to the city myself a poor country
youth, and I had a hard struggle as first till I reached my present
pinnacle of wealth," he concluded, with a smile.
"Are reporters well paid?" asked Ben, innocently.
"That depends! Whatever they earn, it is seldom that one gets fifty
dollars ahead. That is because, as a rule, they are improvident,
and sometimes dissipated. I am not as well paid as some, but I make
a little writing sketches for the weekly story papers. I pick up
two or three hundred a year that way. Then I take better care of
my money than some. I laid up five hundred dollars last year, and
nearly as much the year before."
"You will soon be rich," said Ben, to whom five hundred dollars
seemed a large sum of money.
The reporter smiled.
"It takes considerable money to make a man rich in New York," he
said. "However, I know it makes me feel very comfortable to think I
have a thousand dollars in the bank."
"I should think it would," said Ben, seriously.
"Here we are!" said the reporter, pausing in front of a restaurant
on Ninth street, facing the side of the great retail store
established by the late A. T. Stewart. "We can get a comfortable
breakfast inside for a low price."
They entered, and sat down at one of the small tables. Hugh Manton
ordered a beefsteak and a cup of coffee. This, with bread and
butter, cost twenty cents. Ben duplicated the order. The meat was
not of the best quality, but it was as good as could be afforded at
the price, and Ben ate with the zest of a healthy boy of his age.
"By the way, Ben," said the reporter, with apparent carelessness,
though he scanned the face of his young companion attentively as he
spoke, "are you acquainted with a clothing merchant of this city
named Nicholas Walton?"
Ben started in irrepressible astonishment.
"What makes you ask?" he said. "Did you know he was my uncle?"
It was Hugh Manton's turn to be astonished.
"Your uncle!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean to say Nicholas Walton
is your uncle?"
"Yes, I do. My mother is his sister."
"Is it possible? He has the reputation of being very rich, while
you----"
"While I am very poor. Yes, that is true."
"Are you going to call upon him?"
"Yes. I thought, being my uncle, he might give me a place in his
store."
"Did you write him that you were coming?"
"No--that is, not lately. I wrote three months ago, and he wrote
back that I had better stay where I was."
"What were you doing?"
"I was working on a farm. I was paid three dollars a week."
"Did you live on the farm?"
"No; I lived with my mother."
"She is living, then?"
"Yes," said Ben, and his face lighted up with love for his absent
mother.
"I should think Mr. Walton would do something for his own sister."
"So he does. He sends her twenty-five dollars a month. She lives in
a small house belonging to my grandfather. My uncle is part owner,
but he lets mother live in it."
"I suppose you don't like the country, or you wouldn't have come to
the city."
"I have a taste for business, and no taste for farming. My uncle
came to New York a poor boy, and he has succeeded. I don't see why I
can't."
"It doesn't always follow," said the reporter, thoughtfully. "Still
I think you have it in you to succeed. You look bold, persevering
and resolute."
"I mean to succeed!" said Ben, firmly. "I am not afraid of work."
"Shall you call on your uncle this morning?"
"Yes; I want to find out as soon as I can what I am to depend upon."
"Very well! Just make my room your home. I shall not be back myself
till midnight, or later, but here is a latch-key which will admit
you to my room whenever you like. I have Blodgett's with me, which I
can use myself."
CHAPTER III.
THE MERCHANT'S SECRET.
Five years before Ben's arrival in the city Nicholas Walton kept a
moderate sized store on Grand street. He was doing a good business,
but he was not satisfied. He wished to take a store on Broadway, and
make his name prominent among business men. In this wish his wife
entirely sympathized with him. She boasted aristocratic lineage, but
when Mr. Walton married her she was living in genteel poverty, while
her mother was forced, very much against her will, to take lodgers.
It was a great piece of good luck for Theodosia Granville to marry
a prosperous young merchant like Nicholas Walton, but she chose to
consider that all the indebtedness was on the other side, and was
fond of talking about the sacrifice she made in marrying a man of no
family.
They had two children, Emiline and Clarence Plantagenet Walton,
the latter about three months older than his cousin Ben. Both were
haughty and arrogant in temper and disposition, and as a matter of
course neither was a favorite with their young associates, though
each had flatterers whose interest was served by subserviency.
At that time Ben's father was living and practicing as a physician
in the little town of Sunderland, fifty miles distant in the
country. There was comparatively little intercourse between the
families, though there was not yet that difference in their worldly
circumstances that afterward arose.
One day, just as the clerks were getting ready to close up, Nicholas
Walton was surprised by the sudden appearance of his brother-in-law,
Dr. Baker.
"What brings you to town, James?" he asked.
"Business of great importance," answered Baker.
"Indeed!" said Walton, curiously.
"I will tell you all about it, but not here."
"Do you go back to Sunderland to-night?"
"No; I think of trespassing upon your hospitality."
"Certainly. I shall be glad to have you stay with me. My wife and
children are out of town--visiting a sister of hers in Hartford--but
the servants will see that we are comfortable."
"All the better. Of course I should have been glad to see Mrs.
Walton and the children, but now you can give me more attention."
"I wonder whether he wants to borrow money," thought the merchant,
with some uneasiness. "If he does, I shall refuse as civilly as I
can. I don't propose to be a prey to impecunious relatives. I need
all the money I can command to further my own schemes. In three or
four years, if things go well, I shall be able to move to Broadway,
and then our family can take a higher social position. My wife would
like to have me move at once, but I don't choose to do anything
rashly. The time has not yet come for so important a step."
"We will go now," said Mr. Walton. "The clerks will close up. If
you will walk as far as the Bowery, we will board a Fourth avenue
car."
"Do you still live on Twelfth street, Nicholas?"
"Yes. Mrs. Walton urges me to take a house on Madison avenue, but I
must not go too fast."
"You are prospering, I take it, Nicholas?"
"He is feeling his way toward a loan, I am afraid," thought the
merchant.
"Yes, I am making headway," he admitted, warily, "but I have to be
very cautious. Oftentimes I am short of money, I assure you. In
fact, I am hampered by my small capital."
"My neighbors in Sunderland would be surprised to hear that," said
Dr. Baker, smiling. "They look upon you as one of the merchant
princes of New York."
"Do they?" said Walton, looking gratified. "Some day I hope to be
what they think I am now."
"You will be, if you are not too much in haste."
"So I hope. And you, I hope you are prospering?" said the merchant,
guardedly.
"I have no cause for complaint," said his brother-in-law,
"especially now."
"What does he mean by 'especially now?'" thought the merchant.
"I am glad to hear it," he said, aloud.
Arrived at the house in Twelfth street--it was a plain brick house
of three stories--dinner was found to be awaiting, and as they sat
down at once, there was no opportunity for a private conversation.
When the cloth was removed, and they were left to themselves, Walton
invited his brother-in-law's confidence by saying, suggestively:
"So business of importance brought you to New York, doctor?"
"Yes, business of great importance!"
"I suppose it seems great to him," thought Walton. "Well," he said
aloud, "you have aroused my curiosity. It is only fair to gratify
it."
"That is what I propose to do. Let me say, then, that this day has
made a great change in me."
"I don't see any change," said Walton, puzzled.
"Yet it has; I awoke this morning a poor man. To-night I am rich."
"You--haven't been speculating?" said Walton, curiously.
"No; I had no money to speculate with. But to-day a fortune has come
to me."
"A fortune! How much?"
"One hundred thousand dollars!" answered the physician.
"A hundred thousand dollars!" ejaculated Nicholas Walton, staring at
his brother-in-law in amazement.
"Yes."
"Explain yourself--that is, if you are not joking."
"Fortunately it is not a joke. As to the explanation, here it is:
Some years ago I was called, when a young practitioner in New York
(I began here, you know), to attend a wealthy West Indian planter,
boarding at the New York Hotel. He was critically sick, and required
constant attention. I had little to do, and devoted myself to him.
He was convinced that he owed his life to me. He paid me handsomely
then, and requested me to keep him apprised of my whereabouts. I
have done so. Yesterday I received a letter, requesting me to come
to New York, and call at a certain room in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. I
did so. I found a Cuban gentleman, who, first apprising me that my
former patient was dead, added, to my amazement, that he had left me
in his will one hundred thousand dollars. Furthermore, he had the
amount with him in negotiable securities, and transferred them at
once to my hands."
"And you have them with you?"
"Yes."
"It was strangely informal."
"True, but this gentleman was about to sail for Europe, to be absent
five years--he sailed this afternoon--and he wished to be rid of his
commission."
"It is like a romance," said the merchant, slowly.
"Yes, it's like a romance. I don't mind telling you," added the
doctor, in a lower tone, "that it relieves me very much. Conscious,
as I am, that my life hangs on a thread, it makes me easy about the
future of my wife and child."
"Your life hangs on a thread? What do you mean?"
"I mean," said the physician, seriously, "that our family is subject
to heart disease. My grandfather died at a minute's notice; so did
my father; so, in all probability, shall I. No insurance company,
knowing this, would insure me, and, till this windfall came, I was
subject at times to great anxiety."
"Does your wife--my sister--know that you have received this money?"
asked Walton, slowly.
"No; she merely knows that I received a letter from New York."
"And you are really liable to die suddenly?"
"Yes; I shall probably drop dead some day. My father died at my
present age. Any sudden excitement----"
"Good heavens! what is the matter with you?" exclaimed Walton,
springing to his feet, excitedly.
"What do you mean?" asked the physician, startled.
"Your face is livid; you look like a corpse. Great heavens! has
your time come?"
Doctor Baker rose to his feet in terrible agitation; his face
changed; he put his hand on his heart, swayed himself for a moment,
and then fell lifeless.
Walton had supplied the sudden excitement, and brought upon him the
family doom.
Nicholas Walton, half-terrified, half-triumphant, gazed at his
victim. He knelt down, and tearing open the vest of his visitor,
placed his hand upon his heart.
It had ceased to beat.
"Now for the securities!" he murmured hoarsely.
They were found. A brief examination showed that they were
negotiable by bearer. He carefully locked them up in his desk, and
then, ringing the bell hastily, summoned a physician. One came, but
could afford no help.
"Now," he said to himself, with inward exultation, "this fortune is
mine, and I can realize the dream of my life! No one will ever be
the wiser."
CHAPTER IV.
THE MOCK PHILANTHROPIST.
Nicholas Walton, much sooner than he had anticipated, was able
to realize the dream of his life. He engaged a larger store on
Broadway, within three months of the death of his brother-in-law.
The latter was supposed to have died a poor man. In settling up his
estate it was found that he left only the modest cottage in which
he had lived. Mrs. Baker's anxiety, however, was alleviated by the
following letter from her brother Nicholas:
"MY DEAR SISTER:--I sympathize with you sincerely in
your sad and sudden loss. I am afraid my poor brother-in-law
has not been able to leave you comfortably provided for. I
cannot do as much as I would like, but I will send you a
monthly sum of twenty-five dollars, which, as you have no
rent to pay, will perhaps keep you comfortable. If I can at
any time feel justified in so doing, I will increase this
allowance."
"Nicholas is very kind," said Mrs. Baker, to her friends. "He has
done this without any appeal from me."
She really felt grateful for his kindness, as she termed it, having
no suspicion of the terrible secret that haunted her brother day and
night, making him an unhappy man in spite of his outward prosperity.
But he had no intention of making restitution; his remorse did not
go so far as this.
"As to taking a hundred thousand dollars from my business," he said,
in answer to conscience, "it would cripple me seriously. Besides,
my sister doesn't want it; it would do her no good. She and her
children can live comfortably on what I send her."
He tried to persuade himself that he was liberal in his provision
for his sister; but even his effrontery could not go so far as this.
In reality, Mrs. Baker would have found great difficulty in keeping
her expenses within three hundred dollars a year if Ben had not
managed to pick up a dollar or two a week by working at odd jobs,
running errands, or assisting some of the neighboring farmers. But
the small town of Sunderland did not satisfy the ambitious boy.
There was no kind of business which he could learn at home that
offered him a satisfactory career.
"Mother," he said, about three months before my story begins, "don't
you think my uncle would give me a place in his store?"
"You don't want to leave home, Ben, do you?"
"I don't want to leave you, mother; but you know how it is. There is
nothing to do in Sunderland."
"I am sure you pick up considerable money in the course of a year,
Ben."
"But what does it all amount to, mother?"
"It is a great help to me," said Mrs. Baker.
"I don't mean that. It isn't getting me ahead. I can't do any more
now than I could a year ago. If I learned my uncle's business I
might get ahead, as he has."
"You may be right, Ben; but how could I spare you? I should feel so
lonely."
"You have Alice, mother. She is ten years old, and is a good deal of
company to you."
So the discussion continued. Finally, as might have been expected,
Ben obtained from his mother a reluctant consent to his writing to
his uncle. He did not have to wait long for the answer; but when it
came, it was cold and unsatisfactory. It read thus:
"NEPHEW BENJAMIN:--Your letter has come to hand, asking me
to give you a place in my store. I think you are much better
off in the country. Besides that, I do not think you ought
to leave your mother. You say there is no chance for you
in Sunderland; but you are mistaken. You can work for some
farmer, and gradually acquire a knowledge of the business,
and in time I may help you buy a farm, or at any rate hire
one, if I am satisfied with your conduct. As to the city,
you had better keep away from it. I am sure your mother will
agree with me.
"Your uncle,
"NICHOLAS WALTON."
"Your uncle seems to me to write very sensibly," said Mrs. Baker.
"The city is full of temptations."
"If I go to the city I shall work too hard to be troubled in that
way, mother."
"Your uncle makes a very kind offer, I think."
"It doesn't bind him to much," said Ben. "He says he may help me to
buy or hire a farm, if I learn farming."
"That would be a gift worth having, Ben," said his mother, who
thought chiefly of keeping Ben at home.
"I shall never make a farmer, mother; I don't like it well enough.
It is a very useful and honorable business, I know, but I have a
taste for business; and if Uncle Nicholas won't help me to a start,
I must see what I can do for myself after a time."
Nicholas Walton congratulated himself when his letter to Ben
remained unanswered.
"That will settle the matter," he said to himself. "I would
rather keep the boy in the country. I couldn't have him in my
establishment. I should never see him without thinking of his
father's sudden death before my eyes," and the rich merchant
shuddered in spite of himself. "Besides," and a shade of
apprehension swept over his face, "I am in constant fear lest he
should hear of the large sum of money which came into his father's
hands just before his death. While he stays in Sunderland, there is
little chance of any such knowledge coming to him; if he is in the
city, there is a greater chance of it. Who knows; the man who paid
Doctor Baker the money may turn up. It was his intention to go to
Europe for five years. That period has nearly passed already. If
this discovery should ever be made, I am ruined. I might even be
accused of murdering him, though, happily, that could not be proved.
But there would be a blot on my name, and my reputation would
suffer."
For three months Ben made no sign, and his uncle concluded that he
had given up his plan of coming to New York in search of employment.
But one evening--it was the one on which our story commenced--on his
way back from a call upon some friends in Brooklyn, Nicholas Walton
stepped into Hitchcock's lunch-room, knowing it well by reputation,
and was startled by seeing the nephew whose appearance he so much
dreaded.
It was his first impulse to speak to him, and harshly demand his
reason for disobeying the positive command to remain at home; but
this might be followed by an appeal for help (it was clear that Mr.
Walton did not understand his nephew) and that might be awkward.
"No," thought the merchant; "I won't speak to him till he comes to
the store, as no doubt he intends to. Then I will give him a piece
of my mind."
We now come back to Ben and his new found friend, the reporter.
"If you don't object, I will walk down town with you, Mr. Manton,"
said Ben, as they left the restaurant where they had breakfasted.
"I shall be glad of your company, Ben," said Manton, cordially. "I
will point out to you the chief landmarks, and places of interest,
as we go along."
"I wish you would," said Ben. "I know very little of the city."
"That is a defect you will soon remedy," said his friend.
"By the way," said Ben, with a sudden thought, "how was it that you
asked me if I knew Mr. Walton?"
"Because I saw that Mr. Walton knew you."
"You saw that he knew me?" repeated Ben, puzzled.
"Yes. Do you remember a stout gentleman who came into Hitchcock's
just as we were going out?"
"No; I did not observe him."
"It was Nicholas Walton. When his glance first rested upon you he
started and looked disturbed."
"He did not approve of my coming to New York," explained Ben. "Then
you think he recognized me?"
"I am sure of it."
"I wonder he did not speak to me!" said Ben, thoughtfully.
"Probably for the reason you have assigned--because he did not
approve of your coming. Do you expect to call upon him?"
"Yes; I am going to ask if he won't give me a place in his store. He
employs a large number, I suppose?"
"Yes; not less than a hundred, I should think, in various ways
inside the store, besides scores of seamstresses outside. He has a
very large establishment, and is accounted a very rich man."
"So I have always heard," said Ben. "He wanted me to stay in
Sunderland and become a farmer."
"And you don't fancy the advice?"
"No. I should never make a farmer. If I had any taste for it, I
might have followed my uncle's advice."
"Have you ever seen Mr. Walton's store?" asked the reporter,
presently.
"No."
"Here it is," and he pointed to a spacious store, with great
plate-glass windows, in which was displayed suits of clothes in
profusion.
"Then, Mr. Manton, I believe I will leave you and go in. I want
to find out as soon as possible whether my uncle will help me, or
whether I must depend upon myself."
"Good luck to you, Ben, then! I will expect to see you to-night."
And Hugh Manton kept on his way down town, to see what work had
been laid out for him at the office.
CHAPTER V.
A YOUNG DUDE.
Ben entered the great store, gazing not without admiration at the
long counters loaded with piles of clothing.
"My uncle must be a very rich man," he said to himself. "Surely he
can find a place for me in so large a store."
"Do you wish to buy a suit?" asked a spruce young man, coming
forward to meet our hero.
"No; I would like to see Mr. Walton," answered Ben.
The young man surveyed Ben's country garb with a smile of
depreciation. He was apt to judge others by their clothes,
being conscious, perhaps, that they were his own chief claim to
consideration.
"I don't think Mr. Walton will see you, youngster," he said.
"Why not?" demanded Ben, looking him calmly in the eye.
"His time is of too much value to waste on country kids."
"Mr. Walton is my uncle," said Ben, quietly.
"Your uncle!" repeated the clerk, in considerable surprise. "Oh,
well, that alters the case. Just go through the store and you will
find Mr. Walton in his office."
Ben followed directions, and found the office without further
inquiry.
Through the open door he saw a short man, of fifty or thereabouts,
sitting at a desk. There was another person in the office--a boy,
somewhere near his own age--dressed in the fashion, with a gold
watch-chain across his vest, a showy pin in his scarf, and the air
of a young coxcomb.
This was Clarence Plantagenet Walton, the only son of the merchant,
and of course Ben's cousin. The two, however, had not met since both
were very young boys, and neither would have recognized the other.
Ben overheard a fragment of the conversation between his uncle and
cousin.
"You spend too much money, Plantagenet. It is less than a week since
I gave you ten dollars."
"The fellows I go with are all rich, and spend plenty of money. You
wouldn't want them to look upon me as mean, pa?"
"The boys of the present day are altogether too extravagant," said
his father, frowning. "Why, when I was a boy, I didn't spend ten
dollars in three months."
"You were not in fashionable society like me, pa," said Clarence
Plantagenet, consequentially.
"Much good it does you!" muttered Mr. Walton. "What do you want
money for particularly to-day?"
"I am going with Percy Van Dyke to a base-ball match this afternoon.
Percy lives in a splendid house on Fifth avenue, and his family is
one of the first. I suppose we shall get home late, and I want to
give him a little supper at Delmonico's."
"The Van Dykes stand very high," said Mr. Walton, complacently. "I
am very glad to have you associate with such a high-toned family. I
suppose I must let you have the money."
He drew out a ten-dollar bill and tendered it to Clarence.
"Five dollars more, if you please, pa," said the elegant youth.
"Suppers at Delmonico's are expensive, and I don't want to economize
with such a fellow as Percy."
"Very well; here are five dollars more, but don't be foolishly
extravagant."
Clarence was about to leave the office, well satisfied, when he
espied Ben.
"Who do you want to see, boy?" he demanded, curtly.
"I should like to speak with my uncle," answered Ben.
"Then don't hang around my father's office. If your uncle is
employed in this establishment, you can ask one of the floor-walkers
to point him out."
Ben eyed the arrogant boy in some amusement, and answered, demurely:
"My uncle is Mr. Nicholas Walton, and you, I suppose, are my cousin
Clarence."
Clarence Plantagenet recoiled in disgust.
"I don't understand you," he said. "You must be crazy."
Ben was not obliged to vindicate his sanity, for his uncle, who had
hitherto remained silent, now spoke.
"You can come in, if you are Benjamin Baker, of Sunderland."
"Thank you, Uncle Nicholas," said Ben.
"Is he my cousin?" asked Plantagenet of his father, in evident
discomposure.
"Yes, I presume so. His mother is my sister."
"Did you send for him, pa?"
"No."
"Then why is he here?"
"I expect him to explain that to me," said Mr. Walton, coldly.
"Benjamin, what brings you to New York?"
"I want to get a position here, so that I may learn business. I
thought you might find me a place in your store, Uncle Nicholas."
"Did I not write you to stay in Sunderland?" asked Mr. Walton,
coldly.
"Yes."
"Then why have you disobeyed me?" continued the merchant, with a
frown.
"Because I have no taste for farming, and there is no other
employment there."
"A boy like you is not qualified to judge what is best for him,"
said Mr. Walton, harshly. "Did I not promise, if you learned
farming, that when you got older I would set you up on a farm of
your own?"
"I never should succeed as a farmer, for I don't like it," answered
Ben.
"What fault have you to find with it?" demanded the merchant,
testily.
"None whatever, uncle, except that I am not suited for it."
"You don't look to me suited for anything else," said Clarence
Plantagenet, insolently.
"I don't think you know me well enough to judge what I am fit for,"
answered Ben, calmly.
"You might make a good blacksmith, perhaps," continued Clarence, in
the same offensive tone. "Isn't there any opening in that line in
the country?"
"There might be. The business is not to my taste, though it may be
to yours."
"To my taste!" ejaculated the horrified Plantagenet. "What have I to
do with such a dirty business as that?"
"Stop this foolish discussion, Plantagenet," said his father. "You
had better go to meet your friend, Van Dyke, and I will settle
matters with your cousin here."
"Pack him back to the country, pa!" said Clarence. "That is the best
place for him."
So saying, the young "dude" sauntered out of the office and left
the store, several of the clerks who wished to stand well with
their employer bowing deferentially to him. Plantagenet barely
acknowledged their bows by a supercilious nod. He did not look upon
them as his social equals.
"I am inclined to agree with my son," said the merchant, after
Plantagenet had left the office. "I think the country is the best
place for you."
"Then, Uncle Nicholas, you won't give me a place in your store?"
asked Ben, his face showing his disappointment.
"I will do nothing to encourage you in a step which I consider so
ill-advised as coming to the city."
"Then I must bid you good-morning," said Ben, soberly.
"Stay!" said his uncle. "I am willing to make up to you the expense
of your trip to the city, on condition that you go back to-day."
He put his hand into his pocket as he spoke.
"Thank you, Uncle Nicholas," said Ben. "I thank you for your offer,
but I won't accept it; I shall not go back to Sunderland."
"You won't go back!" gasped the merchant. "What will you do, then?"
"Look elsewhere for a place," said Ben.
"You are a foolish, headstrong boy. I wash my hands of you. You need
not expect any help from me. You must make your own way."
"I mean to," answered Ben, quietly, as he bowed and walked out of
the office.
"This is very annoying," said Mr. Walton to himself. "He is an
obstinate boy. However, his eyes will soon be opened to his folly,
and he will have to go back, after all. Perhaps it is as well for
him to try, and fail. He will be more manageable afterward."
CHAPTER VI.
BEN GETS INTO TROUBLE.
Ben went out of his uncle's store in a serious frame of mind. He
knew that his uncle was opposed to his leaving his country home and
coming to New York, but he had hoped that he would nevertheless be
willing to extend to him a helping hand, especially as it would cost
him so little.
He found himself now in a critical position. He had in his pocket
a dollar and twenty-seven cents, and this constituted his entire
worldly capital. It was enough to carry him back to Sunderland,
but, if he had been willing to do that, it would have been for his
interest to accept his uncle's offer to refund to him what his trip
would cost.
But Ben was not easily discouraged. His motto was:
"If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again!"
"I won't go back to Sunderland unless I am obliged to," he said to
himself. "There are other stores besides my uncle's in this large
city, and more ways of making a living than one. I won't give up
till I have tried my best."
So he walked along Broadway in a leisurely way, keeping his eyes
wide open, and interested, in spite of his critical circumstances,
in the crowds and bustle of that brilliant thoroughfare.
Presently he came to a shop window on which was posted the notice--
"BOY WANTED."
"Here's a chance for me," he thought, hopefully. "I'll apply for the
place. I can't be any more than refused."
He entered. It was a store appropriated to "Gentlemen's Furnishing
Goods."
A tall young man, with his auburn hair parted in the middle, glanced
at him languidly.
"I see you want a boy," said Ben, plunging at once into business.
"Humph! Are you the boy?"
"I am a boy, and would like a place," answered Ben.
The clerk picked his teeth languidly with a wooden toothpick which
he had brought from the cheap restaurant where he had taken his
breakfast.
"Are you from the country?"
"Yes, sir."
"How long have you been in the city?"
"I arrived yesterday."
"Then you don't know your way round New York?"
"No; but I would soon learn."
"That wouldn't suit us. Besides, you don't live with your parents."
"My father is dead; my mother lives in the country."
"You won't suit us, then. However, you can go back and speak to Mr.
Talbot. There he is, in the rear of the store."
Ben had at first supposed that the young man with whom he was
speaking was the proprietor. He did not dream that he was a clerk,
working for nine dollars a week. He made application to Mr. Talbot,
a middle-aged gentleman, not half so consequential as his clerk, but
was asked essentially the same questions as before.
"I am afraid I must refuse you," said Mr. Talbot, kindly. "We
require a boy who is used to the city streets, and we prefer that he
should live with his parents. I am sorry for your disappointment."
"Thank you, sir," said Ben; but it was in rather a subdued tone. His
prospects did not seem quite so good as a little while before.
Coming out into the street, Ben saw quite a crowd of boys and young
men, who were following a tall lady, just in advance, and showing
signs of amusement. It only took a glance to discover the cause of
their mirth.
The lady wore a sack, evidently just purchased, on which was a card,
bearing in large, distinct characters, the words:
"CHEAP FOR CASH."
This it was that had excited the amusement of the crowd.
Ben was also amused, but he sympathized with the lady; and,
stepping forward promptly, touched her on the arm.
She looked back in surprise, and then for the first time became
aware of the crowd that was following her. She was a lady probably
nearing forty, and had a shrewd, kindly look.
"What does it all mean?" she asked.
"There is something on your sack, madam. Allow me to remove it."
And Ben plucked off the ticket, which he handed to the lady.
"I am not surprised at the amusement of the boys," said the lady,
smiling. "The ticket should have been removed. I am very much
obliged to you, my young friend."
"You are quite welcome," said Ben, bowing and falling back.
The lady smiled, and passed on. She would have remained had she
known that by his act of kindness her young acquaintance had
involved himself in trouble.
No sooner had the lady disappeared than the disappointed young
ruffians who had been making sport of her turned angrily upon our
hero.
"Ain't you smart?" sneered one.
"You're a little too fresh, country!" said another.
Ben turned from one to another in surprise. He didn't understand in
what way he had offended.
"What is the matter?" he asked. "What have I done?"
"What made you tell the lady what she had on her back?" demanded a
third.
"I thought she ought to know," answered Ben.
"Oh, you did!" sneered the first. "What you wanted was a reward. I'm
glad she didn't give you a cent."
"You judge me by yourself," said Ben, provoked. "I can be polite
without being paid for it."
"Say that again!" said Mike Rafferty, a freckle-faced young rowdy,
squaring off in a scientific manner.
"All right; I do say it again!" returned Ben, angrily.
"Take that, then!" said the fellow, as he struck at Ben.
Our hero dodged, and returned the compliment.
At that moment a policeman came round the corner, just in time to
see Ben's demonstration.
"So you're fightin' agin, you young rascal!" exclaimed the valiant
officer. "I've got ye this time!" and he seized Ben by the shoulder.
Ben turned, and, it must be confessed, was startled to find himself,
for the first time in his life, in the hands of the law.
"That boy attacked me, sir," he said.
"It's a lie!" exclaimed Mike Rafferty. "Isn't it b'yes?"
"Yes, it's a lie!" chimed in his companions, whose sympathies, of
course, were with Mike.
"Jist what I thought meself," said the astute officer.
