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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/26083-h.zip b/26083-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7f16d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/26083-h.zip diff --git a/26083-h/26083-h.htm b/26083-h/26083-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c1211cf --- /dev/null +++ b/26083-h/26083-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15680 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of Luke Walton, by Horatio Alger, Jr. +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.transnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.finis { text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: medium; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Luke Walton, by Horatio Alger + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Luke Walton + +Author: Horatio Alger + +Release Date: July 17, 2008 [EBook #26083] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUKE WALTON *** + + + + +Produced by Gary Sandino (text) and Al Haines (HTML) from +scans kindly provided by the Internet Archive +(www.archive.org) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="transnote"> +Note: Images of the original pages are available through +Internet Archive American Libraries.<BR> See +http://www.archive.org/details/lukewalton00alge +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="Frontispiece" BORDER="2"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE WALTON +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +HORATIO ALGER, JR. +</H2> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +Author of +<BR><BR> +"ANDY GORDON," "THE TELEGRAPH BOY," "SAM'S CHANCE,"<BR> +"BOB BURTON," "FRANK MASON'S SECRET" +</H4> + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-title"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-title.jpg" ALT="insignia" BORDER="2"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +MADE IN U. S. A. +<BR> +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY +<BR> +CHICAGO :: NEW YORK +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">A CHICAGO NEWSBOY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">A LETTER FROM THE DEAD</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">LUKE FORMS A RESOLUTION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">AN ATTACK IN THE DARK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">HOW LUKE ESCAPED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">MR. AFTON'S OFFICE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">A STRANGE ENCOUNTER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">A MARKED MAN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">STEPHEN WEBB</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">A HOUSE ON PRAIRIE AVENUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">A PLOT THAT FAILED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">TOM BROOKS IN TROUBLE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">A WELCOME GIFT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">THOMAS BROWNING AT HOME</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">A STRANGE VISITOR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">HOW JACK KING FARED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">AMBROSE KEAN'S IMPRUDENCE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">A FRIEND IN NEED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">HOW AMBROSE KEAN WAS SAVED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">STEPHEN WEBB IS PUZZLED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">MRS. MERTON PASSES A PLEASANT EVENING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">MRS. TRACY'S BROTHER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap26">THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap27">UNCLE AND NEPHEW</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap28">HAROLD'S TEMPTATION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap29">HAROLD'S THEFT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap30">LUKE WALTON IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap31">WHO STOLE THE MONEY?</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap32">HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap33">HAROLD'S PLOT FAILS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap34">HAROLD MAKES A PURCHASE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap35">A SKILLFUL INVENTION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap36">WARNER POWELL STARTS ON A JOURNEY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap37">THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap38">FELICIE PROVES TROUBLESOME</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap39">LUKE WALTON'S LETTER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XL </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap40">FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap41">MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap42">CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE WALTON +</H1> + +<BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A CHICAGO NEWSBOY +</H3> + +<P> +"<I>News</I> and <I>Mail</I>, one cent each!" +</P> + +<P> +Half a dozen Chicago newsboys, varying in age from ten to sixteen +years, with piles of papers in their hands, joined in the chorus. +</P> + +<P> +They were standing in front and at the sides of the Sherman House, on +the corner of Clark and Randolph Streets, one of the noted buildings +in the Lake City. On the opposite side of Randolph Street stands a +gloomy stone structure, the Court House and City Hall. In the shadow +of these buildings, at the corner, Luke Walton, one of the largest +newsboys, had posted himself. There was something about his bearing +and appearance which distinguished him in a noticeable way from his +companions. +</P> + +<P> +To begin with, he looked out of place. He was well grown, with a +frank, handsome face, and was better dressed than the average newsboy. +That was one reason, perhaps, why he preferred to be by himself, +rather than to engage in the scramble for customers which was the +habit of the boys around him. +</P> + +<P> +It was half-past five. The numerous cars that passed were full of +business men, clerks, and boys, returning to their homes after a busy +day. +</P> + +<P> +Luke had but two papers left, but these two for some unaccountable +reason remained on his hands an unusual length of time. But at length +a comfortable-looking gentleman of middle age, coming from the +direction of La Salle Street, paused and said, "You may give me a +<I>News</I>, my boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Here you are, sir," he said, briskly. +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman took the paper, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, +began to feel for a penny, but apparently without success. +</P> + +<P> +"I declare," he said, smiling, "I believe I am penniless. I have +nothing but a five-dollar bill." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, sir! Take the paper and pay me to morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"But I may not see you." +</P> + +<P> +"I am generally here about this time." +</P> + +<P> +"And if I shouldn't see you, you will lose the penny." +</P> + +<P> +"I will risk it, sir," said Luke, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"You appear to have confidence in me." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it is only fair that I should have confidence in you." +</P> + +<P> +Luke looked puzzled, for he didn't quite understand what was in the +gentleman's mind. +</P> + +<P> +"I will take both of your papers. Here is a five-dollar bill. You may +bring me the change to-morrow, at my office, No. 155 La Salle Street. +My name is Benjamin Afton." +</P> + +<P> +"But, sir," objected Luke, "there is no occasion for this. It is much +better that I should trust you for two cents than that you should +trust me with five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably the two cents are as important to you as five dollars to me. +At any rate, it is a matter of confidence, and I am quite willing to +trust you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir, but——" +</P> + +<P> +"I shall have to leave you, or I shall be home late to dinner." +</P> + +<P> +Before Luke had a chance to protest further, he found himself alone, +his stock of papers exhausted, and a five-dollar bill in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +While he stood on the corner in some perplexity, a newsboy crossed +Randolph Street, and accosted him. +</P> + +<P> +"My eyes, if you ain't in luck, Luke Walton," he said. "Where did you +get that bill? Is it a one?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it's a five." +</P> + +<P> +"Where'd you get it?" +</P> + +<P> +"A gentleman just bought two papers of me." +</P> + +<P> +"And gave you five dollars! You don't expect me to swaller all that, +do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm to bring him the change to-morrow," continued Luke. +</P> + +<P> +The other boy nearly doubled up with merriment. +</P> + +<P> +"Wasn't he jolly green, though?" he ejaculated. +</P> + +<P> +"Why was he?" asked Luke, who by this time felt considerably annoyed. +</P> + +<P> +"He'll have to whistle for his money." +</P> + +<P> +"Why will he?" +</P> + +<P> +"Cause he will." +</P> + +<P> +"He won't do anything of the sort. I shall take him his change +to-morrow morning." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" ejaculated Tom Brooks. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall carry him his change in the morning—four dollars and +ninety-eight cents. Can't you understand that?" +</P> + +<P> +"You ain't going to be such a fool, Luke Walton?" +</P> + +<P> +"If it's being a fool to be honest, then I'm going to be that kind of a +fool. Wouldn't you do the same?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I wouldn't. I'd just invite all the boys round the corner to go +with me to the theayter. Come, Luke, be a good feller, and give us all +a blow-out. We'll go to the theayter, and afterwards we'll have an +oyster stew. I know a bully place on Clark Street, near Monroe." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you take me for a thief, Tom Brooks?" exclaimed Luke, +indignantly. +</P> + +<P> +"The gentleman meant you to have the money. Of course he knew you +wouldn't bring it back. Lemme see, there's a good play on to Hooley's. +Six of us will cost a dollar and a half, and the oyster stews will be +fifteen cents apiece. That'll only take half the money, and you'll +have half left for yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"I am ashamed of you, Tom Brooks. You want me to become a thief, and +it is very evident what you would do if you were in my place. What +would the gentleman think of me?" +</P> + +<P> +"He don't know you. You can go on State Street to sell papers, so he +won't see you." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose he should see me." +</P> + +<P> +"You can tell him you lost the money. You ain't smart, Luke Walton, or +you'd know how to manage." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I am not smart in that way, I confess. I shan't waste any more +time talking to you. I'm going home." +</P> + +<P> +"I know what you're going to do. You're goin' to spend all the money +on yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you believe that I mean to return the change?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't." +</P> + +<P> +"I ought not to complain of that. You merely credit me with acting as +you would act yourself. How many papers have you got left?" +</P> + +<P> +"Eight." +</P> + +<P> +"Here, give me half, and I will sell them for you, that is, if I can +do it in fifteen minutes." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd rather you'd take me to the theayter," grumbled Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I've already told you I won't do it." +</P> + +<P> +In ten minutes Luke had sold his extra supply of papers, and handed +the money to Tom. Tom thanked him in an ungracious sort of way, and +Luke started for home. +</P> + +<P> +It was a long walk, for the poor cannot afford to pick and choose +their localities. Luke took his way through Clark Street to the river, +and then, turning in a north westerly direction, reached Milwaukee +Avenue. This is not a fashionable locality, and the side streets are +tenanted by those who are poor or of limited means. +</P> + +<P> +Luke paused in front of a three-story frame house in Green Street. He +ascended the steps and opened the door, for this was the newsboy's +home. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A LETTER FROM THE DEAD +</H3> + +<P> +In the entry Luke met a girl of fourteen with fiery red hair, which +apparently was a stranger to the comb and brush. She was the +landlady's daughter, and, though of rather fitful and uncertain +temper, always had a smile and pleasant word for Luke, who was a +favorite of hers. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Nancy, how's mother?" asked the newsboy, as he began to ascend +the front stairs. +</P> + +<P> +"She seems rather upset like, Luke," answered Nancy. +</P> + +<P> +"What has happened to upset her?" asked Luke, anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"I think it's a letter she got about noon. It was a queer letter, all +marked up, as if it had been travelin' round. I took it in myself, and +carried it up to your ma. I stayed to see her open it, for I was kind +of curious to know who writ it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"As soon as your ma opened it, she turned as pale as ashes, and I +thought she'd faint away. She put her hand on her heart just so," and +Nancy placed a rather dirty hand of her own, on which glittered a +five-cent brass ring, over that portion of her anatomy where she +supposed her heart lay. +</P> + +<P> +"She didn't faint away, did she?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"No, not quite." +</P> + +<P> +"Did she say who the letter was from?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I asked her, but she said, 'From no one that you ever saw, +Nancy.' I say, Luke, if you find out who's it from, let me know." +</P> + +<P> +"I won't promise, Nancy. Perhaps mother would prefer to keep it a +secret." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, keep your secrets, if you want to." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be angry, Nancy; I will tell you if I can," and Luke hurried +upstairs to the third story, which contained the three rooms occupied +by his mother, his little brother, and himself. +</P> + +<P> +Opening the door, he saw his mother sitting in a rocking-chair, +apparently in deep thought, for the work had fallen from her hands and +lay in her lap. There was an expression of sadness in her face, as if +she had been thinking of the happy past, when the little family was +prosperous, and undisturbed by poverty or privation. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, mother?" asked Luke, with solicitude. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Walton looked up quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I have been longing to have you come back, Luke," she said. +"Something strange has happened to-day." +</P> + +<P> +"You received a letter, did you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Who told you, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nancy. I met her as I came in. She said she brought up the letter, +and that you appeared very much agitated when you opened it." +</P> + +<P> +"It is true." +</P> + +<P> +"From whom was the letter, then, mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"From your father." +</P> + +<P> +"What!" exclaimed Luke, with a start. "Is he not dead?" +</P> + +<P> +"The letter was written a year ago." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, then, has it arrived so late?" +</P> + +<P> +"Your father on his deathbed intrusted it to someone who mislaid it, +and has only just discovered and mailed it. On the envelope he +explains this, and expresses his regret. It was at first mailed to our +old home, and has been forwarded from there. But that is not all, +Luke. I learn from the letter that we have been cruelly wronged. Your +father, when he knew he could not live, intrusted to a man in whom he +had confidence, ten thousand dollars to be conveyed to us. This wicked +man could not resist the temptation, but kept it, thinking we should +never know anything about it. You will find it all explained in the +letter." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me read it, mother," said Luke, in excitement. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Walton opened a drawer of the bureau, and placed in her son's +hands an envelope, brown and soiled by contact with tobacco. It was +directed to her in a shaky hand. Across one end were written these +words: +</P> + +<P> +This letter was mislaid. I have just discovered it, and mail it, +hoping it will reach you without further delay. Many apologies and +regrets. J. HANSHAW. +</P> + +<P> +Luke did not spend much time upon the envelope, but opened the +letter. +</P> + +<P> +The sight of his father's familiar handwriting brought the tears to +his eyes, This was the letter: +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +GOLD GULCH, California. +</P> + +<P> +MY DEAR WIFE: It is a solemn thought to me that when you receive this +letter these trembling fingers will be cold in death. Yes, dear Mary, +I know very well that I am on my deathbed, and shall never more be +permitted to see your sweet face, or meet again the gaze of my dear +children. Last week I contracted a severe cold while mining, partly +through imprudent exposure; and have grown steadily worse, till the +doctor, whom I summoned from Sacramento, informs me that there is no +hope, and that my life is not likely to extend beyond two days. This +is a sad end to my dreams of future happiness with my little family +gathered around me. It is all the harder, because I have been +successful in the errand that brought me out here. "I have struck it +rich," as they say out here, and have been able to lay by ten thousand +dollars. I intended to go home next month, carrying this with me. It +would have enabled me to start in some business which would have +yielded us a liberal living, and provided a comfortable home for you +and the children. But all this is over—for me at least. For you I +hope the money will bring what I anticipated. I wish I could live long +enough to see it in your hands, but that cannot be. +</P> + +<P> +I have intrusted it to a friend who has been connected with me here, +Thomas Butler, of Chicago. He has solemnly promised to seek you out, +and put the money into your hands. I think he will be true to his +trust. Indeed I have no doubt on the subject, for I cannot conceive of +any man being base enough to belie the confidence placed in him by a +dying man, and despoil a widow and her fatherless children. No, I will +not permit myself to doubt the integrity of my friend. If I should, it +would make my last sickness exceedingly bitter. +</P> + +<P> +Yet, as something might happen to Butler on his way home, though +exceedingly improbable, I think it well to describe him to you. He is +a man of nearly fifty, I should say, about five feet ten inches in +height, with a dark complexion, and dark hair a little tinged with +gray. He will weigh about one hundred and sixty pounds. But there is +one striking mark about him which will serve to identify him. He has a +wart on the upper part of his right cheek—a mark which disfigures him +and mortifies him exceedingly. He has consulted a physician about its +removal, but has been told that the operation would involve danger, +and, moreover, would not be effectual, as the wart is believed to be +of a cancerous nature, and would in all probability grow out again. +For these reasons he has given up his intention of having it removed, +and made up his mind, unwillingly enough, to carry it to the grave +with him. +</P> + +<P> +I have given you this long description, not because it seemed at all +necessary, for I believe Thomas Butler to be a man of strict honesty, +but because for some reason I am impelled to do so. +</P> + +<P> +I am very tired, and I feel that I must close. God bless you, dear +wife, and guard our children, soon to be fatherless! +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Your loving husband, +<BR> +FREDERICK WALTON. +</P> + +<P> +P.S.—Butler has left for the East. This letter I have given to +another friend to mail after my death. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE FORMS A RESOLUTION +</H3> + +<P> +As Luke read this letter his pleasant face became stern in its +expression. They had indeed been cruelly wronged. The large sum of +which they had been defrauded would have insured them comfort and +saved them from many an anxiety. His mother would not have been +obliged to take in sewing, and he himself could have carried out his +cherished design of obtaining a college education. +</P> + +<P> +This man in whom his father had reposed the utmost confidence had been +false to his trust. He had kept in his own hands the money which +should have gone to the widow and children of his dying friend. Could +anything be more base? +</P> + +<P> +"Mother," said Luke, "this man Thomas Butler must be a villain." +</P> + +<P> +Yes, Luke; he has done us a great wrong." +</P> + +<P> +"He thought, no doubt, that we should never hear of this money." +</P> + +<P> +"I almost wish I had not, Luke. It is very tantalizing to think how it +would have improved our condition." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you are sorry to receive the letter, mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Luke. It seems like a message from the dead, and shows me how +good and thoughtful your poor father was to the last. He meant to +leave us comfortable." +</P> + +<P> +"But his plans were defeated by a rascal. Mother, I should like to +meet and punish this Thomas Butler." +</P> + +<P> +"Even if you should meet him, Luke, you must be prudent. He is +probably a rich man." +</P> + +<P> +"Made so at our expense," added Luke, bitterly. +</P> + +<P> +"And he would deny having received anything from your father." +</P> + +<P> +"Mother," said Luke, sternly and deliberately, "I feel sure that I +shall some day meet this man face to face, and if I do it will go hard +if I don't force him to give up this money which he has falsely +converted to his own use." +</P> + +<P> +The boy spoke with calm and resolute dignity hardly to be expected in +one so young, and with a deep conviction that surprised his mother. +</P> + +<P> +"Luke," she said, "I hardly know you to-night. You don't seem like a +boy. You speak like a man." +</P> + +<P> +"I feel so. It is the thought of this man triumphant in his crime, +that makes me feel older than I am. Now, mother, I feel that I have a +purpose in life. It is to find this man, and punish him for what he +has done, unless he will make reparation." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Walton shook her head. It was not from her that Luke had +inherited his independent spirit. She was a fond mother, of great +amiability, but of a timid shrinking disposition, which led her to +deprecate any aggressive steps. +</P> + +<P> +"Promise me not to get yourself into any trouble, Luke," she said, +"even if you do meet this man." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't promise that, mother, for I may not be able to help it. +Besides, I haven't met him yet, and it isn't necessary to cross a +bridge till you get to it. Now let us talk of something else." +</P> + +<P> +"How much did you make to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie, his young brother, +seven years old. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't make my fortune, Bennie. Including the morning papers, I +only made sixty cents." +</P> + +<P> +"That seems a good deal to me, Luke," said his mother. "I only made +twenty-five. They pay such small prices for making shirts." +</P> + +<P> +"I should think they did. And yet you worked harder and more steadily +than I did." +</P> + +<P> +"I have worked since morning, probably about eight hours." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you have made only three cents an hour. What a shame!" +</P> + +<P> +"If I had a sewing-machine, I could do more, but that is beyond our +means." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope soon to be able to get you one, mother. I can pay something +down and the rest on installments." +</P> + +<P> +"That would be quite a relief, Luke." +</P> + +<P> +"If you had a sewing-machine, perhaps I could help you," suggested +Bennie. +</P> + +<P> +"I should hardly dare to let you try, Bennie. Suppose you spoiled a +shirt. It would take off two days' earnings. But I'll tell you what +you can do. You can set the table and wash the dishes, and relieve me +in that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Or you might take in washing," said Luke, with a laugh. "That pays +better than sewing. Just imagine how nice it would look in an +advertisement in the daily papers: A boy of seven is prepared to wash +and iron for responsible parties. Address Bennie Walton, No. 161-1/2 +Green Street." +</P> + +<P> +"Now you are laughing at me, Luke," said Bennie, pouting. "Why don't +you let me go out with you and sell papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope, Bennie," said Luke, gravely, "you will never have to go into +the street with papers. I know what it is, and how poor boys fare. One +night last week, at the corner of Monroe and Clark Streets, I saw a +poor little chap, no older than you, selling papers at eleven o'clock. +He had a dozen papers which he was likely to have left on his hands, +for there are not many who will buy papers at that hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you speak to him, Luke?" asked Benny, interested. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I told him he ought to go home. But he said that if he went home +with all those papers unsold, his stepfather would whip him. There +were tears in the poor boy's eyes as he spoke." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what I did, Bennie. I thought of you, and I paid him +the cost price on his papers. It wasn't much, for they were all penny +papers, but the poor little fellow seemed so relieved." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you sell them yourself, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"I sold four of them. I went over to Madison Street, and stood in +front of McVicker's Theater just as the people were coming out. It so +happened that four persons bought papers, so I was only two cents out, +after all. You remember, mother, that was the evening I got home so +late." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Luke, I felt worried about you. But you did right. I am always +glad to have you help those who are worse off than we are. How +terribly I should feel if Bennie had to be out late in the streets +like that!" +</P> + +<P> +"There are many newsboys as young, or at any rate not much older. I +have sometimes seen gentlemen, handsomely dressed, and evidently with +plenty of money, speak roughly to these young boys. It always makes me +indignant. Why should they have so easy a time, while there are so +many who don't know where their next meal is coming from? Why, what +such a man spends for his meals in a single day would support a poor +newsboy in comfort for a week." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Luke, this is a problem that has puzzled older and wiser +heads than yours. There must always be poor people, but those who are +more fortunate ought at least to give them sympathy. It is the least +acknowledgment they can make for their own more favored lot." +</P> + +<P> +"I am going out a little while this evening, mother." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, Luke. Don't be late." +</P> + +<P> +"No, mother, I won't. I want to call on a friend of mine, who is +sick." +</P> + +<P> +"Who it is, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is Jim Norman. The poor boy took cold one day, his shoes were so +far gone. He has a bad cough, and I am afraid it will go hard with +him. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he a newsboy, too, Luke?" asked Bennie Walton. +</P> + +<P> +"No; he is a bootblack." +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't like to black boots." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I, Bennie; but if a boy is lucky there is more money to be made +in that business." +</P> + +<P> +"Where does he live?" asked Mrs. Walton. +</P> + +<P> +"On Ohio Street, not very far from here. There's another boy I know +lives on that street Tom Brooks; but he isn't a friend of mine. He +wanted me to keep five dollars, and treat him and some other boys to +an evening at the theater, and a supper afterwards." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you won't associate with him, Luke." +</P> + +<P> +"Not more than I can help." +</P> + +<P> +Luke took his hat and went downstairs into the street. +</P> + +<P> +In the hall he met Nancy. She waylaid him with an eager look on her +face. +</P> + +<P> +"Who was the letter from, Luke?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"From a friend of the family, who is now dead," answered Luke, +gravely. +</P> + +<P> +"Good gracious! How could he write it after he was dead?" ejaculated +Nancy. +</P> + +<P> +"It was given to a person to mail who forgot all about it, and carried +it in his pocket for a year." +</P> + +<P> +"My sakes alive! If I got a letter from a dead man it would make me +creep all over. No wonder your ma came near faintin'." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AN ATTACK IN THE DARK +</H3> + +<P> +Luke turned into Milwaukee Avenue, and a few steps took him to West +Ohio Street, where his friend lived. On his way he met Tom Brooks, who +was lounging in front of a cigar store, smoking a cigarette. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-evening, Tom," said Luke, politely. +</P> + +<P> +"Evenin'!" responded Tom, briefly. "Where you goin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"To see Jim Norman. He's sick." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter of him?" +</P> + +<P> +"He's got a bad cold and is confined to the house?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom shrugged his shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't go much on Jim Norman," he said, "He ought to be a girl. He +never smoked a cigarette in his life." +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't he? All the better for him. I don't smoke myself." +</P> + +<P> +"You have smoked." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I used to, but it troubled my mother, and I promised her I +wouldn't do it again." +</P> + +<P> +"So you broke off?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't be tied to a woman's apron strings." +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't you try to oblige your mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I wouldn't. What does a woman know about boys? If I was a gal it +would be different." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we don't agree, that is all." +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Luke, won't you take me to the theayter?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't afford it." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all bosh! Haven't you got five dollars? I'd feel rich on five +dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I might if it were mine, but it isn't." +</P> + +<P> +"You can use it all the same," said Tom, in an insinuating voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I can be dishonest if I choose, but I don't choose." +</P> + +<P> +"What Sunday school do you go to?" asked Tom, with a sneer. +</P> + +<P> +"None at present." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you did by your talk. It makes me sick!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then," said Luke, good-naturedly, "there is no need to listen to it. +I am afraid you are not likely to enjoy my company, so I will walk +along." +</P> + +<P> +Luke kept on his way, leaving Tom smoking sullenly. +</P> + +<P> +"That feller's a fool!" he muttered, in a disgusted tone. +</P> + +<P> +"What feller?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned, and saw his friend and chum, Pat O'Connor, who had just +come up. +</P> + +<P> +"What feller? Why, Luke Walton, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter of him?" +</P> + +<P> +"He's got five dollars, and he won't pay me into the theayter." +</P> + +<P> +"Where did he get such a pile of money?" asked Pat, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"A gentleman gave it to him for a paper, tellin' him to bring the +change to-morrer." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he goin' to do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; that's why I call him a fool." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you and I had his chance," said Pat, enviously. "We'd paint +the town red, I guess." +</P> + +<P> +Tom nodded. He and Pat were quite agreed on that point. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's Luke goin'?" asked Pat. +</P> + +<P> +"To see Jim Norman. Jim's sick with a cold." +</P> + +<P> +"What time's he comin' home?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Why?" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think he's got the money with him—the five-dollar bill?" +</P> + +<P> +"What are you up to?" asked Tom, with a quick glance at his +companion. +</P> + +<P> +"I was thinkin' we might borrer the money," answered Pat, with a +grin. +</P> + +<P> +To Tom this was a new suggestion, but it was favorably received. He +conferred with Pat in a low tone, and then the two sauntered down the +street in the direction of Jim Norman's home. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile we will follow Luke. +</P> + +<P> +He kept on till he reached a shabby brick house. +</P> + +<P> +Jim and his mother, with two smaller children, occupied two small +rooms on the top floor. Luke had been there before, and did not stop +to inquire directions, but ascended the stairs till he came to Jim's +room. The door was partly open, and he walked in. +</P> + +<P> +"How's Jim, Mrs. Norman?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Norman was wearily washing dishes at the sink. +</P> + +<P> +"He's right sick, Luke," she answered, turning round, and recognizing +the visitor. "Do you hear him cough?" +</P> + +<P> +From a small inner room came the sound of a hard and rasping cough. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you feeling, Jim?" inquired Luke, entering, and taking a +chair at the bedside. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't feel any better, Luke," answered the sick boy, his face +lighting up with pleasure as he recognized his friend. "I'm glad you +come." +</P> + +<P> +"You've got a hard cough." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; it hurts my throat when I cough, and I can't get a wink of +sleep." +</P> + +<P> +"I've brought you a little cough medicine. It was some we had in the +house." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Luke. You're a good friend to me. Give me some, please." +</P> + +<P> +"If your mother'll give me a spoon, I'll pour some out." +</P> + +<P> +When the medicine was taken, the boys began to talk. +</P> + +<P> +"I ought to be at work," said Jim, sighing. "I don't know how we'll +get along if I don't get out soon. Mother has some washing to do, but +it isn't enough to pay all our expenses. I used to bring in +seventy-five cents a day, and that, with what mother could earn, kept +us along." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I was rich enough to help you, Jim, but you know how it is. +All I can earn I have to carry home. My mother sews for a house on +State Street, but sewing doesn't pay as well as washing." +</P> + +<P> +"I know you'd help me if you could, Luke. You have helped me by +bringing in the medicine, and it does me good to have you call." +</P> + +<P> +"But I would like to do more. I'll tell you what I will do. I know a +rich gentleman, one of my customers. I! am to call upon him to-morrow. +I'll tell him about you, and perhaps he will help you." +</P> + +<P> +"Any help would be acceptable, Luke, if you don't mind asking him." +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't like to ask for myself, but I don't mind asking for you." +</P> + +<P> +Luke stayed an hour, and left Jim much brighter and more cheerful for +his visit. +</P> + +<P> +When he went out into the street it was quite dark, although the moon +now and then peeped out from behind the clouds that a brisk breeze +sent scurrying across the sky. +</P> + +<P> +Having a slight headache, he thought he would walk it off, so he +sauntered slowly in the direction of the business portion of the +city. +</P> + +<P> +Walking farther than he intended, he found himself, almost before he +was aware, crossing one of the numerous bridges that span the river. +He was busy with thoughts of Jim, and how he could help him, and did +not notice that two boys were following him stealthily. It was a +complete surprise to him therefore when they rushed upon him, and, +each seizing an arm, rendered him helpless. +</P> + +<P> +"Hand over what money you've got, and be quick about it!" demanded one +of the boys. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HOW LUKE ESCAPED +</H3> + +<P> +The attack was so sudden and unexpected that Luke was for the moment +incapable of resistance, though in general quite ready to defend +himself. It was not till he felt a hand in his pocket that he "pulled +himself together," as the English express it, and began to make things +lively for his assailants. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you after?" he demanded. "Do you want to rob me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Give us the money, and be quick about it." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know I have any money?" asked Luke, beginning to suspect +in whose hands he was. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind how! Hand over that five-dollar bill," was the reply in +the same hoarse whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"I know you now. You're Tom Brooks," said Luke. "You're in bad +business." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm not Tom Brooks." It was Pat who spoke now. "Come, we have no +time to lose. Stephen, give me your knife." +</P> + +<P> +The name was a happy invention of Pat's to throw Luke off the scent. +He was not himself acquainted with our hero, and did not fear +identification. +</P> + +<P> +"One of you two is Tom Brooks," said Luke, firmly. "You'd better give +up this attempt at highway robbery. If I summon an officer you're +liable to a long term of imprisonment. I'll save you trouble by +telling you that I haven't any money with me, except a few pennies." +</P> + +<P> +"Where's the five-dollar bill?" +</P> + +<P> +It was Tom who spoke now. +</P> + +<P> +"I left it at home with my mother. It's lucky I did, though you would +have found it hard to get it from me." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe it," said Tom, in a tone betraying disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +"You may search me if you like; but if a policeman comes by you'd +better take to your heels." +</P> + +<P> +The boys appeared disconcerted. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he lying?" asked Pat. +</P> + +<P> +"No," responded Tom. "He'd own up if he had the money." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you for believing me. It is very evident that one of you knows +me. Good-night. You'd better find some other way of getting money." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait a minute! Are you going to tell on us? It wouldn't be fair to +Tom Brooks. He ain't here, but you might get him into trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"I shan't get you into trouble, Tom, but I'm afraid you bring trouble +on yourself." +</P> + +<P> +Apparently satisfied with this promise, the two boys slunk away in the +darkness, and Luke was left to proceed on his way unmolested. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't have believed that of Tom," thought Luke. "I'm sorry it +happened. If it had been anyone but me, and a cop had come by, it +would have gone hard with him. It's lucky I left the money with +mother, though I don't think they'd have got it at any rate." +</P> + +<P> +Luke did not acquaint his mother with the attempt that had been made +to rob him. He merely told of his visit and of the sad plight of the +little bootblack. +</P> + +<P> +"I would like to have helped him, mother," Luke concluded. "If we +hadn't been robbed of that money father sent us——" +</P> + +<P> +"We could afford the luxury of doing good," said his mother, finishing +the sentence for him. +</P> + +<P> +Luke's face darkened with justifiable anger. +</P> + +<P> +"I know it is wrong to hate anyone, mother," he said; "but I am afraid +I hate that man Thomas Butler, whom I have never seen." +</P> + +<P> +"It is sometimes hard to feel like a Christian, Luke," said his +mother. +</P> + +<P> +"This man must be one of the meanest of men. Suppose you or I should +fall sick! What would become of us?" +</P> + +<P> +"We won't borrow trouble, Luke. Let us rather thank God for our +present good health. If I should be sick it would not be as serious as +if you were to become so, for you earn more than twice as much as I +do." +</P> + +<P> +"It ought not to be so, mother, for you work harder than I do." +</P> + +<P> +"When I get a sewing machine I shall be able to contribute more to the +common fund." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope that will be soon. Has Bennie gone to bed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he is fast asleep." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope fortune will smile on us before he is much older than I. I +can't bear the idea of sending him into the street among bad boys." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been accustomed to judge of the newsboys by my son. Are there +many bad boys among them?" +</P> + +<P> +"Many of them are honest, hard-working boys, but there are some black +sheep among them. I know one boy who tried to commit highway robbery, +stopping a person whom he had seen with money." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he get caught?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, he failed of his purpose, and no complaint was made of him, +though his intended victim knew who his assailant was." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad of that. It would have been hard for his poor mother if he +had been convicted and sent to prison." +</P> + +<P> +This Mrs. Walton said without a suspicion that it was Luke that the +boy had tried to rob. When Luke heard his mother's comment he was glad +that he had agreed to overlook Tom's fault. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning Luke went as usual to the vicinity of the Sherman +House, and began to sell papers. He looked in vain for Tom Brooks, who +did not show up. +</P> + +<P> +"Where is Tom Brooks?" he asked of one of Tom's friends. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom's goin' to try another place," said the boy. "He says there's too +many newsboys round this corner. He thinks he can do better somewheres +else." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is he? Do you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"I seed him near the corner of Dearborn, in front of the 'Saratoga.'" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hope he'll make out well," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +Luke had the five-dollar bill in his pocket, but he knew that it was +too early for the offices on La Salle Street to be open. +</P> + +<P> +Luke's stock of morning papers included the Chicago <I>Tribune</I>, the +<I>Times</I>, <I>Herald</I>, and <I>Inter-Ocean</I>. He seldom disposed of his entire +stock as early as ten o'clock, but this morning another newsboy in +addition to Tom was absent, and Luke experienced the advantage of +diminished competition. As he sold the last paper the clock struck +ten. +</P> + +<P> +"I think it will do for me to go to Mr. Afton's office now," thought +Luke. "If I don't find him in I will wait." +</P> + +<P> +La Salle Street runs parallel with Clark. It is a busy thoroughfare, +and contains many buildings cut up into offices. This was the case +with No. 155. +</P> + +<P> +Luke entered the building and scanned the directory on either side of +the door. He had no difficulty in finding the name of Benjamin Afton. +</P> + +<P> +He had to go up two flights of stairs, for Mr. Afton's office was on +the third floor. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MR. AFTON'S OFFICE +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Afton's office was of unusual size, and fronted on La Salle +Street. As Luke entered he observed that it was furnished better than +the ordinary business office. On the floor was a handsome Turkey +carpet. The desks were of some rich dark wood, and the chairs were as +costly as those in his library. In a closed bookcase at one end of the +room, surmounted by bronze statuettes, was a full library of +reference. +</P> + +<P> +At one desk stood a tall man, perhaps thirty-five, with red hair and +prominent features. At another desk was a young fellow of eighteen, +bearing a marked resemblance to the head bookkeeper. There was besides +a young man of perhaps twenty-two, sitting at a table, apparently +filing bills. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Afton must be a rich man to have such an elegant office," thought +Luke. +</P> + +<P> +The red-haired bookkeeper did not take the trouble to look up to see +who had entered the office. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Mr. Afton in?" Luke asked, in a respectful tone. +</P> + +<P> +The bookkeeper raised his eyes for a moment, glanced at Luke with a +supercilious air, and said curtly, "No!" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know when he will be in?" continued the newsboy. +</P> + +<P> +"Quite indefinite. What is your business, boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"My business is with Mr. Afton," Luke answered. +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! is it of an important nature?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is not very important," he answered, "but I wish to see Mr. Afton +personally." +</P> + +<P> +"Whose office are you in?" +</P> + +<P> +"He isn't in any office, Uncle Nathaniel," put in the red-haired boy. +"He is a newsboy. I see him every morning round the Sherman House." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! is that so? Boy, we don't want to buy any papers, nor does Mr. +Afton. You can go." +</P> + +<P> +As the bookkeeper spoke he pointed to the door. +</P> + +<P> +"I have no papers to sell," said Luke, "but I come here on business +with Mr. Afton, and will take the liberty to wait till he comes." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, my eyes! Ain't he got cheek?" ejaculated the red-haired boy. "I +say, boy, do you black boots as well as sell papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't." +</P> + +<P> +"Some of the newsboys do. I thought, perhaps, you had got a job to +black Mr. Afton's boots every morning." +</P> + +<P> +Luke who was a spirited boy, was fast getting angry. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't want to interfere with you in any way," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" demanded the red-haired boy, his cheeks rivaling +his hair in color. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought that might be one of your duties." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you impudent young vagabond! Uncle Nathaniel, did you hear +that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Boy, you had better go," said the bookkeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"You can leave your card," added Eustis Clark, the nephew. +</P> + +<P> +A friend of Luke's had printed and given him a dozen cards a few days +previous, and he had them in his pocket at that moment. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you for the suggestion," he said, and walking up to the boy's +desk he deposited on it a card bearing this name in neat script: +</P> + +<P> +LUKE WALTON. +</P> + +<P> +"Be kind enough to hand that to Mr. Afton." +</P> + +<P> +Eustis held up the card, and burst into a guffaw. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I never!" he ejaculated. "Mr. Walton," he concluded, with a +ceremonious bow. +</P> + +<P> +"The same to you!" said Luke, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"I never saw a newsboy put on such airs before," he said, as Luke left +the office. "Did you, Uncle Nathaniel? Do you think he really had any +business with the boss?" +</P> + +<P> +"Probably he wanted to supply the office with papers. Now stop +fooling, and go to work." +</P> + +<P> +"They didn't seem very glad to see me," thought Luke. "I want to see +Mr. Afton this morning, or he may think that I have not kept my word +about the money." +</P> + +<P> +Luke stationed himself in the doorway at the entrance to the building, +meaning to intercept Mr. Afton as he entered from the street. He had +to wait less than ten minutes. Mr. Afton smiled in instant recognition +as he saw Luke, and seemed glad to see him. +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad the boy justified my idea of him," he said to himself. "I +would have staked a thousand dollars on his honesty. Such a face as +that doesn't belong to a rogue." +</P> + +<P> +"I am rather late," he said. "Have you been here long?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not very long, sir; I have been up in your office." +</P> + +<P> +"Why didn't you sit down and wait for me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think the red-haired gentleman cared to have me. The boy +asked me to leave my card." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Afton looked amused. +</P> + +<P> +"And did you?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you generally carry visiting cards?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I happened to have some with me this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Please show me one. So your name is Luke Walton?" he added, glancing +at the card. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; office corner Clark and Randolph Streets." +</P> + +<P> +"I will keep the card and bear it in mind." +</P> + +<P> +"I have brought your change, sir," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"You can come upstairs and pay it to me in the office. It will be more +business-like." +</P> + +<P> +Luke was glad to accept the invitation, for it would prove to the +skeptical office clerks that he really had business with their +employer. +</P> + +<P> +Eustis Clark and his uncle could not conceal their surprise when they +saw Luke follow Mr. Afton into the office. +</P> + +<P> +There was a smaller room inclosed at one corner, which was especially +reserved for Mr. Afton. +</P> + +<P> +"Come here, Luke," said he, pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +Luke followed him inside. +</P> + +<P> +He drew from his pocket four dollars and ninety-eight cents, and laid +it on the table behind which his patron had taken a seat. +</P> + +<P> +"Won't you please count it and see if it is right?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I can see that it is, Luke. I am afraid I have put you to more +trouble than the profit on the two papers I bought would pay for." +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all, sir. Besides, it's all in the way of business. I thank +you for putting confidence in me." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I was not mistaken in you, and the result shows that I was +right. My boy, I saw that you had an honest face. I am sure that the +thought of keeping back the money never entered your head." +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir, it did not, though one of the newsboys advised me to keep +it." +</P> + +<P> +"It would have been very shortsighted as a matter of policy. I will +take this money, but I want to encourage you in the way of +well-doing." +</P> + +<P> +He drew from his vest pocket a bill, and extended it to Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't meant as a reward for honesty, but only as a mark of the +interest I have begun to feel in you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir," said Luke; and as he took the bill, he started in +surprise, for it was ten dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you mean to give as much as this?" +</P> + +<P> +"How much is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought it was five, but I am glad it is more. Yes, Luke, you are +welcome to it. Have you anyone dependent upon you?" +</P> + +<P> +"My mother. She will be very much pleased." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, my lad. Always look out for your mother. You owe her a +debt which you can never repay." +</P> + +<P> +"That is true, sir. But I would like to use a part of this money for +some one else." +</P> + +<P> +"For yourself?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; for a friend." +</P> + +<P> +Then he told in simple language of Jim Norman, and how seriously his +family was affected by his sickness and enforced idleness. +</P> + +<P> +"Jim has no money to buy medicine," he concluded. "If you don't +object, Mr. Afton, I will give Jim's mother half this money, after +buying some cough medicine out of it." +</P> + +<P> +The merchant listened with approval. +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad, Luke, you feel for others," he said, "but I can better +afford to help your friend than you. Here is a five-dollar bill. Tell +the boy it is from a friend, and if he should need more let me know." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir," said Luke, fairly radiant as he thought of Jim's +delight. "I won't take up any more of your time, but will bid you +good-morning." +</P> + +<P> +Probably Mr. Afton wished to give his clerks a lesson, for he followed +Luke to the door of the outer office, and shook hands cordially with +him, saying: "I shall be glad to have you call, when you wish to see +me, Luke;" adding, "I may possibly have some occasional work for you +to do. If so, I know where to find you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What's got into the old man?" thought Eustis Clark. +</P> + +<P> +As Mr. Afton returned to his sanctum, Eustis said with a grin, holding +up the card: +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Walton left his card for you, thinking you might not be in time +to see him." +</P> + +<P> +"Give it to me, if you please," and the rich man took the card without +a smile, and put it into his vest pocket, not seeming in the least +surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Walton called to pay me some money," he said, gravely. "Whenever +he calls invite him to wait till my return." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A STRANGE ENCOUNTER +</H3> + +<P> +Luke went home that evening in high spirits. The gift he had received +from Mr. Afton enabled him to carry out a plan he had long desired to +realize. It was to secure a sewing machine for his mother, and thus +increase her earnings while diminishing her labors. He stopped at an +establishment not far from Clark Street, and entering the showroom, +asked: "What is the price of your sewing machines?" +</P> + +<P> +"One in a plain case will cost you twenty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Please show me one." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you want it for your wife?" +</P> + +<P> +"She may use it some time. My mother will use it first." +</P> + +<P> +The salesman pointed out an instrument with which Luke was well +pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"Would you like to see how it works?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, please." +</P> + +<P> +"Miss Morris, please show this young man how to operate the machine." +</P> + +<P> +In the course of ten minutes Luke got a fair idea of the method of +operating. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you require the whole amount down?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"No; we sell on installments, if preferred." +</P> + +<P> +"What are your terms?" +</P> + +<P> +"Five dollars first payment, and then a dollar a week, with interest +on the balance till paid." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I think I will engage one," Luke decided. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well! Come up to the desk, and give me your name and address. On +payment of five dollars, we will give you a receipt on account, +specifying the terms of paying the balance, etc." +</P> + +<P> +Luke transacted his business, and made arrangements to have the +machine delivered any time after six o'clock, when he knew he would be +at home. +</P> + +<P> +As Luke was coming out of the sewing-machine office he saw Tom Brooks +just passing. Tom looked a little uneasy, not feeling certain whether +Luke had recognized him as one of his assailants or not the evening +previous. +</P> + +<P> +Luke felt that he had a right to be angry. Indeed, he had it in his +power to have Tom arrested, and charged with a very serious +crime—that of highway robbery. But his good luck made him +good-natured. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-evening, Tom," he said. "I didn't see you selling papers +to-day." +</P> + +<P> +"No; I was on Dearborn Street." +</P> + +<P> +"He doesn't know it was me," thought Tom, congratulating himself, and +added: "Have you been buying a sewing machine?" +</P> + +<P> +This was said in a joke. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Luke, considerably to Tom's surprise. "I have bought +one." +</P> + +<P> +"How much?" +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Where did you raise twenty-five dollars? You're foolin'." +</P> + +<P> +"I bought it on the installment plan—five dollars down." +</P> + +<P> +"Oho!" said Tom, nodding significantly. "I know where you got that +money?" +</P> + +<P> +"Where did I?" +</P> + +<P> +"From the gentleman that bought a couple of papers yesterday." +</P> + +<P> +"You hit it right the first time." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you weren't no better than the rest of us—you that +pretended to be so extra honest." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by that, Tom Brooks?" +</P> + +<P> +"You pretended that you were going to give back the man's change, and +spent it, after all. I thought you weren't such a saint as you +pretended to be." +</P> + +<P> +"I see you keep on judging me by yourself, Tom Brooks. I took round +the money this morning, and he gave it to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that true?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I generally tell the truth." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you're lucky. If I'd returned it, he wouldn't have given me a +cent." +</P> + +<P> +"It's best to be honest on all occasions," said Luke, looking +significantly at Tom, who colored up, for he now saw that he had been +recognized the night before. +</P> + +<P> +Tom sneaked off on some pretext, and Luke kept on his way home. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you do well to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Bennie; very well." +</P> + +<P> +"How much did you make?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you by and by. Mother, can I help you about the supper?" +</P> + +<P> +"You may toast the bread, Luke. I am going to have your favorite +dish—milk toast." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, mother. Have you been sewing to-day?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Luke. I sat so long in one position that I got cramped." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you had a sewing machine." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I, Luke; but I must be patient. A sewing machine costs more +money than we can afford." +</P> + +<P> +"One can be got for twenty-five dollars, I have heard." +</P> + +<P> +"That is a good deal of money for people in our position." +</P> + +<P> +"We may as well hope for one. I shouldn't be surprised if we were able +to buy a sewing machine very soon." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Luke finished toasting the bread and his mother was dipping +it in milk when a step was heard on the stairway, the door was opened, +and Nancy's red head was thrust into the room. +</P> + +<P> +"Please, Mrs. Walton," said Nancy, breathlessly, "there's a man +downstairs with a sewing machine which he says is for you." +</P> + +<P> +"There must be some mistake, Nancy. I haven't ordered any sewing +machine." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I send him off, ma'am?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Nancy," said Luke; "it's all right. I'll go down stairs and help +him bring it up." +</P> + +<P> +"How is this, Luke?" asked Mrs. Walton, bewildered. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll explain afterwards, mother." +</P> + +<P> +Up the stairs and into the room came the sewing machine, and was set +down near the window. Bennie surveyed it with wonder and admiration. +</P> + +<P> +When the man who brought it was gone, Luke explained to his mother how +it had all come about. +</P> + +<P> +"You see, mother, you didn't have to wait long," he concluded. +</P> + +<P> +"I feel deeply thankful, Luke," said Mrs. Walton. "I can do three +times the work I have been accustomed to do, and in much less time. +This Mr. Afton must be a kind and charitable man." +</P> + +<P> +"I like him better than his clerks," said Luke. "There is a red-headed +bookkeeper and a boy there who tried to snub me, and keep me out of +the office. I try to think well of red-headed people on account of +Nancy, but I can't say I admire them." +</P> + +<P> +After supper Luke gave his mother a lesson in operating the machine. +Both found that it required a little practice. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning as Luke was standing at his usual corner, he had a +surprise. +</P> + +<P> +A gentleman came out of the Sherman House and walked slowly up Clark +Street. As he passed Luke, he stopped and asked, "Boy, have you the +<I>Inter-Ocean?</I>" +</P> + +<P> +Luke looked up in his customer's face. He paused in the greatest +excitement. +</P> + +<P> +The man was on the shady side of fifty, nearly six feet in height, +with a dark complexion, hair tinged with gray, and a wart on the upper +part of his right cheek! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A MARKED MAN +</H3> + +<P> +At last, so Luke verily believed, he stood face to face with the man +who had deceived his dying father, and defrauded his mother and +himself of a sum which would wholly change their positions and +prospects. But he wanted to know positively, and he could not think of +a way to acquire this knowledge. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the gentleman noticed the boy's scrutiny, and it did not +please him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, boy!" he said gruffly, "you seem determined to know me again. +You stare hard enough. Let me tell you this is not good manners." +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me," said Luke, "but your face looked familiar to me. I +thought I had seen you before." +</P> + +<P> +"Very likely you have. I come to Chicago frequently, and generally +stop at the Sherman House." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably that explains it," said Luke. "Are you not Mr. Thomas, of +St. Louis?" +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"You will have to try again," he said. "I am Mr. Browning, of +Milwaukee. Thomas is my first name." +</P> + +<P> +"Browning!" thought Luke, disappointed. "Evidently I am on the wrong +track. And yet he answers father's description exactly." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know anyone in Milwaukee," he said aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it appears we can't claim acquaintance." +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman took his paper and turned down Randolph Street toward +State. +</P> + +<P> +"Strange!" he soliloquized, "that boy's interest in my personal +appearance. I wonder if there can be a St. Louis man who resembles me. +If so, he can't be a very good-looking man. This miserable wart ought +to be enough to distinguish me from anyone else." +</P> + +<P> +He paused a minute, and then a new thought came into his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"There is something familiar in that boy's face. I wonder who he can +be. I will buy my evening papers of him, and take that opportunity to +inquire." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Luke, to satisfy a doubt in his mind, entered the hotel, +and, going up to the office, looked over the list of arrivals. He had +to turn back a couple of pages and found this entry: +</P> + +<P> +"THOMAS BROWNING, Milwaukee." +</P> + +<P> +"His name is Browning, and he does come from Milwaukee," he said to +himself. "I thought, perhaps, he might have given me a false name, +though he could have no reason for doing so." +</P> + +<P> +Luke felt that he must look farther for the man who had betrayed his +father's confidence. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't think there could be two men of such a peculiar appearance," +he reflected. "Surely there can't be three. If I meet another who +answers the description I shall be convinced that he is the man I am +after." +</P> + +<P> +In the afternoon the same man approached Luke, as he stood on his +accustomed corner. +</P> + +<P> +"You may give me the <I>Mail</I> and <I>Journal</I>," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; here they are. Three cents." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you are the boy who recognized me, or thought you did, this +morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"If you ever run across this Mr. Thomas, of St. Louis, present him my +compliments, will you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," answered Luke, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"By the way, what is your name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman started. +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton!" he repeated, slowly, eying the newsboy with a still +closer scrutiny. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a new name to me. Can't your father find a better business for +you than selling papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"My father is dead, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Dead!" repeated Browning, slowly. "That is un fortunate for you. How +long has he been dead?" +</P> + +<P> +"About two years." +</P> + +<P> +"What did he die of?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know, sir, exactly. He died away from home—in California." +</P> + +<P> +There was a strange look, difficult to read, on the gentleman's face. +</P> + +<P> +"That is a long way off," he said. "I have always thought I should +like to visit California. When my business will permit I will take a +trip out that way." +</P> + +<P> +Here was another difference between Mr. Browning and the man of whom +Luke's father had written. The stranger had never been in California. +</P> + +<P> +Browning handed Luke a silver quarter in payment for the papers. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind about the change," he said, with a wave of his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir. You are very kind." +</P> + +<P> +"This must be the son of my old California friend," Browning said to +himself. "Can he have heard of the money intrusted to me? I don't +think it possible, for I left Walton on the verge of death. That money +has made my fortune. I invested it in land which has more than +quadrupled in value. Old women say that honesty pays," he added, with +a sneer; "but it is nonsense. In this case dishonesty has paid me +richly. If the boy has heard anything, it is lucky that I changed my +name to Browning out of deference to my wife's aunt, in return for a +beggarly three thousand dollars. I have made it up to ten thousand +dollars by judicious investment. My young newsboy acquaintance will +find it hard to identify me with the Thomas Butler who took charge of +his father's money." +</P> + +<P> +If Browning had been possessed of a conscience it might have troubled +him when he was brought face to face with one of the sufferers from +his crime; but he was a hard, selfish man, to whom his own interests +were of supreme importance. +</P> + +<P> +But something happened within an hour which gave him a feeling of +anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +He was just coming out of the Chicago post-office, at the corner of +Adams and Clark Streets, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you, Butler?" said a tall man, wearing a Mexican sombrero. "I +haven't set eyes upon you since we were together at Gold Gulch, in +California." +</P> + +<P> +Browning looked about him apprehensively. Fortunately he was some +distance from the corner where Luke Walton was selling papers. +</P> + +<P> +"I am well, thank you," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you living in Chicago?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I live in Wisconsin." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you seen anything of the man you used to be with so +much—Walton?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; he died." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he, indeed? Well, I am sorry to hear that. He was a good fellow. +Did he leave anything?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid not." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought he struck it rich." +</P> + +<P> +"So he did; but he lost all he made." +</P> + +<P> +"How was that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Poor investments, I fancy." +</P> + +<P> +"I remember he told me one day that he had scraped together seven or +eight thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +Browning shrugged his shoulders. "I think that was a mistake," he +said. "Walton liked to put his best foot foremost." +</P> + +<P> +"You think, then, he misrepresented?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think he would have found it hard to find the sum you mention." +</P> + +<P> +"You surprise me, Butler. I always looked upon Walton as a singularly +reliable man." +</P> + +<P> +"So he was—in most things. But let me correct you on one point. You +call me Butler?" +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't that your name?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was, but I had a reason—a good, substantial, pecuniary +reason—for changing it. I am now Thomas Browning." +</P> + +<P> +"Say you so? Are you engaged this evening?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, unfortunately." +</P> + +<P> +"I was about to invite you to some theater." +</P> + +<P> +"Another time—thanks." +</P> + +<P> +"I must steer clear of that man," thought Browning. "I won't meet him +again, if I can help it." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +STEPHEN WEBB +</H3> + +<P> +The more Browning thought of the newsboy in whom he had so strangely +recognized the son of the man whom he had so cruelly wronged, the more +uneasy he felt. +</P> + +<P> +"He has evidently heard of me," he soliloquized. "His father could not +have been so near death as I supposed. He must have sent the boy or +his mother a message about that money. If it should come to his +knowledge that I am the Thomas Butler to whom his father confided ten +thousand dollars which I have failed to hand over to the family, he +may make it very disagreeable for me." +</P> + +<P> +The fact that so many persons were able to identify him as Thomas +Butler made the danger more imminent. +</P> + +<P> +"I must take some steps—but what?" Browning asked himself. +</P> + +<P> +He kept on walking till he found himself passing the entrance of a low +poolroom. He never played pool, nor would it have suited a man of his +social position to enter such a place, but that he caught sight of a +young man, whose face and figure were familiar to him, in the act of +going into it. He quickened his pace, and laid a hand on the young +man's shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +The latter turned quickly, revealing a face bearing the unmistakable +marks of dissipation. +</P> + +<P> +"Uncle Thomas!" he exclaimed, apparently ill at ease. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Stephen, it is I. Where are you going?" The young man +hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +"You need not answer. I see you are wedded to your old amusements. Are +you still in the place I got for you?" +</P> + +<P> +Stephen Webb looked uneasy and shamefaced. +</P> + +<P> +"I have lost my place," he answered, after a pause. +</P> + +<P> +"How does it happen that you lost it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Some one must have prejudiced my employer against me." +</P> + +<P> +"It is your own habits that have prejudiced him, I make no doubt." +</P> + +<P> +This was true. One morning Stephen, whose besetting sin was +intemperance, appeared at the office where he was employed in such a +state of intoxication that he was summarily discharged. It may be +explained that he was a son of Mr. Browning's only sister. +</P> + +<P> +"When were you discharged?" asked his uncle. +</P> + +<P> +"Last week." +</P> + +<P> +"And have you tried to get another situation?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"What are your prospects of success?" +</P> + +<P> +"There seem to be very few openings just now, Uncle Thomas." +</P> + +<P> +"The greater reason why you should have kept the place I obtained for +you. Were you going to play pool in this low place?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was going to look on. A man must have some amusement," said +Stephen, sullenly. +</P> + +<P> +"Amusement is all you think of. However, it so happens that I have +something that I wish you to do." +</P> + +<P> +Stephen regarded his uncle in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going to open an office in Chicago?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No; the service is of a different nature. It is—secret and +confidential. It is, I may say, something in the detective line." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'm your man," said his nephew, brightening up. +</P> + +<P> +"The service is simple, so that you will probably be qualified to do +what I require." +</P> + +<P> +"I've read lots of detective stories," said Stephen, eagerly. "It's +just the work I should like." +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! I don't think much is to be learned from detective stories. +You will understand, of course, that you are not to let anyone know +you are acting for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. You will find that I can keep a secret." +</P> + +<P> +"I leave Chicago to-morrow morning, and will give you directions +before I go. Where can we have a private conference?" +</P> + +<P> +"Here is an oyster house. We shall be quiet here." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well! We will go in." +</P> + +<P> +They entered a small room, with a sanded floor, provided with a few +unpainted tables. +</P> + +<P> +Stephen and his uncle went to the back of the room, and seated +themselves at the rear table. +</P> + +<P> +"We must order something," suggested Stephen. +</P> + +<P> +"Get what you please," said Browning, indifferently. +</P> + +<P> +"Two stews!" ordered Stephen. "We can talk while they are getting them +ready." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well! Now, for my instructions. At the corner of Clark and +Randolph Streets every morning and evening you will find a newsboy +selling papers." +</P> + +<P> +"A dozen, you mean." +</P> + +<P> +"True, but I am going to describe this boy so that you may know him. +He is about fifteen, I should judge, neatly dressed, and would be +considered good-looking." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know his name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it is Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he the one I am to watch?" +</P> + +<P> +"You are to make his acquaintance, and find out all you can about his +circumstances." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know where he lives?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; that is one of the things you are to find out for me." +</P> + +<P> +"What else do you want me to find out?" +</P> + +<P> +"Find out how many there are in family, also how they live; whether +they have anything to live on except what this newsboy earns." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Uncle Thomas. You seem to have a great deal of interest in +this boy." +</P> + +<P> +"That is my business," said Browning, curtly. "If you wish to work for +me, you must not show too much curiosity. Never mind what my motives +are. Do you understand?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly, Uncle Thomas. It shall be as you say. I suppose I am to be +paid?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. How much salary did you receive where you were last employed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars a week." +</P> + +<P> +"You shall receive this sum for the present. It is very good pay for +the small service required of you." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, uncle." +</P> + +<P> +The stews were ready by this time. They were brought and set before +Stephen and his uncle. The latter toyed with his spoon, only taking a +taste or two, but Stephen showed much more appreciation of the dish, +not being accustomed, like his uncle, to dining at first-class +hotels. +</P> + +<P> +"How am I to let you know what I find out?" asked Stephen. +</P> + +<P> +"Write me at Milwaukee. I will send you further instructions from +there." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, by the way, you are never to mention me to this Luke Walton. I +have my reasons." +</P> + +<P> +"I will do just as you say." +</P> + +<P> +"How is your mother, Stephen?" +</P> + +<P> +"About the same. She isn't a very cheerful party, you know. She is +always fretting." +</P> + +<P> +"Has she any lodgers?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, three, but one is a little irregular with his rent." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, I expect that you will hand your mother half the weekly +sum I pay you. She has a right to expect that much help from her +son." +</P> + +<P> +Stephen assented, but not with alacrity, and as he had now disposed of +the stew, the two rose from their seats and went outside. A few words +of final instructions, and they parted. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder why Uncle Thomas takes such an interest in that newsboy," +thought Stephen. "I will make it my business to find out." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION +</H3> + +<P> +Luke was at his post the following morning, and had disposed of half +his papers when Stephen Webb strolled by. He walked past Luke, and +then, as if it was an after thought, turned back, and addressed him. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you a morning <I>Tribune?</I>" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Luke produced it. +</P> + +<P> +"How's business to-day?" asked Stephen in an offhand manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty fair," answered Luke, for the first time taking notice of the +inquirer, who did not impress him very favorably. +</P> + +<P> +"I have often wondered how you newsboys make it pay," said Stephen, in +a sociable tone. +</P> + +<P> +"We don't make our fortunes, as a rule," answered Luke, smiling, "so I +can't recommend you to go into it." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think it would suit me. I don't mind owning up that I am +lazy. But, then, I am not obliged to work for the present, at least." +</P> + +<P> +"I should like to be able to live without work," said the newsboy. +"But even then I would find something to do. I should not be happy if +I were idle." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not wholly without work," said Stephen. "My uncle, who lives at +a distance, occasionally sends to me to do something for him. I have +to hold myself subject to his orders. In the meantime I get an income +from him. How long have you been a newsboy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nearly two years." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you like it? Why don't you get a place in a store or an office?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should like to, if I could make enough; but boys get very small +salaries." +</P> + +<P> +"I was about to offer to look for a place for you. I know some men in +business." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you! You are very kind, considering that we are strangers." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, I can judge of you by your looks. I shouldn't be afraid to +recommend you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you!" he replied; "but unless you can offer me as much as five +dollars a week, I should feel obliged to keep on selling papers. I not +only have myself to look out for, but a mother and little brother." +</P> + +<P> +Stephen nodded to himself complacently. It was the very information of +which he was in search. +</P> + +<P> +"Then your father isn't living?" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"No. He died in California." +</P> + +<P> +"Uncle Thomas made his money in California," Stephen said to himself. +"I wonder if he knew this newsboy's father." +</P> + +<P> +"Five dollars is little enough for three persons to live upon," he +went on, in a sympathetic manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Mother earns something by sewing," Luke answered, unsuspiciously; +"but it takes all we can make to support us." +</P> + +<P> +"Then they can't have any other resources," thought Stephen. "I am +getting on famously." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, good-morning, Luke!" he said. "I'll see you later." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know my name?" asked Luke, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm an idiot!" thought Stephen. "I ought to have appeared ignorant of +his name. I have seen you before to-day," he replied, taking a little +time to think. "I heard one of the other newsboys calling you by name. +I don't pretend to be a magician." +</P> + +<P> +This explanation satisfied Luke. It appeared very natural. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a great memory for names," proceeded Stephen. "That reminds me +that I have not told you mine—I am Stephen Webb, at your service." +</P> + +<P> +"I will remember it." +</P> + +<P> +"Have a cigarette, Luke?" added Stephen, producing a packet from his +pocket." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you; I don't smoke." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't smoke, and you a newsboy! I thought all of you smoked." +</P> + +<P> +"Most of us do, but I promised my mother I wouldn't smoke till I was +twenty-one." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'm old enough to smoke. I've smoked ever since I was twelve +years old—well, good morning!" +</P> + +<P> +"That'll do for one day," thought Stephen Webb. +</P> + +<P> +It was three days before Stephen Webb called again on his new +acquaintance. He did not wish Luke to suspect anything, he said to +himself. Really, however, he found other things to take up his +attention. At the rate his money was going it seemed very doubtful +whether he would be able to give his mother any part of his salary, as +suggested by his uncle. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang it all!" he said to himself, as he noted his rapidly diminishing +hoard. "Why can't my uncle open his heart and give me more than ten +dollars a week? Fifteen dollars wouldn't be any too much, and to him +it would be nothing—positively nothing." +</P> + +<P> +On the second evening Luke went home late. It had been a poor day for +him, and his receipts were less than usual, though he had been out +more hours. +</P> + +<P> +When he entered the house, however, he assumed a cheerful look, for he +never wished to depress his mother's spirits. +</P> + +<P> +"You are late, Luke," said Mrs. Walton; "but I have kept your supper +warm." +</P> + +<P> +"What makes you so late, Luke?" asked Bennie. +</P> + +<P> +"The papers went slow, Bennie. They will, sometimes. There's no very +important news just now. I suppose that explains it." +</P> + +<P> +After a while Luke thought he noticed that his mother looked more +serious than usual. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, mother?" he asked. "Have you a headache?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Luke. I am perfectly well, but I am feeling a little anxious." +</P> + +<P> +"About what, mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"I went around this afternoon to take half a dozen shirts that I had +completed, and asked for more. They told me they had no more for me at +present, and they didn't know when I could have any more." +</P> + +<P> +This was bad news, for Luke knew that he alone did not earn enough to +support the family. However, he answered cheerfully: "Don't be +anxious, mother! There are plenty of other establishments in Chicago +besides the one you have been working for." +</P> + +<P> +"That is true, Luke; but I don't know whether that will help me. I +stopped at two places after leaving Gusset & Co.'s, and was told that +their list was full." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, mother, don't let us think of it to-night! To morrow we can try +again." +</P> + +<P> +Luke's cheerfulness had its effect on his mother, and the evening was +passed socially. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning Luke went out to work at the usual time. He had all +his papers sold out by half-past ten o'clock, and walked over to State +Street, partly to fill up the time, arid partly in search of some +stray job. He was standing in front of the Bee Hive, a well-known +drygoods store on State Street, when his attention was called to an +old lady, who, in attempting to cross the street, had imprudently +placed herself just in the track of a rapidly advancing cable car. +Becoming sensible of her danger, the old lady uttered a terrified cry, +but was too panic-stricken to move. +</P> + +<P> +On came the car, with gong sounding out its alarm, and a cry of horror +went up from the bystanders. +</P> + +<P> +Luke alone seemed to have his wits about him. +</P> + +<P> +He saw that there was not a moment to lose, and, gathering up his +strength, dashed to the old lady's assistance. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A HOUSE ON PRAIRIE AVENUE +</H3> + +<P> +The old lady had just become conscious of her peril when Luke reached +her. She was too bewildered to move, and would inevitably have been +crushed by the approaching car had not Luke seized her by the arm and +fairly dragged her out of danger. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as the car passed on, he took off his hat, and said, +apologetically: "I hope you will excuse my roughness, madam, but I +could see no other way of saving you." +</P> + +<P> +"Please lead me to the sidewalk," gasped the old lady. Luke complied +with her request. +</P> + +<P> +"I am deeply thankful to you, my boy," she said, as soon as she found +voice. "I can see that I was in great danger. I was busily thinking, +or I should not have been so careless." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad that I was able to help you," responded Luke, as he +prepared to leave his new acquaintance. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't leave me!" said the old lady. "My nerves are so upset that I +don't like being left alone." +</P> + +<P> +"I am quite at your service, madam," replied Luke, politely. "Shall I +put you on board the cars?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, call a carriage, please." +</P> + +<P> +This was easily done, for they were in front of the Palmer House, +where a line of cabs may be found. Luke called one, and assisted the +old lady inside. +</P> + +<P> +"Where shall I tell the driver to take you?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +The old lady named a number on Prairie Avenue, which contains some of +the finest residences in Chicago. +</P> + +<P> +"Can I do anything more for you?" asked our hero. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was the unexpected reply. "Get in yourself, if you can spare +the time." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly," assented Luke. +</P> + +<P> +He took his seat beside the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you have recovered from your fright," he said, politely. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I begin to feel myself again. Probably you wonder why I have +asked you to accompany me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Probably because you may need my services," suggested Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Not altogether. I shudder as I think of the danger from which you +rescued me, but I have another object in view." +</P> + +<P> +Luke waited for her to explain. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to become better acquainted with you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"I fully recognize that you have done me a great service. Now, if I +ask you a fair question about yourself, you won't think it an old +woman's curiosity?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope I should not be so ill-bred, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"Really, you are a very nice boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, tell me where you live?" +</P> + +<P> +"On Green Street." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Only a stone's throw from Milwaukee Avenue." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I was ever in that part of the city." +</P> + +<P> +"It is not a nice part of the city, but we cannot afford to live in a +better place." +</P> + +<P> +"You say 'we.' Does that mean your father and mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"My father is dead. Our family consists of my mother, my little +brother, and myself." +</P> + +<P> +"And you are—excuse my saying so—poor?" +</P> + +<P> +"We are poor, but thus far we have not wanted for food or shelter." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you are employed in some way?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I sell papers." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you are a newsboy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you cannot save very much?" +</P> + +<P> +"If I make seventy-five cents a day I consider myself quite lucky. It +is more than I average." +</P> + +<P> +"Surely you can't live on that—I mean the three of you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mother earns something by making shirts; at least, she has done so; +but yesterday she was told that she would not have any more work at +present." +</P> + +<P> +"And your brother—he is too young to work, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, madam." +</P> + +<P> +While this conversation was going en, the cab was making rapid +progress, and as the last words were spoken the driver reined up in +front of a handsome residence. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this the place, madam?" +</P> + +<P> +The old lady looked out of the hack. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," she answered. "I had no idea we had got along so far." +</P> + +<P> +Luke helped her out of the cab. She paid the man his fare, and then +signed Luke to help her up the steps. +</P> + +<P> +"I want you to come into the house with me," she said. "I have not got +through talking with you." +</P> + +<P> +A maidservant answered the bell. She looked surprised when she saw the +old lady's young companion. +</P> + +<P> +"Is my niece in?" asked the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"No, Mrs. Merton—Master Harold is in." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind! You may come upstairs with me, young man." +</P> + +<P> +Luke followed the old lady up the broad, handsome staircase, stealing +a curious glance at an elegantly-furnished drawing-room, the door of +which opened into the hall. +</P> + +<P> +His companion led the way into the front room on the second floor. +</P> + +<P> +"Remain here until I have taken off my things," she said. +</P> + +<P> +Luke seated himself in a luxurious armchair. +</P> + +<P> +He looked about him and wondered how it would seem to live in such +luxury. He had little time for thought, for in less than five minutes +Mrs. Merton made her appearance. +</P> + +<P> +"You have not yet told me your name," she said. +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a good name—I am Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"I noticed that the servant called you so," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I am a widow. My married niece lives here with me. She is also a +widow, with one son, Harold. I think he might be about your age. Her +name is Tracy. You wonder why I give you all these particulars? I see +you do. It is because I mean to keep up our acquaintance." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"My experience this morning has shown me that I am hardly fit to go +about the city alone. Yet I am not willing to remain at home. It has +occurred to me that I can make use of your services with advantage +both to you and myself. What do you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be glad of anything that will increase my income," said Luke, +promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"Please call here to-morrow morning, and inquire for me. I will then +tell you what I require." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, Mrs. Merton. You may depend upon me." +</P> + +<P> +"And accept a week's pay in advance." +</P> + +<P> +She put a sealed envelope into his hand. Luke took it, and, with a +bow, left the room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A PLOT THAT FAILED +</H3> + +<P> +As the distance was considerable to the business part of the city, +Luke boarded a car and rode downtown. It did not occur to him to open +the envelope till he was half way to the end of his journey. +</P> + +<P> +When he did so, he was agreeably surprised. The envelope contained a +ten-dollar bill. +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars! Hasn't Mrs. Merton made a mistake?" he said to himself. +"She said it was a week's pay. But, of course, she wouldn't pay ten +dollars for the little I am to do." +</P> + +<P> +Luke decided that the extra sum was given him on account of the +service he had already been fortunate enough to render the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +Next to him sat rather a showily dressed woman, with keen, sharp eyes. +She took notice of the bank-note which Luke drew from the envelope, +and prepared to take advantage of the knowledge. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had Luke replaced the envelope in his pocket than this woman +put her hand in hers, and, after a pretended search, exclaimed, in a +loud voice: "There is a pickpocket in this car. I have been robbed!" +</P> + +<P> +Of course, this statement aroused the attention of all the +passengers. +</P> + +<P> +"What have you lost, madam?" inquired an old gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +"A ten-dollar bill," answered the woman. +</P> + +<P> +"Was it in your pocketbook?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," she replied, glibly. "It was in an envelope. It was handed to me +by my sister just before I left home." +</P> + +<P> +As soon as Luke heard this declaration, he understood that the woman +had laid a trap for him, and he realized his imprudence in displaying +the money. Naturally he looked excited and disturbed. He saw that in +all probability the woman's word would be taken in preference to his. +He might be arrested, and find it difficult to prove his innocence. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you any suspicion as to who took it?" asked the old gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +"I think this boy took it," said the woman pointing to Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"It's terrible, and he so young!" said an old lady with a severe cast +of countenance, who sat next to the old gentleman. "What is the world +coming to?" +</P> + +<P> +"What, indeed, ma'am?" echoed the old gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +Luke felt that it was time for him to say something. +</P> + +<P> +"This lady is quite mistaken," he declared, pale but resolute. "I'm no +thief." +</P> + +<P> +"It can easily be proved," said the woman, with a cunning smile. "Let +the boy show the contents of his pockets." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is only fair." +</P> + +<P> +Luke saw that his difficulties were increasing. +</P> + +<P> +"I admit that I have a ten-dollar bill in an envelope," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"I told you so!" said the woman, triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +"But it is my own." +</P> + +<P> +"Graceless boy!" said the old gentleman, severely, "Do not add +falsehood to theft." +</P> + +<P> +"I am speaking the truth, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How the boy brazens it out!" murmured the sour-visaged lady. +</P> + +<P> +"Return the lady her money, unless you wish to be arrested," said the +old gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't intend to give this person"—Luke found it hard to say +lady—"what she has no claim to." +</P> + +<P> +"Young man, you will find that you are making a grand mistake. +Probably if you give up the money the lady will not prosecute you." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I will have pity upon his youth," said the woman. +</P> + +<P> +"I can tell exactly where I got the money," went on Luke, +desperately. +</P> + +<P> +"Where did you get it?" asked the old maid, with a sarcastic smile. +</P> + +<P> +"From Mrs. Merton, of Prairie Avenue." +</P> + +<P> +"What did she give it to you for?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am in her employment." +</P> + +<P> +"Gentlemen," said the woman, shrugging her shoulders, "you can judge +whether this is a probable story." +</P> + +<P> +"I refer to Mrs. Merton herself," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"No doubt! You want to gain time. Boy, I am getting out of patience. +Give me my money!" +</P> + +<P> +"I have no money of yours, madam," replied Luke, provoked; "and you +know that as well as I do." +</P> + +<P> +"So you are impertinent, as well as a thief," said the old gentleman. +"I have no more pity for you. Madam, if you will take my advice, you +will have the lying rascal arrested." +</P> + +<P> +"I would prefer that he should give up the money quietly." +</P> + +<P> +"I will take it upon myself to call a policeman when the car stops." +</P> + +<P> +"You do me great injustice, sir," said Luke. "Why do you judge so +severely of one whom you do not know?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because, young man, I have lived too long to be easily deceived. I +pride myself upon my judgment of faces, and I can see the guilt in +yours." +</P> + +<P> +Luke looked about him earnestly. +</P> + +<P> +"Is there no one in this car who believes me innocent?