"Say, cop, ye didn't see me hit him?" said Mike.
"Don't ye call me cop!" said the policeman, with insulted dignity.
"I mean captain," amended Mike, craftily.
"What's all the fuss about?" interrogated the officer.
"I axed him was he from the country, and he got mad and hit me,"
said Mike. "Say, b'yes, ain't it so?"
"Yes, that's so," answered the boys, in chorus.
"Then you must come with me, you young rascal!" said the officer.
"Where?" asked Ben, with sinking heart.
"To the station-house. I'll tache ye to fight in the streets. You
must go along, too, and make complaint," he added, addressing Mike
Rafferty.
"All right, captain. Come along, b'yes," said Mike, with a wink of
enjoyment at his companions.
Ben felt not a little humiliated at walking along Broadway in the
clutch of a policeman. He felt bewildered, too, it had come upon
him so quickly. It really seemed as if misfortunes were crowding
upon him. First, his uncle had practically disowned him, he had
been rebuffed in his attempt to obtain employment, and now he was
arrested, and on his way to the station-house, charged with fighting
and disorderly conduct in the streets.
To make matters worse and heighten his humiliation, as he was
walking along, shrinking from observation, he met his cousin,
Clarence Plantagenet, in company with another boy, somewhat older,
dressed also in the height of the fashion.
Clarence regarded Ben in amazement, and turned away his head in a
disgust which he did not attempt to conceal.
"He will tell Uncle Nicholas," thought our unfortunate hero, "and he
will think I have been doing something disgraceful."
"Come along, ye young rapscallion!" said the policeman, roughly,
"I'll soon attind to your case."
CHAPTER VII.
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.
Under different circumstances Ben might have been interested in his
first view of a police station. But, standing before the bar in the
custody of a policeman, he felt too much troubled in mind to notice
his surroundings. As another prisoner was under examination, fifteen
minutes elapsed before Ben's turn came.
"What is the charge against this boy?" asked the sergeant.
"I caught him fightin' in the streets," said the officer. "He was
hittin' that b'ye yonder," indicating Mike Rafferty.
Mike, who looked emphatically like a hard case, tried to appear like
a respectable, well-behaved boy, who had been set upon by a young
ruffian.
"What's your name?" asked the sergeant, addressing Mike.
"Mike Rafferty, yer honor," answered Mike, thinking it best to be as
respectable as possible.
"Did this boy strike you?"
"Yes, and he did, your honor, and if you don't believe me just ax
any of them b'yes," indicating his companions. "Tommy Burke, didn't
you see him hit me?"
"That will do. What did he hit you for?"
"Faith, and I don't know," said Mike, shrugging his shoulders.
"Did you hit him first?"
"No, I didn't do nothing to him," answered Mike, virtuously.
"I think you have been here before," said the sergeant, whose memory
was good.
"I don't remember it," said Mike, cautiously, not thinking it
politic to contradict the sergeant.
"Officer, do you know anything of the boy you have brought in?"
"Oh, yes, I've known him a long time. He's wan of the gang,"
answered the policeman, glibly.
Just then a gentleman came forward, whom, much to Ben's delight, he
remembered as the keeper of a dry-goods store in Sunderland. Bowing
to the sergeant, he said, respectfully:
"I know this boy, and I know that the policeman is under a great
mistake. Will you allow me to say what I know about him?"
"Go on, sir."
"So far from his being a member of any city gang, he lives in the
country, and it is extremely doubtful if the policeman ever saw him
before. He only came to the city yesterday."
"He's wan of the gang," persisted the officer, sullenly. "I've seen
him ivery day for the last three months."
"Mr. Sergeant," said the former speaker, "this officer is guilty of
willful falsehood. I know the boy as well as I know my own son, and
I know that he has passed the last three months in the country."
"The boy is discharged," said the officer. He added, sharply:
"Officer Flynn, I expect the truth from you in future. The boy
you have arrested is much more respectable in appearance than his
accuser, and, under the circumstances, I cannot attach any credit to
your charge against him. Be more careful in future."
With sullen reluctance, the officer, who is a type of a considerable
number on the force, but not of all, released Ben.
Our hero walked up to the gentleman whose testimony had been of so
much value to him, and warmly thanked him.
"I was in a bad scrape," he said, "and I don't know how I would have
come out of it if you had not spoken for me."
"I chanced to see you in charge, and followed as soon as I could,"
said Mr. Woodbury. "What luck are you meeting with in New York, Ben?"
"Not much, yet; but don't say anything to mother about your meeting
me here, or she may be worried. I shall make every effort to get
something to do here. If I can't, I may be obliged to go home."
"Well, Ben, I wish you good luck. I must now leave you, as I have
several business calls to make."
Ben emerged from the station-house feeling that he had made a lucky
escape. The boys who had followed him (Mike and his friends) had
vanished, on finding that things did not turn out as they expected,
fearing that they might get into trouble themselves.
"I see," said Ben to himself, "that I must keep my eyes wide open in
New York. I used to think that an innocent person need not fear the
police, but I don't find it exactly so."
He strolled back to Broadway, and mingled once more with the busy
crowds. The same thought came to him, as to so many in his position,
"Everybody seems to have something to do except me. Why am I alone
idle?"
When Ben reached the Metropolitan Hotel he paused for a moment at
the entrance. As he stood there a gentleman passed out hurriedly.
As his eyes fell upon Ben his face lighted up, and a sudden plan
presented itself to his mind.
"Boy," he said, "do you live in New York?"
"I expect to, if I can find anything to do."
"Where do you come from?"
"Sunderland."
"Where is that?"
"In Connecticut."
"How far away is it?"
"About forty miles."
"What relatives have you living?"
"A mother and sister in the country."
As the gentleman did not inquire whether he had relatives in New
York, Ben did not see fit to volunteer information, particularly as
he did not care to claim relationship with an uncle and cousin who
were evidently ashamed of him.
"You are in search of a position, are you?" asked the gentleman.
"Yes, sir."
"And you are not particular what you do?"
"No, sir, as long as it is honest."
"Yes, I think he will do," soliloquized the gentleman, regarding
Ben intently. "He is the same size and shape, and has a similar
expression. It will be easy to mistake him for Philip."
Ben only caught part of this soliloquy, and of course he did not
understand it.
"Of course, of course," said the gentleman, hastily, answering Ben's
words after a while. "Well, I think I can give you something to do.
Do you write a fair hand?"
"Yes, sir, pretty fair."
"Come up stairs with me," said the gentleman, abruptly. "I am
staying at this hotel."
"Is it safe?" thought Ben; but the thought that he was a poor boy,
and was little likely to attract the attention of adventurers,
reassured him, and without hesitation he followed his new, and, as
it appeared, rather eccentric acquaintance.
They took the elevator and got out at the fourth landing.
His new friend nodded, and Ben followed him along the hall.
The gentleman drew a key from his pocket and opened the door of a
room near at hand.
"Come in," he said.
The room was a double one, consisting of a parlor and bedchamber.
There were two trunks in the bedroom.
"Sit down," said the gentleman.
Ben seated himself.
"What is your name?"
"Benjamin Baker."
"I engage you as my private secretary."
"Do you think I will suit?" asked Ben, considerably amazed.
"You won't have much to do," was the answer. "You are also to pass
for my nephew."
"I wonder whether I am awake or dreaming," he asked himself.
"I shall call you Philip Grafton," continued the stranger.
"Why can't I keep my own name?" asked Ben, uneasily.
"It is unnecessary to state. My secretary must be Philip Grafton,"
said the gentleman, firmly. "Don't you like the name?"
"Yes, sir; it is a good name. Many would prefer it to mine, but I
don't like to sail under false colors."
"It is a whim of mine," said the gentleman, "but I don't think you
will be sorry for acceding to it. Now, as to compensation, I propose
to pay you fifty dollars a month and board--that is, of course, you
will live with me."
"Fifty dollars a month!" repeated Ben, opening his eyes in amazement.
"Yes; isn't it satisfactory?"
"I don't see how I can possibly earn fifty dollars a month."
"That is my lookout. As long as I am satisfied, you needn't worry
about that."
"I am afraid you will be disappointed in me, sir."
"I hope not. Do as I tell you, and I shall be satisfied."
"When am I to go to work?" asked Ben.
"You will enter upon your duties at once. I suppose you have no
objection?"
"Am I to live at the hotel with you, sir?"
"Yes."
"Then I will go and get my clothes."
"Ah, yes; I didn't think of that. You won't need to get them."
"Won't need to get my clothes?" repeated Ben in amazement.
He began to think his employer was out of his head.
"I have clothes for you here--in that trunk. This key fits it. Open
it."
Wondering much, Ben took the key, and, fitting it in the lock of
the smaller trunk, lifted the lid. He found it full of shirts,
under-garments, handkerchiefs, etc., of fine texture.
"You will find underneath two suits of clothes," said his employer.
"Take them out."
Ben followed directions.
"Now take off your own clothes--all of them--and dress yourself from
the contents of the trunk."
Ben hesitated. He could not at all understand what was happening to
him.
"Of course," said the gentleman, "your present clothing won't do for
my private secretary. The contents of this trunk are yours, if the
clothes fit you."
Ben proceeded to remove his clothing, and in a few minutes he was
newly rigged from top to toe. Every article fitted admirably.
"Now look at yourself in the mirror," said the gentleman, evidently
pleased with the transformation.
Ben looked in the mirror, and was delighted with the change in
his appearance. His outer suit was of fine French cloth, all
his under-garments were of costly fabric, and he found himself
transformed from a country boy in badly-cut garments of coarse cloth
to a finely-dressed young gentleman.
"How do you like it?" asked the gentleman, smiling.
"Very much," said Ben, sincerely.
"So do I," answered the gentleman.
"Where shall I put my old clothes?" asked Ben.
"Make a bundle of them and give them to some poor boy. You won't
need them."
Ben resolved, instead, to send them home by express. They might come
in use some time.
"Now," said the gentleman, "there is one thing more. Have you a
pocket-book?"
"Yes, sir."
"Here is a little money in advance. You will need to carry some
about with you."
He took from his own pocket-book fifteen dollars in bills and handed
them to Ben.
"I wonder if I am dreaming," thought our hero. "This may be like
the fairy gold I have read of."
As a matter of fact, however, they were bank-notes on the Park Bank
of New York, and Ben soon had occasion to test their genuineness.
"We will go down to lunch now," said Richard Grafton, for that was
the name of the gentleman, as Ben discovered.
Ben entered the large dining-room and took a seat next his employer.
Though new to hotel life he copied what he saw other guests do, and
no one suspected that the handsomely-dressed boy had not all his
life been used to luxury.
When the meal was over, Mr. Grafton said:
"You can go where you please this afternoon, but be on hand at six
o'clock. We shall go to some theatre this evening."
Mr. Grafton left the hotel. Ben took an opportunity to examine
the hotel register soon after. He discovered that Mr. Grafton had
arrived the day before.
This was the entry:
"RICHARD GRAFTON, London, England."
Underneath, to his amazement, he read another name:
"MASTER PHILIP GRAFTON, London, England."
"I suppose that means me," he said to himself. "What does it all
mean? How did Mr. Grafton know that I would be here? He had never
seen me. And how did he find clothes to fit me so exactly?"
There was certainly a mystery, but it was fraught with so much to
the advantage of our hero that he resolved to cease asking questions
and accept the gifts of fortune.
CHAPTER VIII.
AN UNEXPECTED MEETING AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
When Clarence Plantagenet saw his poor country cousin marching up
Broadway escorted by a policeman he was very much surprised, but on
the whole he was not displeased.
"Do you know that boy?" asked his companion.
"No, certainly not," answered Clarence, coloring.
"I thought you looked as if you did."
"He looks like a boy I met in the country last summer," was the
evasive answer.
"Poor devil! I wonder what he has been doing."
"Stealing, very likely," said Clarence, shrugging his shoulders.
"He doesn't look like a thief."
"Appearances are deceitful," said Clarence, oracularly.
At the supper-table, where Clarence met his father for the first
time since he had called at his office, he said:
"Oh, papa, what do you think? That country boy I saw in your office
has got into trouble."
"Do you mean your cousin Benjamin?"
"I suppose he is my cousin," said Clarence, reluctantly, "but I
don't care about knowing him for a relation. I saw him on Broadway
in charge of a policeman."
"Are you sure of this?" said Mr. Walton, much surprised.
"Yes; I knew him well enough by his clothes."
Clarence then gave an account of his meeting Ben.
"Did you speak to him?" asked his father.
"Mercy, no! Percy Van Dyke was with me. I wouldn't for a hundred
dollars have him know that I had a cousin arrested, and such a
countryfied-looking cousin, too."
"I think Benjamin would be a good-looking boy if he were well
dressed," said Mr. Walton.
"I don't," said Clarence, decidedly.
"I am sorry to hear he has got into trouble," said Mr. Walton, who
was not so mean as his son. "I think I ought to do something to help
him."
"Better leave him to his fate, pa. No doubt he is a bad boy."
"I can't understand why he should be. My sister is poor but an
excellent woman, and his father was an exemplary man."
"I don't think we have any call to trouble ourselves about this
boy," said Clarence. "He has disgraced us, and we couldn't do
anything without having it all come out."
"By the way, Clarence, I have two tickets to the Grand Opera House
this evening; would you like to go?"
"Just the thing, pa; I was wondering what we should do to pass the
time."
"Edwin Booth is to appear as Cardinal Richelieu. It is one of his
best characters. It will be a rare treat."
"Percy Van Dyke is to be there with his sister," said Clarence.
"That is the reason why he wouldn't take supper with me at
Delmonico's this evening."
"You will have a chance to see your friends between the acts," said
Mr. Walton. "I am perfectly willing you should become intimate with
the Van Dykes. By the way, bring your friend around and introduce
him to me."
"Yes, pa."
Mr. Walton had been the architect of his own fortune, while the Van
Dykes were descended from an old Dutch family, and had held for over
a century a high social position. Now that the merchant had money,
he thirsted for social recognition--something money will not always
buy.
Eight o'clock found father and son in choice orchestra seats in the
Grand Opera House, and they began to look about them.
Suddenly Mr. Walton said, sharply:
"What was all that rubbish you were telling me about your cousin
being arrested?"
"It was perfectly true, pa," answered Clarence, looking at his
father in surprise.
"What do you say to that, then?"
Following the direction of his father's finger, Clarence's eyes
rested upon his despised country cousin, elegantly dressed, sitting
two rows to the front, and a little to the right, with his eyes
fixed upon the curtain, which was then rising.
"That looks very much as if your cousin had been arrested!" said his
father, with a sneer.
"I can't understand it," ejaculated Clarence. "It can't be my
cousin. It must be some other boy that looks like him."
Just then Ben chanced to turn round. Observing his uncle's eyes
fixed upon him, he bowed politely and turned once more to the stage.
CHAPTER IX.
CLARENCE IS PUZZLED.
Clarence Plantagenet was so puzzled by the appearance of his cousin
at a fashionable theatre at a time when he supposed him to be
enjoying the hospitality of the police authorities that he paid
little attention to the stage performance. He had a large share of
curiosity, and resolved to gratify it, even if it were necessary to
speak to Ben himself.
At the end of the second act, Ben, feeling thirsty, and having
noticed that ice-water could be obtained in the lobby, left his seat
and walked up the aisle.
Clarence, observing this, rose also, and followed him.
He came to the water-fount just as Ben had quenched his thirst. He
was surprised anew when he observed how elegantly his cousin was
dressed. He was fastidious as to his own dress, but was obliged to
confess that Ben surpassed him in this respect.
Ben was conscious of the same thing, and, under the circumstances,
it gratified him.
Another thing also was evident to Clarence, though he admitted it
with reluctance, that Ben was a strikingly handsome boy. He had
appeared somewhat to disadvantage in his country-made suit, but all
signs of rusticity had now disappeared.
"Good evening," said Clarence, with a good deal more politeness than
he had displayed at the office.
"Good evening," said Ben, politely.
"I am surprised to see you here," continued Clarence.
"Yes," answered Ben. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Oh, I come here often. I thought you would spend the evening in an
entirely different place," said Clarence, significantly.
"You are kind to think of me at all," said Ben, smiling.
Clarence was puzzled. He began to think that he must have been
mistaken in the person when he supposed he saw Ben in the custody
of an officer. Now he came to think of it, the boy under arrest had
shown no signs of recognition. We know that it was because Ben was
far from wishing to attract the attention of any one who knew him.
"Have you passed the day pleasantly?" inquired Clarence, thinking he
might lead up to the subject on which he desired light.
"Quite pleasantly," answered Ben. "New York is a beautiful city."
"I was afraid you had got into a scrape," said Clarence. "As I was
walking along Broadway, soon after you left father's office, I saw a
boy just like you in charge of a policeman."
"Poor fellow! I hope he got off. Did you stop and speak to him?"
"No; I was so surprised that I stood still and stared till it was
too late."
"I am not at all anxious to make the acquaintance of the police,"
said Ben, not sorry to have put his cousin off the scent.
"You have changed your dress," said Clarence, wishing to satisfy
his curiosity in another direction.
"Yes," answered Ben, with studied indifference.
"You have a good seat to-night."
"Yes; I have an excellent view of the play."
"The orchestra seats are high-priced. I thought you were short of
money."
"I was, but I am earning a good income now, and----"
"You haven't got a place, have you?" ejaculated his cousin, in
surprise.
"Yes, I have."
"Is it in a store?"
"No; I am private secretary to a gentleman living at the
Metropolitan Hotel."
"Private secretary!" exclaimed Clarence, in continued surprise. "You
can't be fit for such a position. How did you get it?"
"I am not sure whether I shall suit," said Ben, "but the gentleman
applied to me, and I accepted."
"I never heard of anything so strange. How much pay do you get?"
"Fifty dollars a month and board."
"It can't be possible!"
"That is what I say to myself," responded Ben, good-naturedly. "I am
afraid that my employer will find out that he is paying me too much
money."
"Are you staying at the Metropolitan, too?"
"Yes, for the present."
"I will call on you before long."
"Thank you."
"My aristocratic cousin seems disposed to be very polite to me now,"
thought Ben. "I am glad I put him off the track about the arrest."
"Excuse me," he said. "I believe the curtain is rising."
"Who is that fine-looking boy you were just speaking to?" asked
Percy Van Dyke, who came up at this moment.
"It is a cousin of mine," answered Clarence, not unwillingly.
"I should like to know what tailor he employs. He is finely
dressed, and a handsome fellow, besides."
"Of course, being a cousin of mine," said Clarence, with a smirk.
"How does it happen I have never met your cousin before?"
"He has only recently come to the city. He is staying at the
Metropolitan just at present."
Wonders will never cease. Here was Clarence Plantagenet Walton, the
son of a wealthy merchant, actually acknowledging with complacency
his relationship to a country cousin whom earlier in the day he had
snubbed.
He did not have another chance to speak to Ben that evening, as his
cousin remained in his seat till the close of the performance, and
in the throng at the close he lost sight of him.
As he and his father were walking home, Clarence said:
"I saw Ben in the lobby, between the acts."
"What did he say?" asked the merchant, who was himself not without
curiosity.
"I must have been mistaken about his being in charge of a
policeman," said Clarence.
"I thought you were."
"But the boy I saw looked precisely like Ben."
"What did your cousin say?"
"He has had a stroke of good luck. He has been engaged as private
secretary to a gentleman staying at the Metropolitan Hotel."
"Is this true, Clarence?"
"So Ben says; and he says, also, that he is to receive fifty dollars
a month."
"He can't be fitted for any such position with his country
education."
"So I told him."
"And what did he say?"
"He agreed with me. He said he was afraid his employer would find
out that he was paying him too much."
"The boy is candid. If all this is true, he is strangely lucky."
"Did you notice how stylishly he was dressed, pa?"
"I observed that he was dressed a good deal better than when he
called at my office to-day."
"Even Percy Van Dyke noticed it, and asked me who he was."
"Did you tell him?"
"Yes, I said he was a cousin of mine, who was staying at the
Metropolitan. He wanted to find out who was Ben's tailor."
"Your cousin seems a very smart boy. Perhaps he was right in
thinking that he would be better off in the city."
"I never saw such a change in a boy in my life. I told him I would
call on him at the hotel."
"Do so, Clarence. I confess I have a curiosity to learn how he has
managed to get such a position."
Certainly this had been a day of strange vicissitudes to Ben. He had
been in the depths of humiliation and at the summit of joy.
He had come to the city in the morning, a poor country boy. In the
evening he had attended a performance at a fashionable theatre as
elegantly dressed as any of his own age in the audience.
Mr. Grafton's room contained two beds, a large and a small one. The
latter was appropriated to Ben.
Our hero was very tired, and Mr. Grafton was obliged to call him
the next morning.
"Wake up, my boy," he said; "it is half-past eight."
"Half-past eight! Why, I got up at half-past six in the country."
"Dress yourself and we will go down to breakfast. Afterward I have
to make a business call, and you must go with me."
CHAPTER X.
AT THE OFFICE OF MR. CODICIL.
In one of the large business buildings appropriated chiefly to
offices, within a stone's throw of Printing-House Square, were the
commodious offices of Nathan Codicil, a prominent lawyer, whose
business related chiefly to the estates of wealthy clients.
Mr. Codicil himself was a dignified-looking gentleman, of grave
aspect, whose whitening locks seemed to indicate that he had reached
the age of threescore. He was a cautious, careful, trustworthy man,
whose reputation was deservedly high.
Mr. Grafton and Ben, stepping out of the elevator, paused before the
door of Mr. Codicil's office for a moment, when the former opened
the door and entered.
"You may sit down here, Philip, while I go in and speak to Mr.
Codicil," said Mr. Grafton, indicating a chair near the door.
"I wish he wouldn't call me Philip," thought Ben. "I like my own
name much better."
He did not complain aloud, however, for he felt that his salary
was liberal enough to compensate him for some slight sacrifice of
feeling.
"Good morning, Mr. Grafton," said the lawyer, advancing to meet his
visitor.
"Good morning, Mr. Codicil; I am glad to find you in, for I've made
quite an effort to reach your office at an early hour. You observe I
have brought the boy with me."
The sharp eyes of the lawyer had not failed to note the presence of
Ben.
"You observe that he is in excellent health, despite all reports to
the contrary."
"So it appears," said the lawyer. "He seems to have lost all
resemblance to the family."
"Do you think so?" said Grafton, carelessly. "Opinions differ about
that. For my own part, I can see the resemblance plainly."
"How old is he now?"
"Sixteen."
"I have not seen him since he was four years of age."
"Twelve years effect many changes."
"Very true."
"And now, Mr. Codicil, as I have another engagement very soon, if
you can conveniently attend to our little business at once--"
"Certainly, sir."
Mr. Codicil prepared a receipt which he requested Mr. Grafton to
sign. He then opened a check-book and filled a check for a large
amount, which he handed to his visitor. The latter pocketed it with
evident satisfaction.
"I hope, Mr. Codicil, you are not disappointed to know that the boy
is still alive?" he said.
"Heaven knows that I wish no harm to the lad!" said the lawyer,
warmly. "Yet, when I consider how his poor cousins are compelled to
struggle for a living, I cannot help regretting the injustice of
old John Portland's will, which maintains one grandchild in luxury,
while three others, having equal natural claims, should be thrown on
the cold mercies of the world."
"Yes, to be sure!" said Richard Grafton, carelessly. "Still a man's
last will and testament must be respected. A man can do as he likes
with his own."
"True, in the eyes of the law. Morally, there would be no harm in
your young ward doing something for his poor cousins. They would
like to meet him and make his acquaintance."
"I am afraid it won't be possible. We remain in the city but a short
time," said Mr. Grafton, hastily.
"Where do you go?"
"I have not quite decided whether to take a trip to the Pacific
coast or to return to Europe. Of course I shall apprise you promptly
when I have made my decision."
"Your ward is an American. Is it right to rear him in Europe,
leaving him without any adequate knowledge of his own country?"
"He will have advantages abroad which he would not have in his own
country. However, I will consider what you have said, and I may
arrange to spend a part of each year in America."
"I would like to speak to Philip," said Mr. Codicil.
Richard Grafton hesitated, but only for a moment. He was playing a
bold game for a large stake. It would not do to be timid.
"Come here, Philip," he said, "Mr. Codicil wishes to speak to you."
Ben rose and advanced to meet the lawyer.
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir," he said.
"And I am pleased to meet you, my boy. You look well!"
"Yes, sir; I always enjoy good health."
Mr. Codicil looked a little surprised, but he regarded with approval
the boy's bright face and manly figure.
"He is certainly a very attractive boy," thought the lawyer. "I
haven't much confidence in his guardian, but the boy doesn't appear
to be spoiled."
"Come, Philip. I am afraid I must hurry you away," said Mr. Grafton,
"as I have another visit to pay."
Ben shook hands with the lawyer and went out of his office.
"I cannot help distrusting that man," said Mr. Codicil, as the door
closed. "I believe him to be a trickster. I wish the boy were under
better influences."
Ben had been at such a distance from the inner office that he had
not heard or understood the conversation between his employer and
Mr. Codicil, yet it seemed to him singular that he should have
received so much attention from the lawyer.
"I suppose Mr. Grafton was speaking to him about me," said he to
himself.
When they reached the street Mr. Grafton said:
"Philip, I shall not require your company any longer this morning.
If you have any plans of your own you are quite at liberty to follow
them. Have you all the money you need?"
"Yes, sir; you gave me fifteen dollars yesterday."
"I remember. Very well; you can go where you please. We will meet at
the hotel at one o'clock."
"Would you object, Mr. Grafton, to my sending five dollars to my
mother? I shall have enough left for myself."
"Do as you like. You may send ten dollars if you like. When you are
out of money you have only to apply to me."
"You are very kind, sir," said Ben, gratefully.
"It is on account of your first month's wages, you know."
Then he paused a moment, regarding Ben with some apparent solicitude.
"By the way," he said, "I must guard you against saying too much
about me or your relation with me. I have a great dislike to have
myself or my affairs talked about."
"I will remember, sir."
"You need not mention that I have desired you to bear a different
name from your own."
"I will not mention it, sir, if you object."
"With me it is a matter of sentiment," said Mr. Grafton in a low
voice. "I had a dear son named Philip. He died, and left me alone in
the world. You resemble him. It is pleasant to me to call some one
by his name, yet I cannot bear to excite the curiosity of a cold,
unsympathizing world, and be forced to make to them an explanation
which will harrow up my feelings and recall to me my bitter loss."
"I quite understand you, Mr. Grafton," said Ben, with quiet
sympathy. "Though I would prefer to be called by my own name, I am
glad if I can help make up to you for your loss."
"Enough, my boy! I felt that I had judged you aright. Now go where
you please. Only try to be back at the hotel at one o'clock."
As Ben walked away Richard Grafton said to himself, in a tone of
self-congratulation:
"I might have sought far and wide without finding a boy that would
suit my purpose as well as this one. Codicil, as shrewd as he thinks
himself, was quite taken in. I confess I looked forward to the
interview with dread. Had I allowed the boy to be closely questioned
all would have come out, and I would have lost the handsome income
which I receive as his guardian. While the real Philip Grafton
sleeps in his foreign grave, his substitute will answer my purpose,
and insure me ease and comfort. But it won't do to remain in New
York. There are too many chances of discovery. I must put the sea
between me and the lynx-eyed sharpness of old Codicil."
Mr. Grafton's urgent business engagement was at the Park Bank,
where he got his check cashed. He next proceeded to the office of
the Cunard Steamship Company, and engaged passage for the next
Saturday for Richard Grafton and Master Philip Grafton.
CHAPTER XI.
THE HOME OF POVERTY.
The time has come to introduce some new characters, who will play a
part in my story.
Five minutes' walk from Bleecker street, in a tall, shabby tenement
house, divided, as the custom is, into suites of three rooms, or
rather two, one being a common room, and the other being subdivided
into two small, narrow chambers, lived Rose and Adeline Beaufort,
respectively nineteen and seventeen years of age, and their young
brother Harry, a boy of thirteen.
It is five o'clock in the afternoon when we look in upon them.
"Rose," said her sister, "you look very tired. Can't you leave off
for an hour and rest?"
Rose was bending over a vest which she was making. Her drooping
figure and the lines on her face bespoke fatigue, yet her fingers
swiftly plied the needle, and she seemed anxiously intent upon her
task.
She shook her head in answer to her sister's words.
"No, Addie," she said; "it won't do for me to stop. You know how
little I earn at the most. I can't make more than one vest in a day,
and I get but thirty-five cents apiece."
"I know it, Rose," replied Adeline, with a sigh; "it is a great deal
of work to do for that paltry sum. If I were able to help you we
might get along better, even at such wages. I feel that I am very
useless, and a burden on you and Harry."
"You mustn't think anything of the kind, Addie," said Rose, quickly,
looking affectionately at her sister. "You know you are not strong
enough to work."
"And so you have to work the harder, Rose."
"Never mind, Addie; I am strong, and I enjoy working for you."
"But still I am so useless."
"You chase us up, and we can work all the better."
"I earn nothing. I wonder if I shall always be so weak and useless?"
"No. Don't you remember the doctor said you would in all probability
outgrow your weakness and be as strong as I am? All that is needed
is patience."
"Ah, it is not so easy to be always patient--when I think, too, of
how differently we should have been situated if grandfather had
treated us justly."
A shadow came over the face of Rose.
"Yes; I don't like to think of that. Why should he have left all his
property to our cousin Philip and none to us?"
"But if Philip should die it would all be ours, so Mr. Codicil says."
"I don't want anything to happen to the poor boy."
"Nor I, Rose. But don't you think he might do something for us?"
"So he would, very probably, if he were left to himself; but
you know he is under the guardianship of that uncle of his,
Richard Grafton, who is said to be intensely selfish and wholly
unprincipled. He means to live as handsomely as he can at Philip's
expense."
"Did grandfather appoint him guardian?"
"I believe so. Richard Grafton is very artful, and he led
grandfather to believe him fitted to be an excellent guardian for
the boy."
"I suppose he is in Europe?"
"No; I heard from Mr. Codicil, yesterday, that he was in New York."
"Is Philip with him?"
"Yes. He was to take the boy to Mr. Codicil's office to-day. There
was a report some time since--I did not mention it to you for
fear of exciting you--that Philip was dead. Mr. Codicil wrote to
Mr. Grafton to make inquiry. In answer, he has come to New York,
bringing Philip with him. While the boy lives, he receives an
annual income of six thousand dollars for the boy's expenses, and
to compensate him for his guardianship. You see, therefore, that
Philip's death would make a great difference to him."
"And to us," sighed Adeline.
"Addie," said Rose, gravely, "don't allow yourself to wish for the
death of our young cousin. It would be wicked."
"I know it, Rose; but when I consider how hard you work, and how
confined Harry is as a cash-boy, I am strongly tempted."
"Then put away the temptation, and trust to a good Providence to
take good care of us. God will not fail us."
"I wish I had your faith, Rose," said her younger sister.
"So you would, Addie, if you had my strength," said Rose, in an
affectionate tone. "It is harder for you to be idle than for me to
work."
"You are right there, Rose. I only wish I could work. Do you know
where Philip and his guardian are staying?"
"Yes; Mr. Codicil told me they were staying at the Metropolitan
Hotel."
"Did you ever see Philip?"
"Not since he was a little boy. I would not know him."
"Do you suppose he knows anything about us?"
"Probably Mr. Grafton never mentions us. Yet he must know that he
has cousins living, but he may not know how hard we have to struggle
for a livelihood."
"I wish we could get a chance to speak to him. He might feel
disposed to help us."
"Probably his power is not great. He is only sixteen, and I presume
has little command of money."
"How do you think it would do for Harry to carry him a letter,
asking him to call upon us?"
"His guardian would intercept it."
"It might be delivered to him privately."
"There is something in what you say," returned Rose, thoughtfully.
"He is our cousin, and we are his only living relatives. It would
only be proper for him to call upon us."
"The sooner we communicate with him the better, then," said Adeline,
whose temperament was quick and impulsive. "Suppose I write a letter
and get Harry to carry it to the hotel when he comes home."
"As you please, Addie. I would write it, but I want to finish this
vest to-night."
"I will write it. I want to be of some little use."
She rose, and with languid step drew near the table. Procuring
writing materials, she penned a brief note, which she handed to
Rose, when completed, with the inquiry, "How will that do?"
Rose cast her eyes rapidly over the brief note, which read as
follows:
"DEAR COUSIN PHILIP:--No doubt you are aware that you have
three cousins in this city--my sister Rose, my brother
Harry, who will hand you this note, and myself. We have not
seen you for many years. Will it be too much to ask you to
call on us? We are in humble quarters, but shall be glad to
welcome you to our poor home.
"Your cousin,
"ADELINE BEAUFORT."
In a line below, the address was given.
"That will do very nicely, Addie," said Rose. "I am glad you did not
hint at our need of assistance."
"If he comes to see us, he can see that for himself. I hope
something may come of it," continued the younger sister.
"Don't count too much on it, or your disappointment will be the more
keen."
"Harry can carry it around after supper."
"Philip may be at supper."
"Then he can wait. I wish he would come home."
As if in answer to her wish the door was hastily opened, and a
bright, ruddy-faced boy entered.
"Welcome back, Harry," said Rose, with a smile. "How have you passed
the day?"
"Running round as usual, Rose. It's no joke to be a cash-boy."
"I wish I could run round, Harry," sighed Addie.
"So do I. That would be jolly. How are you feeling to-day, Addie?"
"About the same. Are you very tired?"
"Oh, no; only about the same as usual."
"Because I would like to have you do an errand for me."
"Of course I will," said Harry, cheerfully. "What is it?"
"I want you to take this note to the Metropolitan Hotel."
"Who do you know there?" asked Harry, in surprise.
An explanation was given.
"I want you to be very particular to give the note to Philip without
his guardian's knowledge. Can you manage it?"
"I'll try. I'll go the first thing after supper."
CHAPTER XII.
A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT.
Harry Beaufort entered the Metropolitan Hotel with the confidence
of a city boy who knew that hotels are places of general resort,
and that his entrance would not attract attention. He walked slowly
through to the rear, looking about him guardedly to see if he could
discover anybody who answered to his idea of Philip Grafton. Had he
seen Ben, he would doubtless have supposed that he was the cousin of
whom he was in search; but Ben had come in about five o'clock and
had gone out again with his friend, the reporter, who had called for
him.
Thus Harry looked in vain, and was disposed to think that he would
have to leave the hotel with his errand unaccomplished. This he
didn't like to do. He concluded, therefore, to go up to the desk and
inquire of the clerk.
"Is there a boy staying here named Philip Grafton?" asked Harry.
"Yes, my boy. Do you want to see him?" returned the clerk.
"Yes, sir, if you please."
"He went out half an hour since," said a bell-boy, who chanced to be
near.
"You can leave any message," said the clerk.
"I have a note for him," said Harry, in a doubtful tone.
"I will give it to him when he comes in."
Harry hesitated. He had been told to put the note into Philip's own
hand. But there was no knowing when Philip would come in.
"I guess it'll do to leave it," he thought. "Please give it into his
own hands," he said; and the clerk carelessly assented.
Harry left the hotel, and five minutes later Richard Grafton, or
Major Richard Grafton, as he called himself, entered and walked up
to the clerk's desk.
"Any letters or cards for me?" he asked.
"There's a note for your nephew," said the clerk, producing the one
just left.
"Ha!" said the major, pricking up his ears suspiciously. "Very well,
I will take it and give it to him."
Of course the clerk presumed that this was all right, and passed it
over.
Major Grafton took the note carelessly and sauntered into the
reading-room, where he deliberately opened it.
"I must see who is writing to Philip," he said to himself. "It may
be necessary to suppress the note."
As he read the note, the contents of which are already familiar to
the reader, his brow darkened with anger and anxiety.
"It is fortunate that this came into my hands," he reflected. "It
would have puzzled the boy, and had he gone to see these people the
murder would have been out and probably my plans would have ended in
disaster. There is something about the boy that leads me to doubt
whether he would second my plans if he suspected what they were. I
must devise some means for throwing these people off the scent and
keeping the boy in the dark. What shall I do?"
After a little reflection, Major Grafton decided to remove at once
to a different hotel. He resolved to do it that very night, lest
there should be another attempt made to communicate with his young
secretary. He must wait, however, till Ben returned.
Half an hour later Ben entered, and found the major walking
impatiently up and down the office.
"I thought you would never come back," he said, impatiently.
"I am sorry if I inconvenienced you, sir," Ben said. "I didn't know
you wished me back early."
"Come up stairs with me and pack. We are going to leave the hotel."
"Where are we going?" asked Ben in surprise.
"You will know very soon," answered the major.
Major Grafton notified the clerk that he wished a hack in fifteen
minutes, as he was about to leave the hotel.
"Very well, major. Are you going to leave the city?"
"Not at once. I may spend a few days at the house of a friend,"
answered Grafton, evasively.
"Shall we forward any letters?"
"No; I will call here for them."
In fifteen minutes a porter called at the door of Major Grafton's
room and took down the two trunks. A hack was in waiting.
"Where to, sir?" asked the driver.
"You may drive to the Windsor Hotel," was the answer.
The Windsor Hotel, on Fifth avenue, is over two miles farther up
town than the Metropolitan. Leaning back in his comfortable seat,
Ben enjoyed the ride, and was pleased with the quiet, aristocratic
appearance of the Windsor. A good suite of rooms was secured, and
he found himself even more luxuriously accommodated than at the
Metropolitan.
"I wonder why we have changed our hotel," he thought.
As if aware what was passing through his mind, Major Grafton said:
"This hotel is much more conveniently located for my business than
the other."
"It seems a very nice hotel," said Ben.
"There is none better in New York."
"I wonder what his business is," passed through Ben's mind, but he
was afraid of offending by the inquiry.
Another thing puzzled him. He was ostensibly Major Grafton's private
secretary, and as such was paid a liberal salary, but thus far he
had not been called upon to render any service. There was nothing
in this to complain of, to be sure. If Major Grafton chose to pay
him for doing nothing, that was his lookout. Meanwhile he would be
able to save up at least half of his salary, and transmit it to his
mother.
When they were fairly installed in their new home Major Grafton said:
"I have a call to make, and shall be absent till late. I suppose you
can take care of yourself?"
"Oh, yes, sir. If there is anything you wish me to do----"
"Not this evening. I have not got my affairs settled yet. That is
all the better for you, as you can spend your time as you choose."
About an hour later, as Ben was in the billiard-room, looking with
interest at a game, his cousin, Clarence Plantagenet, and Percy Van
Dyke entered.
"How are you?" said Clarence, graciously. "Percy, this is my cousin,
Ben Baker."
"Glad to see you, I'm sure," said Percy.
"Won't you join us in a little game?"
"No, thank you," answered Ben. "I don't play billiards."
"Then you ought to learn."
"I thought you said you were staying at the Metropolitan," said
Plantagenet.
"So I was, but we have moved to the Windsor."
"Have you a good room?"
"Tip-top!"
"Does that mean on the top floor?" asked Percy, laughing.
"Not exactly. We are on the third floor."
"Come, Percy, here's a table. Let us have a game."
They began to play, and Ben sat down in a comfortable arm-chair and
looked on. Though neither of the boys was an expert, they played a
fair game, and Ben was interested in watching it.
"It's wonderful how he's improved," thought Clarence. "When I saw
him in pa's office I thought he was awkward and gawky; now he looks
just like one of us. He's had great luck in falling in with this
Major Grafton. Really, I think we can afford to recognize him as a
relation."
When the boys had played a couple of games, they prepared to go.
"By the way, Ben," said Clarence, "the governor told me to invite
you to dinner on Sunday. Have you any other engagement?"
"Not that I know of. I will come if I can."
"That's right. Ta-ta, old fellow."
"He treats me a good deal better than he did when we first met,"
thought Ben. "There's a great deal of virtue in good clothes, I
expect."
Ben was asleep before Major Grafton came home.
In the morning, when he awoke, he found that the major was already
dressing.
"By the way, Philip," said his employer, quietly, "we sail for
Europe this afternoon at three."
"Sail for Europe!" ejaculated Ben, overwhelmed with surprise.
"Yes. See that your trunk is packed by eleven."
CHAPTER XIII.
A FAREWELL CALL.
Ben was startled by Major Grafton's abrupt proposal. To go to Europe
would be delightful, he admitted to himself, but to start at a few
hours' notice was naturally exciting. What would his mother and
sister say?
"I suppose there isn't time for me to go home and see my mother
before sailing?" he ventured to say, interrogatively.
"As we are to sail at three o'clock this afternoon, you can judge
for yourself about that," said the major, coolly. "Don't you want to
go?"
"Oh, yes, sir. There is nothing I should like better. I should like
to have said good-by to my mother, but----"
"Unfortunately, you can't. I am glad you take so sensible a view of
the matter. I will depend on you to be ready."
"How long shall we probably be gone?" asked Ben.
"I can tell you better some weeks hence, Philip. By the way," he
added, after a moment's thought, "if any letters should come here
addressed to you, don't open them till I come back."
Ben looked at the major in surprise. Why should he not open any
letters that came for him? He was not likely, he thought, to receive
any except from Sunderland.
"I will explain," continued the major. "There are some people in the
city that are continually writing begging letters to me. They use
every method to annoy me, and might go so far as to write to you and
ask your intercession."
"I understand," said Ben, unsuspiciously.
"I thought you would," returned the major, evidently relieved. "Of
course if you get any letter from home you will open that."
"Thank you, sir."
After breakfast Major Grafton left the hotel without saying where
he was going, and Ben addressed himself first to packing his trunk,
and then going down to the reading-room. There he sat down and wrote
a letter to his mother, which ran thus:
"DEAR MOTHER:--I can imagine how much you will be surprised
when I tell you that when this letter reaches you I shall
be on my way to Europe. Major Grafton, my employer, only
told me an hour since, and we sail this afternoon at three.
I should be glad to come home and bid you and my little
sister good-by, but there is no time. I know you will miss
me, but it is a splendid chance for me to go, and I shall
be receiving a liberal salary, out of which I can send you
money from time to time. I know I shall enjoy myself, for I
have always had a longing to go to Europe, though I did not
dream that I should have the chance so soon. I will write to
you as soon as we get on the other side.
"Your loving son, BEN.
"P. S.--We sail on the Parthia."
It may be readily understood that this letter made a great
sensation in Sunderland. Mrs. Baker hardly knew whether to be glad
or sorry. It was hard to part from Ben for an uncertain period. On
the other hand, all her friends congratulated her on Ben's great
success in securing so good a position and salary. It was certainly
a remarkable stroke of good fortune.
Ben was about to write another letter to Clarence, explaining why he
could not accept the invitation for dinner on Sunday, but a glance
at the clock showed him that he would have a chance to go to his
uncle's store, and that seemed, on the whole, more polite.
He jumped on board a Broadway car at Twenty-third street, and
half an hour later got out in front of his uncle's large business
establishment. He entered with quite a different feeling from that
attending his first visit, when, in his country attire, poor and
without prospects, he came to make an appeal to his rich uncle.
Handsome clothes are apt to secure outward respect, and one of the
salesmen came forward, obsequiously, and asked:
"What can I show you, young gentleman?"
"Nothing, thank you," answered Ben, politely. "Is my uncle in?"
"Your uncle?"
"Mr. Walton."
"Oh, yes; you will find him in his office."
"Thank you."
Nicholas Walton looked up as Ben entered his presence, and did
not immediately recognize the handsomely-dressed boy who stood
before him. He concluded that it was one of Clarence's high-toned
acquaintances.
"Did you wish to see Clarence?" he asked affably. "I am sorry to say
that he has not been in this morning."
"I should like to see him, Uncle Nicholas; but I also wished to see
you."
"Oh, it's Ben!" said Mr. Walton, in a slightly changed tone.
"Yes, uncle; I met my cousin at the Windsor last evening."
"He told me so. You are staying there, he says."
"For a very short time. My cousin was kind enough to invite me to
dinner on Sunday."
"Yes; we shall be glad to have you dine with us."
"I am sorry I cannot come. I am to sail for Europe this afternoon."
"You sail for Europe!" repeated his uncle, in amazement.
"Yes, uncle. I knew nothing of it till this morning."
"It is indeed surprising. To what part do you go?"
"I believe we sail for Liverpool in the Parthia. More than that I
know nothing."
"You are certainly strangely fortunate," said the merchant,
musingly. "Does this Major Grafton appear to be wealthy?"
"I judge that he is."
"Does he pay you well?"
"He gives me fifty dollars per month."
"And what do you do?"
"I am his private secretary, but thus far I have not been called
upon to do much. I suppose I shall have more to do when I get to
Europe."
"He seems to be eccentric as well as rich. Perhaps he will want to
adopt you. I advise you to try to please him."
"I shall certainly do that, though I don't think he will adopt me."
"Clarence will be sorry not to have seen you. He has taken a trip
to Long Branch this morning with Percy Van Dyke."
"I saw Percy last evening."
"This country nephew of mine gets into fashionable society
remarkably quick," thought the merchant. "There must be something in
the boy, or he would not make his way so readily."
"We are all going to Long Branch next week," said Mr. Walton, aloud.
"We are to stay at the West End. If you had remained here you could
have tried to persuade Major Grafton to spend part of the season at
the Branch."
"I shall be satisfied with Europe," said Ben, smiling.
"You have reason to be satisfied. Clarence will envy you when he
hears that you are going."
"It didn't look as if he were likely to envy me for anything when I
met him here the other day," thought Ben.
"Please remember me to my cousin," said Ben, and shaking his
uncle's extended hand he left the store.
He was passing through the store when he felt a touch on his
shoulder.
Turning, he recognized the tall lady he had met just after his last
visit.
"Are you not the boy who told me I had a ticket on my shawl?" she
inquired.
"Yes, madam," replied Ben, smiling.
"I recognize your face, but otherwise you look very different."
"You mean I am better dressed."
"Yes; I thought you a country boy when I met you."
"So I am, but I am trying to be mistaken for a city boy."
"I am relieved to meet you, for some one told me you had got into
some trouble with the unmannerly boys who were following me."
"I am much obliged to you for your solicitude in my behalf," said
Ben, not caring to acknowledge the fact of the arrest.
"I had hoped to be of service to you, but I see you don't appear to
need it. I am here buying a suit of clothes for a poor boy in whom
I am interested. Let me give you my card, and if you ever need a
friend, come and see me."
The card bore the name of "Jane Wilmot, 300 Madison avenue."
Ben thanked Miss Wilmot and left his uncle's store.
CHAPTER XIV.
WHAT BEN'S FRIENDS THOUGHT.
"Did you see Philip?" asked Adeline, eagerly, when her young brother
returned from his visit to the Metropolitan Hotel.
"No," answered Harry. "He was out."
"And you brought back the note, then?" said his sister, disappointed.
"No; the clerk said he would give it to him; so I left it with him."
Adeline looked anxious.
"I am afraid his guardian will get hold of it," she said, turning to
Rose.
"Even if he does, there is nothing in it that you need regret
writing."
"It would never reach Philip."
"Probably you are right. In that case we must make another effort
when there seems a good chance."
It was decided that Harry should call the next day, at his dinner
hour, and ascertain whether the note had been delivered. He did so,
but only to learn that the note had been given to Major Grafton, and
that both he and Philip had left the hotel.
"Do you know where they went," asked Harry, eagerly.
"No; the major did not say. He will probably send here for letters,
and then I can mention that you called."
Harry assented, not being able to explain that this would not answer
his purpose.
When he reported his information at home, Adeline said, quickly:
"He left because he does not want us to communicate with Philip."
"Probably," said Rose. "This shows," she added, "that he is afraid
Philip would be inclined to do something for us. I am glad to have
my faith strengthened in the boy, at all events. If he were willing
to live in luxury while he knew we were struggling with poverty I
could not regard him as a cousin."
The next morning Mr. Codicil read in the morning papers, among the
passengers who had sailed for Europe the day before, the names of
Major Grafton and Philip.
"The fellow has lost no time," he said to himself. "The boy is
bright and attractive, but he stands a chance of being spoiled under
such a guardian. I wish I had questioned him, and tried to learn
something of him. I might have given him some idea of the injustice
which has been practiced toward his poor cousins. I do not care
so much that he profits by it as that that worthless uncle of his
should live in luxury at their expense. I am afraid they are having
a hard time."
How hard a time the sisters were having--how stern and exacting was
the toil which her sister's helplessness imposed upon Rose--Mr.
Codicil really had little idea. If he had, he would certainly have
done something to assist them, for he was a kind-hearted man; but
whenever Rose called upon him she was neatly dressed, and did not
bear outward marks of the poverty with which she had to contend.
So far as Nicholas Walton was concerned, he was glad, upon the
whole, to learn that his nephew had gone to Europe. He could not
see Ben without his conscience reproaching him with the wrong he
had done him, and was still doing him and his mother, by retaining
possession of a sum of money which would have given them opulence
in exchange for the poverty which was not removed by the small
allowance he sent them.
"Perhaps Major Grafton will adopt the boy," he said to himself, "and
then he won't need his father's money."
As if this would gloss over or excuse the base fraud of which he had
been guilty. He had knowingly and intentionally been the occasion of
his brother-in-law's sudden death, and was as much his murderer as
if he had plunged a knife into his breast, though his crime was less
brutal and revolting.
While these thoughts were passing through his mind, Clarence entered
the office.
"Clarence, your cousin has been here to see you," said Mr. Walton.
"What did he have to say, pa?"
"He came to bid you good-by."
"To bid me good-by? What for? Where is he going?"
"He is to sail for Europe this afternoon."
"To sail for Europe!" repeated Clarence, in amazement. "He didn't
say anything about it last evening."
"Because he did not know it. He was only told this morning."
"He's a lucky beggar!" said Clarence, enviously. "I've been longing
to go to Europe this ever so long. Percy Van Dyke spent last summer
in Switzerland. It annoys me to hear him talk of the splendid times
he had. Here is my country cousin going, while I have to stay at
home."
"Don't worry, Clarence," said his father, encouragingly. "You shall
go in time. If your friend Percy should be going again, and will
accept you as a companion, I will let you go."
This somewhat cheered up Clarence, though with the natural
impatience of youth he wanted to go at once.
"I think I never knew a boy as lucky as Ben," said he.
"He certainly has been strangely fortunate," said Mr. Walton.
"He would have been glad to take a place in a store at five dollars
a week, and now he's got something ever so much better. I believe he
has more money than I to spend, and I am sure he dresses better."
"He seems to have made an impression upon this Major Grafton. I
shouldn't be surprised if Grafton adopted him. He has no family of
his own, and is, I imagine, very rich."
We know that on this last point Mr. Walton was misinformed. The
suggestion, however, was enough to excite the envy and jealousy of
Clarence.
"Do you think he will be richer than I?" he asked.
"You will be well provided for, Clarence. You won't have occasion
for envying your cousin, even if he should be adopted by Major
Grafton."
We have now to change the scene to the little town of Sunderland,
from which our hero had come to New York to seek the good fortune
which he so strangely found.
We direct our steps to a plain cottage, containing but four rooms
and an attic, which stood a little out of the centre of the village.
Small and plain as it was, it had an air of refinement and good
taste, with its climbing honeysuckles, tiny bed of flowers, its
trimly-kept lawn and neat surroundings, which are vainly sought
about many more pretentious residences.
Here dwelt Mrs. Baker and Ben's little sister, Alice, but ten years
old. She bore a strong family resemblance to Ben, and was equally
good-looking.
"It seems an age since Ben left home," said Mrs. Baker, with a
little sigh.
"I miss him dreadfully, mother," said Alice. "Why need he go away?"
"I can't blame him, Alice, though I am very sorry to have him go,"
said Mrs. Baker. "He is ambitious----"
"What does that mean?" asked Alice, puzzled.
"It means that he is anxious to get on in the world--to make money.
It is a natural feeling for a boy."
"He used to earn money here at home," said Alice.
"Only a little. No doubt he can do better in New York, if he can get
a chance. If his uncle will only help him----"
"I should think he might, mother. Ben is a good boy."
"There is none better," assented his mother, fondly; "but strangers
may not know that."
Just then a neighbor, driving by, paused in the road and called out
to the widow, whom he saw at the open window:
"Widder Baker, there's a letter for you at the post-office. 'Spect
it's from Ben."
"Go right over and get it, Alice," said her mother, excitedly.
Alice wasn't long in performing her errand. She came back well
rewarded, bringing with her two letters, one of which had arrived
the day before. The first letter contained an account of his cold
reception by his uncle, and on the other hand his good luck in
encountering Major Grafton. As an earnest of his good fortune he
enclosed three five-dollar bills.
"God has been very good to us!" said the widow, with beaming face.
"I can hardly believe in Ben's good fortune."
"Open the other letter, mother," said Alice.
Mrs. Baker did so, and, glancing over it rapidly, uttered a quiet
exclamation of surprise and dismay.
"Alice," she said, "Ben has sailed for Europe!"
"Gone to Europe, and without bidding us good-by!"
"He did not have any chance," and Mrs. Baker read Ben's letter.
When she came to think it over, she felt that Ben was, on the
whole, fortunate to have so good an opportunity of seeing the world;
and as to dangers and risks, God would take care of him abroad as
well as at home. She would have liked to have known the man who had
her boy in charge. Doubtless he must have taken a fancy to Ben, or
he would not have given him such a chance.
CHAPTER XV.
FILIPPO NOVARRO.
Nicholas Walton was well pleased with the good fortune of his
nephew. Though a selfish man, he was not wholly without a conscience
and a heart. He had always regretted the manner in which he had
possessed himself of the large sum of money which, by enabling him
to take a store on Broadway, and largely extend his business, had
allowed him to take a place among the foremost merchants of New
York. He would have preferred to compass his own fortune without
bringing ill-fortune to his brother-in-law, but if the thing had to
be done again, under the same circumstances, he would probably have
yielded to the same temptation.
"Ben appears to be a smart, attractive boy," said Walton to
himself. "He is likely to make his own way in the world, especially
in his present position. I dare say it is better for him to have
lived plainly, and nourished self-reliance, than to have been reared
in luxury. Then, as to the fortune, Doctor Baker was a man of very
little business shrewdness. He would have wasted the money in bad
investments, and, ten to one, not a dollar of it would have remained
at the present time."
All this Nicholas Walton said to quiet his conscience, but without
success. Many a time, especially in the silent watches of the
night, memory revived for him that scene, which he would so gladly
have forgotten, when his ill-fated brother-in-law died in a fit of
agitation brought on by Walton intentionally. He could see himself
once more rifling the pockets of the dead man, and converting to his
own use the money which would have made the physician and his family
prosperous and happy.
These disquieting thoughts he tried to get rid of. He tried to
persuade himself that he was wholly disinterested in his good wishes
for his nephew. By way of keeping up the illusion he snatched
five minutes from his business, and wrote the following letter of
congratulation to his sister:
"MY DEAR SISTER:--Benjamin has no doubt apprised you of his
success in obtaining a profitable engagement, and of his
departure for Europe. He has also, perhaps, told you that
I was opposed to his remaining in the city. I admit that
I thought it would have been better for him to remain in
Sunderland and obtain a practical acquaintance with farming,
in which case I would, at the proper time, have set him up
on a farm of his own, for I hold that the farmer is the
only truly independent man. A merchant may be rich to-day
and a bankrupt to-morrow, and that in spite of the utmost
care and prudence. However, I won't dwell on this subject.
I am willing to admit that I did not give my nephew credit
for the energy and ability he has shown. Though I refused
to help him, further than to pay the expenses of his trip
to the city, on condition of his returning home at once, he
remained and succeeded in commending himself to the favor of
a rich man who has given him an excellent position, and will
probably--for he seems to be eccentric--finally conclude to
adopt the boy.
"It is needless to say that I could not have anticipated
such extraordinary luck for Benjamin, and that I am glad he
followed his own counsel and remained in the city. Doubtless
a better fortune awaits him than the life of a farmer,
which, though independent, is laborious. I only write now
to congratulate you upon his success, and to express my
interest in him. Though you will no doubt miss him, I think
you will be able to see that he has done the best thing for
himself and for you in the engagement which he has made with
Major Grafton. He would have dined at my house to-morrow,
but for his sudden departure.
"I inclose my next month's allowance a little in advance.
"Your affectionate brother,
"NICHOLAS WALTON."
Mrs. Baker was surprised and gratified on receiving this unusually
long letter from her brother Nicholas. She had been wounded at the
cool reception which he had accorded to Ben, as detailed in the
letter of the latter, but this letter put a new face on the matter.
"After all, Nicholas feels an interest in Ben," she said to
herself, "and no doubt he acted for what he thought the best in the
advice he gave him to remain in Sunderland and become a farmer. He
acknowledges his mistake very handsomely."
So upon the spur of the moment she wrote her brother a letter,
acknowledging gratefully his kindness to her boy, and asking for a
continuance of it.
This letter was received by Mr. Walton with satisfaction. It made
it easier for him to feel that he had not, after all, wronged his
sister and her family as much as his conscience sometimes reproached
him with.
"Would that I could lose all the memories of that dreadful hour!" he
said to himself, with a shudder.
But he did not find that so very easy. It was destined to be
recalled to him in a startling manner within a week.