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said the old gentleman. "We all believe that this very +respectable lady charges you justly." +</P> + +<P> +"I say amen to that," added the old maid, nodding sharply. +</P> + +<P> +Next to the old maid sat a man of about thirty-five, in a business +suit, who, though he had said nothing, had listened attentively to the +charges and counter-charges. In him Luke was to find a powerful and +effective friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Speak for yourself, old gentleman," he said. "You certainly are old +enough to have learned a lesson of Christian charity." +</P> + +<P> +"Sir," exclaimed the old gentleman, in a lofty tone, "I don't require +any instruction from you." +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you think the boy a thief? Did you see him take the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but its presence in his pocket is proof enough for me of his +guilt." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it is!" said the old maid, triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +The young man did not appear in the least disconcerted. +</P> + +<P> +"I have seldom encountered more uncharitable people," he said. "You +are ready to pronounce the boy guilty without any proof at all." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't it occur to you that you are insulting the lady who brings the +charge?" asked the old gentleman, sternly. +</P> + +<P> +The young man laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"The woman has brought a false charge," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Really, this is outrageous!" cried the old maid. "If I were in her +place I would make you suffer for this calumny." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably I know her better than you do. I am a salesman in Marshall +Field's drygoods store, and this lady is a notorious shoplifter. She +is varying her performances to-day. I have a great mind to call a +policeman. She deserves arrest." +</P> + +<P> +Had a bombshell exploded in the car, there would not have been a +greater sensation. The woman rose without a word, and signaled to have +the car stopped. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, sir," went on the young man, sternly, "if you are a gentleman, +you will apologize to this boy for your unworthy suspicions, and you, +too, madam." +</P> + +<P> +The old maid tossed her head, but could not find a word to say, while +the old gentleman looked the picture of mortification. +</P> + +<P> +"We are all liable to be mistaken!" he muttered, in a confused tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Then be a little more careful next time, both of you! My boy, I +congratulate you on your triumphant vindication." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir, for it. I should have stood a very poor chance +without your help." +</P> + +<P> +The tide was turned, and the uncharitable pair found so many +unfriendly glances fixed upon them that they were glad to leave the +car at the next crossing. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOM BROOKS IN TROUBLE +</H3> + +<P> +"I begin to think I am the favorite of fortune," thought Luke. "Ten +dollars will more than pay a month's rent. Mother will feel easy now +about her loss of employment." +</P> + +<P> +Some boys would have felt like taking a holiday for the balance of the +day, perhaps, or going to a place of amusement, but Luke bought his +evening papers as usual. He had but half a dozen left when his new +acquaintance, Stephen Webb, sauntered along. +</P> + +<P> +"How's business, Luke?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Very fair, thank you." +</P> + +<P> +"Give me a <I>News.</I>" +</P> + +<P> +Stephen passed over a penny in payment, but did not seem inclined to +go away. +</P> + +<P> +"I meant to see you before," he said, "but my time got filled up." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you taken a situation, then?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I am still a man of leisure. Why don't you hire a small store, +and do a general periodical business? It would pay you better." +</P> + +<P> +"No doubt it would, but it would take money to open and stock such a +store." +</P> + +<P> +"I may make a proposition to you some time to go in with me, I +furnishing the capital, and you managing the business." +</P> + +<P> +"I am always open to a good offer," said Luke, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose I ought to have some business, but I'm a social kind of +fellow, and should want a partner, a smart, enterprising, trustworthy +person like you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you for the compliment." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind that! I am a judge of human nature, and I felt confidence +in you at once." +</P> + +<P> +Somehow Luke was not altogether inclined to take Stephen Webb at his +own valuation. His new acquaintance did not impress him as a reliable +man of business, but he had no suspicion of anything underhand. +</P> + +<P> +By this time Luke had disposed of his remaining papers. +</P> + +<P> +"I am through for the day," he said, "and shall go home." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you walk or ride?" +</P> + +<P> +"I walk." +</P> + +<P> +"If you don't mind, I will walk along with you. I haven't taken much +exercise to-day." +</P> + +<P> +Luke had no reason for declining this proposal, and accepted Stephen's +companionship. They walked on Clark Street to the bridge, and crossed +the river. Presently they reached Milwaukee Avenue." +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't the walk too long for you?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no! I can walk any distance when I have company. I shall take a +car back." +</P> + +<P> +Stephen accompanied the newsboy as far as his own door. He would like +to have been invited up, but Luke did not care to give him an +invitation. Though Stephen seemed very friendly, he was not one whom +he cared to cultivate. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, so long!" said Stephen, with his "good-night," "I shall +probably see you to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"I have found out where they live," thought Stephen. "I am making a +very good detective. I'll drop a line to Uncle Thomas this evening." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Luke went upstairs two steps at a time. He was the bearer of +good tidings, and that always quickens the steps. +</P> + +<P> +He found his mother sitting in her rocking-chair with a sober face. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, mother," he asked, gayly, "how have you passed the day?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very unprofitably, Luke. I went out this afternoon, and visited two +places where I thought they might have some sewing for me, but I only +met with disappointment. Now that I have a sewing machine, it is a +great pity that I can't make use of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be troubled, mother! We can get along well enough." +</P> + +<P> +"But we have only your earnings to depend upon." +</P> + +<P> +"If I always have as good a day as this, we can depend on those very +easily." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you earn much, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"I earned a lot of money." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Walton looked interested, and Luke's manner cheered her. +</P> + +<P> +"There are always compensations, it seems. I was only thinking of my +own bad luck." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you say to that, mother?" and Luke displayed the ten-dollar +bill. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't understand how you could have taken in so much money, Luke." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I will explain," and Luke told the story of the adventure on +State Street, and his rescue of the old lady from the danger of being +run over. +</P> + +<P> +"The best of it is," he concluded, "I think I shall get regular +employment for part of my time from Mrs. Merton. Whatever I do for her +will be liberally paid for." +</P> + +<P> +Luke went to a bakery for some cream cakes, of which Bennie was +particularly fond. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time Stephen Webb was busily engaged In the writing room +of the Palmer House, inditing a letter to his uncle. +</P> + +<P> +DEAR UNCLE THOMAS:—I have devoted my whole time to the task which you +assigned me, and have met with very good success. I found the boy +uncommunicative, and had to exert all my ingenuity. +</P> + +<P> +Of the accuracy of this and other statements, the reader will judge +for himself. +</P> + +<P> +The boy has a mother and a younger brother. They depend for support +chiefly upon what he can earn, though the mother does a little sewing, +but that doesn't bring in much. They live in Green Street, near +Milwaukee Avenue. I have been there, and seen the house where they +reside. It is a humble place, but as good, I presume, as they can +afford. No doubt they are very poor, and have all they can do to make +both ends meet. +</P> + +<P> +I have learned this much, but have had to work hard to do it. Of +course, I need not say that I shall spare no pains to meet your +expectations. If you should take me into your confidence, and give me +an idea of what more you wish to know, I feel sure that I can manage +to secure all needed information. Your dutiful nephew, +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +STEPHEN WEBB. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning, in his Milwaukee home, read this letter with +satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +He wrote briefly to his nephew: +</P> + +<P> +"You have done well thus far, and I appreciate your zeal. Get the boy +to talking about his father, if you can. Let me hear anything he may +say on this subject. As to my motive, I suspect that Mr. Walton may +have been an early acquaintance of mine. If so, I may feel disposed to +do something for the family." +</P> + +<P> +On his way to the Sherman House, the next morning, Luke witnessed +rather an exciting scene, in which his old friend, Tom Brooks, played +a prominent part. +</P> + +<P> +There was a Chinese laundry on Milwaukee Avenue kept by a couple of +Chinamen who were peaceably disposed if not interfered with. But +several boys, headed by Tom Brooks, had repeatedly annoyed the +laundrymen, and excited their resentment. +</P> + +<P> +On this particular morning Tom sent a stone crashing through the +window of Ah King. The latter had been on the watch, and, provoked +beyond self-control, rushed out into the street, wild with rage, and +pursued Tom with a flatiron in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Help! help! murder!" exclaimed Tom, panic-stricken, running away as +fast as his legs would carry him. +</P> + +<P> +But anger, excited by the broken window, lent wings to the Chinaman's +feet, and he gained rapidly upon the young aggressor. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE +</H3> + +<P> +Tom Brooks had reason to feel alarmed for his Chinese pursuer fully +intended to strike Tom with the flatiron. Though this was utterly +wrong, some excuse must be made for Ah King, who had frequently been +annoyed by Tom. +</P> + +<P> +It was at this critical juncture that Luke Walton appeared on the +scene. +</P> + +<P> +He had no reason to like Tom, but he instantly prepared to rescue him. +Fortunately, he knew Ah King, whom he had more than once protected +from the annoyance of the hoodlums of the neighborhood. +</P> + +<P> +Luke ran up and seized the Chinaman by the arm. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" he demanded, sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"Fool boy bleak my window," said Ah King. "I bleak his head." +</P> + +<P> +"No, you mustn't do that. The police will arrest you." +</P> + +<P> +"Go way! Me killee white boy," cried Ah King, impatiently trying to +shake off Luke's grasp. "He bleak window—cost me a dollee." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see that he pays it, or is arrested," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +Unwillingly Ah King suffered himself to be persuaded, more readily, +perhaps, that Tom was now at a safe distance. +</P> + +<P> +"You plomise me?" said Ah King. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; if he don't pay, I will. Go and get the window mended." +</P> + +<P> +Luke easily overtook Tom, who was looking round the corner to see how +matters were going. +</P> + +<P> +"Has he gone back?" asked Tom, rather anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but if I hadn't come along, he would, perhaps, have killed +you." +</P> + +<P> +"You only say that to scare me," said Tom, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't; I mean it. Do you know how I got you off?" +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"I told Ah King you would pay for the broken window. It will cost a +dollar." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't promise," said Tom, significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Luke, sternly, "but if you don't do it, I will myself have +you arrested. I saw you throw the stone at the window." +</P> + +<P> +"What concern is it of yours?" asked Tom, angrily. "Why do you meddle +with my business?" +</P> + +<P> +"If I hadn't meddled with your business, you might have a fractured +skull by this time. It is a contemptibly mean thing to annoy a poor +Chinaman." +</P> + +<P> +"He's only a heathen." +</P> + +<P> +"A well-behaved heathen is better than a Christian such as you are." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't want any lectures," said Tom in a sulky tone. +</P> + +<P> +"I presume not. I have nothing more to say except that I expect you to +hand me that dollar to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't got a dollar." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you had better get one. I don't believe you got a dollar's worth +of sport in breaking the window, and I advise you hereafter to spend +your money better." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe I will pay it," said Tom, eying Luke closely, to see +if he were in earnest. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I will report your case to the police." +</P> + +<P> +"You're a mean fellow," said Tom, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"I begin to be sorry I interfered to save you. How ever, take your +choice. If necessary, I will pay the dollar myself, for I have +promised Ah King; but I shall keep my word about having you +arrested." +</P> + +<P> +It was a bitter pill for Tom to swallow, but he managed to raise the +money, and handed it to Luke that evening. Instead of being grateful +to the one who had possibly saved his life, he was only the more +incensed against him, and longed for an opportunity to do him an +injury. +</P> + +<P> +"I hate that Luke Walton," he said to one of his intimate friends. "He +wants to boss me, and all of us, but he can't do it. He's only fit to +keep company with a heathen Chinee." +</P> + +<P> +Luke spent a couple of hours in selling papers. He had not forgotten +his engagement with Mrs. Merton, and punctually at ten o'clock he +pulled the bell of the house in Prairie Avenue. +</P> + +<P> +Just at that moment the door was opened, and he faced a boy of his own +age, a thin, dark-complexioned youth, of haughty bearing. This, no +doubt, he concluded, was Harold Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want?" he asked, superciliously. +</P> + +<P> +"I should like to see Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! What business have you with Mrs. Merton?" +</P> + +<P> +Luke was not favorably impressed with Harold's manner, and did not +propose to treat him with the consideration which he evidently thought +his due. +</P> + +<P> +"I come here at Mrs. Merton's request," he said, briefly. "As to what +business we have together, I refer you to her." +</P> + +<P> +"It strikes me that you are impudent," retorted Harold, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"Your opinion of me is of no importance to me. If you don't care to +let Mrs. Merton know I am here, I will ring again and ask the servant +to do so." +</P> + +<P> +Here a lady, bearing a strong personal resemblance to Harold, made her +appearance, entering the hall from the breakfast room in the rear. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Harold?" she asked, in a tone of authority. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is a boy who says he wants to see Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"What can he want with her?" +</P> + +<P> +"I asked him, but he won't tell." +</P> + +<P> +"I must trouble him to tell me," said Mrs. Tracy, closing her thin +mouth with a snap. +</P> + +<P> +"Like mother—like son," thought Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you hear?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, unpleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"I am here by Mrs. Merton's appointment, Mrs. Tracy," said Luke, +firmly. "I shall be glad to have her informed that I have arrived." +</P> + +<P> +"And who are you, may I ask?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you've got your card about you?" sneered Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"I have," answered Luke, quietly. +</P> + +<P> +With a comical twinkle in his eye, he offered one to Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton," repeated Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is my name." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think my aunt will care to see you," said Mrs. Tracy, who was +becoming more and more provoked with the "upstart boy," as she +mentally termed him. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it would be better to let her know I am here." +</P> + +<P> +"It is quite unnecessary. I will take the responsibility." +</P> + +<P> +Luke was quite in doubt as to what he ought to do. He could not very +well prevent Harold's closing the door, in obedience to his mother's +directions, but fortunately the matter was taken out of his hands by +the old lady herself, who, unobserved by Harold and his mother, had +been listening to the conversation from the upper landing. When she +saw her visitor about to be turned out of the house, she thought it +quite time to interfere. +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa," she called, in a tone of displeasure, "you will oblige me by +not meddling with my visitors. Luke, come upstairs." +</P> + +<P> +Luke could not forbear a smile of triumph as he passed Harold and Mrs. +Tracy, and noticed the look of discomfiture on their faces. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't know he was your visitor, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, +trembling with the anger she did not venture to display before her +wealthy relative. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't he say so?" asked Mrs. Merton, sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but I was not sure that he was not an impostor." +</P> + +<P> +"You had only to refer the matter to me, and I could have settled the +question. Luke is in my employ——" +</P> + +<P> +"In your employ?" repeated Mrs. Tracy, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he will do errands for me, and sometimes accompany me to the +city." +</P> + +<P> +"Why didn't you call on Harold? He would be very glad to be of service +to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Harold had other things to occupy him. I prefer the other +arrangement. Luke, come into my room and I will give you directions." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy and Harold looked at each other as the old lady and Luke +disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a new freak of Aunt Eliza's," said Mrs. Tracy. "Why does she +pass over you, and give the preference to this upstart boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't mind that, mother," replied Harold. "I don't want to be +dancing attendance on an old woman." +</P> + +<P> +"But she may take a fancy to this boy—she seems to have done so +already—and give him part of the money that ought to be yours." +</P> + +<P> +"If we find there is any danger of that, I guess we are smart enough +to set her against him. Let her have the boy for a servant if she +wishes." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know but you are right, Harold. We must be very discreet, for +Aunt Eliza is worth half a million." +</P> + +<P> +"And how old is she, mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"Seventy-one." +</P> + +<P> +"That's pretty old. She can't live many years." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope she will live to a good old age," said Mrs. Tracy, +hypocritically, "but when she dies, it is only fair that we should +have her money." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A WELCOME GIFT +</H3> + +<P> +When Luke and Mrs. Merton were alone, the old lady said, with a smile: +"You seemed to have some difficulty in getting into the house." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Luke. "I don't think your nephew likes me." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably not. Both he and his mother are afraid someone will come +between me and them. They are selfish, and cannot understand how I can +have any other friends or beneficiaries. You are surprised that I +speak so openly of such near relatives to such a comparative stranger. +However, it is my nature to be outspoken. And now, Luke, if you don't +think it will be tiresome to escort an old woman, I mean to take you +downtown with me." +</P> + +<P> +"I look upon you as a kind friend, Mrs. Merton," responded Luke, +earnestly. "I want to thank you for the handsome present you made me +yesterday. I didn't expect anything like ten dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"You will find it acceptable, however, I don't doubt. Seriously, Luke, +I don't think it's too much to pay for saving my life. Now, if you +will wait here five minutes, I will be ready to go out with you." +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes later Mrs. Merton came into the room attired for the +street. They went downstairs together, and Luke and she got on a +street car. +</P> + +<P> +They were observed by Mrs. Tracy and Harold as they left the house. +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza's very easily imposed upon," remarked the latter. +</P> + +<P> +"She scarcely knows anything of that boy, and she has taken him out +with her. How does she know but he is a thief?" +</P> + +<P> +"He looks like one," said Harold, in an amiable tone. "If aunt is +robbed, I shan't pity her. She will deserve it." +</P> + +<P> +"Very true; but you must remember that it will be our loss as well as +hers. Her property will rightfully come to us, and if she is robbed we +shall inherit so much the less." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been thinking, Harold, it may be well for you to find out +something of this boy. If you can prove to Aunt Eliza that he is of +bad character, she will send him adrift." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see about it, mother." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Mrs. Merton and Luke were on their way to the business +portion of the city. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I will stop at Adams Street, Luke," said the old lady. "I +shall have to go to the Continental Bank. Do you know where it is?" +</P> + +<P> +"I believe it is on La Salle Street, corner of Adams." +</P> + +<P> +"Quite right. I shall introduce you to the paying teller as in my +employ, as I may have occasion to send you there alone at times to +deposit or draw money." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish Harold was more like you," she said. "His mother's suggestion +that I should take him with me as an escort would be just as +disagreeable to him as to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he attending school?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. He is preparing for college, but he is not fond of study, and I +doubt whether he ever enters. I think he must be about your age." +</P> + +<P> +"I am nearly sixteen." +</P> + +<P> +"Then he is probably a little older." +</P> + +<P> +They entered the bank, and Mrs. Merton, going to the window of the +paying teller, presented a check for a hundred dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"How will you have it, Mrs. Merton?" asked the teller. +</P> + +<P> +"In fives and tens. By the way, Mr. Northrop, please take notice of +this boy with me. I shall occasionally send him by himself to attend +to my business. His name is Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"His face looks familiar. I think we have met before." +</P> + +<P> +"I have sold you papers more than once, Mr. Northrop," said Luke. "I +stand on Clark Street, near the Sherman." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I remember, now. We bank officials are apt to take notice of +faces." +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Luke, carry this money for me," said Mrs. Merton, putting a +lady's pocketbook into the hand of her young escort. "You are less +likely to be robbed than I." +</P> + +<P> +Luke was rather pleased at the full confidence his new employer seemed +to repose in him. +</P> + +<P> +"I am now going up on State Street," said Mrs. Merton, as they emerged +into the street. "You know the store of Marshall Field?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes; everybody in Chicago knows that," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes they stood before the large store, and Mrs. Merton +entered, followed by Luke. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton went to that part of the establishment where woolens are +sold, and purchased a dress pattern. To Luke's surprise, the salesman +was the same one who had come to his assistance in the car the day +previous when he was charged with stealing. The recognition was +mutual. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe we have met before," said the young man, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, fortunately for me," answered Luke, gratefully. +</P> + +<P> +"The two parties who were determined to find you guilty looked foolish +when they ascertained the real character of your accuser." +</P> + +<P> +"What is this, Luke? You didn't tell me of it," said Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +The story was related briefly. +</P> + +<P> +"I should like to meet that woman," said Mrs. Merton, nodding +energetically. "I'd give her a piece of my mind. Luke, you may hand me +ten dollars." +</P> + +<P> +The goods were wrapped up and the change returned. +</P> + +<P> +"Where shall I send the bundle, Mrs. Merton?" asked the salesman, +deferentially. +</P> + +<P> +"Luke will take it." +</P> + +<P> +As they left the store Mrs. Merton said: "Did you think I was buying +this dress for myself, Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so," Luke answered. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I have dresses enough to last me a lifetime, I may almost say. +This dress pattern is for your mother." +</P> + +<P> +"For my mother?" repeated Luke, joyfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I hope it will be welcome." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed it will. Mother hasn't had a new dress for over a year." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I guessed right. Give it to her with my compliments, and tell +her I give it to her for your sake. Now, I believe I will go home." +</P> + +<P> +No present made to Luke could have given him so much pleasure as this +gift to his mother, for he knew how much she stood in need of it. +</P> + +<P> +When they reached the house on Prairie Avenue, they met Mrs. Tracy on +the steps. She had been out for a short call. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you have a pleasant morning, Aunt Eliza?" she asked, quite +ignoring Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, quite so. Luke, I won't trouble you to come in. I shall not need +you to-morrow. The next day you may call at the same hour." +</P> + +<P> +Luke turned away, but was called back sharply by Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Boy!" she said, "you are taking away my aunt's bundle. Bring it back +directly." +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa," said the old lady, "don't trouble yourself. That bundle is +meant for Luke's mother." +</P> + +<P> +"Something you bought for her?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, a dress pattern." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" sniffed Mrs. Tracy, eying Luke with strong disapproval. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THOMAS BROWNING AT HOME +</H3> + +<P> +In one of the handsomest streets in Milwaukee stood a private +residence which was quite in harmony with its surroundings. It looked +like the home of a man of ample means. It was luxuriously furnished, +and at one side was a conservatory. It was apt to attract the +attention of strangers, and the question was asked: "Who lives +there?" +</P> + +<P> +And the answer would be: "Thomas Browning. He will probably be mayor +some day." +</P> + +<P> +Yes, this was the residence of Thomas Browning, formerly Thomas +Butler, the man to whom the dead father of Luke Walton had intrusted +the sum of ten thousand dollars to carry to his wife and children. How +he fulfilled his trust, or, rather, did not fulfill it, we already +know. But in Milwaukee, where Mr. Browning had become a leading +citizen, it was not known. It was entirely inconsistent with what was +believed to be his character. For Mr. Browning was president of one +charitable society and treasurer of another. At the annual meetings of +these societies he was always called upon to speak, and his allusions +to the poverty and privations of those who were cared for by these +societies never failed to produce an impression. +</P> + +<P> +It was popularly supposed that he gave away large sums in charity. +Indeed, he admitted the fact, but explained the absence of his name +from subscription papers by saying: "All my gifts are anonymous. +Instead of giving my name, I prefer to put down 'Cash,' so much, or 'A +Friend,' such another sum. I don't wish to influence others, but it +jars upon me to have my name ostentatiously paraded in the public +prints." +</P> + +<P> +Now, in all subscriptions there are donations ascribed to "Cash" and +"A Friend," and whenever these occurred, it was generally supposed +they represented Mr. Browning. But, to let the reader into a little +secret, this was only a shrewd device of Mr. Browning's to have the +reputation of a philanthropist at little or no expense, for, as a +matter of fact, he never contributed at all to the charities in which +he seemed to take such an interest! +</P> + +<P> +In a pleasant room on the second floor sat the pseudo-philanthropist. +The room was furnished as a library. At a writing table, poring over +what looked like an account book, he looked the picture of comfort and +respectability. A few well-chosen engravings adorned the walls. A +pleasant light was diffused about the room from a chandelier suspended +over the table. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning leaned back in his chair, and a placid smile +overspread his naturally harsh features. He looked about him, and his +thoughts somehow ran back to a time when he was very differently +situated. +</P> + +<P> +"Five years ago to-night," he said, "I was well-nigh desperate. I +hadn't a cent to bless myself with, nor was the prospect of getting +one particularly bright. How I lived, for a considerable time, I +hardly know. I did have a notion at one time, when I was particularly +down on my luck, of committing suicide, and so ending the struggle +once for all. It would have been a great mistake!" he added after a +pause. "I didn't foresee at the time the prosperous years that lay +before me. Frederick Walton's money changed my whole life. Ten +thousand dollars isn't a fortune, but it proved the basis of one. It +enabled me to float the Excelsior Mine. I remember there were a +hundred thousand shares at two dollars a share, all based upon a few +acres of mining land which I bought for a song. With the ten thousand +dollars, I hired an office, printed circulars, distributed glowing +accounts of imaginary wealth, etc. It cost considerable for +advertising, but I sold seventy thousand shares, and when I had +gathered in the money I let the bottom fall out. There was a great +fuss, of course, but I figured as the largest loser, being the owner +of thirty thousand shares (for which I hadn't paid a cent), and so +shared the sympathy extended to losers. It was a nice scheme, and +after deducting all expenses, I made a clean seventy-five thousand +dollars out of it, which, added to my original capital, made +eighty-five thousand. Then I came to Milwaukee and bought this house. +From that time my career has been upward and onward. My friends say +some day I shall be mayor of the city. Well, stranger things have +happened, and who knows but my friends may be right!" +</P> + +<P> +At this moment a servant entered the library. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Mary, what is it?" asked the philanthropist. +</P> + +<P> +"Please, sir, there's a poor woman at the door, and she would like to +see you." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes, she wants relief from the Widows' and Orphans' Society, +probably. Well, send her up. I am always at home to the poor." +</P> + +<P> +"What a good man he is!" thought Mary. "It's strange he gives such low +wages to the girls that work for him. He says it's because he gives +away so much money in charities." +</P> + +<P> +Mary ushered in, a moment later, a woman in a faded dress, with a look +of care and sorrow on her thin features. +</P> + +<P> +"Take a seat, madam," said Thomas Browning, urbanely. "Did you wish to +see me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. I am in difficulties, and have ventured to call upon you." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad to see you. I am always ready to see the unfortunate." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; I know you have the reputation of being a philanthropist. +</P> + +<P> +"No, no," said Mr. Browning, modestly. "Don't mention it. I am fully +aware of the flattering estimation which is placed on my poor +services, but I really don't deserve it. It is, perhaps, as the +President of the Widows' and Orphans' Charitable Society that you wish +to speak to me." +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. It is as President of the Excelsior Mining Company that I +wish to make an appeal to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" ejaculated Browning, with a perceptible change of countenance. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course you remember it, sir. I was a widow, with a small property +of five thousand dollars left me by my late husband. It was all I had +on which to support myself and two children. The banks paid poor +interest, and I was in search of a profitable investment. One of your +circulars fell into my hands. The shares were two dollars each, and it +was stated that they would probably yield fifty per cent dividends. +That would support me handsomely. But I didn't decide to invest until +I had written a private letter to you." +</P> + +<P> +She took it from the pocket of her dress, and offered it to Thomas +Browning, but that gentleman waved it aside. +</P> + +<P> +She continued: "You indorsed all that the circular contained. You said +that within a year you thought he shares would rise to at least ten +dollars. So I invested all the money I had. You know what followed. In +six months the shares went down to nothing, and I found myself +penniless." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it, my good woman," said Thomas Browning. "I know it, to my +cost. I myself had sixty thousand dollars invested in the stock. I +lost it all." +</P> + +<P> +"But you seem to be a rich man," said the poor woman, looking about +her. +</P> + +<P> +"I have made it out of other ventures. But the collapse of the mine +was a sad blow to me. As the president, I might have had something +from the wreck, but I did not. I suffered with the rest. Now, may I +ask what I can do for you?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was on account of your advice that I bought stock. Don't you think +you ought to make up to me a part of the loss?" +</P> + +<P> +"Impossible!" said Browning, sharply. "Didn't I tell you I lost much +more heavily than you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Then you can do nothing for me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I can put you on the pension list of the Widows' and Orphans' +Society. That will entitle you to receive a dollar a week for three +months." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not an object of charity, sir. I wish you good-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night. If you change your mind come to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Very unreasonable, upon my word," soliloquized Thomas Browning. +</P> + +<P> +At eleven o'clock Mr. Browning went to his bedchamber. He lit the gas +and was preparing to disrobe, when his sharp ear detected the sound of +suppressed breathing, and the point from which it proceeded. He walked +quickly to the bed, bent over, and looked underneath. In an instant he +had caught a man who had been concealed beneath it. +</P> + +<P> +The intruder was a wretchedly dressed tramp. Browning allowed the man +to get upon his feet, and then, facing him, demanded, sternly: "Why +are you here? Did you come to rob me?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A STRANGE VISITOR +</H3> + +<P> +"Did you come to rob me?" repeated Mr. Browning, as he stood facing +the tramp, whom he had brought to the light from under the bed. +</P> + +<P> +There was an eager, questioning look on the face of the tramp, as he +stared at the gentleman upon whose privacy he had intruded—not a look +of fear, but a look of curiosity. Thomas Browning misinterpreted it. +He thought the man was speechless from alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you nothing to say for yourself?" demanded Browning, sternly. +</P> + +<P> +The answer considerably surprised him. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, pard, it's you, is it?" said the man, with the air of one to +whom a mystery was made plain. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by your impertinence?" asked the respectable Mr. +Browning, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's a good one! Who'd have thought that this 'ere mansion +belonged to my old friend and pard?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean? Are you crazy, fellow?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I ain't crazy, as I know of, but I'm flabbergasted—that's what I +am." +</P> + +<P> +"Have done with this trifling and tell me why I shouldn't hand you +over to the police?" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you won't do that, Tom Butler!" returned the burglar, +coolly. +</P> + +<P> +Browning stared in surprise and dismay at hearing his old name +pronounced by this unsavory specimen of humanity. +</P> + +<P> +"Who are you?" he demanded, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know me?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't. I never saw you before. I don't associate with men of +your class." +</P> + +<P> +"Hear him now!" chuckled the tramp, in an amazed tone. "Why, Tom +Butler, you an' me used to be pards. Don't you remember Jack King? +Why, we've bunked together, and hunted for gold together, and almost +starved together; but that was in the old days." +</P> + +<P> +Browning looked the amazement he felt. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you really Jack King?" he ejaculated, sinking back into an +easy-chair, and staring hard at his unexpected visitor. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm the same old coon, Tom, but I'm down at the heel, while you—do +you really own this fine house, and these elegant fixin's?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Browning, mechanically. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've fared better than I. I've been goin' down, down, till +I've got about as far down as I can get." +</P> + +<P> +"And you have become a burglar?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, a man must live, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"You could work." +</P> + +<P> +"Who would give such a lookin' man as I any work?" +</P> + +<P> +"How did you get in?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's my secret! You mustn't expect me to give myself away." +</P> + +<P> +"And you had no idea whose house you were in?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was told it belonged to a Mr. Browning." +</P> + +<P> +"I am Mr. Browning—Thomas Browning." +</P> + +<P> +"You! What has become of Butler?" +</P> + +<P> +"I had good substantial reasons for changing my name—there was money +in it, you understand." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to change my own name on them terms. And now, Tom Butler, +what are you going to do for me?" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Browning's face hardened. He felt no sympathy for the poor wretch +with whom he had once been on terms of intimacy. He felt ashamed to +think that they had ever been comrades, and he resented the tone of +familiarity with which this outcast addressed him—a reputable +citizen, a wealthy capitalist, a man whose name had been more than +once mentioned in connection with the mayor's office. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what I ought to do," he said, harshly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"I ought to call a policeman, and give you in charge for entering my +house as a burglar." +</P> + +<P> +"You'd better not do that," he said without betraying alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Why not? Why should I not treat you like any other burglar?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because—but I want to ask you a question." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do with that money Walton gave you on his deathbed?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" he faltered. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I say. What did you do with Walton's money?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am at a loss to understand your meaning." +</P> + +<P> +"No, you are not. However, I am ready to explain. On his deathbed +Walton gave you ten thousand dollars to carry to his wife and family. +Did you do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Who told you this?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is unnecessary for me to say. It is enough that I know it. At the +time you were poor enough. You might have had a few hundred dollars of +your own, but certainly not much more. Now—it isn't so many years +ago—I find you a rich man. Of course, I have my own ideas of how this +came about." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to accuse me of dishonesty?" demanded Browning, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't accuse you of anything. I am only thinking of what would be +natural under the circumstances. I'm not an angel myself, Tom Butler, +and I can't say but the money might have miscarried if it had been +handed to me instead of to you. I wish it had; I wouldn't be the +miserable-looking wretch I am now." +</P> + +<P> +"Walton handed me some money," said Browning, cautiously—"not ten +thousand dollars—and I handed it to his family." +</P> + +<P> +"Where did they live?" +</P> + +<P> +"In a country town," he answered, glibly. +</P> + +<P> +"I was thinking I might run across Mrs. Walton some day," he said, +significantly. "She would be glad to see me, as I knew her late +husband in California." +</P> + +<P> +"She is dead," said Browning, hastily. +</P> + +<P> +"Dead! How long since?" +</P> + +<P> +"She died soon after she heard of her husband's death. Died of grief, +poor woman!" +</P> + +<P> +"Were there no children?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, there was a girl, but she was adopted by a relative in +Massachusetts." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe a word of it!" thought Jack King. "He wants to put me +off the scent." +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! And you gave the wife the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course." +</P> + +<P> +"I may meet the girl some time; I might advertise for any of the +family." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think they would be glad to see you?" +</P> + +<P> +"They might help me, and I stand in need of help." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no need of that. You are an old comrade in distress. I +haven't forgotten the fact, though I pretended to, to try you. Here's +a five-dollar bill. I'll let you out of the house myself. Considering +how you entered it, you may count yourself lucky." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, as far as it goes, Tom, but I want to remind you of +a little debt you owe me. When you were out of luck at Murphy's +diggings I lent you twenty-five dollars, which you have never paid +back." +</P> + +<P> +"I had forgotten it." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't. That money will come mighty convenient just now. It will +buy me a better-looking suit, second hand, and make a different man of +me. With it I can get a place and set up for a respectable human +being." +</P> + +<P> +"Here's the money," said Browning, reluctantly drawing the additional +bills from his wallet. "Now that we are square, I hope you won't annoy +me by further applications. I might have sent you out of the house +under very different circumstances." +</P> + +<P> +"You were always considerate, Tom," said the tramp, stowing away the +bills in the pocket of his ragged vest. "May I refer to you if I apply +for a situation?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but remember I am Thomas Browning. I prefer not to have it known +that my name was ever Butler." +</P> + +<P> +"All right! Now, if you'll do me the favor of showing me the door I'll +leave you to your slumbers." +</P> + +<P> +"It's very awkward, that man's turning up," muttered Browning, as he +returned from letting out his unsavory visitor. "How could he have +heard about Walton's money?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HOW JACK KING FARED +</H3> + +<P> +Jack King left the house with the money Browning had unwillingly given +him. He sought a cheap lodging and the next morning proceeded to make +himself respectable. When he had donned some clean linen, a suit of +clothes which he bought cheap at a second-hand store, taken a bath, +and called into requisition the services of a barber, it would have +been hard to recognize him as the same man who had emerged from under +the bed of the well-known philanthropist, a typical tramp and would-be +burglar. +</P> + +<P> +Jack King counted over the balance of his money, and found that he had +nine dollars and thirty-seven cents left. +</P> + +<P> +"This won't support me forever," he reflected. "I must get something +to do." +</P> + +<P> +While sauntering along, he fell in with an old acquaintance named +Stone. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you up to, King?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Looking for a job." +</P> + +<P> +"You are my man, then. I am keeping a cigar store at the Prairie +Hotel, but I have some business calling me away from the city for six +weeks or two months. Will you take my place?" +</P> + +<P> +"What are the inducements?" +</P> + +<P> +"Board and lodging and five dollars a week." +</P> + +<P> +"Agreed." +</P> + +<P> +"Come over, then, and I will show you the place." +</P> + +<P> +The hotel was a cheap one, not far from the railway station, and +though comfortable, was not patronized by fastidious travelers. +</P> + +<P> +"When do you want me to take hold?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"To-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"All right." +</P> + +<P> +"Come around at ten o'clock. I want to leave Milwaukee in the +afternoon." +</P> + +<P> +King could not help reflecting about the extraordinary prosperity of +his old comrade, Tom Butler, now Thomas Browning, Esq. +</P> + +<P> +"What does it mean?" he asked himself. "He seemed very uneasy when I +asked him about Walton's money. I believe he kept it himself. I wish I +knew. If I could prove it, it would be a gold mine for me. I must make +inquiries, and, if possible, find out Walton's family." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know anything of Thomas Browning?" he asked Stone. +</P> + +<P> +"The philanthropist? Yes. What of him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I called on him last evening." +</P> + +<P> +Jack did not think it best to mention the circumstances of his visit. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed! How did you know him?" +</P> + +<P> +"In California." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose he laid the foundation of his fortune there." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he so rich, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, probably worth a quarter of a million." +</P> + +<P> +This was an exaggeration, but rich men's wealth is generally +overstated. +</P> + +<P> +"How does he stand in the city?" +</P> + +<P> +"First-class. He has been mentioned for mayor. I shouldn't be +surprised if he might get the office some day." +</P> + +<P> +"He has certainly been very lucky." +</P> + +<P> +"I should say so. Was he rich in California?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not when I knew him. At one time there he had to borrow money of me. +He paid me back last evening." +</P> + +<P> +"He is on the top of the ladder now, at any rate." +</P> + +<P> +"His respectability would suffer a little," thought Jack King, "if I +could prove that he had appropriated Walton's money. I must think the +matter over, and secure some information if I can." +</P> + +<P> +The next Sunday evening he called at the house of the philanthropist, +and sent in his name. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning went himself to the door. He was afraid King might be +wearing the same disreputable suit in which he had made his former +visit. But to his relief his visitor looked quite respectable. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you wish to see me?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but only for a social call. I am not acquainted in Milwaukee, +and it does me good to see an old friend and comrade." +</P> + +<P> +"I have not much time to spare, but come in!" +</P> + +<P> +They went into the philanthropist's library, formerly described. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you found anything to do?" asked Browning. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +King answered the question. +</P> + +<P> +"It is not much," he added, "but will do for the present." +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, it is considerably better than entering a house at night +and hiding under the bed," said Browning, dryly. +</P> + +<P> +"So it is," answered King, smiling. "You must make allowance for my +destitute condition. I little thought that I was in the house of an +old friend. I have been asking about you, Tom Butler—I beg pardon, +Mr. Browning—and I find that you stand very high in Milwaukee." +</P> + +<P> +A shade of annoyance showed itself on the philanthropist's face when +King referred to him under his former name, but when his high standing +was referred to he smiled complacently. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he said, "I have been fortunate enough to win the good opinion +of my fellow-citizens." +</P> + +<P> +"Some one told me that you would probably run for mayor some day." +</P> + +<P> +"It may be. I have been sounded on the subject." +</P> + +<P> +"The worst of running for office is that if a man has ever done +anything discreditable it is sure to be brought out against him." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you don't mean to imply that I have ever done anything +discreditable," said Browning, sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dear, no! How could I think such a thing? But sometimes false +charges are brought. If you had ever betrayed a trust, or kept money +belonging to another, of course, it would hurt you." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly it would," said the philanthropist, his voice betraying +some nervousness, "but I am glad to say that my conscience is clear on +that point." +</P> + +<P> +"By the way, Jack, let me send for a bottle of wine. We'll drink to +the memory of old time." +</P> + +<P> +"With all my heart, Tom. I see you're the right sort. When you are +nominated for office I will work for you." +</P> + +<P> +Browning smiled graciously on his visitor, and the interview closed +pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"He's afraid of me!" thought Jack, as he left the house. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT +</H3> + +<P> +When Luke brought home the dress pattern his mother was much pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"I have needed a dress for a good while," she said, "but I never felt +that I could spare the money to buy even a common one. This material +is very nice." +</P> + +<P> +"It cost seventy-five cents a yard. I was with Mrs. Merton when she +bought it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you didn't hint to Mrs. Merton that I needed one." +</P> + +<P> +"No, that isn't like me, mother, but I own that I was very glad when +she thought of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Please tell her how grateful I am." +</P> + +<P> +"I will certainly do so. Now, mother, I want you to have it made up at +once. I can spare the money necessary." +</P> + +<P> +"It will cost very little. I will have it cut by a dress maker and +make it up myself. I hope you will long retain the friendship of Mrs. +Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"It won't by my fault if I don't. But I can't help seeing that her +niece, Mrs. Tracy, and Harold, a boy about my age, look upon me with +dislike." +</P> + +<P> +"Why should they? I don't see how anyone can dislike you." +</P> + +<P> +"You are my mother and are prejudiced in my favor. But I am sure they +have no reason to dislike me. I think, however, they are jealous, and +fear the old lady will look upon me with too much favor. She is very +rich, I hear, and they expect to inherit all her fortune." +</P> + +<P> +"Money makes people mean and unjust." +</P> + +<P> +"If I can only get hold of some, I'll run the risk of that," said +Luke. "I should feel a good deal more comfortable if I hadn't two +enemies in the house." +</P> + +<P> +"Do your duty, my son, and leave the rest to God. It isn't well to +borrow trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"No doubt you are right, mother. I will follow your advice." +</P> + +<P> +The next morning Luke was at his usual stand near the Sherman House +when a boy who was passing uttered a slight exclamation of surprise. +Looking up, Luke recognized Harold Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"So it's you, is it?" said Harold, not over politely. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Luke. "I hope you are well." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't know you were a newsboy." +</P> + +<P> +"I spend a part of my time in selling papers." +</P> + +<P> +"Does Mrs. Merton know you are a newsboy?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think I have told her, but I am not certain." +</P> + +<P> +"It must be inconvenient for you to come so far as our house every +day?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it takes up some time, but Mrs. Merton does not allow me to +work for nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"How much does Aunt Eliza pay you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I would rather you would ask Mrs. Merton. I am not sure that she +would care to have me tell." +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to forget that I am her nephew that is, her grandnephew. It +is hardly likely she would keep such a thing secret from me." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be, but I would rather you would ask her." +</P> + +<P> +"Does she pay you more than two dollars a week?" +</P> + +<P> +"Again I must refer you to her." +</P> + +<P> +"It is ridiculous to make a secret of such a trifle," said Harold, +annoyed. +</P> + +<P> +"How much do you make selling papers?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I averaged about seventy-five cents a day before I began to work for +Mrs. Merton. Now I don't make as much." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you black boots, too? Many of the newsboys do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I never cared to take up that business." +</P> + +<P> +"If you should go into it, I would give you a job now and then." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not likely to go into that business, but I shall be glad to sell +you a paper whenever you need one." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not too proud to black boots, are you?" persisted Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think it necessary to answer that question. I have always got +along without it so far." +</P> + +<P> +Harold carried the news home to his mother that Luke was a newsboy, +and Mrs. Tracy found an opportunity to mention it at the supper +table. +</P> + +<P> +"Harold saw your paragon this morning, Aunt Eliza," she commenced. +</P> + +<P> +"Have I a paragon? I really wasn't aware of it," returned the old +lady. +</P> + +<P> +"Your errand boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Luke. Where did you see him, Harold?" +</P> + +<P> +"He was selling papers near the Sherman House." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you bought one of him." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't have any change." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you know he was a newsboy, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he told me so. You speak of it as if it were something to his +discredit." +</P> + +<P> +"It is a low business, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"Why is it a low business?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, of course it is only poor street boys who engage in it." +</P> + +<P> +"I am aware that Luke is poor, and that he has to contribute to the +support of his mother and brother. I hope, if you were poor, that +Harold would be willing to work for you." +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't sell papers," put in Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't suppose Luke sells papers from choice." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza, I don't see why you should so persistently compare Harold +with that ragged errand boy of yours." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he ragged? I am glad you noticed it. I must help him to a new +suit." +</P> + +<P> +This was far from a welcome suggestion to Mrs. Tracy, and she made +haste to add: "I don't think he's ragged. He dresses well enough for +his position in life." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, I think he needs some new clothes, and I thank you for +suggesting it, Louisa." +</P> + +<P> +The next day, Luke, to his surprise, was asked to ac company Mrs. +Merton to a ready-made clothing house on Clark Street, where he was +presented with a fine suit, costing twenty dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"How kind you are, Mrs. Merton!" said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't notice that you needed a new suit," returned the old lady, +"but my niece, Mrs. Tracy, spoke of it, and I was glad to take the +hint." +</P> + +<P> +It was in the afternoon of the same day that Luke, having an errand +that carried him near the lake shore, strolled to the end of North +Pier. He was fond of the water, but seldom had an opportunity to go +out on it. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you, Luke?" said a boy in a flat-bottomed boat a few rods +away. +</P> + +<P> +In the boy who hailed him Luke recognized John Hagan, an acquaintance +of about his own age. +</P> + +<P> +"Won't you come aboard?" asked John. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't mind, if you'll come near enough." +</P> + +<P> +In five minutes Luke found himself on board the boat, He took the oars +and relieved John, who was disposed to rest. +</P> + +<P> +They rowed hither and thither, never very far from the pier. Not far +away was a boat of the same build, occupied by a man of middle size, +whose eccentric actions attracted their attention. Now he would take +the oars and row with feverish haste, nearly fifty strokes to a +minute; then he would let his oars trail, and seem wrapped in thought. +Suddenly the boys were startled to see him spring to his feet and, +flinging up his arms, leap head first into the lake. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AMBROSE KEAN'S IMPRUDENCE +</H3> + +<P> +Luke and his companion were startled by the sudden attempt at suicide, +and for an instant sat motionless in their boat. Luke was the first to +regain his self-possession. +</P> + +<P> +"Quick, let us try to save him," he called to John Hagan. +</P> + +<P> +They plunged their oars into the water, and the boat bounded over the +waves. Fortunately they were but half a dozen rods from the place +where the would-be suicide was now struggling to keep himself up. For, +as frequently happens, when he actually found himself in the water, +the instinct of self-preservation impelled the would-be self-destroyer +to attempt to save himself. He could swim a very little, but the +waters of the lake were in lively motion, his boat had floated away, +and he would inevitably have drowned but for the energetic action of +Luke and John. They swept their boat alongside, and Luke thrust his +oar in the direction of the struggling man. +</P> + +<P> +"Take hold of it," he said, "and we will tow you to your own boat." +</P> + +<P> +Guided and sustained by the oar, the man gripped the side of Luke's +boat, leaving the oar free. His weight nearly overbalanced the craft, +but with considerable difficulty the boys succeeded in reaching the +other boat, and, though considerably exhausted, its late occupant +managed to get in. +</P> + +<P> +As he took his place in the boat he presented a sorry spectacle, for +his clothes were wet through and dripping. +</P> + +<P> +"You will take your death of cold unless you go on shore at once," +said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"It wouldn't matter much if I did," said the young man, gloomily. +</P> + +<P> +"We will row to shore also," said Luke to John Hagan. "He may make +another attempt to drown himself. I will see what I can do to reason +him out of it." +</P> + +<P> +They were soon at the pier, and the three landed. +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you live?" asked Luke, taking his position beside the young +man. +</P> + +<P> +The latter named a number on Vine Street. It was at a considerable +distance, and time was precious, for the young man was trembling from +the effects of his immersion. +</P> + +<P> +"There is no time to lose. We must take a carriage," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +He summoned one, which fortunately had just returned from the pier, to +which it had conveyed a passenger, and the two jumped in. +</P> + +<P> +Luke helped him up to his room, a small one on the third floor, and +remained until he had changed his clothes and was reclining on the +bed. +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to have some hot drink," he said. "Can any be got in the +house?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; Mrs. Woods, the landlady, will have some hot water." +</P> + +<P> +Luke went downstairs and succeeded in enlisting the sympathetic +assistance of the kind-hearted woman by representing that her lodger +had been upset in the lake and was in danger of a severe cold. +</P> + +<P> +When the patient had taken down a cup of hot drink, he turned to Luke +and said: "How can I thank you?" +</P> + +<P> +"There is no need to thank me. I am glad I was at hand when you needed +me." +</P> + +<P> +"What is your name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"Mine is Ambrose Kean. You must think I am a fool," +</P> + +<P> +"I think," said Luke, gently, "that you have some cause of +unhappiness." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right there. I have been unfortunate, but I am also an +offender against the law, and it was the fear of exposure and arrest +that made me take the step I did. I thought I was ready to die, but +when I found myself in the water life seemed dearer than it had +before, and I tried to escape. Thanks to you, I am alive, but now I +almost wish that I had succeeded. I don't know how to face what is +before me." +</P> + +<P> +"Would you mind telling me what it is?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I need someone to confide in, and you deserve my confidence. Let +me tell you, then, that I am employed in an office on Dearborn Street. +My pay is small, twelve dollars a week, but it would be enough to +support me if I had only myself to look out for. But I have a mother +in Milwaukee, and I have been in the habit of sending her four dollars +a week. That left me only eight dollars, which I found it hard to live +on, and there was nothing left for clothes." +</P> + +<P> +"I can easily believe that," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"I struggled along, however, as best I might, but last week I received +a letter from my mother saying that she was sick. Of course her +expenses were increased, and she wrote to know if I could send her a +little extra money. I have been living so close up to my income that I +absolutely had less than a dollar in my pocket. Unfortunately, +temptation came at a time when I was least prepared to resist it. One +of our customers from the country came in when I was alone, and paid +me fifty dollars in bills, for which I gave him a receipt. No one saw +the payment made. It flashed upon me that this sum would make my +mother comfortable even if her sickness lasted a considerable time. +Without taking time to think, I went to an express office, and +forwarded to her a package containing the bills. It started yesterday, +and by this time is in my mother's hands. You see the situation I am +placed in. The one who paid the money may come to the office at any +time and reveal my guilt." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't wonder that you were dispirited," returned Luke. "But can +nothing be done? Can you not replace the money in time?" +</P> + +<P> +"How can I? I have told you how small my salary is." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you no friend or friends from whom you could borrow the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know of none. I have few friends, and such as they are, are, like +myself, dependent on small pay. I must tell you, by the way, how we +became poor. My mother had a few thousand dollars, which, added to my +earnings, would have made us comparatively independent, but in an evil +hour she invested them in a California mine, on the strength of the +indorsement of a well-known financier of Milwaukee, Mr. Thomas +Browning——" +</P> + +<P> +"Who?" asked Luke, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Thomas Browning. Do you know him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have seen him. He sometimes comes to Chicago, and stops at the +Sherman House." +</P> + +<P> +"He recommended the stock so highly—in fact, he was the president of +the company that put it on the market—that my poor mother thought it +all right, and invested all she had. The stock was two dollars a +share. Now it would not fetch two cents. This it was that reduced us +to such extreme poverty." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think Mr. Browning was honest in his recommendation of the +mine?" asked Luke, thoughtfully. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. He claimed to be the principal loser himself. But it is +rather remarkable that he is living like a rich man now. Hundreds lost +their money through this mine. As Mr. Browning had himself been in +California——" +</P> + +<P> +"What is that?" asked Luke, in excitement. "You say this Browning was +once in California? Can you tell when?" +</P> + +<P> +"Half a dozen years ago, more or less." +</P> + +<P> +"And he looks like the man to whom my poor father confided ten +thousand dollars for us," thought Luke. "It is very strange. +Everything tallies but the name. The wretch who swindled us was named +Butler." +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you ask when Mr. Browning was in California?" asked the young +man. +</P> + +<P> +"Because my father died in California," answered Luke, evasively, "and +I thought it possible that Mr. Browning might have met him." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A FRIEND IN NEED +</H3> + +<P> +"Mr. Browning is a man of very peculiar appearance," said Kean. +</P> + +<P> +"You refer to the wart on the upper part of his right cheek?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it gives him a repulsive look." +</P> + +<P> +"And yet he is popular in Milwaukee?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, among those who were not swindled by his mining scheme. He has +done more harm than he can ever repair. For instance," added the young +man, bitterly, "this crime which I have committed—I will call it by +its right name—I was impelled to do by my mother's poverty, brought +on by him." +</P> + +<P> +"How does it happen that you are not at the office to day?" +</P> + +<P> +"I felt sick—sick at heart, rather than sick in body, and I sent word +to my employer that I could not be there. I dread entering the office, +for at any time exposure may come." +</P> + +<P> +"If you could only raise the fifty dollars, you could replace the +money before it was inquired for." +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't possibly raise it," he said, despondently. +</P> + +<P> +"I would let you have it if I possessed as much money, but, as you may +suppose, I am poor." +</P> + +<P> +"I am no less grateful to you, Luke. You have a good heart, I am sure. +You don't despise me?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, why should I?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have been guilty of a crime." +</P> + +<P> +"But you are sorry for it. Is there positively no one with whom you +are acquainted who is rich enough to help you?" +</P> + +<P> +"There is one lady in Chicago—a rich lady—who was a schoolmate of my +mother. She was older and in better circumstances, but they were good +friends." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is this lady?" +</P> + +<P> +"A Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"Mrs. Merton!" exclaimed Luke, in excitement. "Of Prairie Avenue?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I believe she lives there." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I know her—I am in her employ," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean stared at Luke in open amazement. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this true?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she a kind lady? Do you think she would help me in this trouble of +mine?" +</P> + +<P> +"She is very kind-hearted, as I know from my own experience. I will go +to her at once, and see what I can do." +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean grasped Luke's hand with fervor. +</P> + +<P> +"You are a friend sent from heaven, I truly believe," he said. "You +have given me hope of retrieving myself." +</P> + +<P> +"I will leave you for a time," said Luke. "There is no time to be +lost." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be full of anxiety till I see you again." +</P> + +<P> +"Be hopeful. I think I shall bring you good news." +</P> + +<P> +When Luke reached the house on Prairie Avenue he was about to ring the +bell when Harold Tracy opened the door. +</P> + +<P> +"You here again!" he said, in a tone of displeasure. "Weren't you here +this morning?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Did Aunt Eliza ask you to come this afternoon?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what brings you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Business," answered Luke, curtly, and he quietly entered the hall, +and said to a servant who was passing through, "Will you be kind +enough to ask Mrs. Merton if she will see me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you're cheeky!" ejaculated Harold, who had in tended to keep +him out. +</P> + +<P> +"As long as Mrs. Merton doesn't think so, I shall not trouble myself," +said Luke, coldly. +</P> + +<P> +"Sooner or later Aunt Eliza will see you in your true colors," said +Harold, provoked. +</P> + +<P> +"I think she does now." +</P> + +<P> +At this moment the servant returned. +</P> + +<P> +"You are to go upstairs," she said. "Mrs. Merton will see you." +</P> + +<P> +The old lady was sitting back in an easy-chair when Luke entered. She +smiled pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"This is an unexpected pleasure," she said, "this after-noon call." +</P> + +<P> +"I will tell you at once what brought me, Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't sickness at home, I hope?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I came for a comparative stranger." +</P> + +<P> +Then Luke told the story of Ambrose Kean, his sudden yielding to +temptation, his repentance and remorse. +</P> + +<P> +"I am interested in your friend," said Mrs. Merton. "You say he +appropriated fifty dollars?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but it was to help his mother." +</P> + +<P> +"True, but it was a dangerous step to take. It won't be considered a +valid excuse." +</P> + +<P> +"He realizes all that. His employer is a just but strict man, and if +the theft is discovered Kean will be arrested, and, of course, +convicted." +</P> + +<P> +"And you think I will help him? Is that why you have come to me with +this story?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I would have done so if he had not mentioned you as an +old friend and schoolmate of his mother." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" added Mrs. Merton, quickly. "His mother an old +schoolmate of mine?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is what he says." +</P> + +<P> +"What was her name before marriage?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mary Robinson." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't say so!" Mrs. Merton exclaimed with vivacity. "Why, Mary +was my favorite at school. And this young man is her son? +</P> + +<P> +"I would have helped him without knowing this, but now I won't +hesitate a moment. Mary's boy! You must bring him here. I want to +question him about her." +</P> + +<P> +"I can tell you something about her. She lost her money by investing +in a California mine—I think it was the Excelsior Mine." +</P> + +<P> +"She, too?" +</P> + +<P> +Luke looked surprised. He did not understand the meaning of this +exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a thousand shares of that worthless stock myself," continued +the old lady. "It cost me two thousand dollars, and now it is worth +nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"The one who introduced the stock was a Mr. Browning, of Milwaukee." +</P> + +<P> +"I know. He was an unscrupulous knave, I have no doubt. I could afford +the loss, but hundreds invested, like poor Mary, who were ruined. Is +the man living, do you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he is living in Milwaukee. He is rich, and is prominently spoken +of as a candidate for mayor." +</P> + +<P> +"If he is ever a candidate I will take care that his connection with +this swindling transaction is made known. A man who builds up a +fortune on the losses of the poor is a contemptible wretch, in my +opinion." +</P> + +<P> +"And mine, too," said Luke. "It is very strange that he answers the +description of a man who cheated our family out of ten thousand +dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed! How was that?" +</P> + +<P> +Luke told the story, and Mrs. Merton listened with great interest. +</P> + +<P> +"So all corresponds except the name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"He may have changed his name." +</P> + +<P> +"I have thought of that. I mean to find out some time." +</P> + +<P> +"I won't keep you any longer. Your friend is, no doubt, in great +anxiety. I have the money here in bills. I will give them to you for +him." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton was in the act of handing a roll of bills to Luke when the +door opened suddenly, and Mrs. Tracy entered. +</P> + +<P> +She frowned in surprise and displeasure when she saw her aunt giving +money to "that boy," as she contemptuously called him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HOW AMBROSE KEAN WAS SAVED +</H3> + +<P> +"I didn't know you were occupied, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, in a +significant tone, as she paused at the door. +</P> + +<P> +"My business is not private," returned the old lady. "Come in, +Louisa." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy did come in, but she regarded Luke with a hostile and +suspicious glance. +</P> + +<P> +"That is all, Luke," said his patroness. "You may go. You can report +to me to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, ma'am." +</P> + +<P> +When Luke had left the room, Mrs. Tracy said: "You appear to repose a +great deal of confidence in that boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I think he deserves it." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy coughed. +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to trust him with a great deal of money." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, I don't want to interfere, but I think you will need to be +on your guard. He is evidently bent on getting all he can out of +you." +</P> + +<P> +"That is your judgment, is it, Louisa?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Aunt Eliza, since you ask me." +</P> + +<P> +"He has done me a service this morning. He has brought to my notice a +son of one of my old school mates who is in a strait, and I have just +sent him fifty dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"By that boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure the person to whom you sent the money will ever get +it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Please speak out what you mean. Don't hint. I hate hints." +</P> + +<P> +"In plain terms, then, I think the boy will keep the money himself, +or, at any rate, a part of it." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't fear it." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you any more to say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, except to warn you against that designing boy." +</P> + +<P> +"You are very kind, Louisa, but I am not quite a simpleton. I have +seen something of the world, and I don't think I am easily taken in." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy left the room, not very well satisfied. She really thought +Luke had designs upon the old lady's money, and was averse even to his +receiving a legacy, since it would take so much from Harold and +herself. +</P> + +<P> +"Harold, when I entered your aunt's room, what do you think I saw?" +</P> + +<P> +This she said to Harold, who was waiting below. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza was giving money to that boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know how much?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fifty dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! Was it for himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"He came to her with a trumped-up story of an old schoolmate of aunt's +who was in need of money." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think he will keep it himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid so." +</P> + +<P> +"What a cheeky young rascal he is, to be sure! I have no doubt you are +right." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; there is too much reason to think he is an unscrupulous +adventurer, young as he is." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you tell aunt so?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have." +</P> + +<P> +"And what does she say?" +</P> + +<P> +"It doesn't make the least impression upon her." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think the boy will do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Get her to make a will in his favor, or at least to leave him a large +legacy." +</P> + +<P> +Harold turned pale. +</P> + +<P> +"That would be robbing us," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it would. He wouldn't mind that, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"He was very impertinent to me this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"I presume so. He depends upon his favor with aunt." +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't there anything we can do, mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"I must consider." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Luke returned at once to the room of Ambrose Kean. He found +the young man awaiting him with great anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +"What success?" he asked, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I have got the fifty dollars," answered Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank God! I am saved!" ejaculated the young man. +</P> + +<P> +"Would you mind taking it round to the office with a note from me?" +asked Kean. +</P> + +<P> +"I will do so cheerfully." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I shall feel at ease." +</P> + +<P> +"Mrs. Merton would like to have you call on her. She remembered your +mother at once." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be glad to do so, but shall be ashamed to meet her now that +she knows of my yielding to temptation." +</P> + +<P> +"You need not mind that. She also suffered from the rascality of +Thomas Browning, and she will make allowances for you." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I will go some day with you." +</P> + +<P> +"You had better give me a letter to take to your employer with the +money." +</P> + +<P> +"I will." +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean wrote the following note: +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +JAMES COOPER: +</P> + +<P> +DEAR SIR:—Hiram Crossley called at the office yesterday and paid in +fifty dollars due to you. Being busy, I thrust it into my pocket, and +inadvertently took it with me. I think I shall be able to be at the +office to-morrow, but think it best to send the money by a young +friend. I gave Mr. Crossley a receipt. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Yours respectfully, AMBROSE KEAN. +</P> + +<P> +When Luke reached the office, Mr. Cooper was conversing with a stout, +broad-shouldered man, of middle age, and Luke could not help hearing +some of their conversation. +</P> + +<P> +"You say you paid fifty dollars to my clerk, Mr. Crossley?" asked the +merchant. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you his receipt?" +</P> + +<P> +"Here it is." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Cooper examined it. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is his signature." +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't he here to-day?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; he sent word that he had a headache." +</P> + +<P> +"And you don't find the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"That is singular." And the two men exchanged glances of suspicion. +</P> + +<P> +"What sort of a young man is he?" +</P> + +<P> +"I never had any cause to suspect him." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope it is all right." +</P> + +<P> +"If it isn't, I will discharge him," said Cooper, nodding +emphatically. +</P> + +<P> +"He probably didn't think I would be here so soon. I didn't expect to +be, but a telegram summoned me to the city on other business." +</P> + +<P> +Of course Luke understood that the conversation related to Kean, and +that he had arrived none too soon. He came forward. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a letter for you from Mr. Kean," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Give it to me!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Cooper tore open the envelope, saw the bank bills, and read the +letter. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right, Mr. Crossley," he said, his brow clearing. "Read that +letter." +</P> + +<P> +"I am really glad," said Crossley. +</P> + +<P> +"How is Mr. Kean?" asked Cooper, in a friendly tone. +</P> + +<P> +"He had a severe headache, but he is better, and hopes to be at the +office to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell him I shall be glad to see him, but don't want him to come +unless he is really able." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir. I will do so." And Luke left the office. +</P> + +<P> +He went back to Ambrose Kean, and told him what had happened at the +office. +</P> + +<P> +"I have escaped better than I deserved," he said. "It will be a lesson +to me. Please tell Mrs. Merton that her timely aid has saved my +reputation and rescued my poor mother from sorrow and destitution." +</P> + +<P> +"I will, and I am sure she will consider the money well spent." +</P> + +<P> +The next morning, as Luke stood at his usual post, he saw Thomas +Browning, of Milwaukee, come out of the Sherman House. He knew him at +once by the wart on the upper part of his right cheek, which gave him +a remarkable appearance. +</P> + +<P> +"Can there be two persons answering this description?" Luke asked +himself. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning came across the street, and paused in front of Luke. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +STEPHEN WEBB IS PUZZLED +</H3> + +<P> +"Will you have a morning paper?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +He wanted to have a few words with Mr. Browning, even upon an +indifferent subject, as he now thought it probable that this was the +man who had defrauded his mother and himself. +</P> + +<P> +Browning, too, on his part, wished for an opportunity to speak with +the son of the man he had so shamefully swindled. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he said, abruptly, "you may give me the <I>Times.</I>" +</P> + +<P> +When the paper had been paid for, he said: +</P> + +<P> +"Do you make a good living at selling papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"It gives me about seventy-five cents a day," answered Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"You can live on that, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have a mother to support." +</P> + +<P> +"That makes a difference. Why do you stay in Chicago? You could make a +better living farther West." +</P> + +<P> +"In California?" asked Luke, looking intently at Browning. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning started. +</P> + +<P> +"What put California into your head?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"My father died in California." +</P> + +<P> +"A good reason for your not going there." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you might be able to tell me something about California," +continued Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Why should I?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought perhaps you had been there." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right," said Browning, after a pause. "I made a brief trip to +San Francisco at one time. It was on a slight matter of business. But +I don't know much about the interior and can't give you advice." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if this is true," thought Luke. "He admits having been to +California, but says he has never been in the interior. If that is the +case, he can't have met my father." +</P> + +<P> +"I may at some time have it in my power to find you a place farther +West, but not in California," resumed Browning. "I will take it into +consideration. I frequently come to Chicago, and I presume you are to +be found here." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning waved his hand by way of good-by, and continued on his +way. +</P> + +<P> +"The boy seems sharp," he said to himself. "If he had the slightest +hint of my connection with his father's money, he looks as if he would +follow it up. Luckily there is no witness and no evidence. No one can +prove that I received the money." +</P> + +<P> +At the corner of Adams Street Mr. Browning encountered his nephew, +Stephen Webb, who was gazing in at a window with a cigar in his mouth, +looking the very image of independent leisure. +</P> + +<P> +"You are profitably employed," said Browning, dryly. +</P> + +<P> +Stephen Webb wheeled round quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Glad to see you, Uncle Thomas," he said, effusively. "I suppose you +received my letter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you are satisfied. I had hard work to find out about the +boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! I don't see how there could be anything difficult about it. I +hope you didn't mention my name?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I suppose you are interested in the boy," said Stephen, with a +look of curious inquiry. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I always feel interested in the poor, and those who require +assistance." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad of that, uncle, for you have a poor nephew." +</P> + +<P> +"And a lazy one," said Browning, sharply. "Where would I be if I had +been as indolent as you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure I am willing to do whatever you require, Uncle Thomas. Have +you any instructions?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not just now, except to let me know all you can learn about the +newsboy. Has he any other source of income except selling papers?" +</P> + +<P> +"I believe he does a few odd jobs now and then, but I don't suppose he +earns much outside." +</P> + +<P> +"I was talking with him this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"You were!" ejaculated Stephen in a tone of curiosity. "Did you tell +him you felt an interest in him?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, and I don't want you to tell him so. I suggested that he could +make a better income by leaving Chicago, and going farther West." +</P> + +<P> +"I think I might like to do that, Uncle Thomas." +</P> + +<P> +"Then why don't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't go without money." +</P> + +<P> +"You could take up a quarter-section of land and start in as a farmer. +I could give you a lift that way if I thought you were in earnest." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I should succeed as a farmer," said Stephen, with a +grimace. +</P> + +<P> +"Too hard work, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am willing to work hard, but that isn't in my line." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, let that go. You asked if I had any instructions. Find +opportunities of talking with the boy, and speak in favor of going +West." +</P> + +<P> +"I will. Is there anything more?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I believe not." +</P> + +<P> +"You couldn't let me have a couple of dollars extra, could you, +uncle?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why should I?" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I felt sick last week, and had to call in a doctor, and then get +some medicine." +</P> + +<P> +"There's one dollar! Don't ask me for any more extras." +</P> + +<P> +"He's awfully close-fisted," grumbled Stephen. +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid King might visit Chicago, and find out the boy," said +Browning to himself as he continued his walk. "That would never do, +for he is a sharp fellow, and would put the boy on my track if he saw +any money in it. My best course is to get this Luke out of Chicago, if +I can." +</P> + +<P> +Stephen Webb made it in his way to fall in with Luke when he was +selling afternoon papers. +</P> + +<P> +"This is rather a slow way of making a fortune, isn't it, Luke?" he +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I have no thoughts of making a fortune at the newspaper +business." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you always expect to remain in it?" continued Webb. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, no," answered Luke, with a smile. "If I live to be fifty or +sixty I think I should find it rather tiresome." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right there." +</P> + +<P> +"But I don't see any way of getting out of it just yet. There may be +an opening for me by and by." +</P> + +<P> +"The chances for a young fellow in Chicago are not very good. Here am +I twenty-five years old and with no prospects to speak of." +</P> + +<P> +"A good many people seem to make good livings, and many grow rich, in +Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, if you've got money you can make money. Did you ever think of +going West?" +</P> + +<P> +Luke looked a little surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"A gentleman was speaking to me on that subject this morning," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +"What did he say to you?" asked Stephen, curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"He recommended me to go West, but did not seem to approve of +California." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not. Had he ever been there?" +</P> + +<P> +"He said he had visited San Francisco, but had never been in the +interior." +</P> + +<P> +"What a whopper that was!" thought Stephen Webb. "Why should Uncle +Thomas say that?" +</P> + +<P> +"What sort of a looking man was he? Had you ever seen him before?" he +inquired. +</P> + +<P> +"He is a peculiar-looking man—has a wart on his right cheek." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he mention the particular part of the West?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; he said he would look out for a chance for me." +</P> + +<P> +"It is curious Uncle Thomas feels such an interest in that boy," Webb +said to himself, meditatively. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MRS. MERTON PASSES A PLEASANT EVENING +</H3> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean called with Luke an evening or two later to thank Mrs. +Merton in person for her kindness. They arrived ten minutes after Mrs. +Tracy and Harold had started for Hooley's Theater, and thus were saved +an embarrassing meeting with two persons who would have treated them +frigidly. +</P> + +<P> +They were conducted upstairs by the servant, and were ushered into +Mrs. Merton's room. +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean was naturally ill at ease, knowing that Mrs. Merton was +acquainted with the error he had committed. But the old lady received +him cordially. +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad to meet the son of my old schoolmate, Mary Robinson," she +said. +</P> + +<P> +"In spite of his unworthiness?" returned Ambrose, his cheek flushing +with shame. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know whether he is unworthy. That remains to be seen." +</P> + +<P> +"You know I yielded to temptation and committed a theft." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but it was to help your mother." +</P> + +<P> +"It was, but that does not relieve me from guilt." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right; still it greatly mitigates it. Take my advice; forget +it, and never again yield to a similar temptation." +</P> + +<P> +"I will not, indeed, Mrs. Merton," said the young many earnestly. "I +feel that I have been very fortunate in escaping the consequences of +my folly, and in enlisting your sympathy." +</P> + +<P> +"That is well! Let us forget this disagreeable circumstance, and look +forward to the future. How is Mary your mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"She is an invalid." +</P> + +<P> +"And poor. There is a remedy for poverty. Let us also hope there is a +remedy for her ill-health. But tell me, why did you not come to see me +before? You have been some time in Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +"True, but I knew you were a rich lady. I didn't think you would +remember or care to hear from one so poor and obscure as my mother." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, I consider that far from a compliment," said the old lady. "You +really thought as badly of me as that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know you better now," said Ambrose, gratefully. +</P> + +<P> +"It is well you do. You have no idea how intimate your mother and I +used to be. She is five years my junior, I think, so that I regarded +her as a younger sister. It is many years since we met. And how is she +looking?" +</P> + +<P> +"She shows the effects of bad health, but I don't think she looks +older than her years." +</P> + +<P> +"We have both changed greatly, no doubt. It is to be expected. But you +can tell her that I have not forgotten the favorite companion of my +school days." +</P> + +<P> +"I will do so, for I know it will warm her heart and brighten her +up." +</P> + +<P> +"When we were girls together our worldly circumstances did not greatly +differ. But I married, and my husband was very successful in +business." +</P> + +<P> +"While she married and lost all she had." +</P> + +<P> +"It is often so. It might have been the other way. Your mother might +have been rich, and I poor; but I don't think she would have been +spoiled by prosperity any more than I have been. Now tell me how you +are situated." +</P> + +<P> +"I am a clerk, earning twelve dollars a week." +</P> + +<P> +"And your employer—is he kind and considerate?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is just, but he has strict notions. Had he learned my slip the +other day he would have discharged me, perhaps had me arrested. Now, +thanks to your prompt kindness, he knows and will know nothing of +it." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he likely to increase your salary?" +</P> + +<P> +"He will probably raise me to fifteen dollars a week next January. +Then I can get along very well. At present it is difficult for me, +after sending my mother four dollars a week, to live on the balance of +my salary." +</P> + +<P> +"I should think it would be." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, I would have made it do, but for mother's falling sick, and so +needing a larger allowance." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope she is not seriously ill," said Mrs. Merton, with solicitude. +</P> + +<P> +"No, fortunately not. I think she will be as well as usual in a few +weeks." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell her I inquired particularly for her, and that I send her my love +and remembrance." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be only too glad to do so." +</P> + +<P> +The time slipped away so rapidly that Luke was surprised when, looking +at the French clock on the mantel, he saw that it lacked but a quarter +of ten o'clock. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Kean," he said, glancing at the clock, "it is getting late." +</P> + +<P> +"So it is," said Ambrose, rising. "I am afraid we have been +trespassing upon your kindness, Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all!" said Mrs. Merton, promptly. "I have enjoyed the evening, +I can assure you. Mr. Kean, you must call again." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be glad to do so, if you will permit me." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you to do so. Luke will come with you. I shall want to hear +more of your mother, and how she gets along." +</P> + +<P> +As they were leaving, Mrs. Merton slipped into the hand of Ambrose +Kean an envelope. +</P> + +<P> +"The contents is for your mother," she said. "I have made the check +payable to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you. It is another mark of your kindness." +</P> + +<P> +When Ambrose Kean examined the check, he ascertained to his joy that +it was for a hundred dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"What a splendid old lady she is, Luke!" he said, enthusiastically. +</P> + +<P> +"She is always kind, Mr. Kean. I have much to be grateful to her for. +I wish I could say the same of other members of the family." +</P> + +<P> +"What other members of the family are there?" +</P> + +<P> +"A niece, Mrs. Tracy, and her son, Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"Why didn't we see them to-night?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. I suppose they were out." +</P> + +<P> +The next day Ambrose handed the check to his employer and asked if he +would indorse it, and so enable him to draw the money. +</P> + +<P> +James Cooper took the check and examined the signature. +</P> + +<P> +"Eliza Merton," said he. "Is it the rich Mrs. Merton who lives on +Prairie Avenue?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed; I did not know that you were acquainted with her." +</P> + +<P> +"She and my mother were schoolmates." +</P> + +<P> +"And so you keep up the acquaintance?" +</P> + +<P> +"I spent last evening at her house. This check is a gift from her to +my mother." +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean rose greatly in the estimation of his employer when the +latter learned that Kean had such an aristocratic friend, and he was +treated with more respect and consideration than before. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Harold and his mother had enjoyed themselves at the +theater. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose Aunt Eliza went to bed early, Harold," said Mrs. Tracy, as +they were on their way home. +</P> + +<P> +"Went to roost with the hens," suggested Harold, laughing at what he +thought to be a good joke. +</P> + +<P> +"Probably it is as well for her," said his mother. "It isn't good for +old people to sit up late." +</P> + +<P> +It was about half-past eleven when they were admitted by the drowsy +servant. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose Mrs. Merton went to bed long ago, Laura," said Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"No, ma'am, she set up later than usual." +</P> + +<P> +"That is odd. I thought she would feel lonely." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, she had company, ma'am." +</P> + +<P> +"Company! Who?" +</P> + +<P> +"Master Luke was here all the evenin', and a young man with him." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy frowned ominously. +</P> + +<P> +"The sly young artful!" she said to Harold when they were alone. "He +is trying all he can to get on aunt's weak side. Something will have +to be done, or we shall be left out in the cold." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MRS. TRACY'S BROTHER +</H3> + +<P> +A day or two later, while Mrs. Merton was in the city shopping, +accompanied by Luke, a man of thirty years of age ascended the steps +of the house on Prairie Avenue and rang the bell. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Mrs. Tracy at home?" he asked of the servant who answered the +bell. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; what name shall I give?" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind about the name. Say it is an old friend." +</P> + +<P> +"Won't you come in, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I believe I will." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy received the message with surprise mingled with curiosity. +</P> + +<P> +"Who can it be?" she asked herself. +</P> + +<P> +She came downstairs without delay. +</P> + +<P> +The stranger, who had taken a seat in the hall, rose and faced her. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know me, Louisa?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it you, Warner?" she exclaimed, surprised and! startled. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he answered, laughing. "It's a good while since we met." +</P> + +<P> +"Five years. And have you——" +</P> + +<P> +"What—reformed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I can't say as to that. I can only tell you that I am not +wanted by the police at present. Is the old lady still alive?" +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, she is alive and well." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought perhaps she might have died, and left you in possession of +her property." +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet. I don't think she has any intention of dying for a +considerable number of years." +</P> + +<P> +"That is awkward. Has she done nothing for you?" +</P> + +<P> +"We have a free home here, and she makes me a moderate allowance, but +she is not disposed to part with much money while she lives." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry for that. I thought you might be able to help me to some +money. I am terribly hard up." +</P> + +<P> +"You always were, no matter how much money you had." +</P> + +<P> +"I never had much. The next thing is, how does the old lady feel +toward me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think she feels very friendly, though nothing has passed +between us respecting you for a long time. She has very strict notions +about honesty, and when you embezzled your employer's money you got +into her black books." +</P> + +<P> +"That was a youthful indiscretion," said Warner, smiling. "Can't you +convince her of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I doubt if I can lead her to think of it in that light." +</P> + +<P> +"I know what that means, Louisa. You want to get the whole of the old +lady's property for yourself and that boy of yours. You always were +selfish." +</P> + +<P> +"No, Warner, though I think I am entitled to the larger part of aunt's +money, I don't care to have you left out in the cold. I will do what I +can to reconcile her to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, that's fair and square. You're a trump, Louisa. You have not +forgotten that I am your brother." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I am not so selfish as you think. If I don't succeed in restoring +you to Aunt Eliza's good graces, and she chooses to leave me all her +property, I promise to take care of you and allow you a fair income." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, but I would rather the old lady would provide for +me herself." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you doubt my word?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but your idea of what would be a fair income might differ from +mine. How much do you think the old lady's worth?" +</P> + +<P> +"Quarter of a million, I should think," replied Mrs. Tracy, +guardedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and considerably more, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps so. I have no means of judging." +</P> + +<P> +"Supposing it to be the figure you name, how much would you be willing +to give me, if she leaves me out in the cold?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am not prepared to say, Warner. I would see that you had no good +reason to complain." +</P> + +<P> +"I should prefer to have you name a figure, so that I might know what +to depend upon." +</P> + +<P> +But this Mrs. Tracy declined to do, though her brother continued to +urge her. +</P> + +<P> +"Where have you been for a few years past, Warner?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Floating about. At first I didn't dare to come back. It was a year at +least before I heard that aunt had paid up the sum I got away with. +When I did hear it I was in Australia." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do there?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was a bookkeeper in Melbourne for a time. Then I went into the +country. From Australia I came to California, and went to the mines. +In fact, I have only just come from there." +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't you manage to make money anywhere?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but it didn't stick by me. How much money do you think I have +about me now?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't guess," said Mrs. Tracy, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"Five dollars and a few cents. However, I am sure you will help me," +he continued. +</P> + +<P> +"Really, Warner, you mustn't hope for too much from me. I have but a +small allowance from Aunt Eliza—hardly enough to buy necessary +articles for Harold and myself." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you can speak to aunt in my behalf." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I can do that." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is she?" +</P> + +<P> +"She has gone out shopping this morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Alone, or is Harold with her?" +</P> + +<P> +"Neither," answered Mrs. Tracy, her brow darkening. "She has picked up +a boy from the street, and installed him as a first favorite." +</P> + +<P> +"That's queer, isn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but Aunt Eliza was always queer." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the boy's name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"What's his character?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sly—artful. He is scheming to have aunt leave him Something in her +will." +</P> + +<P> +"If she leaves him a few hundred dollars it won't hurt us much." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know the boy. He won't be satisfied with that." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to say that his influence over aunt is dangerous?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I do." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you get her to bounce him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have done what I could, but she seems to be infatuated. If he were +a gentleman's son I shouldn't mind so much, but Harold saw him the +other day selling papers near the Sherman House." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think aunt's mind is failing?" +</P> + +<P> +"She seems rational enough on all other subjects. She was always +shrewd and sharp, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's rather an interesting state of things. I haven't +returned to Chicago any too soon." +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you say that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because it will be my duty to spoil the chances of this presuming +young man." +</P> + +<P> +"That is easier said than done. You forget that Aunt Eliza thinks a +great deal more of him than she does of you." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't a doubt that you are right." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what can you do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Convince her that he is a scapegrace. Get him into a scrape, in other +words." +</P> + +<P> +"But he is too smart to be dishonest, if that is what you mean." +</P> + +<P> +"It is not necessary for him to be dishonest. It is only necessary for +her to think he is dishonest." +</P> + +<P> +There was some further conversation. As Warner Powell was leaving the +house, after promising to call in the evening, he met on the steps +Mrs. Merton, under the escort of Luke Walton. +</P> + +<P> +The old lady eyed him sharply. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap26"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION +</H3> + +<P> +"Don't you know me, Aunt Eliza?" asked Warner Powell casting down his +eyes under the sharp glance of the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"So it is you, is it?" responded Mrs. Merton, in a tone which could +not be considered cordial. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it is I. I hope you are not sorry to see me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! It depends on whether you have improved or not." +</P> + +<P> +Luke Walton listened with natural interest and curiosity. This did not +suit Mrs. Tracy, who did not care to have a stranger made acquainted +with her brother's peccadilloes. +</P> + +<P> +"Warner," she said, "I think Aunt Eliza will do you the justice to +listen to your explanation. I imagine, young man, Mrs. Merton will not +require your services any longer to-day." +</P> + +<P> +The last words were addressed to Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Luke; you can go," said the old lady, in a very different tone. +</P> + +<P> +Luke bowed and left the house. +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa," said Mrs. Merton, "in five minutes you may bring your +brother up to my room." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, aunt." +</P> + +<P> +When they entered the apartment they found the old lady seated in a +rocking-chair awaiting them. +</P> + +<P> +"So you have reformed, have you?" she asked, abruptly. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so, Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so, too. It is full time. Where have you been?" +</P> + +<P> +"To Australia, California, and elsewhere." +</P> + +<P> +"A rolling stone gathers no moss." +</P> + +<P> +"In this case it applies," said Warner. "I have earned more or less +money, but I have none now." +</P> + +<P> +"How old are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thirty." +</P> + +<P> +"A young man ought not to be penniless at that age. If you had +remained in your place at Mr. Afton's, and behaved yourself, you would +be able to tell a different story." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it, aunt." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be too hard upon him, Aunt Eliza," put in Mrs. Tracy. "He is +trying to do well now." +</P> + +<P> +"I am very glad to hear it." +</P> + +<P> +"Would you mind my inviting him to stay here for a time? The house is +large, you know." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton paused. She didn't like the arrangement, but she was a +just and merciful woman, and it was possible that Warner had reformed, +though she was not fully satisfied on that point. +</P> + +<P> +"For a time," she answered, "till he can find employment." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Aunt Eliza," said the young man, relieved, for he had been +uncertain how his aunt would treat him. "I hope to show that your +kindness is appreciated." +</P> + +<P> +"I am rather tired now," responded Mrs. Merton, as an indication that +the interview was over. +</P> + +<P> +"We'd better go and let aunt rest," said Warner, with alacrity. He did +not feel altogether comfortable in the society of the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +When they were alone Mrs. Tracy turned to her brother with a smile of +satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"You have reason to congratulate yourself on your reception," she +said. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know about that. The old woman wasn't very complimentary." +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful how you speak of her. She might hear you, or the servants +might, and report." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, she is an old woman, isn't she?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is much better to refer to her as the old lady—better still to +speak of her as Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope she will make up her mind to do something for me." +</P> + +<P> +"She has; she gives you a home in this house." +</P> + +<P> +"I would a good deal rather have her pay my board outside, where I +would feel more independent." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been thinking, Warner, you might become her secretary and man +of business. In that case she would dispense with this boy, whose +presence bodes danger to us all." +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't mind being her man of business, to take charge of her +money, but as to trotting round town with her like a tame poodle, +please excuse me." +</P> + +<P> +"Warner," said his sister, rather sharply, "just remember, if you +please, that beggars can't be choosers." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not, but this plan of yours would be foolish. She wouldn't +like it, nor would I. Why don't you put Harold up to offering his +services? He's as large as this boy, isn't he?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is about the same size." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it would be a capital plan. You would get rid of the boy that +way." +</P> + +<P> +"You forget that Harold has not finished his education. He is now +attending a commercial school. I should like to have him go to +college, but he doesn't seem to care about it." +</P> + +<P> +"So, after all, the boy seems to be a necessity." +</P> + +<P> +"I would prefer a different boy—less artful and designing." +</P> + +<P> +"How much does the old woman—beg pardon, the old lady—pay him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Harold asked Luke, but he wouldn't tell. I have no +doubt he manages to secure twice as much as his services are worth. +He's got on Aunt Eliza's blind side." +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I would like to do, but I have never been able to discover +that she had any." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you take notice of the boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he's rather a good-looking youngster, it seems to me." +</P> + +<P> +"How can you say so?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, sharply. "There's a very +common look about him, I think. He isn't nearly as good-looking as +Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"Harold used to look like you," said Warner, with a smile. "Natural +you should think him good-looking. But don't it show a little +self-conceit, Louisa?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's a poor joke," answered his sister, coldly. "What are you going +to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Going out to see if I can find any of my old acquaintances." +</P> + +<P> +"You had much better look out for a position, as Aunt Eliza hinted." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be in such a hurry, Louisa. Please bear in mind that I have +only just arrived in Chicago after an absence of five years." +</P> + +<P> +"Dinner will be ready in half an hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you. I don't think I should like a second interview with Aunt +Eliza quite so soon. I will lunch outside." +</P> + +<P> +"A lunch outside costs money, and you are not very well provided in +that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't trouble yourself about that, Louisa. I intend to be very +economical. +</P> + +<P> +"My estimable sister is about as mean as anyone I know," said Warner +to himself, as he left the house. "Between her and the old woman, I +don't think I shall find it very agreeable living here. A cheap +boarding house would be infinitely preferable." +</P> + +<P> +On State Street Warner Powell fell in with Stephen Webb, an old +acquaintance. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it you, Warner?" asked Webb, in surprise. "It's an age since I saw +you." +</P> + +<P> +"So it is. I haven't been in Chicago for five years." +</P> + +<P> +"I remember. A little trouble, wasn't there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but I'm all right now, except that I haven't any money to speak +of." +</P> + +<P> +"That's my situation exactly." +</P> + +<P> +"However, I've got an old aunt worth a million, more or less, only she +doesn't fully appreciate her nephew." +</P> + +<P> +"And I have an uncle, pretty well to do, who isn't so deeply impressed +with my merits as I wish he were." +</P> + +<P> +"I am staying with my aunt just at present, but hope to have +independent quarters soon. One trouble is, she takes a fancy to a boy +named Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton!" repeated Stephen in amazement. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, my uncle has set me to spy on him—why, I haven't been able to +find out. So he is in favor with your aunt?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he calls at the house every day, and is in her employ. Sometimes +she goes out shopping with him." +</P> + +<P> +"That's strange. Let us drop into the Saratoga and compare notes." +</P> + +<P> +They turned into Dearborn Street, and sat down to lunch in the +Saratoga. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap27"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +UNCLE AND NEPHEW +</H3> + +<P> +"So this boy is an object of interest to your uncle?" resumed Warner +Powell. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Does he give any reason for his interest?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, except that he is inclined to help him when there is an +opportunity." +</P> + +<P> +"Does the boy know him?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Has he met your uncle?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; Uncle Thomas frequently visits Chicago—he lives in +Milwaukee—and stays at the Sherman when he is here. He has stopped +and bought a paper of Luke once or twice." +</P> + +<P> +"I remember my sister told me this boy Luke was a newsboy." +</P> + +<P> +"How did he get in with your aunt?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. I presume it was a chance acquaintance. However that +may be, the young rascal seems to have got on her blind side, and to +be installed first favorite." +</P> + +<P> +"Your sister doesn't like it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much. Between you and me, Louisa—Mrs. Tracy—means to inherit +all the old lady's property, and doesn't like to have anyone come in, +even for a trifle. She'll have me left out in the cold if she can, but +I mean to have something to say to that. In such matters you can't +trust even your own sister." +</P> + +<P> +"I agree with you, Warner." +</P> + +<P> +The two young men ate a hearty dinner, and then adjourned to a +billiard room, where they spent the afternoon over the game. Warner +reached home in time for supper. +</P> + +<P> +"Where have you been, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Looking for work," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"What success did you meet with?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much as yet. I fell in with an old acquaintance, who may assist +me in that direction." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad you have lost no time in seeking employment. It will please +aunt." +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell suppressed a smile. He wondered what Mrs. Merton would +have thought could she have seen in what manner he prosecuted his +search for employment. +</P> + +<P> +"This is Harold," said Mrs. Tracy, proudly, as her son came in. +"Harold, this is your Uncle Warner." +</P> + +<P> +"So you are Harold," said his uncle. "I remember you in short pants. +You have changed considerably in five years." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I suppose so," answered Harold, curtly. "Where have you been?" +</P> + +<P> +"In Australia, California, and so on." +</P> + +<P> +"How long are you going to stay in Chicago?" +</P> + +<P> +"That depends on whether I can find employment. If you hear of a place +let me know." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know of any unless Aunt Eliza will take you into her employ +in place of that newsboy, Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"She can have me if she will pay me enough salary. How much does Luke +get?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. He won't tell." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you like him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't consider him a fit associate for me. He is a common +newsboy." +</P> + +<P> +"Does Aunt Eliza know that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; it makes no difference to her. She's infatuated with him." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish she were infatuated with me. I shall have to ask Luke his +secret. Aunt Eliza doesn't prefer him to you, does she?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have no doubt she does. She's very queer about some things." +</P> + +<P> +"Harold," said his mother, solicitously, "I don't think you pay Aunt +Eliza enough attention. Old persons, you know, like to receive +courtesies." +</P> + +<P> +"I treat her politely, don't I?" asked Harold, aggressively. "I can't +be dancing attendance upon her and flattering her all the time." +</P> + +<P> +"From what I have seen of Luke Walton," thought Warner Powell, "I +should decidedly prefer him to this nephew of mine. He seems conceited +and disagreeable. Of course, it won't do to tell Louisa that, for she +evidently admires her graceless cub, because he is hers." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you intimate with this Luke?" asked Warner, mischievously. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you take me for?" demanded Harold, of fended. "I am not in +the habit of getting intimate with street boys." +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not so proud as you, Nephew Harold," he said. "Travelers pick +up strange companions. In San Francisco I became intimate with a +Chinaman." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Harold, in incredulity and disgust." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I do." +</P> + +<P> +"You weren't in the laundry business with him, were you?" went on +Harold, with a sneer. +</P> + +<P> +"No," he answered aloud. "The laundry business may be a very good +one—I should like the income it produces even now—but I don't think +I have the necessary talent for it. My Chinese friend was a commission +merchant worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. I wasn't above +borrowing money from him sometimes." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, that makes a difference," said Mrs. Tracy, desiring to +make peace between her brother and son. "He must have been a superior +man. Harold thought you meant a common Chinaman, such as we have in +Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +The reunited family sat down to supper together. +</P> + +<P> +After supper Warner made an excuse for going out. +</P> + +<P> +"I have an engagement with a friend who knows of a position he thinks +I can secure," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you won't be late," said Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I presume not, but you had better give me a pass key." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy did so reluctantly. She was afraid Harold might want to +join his uncle; but the nephew was not taken with his new relative, +and made no such proposal. +</P> + +<P> +In reality, Warner Powell had made an engagement to go to McVicker's +Theater with his friend Stephen Webb, who had arranged to meet him at +the Sherman House. +</P> + +<P> +While waiting, Warner, who had an excellent memory for faces, +recognized Luke, who was selling papers at his usual post. There was +some startling news in the evening papers—a collision on Lake +Michigan—and Luke had ordered an unusual supply, which occupied him +later than his ordinary hour. He had taken a hasty supper at Brockway +& Milan's, foreseeing that he would not be home till late. +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza's boy!" thought Warner. "I may as well take this +opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance." +</P> + +<P> +He went up to Luke and asked for a paper. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't remember me?" he said, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered Luke, looking puzzled. +</P> + +<P> +"I saw you on Prairie Avenue this morning. Mrs. Merton is my aunt." +</P> + +<P> +"I remember you now. Are you Mrs. Tracy's brother?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and the uncle of Harold. How do you and Harold get along?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all. He takes very little notice of me." +</P> + +<P> +"He is a snob. Being his uncle, I take the liberty to say it." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no love lost between us," Luke said. "I would like to be +more friendly, but he treats me like an enemy." +</P> + +<P> +"He is jealous of your favor with my aunt." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no occasion for it. He is a relative, and I am only in her +employ." +</P> + +<P> +"She thinks a good deal of you, doesn't she?" +</P> + +<P> +"She treats me very kindly." +</P> + +<P> +"Harold suggested to me this evening at supper that I should take your +place. You needn't feel anxious. I have no idea of doing so, and she +wouldn't have me if I had." +</P> + +<P> +"I think a man like you could do better." +</P> + +<P> +"I am willing to. But here comes my friend, who is going to the +theater with me." +</P> + +<P> +Looking up, Luke was surprised to see Stephen Webb. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap28"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HAROLD'S TEMPTATION +</H3> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton was rather astonished when her grand-nephew Harold walked +into her room one day and inquired for her health. (She had been +absent from the dinner table on account of a headache.) +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Harold," she said. "I am feeling a little better." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you any errand you would like to have me do for you?" +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton was still more surprised, for offers of services were rare +with Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, again," she said, "but Luke was here this morning, and I +gave him two or three commissions." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you would like me to read to you, Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, but I am a little afraid it wouldn't be a good thing for +my head. How are you getting on at school, Harold?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't want to go to college?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I think I would rather be a business man." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you know your own tastes best." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza," said Harold, after a pause, "I want to ask a favor of +you." +</P> + +<P> +"Speak out, Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"Won't you be kind enough to give me ten dollars?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars," repeated the old lady, eying Harold closely. "Why do +you want ten dollars?" +</P> + +<P> +"You see, mother keeps me very close. All the fellows have more money +to spend than I." +</P> + +<P> +"How much does your mother give you as an allowance?" +</P> + +<P> +"Two dollars a week." +</P> + +<P> +"It seems to me that is liberal, considering that you don't have to +pay for your board or clothes." +</P> + +<P> +"A boy in my position is expected to spend money." +</P> + +<P> +"Who expects it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, everybody." +</P> + +<P> +"By the way, what is your position?" asked the old lady, pointedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why," said Harold, uneasily, "I am supposed to be rich, as I live in +a nice neighborhood on a fashionable street." +</P> + +<P> +"That doesn't make you rich, does it?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered Harold, with hesitation. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't feel absolutely obliged to spend more than your allowance, +do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you see, the fellows think I am mean if I don't. There's Ben +Clark has an allowance of five dollars a week, and he is three months +younger than I am." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I think his parents or guardians are very unwise. How does he +spend his liberal allowance?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he has a good time." +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid it isn't the sort of good time I would approve." +</P> + +<P> +"Luke has more money than I have, and he is only a newsboy," grumbled +Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"I notice he always has money." +</P> + +<P> +"I doubt whether he spends half a dollar a week on his own amusement. +He has a mother and young brother to support." +</P> + +<P> +"He says so!" +</P> + +<P> +"So you doubt it?" +</P> + +<P> +"It may be true." +</P> + +<P> +"If you find it isn't true you can let me know." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry that you think so much more of Luke than of me," +complained Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know I do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mother thinks so as well as I." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we leave Luke out of consideration. I shall think as much of +you as you deserve." +</P> + +<P> +Harold rose from his seat. +</P> + +<P> +"As you have no errand for me, Aunt Eliza, I will go," he said. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton unlocked a drawer in a work table, took out a pocketbook, +and extracted therefrom a ten-dollar-bill. +</P> + +<P> +"You have asked me a favor, and I will grant it—for once," she said. +"Here are ten dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you," said Harold, joyfully. +</P> + +<P> +"I won't even ask how you propose to spend it. I thought of doing so, +but it would imply distrust, and for this occasion I won't show any." +</P> + +<P> +"You are very kind, Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad you think so. You are welcome to the money." +</P> + +<P> +Harold left the room in high spirits. He decided not to let his mother +know that he had received so large a sum, as she might inquire to what +use he intended to put it; and some of his expenditures, he felt +pretty sure, would not be approved by her. +</P> + +<P> +He left the house, and going downtown, joined a couple of friends of +his own stamp. They adjourned to a billiard saloon, and between +billiards, bets upon the game, and drinks, Harold managed to spend +three dollars before suppertime. +</P> + +<P> +Three days later the entire sum given him by his aunt was gone. +</P> + +<P> +When Harold made the discovery, he sighed. His dream was over. It had +been pleasant as long as it lasted, but it was over too soon. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I must go back to my mean allowance," he said to himself, in a +discontented tone. "Aunt Eliza might give me ten dollars every week +just as well as not. She is positively rolling in wealth, while I have +to grub along like a newsboy. Why, that fellow Luke has a great deal +more money than I." +</P> + +<P> +A little conversation which he had with his Uncle Warner made his +discontent more intense. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Harold, what makes you look so blue?" he asked one day. +</P> + +<P> +"Because I haven't got any money," answered Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Doesn't your mother or Aunt Eliza give you any?" +</P> + +<P> +"I get a little, but it isn't as much as the other fellows get." +</P> + +<P> +"How much?" +</P> + +<P> +"Two dollars a week." +</P> + +<P> +"It is more than I had when I was of your age." +</P> + +<P> +"That doesn't make it any better." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza isn't exactly lavish; still, she pays Luke Walton +generously." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know how much he gets a week?" asked Harold, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Ten dollars!" ejaculated Harold. "You don't really mean it." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I do. I saw her pay him that sum yesterday. I asked her if it +wasn't liberal. She admitted it, but said he had a mother and brother +to support." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a shame!" cried Harold, passionately. +</P> + +<P> +"Why is it? The money is her own, isn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"She ought not to treat a stranger better than her own nephew." +</P> + +<P> +"That means me, I judge," said Warner, smiling. "Well, there isn't +anything we can do about it, is there?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't know as there is," replied Harold, slowly. +</P> + +<P> +But he thought over what his uncle had told him, and it made him very +bitter. He brooded over it till it seemed to him as if it were a great +outrage. He felt that he was treated with the greatest injustice. He +was incensed with his aunt, but still more so with Luke Walton, whom +he looked upon as an artful adventurer. +</P> + +<P> +It was while he was cherishing these feelings that a great temptation +came to him. He found, one day in the street, a bunch of keys of +various sizes attached to a small steel ring. He picked it up, and +quick as a flash there came to him the thought of the drawer in his +aunt's work table, from which he had seen her take out the morocco +pocketbook. He had observed that the ten-dollar bill she gave him was +only one out of a large roll, and his cupidity was aroused. He rapidly +concocted a scheme by which he would be enabled to provide himself +with money, and throw suspicion upon Luke. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap29"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HAROLD'S THEFT +</H3> + +<P> +The next morning, Mrs. Merton, escorted by Luke, went to make some +purchases in the city. Mrs. Tracy went out, also, having an engagement +with one of her friends living on Cottage Grove Avenue. Harold went +out directly after breakfast, but returned at half-past ten. He went +upstairs and satisfied himself that except the servants, he was alone +in the house. +</P> + +<P> +"The coast is clear," he said, joyfully. "Now if the key only fits." +</P> + +<P> +He went to his aunt's sitting room, and, not anticipating any +interruption, directed his steps a once to the small table, from a +drawer in which he had seen Mrs. Merton take the morocco pocketbook. +He tried one key after another, and finally succeeded in opening the +drawer. He drew it out with nervous anxiety, fearing that the +pocket-book might have been removed, in which case all his work would +have been thrown away. +</P> + +<P> +But no! Fortune favored him this time, if it can be called a favor. +There, in plain sight, was the morocco pocketbook. Harold, pale with +excitement, seized and opened it. His eyes glistened as he saw that it +was well filled. He took out the roll of bills, and counted them. +There were five ten-dollar bills and three fives—sixty-five dollars +in all. There would have been more, but Mrs. Merton, before going out, +had taken four fives, which she intended to use. +</P> + +<P> +It was Harold's first theft, and he trembled with agitation as he +thrust the pocketbook into his pocket. He would have trembled still +more if he had known that his mother's confidential maid and +seamstress, Felicie Lacouvreur, had seen everything through the +crevice formed by the half-open door. +</P> + +<P> +Felicie smiled to herself as she moved noiselessly away from her post +of concealment. +</P> + +<P> +"Master Harold is trying a dangerous experiment," she said to herself. +"Now he is in my power. He has been insolent to me more than once, as +if he were made of superior clay, but Felicie, though only a poor +servant, is not, thank Heaven, a thief, as he is. It is a very +interesting drama. I shall wait patiently till it is quite played +out." +</P> + +<P> +In his hurry, Harold came near leaving the room with the table drawer +open. But he bethought himself in time, went back, and locked it +securely. It was like shutting the stable door after the horse was +stolen. Then, with the stolen money in his possession, he left the +house. He did not wish to be found at home when his aunt returned. +</P> + +<P> +Harold had sixty-five dollars in his pocket—an amount quite beyond +what he had ever before had at his disposal—but it must be admitted +that he did not feel as happy as he had expected. If he had come by it +honestly—if, for instance, it had been given him—his heart would +have beat high with exultation, but as it was, he walked along with +clouded brow. Presently he ran across one of his friends, who noticed +his discomposure. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Harold?" he asked. "You are in the dumps." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no," answered Harold, forcing himself to assume a more cheerful +aspect. "I have no reason to feel blue." +</P> + +<P> +"You are only acting, then? I must congratulate you on your success. +You look for all the world like the Knight of the Sorrowful +Countenance." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is he?" asked Harold, who was not literary. +</P> + +<P> +"Don Quixote. Did you never hear of him?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Then your education has been neglected. What are you going to do +to-day?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we visit a dime museum?" +</P> + +<P> +"All right." +</P> + +<P> +"That is, if you have any money. I am high and dry." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I have some money." +</P> + +<P> +They went to a dime museum on Clark Street. +</P> + +<P> +Harold surprised his companion by paying for the two tickets out of a +five-dollar bill. +</P> + +<P> +"You're flush, Harold," said his friend. "Has anybody left you a +fortune?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered Harold, uneasily. "I've been saving up money lately." +</P> + +<P> +"You have? Why, I've heard of your being at theaters, playing +billiards, and so on." +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, Robert Greve, I don't see why you need trouble yourself so +much about where I get my money." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be cranky, Harold," said Robert, good-humoredly, "I won't say +another word. Only I am glad to find my friends in a healthy financial +condition. I only wish I could say the same of myself." +</P> + +<P> +There happened to be a matinee at the Grand Opera House, and Harold +proposed going. First, however, they took a nice lunch at Brockway & +Milan's, a mammoth restaurant on Clark Street, Harold paying the +bill. +</P> + +<P> +As they came out of the theater, Luke Walton chanced to pass. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-afternoon, Harold," he said. +</P> + +<P> +Harold tossed his head, but did not reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is that boy—one of your acquaintances?" asked Robert Greve. +</P> + +<P> +"He works for my aunt," answered Harold. "It is like his impudence to +speak to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Why shouldn't he speak to you, if you know him?" said Robert Greve, +who did not share Harold's foolish pride. +</P> + +<P> +"He appears to think he is my equal," continued Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"He seems a nice boy." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know him as I do. He is a common newsboy." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose he is; that doesn't hurt him, does it?" +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know what I mean. You don't think a common newsboy fit to +associate with on equal terms, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +Robert Greve laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"You are too high-toned, Harold," he said. "If he is a nice boy, I +don't care what sort of business a friend of mine follows." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I do," snapped Harold, "and so does my mother. I don't believe +in being friends with the ragtag and bobtail of society." +</P> + +<P> +Luke Walton did not allow his feelings to be hurt by the decided +rebuff he had received from Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"I owe it to myself to act like a gentleman," he reflected. "If Harold +doesn't choose to be polite, it is his lookout, not mine. He looks +down upon me because I am a working boy. I don't mean always to be a +newsboy or an errand boy. I shall work my way upwards as fast as I +can, and, in time, I may come to fill a good place in society." +</P> + +<P> +It will be seen that Luke was ambitious. He looked above and beyond +the present, and determined to improve his social condition. +</P> + +<P> +It was six o'clock when Harold ascended the steps of the mansion on +Prairie Avenue. He had devoted the day to amusement, but had derived +very little pleasure from the money he had expended. He had very +little left of the five-dollar bill which he had first changed at the +dime museum. It was not easy to say where his money had gone, but it +had melted away, in one shape or another. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder whether Aunt Eliza has discovered her loss," thought Harold. +"I hope I shan't show any signs of nervousness when I meet her. I +don't see how she can possibly suspect me. If anything is said about +the lost pocketbook, I will try to throw suspicion on Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +Harold did not stop to think how mean this would be. +Self-preservation, it has been said, is the first law of nature, and +self-preservation required that he should avert suspicion from himself +by any means in his power. He went into the house whistling, as if to +show that his mind was quite free from care. +</P> + +<P> +In the hall he met Felicie. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think has happened, Master Harold?" asked the French +maid. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know, I'm sure." +</P> + +<P> +"Your aunt has been robbed. Some money has been taken from her room." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap30"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE WALTON IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT +</H3> + +<P> +Harold was prepared for the announcement, as he felt confident his +aunt would soon discover her loss, but he felt a little nervous, +nevertheless. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean it?" he ejaculated, in well-counterfeited, surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a fact." +</P> + +<P> +"When did Aunt Eliza discover her loss, Felicie?" +</P> + +<P> +"As soon as she got home. She went to her drawer to put back some +money she had on hand, and found the pocketbook gone." +</P> + +<P> +"Was there much money in it?" +</P> + +<P> +"She doesn't say how much." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Harold, thinking it time to carry on the programme he had +determined upon, "I can't say I am surprised." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not surprised!" repeated Felicie, slowly. "Why? Do you know +anything about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Do I know anything about it?" said Harold, coloring. "What do you +mean by that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because you say you are not surprised. I was surprised, and so was +the old lady and your mother." +</P> + +<P> +"You must be very stupid not to understand what I mean," said Harold, +annoyed. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I am very stupid, for I do not know at all why you are not +surprised." +</P> + +<P> +"I mean that the boy Aunt Eliza employs—that boy Luke has taken the +money." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you think the boy, Luke, has taken the money." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly! Why shouldn't he? He is a poor newsboy. It would be a +great temptation to him. You know he is always shown into Aunt Eliza's +sitting room, and is often there alone." +</P> + +<P> +"That is true." +</P> + +<P> +"And, of course, nothing is more natural than that he should take the +money." +</P> + +<P> +"But the drawer was locked." +</P> + +<P> +"He had some keys in his pocket, very likely. Most boys have keys." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, most boys have keys. Have you, perhaps, keys, Master Harold?" +</P> + +<P> +"It seems to me you are asking very foolish questions, Felicie. I have +the key of my trunk." +</P> + +<P> +"But do newsboys have trunks? Why should this boy, Luke, have keys? I +do not see." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll go upstairs," said Harold, who was getting tired of the +interview, and rather uneasy at Felicie's remarks and questions. +</P> + +<P> +As Felicie had said, Mrs. Merton discovered her loss almost as soon as +she came home. She had used but a small part of the money he took with +her, and, not caring to carry it about with her, opened the drawer to +replace it in the pocketbook. +</P> + +<P> +To her surprise the pocketbook had disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +Now, the contents of the pocketbook, though a very respectable sum, +were not sufficient to put Mrs. Merton to any inconvenience. Still, no +one likes to lose money, especially if there is reason to believe that +it has been stolen, and Mrs. Merton felt annoyed. She drew out the +drawer to its full extent, and examined it carefully in every part, +but there was no trace of the morocco pocketbook. +</P> + +<P> +She locked the door and went downstairs to her niece. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. Tracy, seeing, at a +glance, from her aunt's expression, that some thing had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"There is a thief in the house!" said the old lady, abruptly. +</P> + +<P> +"What!" +</P> + +<P> +"There is a thief in the house!" +</P> + +<P> +"What makes you think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"You remember my small work table?