As he sat in his office the following Thursday, a clerk entered.
"Mr. Walton," he said, "there is a foreign gentleman in the store
who wishes to see you."
"Is it a stranger?"
"Yes, sir."
"He wishes to see me on business, doubtless. You may bring him in."
The visitor entered--a man of medium size and swarthy
complexion--who would be taken at first sight for a Spaniard or a
Portuguese. Nicholas Walton regarded him with a look of inquiry.
"Do I speak to Mr. Walton?" asked the stranger, in good English, but
with a foreign accent.
"I am Mr. Walton," answered the merchant.
"You are brother-in-law to Mr.--I beg pardon, Doctor Baker?"
"Ye-es," answered the merchant, with a startled look.
"Can you tell me if the good doctor is well?"
"He is--dead!" replied Walton, slowly. "Did you know him?"
"I much regret to hear of his death. I did not know him, but I met
him once."
"This must be the man who gave him the bonds," thought Walton,
trying to conceal his perturbation. "The moment and the man I have
so long dreaded have arrived. Now, Nicholas Walton, you require all
your coolness and nerve."
"May I ask when that was?" he asked, with apparent unconcern.
"Five years ago. I was the agent for conveying to him a large sum
in securities bequeathed him by my uncle, to whom he had rendered a
great service."
"Indeed! I am most glad to see you, sir. I wish my brother-in-law
were alive to give you personal welcome."
"When--did he die?"
"But a short time after you met him. He died instantly--of heart
disease."
"He left a wife and child, did he not?"
"He left a wife and two children."
"And they live?"
"Yes."
"I wish I could see them."
Nicholas Walton was perplexed and alarmed. If the stranger should
see Mrs. Baker, his elaborate scheme would fall to the ground and he
would be called upon for an explanation.
"Do you remain long in the city?" he asked.
"I go to Havana in three days. Business of importance, not to
mention the sickness of my brother, calls me there."
"Ah!" said the merchant, relieved. "You will have to defer seeing
Mrs. Baker, then."
"I thought she might live near by," said Filippo Novarro, for such
was the name he gave.
"Two years ago she removed to Minnesota," said the merchant, with
fluent falsehood. "Her son, however, is travelling in Europe."
"That, at least, will look as if she retained her fortune," he said
to himself.
"Then I must not hope to meet her," said Novarro. "When you write,
will you give her my profound respects?"
"With pleasure, Señor Novarro," said Walton, briskly. "Can I be of
any service to you personally?"
"Thank you, sir, no. I shall be very busy till I leave the city."
"Then let me express my pleasure in meeting you," said Walton,
offering his hand.
"The pleasure is mutual, Mr. Walton, I assure you," said the
stranger, bowing low.
"Thank Heaven, I have got rid of you," said Walton to himself,
wiping the perspiration from his brow. "But shall I always be as
lucky?"
CHAPTER XVI.
ON BOARD THE PARTHIA.
"Am I really on the Atlantic, bound for Europe?" said Ben to
himself, as he paced the deck of the Parthia, then several hours out.
He found it hard to realize, for only a week before he had been in
his quiet country home, wholly unconscious of the great change that
fate had in store for him.
He was not unfavorably affected by the new sea-life. Instead of
making him sick, it only gave him a pleasant sense of exhilaration.
With Major Grafton it was different. He was a very poor sailor. He
was scarcely out of port before he began to feel dizzy, and was
obliged to retire to his state-room. He felt almost irritated when
he saw how much better Ben bore the voyage than he.
"One would think you were an old sailor, instead of me," he said.
"I have crossed the Atlantic a dozen times, and yet the first whiff
of sea air lays me on my back, while you seem to enjoy it."
"So I do at present," answered Ben; "but perhaps my time will come
to be sick. Can't I do something to make you comfortable?"
"You may tell the steward to bring some ginger ale," said the major.
Ben promptly complied with the major's request. He felt glad to do
something to earn the liberal salary which he was receiving. It was
not exactly acting as a private secretary; but, at any rate, he was
able to be of service, and this pleased him. He had no complaint to
make of Major Grafton. The latter saw that he wanted for nothing,
and had he been the major's son he would have fared no better. Yet
he did not form any attachment for his employer, as might have been
thought natural. He blamed himself for this, when he considered the
advantages of his position; but it was not so strange or culpable
as Ben supposed. The boy saw clearly that, whatever might have been
Major Grafton's motives in taking him into his service, it was not
any special interest or attachment. The reader understands that
Grafton had a purpose to serve, and that a selfish one. For Ben he
cared nothing, but his own interest required that he should have a
boy with him as a substitute for the one whose death he wished to
conceal, and our hero filled the bill as well as any he could secure.
One day, while Major Grafton was in his state-room, enduring as well
as he could the pangs of sea-sickness, a gentleman on deck accosted
Ben:
"You seem to enjoy the voyage, young man," he said.
"Yes, sir; very much."
"You are not alone?"
"No; I am travelling with Major Grafton."
"Indeed!" said the gentleman, in surprise. "I didn't know the major
was on board. Where does he keep himself?"
"He seldom leaves his state-room. He has been sick ever since he
started."
"I remember meeting the major last summer in Switzerland. You were
sick at the time, but from your present appearance I judge that you
got bravely over it."
"I think you are mistaken, sir. I was not with Major Grafton at that
time."
"You were not! That is strange. Surely there was a boy with him; I
remember he called him Philip."
"He calls me so, but that is not my name."
"Do you mean to say that you were not with the major at that time?"
"I did not know there was such a man at that time."
"Humph! I don't understand it," said James Bolton (this was the
traveller's name). "I do remember, however, hearing that the boy,
then called Philip, died at Florence."
"I think that settles it," said Ben. "Whoever the poor fellow may
have been that died, I am sure that it was not I."
"Are you Major Grafton's adopted son, or ward?"
"No, sir; I am his private secretary. That is, I was hired in that
capacity, though as yet I have not had much writing to do."
"You are lucky. Take care you don't die, like the other boy."
"I will try to live, I assure you, sir."
"By the way, just mention my name to the major--James Bolton, of
London. I dare say he will remember me. Just say that I occupied
the room opposite his in the Hotel des Bergues, in Geneva, and
that we went to Chamounix together. I should be glad to renew my
acquaintance with him, whenever he feels well enough to come on
deck."
"I will mention you to him, Mr. Bolton," said Ben, politely.
Our young hero took an early opportunity of keeping his promise.
On his next visit to the state-room he said:
"Major Grafton, I met a gentleman on deck this morning who wishes to
be remembered to you."
"Who is it?" asked the major, quickly, raising his head from the
pillow of his berth.
"He says his name is Bolton--James Bolton, of London."
"Don't know him!" said the major, shortly.
"He says that he was with you at the Hotel des Bergues, in Geneva,
Switzerland, last summer; also that he went with you to Chamounix."
"What else did he say?" asked the major, who seemed unpleasantly
affected by the mention of Bolton's name.
"He thought I was with you at the time."
"Ha! What did you say?"
"I told him he was mistaken."
"Don't tell these fellows too much; they are simply impertinent,"
said the major, with a frown. "What more did he say?"
"He said you had a boy with you whom you called Philip, and that
this boy, as he afterward heard, died at Florence."
Ben looked inquiringly at the major, as if to obtain confirmation or
denial of this story.
Major Grafton hesitated, as if not decided what to say.
"It is true," he said, after a pause. "Poor Philip died; but it
is a painful subject. I don't like to speak of it. You resemble
him very closely, and that was my chief object in taking you as a
companion. I don't really need a private secretary, as you have
probably found out."
"I wish you did, sir. I would like to do something to earn my wages."
"Don't trouble yourself on that score. It suits me to have a
companion; I hate being alone. As long as you conform to my wishes,
I will provide for you."
"Thank you, sir."
"But hark you, Philip! I don't care to have you talk too much to
strangers about me or my affairs. Now, as to this man Bolton, I
prefer that you should keep him at a distance. He is not a fit
companion for you."
"Is he a bad man?" asked Ben, in some surprise, for Bolton had
seemed to him a very respectable sort of man.
"He is a thoroughly unprincipled man," answered the major,
emphatically. "He is a confirmed gambler, and is cultivating your
society because he thinks you may have money. He is trying to lead
you into a snare."
"Then I was deceived in him," said Ben, indignantly, for it didn't
occur to him to doubt the positive statement of Major Grafton.
"Quite natural, Philip," said Grafton, pleased with having
aroused the boy's suspicions of a man who might impart dangerous
information. "Of course, I needn't suggest to you to keep the man at
a distance. I do not care to have you come under his influence."
"I shall bear in mind what you say, sir," said Ben.
"I think I have checkmated this meddling Bolton," said the major to
himself, in a tone of satisfaction.
When, a few hours later, Bolton approached Ben and asked: "Have you
spoken to Major Grafton about me?" Ben coldly answered, "Yes, sir."
"Did he remember me?" questioned Bolton.
"Yes, sir."
"I thought he would. Are we likely to see him on deck soon?"
"No, sir, I think not."
Ben spoke so coldly that Bolton regarded him with a puzzled look.
He could not help seeing that the boy did not care to continue the
conversation, and, with a bow of farewell, joined another passenger
in a promenade.
"I should like to have asked him a little more about the boy I am
succeeding," thought Ben; but he respected the major's wishes, and
kept aloof from Bolton for the remainder of the voyage.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BEAUFORTS IN TROUBLE.
There was an anxious look on Rose Beaufort's pleasant face. She and
her young brother were the only bread-winners in the family, and
work as hard as they might it was very difficult to make both ends
meet. But for one item they could have managed with strict economy,
but that item--the rent--was a formidable one. They hired their
humble apartment of a Mrs. Flanagan, who leased the whole floor, and
agreed to pay two dollars a week. This woman was a coarse, selfish
person, whose heart was as hard and unfeeling as her face and
manners were unprepossessing.
One Monday morning, about two months after Ben's departure for
Europe, the landlady knocked at the door of the two sisters.
"It's Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose, with a troubled look, recognizing
her knock. "She has come for her rent, and I have but fifty cents
toward it."
"Perhaps she will wait," suggested Adeline; but her voice was not
hopeful.
"Come in!" said Rose.
"You were mighty long tellin' me to come in," grumbled the landlady,
as she entered the humble room, with a hostile look.
"I am sorry if I kept you waiting," said Rose, gently.
"I thought maybe you didn't want to see me," said Mrs. Flanagan. "I
won't stay long to trouble ye."
"Stay as long as you like," said Rose in a conciliatory manner.
"I didn't come for any palaver--I haven't the time. I suppose you
know what I came for. You haven't forgot it's Monday mornin'?" said
the landlady, in an aggressive tone.
"I didn't forget it, Mrs. Flanagan, but I am afraid I shall have to
disappoint you this morning."
"Do you mane to say you haven't got my rint ready?" demanded Mrs.
Flanagan, her red face becoming still more inflamed with anger.
"Indeed, Mrs. Flanagan, it isn't my fault," pleaded Rose. "I've got
fifty cents toward it, and if--"
"Fifty cints! What's fifty cints?" exclaimed the landlady, angrily.
"Can I pay my rint wid fifty cints? It's a shame--that it is--for
you to chate a poor hard-workin' woman, and a widder besides."
"My sister never cheats anybody," said Adeline, indignantly.
"Hoity-toity! So it's you that are spakin', is it?" said Mrs.
Flanagan, with her arms akimbo. "You can talk, anyway, if you can't
work. All you do is to sit here all day long, while your sister is
wearin' out her fingers wid the needle."
It was a cruel blow to the poor girl, who needed no reminder of what
she often thought about with bitter regret and mortification. She
did not retort angrily, but, turning sadly to her sister, said:
"I am afraid it's true, Rose; I am only a burden and an expense to
you. I do nothing to help you."
Now it was Rose's turn to be angry.
"Are you not ashamed, Mrs. Flanagan, to twit my poor sister with
what is her misfortune, not her fault?" she exclaimed, with flushed
face and sparkling eyes. "She would gladly work, if she could."
"It's ashamed I'm to be, am I?" retorted Mrs. Flanagan, viciously.
"I pay my bills, anyhow, and it's ashamed I'd be if I didn't. I
don't want no more talk from the like of you. It's money I want."
"Here are fifty cents, and I will try to get you the rest to-day,"
said Rose, sadly.
"Them that wear gold rings can pay their rint, if they want to," was
Mrs. Flanagan's parting shot, as she slammed the door behind her.
Rose looked at the plain gold ring on her finger. It had been her
mother's ring, and for that she valued it above its intrinsic value.
"I can't part with this," she murmured, with moistened eyes. "Yet,
is it right to keep it when we owe money?"
"Don't part with mother's ring, whatever you do, Rose," said her
sister, hastily.
"But have we a right to keep it?" asked Rose, doubtfully.
"Yes, a thousand times, yes! That woman can wait for her money. We
cannot part with this legacy of our dying mother."
"But she may put us out into the street," said Rose, shuddering.
"Is there nothing else by which we can raise money?" said Adeline,
realizing their situation.
"Money is due me for two vests. As a general thing, Walton & Co.
don't pay me till I hand in half a dozen, but perhaps they would
make an exception in this case."
"That would be but seventy cents. It would not make up what we owe
Mrs. Flanagan."
"It might induce her to wait for the rest," said Rose. "If you don't
mind staying alone a little while, Addie, I will wrap them up and
carry them to the store."
"Go, if you like, Rose. I always miss you, but I cannot expect to
keep you here with me all the time."
Rose wrapped up the two completed vests, and putting on her hat,
kissed her sister and went down stairs.
It was not far to the great store, which we have already entered
with Ben.
Entering, Rose walked to the back part of the store and took the
elevator to the second floor, where she found the superintendent of
the work-room.
She made known her request.
"Quite out of the question, miss," said the superintendent, sharply.
He was a hard-featured man, who was a good man of business, but was
not open to sentimental consideration.
"Didn't you know our rules?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; but this was a case of necessity."
"I beg your pardon, miss, it is a matter of business. When you have
finished the batch we will pay you, and not till then."
"But, sir, I need the money very much."
"That is your affair, not ours. Probably you have friends and can
borrow money, if you need it sooner than we are ready to pay it to
you."
"I don't know where to find them," thought Rose, but she did not
say this.
The superintendent had already turned away, as if to intimate that
he had no more time to give her. Rose walked to the elevator slowly
and sadly, and descended to the main store.
"What shall I do?" she thought. "Mrs. Flanagan will turn us out, and
then poor Addie will suffer."
As she stepped out into the street the thought of the ring came
back to her. It was dear to her as a cherished legacy from a mother
early lost and deeply mourned, yet it had a money value which would
relieve their pressing necessities for a week at least.
"I don't think mother would wish me to keep it under the
circumstances," she thought. "Addie will scold me, but it appears
to be the only thing that remains for me to do. Heaven knows that I
don't wish to part with it."
The proper place to go would have been to a pawnbroker's shop,
but Rose did not know of one. She had never had dealings with any.
As she passed a jewelry store it occurred to her that perhaps they
would buy it inside, and she entered.
"In what way can I serve you, miss?" asked a young man behind the
counter.
"I--I wish to dispose of a ring," said Rose, hurriedly. "Can you
tell me the value of it?" and she slipped the ring from her finger
and offered it to the salesman.
"We don't buy second-hand jewelry," said the clerk, rudely. "We sell
rings here; don't buy them."
"Then would you be kind enough to lend me two dollars on it
till--till next week?" entreated Rose. "It must be worth much more
than that."
"It doesn't matter how much it is worth," said the clerk. "We ain't
in that line of business. You don't suppose we keep a pawnbroker's
shop, do you?" and he laughed contemptuously, glancing at a tall
lady who stood beside Rose and had listened attentively to the
conversation, as if inviting her to enjoy the joke with him.
"Then perhaps you will direct me to a pawnbroker's," said Rose, ill
at ease.
"Oh, you can go find one on the Bowery," said the clerk,
carelessly. "Now, madam," turning to the tall lady, "what can I show
you?"
His tone was much more respectful than the one he employed in
speaking to Rose, for the lady, though far from beautiful, and no
longer young, was handsomely-dressed, and had the appearance of
being wealthy.
"You can't show me anything to-day, young man," said Miss Jane
Wilmot, for it was she. "I wish to speak to this young lady. My
dear, come out of the store with me. I wish to ask you a few
questions."
The clerk arched his brows in surprise and disappointment as his
hoped-for customer walked away without purchasing anything, followed
by Rose.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MRS. FLANAGAN IS DRIVEN FROM THE FIELD.
Miss Jane Wilmot had never been pretty, even when, twenty years
before, she could lay claim to being a young lady; and her manners
were decided; but a kind smile lighted up her face as she said to
Rose:
"My child, you seem to be in trouble."
"Yes, indeed, madam," said Rose, "I am in great trouble."
"Don't think me inquisitive," said Miss Wilmot, "if I inquire into
your trouble. I infer that you are in need of money."
"Yes, madam, I am very much in need of money, or I would not think
of selling my mother's ring."
"Your mother--is she living?"
"No; she has been dead for five years."
"You are not alone in the world?"
"No, thank Heaven! I don't know how I could bear to feel myself
alone. I have a sick sister and a little brother."
"And does the whole burden of their support fall on you?" asked Miss
Wilmot, in a tone of sympathy.
"Not quite. My little brother Harry earns two dollars a week as a
cash-boy."
"That is not much help."
"It is nearly as much as I earn myself. There is not much to be
earned at making vests at thirty-five cents each."
"Thirty-five!" repeated Miss Wilmot, indignantly. "Who pays you such
a wretched price?"
"Walton & Co."
"No wonder they prosper, if they pay so little for having their work
done. How many vests can you make in a week?"
"One vest a day is about as much as I can make, but I have made
seven in a week."
"And you consider that a good week's work?" asked Miss Wilmot.
"Yes, but I cannot average that."
"That makes--let me see--two dollars and forty-five cents. You
don't mean to say, child, that your united incomes amount to only
four dollars and forty-five cents?"
"It generally amounts to less, for I cannot average seven vests a
week."
"Well, well, what are we coming to?" ejaculated Miss Wilmot,
pityingly. "You don't look, child, as if you had always been so
miserably poor."
"I have not. My grandfather was rich, but he took offense at
mother's marriage to father and he left all his property to my
cousin."
"The old wretch! Excuse me, child, I forgot that he was your
grandfather. So you were wholly left out of the will?"
"If my cousin should die, the whole property would come to us."
"He should have left the property between you. But I fancy you think
I am a curious old woman, with my questions."
"I don't think you an old woman at all, madam."
Miss Wilmot smiled. Though she was a spinster of over forty she was
not wholly without appreciation of a compliment, and the reply of
Rose pleased her.
"At any rate, I am old enough to be your mother, my dear," she said.
"But that is neither here nor there. How much did you expect to get
for that ring?"
"I hoped that I might get three dollars," said Rose, hesitatingly.
"I owe Mrs. Flanagan--she is my landlady--a dollar and a half, and I
could pay that and have a little fund left to fall back upon."
"A little fund--a dollar and a half!" said Miss Wilmot, pityingly.
"I suppose I would not get so much at a pawnbroker's?" continued
Rose.
"My child, I am not a pawnbroker, but I think it will be better for
me to lend you something on the ring."
"If you only would, madam! I feel timid about going to a pawnshop."
"Where they would offer some ridiculous trifle for it, no doubt.
Here, child, give me the ring."
Rose drew it from her finger and handed it to Miss Wilmot.
The latter drew a purse from her pocket and slipped the ring into
it.
"It is too small for me to wear," she said. "It will be safe in my
purse."
She drew out two five-dollar bills and handed them to Rose.
"Ten dollars!" exclaimed Rose, in surprise.
"I don't do business on the regular terms," said Miss Wilmot,
smiling. "I am sure the ring is worth more than ten dollars to you.
Some day you may be able to redeem it."
"I am afraid not, madam; but this money seems like a small fortune
to me."
"You don't know what future luck is in store for you. I will keep
the ring for you. You should know who has it. I am Miss Jane Wilmot,
of 300 Madison avenue. I am called a strong-minded woman; I hope
that won't prejudice you against me."
"It would be hard for me to become prejudiced against you after your
liberality, Miss Wilmot. I wish there were more strong-minded woman
like you."
"Now for your name, my child."
"I am Rose Beaufort; my sister's name is Adeline, and my little
brother, twelve years old, is Harry."
"I have a great mind to go home with you, if you won't consider it
an intrusion," said Miss Wilmot.
"Far from it, Miss Wilmot--that is, if you won't mind our humble
quarters."
"If you can endure them week after week, I can get along for half an
hour," said the spinster. "Lead the way, my dear. Is it far? If so,
we will take a horse-car."
"It is less than half a mile, I should think," said Rose.
"Then we will walk."
They soon reached the poor tenement-house.
"You see it is a poor place," said Rose, apologetically.
"Poor enough!" said Miss Wilmot, plainly.
"You may not care to come up."
"There is nothing delicate about me, my child. Go on, I will follow."
Rose entered the poor room in advance of her visitor.
"Home again, Rose?" said Adeline, whose head was turned away from
the door, and who therefore did not see Miss Wilmot.
"Yes, Addie."
"Did you get any money? Did they pay you for the vests?"
"No; but I met a good friend, who has come home with me. Miss
Wilmot, this is my sister, Addie."
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, my dear," said the spinster,
and her face, plain as it was, looked positively attractive from
very kindness.
"You look good!" said Addie, whose instincts were rapid. "I am sure
you are a friend."
"I will be," said Miss Wilmot, emphatically.
The weakness of the younger sister appealed to her even more
strongly than the beauty of the elder.
Just then a knock was heard at the door. Mrs. Flanagan had heard
the step of Rose upon the stairs, and had come up to see if she had
brought money for the rent.
"It is my landlady, Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose.
"I want to see what sort of a woman she is. Ask for delay, and let
me go into this inner room," said Miss Wilmot, rapidly.
When Mrs. Flanagan entered the room there was no sign of a visitor.
"Well," said the landlady, entering upon her business at once, "have
you got my money for me?"
But for Miss Wilmot's admonition, Rose would have produced the money
without delay, but she thought it necessary to follow the directions
of her new friend.
"They would not pay me for the two vests I had made," she said. "I
must wait till all are finished."
"Just what I expected," said the landlady, placing her arms akimbo.
"I saw how it would turn out. You needn't think I am going to be put
off like this. Pay me my rent, or out you go, bag and baggage!"
"Would you turn my poor sister into the street, Mrs. Flanagan?"
"I am not going to keep you here for nothing, you may rely upon
that."
"Won't you wait till next week?"
"When another week's rent will be due? No, I won't, and I hope that
you understand it."
"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself, woman!" said a strong,
decided voice, and Miss Wilmot strode out of the bedroom.
Mrs. Flanagan stared at her with mingled surprise and indignation.
"I am no more a woman than you are," she retorted.
"That's true enough," rejoined Miss Wilmot, "nor half as much.
There's nothing womanly about you."
"Do you think I can let my rooms for nothing?" said the landlady,
sullenly. She saw that Miss Wilmot was richly dressed, and she had a
respect for such evidence of wealth.
"How much do the young ladies owe you?"
"A dollar and a half."
"What is the rent of these rooms?"
"Two dollars a week."
"Then, three dollars and a half will pay to the end of the present
week?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Here is the money. They will move out at the end of the week."
"I shall be glad to have them stay," said the landlady, now anxious
to retain them.
"I shall find them a better home. Good-morning."
Mrs. Flanagan went down stairs feeling that she was worsted in the
contest. She was a bold woman, but she was rather afraid of Miss
Wilmot.
"Now, my dears," said the spinster, "let us talk business."
CHAPTER XIX.
BRIGHTER PROSPECTS.
"You must know, my dear," said Miss Wilmot, "that I am a rich
woman, and own considerable more than my share of worldly goods.
Among other items of property, I own a French flat house on West
Twenty-fifth street. It isn't one of the costly flats, but is
intended for people with moderate incomes. I learned yesterday that
one of the flats was just vacated. The family occupying it is about
to move to the West, and desired me, as a matter of convenience to
them, to purchase their furniture, and let it furnished. I intended
to decline, but now I shall accept, having found a tenant that suits
me."
"Who is it?" asked Rose, not quite understanding her own connection
with the matter.
"Her name is Rose Beaufort," said Miss Wilmot, smiling.
"But, Miss Wilmot, I am afraid it will be beyond my means. What rent
shall you ask?"
"I don't think thirty dollars a month will be too much, considering
that there are five well-furnished rooms. There is even a piano."
"Thirty dollars a month!" exclaimed Rose, in dismay. "Why, that will
be more than all of us together can earn. Mrs. Flanagan only asks us
two dollars a week, and that we've hardly been able to meet."
"I think that can be made easy for you," said the spinster. "I shall
let you pay in work."
"But I couldn't do enough to pay the rent alone."
"Not at making vests at thirty-five cents apiece, I admit. My
work will be better paid for. I shall want some writing done,
account-books straightened, and--by the way, do you play on the
piano?"
"Oh, yes, madam."
"Well?"
"I believe I have a taste for it."
"Do you consider yourself competent to teach the piano?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Why, then, did you not seek pupils, instead of trying to make a
living by sewing?"
"So I did, but I had no one to recommend me, and I could not afford
to advertise."
"Do you also play, my dear?" asked Miss Wilmot, turning to Adeline.
"But very little," answered the young girl, humbly.
"Addie draws and paints," said Rose. "I have no talent for either."
"Why, that is well. I may be able to obtain pupils for her, too.
However, we can wait and see."
"Miss Wilmot," said Rose, gratefully, "you came to us like a good
angel. I was almost despairing when I met you. Now, I am full of
courage."
"Never despair!" said Miss Wilmot, kindly. "The sun is often behind
the clouds. But I must be going. You will hear from me in a day or
two."
The good spinster rose as she spoke, and going out of the humble
room, descended the dirty staircase, leaving behind her joy where
she had found sorrow.
"It seems almost too good to be true, Rose," said Addie.
"So it does, Addie."
"A nice furnished flat and a piano! I shall not believe it until I
see it."
"We can rely upon whatever Miss Wilmot promises. Has she not paid
our rent, and given us ten dollars besides?"
"How glad Harry will be when he hears it!"
"Yes, poor boy. It hasn't been a very pleasant home for him. Do you
know, Addie, I feel inclined to be extravagant?"
"In what way, Rose?"
"I am going to order a nice dinner from a restaurant--roast turkey
and vegetables; and I will make some coffee, and we will have
everything ready by the time Harry arrives."
"But it will cost a great deal, Rose," said Adeline, in alarm.
"Never mind, for once. This ought to be a Thanksgiving Day for
us. Let us celebrate it as such. Besides," added Rose, the frugal
instinct coming in, "if I order two plates it will be enough for
three of us. I know of a restaurant where we can get all I want for,
say, seventy-five cents. We won't mind about money to-night."
"It will seem good to have a nice dinner once more," said Adeline,
thoughtfully. "It is a long time since we had anything but the
plainest food."
Rose postponed her feast until six o'clock, the hour when Harry
usually got home. There was a restaurant near by, where she gave the
order, directing it to be sent in at ten minutes to six.
Mrs. Flanagan was considerably surprised when a colored waiter made
his appearance at her door with a large covered dish.
"Who is this for? Haven't you made a mistake?" she asked.
"No, ma'am. It's for a young lady--Miss Beaufort. Doesn't she live
here?"
"Yes. What have you got there?" asked the landlady, curiously.
"Roast turkey."
"Bless my soul!" thought Mrs. Flanagan. "She must have come into a
fortune. It's all right!" and she directed the waiter to the room of
the Beauforts.
When Harry arrived the little table was set out with its usual
neatness, and on it there was a display such as made him start back
with surprise.
"Where did all this come from?" he asked, bewildered.
"Explanations postponed till after supper," said Rose. "Sit down and
we will begin."
"All right; I've no objection," said Harry. "Yes, Rose, you may give
me some of the dressing. I say, ain't it good, though? I wish we
could live like this every day."
A great fuss to make over a very ordinary dinner, some of my young
readers may think; but let them put themselves in the place of this
family, and judge whether they would not hail with joy such a meal
after a long course of the most frugal fare.
They were in the midst of their enjoyment when a knock was heard at
the door--a subdued knock, not like the authoritative knock of their
landlady. So there was general surprise when Mrs. Flanagan opened
the door. The fact was she could not repress the impulse to gratify
her curiosity, which had been excited by the remarkably lavish
dinner of her tenants.
"So I've caught you at dinner," she remarked, apologetically. "You
must excuse me; it didn't occur to me that I might be intruding."
"It's of no consequence, Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose, not sorry,
perhaps, that her old enemy should witness such an indication of
prosperity. "I would invite you to dinner, but I am afraid there is
no more of the turkey left."
"Roast turkey, upon my word! Well, here's luxury!" said Mrs.
Flanagan. "I've had my supper, so I could not accept if you did
invite me."
"We don't have turkey every day, Mrs. Flanagan," said Adeline. "We
thought we would have it to-day by way of variety."
"They must have come into some money," thought Mrs. Flanagan.
"Perhaps that old lady was their aunt."
"I'm sure I'm glad you're doin' so well," she said. "I hope you'll
stay with me, in spite of all that's past and gone. You see I am
that worried sometimes to get money to pay my rent that I may speak
kind of cross like, but I don't mean anything--as is well-known to
you."
"Didn't you mean anything this morning when you were going to put
us out of the house because I could not pay the whole of the rent?"
asked Rose.
"I didn't mean it. They were only hasty words," said the landlady,
stoutly. "I hope you'll stay with me, for it wouldn't look natural
to see anybody else goin' in and comin' out of these rooms."
"I cannot tell yet what we may do," said Rose. "I am glad you didn't
mean what you said this morning," she added, quietly, "for it made
us feel very sober. I thought you meant to put us into the street."
"I'm sure I'm very sorry. I was cross, and I didn't know what I
said. Well, I must be goin' down and gettin' Mike's supper, for he
always comes home late."
"It's the way of the world, Rose," said Adeline, as the landlady
disappeared.
"What does it all mean?" asked Harry, puzzled. "What has made that
old cat so good-natured all at once?"
"Roast turkey," answered Rose, dryly. "She thinks we are prospering,
and will be good tenants."
"You are going to stay, ain't you?"
Then the new prospects of the family were explained to Harry, who
was much exhilarated by the account.
"Can't I give lessons in something?" he asked.
"You might give lessons in whistling," said Addie, who didn't
enjoy her brother's performance in that line; "but I hope you won't
receive pupils at home."
CHAPTER XX.
THE NEW HOME.
Two days later Rose Beaufort received another call from Miss Jane
Wilmot.
"My dear," said the spinster, "your new rooms are ready for you, and
you can move in at once."
"Our rent is paid here till Saturday," suggested Rose.
"Give your landlady the benefit of the balance of the week. Is this
furniture all yours?"
"Such as it is."
"You won't want it. Any articles that you do not value you had
better send to an auction store to sell. The flat is already well
furnished."
"A tenant on the floor below has offered to buy the furniture," said
Rose.
"Does he make you a fair offer?"
"He offers thirty-five dollars."
"A low price, but it will save you trouble to accept it. When that
matter is arranged I will send my carriage, and take you and your
sister right over to your new home."
Without dwelling upon details, it is sufficient to say that before
sunset the two sisters found themselves installed in a pretty
and cosey home in a much better part of the city. There was a
parlor, fronting on the street, a kitchen, and there were three
sleeping-rooms, so that each of the little family could have one.
The parlor contained a piano, a bookcase, well filled--this had
not belonged to the recent tenants, but was supplied, without the
knowledge of Rose, by Miss Wilmot.
Adeline uttered a cry of delight as she went from room to room.
"It is delightful!" she said.
"Here is an easy-chair for you," said Miss Wilmot. "It will be more
comfortable than a rocking-chair, even."
This, too, had been added by the thoughtful spinster.
"Now open the piano and let me hear you play," said Miss Wilmot.
While Rose was playing, her benevolent friend nodded approvingly
more than once.
"You'll do," she said. "I confess I had some doubts about your
qualifications as a teacher, but I can see that you are a brilliant
performer."
"If I can obtain pupils, I hope to suit," said Rose, modestly.
"I have some in view. An acquaintance of mine, Mrs. Tilton, of West
Forty-second street, is in want of a music-teacher for her two
girls. I will send you there, with a note, to-morrow. But first I
must give you a hint. How much were you intending to charge for a
lesson?"
"I had not thought," said Rose, hesitating. "How would fifty cents
do?"
"Fifty cents!" repeated Miss Wilmot, with a rising inflection. "If
you undervalue yourself to that extent, no one will think you know
how to teach. You must charge two dollars per lesson."
"But will anybody pay me so much?" asked Rose, amazed. "To one who
has only been earning thirty-five cents a day at vest-making, fifty
cents an hour seems very large pay."
"My dear child, be guided by me. I know the world, and the world
will set very much the same value upon you that you set on yourself.
Ask Mrs. Tilton two dollars an hour."
"But if she objects to pay it?"
"Say that you are sorry that you cannot make any arrangements."
"I am afraid I can't keep a straight face when I ask such a price,
Miss Wilmot."
"Oh, yes, you will! Don't feel nervous. If you lose the pupils,
I will see that you don't suffer by it. By the way, put on your
best dress, for it is desirable that you make a favorable first
impression."
"I will follow your advice, Miss Wilmot," said Rose.
"You can't do better."
The next day Rose rang the bell at the door of a fine brown-stone
house on West Forty-second street.
"Is Mrs. Tilton at home?" she asked.
"Yes, miss. Who shall I say wishes to see her?"
"The music-teacher."
Rose was shown into the drawing-room, and presently Mrs. Tilton
entered. She was a tall, blonde lady of fashionable appearance,
thoroughly worldly, and influenced by externals to a large extent.
"I believe Miss Wilmot has written you in reference to the subject
of my call," said Rose.
"Yes, Miss Beaufort. You are a music-teacher?"
Rose bowed.
"My two little girls have made a beginning, but have only taken two
quarters each. I wish them to have every advantage."
Rose bowed again.
"Of course, any one recommended by Miss Wilmot can hardly fail to be
competent. May I ask, Miss Beaufort, where you live?"
"At the Wilmot Flats, in West Twenty-fifth street."
"Then you are a tenant of Miss Wilmot?"
"Yes, madam. My brother and sister and myself live together."
"Of course you have a piano at home?"
"Yes, madam," answered Rose, glad to answer the question in the
affirmative.
"I asked because it might at times be more convenient--when we were
preparing for company, for instance--to send your pupils to you."
"Just as may suit you, madam."
"Now, as to your terms, Miss Beaufort?"
"I charge two dollars per lesson," answered Rose, as boldly as she
could.
"Isn't that high?" asked Mrs. Tilton. "Most lady teachers do not
charge as much."
"I am quite aware of that," said Rose.
"I think some charge only a dollar per lesson."
"I presume you are right," said Rose; but, obedient to Miss Wilmot's
suggestions, she didn't offer to reduce her own price. "I hope to
make my services worth the amount I ask."
"Then you won't accept a less price?"
"I should prefer not to do so."
Mrs. Tilton was not a generous woman. She was disposed to haggle
about prices, and had Rose applied to her for work as a seamstress
she would have driven a hard bargain with her, but, as the friend
and _protégé_ of Miss Jane Wilmot, a lady of the highest social
consideration, she did not venture to follow her own economical
inclinations. In fact, Mrs. Tilton was not of an old family. Her
husband had recently become rich, and though she aspired to be
fashionable, there were circles to which she could not obtain
admission. She plumed herself on her acquaintance with Miss Wilmot,
and would not, on any account, have had Rose report to that lady
that she had been unwilling to pay her price. Two dollars an hour
seemed high, but she knew very well that she must buy social
recognition, and that she valued above money.
"Very well," she said, after a pause; "I will pay your price. Can
you give me Tuesday and Friday afternoons from three to five?"
"Yes, madam."
"Then we will commence next Tuesday, if you please. By the way, my
neighbor, Mrs. Green, also desires to secure instruction for her
daughter, and I promised to ask you to call."
"I will do so now if the lady is likely to be in," said Rose, gladly.
"I think you will find her in, now. You may hand her my card."
Mrs. Green lived but three doors away. She was at home, and engaged
her, without any demur as to price, to give her daughter two hours a
week, Monday and Thursday afternoons being selected.
As Rose walked home she could hardly credit her good fortune. Six
lessons a week at two dollars apiece would amount to twelve dollars,
and leave her plenty of time to herself. Twelve dollars! and till
now her weekly income, laboring all day, had been less than three
dollars.
"Addie," she said, after recounting her success to her sister, "do
you know I feel quite like a young lady of fortune? I am almost
afraid that it is all a dream, and that I shall wake up some day and
find myself back again at Mrs. Flanagan's."
"Let us enjoy it as long as it lasts, Rose," said Adeline. "I wish
I could help. I don't like to have the whole family leaning on you."
Adeline had her wish. Three days later Miss Wilmot came in with two
little girls.
"They want to take lessons in drawing," she said. "They have a
taste, but their father is a mechanic, and they have been unable to
gratify it. Now, I have been thinking that I will let you pay the
rent by instructing them, and leave your sister her whole time to
teach music."
"I should like nothing better," said Adeline, brightening up.
"Then they will begin at once."
Adeline was fond of children, and found instruction in her favorite
accomplishment no task, but a positive pleasure.
"I shall not be a burden upon you, Rose, any longer," she said,
cheerfully.
"I should think not. If you pay the rent, it will be no light help.
I shall insist on contributing my share, and will pay you fifteen
dollars a month to make matters even."
Adeline protested, but Rose was firm. Her invalid sister's spirits
were raised, and life was no longer monotonous, now that she felt
herself of some use in the world.
"Do you know, Rose," she said, "I don't think I should be happier
if our share of grandfather's money had come to us, as we once
anticipated."
CHAPTER XXI.
THE COLLAPSE OF AN ELDERLY DUDE.
The remarkable change that had taken place in the fortunes of Rose
Beaufort interfered seriously with the plans of a person who has
thus far only been incidentally mentioned--the superintendent of the
work department of Nicholas Walton's large clothing store.
Hugh Parkinson was a man no longer young. If not forty, he looked
that age. Moreover, his natural attractions, which were very scanty,
had not been increased by the passage of time. His hair, which was
of a reddish tinge, was carefully combed up from the side to cover
the rather extensive vacancy for which time and irregular hours
were responsible; but to look young was a problem which he had not
been able to compass. He did what he could, in the way of dress,
to make up for the ravages of time. He always got his clothes made
by a fashionable Broadway tailor, and in the street he looked like
an elderly "dude," and thus far more ridiculous than the younger
specimens of this class.
Perhaps it is well for our self-conceit that we do not see ourselves
as others see us. Hugh Parkinson, when he surveyed himself in the
mirror, decided that he was handsome and stylish-looking. He felt
that it was time he married. His salary was a liberal one--fifty
dollars per week--and he had a snug sum in various savings banks,
representing the savings of the last ten years.
"I'm a good catch!" he said to himself, complacently; "I've a right
to expect considerable in a wife. Egad! I must be getting married
while I am still a young man."
He had been a young man for a good many years, and so entitled to
call himself such.
Hugh Parkinson was fastidious, however, and he had never met the
one he wanted to marry till he saw Rose Beaufort. Rose was about
half his age, and her fresh beauty touched the heart--such as he
had--of the old young man.
"She has no fortune, but what does that matter?" he said to himself,
magnanimously. "I have enough for both. When she goes with me to the
theatre she will excite the admiration of all, and all the young men
in society will envy me. Egad! I must marry her."
Rose, however, had as yet shown no signs of admiring Mr. Parkinson.
Indeed, the superintendent had good reason to doubt whether she even
esteemed him. He saw, however, that she was poor. Marriage with him
would bring her comfort, and even a moderate degree of luxury; upon
this he depended for a favorable issue to his suit. As to her being
poor, that was evident enough. To be sure, she was well dressed,
but no one who is in good circumstances takes vests to make at
thirty-five cents apiece. Besides, he knew where she lived, for the
vest-makers were obliged to leave their addresses with their names;
and he had passed through Bleecker street, and seen for himself the
shabby tenement-house in which Rose lived.
"I wish she might become poorer still," said Mr. Parkinson to
himself; "then I would have a chance to step in as her good angel
and relieve her from suffering. She couldn't help being drawn to me."
When Rose called and desired pay for the two vests which she had
completed, Mr. Parkinson was pleased; it showed that she was
becoming harder pressed by poverty.
"Daniells," he said to the examining clerk, "when Miss Beaufort
calls with her package of vests I want you to object to the quality
of her work."
"But, Mr. Parkinson, her work is always well done," objected
Daniells.
"Oh, well, you can always find faults. Just say that she must see me
before you feel authorized to pay her."
"What's your game, Mr. Parkinson?" asked Daniells.
Mr. Parkinson winked significantly.
"The fact is, Daniells," he said, "I want an opportunity to
ingratiate myself with the fair Rose. I will take her part, pay her
the money as a favor, and--you comprehend?"
"Yes, I see. The fact is, Rose is pretty, and if I were not a
married man I would try to obtain a smile from her myself."
"Just do as I tell you, there's a good fellow, and you won't lose by
it."
When Rose had obtained by good fortune the powerful friendship
of the rich Miss Wilmot, she, of course, decided to give up
vest-making. She had some time left, but she felt that it would be
necessary for her to keep up her practice at home, if she aspired
to become a successful piano-teacher. However, she would finish the
vests she had in hand, and let those be the last.
When the vests were finished she took them round to Mr. Walton's
establishment.
The vigilant Daniells did not fail to note her appearance, and
prepared to serve the interests of his superior in the way which had
been arranged between them.
"So you've finished the vests?" he said, carelessly. "Let me look at
them."
Rose regarded this as a mere formality, knowing that they had been
well made, and never before having had her work objected to.
What was her surprise, therefore, when Daniells went over them one
by one, frowning and shaking his head, disapprovingly.
"Really," he said, "these vests are hardly satisfactory."
"What is amiss with them?" asked Rose, in genuine surprise.
"I can't go into particulars," said Daniells, who would have found
it hard to do so, by the way; "I can only say that they are not as
well made as we expect."
"They are as well made as usual," said Rose, flushing indignantly.
"I cannot understand why you object to them, when all the work I've
done before has passed without objection."
"All I can say, Miss Beaufort, is that I do not feel authorized to
pay you for them. Mr. Parkinson, however, is my superior. You can
refer the matter to him."
"I should like to do so, sir," said Rose, with cold dignity.
"I will accompany you."
The two passed on to the superintendent's desk, and Daniells
explained the matter to his superior.
"I will look over the work myself," said Parkinson. "You may go
back, Mr. Daniells. I will settle the matter."
Rose stood quiet, while the superintendent examined the vests.
"Really, Miss Beaufort," said Hugh, with his fascinating smile, "I
think Mr. Daniells has done you injustice. To my eye, the vests are
very neatly made."
"Thank you, sir," said Rose, gratefully. "I am sure they are as well
made as any I have brought here."
"The fact is," said Parkinson, confidentially, "Daniells is rather
fussy--I might say cranky--I have had more than once to reverse his
decision. You shall certainly be paid promptly, as usual."
"Thank you, sir."
Rose had never admired the superintendent, but he seemed to her
now a just and agreeable man. The money was not now of so much
importance to her, but she strongly objected to being unjustly
treated, and being deprived of the money which she had fairly earned.
Mr. Parkinson himself paid over to Rose the money due for the six
vests.
"Miss Beaufort," he said, "I hope you won't think we men of business
are all hard and disposed to take advantage of the poor. Now, in
your case, I assure you that I feel very kindly toward you."
"Thank you, sir," said Rose, considerably surprised.
Mr. Parkinson's vanity led him to think that she was regarding him
with a look of interest, but he misinterpreted her. She looked upon
him as old enough to be her father, and not a suspicion had ever
entered her mind that he thought of her as a possible wife.
"If you will permit me," said the superintendent, "I am about to go
out to lunch, and will communicate to you a plan I have for your
advantage. It will be better not to take any new work now."
"I did not intend to," said Rose.
Mr. Parkinson looked a little surprised.
They passed through the store together, and out into Broadway. Rose
waited for Mr. Parkinson to say what he appeared to have in his mind.
"I think, Miss Beaufort," he said, as they emerged into the street,
"you could do better than make vests at thirty-five cents each."
"I think so, too," answered Rose. "I wonder what he means?" she
thought.
"Such a beautiful girl as you are----"
"Sir!" exclaimed Rose, haughtily.
"No offense, my dear. Quite the contrary, I assure you. I have had
my eye upon you for some time, and I admire you exceedingly. You are
poor, but I shall overlook that. My dear girl, I am very well off,
as you may suppose, and I offer to make you Mrs. Parkinson."
"Good-evening, sir," said Rose, coldly. "I don't wish to continue
the conversation."
"Don't be foolish, my dear girl. It is a fine chance for a poor
vest-maker to marry a man in my position."
Rose did not deign to answer, but tried to escape. He attempted to
seize her by the arm, when his hat was violently knocked over his
eyes, and he came near measuring his length on the sidewalk.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE ROMANCE OF A ROSE.
Mr. Parkinson adjusted his hat, and darted a glance of indignation
at a fine-looking young man who had come to the rescue of Rose
Beaufort.
"This is an outrage, sir," he said, angrily.
Clinton Randall paid no attention to the discomfited Parkinson, but
asked Rose:
"Has this man annoyed you?"
"He forced his attentions upon me," answered Rose.
"If he has insulted you, I will take care that he is punished."
"Don't meddle with what is none of your business," said Parkinson,
furiously. "I have a good mind to horsewhip you."
"Make the attempt whenever you please, sir," said Randall,
significantly. "If ever I find you annoying this young lady again, I
shall probably give you a taste of the same medicine."
"Annoying?" sneered Parkinson. "I offered to make her my wife, if
you call that annoyance. Let me tell you that when a gentleman in
my position offers to marry a vest-maker she has reason to feel
complimented."
"She evidently does not," said Randall, not without sarcasm.
"Whether she is a vest-maker or not, she is evidently a young lady
and is entitled to be treated as such."
"She will be sorry for having made such a fuss," said Parkinson,
spitefully. "Miss Beaufort," he continued, turning to Rose, "you
need not trouble yourself to come to the store again for work, as I
shall decline to give you any. You may regret having treated me with
such scant courtesy."
"I had no intention of asking for more work," said Rose, coldly.
"Perhaps you have come into a fortune," sneered Parkinson.
"Enough of this!" said Randall, sternly. "This young lady has no
favors to ask of you. You had better go back to your master and
conduct yourself hereafter in a more becoming manner, or you may
repent it."
Here was a fresh outrage for poor Parkinson. In his own eyes he
was a man of very great importance, and to be told by this young
man, before a common vest-maker, to go back to his master, was very
humiliating. He was trying to think of some scathing retort, when
Randall, with a bow, offered his arm to Rose, and they walked away
together.
"I wonder whether she really doesn't care for any more work,"
thought Parkinson, "or is it only pretense? I dare say she will,
after a while, be coming round again for vests to make. If she does,
I shall have her in my power."
And the superintendent walked slowly back to the store, chafing
inwardly at his ill-success.
"I hope you won't allow yourself to think of this disagreeable
occurrence," said Clinton Randall, "or of this unmannerly cur."
"No, sir, thanks to your kindness, I shall have no occasion."
"He seemed spiteful. I hope it is not in his power to annoy you."
He said this, thinking that Rose might be dependent upon Parkinson
for work.
"Last week he might have done so," answered Rose. "I was engaged in
making vests for the store in which he is employed, and he might
have refused me work. Now, fortunately, thanks to a kind lady, I
have no further occasion to apply to him."
"I am heartily glad to hear it. Any connection with such a cur must
be disagreeable. Has he ever annoyed you before?"
"Never; and I was much surprised to-day when he followed me from the
store and pressed his attentions upon me."
"He is old enough to be your father--the old fool!" said Randall,
resentfully.
It seemed to him profanation that such a man should have thought of
appropriating the fresh beauty of the charming girl at his side.
"He thought I ought to regard myself honored by his proposal,"
said Rose, smiling, as she thought of the unromantic figure of her
elderly lover.
"He has found out by this time that you hold a different opinion.
If he should ever persecute you again, I hope I may be at hand to
rescue you once more."
"I am not likely to meet him, and have no further occasion to make
vests for a living. If you will kindly stop the next up-town car, I
will not longer detain you."
"Certainly," answered Randall; and as a car was just at hand, he
complied with her request.
He stood on the sidewalk, following, with his glances, the Broadway
car into which he had helped Rose.
"I wish I dare follow her, and find out who she is," said Randall
to himself; "but she might misinterpret my motive and class me with
that elderly reprobate with whom I was compelled to interfere. What
a charming girl she is! I never saw a sweeter expression, or a more
beautiful complexion."
He was in a day-dream, from which he was presently roused.
"What are you staring at, Randall?" asked a young man of about his
own age, slapping him on the shoulder. "You seem star-gazing."
"So I am."
"Star-gazing at midday?"
"It is a human star, Tudor. In short, it is a beautiful girl, whom I
have just helped into a car."
"Who is she?"
"I don't know, I'm sure."
"An unknown divinity, eh? Tell me about it, for there is evidently a
story under all this."
"A very short one. I found an elderly scamp annoying her, and
knocked his hat over his eyes."
"And, after having gallantly rescued her, you helped her into a car?"
"Exactly."
"And that is the whole of it?"
"I am afraid so."
"You don't mean to say you are struck at last, Randall--you who have
so long been the despair of manoeuvering mammas? Come, that would be
news, indeed!"
"I am not at all sure but I am. Tudor, I will say one thing, that I
never saw a sweeter face in all my wanderings."
"That's saying a good deal, for you have been all over the world.
And you don't know the young lady's name?"
"Haven't the slightest clew to it."
"Is she rich or poor, a stylish city lady or a rustic beauty?"
"I fancy she is not rich," said Randall, who, for some reason,
did not care to mention that she had been a vest-maker. To him it
mattered little, but his friend Tudor might be more fastidious, and
he was not willing to give him any chance to look down upon Rose.
"Couldn't you manage to ask her name?"
Randall shook his head.
"I tried to think of a pretext, but could not," he answered.
"You may meet her again."
"I hope to do so."
"And if you do?"
Randall smiled.
"Considering that it is not over ten minutes since I first set
eyes upon her, it is, perhaps, a little premature to consider that
question. I shall certainly try to meet her again."
The two young men sauntered up-town, and the conversation fell upon
other themes, but Clinton Randall seemed unusually thoughtful. Do
what he might, he could not help recurring again and again to the
fair face which he had seen for the first time that morning.
When Rose was at home again the matter seemed no longer serious to
her. Whenever she thought of Mr. Parkinson and his suit she felt
inclined to laugh.
"Addie," she said, "I have had a proposal this morning."
"A proposal!" repeated her sister, in surprise.
"Yes, an offer of marriage."
"You are not in earnest?"
"Indeed I am! I am not sure but I shall give you a brother-in-law."
"I wasn't aware that you knew any eligible young man."
"He isn't a young man. Let me describe him to you. His name is
Parkinson; he is somewhere between forty and fifty; he is partially
bald, and--I am not quite sure that he is not bow-legged."
"And you love him?" queried Adeline, mischievously. "If so, I
give my consent, for though I had hoped for a better-looking
brother-in-law, I am not willing that your young affections should
be blighted."
"Nonsense, Addie," returned Rose, half-vexed.
"Tell me all about it."
Rose did so, and her sister listened with fixed interest.
"And this young man who rescued you, and knocked your adorer's hat
over his eyes. I suppose he was a commonplace young man, red-haired
and freckled, perhaps?"
"Indeed he was not," said Rose, indignantly.
"Then he was handsome?"
"Yes, I think that he would be considered so."
"Take care you don't dream of him. It would be very
romantic--wouldn't it?--if you should marry him, as generally
happens in romances."
"Don't be a goose, Addie!" said Rose; but she did not seem annoyed.
Secretly, she thought Clinton Randall the most attractive young
man she had ever met, and wondered if fate would ever throw them
together again.
CHAPTER XXIII.
ON THE BORDERS OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA.
It is time to look after our hero in his European wanderings.
He had been travelling hither and thither with his guardian, who
appeared to have no definite aim except to enjoy himself. Whether
he succeeded in doing this was by no means certain. On the whole,
he and Ben got along very well together. He did not undertake to
control his young secretary, but left him very much to his own
devices. There were times when he seemed irritable, but it generally
happened when he had been losing money at the gaming-table, for
he was fond of play, not so much because he was fascinated by it
as because it served as a distraction in lieu of more serious
pursuits. On the whole, he did not lose much, for he was cool and
self-possessed.
One thing was unsatisfactory to Ben--he had little or nothing to do.
He was private secretary in name, but what use Major Grafton had for
a private secretary Ben could not divine.
Why Ben need have concerned himself, as long as he received his
salary, may excite the wonder of some of my readers, but I think
most people like to feel that they are doing something useful.
Ben, however, found a use for part of his time. In his travels
through France, Switzerland, and Italy, he had oftentimes found
himself, when alone, at a loss on account of a want of knowledge of
the French language.
"Why should I not learn it?" he asked himself.
He procured some elementary French books, including a grammar,
dictionary, and tourist's guide, and set himself to the task with
his usual energy. Having little else to do, he made remarkable
progress, and found his studies a source of great interest.
"What are you doing there, Philip?" asked Major Grafton, one
afternoon.
"I am trying to obtain some knowledge of French. I suppose you have
no objection?"
"Not the least in the world. Do you want a teacher?"
"No, sir; I think I can get along by myself."
Major Grafton was rather glad that Ben had found some way of passing
his time. He did not want the boy to become homesick, for his
presence was important to him for reasons that we are acquainted
with.
Ben supplemented his lessons by going into shops, pricing articles,
and attempting to hold a conversation with the clerks. This was a
practical way of learning the language, which he found of great use.
Again they found themselves in Geneva, which Ben thought, on the
whole, a pleasant place of residence. Here, too, he could make
abundant use of his new acquisition, and did not fail to avail
himself of his opportunity. So he enjoyed his stay in the charming
Swiss city until one day he made an astounding discovery.
The most interesting walk in Geneva is along the borders of the
lake. Near it are placed seats on which the visitor may sit and
survey the unequalled view.
Ben had seated himself one day, with a French book in his hand,
which he was studying, when he observed a couple of ladies seat
themselves near him. He would have given them no further thought if
by chance the name of Major Grafton, spoken by one of them, had not
reached his ears.
"I see that Major Grafton is here," said one. "You know we met him
at Florence."
"Yes, the one who had the sick boy with him."
"The same."
"It was his son, was it not?"
"I thought so at the time, but I have since learned that I was
mistaken. He was the boy's guardian."
"The boy died, did he not?"
"Yes, and it must have been a serious calamity to him."
"You mean that he was very much attached to the boy?"
"No, I don't mean that. On the contrary, he appeared to care very
little for him. It was the pecuniary loss I was thinking of."
"Explain yourself."
"You must know, then, that the boy was heir to a large fortune, the
income of which, during his minority, was payable to Major Grafton
for his benefit. No doubt the guardian made a good thing out of it.
He probably made it pay both the boy's expenses and his own."
"Then, on the boy's death, he would lose this income?"
"Precisely."
"It is strange," said the younger lady; "but he still has a boy with
him."
"He has?" inquired the other, in surprise.
"The name he calls him is Philip."
"That was the name of the boy who died."
"Are you sure that he died? Are you sure that this is not the same
boy?"
"Positive."
"It is very singular. A strange idea has occurred to me."
"What is it?"
"What if he is passing off this boy for the first, in order to
retain the liberal income which he received as guardian?"
"But that would be fraudulent."
"That is true; but I think Major Grafton would be capable of it. I
hear from my brother that he gambles, and a gambler is not apt to be
overburdened with principle."
"If this is so, he ought to be exposed. To whom would the boy's
fortune go, if it were known that he was dead?"
"To three cousins, who, I understand, are living in poverty in New
York. There are two young girls and a brother, named Beaufort.
They were cut off by the grandfather, from whom the fortune was
inherited. For what reason I am not aware. However, the will
stipulated that if the boy should die, the fortune should go to
these children."
"Then they ought to be enjoying it now?"
"Exactly. If all is true that I suspect, they are being kept out of
it by a conspiracy."
"Who is the boy that Major Grafton has with him now?"
"I don't know. Possibly it is a relative of his own. He calls him
Philip to deceive the public, if all is as I suspect."
"Don't you think we ought to do something in the matter, Clara?"
"I never meddle with matters that don't concern me."
"Not even to right such a wrong as this?"
"No; I suppose matters will come right after awhile. The deception
will be discovered, you may depend upon it."
"If I knew the boy I would speak to him about it."
"You would have your labor for your pains. The boy is probably in
the conspiracy. I think he is a nephew of Major Grafton. If anything
were said to him, he would no doubt put the major on his guard, and
that would be the end of it. My dear, we shall do much better not to
interfere in the matter at all."
The younger lady looked dissatisfied, but did not reply.
The feelings with which Ben heard this revelation may be imagined.
He never for a moment doubted the truth of the story. It made clear
to him what had seemed singular hitherto. He had never been able
to understand why Major Grafton should pick him up, and without
any inquiry into his capacity offer him an engagement as private
secretary. He had found that the office was merely nominal, and that
there were no duties to speak of connected with it. Major Grafton
had shown no particular interest in him, and evidently cared nothing
for him, save as he served his purpose. But if his presence enabled
Grafton to remain in possession of a large income, there was no need
to inquire further. Ben saw that he was made an important agent in a
wicked conspiracy to divert a large fortune from its lawful owners.
What ought he to do?
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE MAISON DE FOUS.
This question of what he ought to do disturbed Ben not a little.
As an honorable boy he did not wish to benefit any longer than was
absolutely necessary by a deception which involved injustice and
fraud. He was living very comfortably, it is true, and his allowance
was a handsome one. He sent half of it to his mother, and this was
sufficient to provide all that was needed for her and his sister's
comfort. He had done this innocently, hitherto, but now that his
eyes were opened, his knowledge would make him an accomplice in the
conspiracy.
In his uncertainty he decided upon what was not, perhaps, the most
judicious course, to ask Major Grafton directly in regard to the
matter.
An opportunity soon came.
"Major Grafton," Ben began, "how long since did Philip die?"
The major regarded him suspiciously. The question put him on his
guard.
"A few months ago," he answered indifferently.
"Were you--his guardian?"
"You seem curious this morning, Philip," answered the major, coldly.
If Ben had been older and more experienced he would have been
able to get at the truth indirectly, but it was his nature to be
straightforward.
"I heard something yesterday that disturbed me," he said.
Major Grafton threw himself back in an easy-chair and fixed his eyes
searchingly on the boy.
"Tell me what you heard," he said, shortly, "and from whom."
"I was sitting on a bench near the lake when two ladies began
speaking about you--and me."
"Tell me what they said," broke in Grafton, impatiently.
"The truth must be told," thought Ben, "even if Major Grafton gets
offended."
"They said that Philip had a large fortune, and you were his
guardian. When he died the money was to go to some cousins in New
York. They said that you had concealed his death, and so continued
to draw the income of the property, and were palming off me for him.
They seemed to think I was your nephew, and was in the plot."
Major Grafton was a good deal disturbed by what Ben had told him. Of
course there was a strong chance that the truth would come out some
time, but he had hoped to keep it concealed for some years, perhaps.
"These ladies seem to have a large share of imagination," he said,
with a forced laugh. "From one fabrication you may judge all. You
know whether you are my nephew or not, and whether you are engaged
in any plot?"
"No, sir, of course not."
"The whole thing is ridiculous; I don't think you need trouble
yourself any more about it."
But Ben was not satisfied, and Major Grafton could see this from his
look.
"That was my reason for asking whether Philip had any property," he
continued, with an inquiring look.
"I must satisfy him in some way," thought the major, "or he will
compromise me."
"I wouldn't like to think I was keeping any property away from the
rightful owners," proceeded Ben.
"You can put yourself at ease," said the major, carelessly. "Those
ladies, whoever they are, know almost nothing about the matter.
Philip did have a little property, yielding scarcely enough for his
own expenses. At his death it fell to me. His grandfather was an
intimate friend of mine, and made the arrangement in gratitude for
my care of the boy."
"Then there were no cousins in New York?" asked Ben, doubtfully.
"Not that I am aware of. That is a lie out of whole cloth. There
is no one more unscrupulous than a female gossip. Did you speak to
either of the ladies?"
"No, sir."
"That was right. You might have made mischief and seriously offended
me. Do you often write home?"
"Every week, sir."
"I have no objection to that, but I must caution you against
repeating this nonsensical and absurd story. I have taken a great
deal of interest in you on account of your resemblance to poor
Philip, to whom I was tenderly attached. It is on that account I
engaged you to accompany me. You would not be likely to do as well
in New York?"
"No, sir; no one would think of paying me as liberally as you do."
"I am glad you appreciate the advantages of your position. I hope
you won't lose it by any foolishness," added Grafton, significantly.
Ben felt that there was no more to say, but he was far from
satisfied. He was thoroughly persuaded within himself that the story
was true, and that Major Grafton was acting a fraudulent part. How
could he find out?
He had not forgotten his visit to the office of Mr. Codicil, just
before they left New York. He had seen enough, then, to be aware
that between Major Grafton and the lawyer there were business
relations, and he suspected that they referred to the boy whose
place he had taken. This would seem to bear out and confirm the
story told by the two ladies. Now, if he should write a letter to
Mr. Codicil he might ascertain all he needed to know, and if all
was as he suspected he could refuse having any further part in the
conspiracy. He did not remember the exact location of Mr. Codicil's
office, but he did remember his first name, and he judged rightly
that a letter simply directed to the lawyer, and addressed New York,
would be likely to reach him.
Major Grafton, after the interview between Ben and himself, watched
our hero with ever-increasing suspicion. He felt that he was in the
boy's power. An indiscreet revelation would overthrow the fabric of
fraud which in his self-interest he had erected, and reduce him to
earning a precarious living at the gaming-table. In the case of an
average boy he would have been secure, from the boy's regard for
his own interest; but he saw that Ben was a conscientious boy, of
honorable impulses, and this disgusted him.
"The boy is dangerous," he decided. "I must place him where he can
do no mischief."
When a man is thoroughly unprincipled he can always find ways and
means for the carrying out of his iniquitous plans. Major Grafton
experienced no difficulty in devising a method for staving off the
threatened danger.
One day after a leisurely breakfast, during which Major Grafton had
been unusually chatty and affable, he said:
"Philip, I have a pleasure in store for you."
"What is it, sir?"
"We are going to take a long drive into the country."
"Thank you, sir. I shall enjoy it."
Fifteen minutes afterward an open carriage drove into the court-yard
of the hotel.
"Is this the carriage I ordered?" asked Major Grafton.
"It is for M. de Grafton," said the driver.
"But you are not the man I spoke to."
"No, it was my brother. He is obliged to stay at home; his wife is
taken suddenly sick."
"Very well; you will no doubt answer the purpose equally well.
Philip, take a seat inside."
Ben did so.
"Where shall I drive, monsieur?"
Major Grafton indicated the direction.
They drove over a broad, smooth road on the eastern shore of the
lake. It was a charming drive, not alone on account of the smooth
waters of the lake which were in constant view, but also on account
of the distant mountains and the picturesque Swiss habitations which
regaled their eyes.
They kept on uninterruptedly for nearly two hours, until Ben began
to marvel at the length of the drive.
Finally they came in sight of a large, picturesquely situated house,
surrounded by trees.
"We will descend here, Philip," said Major Grafton. "I want you to
see this chateau."
"Is there anything interesting connected with it?" asked Ben.
"Yes, I believe Voltaire once lived here," answered Grafton.
"I always thought he lived at the Chateau de Ferney."
"He also lived here for a few months," said Major Grafton, shortly.
"I think Calvin also lived here once."
Ben entered without suspicion. A suave, black-whiskered man welcomed
them. He seemed to recognize Major Grafton, and was voluble in his
protestations of joy at meeting them.
"Is this the boy you spoke of?" he asked.
"Yes," answered Grafton. "Philip," he said, "remain in this room a
few minutes while I speak with M. Bourdon."
"Certainly, sir."
He waited fifteen, twenty, thirty minutes, and no one came back.
Finally the door opened and the black-whiskered man made his
appearance--alone.
"Where is Major Grafton?" asked Ben.
The other smiled craftily.
"He is gone, M. Philippe."
"Gone! and without me?"
"You are to live with me, my son."
"I don't understand you. What sort of a place is this?"
"It is a _maison de fous_."
Ben was horror-struck. He knew now that he was in a lunatic asylum.
He could guess why he was placed there.
CHAPTER XXV.
IN A TRAP.
For a sane person to find himself suddenly incarcerated in a lunatic
asylum is enough to excite a thrill of horror in the most stolid.
Ben shuddered and started back, pale and sick with apprehension. He
was a brave boy, but it required more courage than he possessed to
preserve his coolness under such circumstances.
"What does it mean?" he ejaculated.
"It means, my friend," answered M. Bourdon, with a sardonic smile,
"that you are not quite right here," and he tapped his forehead
significantly.
He spoke English correctly, but with an accent, having, when a young
man, passed several years in England.
"It is a lie!" exclaimed Ben, indignantly, his terror giving place
to anger. "My mind is not in the least affected."
M. Bourdon shrugged his shoulders, with another aggravating smile.
"They all say so," he answered.
"I am as sane as you are!" continued Ben, hotly.
"Well, well, I may be a little touched myself--who knows?" said M.
Bourdon, or the doctor, as we may call him, in a tone of banter.
It was hard for Ben to restrain himself, so impressed was he by the
outrage of which he was the victim. It would have been a relief to
attack the doctor, and seek deliverance by forcible means, but a
glance at the well-knit frame of M. Bourdon, and the certainty of
his being able to summon assistance, deterred him and led him to
control his rash impulse. One thing he could do, and that was to
ascertain, if possible, Major Grafton's motive in subjecting him to
imprisonment.
"What proof have you that I am insane?" he asked, more calmly.
"Your appearance."
"You have not had time to examine me."
"The doctors are able to judge from very slight examination," said
M. Bourdon, smiling.
"Did Major Grafton tell you I was insane?" asked Ben.
"You mean the gentleman who came here with you?"
"Yes."
"He has assured me of it."
"What did he say? How did he tell you I had shown signs of insanity?"
"He said you had tried to drown yourself in the lake, and, being
foiled in that, had made an attempt to poison him. Surely this is
enough to warrant his sending you to me."
"Did he utter these infamous falsehoods?" demanded Ben, startled.
"Of course you pronounce them falsehoods, my young friend, and
doubtless you believe what you say. I am quite sure you have no
recollection of what you did. This is one of your sane periods. At
this moment you are as sane as I am."
"You admit that?" said Ben, in surprise.
"Certainly, for it is true. Your insanity is fitful--paroxysmal.
Half an hour hence you may stand in need of a strait-jacket. If you
were always as clear in mind as at present there would be no need of
detaining you. I would open my door and say, 'Go, my young friend.
You do not need my care.' Unfortunately, we do not know how long
this mood may last."
The doctor spoke smoothly and plausibly, and it was hard for Ben to
tell whether he was really in earnest or not. He regarded M. Bourdon
intently, and thought he detected a slight mocking smile, which
excited his doubt and distrust anew. To appeal to such a man seemed
well-nigh hopeless, but there was nothing else to do.
"Are you the doctor?" he asked.
"Yes; I am Dr. Bourdon," was the reply.
"And you are at the head of this establishment?" continued Ben.
"I have that honor, my young friend," answered Bourdon.
"Then I wish to tell you that Major Grafton has deceived you. He
has an object to serve in having me locked up here."
"Doubtless," answered the doctor, with an amused smile, taking a
pinch of snuff.
"He is afraid I would reveal a secret which would strip him of his
income," continued Ben.
"And that secret is----?" said the doctor, not without curiosity.
Ben answered this question as briefly and clearly as he could.
The doctor listened with real interest, and it might have been
satisfactory to Ben had he known that his story was believed. M.
Bourdon was a shrewd man of the world, and it struck him that this
knowledge might enable him to demand more extortionate terms of
Major Grafton.
"Don't you believe me?" asked Ben, watching the face of his listener.
"I hear a great many strange stories," said the doctor. "I have to
be cautious about what I believe."
"But surely you will believe me, knowing that I am perfectly sane?"
"That is the question to be determined," said M. Bourdon, smiling.
"Won't you investigate it?" pleaded Ben. "It is a crime to keep me
here, when I am of sound mind."
"Whenever I am convinced of that I will let you go. Meanwhile you
must be quiet, and submit to the rules of my establishment."
"How long do you expect to keep me here?" asked Ben.
"As long as you require it and your board is paid."
Ben looked despondent, for this assurance held out very little hope
of release. Still he was young, and youth is generally hopeful.
Something might turn up. Ben was determined that something should
turn up. He was not going to remain shut up in a mad-house any
longer than he could help. He remained silent, and M. Bourdon
touched a little bell upon a small table beside the door.
The summons was answered by a stout man with rough, black locks, who
looked like a hotel porter.
"Francois," said the doctor, in the French language, "conduct this
young man to No. 19."
"At once, _Monsieur le Docteur_," answered the attendant. "Come with
me, young man."
He signed to Ben to follow him, and our hero, realizing the utter
futility of resistance, did so.
"Go ahead, monsieur," said Francois, when they came to a staircase.
Ben understood him very well, though he spoke in French, thanks to
his assiduous study of the last four weeks.
They walked along a narrow corridor, and Francois, taking from his
pocket a bunch of keys, carefully selected one and opened the door.
"_Entrez monsieur._"
Ben found himself in an apartment about the size of a hall bedroom,
with one window, and a narrow bedstead, covered with an exceedingly
thin mattress. There was no carpet on the floor, and the furniture
was very scanty. It consisted of but one chair, a cheap bureau, and
a washstand. And this was to be Ben's home--for how long?
"I must get acquainted with this man," thought Ben. "I must try to
win his goodwill, and perhaps he may be able to help me to escape."
"Is your name Francois?" he asked, as the man lingered at the door.
"_Oui, monsieur._"
"And how long have you been here--in this asylum?"
"How long, monsieur? Five years, nearly."
"There is some mistake about my being here, Francois. I don't look
crazy, do I?"
"No, monsieur; but----"
"But what?"
"That proves nothing."
"There is a plot against me, and I am put here by an enemy. I want
you to be my friend. Here, take this."
Ben produced from his pocket a silver franc piece and offered it
to Francois, who took it eagerly, for the man's besetting sin was
avarice.
"Thanks, monsieur--much thanks!" he said, his stolid face lighting
up. "I will be a friend."
"Francois!"
At the call from below Francois hastily thrust the coin into his
pocket, nodded significantly to Ben, and, retiring, locked the door
behind him.
CHAPTER XXVI.
INTRODUCES TWO CELEBRITIES.
What a change a short half-hour may make in the position and
feelings of any person! Little did Ben imagine, when he set out on a
drive in the morning with Major Grafton, that he was on his way to
one of the most hopeless of prisons.
It was hard even now for him to realize his position. He looked
from the window, and with a glance of envy saw in a field, not far
away, some Swiss peasants at work. They were humble people, living
a quiet, uneventful, laborious life; yet Ben felt that they were
infinitely better off than he, provided he were doomed to pass the
remainder of his life in this refuge. But of this he would not
entertain the idea. He was young, not yet seventeen, and life was
full of pleasant possibilities.
"I am a Yankee," he thought, "and I don't believe they will succeed
in keeping me here long. I will keep a bright lookout for a chance
to escape."
Half an hour later Ben heard the key grate in the lock, and, fixing
his eyes on the entrance, he saw Francois enter.
"Monsieur, dinner is ready," he said.
Ben, notwithstanding his disagreeable situation, felt that he, too,
was ready for the dinner. He was glad to find that it was not to be
served to him in his own room. He would have a chance of seeing the
other inmates of the house.
"Where is it?" he asked.
"Follow me," answered Francois, of course in French.
He led the way, and Ben followed him into a lower room, long
and narrow, which was used as the dining-room. There were no
side-windows, and it would have been quite dark but for a narrow
strip of window near the ceiling.
Around a plain table sat a curious collection of persons. It was
easy to see that something was the matter with them, for I do
not wish to have it understood that all the inmates of the house
were, like our hero, perfectly sane. M. Bourdon was not wholly a
quack, but he was fond of money, and, looking through the eyes of
self-interest, he was willing to consider Ben insane, although he
knew very well that he was as rational as himself.
"Sit here, monsieur," said Francois.
Ben took the seat indicated, and naturally turned to survey his
immediate neighbors.
The one on the right-hand was a tall, venerable-looking man, with
white hair and a flowing beard, whose manner showed the most perfect
decorum. The other was a thin, dark-complexioned man, of bilious
aspect, and shifty, evasive eyes. Neither noticed Ben at first, as
the dinner appeared to engross their first attention. This consisted
of a thin broth and a section of a loaf of coarse bread as the first
course. Ben had been accustomed to more luxurious fare, and he was
rather surprised to see with what enjoyment his neighbors partook
of it. Next came a plate of meat, and this was followed by a small
portion of grapes. There was nothing more. It was clear that M.
Bourdon did not consider rich fare good for his patients.
"I think I would rather dine at the hotel," thought Ben; but the
diet was not by any means the worst thing of which he complained.
"If I were free I would not mind how poor and plain my fare was," he
thought.
His companions finished dinner before him, and had leisure to bestow
some attention upon him.
"My little gentleman, do you come from Rome?" asked the venerable
old gentleman on his right.
"No, sir," answered Ben.
"I am sorry. I wished to ask you a question."
"Indeed, sir. Perhaps I might answer it even now. I have been in
Florence."
"No; that will not do; and yet, perhaps you may have met persons
coming from Rome?"
"I did, monsieur."
"Then perhaps they told you how things were going on."
"Very well, I believe, monsieur."
"No, that could not be," said the old gentleman, shaking his head.
"I am sure nothing would go well without me."
"Do you, then, live in Rome?" asked Ben, curiously.
"Surely!" exclaimed the old man. "Did you not know that the Pope
lived in Rome?"
"But what has that to do with you, sir?"
"A great deal. Know, my little gentleman, that I--to whom you are
speaking--am the Pope."
This was said with an air of importance.
"There's no doubt about his being insane," thought Ben.
"How, then, do you happen to be here?" asked our hero, interested to
see what his companion would say.
"I was abducted," said the old gentleman, lowering his voice, "by an
emissary of the King of America. M. Bourdon is a cousin of the king,
and he is in the plot. But they won't keep me here long."
"I hope not," said Ben, politely.
"The King of Spain has promised to send an army to deliver me. I
only received his letter last week. You will not tell M. Bourdon,
will you?"
"Certainly not," answered Ben.
"It is well; I thought I could rely upon your honor."
"My friend," said another voice, that of his left-hand neighbor,
"you are losing your time in talking with that old fool. The fact
is, he isn't right here," and he touched his head.
The Pope appeared deeply absorbed in thought, and did not hear this
complimentary remark.
"He thinks he is the Pope. He is no more the Pope than I am."
Ben nodded non-committally.
"He ought to be here. But I--I am the victim of an infamous horde of
enemies, who have placed me here."
"Why should they do that, sir?"
"To keep me out of my rights. It is the English Government that has
done it. Of course, you know who I am."
"No, sir, I don't think I do."
"Look well at me!" and the dark man threw himself back in his chair
for inspection.
"I am afraid I don't recognize you, monsieur," said Ben.
"Bah! where are your eyes?" said the other, contemptuously. "I am
Napoleon Bonaparte!"
"But I thought you died at St. Helena," said Ben.
"Quite a mistake, I assure you. The English Government so asserted,
but it was a deception. They wished my memory to die out among my
faithful French. They buried my effigy, but smuggled me off in a
vessel late at night. They placed me here, and here they mean to
keep me--if they can. But some day I shall escape; I shall re-enter
France; I shall summon all to my banner, and at the head of a great
army I shall enter Paris. Do you know what I will do then?"
"What will you do, sir?" asked Ben, with some curiosity.
"I shall descend upon England with an army of five millions of
men," said the dark man, his eyes flashing, "and burn all her cities
and towns."
"That will be rather severe, won't it?" asked Ben.
"She deserves it; but I may do worse."
"How can that be?"
"Do you see that man over on the other side of the table--the short,
red-haired man?"
"Yes, I see him."
"He is a chemist and has invented a compound a thousand times more
powerful than dynamite. I am negotiating for it, and, if I succeed,
I mean to blow the whole island out of the water. What do you think
of that, eh?" he continued, triumphantly.
"I think in that case I shall keep away from England," answered Ben,
keeping as straight a face as he could.
"Ah, you will do well."
When dinner was over, the boarders passed out of the room, Ben among
them. He was destined not to go out quietly.
Suddenly a wild-looking woman darted toward him and threw her arms
around his neck, exclaiming:
"At last I have found you, my son, my son!"
Ben struggled to release himself, assisted by Francois, who did not
scruple to use considerable force.
"None of your tricks, madam!" he cried, angrily.
"Will you take from me my boy?" she exclaimed, piteously.
"There is some mistake. I am not your son," said Ben.
The woman shook her head sadly.
"He disowns his poor mother," she said, mournfully.
On the whole, Ben was rather glad to return to his chamber.
"I don't like my fellow-boarders," he thought. "I sha'n't stay in
the _maison de fous_ any longer than I am obliged to."
CHAPTER XXVII.
A MIDNIGHT ESCAPE.
For three days Ben passed a dull, uniform existence, being most of
the time confined to his chamber. To a boy of active temperament it
was most irksome. If he only had something to read, the hours would
pass more swiftly. Fortunately, on the second day, he bethought
himself of Francois, who seemed friendly.
"Francois," he said, "can't you get me something to read?"
"I don't know," said the attendant, doubtfully. "What would monsieur
like?"
"Anything you can find. I would prefer a story."
"I will try, monsieur."
The next time Francois made his appearance he held in his hand a
tattered edition of a popular novel.
"Will that do?" he asked.
Ben had never heard of the book, but on opening its pages it looked
attractive, and he answered:
"Yes, Francois, I am much obliged to you."
He thought it politic, remembering that he might need other favors,
to put a franc piece into the hand of the friendly attendant.
Francois brightened up. His wages were so small that these little
gratuities were very welcome.
"Would monsieur like something else?" he inquired.
"There is one thing I would like very much, Francois," answered Ben.
"What is that, monsieur?"
"To get out of this place."
"But monsieur is insane."
"I am no more insane than you are. Do I look insane?"
"No; but one cannot always tell."
"I would give a hundred francs to any one who would get me out of
this," said Ben, not, however, expecting to produce much impression
on the mind of his auditor.
"A hundred francs!" repeated Francois, his eyes sparkling.
But in a moment he looked sober.
"It would not do. I should be discharged," he said.
"Think it over, Francois," said Ben.
The attendant did not answer, but the suggestion had borne fruit.
It may be asked how Ben had so much money. It may be explained that
he was about to send a remittance home, having received a payment
from Major Grafton, but his unexpected arrival at the refuge had
prevented him. He had with him two hundred francs, or about forty
dollars in gold.
Something happened on the third day which worked favorably for Ben's
hopes of securing the active assistance of Francois. About dusk a
boy appeared at the gate of the asylum, and asked to see Francois.
When the two were brought together, he said:
"I came from your wife. She wishes you to come home. The
child--little Marie--is very sick."
Poor Francois was much disturbed. In a little cottage five miles
away lived his wife and his only child, Marie. The poor fellow was
deeply attached to his child, for it must be remembered that the
poor and simple-minded are quite as apt to have as strong affections
as the richer and more favored.
"Is she very bad, Jean?" he asked, quite pale.
"Yes," answered Jean. "I think she is out of her head. She keeps
moaning. Her poor mother is very much frightened."
"I will ask if I can come," said Francois, and he straightway sought
out the doctor.
"I would like to speak to you, M. Bourdon," he said.
"Speak quick, then, for I am busy," said the doctor, gruffly, for
something had happened to disturb him.
"Jean Gault has just told me that my little Marie is very sick, and
my wife wants me to come home. If I could go now, I would come back
in the morning."
"Well, you can't go," said the doctor, harshly.
"But, _Monsieur le Docteur_, do you understand that my child--my
little Marie--is very sick? She moans, and is out of her head, and I
may never see her again, if I don't go."
"Plague take your little Marie!" said M. Bourdon, brutally. "What
have I to do with her? I want you to stay here. You know very well
that you can't be spared."
"But," protested Francois, indignantly, "do you think because I am
poor that I have no feeling? You are very much mistaken. I cannot
stay away and let poor Marie die without seeing her."
"You can't go, at all events," said M. Bourdon, roughly.
"I cannot go?"
"No; or, if you do, you will lose your place. I cannot have my men
going away on every silly pretext. I don't believe your child is
sick at all."
"But Jean Gault is below. He has brought word from my wife."
"I dare say it is all planned between you."
"Then you will not let me go?"
"No, I won't. If you go, you lose your place. I shall not take you
back. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand," said Francois, slowly.
"Then you can go. We have had words enough about this."
If the doctor had not been irritated he would have been careful how
he dealt with Francois, who was the most valuable man in his employ.
But when we are irritated we lose sight of what is politic, and are
apt to make grievous mistakes, as M. Bourdon certainly did on this
occasion.
Francois sought out little Jean.
"Jean," he said, "go home and tell my wife that I will come some
time to-night. The doctor has forbidden me to go, but I shall go,
all the same. Be sure you tell no one else."
"Very well, Francois," answered the boy.
"Tell my wife I may be late, but I will surely come."
The boy went away, and Francois went up to Ben's room.
"Monsieur, I have something to say to you," he commenced.
"What is it, Francois?"
"You said you would give a hundred francs to any one who would get
you out of this?"
"Yes, Francois," answered Ben, quickly.
"Have you so much money with you, then?" asked Francois, doubtfully.
"See here!" and Ben took out five napoleons, which he displayed in
his open palm.
The attendant's eyes sparkled.
"And you will give them to me, if perchance I set you free?"
"Yes."
"Listen, then. I would not do it, but my little Marie is very sick,
and my wife wants me to come home. Perhaps she may die;" and the
poor fellow suppressed a sob. "But M. Bordon--that is the doctor--he
says I shall not go. He said 'Plague take your child!'" continued
Francois, wrathfully.
"Poor Francois," said Ben compassionately.
"Ah! you feel for me, little monsieur," said Francois, gratefully.
"The doctor has a heart like a stone. He says if I go I shall not
come back; but I do not care, I cannot stay away. I will go, and you
shall go with me. Can you walk five miles?"
"I can walk ten--fifteen, if necessary," said Ben, promptly.
"Then be ready at midnight. We will go together. It will not do to
go earlier. Then the doctor will be asleep. Every one else will be
asleep, and we can go away unobserved. M. Bourdon will be sorry that
he did not let me go. I promised to come back." And Francois's eyes
sparkled with honest indignation.
Ben's heart beat high with hope.
"You will come to my room at midnight?" he said.
"Yes, monsieur."
"I will be ready."
"One thing, monsieur. Do not have your shoes on. You can carry them
in your hand. We must not make any noise when we are going down
stairs, or we may be caught."
"That is well thought of, Francois. Depend upon me. I will be ready."
It will easily be supposed that Ben did not go to bed. He sat
waiting patiently hour after hour till, as midnight struck, his door
was softly opened, and Francois appeared.
"Now," said the attendant, "follow me, and make no noise."
Ben, in his stocking feet, followed the attendant down stairs.
Producing a large key, Francois opened the outside door, then closed
it softly, and they stood outside under a star-lit sky.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BEN'S FLIGHT.
As good luck would have it, Ben and Francois departed without being
observed. On emerging from the asylum they at first ran, after
putting on their shoes, but when a quarter of a mile had been
traversed they dropped into a walk.
"Well, we got away safely," said Ben.
"Yes; the doctor was asleep. We shall not be missed till morning."
"And then it shall be my fault if I am caught. Where is your home,
Francois?"
"Five miles away."
"Yes, but is it on my way?"
"Where would monsieur go?"
"To Paris."
"To Paris!" ejaculated Francois, with wonderment. "That is a great
way off, is it not?"
"Yes, I think it must be a thousand miles away."
"But monsieur is a boy; he cannot walk so far."
"No," answered Ben, laughing. "I don't propose to. Is there any
railroad station near your house?"
"Yes, monsieur; only five minutes off."
"That will do very well."
"And has monsieur money enough?"
"Not to go all the way to Paris, but half-way there, perhaps."
"And is not monsieur afraid he will starve--without money?"
"I think I can get along," said Ben, slowly, for it dawned upon him
that it would not be a very pleasant thing to be penniless in a
foreign country.
"I will give back half the money monsieur has given me," said
Francois, in a friendly tone.
"No, Francois; you will need it all. I am not afraid."
After a walk of an hour and a half the two pedestrians reached a
small village set among the hills. Francois began to walk faster,
and to look more eager.
"Does monsieur see that cottage?" he said.
Ben's eyes rested on an humble cottage just out of the village.
"Yes."
"It is mine. Will monsieur come with me?"
"Yes, I will go to see if your little girl is alive."
Soon they were at the door. There was a light burning in the main
room. A plain, neat woman opened the door.
"Thank Heaven!" she exclaimed, "it is Francois."
"Is--is Marie alive?"
"Yes, my husband. She has had a change for the better."
"Heaven be praised!"
"And who is this young gentleman?"
"A friend," answered Francois, after some hesitation.
"Then I'm glad to see him. Welcome, monsieur."
"Come in, monsieur," said Francois.
"I think I had better go to the station."
"The cars will not start till seven o'clock. Monsieur will need
repose."
"But I don't wish to incommode you."
"My wife will give you a blanket, and you can lie here."
Ben accepted the invitation, and stretched himself out on a settee.
"I will wake you in time," said Francois. "Be tranquil."
CHAPTER XXIX.
BEN IS MISSED.
Meanwhile M. Bourdon slept the sleep of the just--or the unjust--not
dreaming of the loss his establishment had sustained. He did not
open his eyes till five o'clock.
Usually at that hour Francois was stirring, as he had morning duties
to perform. But M. Bourdon did not hear him bustling around as
usual. At first this did not strike him, but after awhile he began
to wonder why.
"The lazy dog!" he said to himself. "He is indulging himself this
morning, and his work will suffer."
He went to the door of his chamber and called "Francois!"
Francois slept in an upper room, but still the asylum was not a
lofty building, and he should have heard.
"He must be fast asleep, as usual," grumbled M. Bourdon. "I must go
up and rouse him. It would be well if I had a horsewhip."
Slipping on a part of his clothing, the doctor crept up stairs.
He knocked at the door of his dilatory servant.
"Francois! Francois, I say. Are you dead?"
There was no answer.
"I suppose he has locked his door," muttered the doctor, as he tried
the latch.
But no! the door opened, and, to his dismay, the room was empty. The
bed had not been disturbed.
The doctor's face was dark with anger.
"The ingrate has left me, after all. He has gone to his child, who
is not sick at all, I dare say. Well, he will repent it. I will not
take him back."
Here the doctor paused. It would be exceedingly inconvenient to lose
Francois, who, besides being a capable man, accepted very small pay.
"At any rate I will lower his wages!" he said. "He shall regret the
way he has served me."
It was a temporary inconvenience. Still there was an outside man
whom he could impress into the service as a substitute, and in a day
or two Francois would be glad to return. It was not, perhaps, so
serious a matter, after all.
But M. Bourdon changed his mind when he found the front door
unlocked.
"Who had escaped, if any?"
This was the question he asked himself. In great haste he went from
one room to another, but all seemed to be occupied. It was only when
he opened Ben's room that he ascertained that the one whom he would
most regret to lose had decamped. Ben's bed, too, was but little
disturbed. He had slept on the outside, if he had slept at all, but
not within the bed, as was but too evident.
"Has any one seen the boy?" demanded M. Bourdon of an outdoor
servant who slept outside, but was already on duty.
"Not I, _Monsieur le Docteur_."
"Then he must have escaped with Francois! Put my horse in the
carriage at once."
Ten minutes later M. Bourdon was on his way to the cottage of
Francois.
Fifteen minutes before he arrived Francois had aroused our young
hero.
"It is time to get up, little monsieur," he said. "In half an hour
the cars will start."
Refreshed by his sound sleep, Ben sprang up at once--he did not need
to dress--and was ready for the adventures of the day.
"Where is the station, Francois?" he said.
"I will go with monsieur."
"No; if the doctor should come, delay him so that he cannot overtake
me."
"Perhaps it is best."
Ben followed the directions of his humble friend, and soon brought
up at the station. He purchased a third-class ticket for a place
fifty miles away, and waited till it was time for the train to start.
Meanwhile M. Bourdon had driven up to the cottage of Francois.
The door was opened to him by Francois himself.
"Where is that boy? Did he come away with you?" he asked, abruptly.
"What boy?" asked Francois, vacantly.
"The one who came a few days since. You know who I mean."
Francois shrugged his shoulders.
"Is he gone?" he asked.
"Of course he is, fool."
Just then the wife of Francois came to the door. Unfortunately her
husband had not warned her, nor did she know that Ben had been an
inmate of the asylum.
"Where is the boy who came here last night with your husband?" asked
M. Bourdon, abruptly.
"Gone to the station," answered the woman, unsuspiciously.
The doctor jumped into his carriage, and drove with speed to the
station.
CHAPTER XXX.
M. BOURDON'S LITTLE SCHEME.
Meanwhile Ben had entered a third-class carriage--it behooved him to
be economical now--and sat down. He was congratulating himself on
his fortunate escape, when M. Bourdon dashed up to the station.
He entered the building, and was about passing to the platform, when
he was stopped. "Your ticket, monsieur."
Just then came the signal for the train to start.
"Never mind the ticket!" shouted the doctor. "Don't stop me. One of
my patients is running away."
"I can't help it," said the guard, imperturbably. "Monsieur cannot
pass without a ticket."
"But I don't want to go anywhere," roared M. Bourdon. "I want to see
the passengers."
To the railway attendant this seemed a very curious request. He
began to think the doctor, with his excitable manner, was insane. At
any rate, he was obliged to obey the rules.
"Go back and buy a ticket, monsieur," he said, unmoved.
"But I don't want to go anywhere," protested M. Bourdon.
"Then go back!" And the official, placing his hand on the doctor's
sacred person, thrust him forcibly aside.
"Fool! Dolt!" screamed M. Bourdon, who could hear the train starting.
"You must be crazy!" said the guard, shrugging his shoulders.
It was too late now. The train had actually gone, and M. Bourdon
turned back, foiled, humiliated and wrathful. He regretted bitterly
now that he had not let Francois off the evening before, as in that
case Ben would not have had a chance to escape. Now he must lose the
generous sum which Major Grafton had agreed to pay for his ward.
It was more than he received for any other of his patients, for
M. Bourdon, recognizing Ben's sanity, shrewdly surmised that the
guardian had some special design in having his ward locked up, and
took advantage of it to increase the weekly sum which he charged.
And now all this was lost.
But no! A happy thought struck the worthy doctor. Ben had escaped,
it is true, but why could not he go on charging for him just as
before? His escape was not known to Major Grafton, and probably
would not be discovered for a long time at least. The major was not
very likely to visit the asylum, as an interview between him and his
young victim would be rather embarrassing to him.
Yes, that was the course he would pursue. He would from time to time
send in a report of his patient, and regularly collect his board,
while he would be at no expense whatever for him. It was necessary,
however, to take Francois into his confidence, and he drove back to
the cottage of the humble attendant.
Francois was watching outside. He was afraid the doctor would
succeed in capturing the boy, in whom he had begun to feel a strong
interest. When he saw M. Bourdon drive up alone he smiled to
himself, though his features remained outwardly grave.
"Did you find him, sir?" he asked, respectfully.
"No," answered M. Bourdon, roughly. "The train had just started."
"And was he a passenger?"
"Doubtless."
"What will you do, _Monsieur le Docteur_?" Francois asked, curiously.
"Francois," said M. Bourdon, suddenly, "I am sorry for you."
"Why?" asked Francois, considerably surprised. "Is it because my
little Marie is sick?"
"Plague take your little Marie! It is because you have helped the
boy to escape."
"How could I help him, sir?"
"Some one must have unlocked the door of his room. Otherwise, he
could not have got out."
"I don't know, monsieur," said Francois, assuming ignorance.
"When did you first see him?"
"I had walked about a quarter of a mile," said Francois,
mendaciously, "when he ran up and overtook me. I told him to go
back, but he would not. He followed me, and came here."
"This story is by no means ingenious," said the doctor, shaking his
head. "When you stand up in a court of justice you will see how the
lawyers will make you eat your words. And very likely they will send
you to prison."
"Oh, no! Don't say that!" said poor Francois, much frightened. "What
would become of my poor wife and child?"
"You should have thought of them before this."
"Oh, _Monsieur le Docteur_, you will save me from prison!" exclaimed
poor, simple-minded Francois.
"On one condition."
"Name it, monsieur."
"Let no one know that the boy has escaped."
"I will not, if you desire it."
"You see, it will be bad for me as well as for you. It was very
important to keep him--very important, indeed--and his friends will
call me to account. But they need not know it, if you remain silent."
"No one shall hear me say a word, _Monsieur le Docteur_," said
Francois, promptly.
"That is well. In that case I will overlook your disobedience, and
allow you to return to your place."
"Oh, monsieur is too good!" said Francois, who did not by any means
anticipate such magnanimous forgiveness.
"When can you come back?"
"When monsieur will."
"Come, then, this evening. It will be in time. I will allow you to
spend the day with your family, since your child is sick."
The doctor turned his horse's head, and drove back to the asylum.
Three days after he wrote to Major Grafton:
"MY DEAR SIR: Your ward is rather sullen, but quiet. He
was at first disposed to make trouble, but the firm and
effective discipline of the institution has had the usual
result. I allow him to amuse himself with reading, as this
seems to be the best way of keeping him quiet and contented.
His insanity is of a mild kind, but it is often precisely
such cases that are most difficult to cure. You may rely,
Monsieur Grafton, upon my taking the best care of the
young gentleman, and, as you desired, I will especially
guard against his obtaining writing materials, lest, by a
misrepresentation of his condition, he might excite his
friends.
"I thank you for your promptness in forwarding my weekly
payments. Write me at any time when you desire a detailed
account of your ward's condition."
M. Bourdon signed this letter, after reading it over to
himself, with a complacent smile. He reflected that it did
great credit to his ingenuity.
"Some men would have revealed the truth," he said to
himself, "and lost a fine income. I am wiser."
In due time this letter reached Major Grafton.
"That is well," he said to himself. "I am rather sorry for the
boy, but he has brought it on himself. Why must he be a fool, and
threaten to blab? He was living in luxury, such as he has never been
accustomed to before, and he might rest content with that. In me
surely he had an indulgent master. I rarely gave him anything to do.
He could live on the fat of the land, see the world at no expense to
himself, and have all the advantages of a rich man's son. Well, he
has made his own bed, and now he must lie in it. On some accounts it
is more agreeable to me to travel alone, and have no one to bother
me."
To avert suspicion, Major Grafton left the Hotel des Bergues and
took up his quarters at another hotel. At the end of two weeks he
left for Italy, having arranged matters satisfactorily by sending M.
Bourdon a month's payment in advance, an arrangement that suited the
worthy doctor remarkably well.
CHAPTER XXXI.
A WANDERER IN FRANCE.
A boy toiled painfully over a country road but a few miles from
the city of Lyons. His clothes bore the marks of the dusty road
over which he was travelling. It was clear by his appearance that
he was not a French boy. There is no need of keeping up a mystery
which my young readers will easily penetrate. This boy was our
hero, Ben Baker. He was now more than half way to Paris, and might
have reached that gay city days since but for his limited supply of
money. When he gave Francois a hundred francs he nearly exhausted
his limited capital, but there was no help for it.
He had travelled a hundred miles on the railway, far enough to be
beyond the danger of pursuit and the risk of a return to the asylum,
which he could not think of without a shudder. Now he would walk,
and so economize. He had walked another hundred miles, and had
reached this point in his journey. But his scanty funds were now
reduced to a piece of two sous, and he was between three and four
thousand miles from home. This very day he had walked fifteen miles,
and all he had eaten was a roll, which he had purchased in a baker's
shop in a country village through which he had passed in the early
morning.
Hopeful as Ben was by temperament, he looked sober enough as he
contemplated his position. How was he ever to return home, and what
prospect was there for him in Europe? If he had been in any part of
America he would have managed to find something to do, but here he
felt quite helpless.
He had walked fifteen miles on an almost empty stomach, and the
result was that he was not only tired but sleepy. He sat down by the
way-side, with his back against the trunk of a tree, and before he
was conscious of it he had fallen asleep.
How long he had been asleep he did not know, but he was roused
suddenly by a touch. Opening his eyes, he saw a man fumbling at his
watch-chain. The man, who was a stout and unprepossessing-looking
man of about thirty-five, wearing a blouse, jumped back with a
hasty, confused exclamation.
"What are you doing?" demanded Ben, suspiciously.
He spoke first in English, but, remembering himself, repeated the
question in French.
"Pardon, monsieur," said the man, looking uncomfortable.
Ben's glance fell on his chain and the watch, which had slipped from
his pocket, and he understood that the man had been trying to steal
his watch. In spite of his poverty and need of money he had not yet
parted with the watch, though he suspected the time would soon come
when he should be compelled to do so.
"You were trying to steal my watch," said Ben, severely.
"No, monsieur, you are wrong," answered the tramp, for that was
what he would be called in America.
"How came my watch out of the pocket, and why were you leaning over
me?" continued Ben.
"I wanted to see what time it was," answered the man, after a
minute's hesitation.
"I think it is fortunate I awoke when I did," said Ben.
His new acquaintance did not choose to notice the significance of
the words.
"Monsieur," he said, "I am a poor man. Will you help me with a few
sous?"
Ben could not help laughing. It seemed too ridiculous that any one
should ask money of him. He took the two-sous piece from his pocket.
"Do you see that?" he asked.
"Yes, monsieur."
"It is all the money I have."
The man looked incredulous.
"And yet monsieur is well dressed, and has a gold watch."
"Still I am as poor as you, for I am more than three thousand miles
from home, and have not money enough to get there, even if I sell my
watch."
"Where does monsieur live?" asked the tramp, looking interested.
"In America."
"Will monsieur take my advice?"
"If it is good."
"There is a rich American gentleman at the Hotel de la Couronne, in
Lyons. He would, perhaps, help monsieur."
The idea struck Ben favorably. This gentleman could, at any rate,
give him advice, and he felt that he needed it.
"How far is Lyons away?"
"Scarcely a league."
"Straight ahead?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"Then I will go there."
"And I, too. I will guide monsieur."
"Thank you. I will reward you, if I have the means."
CHAPTER XXXII.
A STRANGE MEETING.
The Hotel de la Couronne is situated in one of the finest parts
of Lyons. As Ben stood before it, he began to doubt whether he
had not better go away with his errand undone. After all, this
American gentleman, if there were one in the hotel, would be likely
to feel very little interest in a destitute boy claiming to be
a fellow-countryman. He might even look upon him as a designing
rogue, with a fictitious story of misfortune, practising upon his
credulity. Ben's cheek flushed at the mere thought that he might be
so regarded.
So he was on the point of going away; but he was nerved by his very
desperation to carry out his original plan.
He entered the hotel, and went up to the office.
"Will monsieur look at some apartments?" asked the landlord's son, a
man of thirty.
"No, monsieur--that is, not at present. Is there an American
gentleman at present staying in the hotel?"
"Yes. Is monsieur an American?"
Ben replied in the affirmative, and asked for the name of his
countryman.
"It is Monsieur Novarro," was the reply.
"Novarro!" repeated Ben to himself. "That sounds more like a Spanish
or an Italian name."
"Is that the gentleman monsieur desires to see?"
"From what part of America does Mr. Novarro come?"
The register was applied to, and the answer given was "Havana."
"Havana!" said Ben, disappointed. "Then he will take no interest in
me," he thought. "There is very little kindred between a Cuban and
an American."
"Would monsieur like to see M. Novarro?"
"I may as well see him," thought Ben, and he answered in the
affirmative.
"There is M. Novarro, now," said the landlord's son; and Ben,
turning, saw a tall, very dark-complexioned man, who had just
entered.
"M. Novarro, here is a young gentleman who wishes to see you--a
countryman of yours."
The Cuban regarded Ben attentively, and not without surprise.
"Have we met before?" he asked, courteously.
"No, sir," answered Ben, relieved to find that the Cuban spoke
English; "and I am afraid I am taking a liberty in asking for you."
"By no means! If I can be of any service to you, my friend, you may
command me."
"It is rather a long story, Mr. Novarro," Ben commenced.
"Then we will adjourn to my room, where we shall be more at our
ease."
Ben followed his new acquaintance to a handsome private parlor on
the second floor and seated himself in a comfortable arm-chair,
indicated by the Cuban.
"I will first mention my name," said Ben. "It is Benjamin Baker."
"Baker!" exclaimed the Cuban, in evident excitement. "Who was your
father?"
"My father was Dr. John Baker, and lived in Sunderland, Connecticut."
"Is is possible!" ejaculated the Cuban; "you are his son?"
"Did you know my father?" asked Ben, in amazement.
"I never saw him, but I knew of him. I am prepared to be a friend
to his son. Now tell me your story."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.
Ben told his story so far as it concerned his engagement by Major
Grafton and his visit to Europe. Of his mother and her circumstances
and of his uncle he had scarcely occasion to speak, considering
that his auditor would hardly feel interested in his own personal
history. The Cuban, who had a grave, kindly aspect, listened with
close attention to his narrative. When Ben ceased speaking he said:
"My young friend, there is one thing that puzzles me in this story
of yours."
"What is it, sir?" asked Ben, anxiously. He feared that the stranger
did not believe him.
"Why should you need to travel with Major Grafton, or any other
gentleman, as private secretary, unless, indeed, your mother did not
wish you to come to Europe alone?"
Ben stared at his interlocutor in amazement.
"How could I come to Europe alone?" he asked. "Where should I find
the money to pay my expenses?"
"Your mother might pay the expenses of your trip."
"My mother is very poor, Mr. Novarro."
"Very poor! Has she, then, lost the money that your father left her?"
"I think you must be under a great mistake, Mr. Novarro. My uncle
allows my mother a small income, and I help her all I can."
"There is certainly a great mistake somewhere," said the Cuban.
"To my certain knowledge your father possessed a hundred thousand
dollars in first-class securities. Didn't you know anything of
this?" continued Mr. Novarro, observing Ben's look of extreme
amazement.
"I know nothing of it, Mr. Novarro."
"Then he must have been robbed of the securities which I myself
gave him on the 18th day of May, in the year 18--"
"That was the day of my father's death," said Ben.
"He died on that very day?" said the Cuban in excitement. "Tell me
the particulars of your father's death. Did he die a natural death?"
"Yes, sir; he died of heart disease."
"And where?"
"In the house of my Uncle Nicholas."
"Before he had time to go home? Before he had acquainted your mother
with his good fortune?"
"Neither my mother nor myself knew but that he died a poor man."
"But he had the securities with him. Did your uncle say nothing of
them?"
"Not a word."
A look of suspicion appeared on the face of Filippo Novarro.
"Tell me," he said, quickly--"did your uncle, shortly after your
father's death, enlarge his business?"
"Yes, sir; he moved from a small store in Grand street to a larger
store on Broadway--the one which he now occupies."
With the Cuban, suspicion was now changed to certainty.
He brought down his fist heavily upon the table at his side.
"I know all now," he said. "Your uncle deliberately robbed your dead
father of the securities which I had placed in his hands, and coolly
appropriating them to his own use, used the proceeds to build up and
extend his business, leaving your mother to live in poverty."
"I feel bewildered," said Ben. "I can hardly believe my uncle would
treat us so shamefully."
"By the way, when did your mother move to Minnesota?" asked the
Cuban.
"To Minnesota?"
"Yes. When I was in New York, not long since, I called upon your
uncle and signified my intention to call upon your mother. He told
me she had moved to Minnesota, and, of course, I was compelled to
give up my plan."
"My mother has never moved to Minnesota; she still lives in
Sunderland."
"Then your uncle intended to prevent our meeting. He feared,
doubtless, that if we met, his rascality would be discovered.
Providence has defeated his cunningly-devised scheme, and the truth
will soon be brought to light, to his confusion."
"I am afraid, sir, it will be difficult for my mother and myself to
prove that my father left money. We have no money, with which to
hire legal assistance."
"I propose to take the matter into my own hands. I am personally
interested as the agent whom my dead friend commissioned to pay a
debt of gratitude to the man who saved his life. Have you anything
to detain you in Europe?"
"No, sir, except an empty purse."
"Permit me to act as your banker."
Mr. Novarro drew from his pocket two hundred and fifty francs in
gold and paper and handed them to Ben.
To our hero it seemed like a fairy-tale, in which he was playing
the leading part. He half-feared that the gold would turn into brass
and the bank-notes into withered leaves; but, strange though it was,
he saw good reason to think that his good fortune was real.
"How can I thank you, sir, for your liberality?" he said, gratefully.
"You forget that this is your own money; I am only advancing it
to you, and shall be repaid speedily. Will you accept me as your
guardian to protect your interests and compel your uncle to disgorge
his ill-gotten gains?"
"Thankfully, sir, if you are willing to take the trouble."
"Then you will sail with me for New York by the next steamer. Have
you your luggage with you?"
"I have nothing, sir, except what I have on my back. I had to leave
the asylum without a change, and I have not been able to change my
clothes for a week or more."
"I had forgotten. This must be looked to at once. We will take
lunch, and then go out and purchase a new supply of under-clothing."
Once more Ben had fallen on his feet. At what appeared to be the
darkest moment light had suddenly fallen across his path, and he
had stumbled upon the one man who was able to bring him into the
sunshine. Before night his wardrobe had been quite replenished, and
he breathed a deep sigh of relief as he found himself in fresh and
clean attire.
He sought out the tramp who had escorted him to the hotel, and
liberally rewarded him.
"I shall telegraph for passage in the Havre line of steamships,"
said Mr. Novarro. "A steamer is to sail on Saturday, so that we
shall not have long to wait."
"I fear, Mr. Novarro, you are interrupting your own plans in order
to befriend me," said Ben to his new patron.
"I have no plans. I am--perhaps unfortunately for myself--a rich
man, under no necessity of labor. Indeed, my chief aim has been to
pass my time as pleasantly as possible. Now I find something to
do, and I find myself happier for having some object in life. I am
rejoiced that we have met. It has brought to my life a new interest;
and even after I have redeemed your wrongs I shall hope to keep
up my acquaintance with you, and to make the acquaintance of your
mother."
"You may be sure, sir, that my mother will be only too glad to know
so true a friend."
The Cuban regarded Ben with a look of interest and affection. He
was beginning to be attracted to him for his own sake. He was a man
of energetic temperament, though a large inheritance had hitherto
prevented any display of energy. At length the occasion had arisen,
and he looked forward with eagerness to the struggle with the New
York merchant to secure the rights of his new friend.
On the next day Ben and his guardian left Lyons for Paris. They
had two days in this lovely city, and late on Friday evening they
reached Havre, the point where they were to embark for America.
"The first act is over, Ben," said the Cuban. "Our ocean trip is a
long wait between the first and second acts. When the curtain next
rises it will be in New York, and there will be other actors to take
an unwilling part in our drama, which is devoted to the detection
and punishment of guilt."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
ROSE MAKES AN ENEMY.
Leaving Ben and his new guardian on their passage across the
Atlantic, we will precede them to New York, and inquire after the
welfare of some of our other characters.
The Beauforts seemed to have entered on a new and prosperous career.
Rose continued to give lessons in music, and to receive liberal
compensation. She was really an accomplished musician, and had
the happy knack of making herself agreeable to her young pupils.
Besides, she was backed by the influence of Miss Wilmot, and that
helped her not a little. Her sister Adeline, too, gave lessons in
art, and thus contributed to the family purse.
My readers will not have forgotten the young man who rescued
Rose from the disagreeable attentions of her elderly lover, Mr.
Parkinson. More than once Rose had thought of Clinton Randall, and,
though she scarcely admitted it to herself, cherished the hope that
they would some day meet again. The young man's frank, chivalrous
manners, and handsome face and figure, had impressed her most
favorably, and she suffered herself to think of him more than she
would have liked to admit. Had she known that Clinton Randall had
been equally attracted by her, and had made strenuous efforts to
find her ever since their first meeting, she would have been much
gratified.
Some weeks passed, however, before she saw him again. One afternoon,
as she was walking through Madison Square on her way home from Mrs.
Tilton's, where she had given her customary lessons, she met the
young man in the walk.
His face glowed with unmistakable joy as he hurried forward, with
hand extended.
"I am very glad to meet you again, Miss Beaufort," he said, eagerly.
"Where have you been? Not out of the city?"
"Oh, no!" answered Rose, successfully concealing her own pleasure
at the meeting. "You can't expect a poor music-teacher to break away
from her work at this season?"
"But I did not know you were a music-teacher."
"No, I suppose not," answered Rose, smiling.
"Do you give lessons on the piano?"
"Yes, it is my only instrument."
"I have for a long time thought of taking lessons on the piano,"
said Randall, who had never thought of it before, "if I could only
find a teacher who would not be too strict. Do you--take gentlemen?"
"I am afraid I could not venture upon a pupil of your age, Mr.
Randall," said Rose, amused. "Suppose you proved refractory?"
"But I never would."
"I am afraid my time is fully occupied. I will promise, however, to
take you, if I agree to take any gentlemen."
"Thank you. I shall not forget your promise."
Clinton Randall, though he had been walking in a different
direction, turned and accompanied Rose, both chatting easily and
familiarly. It never occurred to Rose that she might meet any one
who would comment upon her and her escort. But at the corner of
Eighteenth street and Broadway she met a tall young lady, who made
her the slightest possible nod, while she fixed eyes of scorn and
displeasure upon the two. Clinton Randall raised his hat, and they
parted.
"You know Miss Jayne, then, Miss Beaufort," said Randall.
"Yes, slightly, and you?"
"I have met her in society."
"She is a niece of Mrs. Tilton, to whose daughters I am giving
music-lessons."
"Indeed! I know Mrs. Tilton--I am to attend her party next week.
Shall you be there?"
"I believe so--not as a guest, however. She has invited me to play
on the piano for the entertainment of the guests. You will probably
dance to my music."
"I would rather dance with you to the music of another player, Miss
Beaufort."
"You forget, Mr. Randall, that I am a poor music-teacher."
"I don't think of it at all. It makes no difference in your claims
to consideration."
"The world does not agree with you, Mr. Randall."
"Then it ought. By the way, Miss Beaufort, has your elderly admirer
renewed his proposals?"
"Mr. Parkinson? No, I have not met him since."
"You are sure you won't relent, and make him a happy man?"
"I don't think it at all likely," said Rose, laughing.
Meanwhile Rose had made an enemy without being aware of it.
Miss Arethusa Jayne had long looked upon Clinton Randall with
eyes of partiality, not alone on account of his good looks, but
because he was wealthy, socially distinguished, and in all respects
a desirable _parti_. In her vanity she had thought that he was not
indifferent to her attractions. When, therefore, she saw him walking
with her aunt's music-teacher, she was not only angry but jealous.
She reluctantly admitted that Rose was pretty, though she considered
herself still more so. After this meeting she changed her plans, and
went straight to her aunt.
"Aunt," she said, "whom do you think I met on Broadway just now?"
"I am sure I can't tell, Arethusa. I suppose all the world and his
wife are out this fine day."
"Your music-teacher, Miss Beaufort, and Clinton Randall."
"You don't say so!" ejaculated Mrs. Tilton. "How should she know
him?"
"I have no idea they were ever introduced," said Arethusa, sneering.
"Probably she isn't particular how she makes acquaintance with
gentlemen. I always thought her forward."
"I can't say I ever did, Arethusa."
"Oh, she covers it up with you; but I ask you, Aunt Lucy, how could
she otherwise get acquainted with a gentleman of Mr. Randall's
position?"
"I don't know. Was she actually walking with him?"
"Certainly, and laughing and talking in a boisterous, unladylike
way."
Of course this was untrue, but a jealous woman is not likely to
consider her words.
"I thought you ought to know it, aunt, so I came and told you."
"Do you think I ought to do anything, Arethusa?"
"I would not allow such a girl to teach my children."
"But she is an excellent teacher, and is recommended by Miss Wilmot."
"Probably Miss Wilmot does not know how she conducts herself. No
doubt she carefully conceals her forwardness from that lady."
"But I can't discharge her without giving reasons."
"True, aunt. By the way, Mr. Randall comes to your party, does he
not?"
"He has sent an acceptance."
"And you mean to have Miss Beaufort there to play dancing-tunes?"
"Yes; she comes a good deal cheaper than a professional," said Mrs.
Tilton, who, even in her pleasures, was thrifty.
"That is well. Then you will have an opportunity to see how the two
go on together, and can quietly signify to Miss Beaufort, the next
day, your opinion of her conduct."
"But, Arethusa," said Mrs. Tilton, who was not jealous, like her
niece, "I can't think there is anything out of the way. Miss
Beaufort has always seemed to me a model of propriety."
"Oh, you dear, unsuspicious aunt! How easily you are deceived! Do
you want to know my opinion of Miss Propriety--the opinion I formed
when I first saw her?"
"Well, Arethusa?"
"I saw at once that she was bold and sly, and I really think it
is taking a great risk to permit your children to be under the
instruction of such a girl."
"Well, Arethusa, I will take your advice and watch them both at the
party."
"That is all I ask, Aunt Lucy."
"I will get aunt to discharge her yet," said Miss Jayne to herself,
with satisfied malice.
CHAPTER XXXV.
A WOMAN'S JEALOUSY.
Mrs. Tilton's house was ablaze with light, for it was the evening of
the great party. Ambitious of social distinction, she took care to
do things on a handsome scale, though she was not averse to saving
money where it would not attract attention.
Among the young ladies present were two with whom we are especially
concerned. One of them was Arethusa Jayne, who was dressed with more
splendor than taste. She made a profuse display of jewelry, some of
which, we may confidentially inform the reader, was borrowed from a
well-known jeweler, who was handsomely paid for the favor. Of course
no one suspected this, and the society young men were misled into
thinking that the owner of so many diamonds must be very rich. This
was precisely what Arethusa desired, for she was in the market, and
had been for more years than she liked to remember.
Another young lady, still better known to us, was Rose Beaufort. She
was the most plainly dressed young lady in the handsome parlors, yet
she attracted an unusual share of attention.
"Who is that pretty young lady?" asked a middle-aged lady of
Arethusa.
"That?" answered Miss Jayne, with a sneer. "Oh, that is Miss
Beaufort, the music-teacher."
"She is very sweet-looking."
"Do you think so? I don't at all agree with you. To me she looks
very artful, and I have reason to think that beneath her innocent
exterior there is something quite different."
"That is a pity."
"It is not surprising. Still water runs deep, you know."
Rose kept in the background. She had no wish to make herself
conspicuous at Mrs. Tilton's gay party. She would rather not have
been there, but did not wish to disappoint her employer.
"Ah, here you are, Miss Beaufort," said a glad voice.
Rose looked up, and her face flushed with pleasure as she recognized
Clinton Randall.
"I did not think you would find me," she said.
"I was sure to do it. I have been looking for you everywhere. Can't
you spare a seat for me?"
Rose moved, and Clinton sat down beside her on the sofa. He had
scarcely been there two minutes, however, when Arethusa discovered
them. She went straightway to her aunt.
"Aunt Lucy," she said, in a low voice, "look at the sofa opposite."
"Well?" said Mrs. Tilton, who was rather short-sighted.
"There is your precious music-teacher monopolizing Clinton Randall.
Didn't I tell you?"
"I am really shocked at her brazen ways. You were right, Arethusa."
"For goodness' sake, separate them before the whole room notices
them."
"How can I do it?"
"Send her to the piano."
"Miss Beaufort," said Mrs. Tilton, coldly, "oblige me by sitting
down to the piano. You may play a waltz."
"Certainly, Mrs. Tilton," said Rose.
"That woman speaks as if she owned Miss Beaufort," thought young
Randall.
He was about to follow her to the piano when Arethusa came up, and
with an insinuating smile, said:
"Don't look so mournful, Mr. Randall. Let me fill Miss Beaufort's
place."
"Certainly," answered the young man, moving, but not with alacrity.
"I wasn't aware that you knew Miss Beaufort," said the young lady.
"I believe you saw me walking with her the other day."
"Yes, to be sure; it had escaped my mind."
Rose began to play. Her touch was fine, and her performance could
hardly fail to attract attention.
"Miss Beaufort plays remarkably well," said Clinton Randall.
"Oh, it's her business," answered Arethusa, with careless hauteur.
"She gives lessons to my aunt's children, you know."
"Your aunt is fortunate to secure such an accomplished pianist."
"Oh, she is very well," said Arethusa, carelessly. "Do you feel like
dancing?"
"I beg your pardon. I should have suggested it."
The two moved out upon the floor and took their places among the
dancers. Arethusa danced passably, her partner remarkably well. At
length he led her to her seat, and, with a bow, left her, much to
her chagrin.
Later in the evening some one relieved Rose at the piano. Clinton
took the earliest opportunity to seek her out and ask her for a
dance.
Rose hesitated.
"I have not danced for a long time," she said. "Circumstances have
kept me out of society. I am afraid you won't find me a satisfactory
partner."
"I will take the risk, Miss Beaufort. You won't refuse?"
She rose and took her place on the floor. Arethusa Jayne, who was
dancing with one of the walking gentlemen of society, a young man
who was merely invited to swell the number of guests, was not long
in discovering Miss Beaufort's good luck, and her face showed her
displeasure. It would have pleased her had Rose been awkward, but
she was unusually graceful, in spite of her want of practice. Miss
Jayne was hot with jealousy.
"You shall repent this," she said to herself, and looked so stern
that her partner asked, with alarm:
"Are you not well, Miss Jayne?"
"Certainly"--you fool! she would liked to have added. "Why do you
ask?"
"I thought you looked disturbed," he stammered.
"I was only a little thoughtful," she said, with a constrained
smile. "But I am fatigued. Suppose we sit down."
He led her to her seat, nothing loth, and she had the satisfaction
of following with her glance Clinton Randall and her rival five
minutes more.
"Did you have a good time, Rose?" asked her sister Adeline, next
morning, at the breakfast-table.
"Better than I dared to hope," answered Rose, with a smile.
"Did you dance?"
"Two or three times."
She had danced with two partners besides Clinton Randall, and with
him a second time.
"It seemed quite like the old times," she said, after a pause, "when
we were in society. Though I only appeared in the character of a
governess, I enjoyed it."
"Don't you feel tired?"
"A little; but I don't go out to give lessons till afternoon."
At two o'clock Rose went to Mrs. Tilton's to give her regular
lessons.
"Mrs. Tilton would like to see you," said the servant.
A little surprised, Rose remained in the parlor till that lady
appeared.
"I wish to speak to you, Miss Beaufort," said Mrs. Tilton, coldly,
"about your conduct last evening."
"My conduct last evening!" repeated Rose, in utter surprise. "To
what do you refer?"
"To your indelicate conduct with Mr. Clinton Randall and other
gentlemen."
"What do you mean? I demand an explanation!" exclaimed Rose,
indignantly.
"You seem to forget your position, Miss Beaufort. As the
instructress of my children, I feel I must be exacting. I do not
approve of your bold flirtation with gentlemen above yourself in
social position, and I beg to say that I must provide myself with
another music-teacher for my girls."
"After your insulting remarks," said Rose, hotly, "nothing would
induce me to remain in charge of them. Nothing in my conduct has
called for such cruel charges."
"Doubtless you think so. I disagree with you," said Mrs. Tilton,
coldly.
"Good-afternoon, madam!" said Rose, rising abruptly.
"Good-afternoon, Miss Beaufort."
It was like a thunderbolt to Rose, and mystified as well as made
her indignant. She could recall nothing that had passed which would
justify Mrs. Tilton in her strange treatment.
It was the first blow, but not the last. Arethusa Jayne, with
unappeased malice, went the rounds of the families in which Rose was
employed, and within a week she received notes from all the parents,
expressing regret that they could no longer avail themselves of her
services.
It began to look serious for poor Rose.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
ROSE COMES INTO A FORTUNE.
Ben and his friend had a fair passage from Liverpool, and were
equally pleased to set foot on American soil. By this time they had
become excellent friends. The Cuban, having no near relatives, was
surprised to find how much interest he felt in his young ward.
"Well, Ben," he said, "shall we first attend to your business, or
that of the young ladies whom your late employer has cheated out of
their rightful inheritance?"
"My business can wait, Mr. Novarro. Let us attend to the last."
"Do you remember the office of Mr. Codicil--that was the name of the
trustee, was it not?"
"Yes, sir. I can guide you there without delay."
"Then, after we are fairly established in our hotel, we will go to
see him."
Meanwhile there was great despondency in the modest home of the
Beauforts. To be deprived of her pupils without just cause was
indeed a grievous misfortune, and, gentle as she was, Rose could
not think of it without exasperation. Though she could not at first
understand from whom the blow came, reflection satisfied her that
Miss Arethusa Jayne was her enemy and had wrought this mischief.
Her motive Rose could not penetrate, not being in the secret of
Miss Jayne's admiration for Mr. Randall. To make matters worse, her
constant friend, Miss Wilmot, was absent from the city, at some
springs in Virginia, and was not expected home for some weeks to
come. She applied for a position in answer to an advertisement, but
when called upon for references her heart sank within her, as she
reflected that the ladies who had recently employed her would hardly
speak in her favor.
"What shall we do, Addie?" she asked, despondently. "I can't get
new pupils, and I must do something. I don't like to go back to the
old business of making vests."
"Don't do that, at any rate, Rose; I am sure you can do better than
that."
"I wish I knew what."
"Suppose you go and see Mr. Codicil."
"He might think I wished him to give me money."
"No; ask him to use his influence to obtain you music-pupils."
Rose brightened at the suggestion.
"I believe I will follow your advice, Addie. It seems to me good."
"And if that doesn't do any good, write to Miss Wilmot, and ask her
advice. You can always refer to her."
"Why, Addie, I never gave you credit for such wise counsel. Your
words have inspired me with new cheerfulness. I will go to Mr.
Codicil to-morrow morning."
Half an hour before the arrival of Rose Beaufort at the lawyer's
office, Ben and Mr. Novarro entered.
"Can I see Mr. Codicil?" asked Ben.
The clerk said, doubtfully, noting Ben's youthful appearance, and
judging that his business could not be of great importance:
"I will see. What name shall I mention?"
"You may say that I come from Major Grafton."
This message brought an immediate invitation to enter the lawyer's
sanctum.
The old man regarded him with considerable surprise as he entered.
"I thought you were in Europe, Philip," he said. "Is your guardian
with you?"
"I have just come from Europe, Mr. Codicil," answered Ben. "Major
Grafton is not with me."
"How does it happen that you have left him? You have not run away,
have you?"
"Yes, sir; I felt obliged to run away."
"May I ask why?" demanded the lawyer, searchingly.
"Because I was not willing to aid Major Grafton in a scheme of
fraud."
Mr. Codicil pricked up his ears.
"Proceed, young man," he said. "This is becoming interesting."
"You called me Philip Grafton, and this is the name Major Grafton
wished me to assume, but it is not my real name."
"Go on, go on!"
"My real name is Ben Baker. Major Grafton met me in this city, and
engaged me to travel with him as his private secretary. He gave me
the name of Philip Grafton, because, he said, I looked like his only
son, bearing that name, who died abroad."
"The old rascal!"
"I supposed this was true, and saw no objection to the plan."
"Can you tell me what became of the boy whose name you assumed?"
asked Mr. Codicil, eagerly.
"Yes, sir; he is dead."
"Poor fellow! Where did he die?"
"In Italy, last year."
"And his rascally guardian, concealing this from me, has drawn the
income of his property regularly for his own use. Now tell me how
you came to learn all this."
Ben gave the explanation clearly, and recited the steps taken by
Major Grafton to keep him from divulging the secret.
"It was a bold game," said the lawyer; "but, thanks to your
information, it has failed. I shall at once telegraph to Major
Grafton that his guardianship has ceased, and I will send over an
agent to obtain the necessary proof of the boy's death."
At this moment a clerk entered.
"There is a young lady who desires to see you, Mr. Codicil."
"Did she give her name?"
"Miss Beaufort."
"Send her in at once. She could not have come at a more fitting
time. My young friend, go into the little room adjoining, and wait
till I summon you."
Rose Beaufort entered the lawyer's presence with a grave expression
on her face.
"I hope, Mr. Codicil, you will excuse my troubling you with a visit."
"So far from troubling me, I am very glad to see you. What can I do
for you?"
"I am in trouble, and wish your advice."
"Proceed."
Rose unfolded her story, and concluded by asking Mr. Codicil if he
would exert his influence toward obtaining her some pupils in music.
The lawyer's eyes twinkled behind his spectacles.
"I hardly know what to say to that request," he answered.
"I did not suppose you would be prejudiced against me by Mrs.
Tilton's false and groundless accusations," said Rose, with a
troubled air.
"I am not. That is not the point. I am only questioning the
expediency of your teaching at all."
"But I know of no better way of earning a livelihood."
"Still, it is not customary for wealthy young ladies to take pupils."
"I don't understand you, Mr. Codicil," said Rose, bewildered.
"Then I will no longer keep you in suspense. Your poor cousin,
Philip, is dead, and you inherit your grandfather's fortune--that
is, you, your sister, and brother."
"When did poor Philip die?" asked Rose, unaffectedly shocked. "It
must have been very sudden."
"On the contrary, he died last year."
"Last year! How happens it, then, that we did not know of it before?"
"Because there has been a wicked scheme to defraud you of the
inheritance. Ben, come here."
Ben entered, and the story was soon told. Of course it need not be
repeated.
"Now, Miss Beaufort, if you insist on taking pupils, I will do what
I can to procure you some," said the lawyer.
"If I take them it will be without compensation," answered Rose,
smiling. "Can you tell me how soon we may expect to come into our
property? I ask, because we are near the end of our money."
"It will take perhaps two months to obtain legal proof of Philip's
death, but that will not inconvenience you. I will advance you
whatever money you require in the meantime."
"You are very kind. If you could let me have twenty dollars----"
"You are very modest," said the lawyer, smiling. "Suppose we say two
hundred?"
"Two hundred!" ejaculated Rose.
"I think you will be able to find a use for it," said the lawyer.
"Remember, though I don't want to encourage you in extravagance,
that is less than two weeks' income."
There was great joy in the Beaufort household when Rose carried
home the great news, though it was mingled with sorrow for the
untimely fate of poor Philip.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
BEN MEETS HIS COUSIN.
Ben supposed that his new guardian would be in favor of making an
immediate call upon his uncle, but the Cuban counselled delay.
"First," he said, "I wish to find, if I can, the broker through
whom your uncle sold the securities of which he robbed your father.
We can make out a case without it, but with this our case will be
complete."
"Won't it be difficult to find out, Mr. Novarro?" asked Ben.
"Difficult, but not impossible. To begin with, I know the date of
probable transfer. Next, I know the securities. By visiting the
offices of different brokers I may obtain some information. At any
rate, I have mapped out my plan of procedure, and hope within a week
to obtain a clew."
Ben asked no questions, feeling that he could safely leave the whole
matter in the hands of so experienced a business man as his new
guardian.
They did not go to a hotel, but to a boarding-house kept by a
Cuban lady, a friend of his guardian, which they found quite as
comfortable and more homelike than the Metropolitan or the Windsor.
Meanwhile Ben thought it best not to make a call at the office of
his uncle. Indeed, remembering the cruel way in which he had wronged
his mother, he would have found it disagreeable to meet him.
But one day, on Broadway, he met his cousin, Clarence Plantagenet.
He would have avoided the encounter, but it was too late, for
Clarence had seen him.
"What! Ben!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea you were back in New York.
When did you arrive?"
"Three days since," answered Ben.
"Where are you staying?"
"At a boarding-house in Forty-second street."
"How is Major Grafton?"
"I don't know; I am no longer with him."
"What!" exclaimed Clarence, pricking up his ears. "You are no longer
in his employ?"
"No."
"Where is he?"
"I left him in Europe."
"What did he discharge you for?" asked Clarence, cheerfully.
"He didn't discharge me. He was opposed to my leaving him, but we
couldn't agree."
"I think you are a fool!" said Clarence, bluntly. "With him you
could live like a gentleman. You haven't got another place, have
you?"
"No."
"And you won't get one very soon, I can tell you that, except as a
boy at three or four dollars a week."
Ben smiled.
"I can look round, at any rate," he answered.
"That's all the good it'll do. You mustn't expect my father to help
you."
"I don't. If I had, I should have called before this."
"After throwing up a good place, if you were not discharged, you
don't deserve help."
"I am not sure that I shall look for another place," said Ben.
"You are not?" asked Clarence, mystified.
"No; I may go to school a little longer. I haven't as good an
education as I should like."
"But how are you going to live while you are doing all this?"
"Don't you think your father would give me a home in his family and
let me attend school in the city?"
"Well, Ben Baker, you have got cheek, I declare! If that is what you
are counting on, you may as well give it up."
"It's as well to know the worst," said Ben, tranquilly.
"I shall have to be going along," said Clarence, coldly.
He told his father at dinner about his meeting with Ben.
"I'll tell you what, father," he said. "I couldn't account at first
for Ben's seeming so cool and independent. I think I understand it
now."
"Well, suppose you explain, then."
"I think he's robbed Major Grafton of a sum of money and taken
French leave. He said he was not 'bounced' and that the major did
not want him to leave."
"I hope you are wrong, my son. I haven't the highest opinion of your
cousin, but I earnestly hope he is honest. To have him guilty of
such a crime would be a disgrace to our family. Always be honest,
Clarence! Depend upon it, honesty is the best policy, and a boy or
man makes a great mistake who appropriates what is not his own."
"Of course, pa, I know all that. Do you think I would steal? As to
Ben Baker, that's a different matter. He's always been poor, and I
suppose the temptation was too strong for him."
"Let us hope not. Dishonesty I could not overlook, even in a
relation."
Who would imagine that this man, so strict in his ideas of honesty,
had deliberately stolen a hundred thousand dollars from his widowed
sister and her son!
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
M. BOURDON HAS A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
Major Grafton was quite easy in mind after consigning Ben to the
safe custody of an insane asylum.
"Serves the boy right!" he said. "What business had he to interfere
with my plans? M. Bourdon will see that he does not annoy me any
further."
His confidence in the wisdom of his plan was maintained by the
frequent letters he received from the director of the asylum, in all
of which he spoke encouragingly of the effect of discipline upon
Ben. Major Grafton regularly transmitted the compensation agreed on
between them.
This continued until one day Major Grafton, who had now returned to
Geneva, was dumbfounded by receiving the following telegram from Mr.
Codicil:
"Your scheme is revealed, and your guardianship at an end.
No further drafts of yours will be honored.
N. CODICIL."
"Confusion! What does this mean?" ejaculated Major Grafton. "That
wretched boy must have found means of writing to America. If this is
so, I will haul M. Bourdon over the coals. It must have been through
his criminal negligence."
He lost no time in setting out for the asylum, which he reached in
due season.
"I wish to see M. Bourdon," he said, sternly, to the attendant who
had admitted him.
The doctor, who would rather have seen any one else, could hardly
conceal his dismay when he set eyes on the major.
"Can he have found out?" he asked.
"Dr. Bourdon, how is my ward?" he demanded.
"Tranquil and contented," answered the doctor, smoothly.
"I have reason to think you have been negligent, and allowed him to
write letters to America."
"Impossible, my dear sir--quite impossible, I assure you."
"I believe there is some trickery here," said the major, sternly. "I
wish to see the boy."
Perspiration gathered on the brow of M. Bourdon, though it was a
cool day. How could he stave off this visit? His wits came to the
rescue.
"I greatly regret to tell you," he said, "that your ward is sick of
a contagious disease. To see him would imperil your life."
Major Grafton was not a nervous man, and he was too much in earnest
to be turned from his design.
"I am not afraid," he said; "I will see him."
"I will go and prepare him for your visit," said the doctor, sorely
perplexed.
Five minutes had not elapsed when he returned in apparent
consternation.
"My good sir," he said, "I have serious news. Your ward is not in
his room. He must have escaped in the night."
"You scoundrel!" exclaimed the major, livid with passion. "Just now
you told me he was sick with a dangerous malady; now you say he has
escaped. I have a great mind to strangle you!" and he clutched the
doctor by the collar.
"Mercy, mercy!" shrieked the doctor, terribly alarmed. "Are you mad?"
"When did the boy escape? Tell me instantly, if you value your life."
"Over a month since. I didn't wish to alarm you, and so concealed
the intelligence."
"While you continued to draw for his board, you thief!"
"I--I am prepared to refund the money, monsieur. I only drew because
it was necessary to keep up the deception."
M. Bourdon refunded five weeks' board, told the story of Ben's
escape, and Major Grafton was compelled to be content with this.
"I am afraid the game is up!" he muttered, as he rode rapidly away.
"That cursed boy has spoiled all. I wish I had him in my clutches!"
It was well for Ben that he was not within reach of the irate major.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
BEN AND HIS UNCLE.
"Ben," said the Cuban, a few days later, "I have excellent news."
"What is it, sir?"
"I have found the broker who sold the stolen securities for your
uncle."
"Is it possible, sir?" said Ben in excitement.
"Yes; it is a piece of great good luck. And now I think we are ready
to call upon your uncle. First, however, I have a little scheme in
which I shall require your co-operation."
"Very well, sir."
"I wish to test your uncle's disposition toward you. We are in a
position to dictate terms to him. If he shows proper feeling toward
his nephew we shall feel disposed to be considerate toward him."
"What do you wish me to do?" asked Ben.
"Call on your uncle and ask him if he can give you a place in his
store, or help you to one outside. Of course you wouldn't accept
one, but we shall see what reception he gives you."
Into this scheme Ben readily entered. He was no longer a friendless
and penniless boy, dependent upon his uncle for the means of living,
but rich and his own master.
Nicholas Walton was sitting in his counting-room when Ben entered.
It so happened that Clarence Plantagenet was just leaving the store
as Ben entered.
"What do you want?" he asked, coldly.
"I should like to see your father."
"I don't think he will see you. He is busy."
"I am quite anxious to see him," persisted Ben.
"Are you going to ask him to help you?" said his cousin.
"Yes; to help me to a place."
"I am sure he won't do it."
"I would rather take the refusal from his lips," said Ben.
"Oh, well, I suppose you can go and see him if you want to, but you
will find that I am right."
"I think I will see him, then."
Clarence had been intending to go out at once, but it struck
him that he would enjoy seeing his poor cousin rebuffed, and he
accompanied Ben to the back of the store.
"Father," he said, as he entered the office, followed by Ben, "here
is Ben Baker, who wants to see you. I told him it would be of no use
to ask you for help, but he doesn't believe me."
Mr. Walton frowned ominously.
"Well, boy," he said, frigidly, "so you have lost your place with
Major Grafton?"
"Yes, sir."
"I am convinced that it was on account of misconduct on your part."
"Is it quite right to condemn me before you have heard anything of
the circumstances attending my leaving him?" said Ben, mildly.
"Oh, I dare say you have some plausible story," sneered Mr. Walton;
"but it won't produce any effect on me."
"Still, sir, I will venture to say that I did not leave him on
account of any misconduct on my own part."
"Perhaps it was on account of misconduct on his part," said Mr.
Walton, with a scornful laugh.
"Yes, sir, it was."
"Really, this is very amusing. Now let me know what you want of me."
"Can you give me a place in your store, sir?"
"No, I can't, or rather I will not," answered his uncle, curtly.
"Will you use your influence to obtain me a position elsewhere?"
"No, I won't, and I consider you very impudent to prefer the
request."
"You seem to forget, sir, that I am your nephew."
"I chose to forget it, considering the disreputable manner in which
you have behaved."
"Then, you won't do anything for me, sir?"
"No, decidedly no!"
"I told you so," said Clarence, triumphantly. "You may as well go
to selling papers."
"He can do better than that," said a strange voice. "He can live on
the interest of his money."
Clarence and his father started in surprise, as the speaker,
Filippo Novarro, entered the office. The merchant, recognizing him,
turned pale.
CHAPTER XL.
CONCLUSION.
"I see you know me, Mr. Walton," said the Cuban, quietly. "I have a
few words to say to you. Do you wish your son to listen?"
"Clarence, you may leave the office," said the merchant, in a husky
voice.
Clarence, whose curiosity was aroused, was very unwilling to go.
"Sha'n't Ben go, too?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I beg pardon, but I wish him to remain," said the Cuban. "He is
deeply concerned in what I have to say."
Clarence was still more curious. He left the office, but he lingered
within ear-shot.
"Mr. Walton," said Novarro, "I am a man of few words, and will come
to the point. As the guardian of this boy, and the friend of his
father's friend, I have come to demand from you the fortune of which
you deprived him."
"I don't know what you are talking about," said the merchant, trying
to speak firmly.
"I beg your pardon, but you do. I call for the money you obtained
for the securities which you took from the dead body of Dr.
Baker, who died in your house of heart disease--a sum which you
appropriated to your own use, leaving your sister and your sister's
son poor and dependent."
"You must be crazy, sir. Where is the proof of your strange and
unfounded charge?"
"I can produce the broker who sold these securities for you in the
year 18--."
"It is easy to say this. May I know the name of this broker?" asked
the merchant, making a feeble attempt to deny the charge.
"His name is John Goldsmith, and his office is No. ---- Wall
street," answered Novarro, promptly.
Nicholas Walton leaned back in his chair and seemed ready to faint,
but uttered no word.
"Well, sir, your answer?"
"Can't we--compromise--this--thing?" asked Walton, feebly.
"No, sir; we will promise not to expose you, but it will be only
upon condition that you pay principal and interest. The only favor
we will extend is, that we will not demand compound interest."
"But it will ruin me! I cannot take so large a sum from my business."
"That I can understand. On behalf of my young ward and his mother,
I will agree to accept half cash, and half in notes maturing at
different dates, secured by your stock in trade. Do you consent, or
shall we bring suit?"
"Can't you throw off the interest? That boy and his mother will be
amply provided for by the principal."
"If you had received your nephew differently when he applied for
help just now, we might have consented. Now it is out of the
question."
Nicholas Walton was forced to make an unconditional surrender, and
the terms were agreed to upon the spot.
"Ben," said Mr. Novarro, as they left the office, "I congratulate
you. You are now rich."
"Thanks to you kind management, Mr. Novarro."
It is said that listeners never hear any good of themselves.
Clarence was in a terrible panic when he heard the conference
between his father and the Cuban. That his despised cousin Ben
should become suddenly rich was a bitter pill to swallow. He sneaked
out of the store, perturbed in mind.
"Now, Ben, I suppose you will want to carry the news to your
mother," said the Cuban.
"That is what I was about to ask, Mr. Novarro."
"We will take the next train for Sunderland, preparing your mother
by a telegram."
I do not propose to describe Ben's happy meeting with his mother.
Mrs. Baker was grieved to hear of her brother's treachery, but it
was a relief to her to think that he had nothing to do with her
husband's death. As we know, he was directly responsible for it, but
the knowledge of this was confined to his own breast. Even the Cuban
never suspected what had brought on the attack that terminated the
poor doctor's life.
"Now, Ben, what career do you select?" asked his guardian.
Ben took a week to consider. He then decided not to go into
business, but to obtain a liberal education, and study law. He and
his mother removed to Cambridge, where he completed his preparatory
studies, and entered Harvard College. He is now a young lawyer,
and has commenced the practice of his profession under flattering
auspices.
Clarence Plantagenet, on the other hand, is a young man about town,
and his father cannot induce him to enter upon any business. He has
professed his willingness to become a broker, if his father will
purchase him a seat at the Stock Board, but Mr. Walton wisely thinks
it will be cheaper to give him a liberal income than give him the
chance of squandering a fortune in stocks.
We must not forget the Beauforts. They removed to a fashionable
locality, and purchasing a house, furnished it with elegance and
taste. It is surprising how many people found them out in their days
of prosperity who had ignored them before. Even Mrs. Tilton essayed
to apologize for her outrageous treatment, and tried to ingratiate
herself with Rose, but the latter treated her with such distant
civility that she gave up the attempt. In less than a year Rose
Beaufort became Mrs. Clinton Randall, and her star rose still higher.
There is one person who never will forgive her for her good fortune,
and that is Miss Arethusa Jayne, who had strongly hoped to secure
the hand of Clinton Randall for herself. No one would have been more
amazed than Randall himself, for he was happily unconscious of Miss
Jayne's admiration for him.
Ben has not forgotten his early friends. Hugh Manton, the reporter,
by his help has secured an interest in a flourishing daily paper in
an inland city, and is earning a liberal income.
Major Grafton is earning a precarious living at European spas and
gambling resorts, and is beginning to show the marks of age. Filippo
Novarro has established himself as a permanent resident of the
United States, and spends much of his time with Ben and his mother.
And now, with all our characters satisfactorily disposed of, the
good rewarded, and the bad punished, we bid the reader farewell and
ring down the curtain.
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the
greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is
one of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a
million copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large
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If this is true, what thousands and thousands of boys have read and
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Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book,
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--"Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls."
A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He
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[Illustration]
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Transcriber's note:
A number of words in this book have both hyphenated and
non-hyphenated variants. All have been retained. This book also
contains dialect and vernacular comversation.
Obvious punctuation errors were fixed.
Other printing errors, which were not detected during the revision
of the printing process of the original book, have been corrected.
The following provides the detail of those corrections:
In Page 23 the expression "by curiosity" was changed to "my
curiosity".
In Page 43 in the expression "sauntered out out", "out" was removed
once from the text.
In Page 52 "In his attempt to obtained" was changed to "In his
attempt to obtain".
In Page 105 the expression "was an expect" was changed to "was an
expert".
In Page 176 the expression "for work as a seamtress" was changed to
"for work as a seamstress".
In Page 179 "I shall insist in" was changed to "I shall insist on".
In Page 238 the expression "had prevented" was changed to "had
prevented him".
In Page 239 the expression "to have strong affections" was changed
to "to have as strong affections".
In Page 310 the expression "was dumfounded by receiving" was changed
to "was dumbfounded by receiving".
In Page 316 the expression "but he dosen't" was changed to "but he
doesn't".
In Page 321 "In behalf of my young ward" was changed to "On behalf
of my young ward".
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