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been in the habit of keeping a supply of money in a pocketbook +in one of the drawers. I just opened the drawer, and the money is +gone!" +</P> + +<P> +"Was there much money in the pocketbook?" +</P> + +<P> +"I happen to know just how much. There were sixty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"And you can find nothing of the pocketbook?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; that and the money are both gone." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry for your loss, Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care for the money. I shall not miss it. I am amply provided +with funds, thanks to Providence. But it is the mystery that puzzles +me. Who can have robbed me?" +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy nodded her head significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think there need be any mystery about that," she said, +pointedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can guess who robbed you." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I should be glad to have you enlighten me, for I am quite at a +loss to fix upon the thief." +</P> + +<P> +"It's that boy of yours, I haven't a doubt of it." +</P> + +<P> +"You mean Luke Walton?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, the newsboy, whom you have so imprudently trusted." +</P> + +<P> +"What are your reasons for thinking he is a thief?" asked the old lady +calmly. +</P> + +<P> +"He is often alone in the room where the work table stands, is he +not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he waits for me there." +</P> + +<P> +"What could be easier than for him to open the drawer and abstract the +pocketbook?" +</P> + +<P> +"It would be possible, but he would have to unlock the drawer." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably he took an impression of the lock some day, and had a key +made." +</P> + +<P> +"You are giving him credit for an unusual amount of cunning." +</P> + +<P> +"I always supposed he was sly." +</P> + +<P> +"I am aware, Louisa, that you never liked the boy." +</P> + +<P> +"I admit that. What has happened seems to show that I was right." +</P> + +<P> +"Now you are jumping to conclusions. You decide, without any proof, or +even investigation, that Luke took the money." +</P> + +<P> +"I feel convinced of it." +</P> + +<P> +"It appears to me that you are not treating the boy fairly." +</P> + +<P> +"My instinct tells me that it is he who has robbed you." +</P> + +<P> +"Instinct would have no weight in law." +</P> + +<P> +"If he didn't take it, who did?" asked Mrs. Tracy, triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +"That question is not easy to answer, Louisa." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad you admit so much, Aunt Eliza." +</P> + +<P> +"I admit nothing; but I will think over the matter carefully, and +investigate." +</P> + +<P> +"Do so, Aunt Eliza! In the end you will agree with me." +</P> + +<P> +"In the meanwhile, Louisa, there is one thing I must insist upon." +</P> + +<P> +"What is that?" +</P> + +<P> +"That you leave the matter wholly in my hands." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly, if you wish it." +</P> + +<P> +"There are some circumstances connected with the robbery, which I have +not mentioned." +</P> + +<P> +"What are they?" asked Mrs. Tracy, her face expressing curiosity. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall keep them to myself for the present." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy looked disappointed. +</P> + +<P> +"If you mention them to me, I may think of something that would help +you." +</P> + +<P> +"If I need help in that way, I will come to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Meanwhile, shall you continue to employ the boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"He might steal something more." +</P> + +<P> +"I will risk it." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton returned to her room, and presently Harold entered his +mother's presence. +</P> + +<P> +"What is this I hear about Aunt Eliza having some money stolen?" he +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"It is true. She has lost sixty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Felicie told me something about it—that it was taken out of her +drawer." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy went into particulars, unconscious that her son was better +informed than herself. +</P> + +<P> +"Does aunt suspect anyone?" asked Harold, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"She doesn't, but I do." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"That boy, Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"The very one I thought of," said Harold, eagerly. "Did you mention +him to Aunt Eliza?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but she is so infatuated with him that she didn't take the +suggestion kindly. She has promised to investigate, however, and +meanwhile doesn't want us to interfere." +</P> + +<P> +"Things are working round as I want them," thought Harold. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap31"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WHO STOLE THE MONEY? +</H3> + +<P> +Did Mrs. Merton suspect anyone of the theft? This is the question +which will naturally suggest itself to the reader. +</P> + +<P> +No thought of the real thief entered her mind. Though she was fully +sensible of Harold's faults, though she knew him to be selfish, +bad-tempered, and envious, she did not suppose him capable of theft. +The one who occurred to her as most likely to have robbed her was her +recently returned nephew, Warner Powell, who had been compelled to +leave Chicago years before on account of having yielded to a similar +temptation. She knew that he was hard up for money, and it was +possible that he had opened the table drawer and abstracted the +pocketbook. As to Luke Walton, she was not at all affected by the +insinuations of her niece. She knew that Mrs. Tracy and Harold had a +prejudice against Luke, and that this would make them ready to believe +anything against him. +</P> + +<P> +She was curious, however, to hear what Warner had to say about the +robbery. Would he, too, try to throw suspicion upon Luke in order to +screen himself, if he were the real thief? This remained to be +proved. +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell did not return to the house till five o'clock in the +afternoon. His sister and Harold hastened to inform him of what had +happened, and to communicate their conviction that Luke was the thief. +Warner said little, but his own suspicions were different. He went up +stairs, and made his aunt a call. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, aunt," he said, "I hear that you have been robbed." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Warner, I have lost some money," answered the old lady, +composedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa told me." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; she suspects Luke of being the thief. Do you agree with her?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't," answered Warner. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton's face brightened, and she looked kindly at Warner. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you don't share Louisa's prejudice against Luke?" she said. +</P> + +<P> +"No; I like the boy. I would sooner suspect myself of stealing the +money, for, you know, Aunt Eliza, that my record is not a good one, +and I am sure Luke is an honest boy." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton's face fairly beamed with delight. She understood very +well the low and unworthy motives which influenced her niece and +Harold, and it was a gratifying surprise to find that her nephew was +free from envy and jealousy. +</P> + +<P> +"Warner," she said, "what you say does you credit. In this particular +case I happen to know that Luke is innocent." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't, know the real thief?" asked Warner. +</P> + +<P> +"No; but my reason for knowing that Luke is innocent I will tell you. +The money was safe in my drawer when I went out this morning. It was +taken during my absence from the house. Luke was with me during this +whole time. Of course, it is impossible that he should be the thief." +</P> + +<P> +"I see. Did you tell Louisa this?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I am biding my time. Besides, I am more likely to find the real +thief if it is supposed that Luke is under suspicion." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me truly, Aunt Eliza, didn't you suspect me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Since you ask me, Warner, I will tell you frankly that it occurred to +me as possible that you might have yielded to temptation." +</P> + +<P> +"It would have been a temptation, for I have but twenty-five cents. +But even if I had known where you kept your money (which I didn't), I +would have risked applying to you for a loan, or gift, as it would +have turned out to be, rather than fall back into my old disreputable +ways." +</P> + +<P> +"I am very much encouraged by what you say, Warner. Here are ten +dollars. Use it judiciously; try to obtain employment, and when it is +gone, you may let me know." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza, you are kinder to me than I deserve. I will make a real +effort to secure employment, and will not abuse your confidence." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep that promise, Warner, and I will be your friend. One thing more: +don't tell Louisa what has passed between us. I can, at any time, +clear Luke, but for the present I will let her think I am uncertain on +that point. I shall not forget that you took the boy's part where your +sister condemned him." +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa and Harold can see no good in the boy; but I have observed him +carefully, and formed my own opinion." +</P> + +<P> +Warner could have done nothing better calculated to win his aunt's +favor than to express a favorable opinion of Luke. It must be said, +however, in justice to him, that this had not entered into his +calculations. He really felt kindly towards the boy whom his sister +denounced as "sly and artful," and liked him much better than his own +nephew, Harold, who, looking upon Warner as a poor relation, had not +thought it necessary to treat him with much respect or attention. He +had a better heart and a better disposition than Mrs. Tracy or Harold, +notwithstanding his early shortcomings. +</P> + +<P> +"Who could have been the thief?" Warner asked himself, as he left his +aunt's sitting room. "Could it have been Harold?" +</P> + +<P> +He resolved to watch his nephew carefully and seek some clew that +would lead to a solution of the mystery. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope it isn't my nephew," he said to himself. "I don't want him to +follow in the steps of his scapegrace uncle. But I would sooner +suspect him than Luke Walton. They say blood is thicker than water, +but I confess that I like the newsboy better than I do my high-toned +nephew." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you made any discovery of the thief, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. +Tracy, as her aunt seated herself at the evening repast. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing positive," answered the old lady, significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you discovered anything at all?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have discovered who is not the thief," said Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you had suspicions?" +</P> + +<P> +"No definite suspicions." +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't it be well to talk the matter freely over with me? Something +might be suggested." +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon, Louisa, but I think it would be well to banish +this disagreeable matter from our table talk. If I should stand in +need of advice, I will consult you." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't want to obtrude my advice, but I will venture to suggest that +you call in a private detective." +</P> + +<P> +Harold looked alarmed. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't bother with a detective," he said. "They don't know half +as much as they pretend." +</P> + +<P> +"I am inclined to agree with Harold," said Mrs. Merton. "I will act as +my own detective." +</P> + +<P> +Save for the compliment to Harold, Mrs. Tracy was not pleased with +this speech of her aunt. +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate," she said, "you would do well to keep a strict watch +over that boy, Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall," answered the old lady, simply. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy looked triumphant. +</P> + +<P> +Warner kept silent, but a transient smile passed over his face as he +saw how neatly Aunt Eliza had deceived his astute sister. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy, desirous of additional +support. +</P> + +<P> +"I think Aunt Eliza will get at the truth sooner or later. Of course I +will do anything to help her, but I don't want to interfere." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you think she ought to discharge Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"If she did, she would have no chance of finding out whether he was +guilty or not." +</P> + +<P> +"That is true. I did not think of that." +</P> + +<P> +"Warner is more sensible than any of you," said Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad you have changed your opinion of him," said Mrs. Tracy, +sharply. +</P> + +<P> +She was now beginning to be jealous of her scapegrace brother. +</P> + +<P> +"So am I," said Warner, smiling. "At the same time I don't blame aunt +for her former opinion." +</P> + +<P> +The next morning Harold was about leaving the house, when Felicie, the +French maid, came up softly, and said: "Master Harold, may I have a +word with you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am in a hurry," said Harold, impatiently. +</P> + +<P> +"It is about the stolen money," continued Felicie, in her soft voice. +"You had better listen to what I have to say. I have found out who +took it." +</P> + +<P> +Harold's heart gave a sudden thump, and his face indicated dismay. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap32"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT +</H3> + +<P> +"You have found out who took the money?" stammered Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't think it would be found out so soon," said Harold, trying to +recover his equanimity. "Of course it was taken by Luke Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"You are quite mistaken," said Felicie. "Luke Walton did not take +it." +</P> + +<P> +Harold's heart gave another thump. He scented danger, but remained +silent. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't ask me who took the money?" said Felicie, after a pause. +</P> + +<P> +"Because I don't believe you know," returned Harold, "You've probably +got some suspicion?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have more than that. The person who took the money was seen at his +work." +</P> + +<P> +Harold turned pale. +</P> + +<P> +"There is no use in mincing matters," continued Felicie. "You took the +money." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by such impertinence?" gasped Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"It is no impertinence. If you doubt my knowledge, I'll tell you the +particulars. You opened the drawer with one of a bunch of keys which +you took from your pocket, took out a morocco pocketbook, opened it +and counted the roll of bills which it contained, then put the +pocketbook into your pocket, locked the drawer and left the room." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fine story," said Harold, forcing himself to speak. "I dare +say all this happened, only you were the one who opened the drawer." +</P> + +<P> +"I saw it all through a crack in the half-open door," continued +Felicie, not taking the trouble to answer his accusation. "If you want +further proof, suppose you feel in your pocket. I presume the +pocketbook is there at this moment." +</P> + +<P> +Instinctively Harold put his hand into his pocket, then suddenly +withdrew it, as if his fingers were burned, for the pocketbook was +there as Felicie had said. +</P> + +<P> +"There is one thing more," said Felicie, as she drew from her pocket a +bunch of keys. "I found this bunch of keys in your room this +morning." +</P> + +<P> +"They are not mine," answered Harold, hastily. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know anything about that. They are the ones you had in your +hand when you opened the drawer. I think this is the key you used." +</P> + +<P> +"The keys belong to you!" asserted Harold, desperately. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you for giving them to me, but I shall have no use for them," +said Felicie, coolly. "And now, Master Harold, do you want to know why +I have told you this little story?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Harold, feebly. +</P> + +<P> +"Because I think it will be for our mutual advantage to come to an +understanding. I don't want to inform your aunt of what I have seen +unless you compel me to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"How should I compel you to do so?" stammered Harold, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"Step into the parlor, where we can talk comfortably. Your aunt is +upstairs, and your mother is out, so that no one will hear us." +</P> + +<P> +Harold felt that he was in the power of the cunning Felicie, and he +followed her unresistingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Sit down on the sofa, and we will talk at our ease. I will keep +silent about this matter, and no one else knows a word about it, +if——" +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you will give me half the money." +</P> + +<P> +"But," said Harold, who now gave up the pretense of denial, "I have +spent part of it." +</P> + +<P> +"You have more than half of it left?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Give me thirty dollars and I will be content. I saw you count it. +There were sixty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see what claim you have to it," said Harold, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"I have as much as you," answered Felicie, coolly. "Still, if you +prefer to go to your aunt, own up that you took it, and take the +consequences, I will agree not to interfere. But if I am to keep the +secret, I want to be paid for it." +</P> + +<P> +Harold thought it over; he hated to give up so large a part of his +plunder, for he had appropriated it in his own mind to certain +articles which he wished to purchase. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you twenty dollars," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I will take thirty dollars, or go to your aunt and tell her all I +know." +</P> + +<P> +There was no help for it. Poor Harold took out three ten-dollar bills, +reluctantly enough, and gave them to Felicie. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Master Harold! You've done wisely. I thought you would see +matters in the right light. Think how shocked your mother and Aunt +Eliza would be if they had discovered that you were the thief." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't use such language, Felicie!" said Harold, wincing. "There is no +need to refer to it again." +</P> + +<P> +"As you say, Master Harold. I won't detain you any longer from your +walk," and Felicie, with a smile, rose from the sofa and left the +room, Harold following. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't disturb yourself any more," she said, as she opened the door +for Harold. "It will never be known. Besides, your aunt can well +afford to lose this little sum. She is actually rolling in wealth. She +ought to be more liberal to you." +</P> + +<P> +"So she ought, Felicie. If she had, this would not have happened." +</P> + +<P> +"Very true. At the same time, I don't suppose a jury would accept this +as an excuse." +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you say such things, Felicie? What has a jury got to do with +me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, I hope. Still, if it were a poor boy that had taken the +money, Luke Walton, for instance, he might have been arrested. Excuse +me, I see this annoys you. Let me give you one piece of advice, Master +Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Get rid of that morocco pocketbook as soon as you can. If it were +found on you, or you should be careless, and leave it anywhere, you +would give yourself away, my friend." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right, Felicie," said Harold, hurriedly. "Good-morning!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good-morning, and a pleasant walk, my friend," said Felicie, +mockingly. +</P> + +<P> +When Harold was fairly out in the street, he groaned in spirit. He had +lost half the fruits of his theft, and his secret had become known. +Felicie had proved too much for him, and he felt that he hated her. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I could get mother to discharge her, with out her knowing that +it was I who had brought it about. I shall not feel safe as long as +she is in the house. Why didn't I have the sense to shut and lock the +door? Then she wouldn't have seen me." +</P> + +<P> +Then the thought of the morocco pocketbook occurred to him. He felt +that Felicie was right—that it was imprudent to carry it around. He +must get rid of it in some way. +</P> + +<P> +He took the money out and put it in another pocket. The pocketbook he +replaced till he should have an opportunity of disposing of it. +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he made these preparations when he met Luke Walton, who had +started unusually early, and was walking towards the house. An idea +came to Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-morning, Luke!" he said, in an unusually friendly tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-morning, Harold!" answered Luke, agreeably surprised by the +other's cordiality. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going out with Aunt Eliza this morning?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am not sure whether she will want to go out. I shall call and +inquire." +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to be quite a favorite of hers." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope I am. She always treats me kindly." +</P> + +<P> +"I really believe she thinks more of you than she does of me." +</P> + +<P> +"You mustn't think that," said Luke, modestly. "You are a relation, +and I am only in her employ." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it doesn't trouble me. I am bound for the city. I think I shall +take the next car, good-day!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good-day, Harold!" +</P> + +<P> +Luke walked on, quite unconscious that Harold, as he passed by his +side, had managed to slip the morocco wallet into the pocket of his +sack coat. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap33"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HAROLD'S PLOT FAILS +</H3> + +<P> +Luke wore a sack coat with side pockets. It was this circumstance that +had made it easy for Harold to transfer the wallet unsuspected to his +pocket. +</P> + +<P> +Quite ignorant of what had taken place, Luke kept on his way to Mrs. +Merton's house. He rang the bell, and on being admitted, went up, as +usual, to the room of his patroness. +</P> + +<P> +"Good morning, Luke," said Mrs. Merton, pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-morning," responded Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think I shall go out this morning, and I don't think of any +commission, so you will have a vacation." +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid I am not earning my money, Mrs. Merton. You make it very +easy for me." +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, Luke, the money is cheerfully given, and I have no doubt +you find it useful. How are you getting along?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, indeed! I have just made the last payment on mother's +machine, and now we owe nothing, except, perhaps, for the rent, and +only a week has gone by on the new month." +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to be a good manager, Luke. You succeed in keeping your +money, while I have not always found it easy. Yesterday, for instance, +I lost sixty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"How was that?" inquired Luke, with interest. +</P> + +<P> +"The drawer in which I keep a pocketbook was unlocked, and this, with +its contents, was stolen." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you suspect anyone?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did, but he has cleared himself, in my opinion. It is possible it +was one of the servants." +</P> + +<P> +At this moment Luke pulled his handkerchief from his side pocket and +with it came the morocco pocketbook, which fell on the carpet. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton uttered an exclamation of surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, that is the very pocketbook!" she said. +</P> + +<P> +Luke stooped and picked it up, with an expression of bewilderment on +his face. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't understand it," he said. "I never saw that pocketbook before +in my life." +</P> + +<P> +"Please hand it to me." +</P> + +<P> +Luke did so. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is the identical pocketbook," said the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"And it came from my pocket?" +</P> + +<P> +Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Is there any money in it, Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton opened it, and shook her head. That has been taken out," +she answered. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you won't think I took the money," said Luke, with a troubled +look. +</P> + +<P> +"I know you did not. It was taken while we were out together +yesterday. The last thing before I left the house I locked the drawer, +and the pocketbook with the money inside was there. When I returned it +was gone." +</P> + +<P> +"That is very mysterious. I don't understand how the pocketbook came +in my pocket." +</P> + +<P> +"Someone must have put it there who wished you to be suspected of the +theft." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Luke, eagerly. "I see." +</P> + +<P> +Then he stopped suddenly, for what he was about to say would throw +suspicion upon Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, go on!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know that I ought to speak. It might throw suspicion on an +innocent person." +</P> + +<P> +"Speak! It is due to me. I will judge on that point. Who has had the +chance of putting the wallet into your pocket?" +</P> + +<P> +"I will speak if you insist upon it, Mrs. Merton," said Luke, +reluctantly. "A few minutes since I met Harold on the street. We were +bound in opposite directions. He surprised me by stopping me, and +addressing me quite cordially. We stood talking together two or three +minutes." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he have an opportunity of putting the wallet in your pocket?" +</P> + +<P> +"He might have done so, but I was not conscious of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me think!" said the old lady, slowly. "Harold knew where I kept +my money, for I opened the drawer in his presence the other day, and +he saw me take a bill from the pocketbook. I did not think him capable +of robbing me." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he did not," said Luke. "It may be explained in some other +way." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you think of any other way?" asked the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose a servant had taken the money, and left the pocketbook +somewhere where Harold found it——" +</P> + +<P> +"Even in that case, why should he put it in your pocket?" +</P> + +<P> +"He does not like me. He might wish to throw suspicion upon me." +</P> + +<P> +"That would be very mean." +</P> + +<P> +"I think it would, but still he might not be a thief." +</P> + +<P> +"I would sooner excuse a thief. It is certainly disreputable to steal, +but it is not necessarily mean or contemptible. Trying to throw +suspicion on an innocent person would be both." +</P> + +<P> +Luke remained silent, for nothing occurred to him to say. He did not +wish to add to Mrs. Merton's resentment against Harold. +</P> + +<P> +After a moment's thought the old lady continued: "Leave the pocketbook +with me, and say nothing about what has happened till I give you +leave." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton took the pocketbook, replaced it in the drawer, and +carefully locked it. +</P> + +<P> +"Someone must have a key that will open this drawer," she said. "I +should like to know who it is." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think anyone will open it again?" asked Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"No; it will be supposed that I will no longer keep money there. I +think, however, I will sooner or later find out who opened it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope it won't prove to be Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so, too. I would not like to think so near a relative a thief. +Well, Luke, I won't detain you here any longer. You may come +to-morrow, as usual." +</P> + +<P> +"It is lucky Mrs. Merton has confidence in me," thought Luke. +"Otherwise she might have supposed me to be the thief. What a mean +fellow Harold Tracy is, to try to have an innocent boy suspected of +such a crime." +</P> + +<P> +As he was going out of the front door, Mrs. Tracy entered. +</P> + +<P> +She cast a withering glance at Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you seen my aunt this morning?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder you had the face to stand in her presence." +</P> + +<P> +It must be said, in justification of Mrs. Tracy, that she really +believed that Luke had stolen Mrs. Merton's money. +</P> + +<P> +"I know of no reason why I should not," said Luke, calmly. "Will you +be kind enough to explain what you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"You know well enough," retorted Mrs. Tracy, nodding her head +venomously. +</P> + +<P> +"Mrs. Merton appears to be well satisfied with me," said Luke, +quietly. "When she is not, she will tell me so, and I shall never come +again." +</P> + +<P> +"You are the most brazen boy I know of. Why it is that my aunt is so +infatuated with you, I can't for my part, pretend to understand." +</P> + +<P> +"If you will allow me, I will bid you good-morning," said Luke, with +quiet dignity. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy did not reply, and Luke left the house. +</P> + +<P> +"If I ever hated and despised a boy, it is that one!" said Mrs. Tracy +to herself as she went upstairs to remove her street dress. "I wish I +could strip the mask from him, and get aunt to see him in his real +character. He is a sly, artful young adventurer. Ah, Felicie, come and +assist me. By the way, I want you to watch that boy who has just gone +out?" +</P> + +<P> +"Luke Walton?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; of course you have heard of my aunt's loss. I suspect that this +Luke Walton is the thief." +</P> + +<P> +"Is it possible, madam? Have you any evidence?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; but we may find some. What do you think?" +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't thought much about the matter. It seems to me very +mysterious." +</P> + +<P> +When Felicie left the presence of her mistress she smiled curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"What would Madam Tracy say if she knew it was her own son?" she +soliloquized. "He is a young cur, but she thinks him an angel." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap34"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HAROLD MAKES A PURCHASE +</H3> + +<P> +Harold had been compelled to give up half his money, but he still had +thirty dollars left. How should he invest it? That was the problem +that occupied his thoughts. Thus far he had not derived so much +satisfaction from the possession of the money as he had anticipated. +One thing, at any rate, he resolved. He would not spend it upon +others, but wholly upon himself. +</P> + +<P> +He stepped into a billiard saloon to enjoy his favorite pastime. In +the absence of any companion he played a game with a man employed in +the establishment, and, naturally, got beaten, though he was given +odds. At the end of an hour he owed sixty cents, and decided not to +continue. +</P> + +<P> +"You play too well for me," he said, in a tone of disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +"You had bad luck," answered his opponent, soothingly. "However, I can +more than make it up to you." +</P> + +<P> +"How?" inquired Harold, becoming interested. +</P> + +<P> +"A friend of mine has pawned his watch for fifteen dollars. It is a +valuable gold watch—cost seventy-five. He could have got more on it, +but expected to redeem it. He has been in bad luck, and finds it no +use. He has put the ticket in my hands, and is willing to sell it for +ten dollars. That will only make the watch cost twenty-five. It's a +big bargain for somebody." +</P> + +<P> +Harold was much interested. He had always wanted a gold watch, and had +dropped more than one hint to that effect within the hearing of Aunt +Eliza, but the old lady had always said: "When you are eighteen, it +will be time enough to think of a gold watch. Till then, your silver +watch will do." +</P> + +<P> +Harold took a different view of the matter, and his desire for a gold +watch had greatly increased since a school friend about his own age +had one. For this reason he was considerably excited by the chance +that seems to present itself. +</P> + +<P> +"You are sure the watch is a valuable one?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I have seen it myself." +</P> + +<P> +"Then why don't you buy the ticket yourself?" +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't the money. If I had, I wouldn't let anybody else have it." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see the ticket." +</P> + +<P> +The other produced it from his vest pocket, but, of course, this threw +no light upon the quality of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +"I can secure the watch, and have nearly five dollars left," thought +Harold. "It is surely worth double the price it will cost me, and then +I shall have something to show for my money." +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, his possession of the watch would excite surprise +at home, and he would be called upon to explain how he obtained it. +This, however, did not trouble Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"I've a great mind to take it," he said, slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"You can't do any better. To tell the truth, I hate to let it go, but +I don't see any prospect of my being able to get it out myself, and my +friend needs the money." +</P> + +<P> +Harold hesitated a moment, then yielded to the inducement offered. +</P> + +<P> +"Give me the ticket," he said. "Here is the money." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke, he produced a ten-dollar bill. In return, the ticket was +handed to him. +</P> + +<P> +The pawnbroker, whose name was found on the ticket, was located less +than fifteen minutes walk from the billiard saloon. Harold, eager to +secure the watch, went directly there. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" asked a small man, with +wrinkled face and blinking eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to redeem my watch. Here is the ticket." +</P> + +<P> +The old man glanced at the ticket, then went to a safe, and took out +the watch. Here were kept the articles of small bulk and large value. +</P> + +<P> +Harold took out fifteen dollars which he had put in his vest pocket +for the purpose, and tendered them to the pawnbroker. +</P> + +<P> +"I want a dollar and a half more," said the old man. +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" asked Harold, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"One month's interest. You don't think I do business for nothing, do +you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't that high?" asked Harold, and not without reason. +</P> + +<P> +"It's our regular charge, young man. Ten per cent a month—that's what +we all charge." +</P> + +<P> +This statement was correct. Though the New York pawnbroker is allowed +to charge but three per cent a month, his Chicago associate charges +more than three times as much. +</P> + +<P> +There was nothing for it but to comply with the terms demanded, and +Harold reluctantly handed out the extra sum. +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to have a watch chain, my friend," said the pawnbroker. +</P> + +<P> +"I should like one, but I cannot afford it." +</P> + +<P> +"I can give you a superior article—rolled gold—for a dollar." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see it!" +</P> + +<P> +The chain was displayed. It looked very well; and certainly set off +the watch to better advantage. +</P> + +<P> +Harold paid down the dollar, and went out of the pawn broker's with a +gold watch, and chain of the same color, with only two dollars left of +his ill-gotten money. This was somewhat inconvenient, but he rejoiced +in the possession of the watch and chain. +</P> + +<P> +"Now Ralph Kennedy can't crow over me," he soliloquized. "I've got a +gold watch as well as he." +</P> + +<P> +As he left the pawnbroker's, he did not observe a familiar face and +figure on the opposite side of the street. It was Warner Powell, his +mother's brother, who recognized, with no little surprise, his nephew, +coming from such a place. +</P> + +<P> +"What on earth has carried Harold to a pawn broker's?" he asked +himself. +</P> + +<P> +Then he caught sight of the watch chain, and got a view of the watch, +as Harold drew it out ostentatiously to view his new acquisition. +</P> + +<P> +"There is some mystery here," he said to himself. "I must +investigate." +</P> + +<P> +He waited till Harold was at a safe distance, then crossed the street, +and entered the pawnbroker's. +</P> + +<P> +"There was a boy just went out of here," he said to the old man. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose there was," returned the pawnbroker, suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"What was he doing here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Is that any of your business?" +</P> + +<P> +"My friend, I have nothing to do with you, and no complaint to make +against you, but the boy is my nephew, and I want to know whether he +got a watch and chain here." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he presented a ticket, and I gave him the watch." +</P> + +<P> +"Is it one he pawned himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. He had the ticket. I can't remember everybody that +deals with me." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you tell me how much the watch and chain were pawned for?" +</P> + +<P> +"The watch was pawned for fifteen dollars. I sold him the chain for a +dollar." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Thank you." +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, so far as you are concerned. How long had the watch been in?" +</P> + +<P> +"For three weeks." +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell left the shop, after obtaining all the information he +required. +</P> + +<P> +"It is Harold who robbed Aunt Eliza," he said to himself. "I begin to +think my precious nephew is a rogue." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, Harold, eager to ascertain the value of his watch, stepped +into a jeweler's. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you tell me the value of this watch?" he inquired. +</P> + +<P> +The jeweler opened it, and after a brief examination, said: "When new +it probably cost thirty-five dollars." +</P> + +<P> +Harold's countenance fell. +</P> + +<P> +"I was told that it was a seventy-five dollar watch," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you were cheated." +</P> + +<P> +"But how can such a large watch be afforded for thirty-five dollars?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is low-grade gold, not over ten carats, and the works are cheap. +Yet, it'll keep fair time." +</P> + +<P> +Harold was very much disappointed. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap35"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A SKILLFUL INVENTION +</H3> + +<P> +When he came to think it over, Harold gradually recovered his +complacence. It was a gold watch, after all, and no one would know +that the gold was low grade. He met one or two acquaintances, who +immediately took notice of the chain and asked to see the watch. They +complimented him on it, and this gave him satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +When he reached home, he went directly upstairs to his room, and only +came down when he heard the supper bell. +</P> + +<P> +As he entered the dining room his mother was the first to notice the +watch chain. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you been buying a watch chain, Harold?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I have something besides," said Harold, and he produced the watch. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy uttered an exclamation of surprise, and Mrs. Merton and +Warner exchanged significant glances. +</P> + +<P> +"How came you by the watch and chain?" asked Mrs. Tracy, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"They were given to me," answered Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"But that is very strange. Aunt Eliza, you have not given Harold a +watch, have you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Louisa. I think a silver watch is good enough for a boy of his +age." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you ask me, Louisa?" said Warner, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't imagine your circumstances will admit of such a gift." +</P> + +<P> +"You are right. I wish they did. Harold, we are all anxious to know +the name of the benevolent individual who has made you such a handsome +present. If you think he has any more to spare, I should be glad if +you would introduce me." +</P> + +<P> +"I will explain," said Harold, glibly. "I was walking along Dearborn +Street about two o'clock, when I saw a gentleman a little in advance +of me. He had come from the Commercial Bank, I judge, for it was not +far from there I came across him. By some carelessness he twitched a +wallet stuffed with notes from his pocket. A rough-looking fellow +sprang to get it, but I was too quick for him. I picked it up, and +hurrying forward, handed it to the gentleman. He seemed surprised and +pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"'My boy,' he said, 'you have done me a great service. That wallet +contained fifteen hundred dollars. I should have lost it but for you. +Accept this watch and chain as a mark of my deep gratitude.' +</P> + +<P> +"With that, he took the watch from his pocket, and handed it to me. I +was not sure whether I ought to take it, but I have long wanted a gold +watch, and he seemed well able to afford the gift, so I took it." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy never thought of doubting this plausible story. +</P> + +<P> +"Harold," she said, "I am proud of you. I think there was no objection +to accepting the watch. What do you say, Aunt Eliza?" +</P> + +<P> +"Let me look at the watch, Harold," said the old lady, not replying to +her niece's question. +</P> + +<P> +Harold passed it over complacently. He rather plumed himself on the +ingenious story he had invented. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think of it, Warner?" asked Mrs. Merton, passing it to +her nephew. +</P> + +<P> +"It is rather a cheap watch for a rich man to carry," answered Warner, +taking it in his hand and opening it. +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure it is quite a handsome watch," said Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it is large and showy, but it is low-grade gold." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, I don't know anything about that," said Harold. "At any +rate, it is gold and good enough for me." +</P> + +<P> +"No doubt of that," said the old lady, dryly. +</P> + +<P> +"Rich men don't always carry expensive watches," said Mrs. Tracy. +"They are often plain in their tastes." +</P> + +<P> +"This watch is rather showy," said Warner. "It can't be called +plain." +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, Harold has reason to be satisfied. I am glad he obtained +the watch in so creditable a manner. If it had been your protege, Aunt +Eliza, I suspect he would have kept the money," +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so, Louisa," said Mrs. Merton, quietly. "I have perfect +confidence in Luke's honesty." +</P> + +<P> +"In spite of your lost pocketbook?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; there is nothing to connect Luke with that." +</P> + +<P> +Harold thought he ought to get the advantage of the trick played upon +Luke in the morning. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know as I ought to say anything," he said, hesitating, "but I +met Luke this morning, and if I am not very much mistaken, I saw in +his pocket a wallet that looked very much like aunt's. You know he +wears a sack coat, and has a pocket on each side." +</P> + +<P> +Again Mrs. Merton and Warner exchanged glances. +</P> + +<P> +"This is important!" said Mrs. Tracy, in excitement. "Did you speak to +him on the subject?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought he might be innocent, and I didn't want to bring a false +charge against him." +</P> + +<P> +"You are very considerate," said Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +"That seems quite conclusive, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, +triumphantly. "I am sure Warner will agree with me." +</P> + +<P> +"As to that, Louisa," said her brother, "Harold is not certain it was +aunt's lost pocketbook." +</P> + +<P> +"But he thinks it was——" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I think it was" +</P> + +<P> +"For my own part, I have no doubt on the subject," said Mrs. Tracy, in +a positive tone. "He is the person most likely to take the money, and +this makes less proof needful." +</P> + +<P> +"But, suppose, after all, he is innocent," suggested Warner. +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to take the boy's side, Warner. I am surprised at you." +</P> + +<P> +"I want him to have a fair chance, that is all. I must say that I have +been favorably impressed by what I have seen of the boy." +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, I think Aunt Eliza ought to question him sternly, not +accepting any evasion or equivocation. He has been guilty of base +ingratitude." +</P> + +<P> +"Supposing him to be guilty?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"I intend to investigate the matter," said the old lady. "What do you +think, Harold? Do you think it probable that Luke opened my drawer, +and took out the pocket-book?" +</P> + +<P> +"It looks very much like it," said Harold. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly it does," said Mrs. Tracy, with emphasis. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we drop the conversation for the time being," suggested the +old lady. "Harold has not wholly gratified our curiosity as to the +watch and chain. Do you know, Harold, who the gentleman is to whom you +rendered such an important service?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Aunt Eliza, I did not learn his name." +</P> + +<P> +"What was his appearance? Describe him." +</P> + +<P> +"He was a tall man," answered Harold, in a tone of hesitation. +</P> + +<P> +"Was he an old or a young man?" +</P> + +<P> +"He was an old man with gray hair. He walked very erect." +</P> + +<P> +"Should you know him again, if you saw him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I think so." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, perhaps, we may have an opportunity of ascertaining who he was. +My broker will probably know him from your description." +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you want to find out who he is?" asked Harold, uneasily. +"Don't you think I ought to keep the watch?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have a feeling of curiosity on the subject. As to keeping it, I +don't think the gentleman will be likely to reclaim it." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course not. Why should he?" said Mrs. Tracy. "He gave it freely, +and it would be very strange if he wished it back." +</P> + +<P> +Here the conversation dropped, much to Harold's relief. Warner +accompanied his aunt from the room. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think of Harold's story, Warner?" asked the old lady. +</P> + +<P> +"It is very ingenious." +</P> + +<P> +"But not true?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; he got the watch and chain from a pawnbroker. I saw him come out +of the shop, and going in, questioned the pawnbroker. He must have got +the ticket somewhere." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it seems that Harold is not only a thief, but a liar." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear aunt, let us not be too hard upon him. This is probably his +first offense: I feel like being charitable, for I have been in the +same scrape." +</P> + +<P> +"I can overlook theft more easily than his attempt to blacken the +reputation of Luke," said Mrs. Merton, sternly. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap36"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WARNER POWELL STARTS ON A JOURNEY +</H3> + +<P> +Thanks to the liberal compensation received from Mrs. Merton, Luke was +enabled to supply his mother and Bennie with all the comforts they +required, and even to put by two dollars a week. This he did as a +measure of precaution, for he did not know how long the engagement at +the house on Prairie Avenue would last. If he were forced to fall back +on his earnings as a newsboy, the family would fare badly. This might +happen, for he found himself no nearer securing the favor of Harold +and his mother. The manner of the latter was particularly unpleasant +when they met, and Harold scarcely deigned to speak to him. On the +other hand, Warner Powell showed himself very friendly. He often took +the opportunity to join Luke when he was leaving the house, and chat +pleasantly with him. Luke enjoyed his companionship, because Warner +was able to tell him about Australia and California, with both of +which countries Mrs. Tracy's brother was familiar. +</P> + +<P> +"Mother," said Harold, one day, "Uncle Warner seems very thick with +that newsboy. I have several times seen them walking together." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy frowned, for the news displeased her. +</P> + +<P> +"I am certainly very much surprised. I should think my brother might +find a more congenial and suitable companion than Aunt Eliza's hired +boy. I will speak to him about it." +</P> + +<P> +She accordingly broached the subject to Warner Powell, expressing +herself with emphasis. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen, Louisa," said Warner, "don't you think I am old enough to +choose my own company?" +</P> + +<P> +"It doesn't seem so," retorted Mrs. Tracy, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, I don't need any instructions on that point." +</P> + +<P> +"As my guest, you certainly ought to treat me with respect." +</P> + +<P> +"So I do. But I don't feel bound to let you regulate my conduct." +</P> + +<P> +"You know what cause I have—we both have—to dislike this boy." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't dislike him." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you ought to." +</P> + +<P> +"He is in Aunt Eliza's employment. While he remains so, I shall treat +him with cordiality." +</P> + +<P> +"You are blind as a mole!" said Mrs. Tracy, passionately. "You can't +see that he is trying to work his way into aunt's affections." +</P> + +<P> +"I think he has done so already. She thinks a great deal of him." +</P> + +<P> +"When you find her remembering him in her will, you may come over to +my opinion." +</P> + +<P> +"She is quite at liberty to remember him in her will, so far as I am +concerned. There will be enough for us, even if she does leave Luke a +legacy." +</P> + +<P> +"I see you are incorrigible. I am sorry I invited you to remain in my +house. +</P> + +<P> +"I was under the impression that it was Aunt Eliza's house. You are +claiming too much, Louisa." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Tracy bit her lip, and was compelled to give up her attempt to +secure her brother's allegiance. She contented herself with treating +him with formal politeness, abstaining from all show of cordiality. +This was carried on so far that it attracted the attention of Mrs. +Merton. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the trouble between you and Louisa?" she asked one day. +</P> + +<P> +Warner laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"She thinks I am too intimate with your boy, Luke." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't understand." +</P> + +<P> +"I often walk with Luke either on his way to or from the house. Harold +has reported this to his mother, and the result is a lecture as to the +choice of proper companions from my dignified sister." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton smiled kindly on her nephew. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you don't propose to give up Luke?" she said. +</P> + +<P> +"No; I like the boy. He is worth a dozen Harolds. Perhaps I ought not +to say this, for Harold is my nephew and they say blood is thicker +than water. However, it is a fact, nevertheless, that I like Luke the +better of the two." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall not blame you for saying that, Warner," returned the old +lady. "I am glad that one of the family, at least, is free from +prejudice. To what do you attribute Louisa's dislike of Luke?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think, aunt, you are shrewd enough to guess the reason without +appealing to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, I would like to hear it from your lips." +</P> + +<P> +"In plain words, then, Louisa is afraid you will remember Luke in your +will." +</P> + +<P> +"She doesn't think I would leave everything to him, does she?" +</P> + +<P> +"She objects to your leaving anything. If it were only five hundred +dollars she would grudge it." +</P> + +<P> +"Louisa was always selfish," said Mrs. Merton, quietly. "I have always +known that. She is not wise, however. She does not understand that I +am a very obstinate old woman, and am more likely to take my own way +if opposed." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, aunt! You are entitled to have your own way, and I for +one am the last to wish to interfere with you." +</P> + +<P> +"You will not fare any the worse for that! And now, Warner, tell me +what are your chances of employment?" +</P> + +<P> +"I wished to speak to you about that, aunt. There is a gentleman in +Milwaukee who has a branch office in Chicago, and I understand that he +wants someone to represent him here. His present agent is about to +resign his position, and I think I have some chance of obtaining the +place. It will be necessary for me, however, to go to Milwaukee to see +him in person." +</P> + +<P> +"Go, then, by all means," said Mrs. Merton. "I will defray your +expenses." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you very much, aunt. You know that I have little money of my +own. But there is another thing indispensable, and that I am afraid +you would not be willing to do for me." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Warner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I shall have charge of considerable money belonging to my employer, +and I learn from the present agent that I shall have to get someone to +give bonds for me in the sum of ten thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well! I am willing to stand your security." +</P> + +<P> +Warner looked surprised and gratified. +</P> + +<P> +"Knowing how dishonestly I have acted in the past?" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"The past is past. You are a different man, I hope and believe." +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Eliza, you shall never regret the generous confidence you are +willing to repose in me. It is likely to open for me a new career, and +to make a new man of me." +</P> + +<P> +"That is my desire, Warner. Let me add that I am only following your +own example. You have refused to believe evil of Luke, unlike your +sister, and have not been troubled by the kindness I have shown him. +This is something I remember to your credit." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, aunt. If you have been able to discover anything +creditable in me, I am all the more pleased." +</P> + +<P> +"How much will this position pay you, supposing you get it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Two thousand dollars a year. To me that will be a competence. I shall +be able to save one-half, for I have given up my former expensive +tastes, and am eager to settle down to a steady and methodical +business life." +</P> + +<P> +"When do you want to go to Milwaukee, Warner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should like to go at once." +</P> + +<P> +"Here is some money to defray your expenses." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton opened her table drawer, and took out a roll of bills +amounting to fifty dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you good luck!" she said. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, aunt! I shall take the afternoon train to Milwaukee, and +sleep there to-night." +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell hastened to catch the train, and, at six o'clock in the +evening, landed, with a large number of fellow passengers, in the +metropolis of Wisconsin. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap37"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET +</H3> + +<P> +Warner Powell had learned wisdom and prudence with his increasing +years, and, instead of inquiring for the best hotel, was content to +put up at a humbler hostelry, where he would be comfortable. He made +the acquaintance on the cars of a New York drummer, with whom he +became quite sociable. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you have been in Milwaukee often," said Warner. +</P> + +<P> +"I go there once a year—sometimes twice." +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you stay?" +</P> + +<P> +"At the Prairie Hotel. It is a comfortable house—two dollars a day." +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I want. I will go there." +</P> + +<P> +So, at quarter-past six. Warner Powell found himself in the office of +the hotel. He was assigned a room on the third floor. +</P> + +<P> +After making his toilet, he went down to supper. At the table with him +were two gentlemen who, from their conversation, appeared to be +residents of the city. They were discussing the coming municipal +election. +</P> + +<P> +"I tell you, Browning will be our mayor," said one. "His reputation as +a philanthropist will elect him." +</P> + +<P> +"I never took much stock in his claims on that score." +</P> + +<P> +"He belongs to all the charitable societies, and is generally an +officer." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be; how much does he give himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. I suppose he is a liberal subscriber." +</P> + +<P> +"He wants to give that impression, but the man is as selfish as the +average. He is said to be a hard landlord, and his tenants get very +few favors." +</P> + +<P> +"I am surprised to hear that." +</P> + +<P> +"He is trading on his philanthropy. It would be interesting to learn +where his wealth came from. I should not be surprised if he were more +smart than honest." +</P> + +<P> +Warner Powell found himself getting interested in this Browning. Was +he really a good man, who was unjustly criticised, or was he a sham +philanthropist, as charged? +</P> + +<P> +"After all, it doesn't concern me," he said to himself. "The good +people of Milwaukee may choose whom they please for mayor so far as I +am concerned." +</P> + +<P> +After supper Warner stepped up to the cigar stand to buy a cigar. +This, as the reader will remember, was kept by Jack King, an old +California acquaintance of Thomas Browning, whose first appearance in +our story was in the character of a tramp and would-be burglar. +</P> + +<P> +"Is business good?" asked Warner, pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +"It is fair; but it seems slow to a man like myself, who has made a +hundred dollars a day at the mines in California." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been in California myself," said Powell, "but it was recently, +and no such sums were to be made in my time." +</P> + +<P> +"That is true. It didn't last with me. I have noticed that even in the +flush times few brought much money away with them, no matter how lucky +they were." +</P> + +<P> +"There must become exceptions, however." +</P> + +<P> +"There were. We have a notable example in Milwaukee." +</P> + +<P> +"To whom do you refer?" +</P> + +<P> +"To Thomas Browning, the man who is up for mayor." +</P> + +<P> +Jack King laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"I've heard a lot of talk about that man. He's very honest and very +worthy, I hear." +</P> + +<P> +"They call him so," he answered. +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid you are jealous of that good man," said Warner, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"I may be jealous of his success, but not of his reputation or his +moral qualities." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you don't admire him as much as the public generally?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I know him too well." +</P> + +<P> +"He is really rich, is he not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is, he is worth, perhaps, two hundred thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"That would satisfy me." +</P> + +<P> +"Or me. But I doubt whether the money was creditably gained." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know anything about it? Were you an acquaintance of his?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I can remember him when he was only a rough miner. I never heard +that he was very lucky, but he managed to take considerable money East +with him." +</P> + +<P> +Warner eyed Jack King attentively. +</P> + +<P> +"You suspect something," he said, shrewdly. +</P> + +<P> +"I do. There was one of our acquaintances who had struck it rich, and +accumulated about ten thousand dollars. Browning was thick with him, +and I always suspected that when he found himself on his deathbed, he +intrusted all his savings to Butler——" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you were speaking of Browning?" +</P> + +<P> +"His name was Butler then. He has changed it since. But, as I was +saying, I think he intrusted his money to Browning to take home to his +family." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"The question is, did Browning fulfill his trust, or keep the money +himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"That would come out, wouldn't it? The family would make inquiries." +</P> + +<P> +"They did not know that the dying man had money. He kept it to +himself, for he wanted to go home and give them an agreeable surprise. +Butler knew this, and, I think, he took advantage of it." +</P> + +<P> +"That was contemptible. But can't it be ascertained? Is it known where +the family lives? What is the name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Walton." +</P> + +<P> +"Walton!" repeated Warner Powell, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; do you know any family of that name?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know a boy in Chicago named Luke Walton. He is in the employ of my +aunt. A part of his time he spends in selling papers." +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Browning told me that Walton only left a daughter, and that the +family had gone to the Eastern States." +</P> + +<P> +"Would he be likely to tell you the truth—supposing he had really +kept the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not. What more can you tell me about this boy?" +</P> + +<P> +Powell's face lighted up. +</P> + +<P> +"I remember now, he told me that his father died in California." +</P> + +<P> +"Is it possible?" said Jack King, excited. "I begin to think I am on +the right track. I begin to think, too, that I can tell where Tom +Butler got his first start." +</P> + +<P> +"And now he poses as a philanthropist?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"And is nominated for mayor?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, also." +</P> + +<P> +"How are your relations with him?" +</P> + +<P> +"They should be friendly, for he and I were comrades in earlier days, +and once I lent him money when he needed it, but he has been puffed up +by his prosperity, and takes very little notice of me. He had to do +something for me when I first came to Milwaukee, but it was because he +was afraid not to." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Warner Powell was searching his memory. Where and how had he +become familiar with the name of Thomas Browning? At last it came to +him. +</P> + +<P> +"Eureka!" he exclaimed, in excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"What does that mean? I don't understand French." +</P> + +<P> +Warner smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't French," he said; "but Greek, all the Greek I know. It means +'I have discovered'—the mystery of your old acquaintance." +</P> + +<P> +"Explain, please!" said Jack King, his interest be coming intense. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a friend in Chicago—Stephen Webb, a nephew of your +philanthropist—who has been commissioned by his uncle to find out all +he can about this newsboy, Luke Walton. He was speculating with me why +his uncle should be so interested in an obscure boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Had his uncle told him nothing?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, except that he dropped a hint about knowing Luke's father." +</P> + +<P> +"This Luke and his family are poor, you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you can judge that from his employment. He is an honest, manly +boy, however, and I have taken a fancy to him. I hope it will turn out +as you say. But nothing can be proved. This Browning will probably +deny that he received money in trust from the dead father." +</P> + +<P> +Jack King's countenance fell. +</P> + +<P> +"When you go back to Chicago talk with the boy, and find out whether +the family have any evidence that will support their claim. Then send +the boy on to me, and we will see what can be done." +</P> + +<P> +"I accept the suggestion with pleasure. But I will offer an amendment. +Let us write the boy to come on at once, and have a joint consultation +in his interest." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap38"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FELICIE PROVES TROUBLESOME +</H3> + +<P> +We must return to Chicago for a short time before recording the +incidents of Luke's visit to Milwaukee. +</P> + +<P> +Though Harold had lost nearly half of his money through being +compelled to divide with Felicie, he was, upon the whole, well +satisfied with the way in which he had escaped from suspicion. He had +his gold watch, and, as far as he knew, the story which he had told +about it had not been doubted. But something happened that annoyed and +alarmed him. +</P> + +<P> +One day, when there was no one else in the house, except the servants, +Felicie intercepted him as he was going out. +</P> + +<P> +"I want a word with you, Master Harold," she said. +</P> + +<P> +"I am in a hurry, Felicie," replied Harold, who had conceived a +dislike for the French maid. +</P> + +<P> +"Still, I think you can spare a few minutes," went on Felicie, smiling +in an unpleasant manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, be quick about it," said Harold, impatiently. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a sister who is very sick. She is a widow with two children, +and her means are very small." +</P> + +<P> +"Goodness, Felicie! What is all this to me? Of course, I'm sorry for +her, but I don't know her." +</P> + +<P> +"She looks to me to help her," continued Felicie. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's all right! I suppose you are going to help her." +</P> + +<P> +"There is the trouble, Master Harold. I have no money on hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm sure that is unlucky, but why do you speak to me about +it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because," and here Felicie's eyes glistened, "I know you obtained +some money recently from your aunt." +</P> + +<P> +"Hush!" said Harold, apprehensively. +</P> + +<P> +"But it's true." +</P> + +<P> +"And it's true that you made me give you half of it." +</P> + +<P> +"It all went to my poor sister," said Felicie theatrically. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see what I have to do with that," said Harold, not without +reason. +</P> + +<P> +"So that I kept none for myself. Now I am sure you will open your +heart, and give me five dollars more." +</P> + +<P> +"I never heard such cheek!" exclaimed Harold, indignantly. "You've got +half, and are not satisfied with that." +</P> + +<P> +"But think of my poor sister!" said Felicie, putting her handkerchief +to her eyes, in which there were no tears. +</P> + +<P> +"Think of me!" exclaimed Harold, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you won't give me the trifle I ask?" +</P> + +<P> +"Trifle? I haven't got it." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is it gone?" +</P> + +<P> +"Gone to buy this watch. That took nearly the whole of it." +</P> + +<P> +"It is indeed so? I thought you received it as a reward for picking up +a pocketbook." +</P> + +<P> +"I had to tell my aunt something. Otherwise they would ask me +embarrassing questions." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, <I>quelle invention!</I>" exclaimed Felicie, playfully. "And you +really have none of the money left?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Then there is only one way." +</P> + +<P> +"What is that?" +</P> + +<P> +"To open the drawer again." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you mad, Felicie? I should surely be discovered. It won't do to +try it a second time when my aunt is on her guard. Besides, very +likely she don't keep her money there now." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, she does." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was in the room yesterday when she opened the drawer to take out +money to pay a bill." +</P> + +<P> +"She must be foolish, then." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah," said Felicie, coolly, "she thinks lightning won't strike twice +in the same place." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it won't." +</P> + +<P> +"There must have been fifty dollars in bills in the drawer," continued +Felicie, insinuatingly. +</P> + +<P> +"It may stay there for all me. I won't go to the drawer again." +</P> + +<P> +"I must have some money," said Felicie, significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Then go and tell Aunt Eliza, and she may give you some." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think your Aunt Eliza likes me," said Felicie, frankly. +</P> + +<P> +"Very likely not," said Harold, with equal candor. +</P> + +<P> +"You can raise some money on your watch, Master Harold," suggested +Felicie. +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"At the pawnbroker's." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't mean to." +</P> + +<P> +"No?" +</P> + +<P> +"No!" returned Harold, emphatically. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose I go and tell Mrs. Merton who took her money?" +</P> + +<P> +"You would only expose yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"I did not take it." +</P> + +<P> +"You made me divide with you." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall deny all that. Besides, I shall tell all that I saw—on that +day." +</P> + +<P> +Harold felt troubled. Felicie might, as he knew, make trouble for him, +and though he could in time inform against her, that would not make +matters much better for him. Probably the whole story would come out, +and he felt sure that the French maid would not spare him. +</P> + +<P> +A lucky thought came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Felicie," he said, "I think I can suggest something that will help +you." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Go to my aunt's drawer yourself. You have plenty of chance, and you +can keep all the money you find. I won't ask you for any of it." +</P> + +<P> +Felicie eyed him sharply. She was not sure but he meant to trap her. +</P> + +<P> +"I have no keys," she said. +</P> + +<P> +"You can use the same bunch I have. Here they are!" +</P> + +<P> +Felicie paused a moment, then took the proffered keys. After all, why +should she not make use of the suggestion? It would be thought that +the second thief was the same as the first. +</P> + +<P> +"Can I rely on your discretion, Master Harold?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, certainly. I am not very likely to say anything about the +matter." +</P> + +<P> +"True! It might not be for your interest. Good-morning, Master Harold, +I won't detain you any longer." +</P> + +<P> +Harold left the house with a feeling of relief. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope Felicie will be caught!" he said to himself. "I have a great +mind to give Aunt Eliza a hint." +</P> + +<P> +It looked as if the generally astute Felicie had made a mistake. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap39"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LUKE WALTON'S LETTER +</H3> + +<P> +"Here is a letter for you, Luke!" said Mrs. Walton. +</P> + +<P> +Luke took it in his hand, and regarded it curiously. He was not in the +habit of receiving letters. +</P> + +<P> +"It is postmarked Milwaukee," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know anyone in Milwaukee?" asked his mother. +</P> + +<P> +"No; or stay, it must be from Mr. Powell, a brother of Mrs. Tracy." +</P> + +<P> +"Probably he sends a message to his sister." +</P> + +<P> +By this time Luke had opened the following letter, which he read with +great surprise and excitement: +</P> + +<P> +DEAR LUKE:—Come to Milwaukee as soon as you can, and join me at the +Prairie Hotel. I write in your own interest. There is a large sum due +to your father, which I may be able to put you in the way of +collecting. You had better see Aunt Eliza, and ask leave of absence +for a day or two. If you haven't money enough to come on, let her +know, and I am sure she will advance it to you. +</P> + +<P> +Your friend, +</P> + +<P> +WARNER POWELL. +</P> + +<P> +"What can it mean?" asked Mrs. Walton, to whom Luke read the letter. +</P> + +<P> +"It must refer to the ten thousand dollars which father sent to us on +his dying bed." +</P> + +<P> +"If it were only so!" said the widow, clasping her hands. +</P> + +<P> +"At any rate, I shall soon find out, mother. I had better take the +letter which was sent us, giving us the first information of the +legacy." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, Luke! I don't know anything about business. I must leave +the matter entirely in your hands. +</P> + +<P> +"I will go at once to Mrs. Merton and ask if it will inconvenience her +if I go away for a couple of days." +</P> + +<P> +"Do so, Luke! She is a kind friend, and you should do nothing without +her permission." +</P> + +<P> +Luke took the cars for Prairie Avenue, though it was afternoon, and he +had been there once already. He was shown immediately into the old +lady's presence. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton saw him enter with surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Has anything happened, Luke?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I have received a letter from your nephew, summoning me to +Milwaukee." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope he is not in any scrape." +</P> + +<P> +"No; it is a very friendly letter, written in my interest. May I read +it to you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be glad to hear it." +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Merton settled herself back in her rocking-chair, and listened to +the reading of the letter. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know what this refers to, Luke?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; my father on his deathbed in California intrusted a stranger +with ten thousand dollars to bring to my mother. He kept it for his +own use, and it was only by an accident that we heard about the +matter." +</P> + +<P> +"You interest me, Luke. What was the accident?" +</P> + +<P> +Luke explained. +</P> + +<P> +"It must be this that Mr. Powell refers to," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"But I don't see how my nephew should have anything to do with it." +</P> + +<P> +"There is a man in Milwaukee who answers the description of the +stranger to whom my poor father intrusted his money. I have seen him, +for he often comes to Chicago. I have even spoken to him." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you ever taxed him with this breach of trust?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, for he bears a different name. He is Thomas Browning, while the +letter mentions Thomas Butler." +</P> + +<P> +"He may have changed his name." +</P> + +<P> +"I was stupid not to think of that before. There can hardly be two men +so singularly alike. I have come to ask you, Mrs. Merton, if you can +spare me for two or three days." +</P> + +<P> +"For as long as you like, Luke," said the old lady, promptly. "Have +you any money for your traveling expenses?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, thank you." +</P> + +<P> +"No matter. Here are twenty dollars. Money never comes amiss." +</P> + +<P> +"You are always kind to me, Mrs. Merton," said Luke, gratefully. +</P> + +<P> +"It is easy to be kind if one is rich. I want to see that man +punished. Let me give you one piece of advice. Be on your guard with +this man! He is not to be trusted." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you! I am sure your advice is good." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you good luck, Luke. However things may turn out, there is one +thing that gratifies me. Warner is showing himself your friend. I have +looked upon him till recently as a black sheep, but he is redeeming +himself rapidly in my eyes. I shall not forget his kindness to you." +</P> + +<P> +As Luke went downstairs he met Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Here again!" said she, coldly. "Did my aunt send for you this +afternoon?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you should not have intruded. You are young, but you are very +artful. I see through your schemes, you may rest assured." +</P> + +<P> +"I wished to show Mrs. Merton a letter from your brother, now in +Milwaukee," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's it, is it? Let me see the letter." +</P> + +<P> +"I must refer you to Mrs. Merton." +</P> + +<P> +"He has probably sent to Aunt Eliza for some money," thought Mrs. +Tracy. "He and the boy are well matched." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap40"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XL +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY +</H3> + +<P> +Thomas Browning sat in his handsome study, in a complacent frame of +mind. The caucus was to be held in the evening, and he confidently +expected the nomination for mayor. It was the post he had coveted for +a long time. There were other honors that were greater, but the +mayoralty would perhaps prove a stepping-stone to them. He must not be +impatient. He was only in middle life, and there was plenty of time. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't dream this when I was a penniless miner in California," he +reflected, gleefully. "Fortune was hard upon me then, but now I am at +the top of the heap. All my own good management, too. Tom Butler—no, +Browning—is no fool, if I do say it myself." +</P> + +<P> +"Someone to see you, Mr. Browning," said the servant. +</P> + +<P> +"Show him in!" replied the philanthropist. +</P> + +<P> +A poorly dressed man followed the maid into the room. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Browning frowned. He had thought it might be some influential +member of his party. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want?" he asked, roughly. +</P> + +<P> +The poor man stood humbly before him, nervously pressing the hat +between his hands. +</P> + +<P> +"I am one of your tenants, Mr. Browning. I am behindhand with my rent, +owing to sickness in the family, and I have been ordered out." +</P> + +<P> +"And very properly, too!" said Browning. "You can't expect me to let +you stay gratis." +</P> + +<P> +"But sir, you have the reputation of being a philanthropist. It hardly +seems the character——" +</P> + +<P> +"I do not call myself a philanthropist—others call me so—and perhaps +they are right. I help the poor to the extent of my means, but even a +philanthropist expects his honest dues." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you can do nothing for me, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I do not feel called upon to interfere in your case." +</P> + +<P> +The poor man went out sorrowfully, leaving the philanthropist in an +irritable mood. Five minutes later a second visitor was announced. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is it?" asked Browning, fearing it might be an other tenant. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a boy, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"With a message, probably. Show him up." +</P> + +<P> +But Thomas Browning was destined to be surprised, when in the +manly-looking youth who entered he recognized the Chicago newsboy who +had already excited his uneasiness. +</P> + +<P> +"What brings you here?" he demanded, in a startled tone. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know if you remember me, Mr. Browning," said Luke, quietly. +"Luke Walton is my name, sir, and I have sold you papers near the +Sherman House, in Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought your face looked familiar," said Browning, assuming an +indifferent tone. "You have made a mistake in coming to Milwaukee. You +cannot do as well here as in Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +"I have not come in search of a place. I have a good one at home." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you have some object in coming to this city?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I came to see you." +</P> + +<P> +"Upon my word, I ought to feel flattered, but I can't do anything for +you. I have some reputation in charitable circles, but I have my hands +full here." +</P> + +<P> +"I have not come to ask you a favor, Mr. Browning. If you will allow +me, I will ask your advice in a matter of importance to me." +</P> + +<P> +Browning brightened up. He was always ready to give advice. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on!" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"When I was a young boy my father went to California. He left my +mother, my brother, and myself very poorly provided for, but he hoped +to earn money at the mines. A year passed, and we heard of his +death." +</P> + +<P> +"A good many men die in California," said Browning, phlegmatically. +</P> + +<P> +"We could not learn that father left anything, and we were compelled +to get long as we could. Mother obtained sewing to do at low prices, +and I sold papers." +</P> + +<P> +"A common experience!" said Browning, coldly. +</P> + +<P> +"About three months ago," continued Luke, "we were surprised by +receiving in a letter from a stranger, a message from my father's +deathbed." +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning started and turned pale, as he gazed intently in the +boy's face. +</P> + +<P> +"How much does he know?" he asked himself, apprehensively. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on!" he said, slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"In this letter we learned for the first time that father had +intrusted the sum of ten thousand dollars to an acquaintance to be +brought to my mother. This man proved false and kept the money." +</P> + +<P> +"This story may or may not be true," said Browning, with an effort. +"Was the man's name given?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; his name was Thomas Butler." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed! Have you ever met him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so," answered Luke, slowly. "I will read his description from +the letter: He has a wart on the upper part of his right cheek—a mark +which disfigures and mortifies him exceedingly. He is about five feet +ten inches in height, with a dark complexion and dark hair, a little +tinged with gray. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see the letter," said Browning, hoarsely. +</P> + +<P> +He took the letter in his hand, and, moving near the grate fire, began +to read it. Suddenly the paper as if accidentally, slipped from his +fingers, and fell upon the glowing coals—where it was instantly +consumed. +</P> + +<P> +"How careless I am!" ejaculated Browning, but there was exultation in +the glance. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap41"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS +</H3> + +<P> +The destruction of the letter, and the open exultation of the man who +had in intention at least doubly wronged him, did not appear to dismay +Luke Walton. He sat quite cool and collected, facing Mr. Browning. +"Really, I don't see how this letter happened to slip from my hand," +continued the philanthropist. "I am afraid you consider it +important." +</P> + +<P> +"I should if it had been the genuine letter," said Luke. +</P> + +<P> +"What!" gasped Browning. +</P> + +<P> +"It was only a copy, as you will be glad to hear." +</P> + +<P> +"Boy, I think you are deceiving me," said Browning, sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all! I left the genuine letter in the hands of my lawyer." +</P> + +<P> +"Your lawyer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I have put this matter in the hands of Mr. Jordan, of this +city." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Browning looked very much disturbed. Mr. Jordan was a well-known +and eminent attorney. Moreover, he was opposed in politics to the +would-be mayor. If his opponent should get hold of this discreditable +chapter in his past history, his political aspirations might as well +be given up. Again he asked himself, "How much of the story does this +boy know?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you are employing a lawyer," he said, after a pause, "I don't +understand why you came to me for advice." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you might be interested in the matter," said Luke, +significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why should I be interested in your affairs? I have so many things to +think of that really I can't take hold of anything new." +</P> + +<P> +"I will tell you, sir. You are the man who received money in trust +from my dying father. I look to you to restore it with interest." +</P> + +<P> +"How dare you insinuate any such thing?" demanded Browning, furiously. +"Do you mean to extort money by threats?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir, I only ask for justice." +</P> + +<P> +"There is nothing to connect me with the matter. According to your +letter it was a Thomas Butler who received the money you refer to." +</P> + +<P> +"True, and your name at that time was Thomas Butler." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Browning turned livid. The net seemed to be closing about him. +</P> + +<P> +"What proof have you of this ridiculous assertion?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"The testimony of one who knew you then and now—Mr. King, who keeps a +cigar stand at the Prairie Hotel." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! traitor!" ejaculated Browning, apostrophizing the absent King. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a conspiracy!" he said. "King has put you up to this. He is a +discreditable tramp whom I befriended when in dire need. This is my +reward for it." +</P> + +<P> +"I have nothing to do with that, Mr. Browning. Mr. King is ready to +help me with his testimony. My lawyer has advised me to call upon you, +and to say this: If you will pay over the ten thousand dollars with +interest I will engage in my mother's name to keep the matter from +getting before the public." +</P> + +<P> +"And if I don't agree to this?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Jordan is instructed to bring suit against you." +</P> + +<P> +Drops of perspiration gathered on the brow of Mr. Browning. This would +never do. The suit, even if unsuccessful, would blast his reputation +as a philanthropist, and his prospects as a politician. +</P> + +<P> +"I will see Mr. Jordan," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, sir. Then I wish you good-morning." +</P> + +<P> +Within two days Thomas Browning had paid over to the lawyer for his +young client the full sum demanded, and Luke left Milwaukee with the +happy consciousness that his mother was now beyond the reach of +poverty. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap42"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CONCLUSION +</H3> + +<P> +Felicie reflected over Harold's dishonest suggestion, and concluded to +adopt it. She meant to charge Harold with the second robbery, and to +brazen it out if necessary. Accordingly, one day she stole into Mrs. +Merton's sitting room, and with the keys supplied by Harold succeeded +in opening the drawer. Inside, greatly to her surprise, she saw the +identical pocketbook which it had been understood was taken at the +time of the first robbery. She was holding it in her hand, when a +slight noise led her to look up swiftly. +</P> + +<P> +To her dismay she saw the old lady, whom she had supposed out of the +house, regarding her sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"What does this mean, Felicie?" demanded Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I found these keys and was trying them to see if any of them had +been used at the time your money was stolen." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know who took my money on that occasion?" continued the old +lady. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I do," answered Felicie, swiftly deciding to tell the truth. +</P> + +<P> +"Who was it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Your nephew Harold," answered Felicie, glibly. +</P> + +<P> +"You know this?" +</P> + +<P> +"I saw him open the drawer. I was looking through a crack of the +door." +</P> + +<P> +"And you never told me of this?" +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't want to expose him. He begged me not to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"That is singular. He warned me yesterday that he suspected you of +being the thief, and that he had reason to think you were planning a +second robbery." +</P> + +<P> +"He did?" said Felicie, with flashing eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; what have you to say to it?" +</P> + +<P> +"That he put me up to it, and gave me these keys to help me in doing +it. Of course, he expected to share the money." +</P> + +<P> +This last statement was untrue, but Felicie was determined to be +revenged upon her treacherous ally. +</P> + +<P> +"And you accepted?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Felicie, seeing no way of escape. "I am poor, and thought +you wouldn't miss the money." +</P> + +<P> +"My nephew accused Luke Walton of being the thief." +</P> + +<P> +"It is untrue. He wanted to divert suspicion from himself. Besides, he +hates Luke." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I think him much better than Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I. Where did my nephew get his gold watch?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was bought with the money he stole from the drawer." +</P> + +<P> +"So I supposed. Well, Felicie, you can go, but I think you had better +hand me that bunch of keys." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall you report me to Mrs. Tracy?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have not decided. For the present we will both keep this matter +secret." +</P> + +<P> +Luke's absence was, of course, noticed by Mrs. Tracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you discharged Luke Walton?" she asked, hopefully. "I observe he +has not come here for the last two or three days." +</P> + +<P> +"He has gone out of the city—on business." +</P> + +<P> +"I am surprised that you should trust that boy to such an extent." +</P> + +<P> +At this moment a telegraph messenger rang the bell, and a telegram was +brought up to Mrs. Merton. +</P> + +<P> +It ran thus: +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +To MRS. MERTON, —— Prairie Avenue, Chicago: +</P> + +<P> +I have recovered all my mother's money with interest. Mr. Powell is +also successful. Will return this evening. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +LUKE WALTON, +</P> + +<P> +"Read it if you like, Louisa," said the old lady, smiling with +satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"What does it mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"That Luke has recovered over ten thousand dollars, of which his +mother had been defrauded. It was Warner who put him on the track of +the man who wrongfully held the money." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed!" said Mrs. Tracy, spitefully. "Then the least he can do is to +return the money he took from you." +</P> + +<P> +"He never took any, Louisa." +</P> + +<P> +"Who did, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Your son, Harold." +</P> + +<P> +"Who has been telling lies about my poor boy?" exclaimed Mrs. Tracy, +angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"A person who saw him unlocking the drawer." +</P> + +<P> +"Has Luke Walton been telling falsehoods about my son?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; it was quite another person. I have other proof also, and have +known for some time who the real thief was. If Harold claims that I +have done him injustice, send him to me." +</P> + +<P> +After an interview with Harold, Mrs. Tracy was obliged to believe, +much against her will, that he was the guilty one and not the boy she +so much detested. This did not prepossess her any more in favor of +Luke Walton, whom she regarded as the rival and enemy of her son. +</P> + +<P> +It was a joyful coming home for Luke. He removed at once to a nice +neighborhood, and ceased to be a Chicago newsboy. He did not lose the +friendship of Mrs. Merton, who is understood to have put him down for +a large legacy in her will, and still employs him to transact much of +her business. Next year she proposes to establish her nephew, Warner +Powell, and Luke in a commission business, under the style of +</P> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +POWELL & WALTON +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +she furnishing the capital. +</P> + +<P> +The house on Prairie Avenue is closed. Mrs. Tracy is married again, to +a man whose intemperate habits promise her little happiness. Harold +seems unwilling to settle down to business, but has developed a taste +for dress and the amusements of a young man about town. He thinks he +will eventually be provided for by Mrs. Merton, but in this he will be +mistaken, as she has decided to leave much the larger part of her +wealth to charitable institutions after remembering her nephew, Warner +Powell, handsomely. +</P> + +<P> +Ambrose Kean never repeated the mistake he had made. Still more, by +diligent economy he saved up the sum advanced him by Mrs. Merton, and +he offered it to her. She accepted it, but returned it many times over +to his mother. Her patronage brought him another advantage; it led his +employer to increase his salary, which is now double that which he +formerly received. +</P> + +<P> +Felicie lost her position, but speedily secured another, where it is +to be hoped she will be more circumspect in her conduct. +</P> + +<P> +Thomas Browning, after all, lost the nomination which he craved—and +much of his wealth is gone. He dabbled in foolish speculation, and is +now comparatively a poor man. Through the agency of Jack King, the +story of his breach of trust was whispered about, and the sham +philanthropist is better understood and less respected by his +fellow-citizens. +</P> + +<P> +His nephew, Stephen Webb, has been obliged to buckle down to hard work +at ten dollars a week, and feels that his path is indeed thorny. +</P> + +<P> +Luke Walton is not puffed up by his unexpected and remarkable success. +He never fails to recognize kindly, and help, if there is need, the +old associates of his humbler days, and never tries to conceal the +fact that he was once a Chicago newsboy. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-cherub.jpg" ALT="Graphic decoration" BORDER="2"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WHITE HOUSE INCIDENTS. +</H3> + +<H3> +Trying the "Greens" on Jake. +</H3> + +<P> +A deputation of bankers were one day introduced to the President by +the Secretary of the Treasury. One of the party, Mr. P—— of Chelsea, +Mass., took occasion to refer to the severity of the tax laid by +Congress upon State Banks. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said Mr. Lincoln, "that reminds me of a circumstance that took +place in a neighborhood where I lived when I was a boy. In the spring +of the year the farmers were very fond of a dish which they called +greens, though the fashionable name for it now-a-days is spinach, I +believe. One day after dinner, a large family were taken very ill. The +doctor was called in, who attributed it to the greens, of which all +had frequently partaken. Living in the family was a half-witted boy +named Jake. On a subsequent occasion, when greens had been gathered +for dinner, the head of the house said: +</P> + +<P> +"'Now, boys, before running any further risk in this thing, we will +first try them on Jake, If he stands it, we are all right.' +</P> + +<P> +"And just so, I suppose," said Mr. Lincoln, "Congress thought it would +try this tax on State Banks!" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +A Story Which Lincoln Told the Preachers. +</H3> + +<P> +A year or more before Mr. Lincoln's death, a delegation of clergymen +waited upon him in reference to the appointment of the army chaplains +The delegation consisted of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and an +Episcopal clergyman. They stated that the character of many of the +chaplains was notoriously bad, and they had come to urge upon the +President the necessity of more discretion in these appointments. +</P> + +<P> +"But, gentlemen," said the President, "that is a matter which the +Government has nothing to do with; the chaplains are chosen by the +regiments." +</P> + +<P> +Not satisfied with this, the clergymen pressed, in turn, a change in +the system. Mr. Lincoln heard them through without remark, and then +said, "Without any disrespect, gentlemen, I will tell you a 'little +story.' +</P> + +<P> +"Once, in Springfield, I was going off on a short journey, and reached +the depot a little ahead of time. Leaning against the fence just +outside the depot was a little darkey boy, whom I knew, named 'Dick,' +busily digging with his toe in a mud-puddle. As I came up, I said, +'Dick, what are you about?' +</P> + +<P> +"'Making a church,' said he. +</P> + +<P> +"'A church,' said I; 'what do you mean?' +</P> + +<P> +"'Why, yes,' said Dick, pointing with his toe, 'don't you see there is +the shape of it; there's the steps and front door—here the pews, +where the folks set—and there's the pulpit. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I see,' said I; 'but why don't you make a minister? +</P> + +<P> +"'Laws,' answered Dick, with a grin, 'I hain't got mud enough.'" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +How Lincoln Stood Up for the Word "Sugar-Coated." +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Defrees, the Government printer, states, that, when one of the +President's message was being printed, he was a good deal disturbed by +the use of the term "sugar-coated," and finally went to Mr. Lincoln +about it. Their relations to each other being of the most intimate +character, he told the President frankly, that he ought to remember +that a message to Congress was a different affair from a speech at a +mass meeting in Illinois; that the messages became a part of history, +and should be written accordingly. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the matter now?" inquired the President. +</P> + +<P> +"Why," said Mr. Defrees, "you have used an undignified expression in +the message;" and then, reading the paragraph aloud, he added, I would +alter the structure of that if I were you." +</P> + +<P> +"Defrees," replied Mr. Lincoln, "that word expresses exactly my idea, +and I am not going to change it. The time will never come in this +country when the people won't know exactly what 'sugar-coated' means." +</P> + +<P> +On a subsequent occasion, Mr. Defrees states that a certain sentence +of another message was very awkwardly constructed. Calling the +President's attention to it in the proof-copy, the latter acknowledged +the force of the objection raised, and said, "Go home, Defrees, and +see if you can better it." +</P> + +<P> +The next day Mr. Defrees took into him his amendment. Mr. Lincoln met +him by saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Seward found the same fault that you did, and he has been rewriting +the paragraph, also." Then, reading Mr. Defrees' version, he said, "I +believe you have beaten Seward; but, 'I jings,' I think I can beat you +both." Then, taking up his pen, he wrote the sentence as it was +finally printed. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Lincoln's Advice to a Prominent Bachelor. +</H3> + +<P> +Upon the betrothal of the Prince of Wales to the Princess Alexandra, +Queen Victoria sent a letter to each of the European sovereigns, and +also to President Lincoln, announcing the fact. Lord Lyons, her +ambassador at Washington,—a "bachelor," by the way,—requested an +audience of Mr. Lincoln, that he might present this important document +in person. At the time appointed he was received at the White House, +in company with Mr. Seward. +</P> + +<P> +"May it please your Excellency," said Lord Lyons, "I hold in my hand +an autograph letter from my royal mistress, Queen Victoria, which I +have been commanded to present to your Excellency. In it she informs +your Excellency that her son, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, +is about to contract a matrimonial alliance with her Royal Highness +the Princess Alexandra of Denmark." +</P> + +<P> +After continuing in this strain for a few minutes, Lord Lyons tendered +the letter to the President and awaited his reply. It was short, +simple, and expressive, and consisted simply of the words: +</P> + +<P> +"Lord Lyons, go thou and do likewise." +</P> + +<P> +It is doubtful if an English ambassador was ever addressed in this +manner before, and it would be interesting to learn what success he +met with in putting the reply in diplomatic language when he reported +it to her Majesty. +</P> + +<BR> + +<A NAME="img-lincoln"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-lincoln.jpg" ALT="Carriage on forested road" BORDER="2"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Mr. Lincoln and the Bashful Boys. +</H3> + +<P> +The President and a friend were standing upon the threshold of the +door under the portico of the White House, awaiting the coachman, when +a letter was put into his hand. While he was reading this, people were +passing, as is customary, up and down the promenade, which leads +through the grounds of the War Department, crossing, of course, the +portico. Attention was attracted to an approaching party, apparently a +countryman, plainly dressed, with his wife and two little boys, who +had evidently been straying about, looking at the places of public +interest in the city. As they reached the portico the father, who was +in advance, caught sight of the tall figure of Mr. Lincoln, absorbed +in his letter. His wife and the little boys were ascending the steps. +</P> + +<P> +The man stopped suddenly, put out his hand with a "hush" to his +family, and, after a moment's gaze, he bent down and whispered to +them, "There is the President!" Then leaving them, he slowly made a +circuit around Mr. Lincoln, watching him intently all the while. +</P> + +<P> +At this point, having finished his letter, the President turned and +said: "Well, we will not wait any longer for the carriage; it won't +hurt you and me to walk down." +</P> + +<P> +The countryman here approached very diffidently, and asked if he might +be allowed to take the President by the hand; after which, "Would he +extend the same privilege to his wife and little boys?" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Lincoln, good-naturedly, approached the latter, who had remained +where they were stopped, and, reaching down, said a kind word to the +bashful little fellows, who shrank close up to their mother, and did +not reply. This simple act filled the father's cup full. +</P> + +<P> +"The Lord is with you, Mr. President," he said, reverently; and then, +hesitating a moment, he added, with strong emphasis, "and the people, +too, sir; and the people, too!" +</P> + +<P> +A few moments later Mr. Lincoln remarked to his friend: "Great men +have various estimates. When Daniel Webster made his tour through the +West years ago, he visited Springfield among other places, where great +preparations had been made to receive him. As the procession was going +through the town, a barefooted little darkey boy pulled the sleeve of +a man named T., and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"'What the folks were all doing down the street?' +</P> + +<P> +"'Why, Jack,' was the reply, 'the biggest man in the world is +coming.' +</P> + +<P> +"Now, there lived in Springfield a man by the name of G——, a very +corpulent man. Jack darted off down the street, but presently +returned, with a very disappointed air. +</P> + +<P> +"'Well, did you see him?' inquired T. +</P> + +<P> +"'Yees,' returned Jack; 'but laws, he ain't half as big as old G.'." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +An Irish Soldier Who Wanted Something Stronger Than Soda Water. +</H3> + +<P> +Upon Mr. Lincoln's return to Washington, after the capture of +Richmond, a member of the Cabinet asked him if it would be proper to +permit Jacob Thompson to slip through Maine in disguise, and embark +from Portland. The President, as usual, was disposed to be merciful, +and to permit the arch-rebel to pass unmolested, but the Secretary +urged that he should be arrested as a traitor. "By permitting him to +escape the penalties of treason," persistently remarked the Secretary, +"you sanction it." "Well," replied Mr. Lincoln, "let me tell you a +story. +</P> + +<P> +"There was an Irish soldier here last summer, who wanted something to +drink stronger than water, and stopped at a drug-shop, where he espied +a soda-fountain. +</P> + +<P> +"'Mr. Doctor' said he, 'give me, plase, a glass of soda wather, an' if +yees can put in a few drops of whisky unbeknown to any one, I'll be +obleeged.' +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said Mr. Lincoln, "if Jake Thompson is permitted to go through +Maine unbeknown to any one, what's the harm? So don't have him +arrested." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Looking Out for Breakers. +</H3> + +<P> +In a time of despondency, some visitors were telling the President of +the "breakers" so often seen ahead—"this time surely coming." +"That," said he, "suggests the story of the school-boy, who never +could pronounce the names 'Shadrach,' 'Meshach,' and 'Abednego.' He +had been repeatedly whipped for it without effect. Some times +afterwards he saw the names of the regular lesson for the day. Putting +his finger upon the place, he turned to his next neighbor, an older +boy, and whispered, 'Here comes those "tormented Hebrews" again!'" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +A Story About Jack Chase. +</H3> + +<P> +A farmer from one of the border counties went to the President on a +certain occasion with the complaint that the Union soldiers in passing +his farm had helped themselves not only to hay but to his horse; and +he hoped the proper officer would be required to consider his claim +immediately. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, my good sir," replied Mr. Lincoln, "if I should attempt to +consider every such individual case, I should find work enough for +twenty Presidents! +</P> + +<P> +"In my early days I knew one Jack Chase who was a lumberman on the +Illinois, and when steady and sober the best raftsman on the river. It +was quite a trick twenty-five years ago to take the logs over the +rapids, but he was skillful with a raft, and always kept her straight +in the channel. Finally a steamer was put on, and Jack—he's dead now, +poor fellow!—was made captain of her. He always used to take the +wheel going through the rapids. One day when the boat was plunging and +wallowing along the boiling current, and Jack's utmost vigilance was +being exercised to keep her in the narrow channel, a boy pulled his +coat-tail and hailed him with: Say, Mister Captain! I wish you would +just stop your boat a minute—I've lost an apple overboard!" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Stories Illustrating Lincoln's Memory. +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Lincoln's memory was very remarkable. At one of the afternoon +receptions at the White House a stranger shook hands with him, and as +he did so remarked, casually, that he was elected to Congress about +the time Mr. Lincoln's term as representative expired, which happened +many years before. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said the President, "you are from," mentioning the state. "I +remember reading of your election in a newspaper one morning on a +steamboat going down to Mount Vernon." +</P> + +<P> +At another time a gentleman addressed him, saying, "I presume, Mr. +President, you have forgotten me?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," was the prompt reply; "your name is Flood. I saw you last, +twelve years ago at ——," naming the place and the occasion. "I am +glad to see," he continued, "that the Flood flows on," +</P> + +<P> +Subsequent to his re-election a deputation of bankers from various +sections were introduced one day by the Secretary of the Treasury. +After a few moments of general conversation, Mr. Lincoln turned to one +of them and said: "Your district did not give me so strong a vote at +the last election as it did in 1860." +</P> + +<P> +"I think, sir, that you must be mistaken," replied the banker. "I +have the impression that your majority was considerably increased at +the last election," +</P> + +<P> +"No," rejoined the President, "you fell off about six hundred votes." +Then taking down from the bookcase the official canvass of 1860 and +1864 he referred to the vote or the district named and proved to be +quite right in his assertion. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Philosophy of Canes. +</H3> + +<P> +A gentleman calling at the White House one evening carried a cane +which in the course of conversation attracted the President's +attention. Taking it in his hand he said: "I always used a cane when I +was a boy. It was a freak of mine. My favorite one was a knotted beech +stick, and I carved the head myself. There's a mighty amount of +character in sticks. Don't you think so? You have seen these +fishing-polls that fit into a cane? Well, that was an old idea of +mine. Dogwood clubs were favorite ones with the boys. I suppose they +use them yet. Hickory is too heavy, unless you get it from a young +sapling. Have you ever noticed how a stick in one's hand will change +his appearance? Old women and witches wouldn't look so without sticks. +Meg Merrilies understands that." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Common Sense. +</H3> + +<P> +The Hon. Mr. Hubbard, of Connecticut, once called upon the President +in reference to a newly invented gun, concerning which a committee had +been appointed to make a report. +</P> + +<P> +The "report" was sent for, and when it came in was found to be of the +most voluminous description. Mr. Lincoln glanced at it and said: "I +should want a new lease of life to read this through!" Throwing it +down upon the table he added: "Why can't a committee of this kind +occasionally exhibit a grain of common sense? If I send a man to buy a +horse for me, I expect him to tell me his points—not how many hairs +there are in his tail." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Lincoln's Confab with a Committee on "Grant's Whisky." +</H3> + +<P> +Just previous to the fall of Vicksburg a self-constituted committee, +solicitous for the <I>morale</I> of our armies, took it upon themselves to +visit the President and urge the removal of General Grant. +</P> + +<P> +In some surprise Mr. Lincoln inquired, "For what reason?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why," replied the spokesman, "he drinks too much whisky." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah!" rejoined Mr. Lincoln, dropping his lower lip. "By the way, +gentlemen, can either of you tell me where General Grant procures his +whisky? because, if I can find out, I will send every general in the +field a barrel of it!" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +A "Pretty Tolerable Respectable Sort of a Clergyman." +</H3> + +<P> +Some one was discussing in the presence of Mr. Lincoln the character +of a time-serving Washington clergyman. Said Mr. Lincoln to his +visitor: +</P> + +<P> +"I think you are rather hard upon Mr. ——. He reminds me of a man in +Illinois, who was tried for passing a counterfeit bill. It was in +evidence that before passing it he had taken it to the cashier of a +bank and asked his opinion of the bill, and he received a very prompt +reply that it was a counterfeit. His lawyer, who had heard the +evidence to be brought against his client, asked him just before going +into court, 'Did you take the bill to the cashier of the bank and ask +him if it was good?' +</P> + +<P> +"'I did,' was the reply, +</P> + +<P> +"'Well, what was the reply of the cashier?' +</P> + +<P> +"The rascal was in a corner, but he got out of it in this fashion: 'He +said it was a pretty tolerable, respectable sort of a bill.'" Mr. +Lincoln thought the clergyman was "a pretty tolerable, respectable +sort of a clergyman." +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Opened His Eyes. +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Lincoln sometimes had a very effective way of dealing with men who +troubled him with questions. A visitor once asked him how many men the +Rebels had in the field. +</P> + +<P> +The President replied, very seriously, "<I>Twelve hundred thousand, +according to the best authority.</I>" +</P> + +<P> +The interrogator blanched in the face, and ejaculated, "<I>Good +Heavens!</I>" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, twelve hundred thousand—no doubt of it. You see, all of +our generals, when they get whipped, say the enemy outnumbers them +from three or five to one, and I must believe them. We have four +hundred thousand men in the field, and three times four makes twelve. +Don't you see it?" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Minnehaha and Minneboohoo! +</H3> + +<P> +Some gentlemen fresh from a Western tour, during a call at the White +House, referred in the course of conversation to a body of water in +Nebraska, which bore an Indian name signifying "weeping water." Mr. +Lincoln instantly responded: "As 'laughing water,' according to Mr. +Longfellow, is 'Minnehaha,' this evidently should be 'Minneboohoo.'" +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3> +Lincoln and the Artist. +</H3> + +<P> +F. B. Carpenter, the celebrated artist and author of the well-known +painting of Lincoln and his Cabinet issuing the Emancipation +Proclamation, describes his first meeting with the President, as +follows: +</P> + +<P> +"Two o'clock found me one of the throng pressing toward the center of +attraction, the blue room. From the threshold of the crimson parlor as +I passed, I had a glimpse of the gaunt figure of Mr. Lincoln in the +distance, haggard-looking, dressed in black, relieved only by the +prescribed white gloves; standing, it seemed to me, solitary and +alone, though surrounded by the crowd, bending low now and then in the +process of hand-shaking, and responding half abstractedly to the +well-meant greetings of the miscellaneous assemblage. +</P> + +<P> +"Never shall I forget the electric thrill which went through my whole +being at this instant. I seemed to see lines radiating from every part +of the globe, converging to a focus where that plain, awkward-looking +man stood, and to hear in spirit a million prayers, 'as the sound of +many waters,' ascending in his behalf. +</P> + +<P> +"Mingled with supplication I could discern a clear symphony of triumph +and blessing, swelled with an ever-increasing volume. It was the voice +of those who had been bondmen and bondwomen, and the grand diapason +swept up from the coming ages. +</P> + +<P> +"It was soon my privilege in the regular succession, to take that +honored hand. Accompanying the act, my name and profession were +announced to him in a low tone by one of the assistant secretaries, +who stood by his side. +</P> + +<P> +"Retaining my hand, he looked at me inquiringly for an instant, and +said, Oh, yes; I know; this is the painter. Then straightening himself +to his full height, with a twinkle of the eye, he added, playfully, +'Do you think, Mr. C——, that you could make a handsome picture of +<I>me?</I>' emphasizing strongly the last word. +</P> + +<P> +"Somewhat confused at this point-blank shot, uttered in a voice so +loud as to attract the attention of those in immediate proximity, I +made a random reply, and took the occasion to ask if I could see him +in his study at the close of the reception. +</P> + +<P> +"To this he replied in the peculiar vernacular of the West, 'I +reckon,' resuming meanwhile the mechanical and traditional exercise of +the hand which no President has ever yet been able to avoid, and +which, severe as is the ordeal, is likely to attach to the position so +long as the Republic endures." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +The American Boy's Sports Series +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +BY MARK OVERTON +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +12mo Cloth. Illustrated. Price 60c Each. +</P> + +<P> +These stories touch upon nearly every sport in which the active boy is +interested. Baseball, rowing, football, hockey, skating, ice-boating, +sailing, camping and fishing all serve to lend interest to an unusual +series of books. There are the following four titles: +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +1. Jack Winters' Baseball Team; or, The Mystery of the Diamond. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +2. Jack Winters' Campmates; or, Vacation Days in the Woods. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +3. Jack Winters' Gridiron Chums; or, When the Half-back Saved the Day. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +4. Jack Winters' Iceboat Wonder; or, Leading the Hockey Team to +Victory. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +The Aeroplane Series +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +By JOHN LUTHER LANGWORTHY +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +1. The Aeroplane Boys; or, The Young Pilots First Air Voyage +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +2. The Aeroplane Boys on the Wing; or, Aeroplane Chums in the Tropics +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +3. The Aeroplane Boys Among the Clouds; or, Young Aviators in a Wreck +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +4. The Aeroplane Boys Flights; or. A Hydroplane Round-up +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +5. The Aeroplane Boys on a Cattle Ranch +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +The Girl Aviator Series +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +By MARGARET BURNHAM +</P> + +<P> +Just the type of books that delight and fascinate the wide awake Girls +of the present day who are between the ages of eight and fourteen +years. The great author of these books regards them as the best +products of her pen. Printed from large clear type on a superior +quality of paper; attractive multi-color jacket wrapper around each +book. Bound in cloth. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +1. The Girl Aviators and the Phantom Airship +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +2. The Girl Aviators on Golden Wings +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +3. The Girl Aviators' Sky Cruise +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +4. The Girl Aviators' Motor Butterfly. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of 75c. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +701-733 S. DEARBORN STREET :: CHICAGO +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Luke Walton, by Horatio Alger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUKE WALTON *** + +***** This file should be named 26083-h.htm or 26083-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/0/8/26083/ + +Produced by Gary Sandino (text) and Al Haines (HTML) from +scans kindly provided by the Internet Archive +(www.archive.org) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Luke Walton + +Author: Horatio Alger + +Release Date: July 17, 2008 [EBook #26083] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUKE WALTON *** + + + + +Produced by Gary Sandino (text) and Al Haines (HTML) from +scans kindly provided by the Internet Archive +(www.archive.org) + + + + + + + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/lukewalton00alge + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Luke rescues Mrs. Merton."] + + + +LUKE WALTON + +BY + +HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + + +Author of + + "ANDY GORDON," "THE TELEGRAPH BOY," "SAM'S CHANCE," + "BOB BURTON," "FRANK MASON'S SECRET" + + + +[Insignia] + + + +MADE IN U. S. A. + +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY + +CHICAGO :: NEW YORK + + + + +CONTENTS + + I A CHICAGO NEWSBOY + II A LETTER FROM THE DEAD + III LUKE FORMS A RESOLUTION + IV AN ATTACK IN THE DARK + V HOW LUKE ESCAPED + VI MR. AFTON'S OFFICE + VII A STRANGE ENCOUNTER + VIII A MARKED MAN + IX STEPHEN WEBB + X STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION + XI A HOUSE ON PRAIRIE AVENUE + XII A PLOT THAT FAILED + XIII TOM BROOKS IN TROUBLE + XIV LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE + XV A WELCOME GIFT + XVI THOMAS BROWNING AT HOME + XVII A STRANGE VISITOR + XVIII HOW JACK KING FARED + XIX A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT + XX AMBROSE KEAN'S IMPRUDENCE + XXI A FRIEND IN NEED + XXII HOW AMBROSE KEAN WAS SAVED + XXIII STEPHEN WEBB IS PUZZLED + XXIV MRS. MERTON PASSES A PLEASANT EVENING + XXV MRS. TRACY'S BROTHER + XXVI THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION + XXVII UNCLE AND NEPHEW + XXVIII HAROLD'S TEMPTATION + XXIX HAROLD'S THEFT + XXX LUKE WALTON IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT + XXXI WHO STOLE THE MONEY? + XXXII HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT + XXXIII HAROLD'S PLOT FAILS + XXXIV HAROLD MAKES A PURCHASE + XXXV A SKILLFUL INVENTION + XXXVI WARNER POWELL STARTS ON A JOURNEY + XXXVII THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET + XXXVIII FELICIE PROVES TROUBLESOME + XXXIX LUKE WALTON'S LETTER + XL FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY + XLI MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS + XLII CONCLUSION + + + + +LUKE WALTON + + +CHAPTER I + +A CHICAGO NEWSBOY + +"_News_ and _Mail_, one cent each!" + +Half a dozen Chicago newsboys, varying in age from ten to sixteen +years, with piles of papers in their hands, joined in the chorus. + +They were standing in front and at the sides of the Sherman House, on +the corner of Clark and Randolph Streets, one of the noted buildings +in the Lake City. On the opposite side of Randolph Street stands a +gloomy stone structure, the Court House and City Hall. In the shadow +of these buildings, at the corner, Luke Walton, one of the largest +newsboys, had posted himself. There was something about his bearing +and appearance which distinguished him in a noticeable way from his +companions. + +To begin with, he looked out of place. He was well grown, with a +frank, handsome face, and was better dressed than the average newsboy. +That was one reason, perhaps, why he preferred to be by himself, +rather than to engage in the scramble for customers which was the +habit of the boys around him. + +It was half-past five. The numerous cars that passed were full of +business men, clerks, and boys, returning to their homes after a busy +day. + +Luke had but two papers left, but these two for some unaccountable +reason remained on his hands an unusual length of time. But at length +a comfortable-looking gentleman of middle age, coming from the +direction of La Salle Street, paused and said, "You may give me a +_News_, my boy." + +"Here you are, sir," he said, briskly. + +The gentleman took the paper, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, +began to feel for a penny, but apparently without success. + +"I declare," he said, smiling, "I believe I am penniless. I have +nothing but a five-dollar bill." + +"Never mind, sir! Take the paper and pay me to morrow." + +"But I may not see you." + +"I am generally here about this time." + +"And if I shouldn't see you, you will lose the penny." + +"I will risk it, sir," said Luke, smiling. + +"You appear to have confidence in me." + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then it is only fair that I should have confidence in you." + +Luke looked puzzled, for he didn't quite understand what was in the +gentleman's mind. + +"I will take both of your papers. Here is a five-dollar bill. You may +bring me the change to-morrow, at my office, No. 155 La Salle Street. +My name is Benjamin Afton." + +"But, sir," objected Luke, "there is no occasion for this. It is much +better that I should trust you for two cents than that you should +trust me with five dollars." + +"Probably the two cents are as important to you as five dollars to me. +At any rate, it is a matter of confidence, and I am quite willing to +trust you." + +"Thank you, sir, but----" + +"I shall have to leave you, or I shall be home late to dinner." + +Before Luke had a chance to protest further, he found himself alone, +his stock of papers exhausted, and a five-dollar bill in his hand. + +While he stood on the corner in some perplexity, a newsboy crossed +Randolph Street, and accosted him. + +"My eyes, if you ain't in luck, Luke Walton," he said. "Where did you +get that bill? Is it a one?" + +"No, it's a five." + +"Where'd you get it?" + +"A gentleman just bought two papers of me." + +"And gave you five dollars! You don't expect me to swaller all that, +do you?" + +"I'm to bring him the change to-morrow," continued Luke. + +The other boy nearly doubled up with merriment. + +"Wasn't he jolly green, though?" he ejaculated. + +"Why was he?" asked Luke, who by this time felt considerably annoyed. + +"He'll have to whistle for his money." + +"Why will he?" + +"Cause he will." + +"He won't do anything of the sort. I shall take him his change +to-morrow morning." + +"What?" ejaculated Tom Brooks. + +"I shall carry him his change in the morning--four dollars and +ninety-eight cents. Can't you understand that?" + +"You ain't going to be such a fool, Luke Walton?" + +"If it's being a fool to be honest, then I'm going to be that kind of a +fool. Wouldn't you do the same?" + +"No, I wouldn't. I'd just invite all the boys round the corner to go +with me to the theayter. Come, Luke, be a good feller, and give us all +a blow-out. We'll go to the theayter, and afterwards we'll have an +oyster stew. I know a bully place on Clark Street, near Monroe." + +"Do you take me for a thief, Tom Brooks?" exclaimed Luke, +indignantly. + +"The gentleman meant you to have the money. Of course he knew you +wouldn't bring it back. Lemme see, there's a good play on to Hooley's. +Six of us will cost a dollar and a half, and the oyster stews will be +fifteen cents apiece. That'll only take half the money, and you'll +have half left for yourself." + +"I am ashamed of you, Tom Brooks. You want me to become a thief, and +it is very evident what you would do if you were in my place. What +would the gentleman think of me?" + +"He don't know you. You can go on State Street to sell papers, so he +won't see you." + +"Suppose he should see me." + +"You can tell him you lost the money. You ain't smart, Luke Walton, or +you'd know how to manage." + +"No, I am not smart in that way, I confess. I shan't waste any more +time talking to you. I'm going home." + +"I know what you're going to do. You're goin' to spend all the money +on yourself." + +"Don't you believe that I mean to return the change?" + +"No, I don't." + +"I ought not to complain of that. You merely credit me with acting as +you would act yourself. How many papers have you got left?" + +"Eight." + +"Here, give me half, and I will sell them for you, that is, if I can +do it in fifteen minutes." + +"I'd rather you'd take me to the theayter," grumbled Tom. + +"I've already told you I won't do it." + +In ten minutes Luke had sold his extra supply of papers, and handed +the money to Tom. Tom thanked him in an ungracious sort of way, and +Luke started for home. + +It was a long walk, for the poor cannot afford to pick and choose +their localities. Luke took his way through Clark Street to the river, +and then, turning in a north westerly direction, reached Milwaukee +Avenue. This is not a fashionable locality, and the side streets are +tenanted by those who are poor or of limited means. + +Luke paused in front of a three-story frame house in Green Street. He +ascended the steps and opened the door, for this was the newsboy's +home. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A LETTER FROM THE DEAD + +In the entry Luke met a girl of fourteen with fiery red hair, which +apparently was a stranger to the comb and brush. She was the +landlady's daughter, and, though of rather fitful and uncertain +temper, always had a smile and pleasant word for Luke, who was a +favorite of hers. + +"Well, Nancy, how's mother?" asked the newsboy, as he began to ascend +the front stairs. + +"She seems rather upset like, Luke," answered Nancy. + +"What has happened to upset her?" asked Luke, anxiously. + +"I think it's a letter she got about noon. It was a queer letter, all +marked up, as if it had been travelin' round. I took it in myself, and +carried it up to your ma. I stayed to see her open it, for I was kind +of curious to know who writ it." + +"Well?" + +"As soon as your ma opened it, she turned as pale as ashes, and I +thought she'd faint away. She put her hand on her heart just so," and +Nancy placed a rather dirty hand of her own, on which glittered a +five-cent brass ring, over that portion of her anatomy where she +supposed her heart lay. + +"She didn't faint away, did she?" asked Luke. + +"No, not quite." + +"Did she say who the letter was from?" + +"No; I asked her, but she said, 'From no one that you ever saw, +Nancy.' I say, Luke, if you find out who's it from, let me know." + +"I won't promise, Nancy. Perhaps mother would prefer to keep it a +secret." + +"Oh, well, keep your secrets, if you want to." + +"Don't be angry, Nancy; I will tell you if I can," and Luke hurried +upstairs to the third story, which contained the three rooms occupied +by his mother, his little brother, and himself. + +Opening the door, he saw his mother sitting in a rocking-chair, +apparently in deep thought, for the work had fallen from her hands and +lay in her lap. There was an expression of sadness in her face, as if +she had been thinking of the happy past, when the little family was +prosperous, and undisturbed by poverty or privation. + +"What's the matter, mother?" asked Luke, with solicitude. + +Mrs. Walton looked up quickly. + +"I have been longing to have you come back, Luke," she said. +"Something strange has happened to-day." + +"You received a letter, did you not?" + +"Who told you, Luke?" + +"Nancy. I met her as I came in. She said she brought up the letter, +and that you appeared very much agitated when you opened it." + +"It is true." + +"From whom was the letter, then, mother?" + +"From your father." + +"What!" exclaimed Luke, with a start. "Is he not dead?" + +"The letter was written a year ago." + +"Why, then, has it arrived so late?" + +"Your father on his deathbed intrusted it to someone who mislaid it, +and has only just discovered and mailed it. On the envelope he +explains this, and expresses his regret. It was at first mailed to our +old home, and has been forwarded from there. But that is not all, +Luke. I learn from the letter that we have been cruelly wronged. Your +father, when he knew he could not live, intrusted to a man in whom he +had confidence, ten thousand dollars to be conveyed to us. This wicked +man could not resist the temptation, but kept it, thinking we should +never know anything about it. You will find it all explained in the +letter." + +"Let me read it, mother," said Luke, in excitement. + +Mrs. Walton opened a drawer of the bureau, and placed in her son's +hands an envelope, brown and soiled by contact with tobacco. It was +directed to her in a shaky hand. Across one end were written these +words: + +This letter was mislaid. I have just discovered it, and mail it, +hoping it will reach you without further delay. Many apologies and +regrets. J. HANSHAW. + +Luke did not spend much time upon the envelope, but opened the +letter. + +The sight of his father's familiar handwriting brought the tears to +his eyes, This was the letter: + +GOLD GULCH, California. + +MY DEAR WIFE: It is a solemn thought to me that when you receive this +letter these trembling fingers will be cold in death. Yes, dear Mary, +I know very well that I am on my deathbed, and shall never more be +permitted to see your sweet face, or meet again the gaze of my dear +children. Last week I contracted a severe cold while mining, partly +through imprudent exposure; and have grown steadily worse, till the +doctor, whom I summoned from Sacramento, informs me that there is no +hope, and that my life is not likely to extend beyond two days. This +is a sad end to my dreams of future happiness with my little family +gathered around me. It is all the harder, because I have been +successful in the errand that brought me out here. "I have struck it +rich," as they say out here, and have been able to lay by ten thousand +dollars. I intended to go home next month, carrying this with me. It +would have enabled me to start in some business which would have +yielded us a liberal living, and provided a comfortable home for you +and the children. But all this is over--for me at least. For you I +hope the money will bring what I anticipated. I wish I could live long +enough to see it in your hands, but that cannot be. + +I have intrusted it to a friend who has been connected with me here, +Thomas Butler, of Chicago. He has solemnly promised to seek you out, +and put the money into your hands. I think he will be true to his +trust. Indeed I have no doubt on the subject, for I cannot conceive of +any man being base enough to belie the confidence placed in him by a +dying man, and despoil a widow and her fatherless children. No, I will +not permit myself to doubt the integrity of my friend. If I should, it +would make my last sickness exceedingly bitter. + +Yet, as something might happen to Butler on his way home, though +exceedingly improbable, I think it well to describe him to you. He is +a man of nearly fifty, I should say, about five feet ten inches in +height, with a dark complexion, and dark hair a little tinged with +gray. He will weigh about one hundred and sixty pounds. But there is +one striking mark about him which will serve to identify him. He has a +wart on the upper part of his right cheek--a mark which disfigures him +and mortifies him exceedingly. He has consulted a physician about its +removal, but has been told that the operation would involve danger, +and, moreover, would not be effectual, as the wart is believed to be +of a cancerous nature, and would in all probability grow out again. +For these reasons he has given up his intention of having it removed, +and made up his mind, unwillingly enough, to carry it to the grave +with him. + +I have given you this long description, not because it seemed at all +necessary, for I believe Thomas Butler to be a man of strict honesty, +but because for some reason I am impelled to do so. + +I am very tired, and I feel that I must close. God bless you, dear +wife, and guard our children, soon to be fatherless! + +Your loving husband, + +FREDERICK WALTON. + +P.S.--Butler has left for the East. This letter I have given to +another friend to mail after my death. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +LUKE FORMS A RESOLUTION + +As Luke read this letter his pleasant face became stern in its +expression. They had indeed been cruelly wronged. The large sum of +which they had been defrauded would have insured them comfort and +saved them from many an anxiety. His mother would not have been +obliged to take in sewing, and he himself could have carried out his +cherished design of obtaining a college education. + +This man in whom his father had reposed the utmost confidence had been +false to his trust. He had kept in his own hands the money which +should have gone to the widow and children of his dying friend. Could +anything be more base? + +"Mother," said Luke, "this man Thomas Butler must be a villain." + +Yes, Luke; he has done us a great wrong." + +"He thought, no doubt, that we should never hear of this money." + +"I almost wish I had not, Luke. It is very tantalizing to think how it +would have improved our condition." + +"Then you are sorry to receive the letter, mother?" + +"No, Luke. It seems like a message from the dead, and shows me how +good and thoughtful your poor father was to the last. He meant to +leave us comfortable." + +"But his plans were defeated by a rascal. Mother, I should like to +meet and punish this Thomas Butler." + +"Even if you should meet him, Luke, you must be prudent. He is +probably a rich man." + +"Made so at our expense," added Luke, bitterly. + +"And he would deny having received anything from your father." + +"Mother," said Luke, sternly and deliberately, "I feel sure that I +shall some day meet this man face to face, and if I do it will go hard +if I don't force him to give up this money which he has falsely +converted to his own use." + +The boy spoke with calm and resolute dignity hardly to be expected in +one so young, and with a deep conviction that surprised his mother. + +"Luke," she said, "I hardly know you to-night. You don't seem like a +boy. You speak like a man." + +"I feel so. It is the thought of this man triumphant in his crime, +that makes me feel older than I am. Now, mother, I feel that I have a +purpose in life. It is to find this man, and punish him for what he +has done, unless he will make reparation." + +Mrs. Walton shook her head. It was not from her that Luke had +inherited his independent spirit. She was a fond mother, of great +amiability, but of a timid shrinking disposition, which led her to +deprecate any aggressive steps. + +"Promise me not to get yourself into any trouble, Luke," she said, +"even if you do meet this man." + +"I can't promise that, mother, for I may not be able to help it. +Besides, I haven't met him yet, and it isn't necessary to cross a +bridge till you get to it. Now let us talk of something else." + +"How much did you make to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie, his young brother, +seven years old. + +"I didn't make my fortune, Bennie. Including the morning papers, I +only made sixty cents." + +"That seems a good deal to me, Luke," said his mother. "I only made +twenty-five. They pay such small prices for making shirts." + +"I should think they did. And yet you worked harder and more steadily +than I did." + +"I have worked since morning, probably about eight hours." + +"Then you have made only three cents an hour. What a shame!" + +"If I had a sewing-machine, I could do more, but that is beyond our +means." + +"I hope soon to be able to get you one, mother. I can pay something +down and the rest on installments." + +"That would be quite a relief, Luke." + +"If you had a sewing-machine, perhaps I could help you," suggested +Bennie. + +"I should hardly dare to let you try, Bennie. Suppose you spoiled a +shirt. It would take off two days' earnings. But I'll tell you what +you can do. You can set the table and wash the dishes, and relieve me +in that way." + +"Or you might take in washing," said Luke, with a laugh. "That pays +better than sewing. Just imagine how nice it would look in an +advertisement in the daily papers: A boy of seven is prepared to wash +and iron for responsible parties. Address Bennie Walton, No. 161-1/2 +Green Street." + +"Now you are laughing at me, Luke," said Bennie, pouting. "Why don't +you let me go out with you and sell papers?" + +"I hope, Bennie," said Luke, gravely, "you will never have to go into +the street with papers. I know what it is, and how poor boys fare. One +night last week, at the corner of Monroe and Clark Streets, I saw a +poor little chap, no older than you, selling papers at eleven o'clock. +He had a dozen papers which he was likely to have left on his hands, +for there are not many who will buy papers at that hour." + +"Did you speak to him, Luke?" asked Benny, interested. + +"Yes; I told him he ought to go home. But he said that if he went home +with all those papers unsold, his stepfather would whip him. There +were tears in the poor boy's eyes as he spoke." + +"What did you do, Luke?" + +"I'll tell you what I did, Bennie. I thought of you, and I paid him +the cost price on his papers. It wasn't much, for they were all penny +papers, but the poor little fellow seemed so relieved." + +"Did you sell them yourself, Luke?" + +"I sold four of them. I went over to Madison Street, and stood in +front of McVicker's Theater just as the people were coming out. It so +happened that four persons bought papers, so I was only two cents out, +after all. You remember, mother, that was the evening I got home so +late." + +"Yes, Luke, I felt worried about you. But you did right. I am always +glad to have you help those who are worse off than we are. How +terribly I should feel if Bennie had to be out late in the streets +like that!" + +"There are many newsboys as young, or at any rate not much older. I +have sometimes seen gentlemen, handsomely dressed, and evidently with +plenty of money, speak roughly to these young boys. It always makes me +indignant. Why should they have so easy a time, while there are so +many who don't know where their next meal is coming from? Why, what +such a man spends for his meals in a single day would support a poor +newsboy in comfort for a week." + +"My dear Luke, this is a problem that has puzzled older and wiser +heads than yours. There must always be poor people, but those who are +more fortunate ought at least to give them sympathy. It is the least +acknowledgment they can make for their own more favored lot." + +"I am going out a little while this evening, mother." + +"Very well, Luke. Don't be late." + +"No, mother, I won't. I want to call on a friend of mine, who is +sick." + +"Who it is, Luke?" + +"It is Jim Norman. The poor boy took cold one day, his shoes were so +far gone. He has a bad cough, and I am afraid it will go hard with +him. + +"Is he a newsboy, too, Luke?" asked Bennie Walton. + +"No; he is a bootblack." + +"I shouldn't like to black boots." + +"Nor I, Bennie; but if a boy is lucky there is more money to be made +in that business." + +"Where does he live?" asked Mrs. Walton. + +"On Ohio Street, not very far from here. There's another boy I know +lives on that street Tom Brooks; but he isn't a friend of mine. He +wanted me to keep five dollars, and treat him and some other boys to +an evening at the theater, and a supper afterwards." + +"I hope you won't associate with him, Luke." + +"Not more than I can help." + +Luke took his hat and went downstairs into the street. + +In the hall he met Nancy. She waylaid him with an eager look on her +face. + +"Who was the letter from, Luke?" she asked. + +"From a friend of the family, who is now dead," answered Luke, +gravely. + +"Good gracious! How could he write it after he was dead?" ejaculated +Nancy. + +"It was given to a person to mail who forgot all about it, and carried +it in his pocket for a year." + +"My sakes alive! If I got a letter from a dead man it would make me +creep all over. No wonder your ma came near faintin'." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +AN ATTACK IN THE DARK + +Luke turned into Milwaukee Avenue, and a few steps took him to West +Ohio Street, where his friend lived. On his way he met Tom Brooks, who +was lounging in front of a cigar store, smoking a cigarette. + +"Good-evening, Tom," said Luke, politely. + +"Evenin'!" responded Tom, briefly. "Where you goin'?" + +"To see Jim Norman. He's sick." + +"What's the matter of him?" + +"He's got a bad cold and is confined to the house?" + +Tom shrugged his shoulders. + +"I don't go much on Jim Norman," he said, "He ought to be a girl. He +never smoked a cigarette in his life." + +"Didn't he? All the better for him. I don't smoke myself." + +"You have smoked." + +"Yes, I used to, but it troubled my mother, and I promised her I +wouldn't do it again." + +"So you broke off?" + +"Yes." + +"I wouldn't be tied to a woman's apron strings." + +"Wouldn't you try to oblige your mother?" + +"No, I wouldn't. What does a woman know about boys? If I was a gal it +would be different." + +"Then we don't agree, that is all." + +"I say, Luke, won't you take me to the theayter?" + +"I can't afford it." + +"That's all bosh! Haven't you got five dollars? I'd feel rich on five +dollars." + +"Perhaps I might if it were mine, but it isn't." + +"You can use it all the same," said Tom, in an insinuating voice. + +"Yes, I can be dishonest if I choose, but I don't choose." + +"What Sunday school do you go to?" asked Tom, with a sneer. + +"None at present." + +"I thought you did by your talk. It makes me sick!" + +"Then," said Luke, good-naturedly, "there is no need to listen to it. +I am afraid you are not likely to enjoy my company, so I will walk +along." + +Luke kept on his way, leaving Tom smoking sullenly. + +"That feller's a fool!" he muttered, in a disgusted tone. + +"What feller?" + +Tom turned, and saw his friend and chum, Pat O'Connor, who had just +come up. + +"What feller? Why, Luke Walton, of course." + +"What's the matter of him?" + +"He's got five dollars, and he won't pay me into the theayter." + +"Where did he get such a pile of money?" asked Pat, in surprise. + +"A gentleman gave it to him for a paper, tellin' him to bring the +change to-morrer." + +"Is he goin' to do it?" + +"Yes; that's why I call him a fool." + +"I wish you and I had his chance," said Pat, enviously. "We'd paint +the town red, I guess." + +Tom nodded. He and Pat were quite agreed on that point. + +"Where's Luke goin'?" asked Pat. + +"To see Jim Norman. Jim's sick with a cold." + +"What time's he comin' home?" + +"I don't know. Why?" + +"Do you think he's got the money with him--the five-dollar bill?" + +"What are you up to?" asked Tom, with a quick glance at his +companion. + +"I was thinkin' we might borrer the money," answered Pat, with a +grin. + +To Tom this was a new suggestion, but it was favorably received. He +conferred with Pat in a low tone, and then the two sauntered down the +street in the direction of Jim Norman's home. + +Meanwhile we will follow Luke. + +He kept on till he reached a shabby brick house. + +Jim and his mother, with two smaller children, occupied two small +rooms on the top floor. Luke had been there before, and did not stop +to inquire directions, but ascended the stairs till he came to Jim's +room. The door was partly open, and he walked in. + +"How's Jim, Mrs. Norman?" he asked. + +Mrs. Norman was wearily washing dishes at the sink. + +"He's right sick, Luke," she answered, turning round, and recognizing +the visitor. "Do you hear him cough?" + +From a small inner room came the sound of a hard and rasping cough. + +"How are you feeling, Jim?" inquired Luke, entering, and taking a +chair at the bedside. + +"I don't feel any better, Luke," answered the sick boy, his face +lighting up with pleasure as he recognized his friend. "I'm glad you +come." + +"You've got a hard cough." + +"Yes; it hurts my throat when I cough, and I can't get a wink of +sleep." + +"I've brought you a little cough medicine. It was some we had in the +house." + +"Thank you, Luke. You're a good friend to me. Give me some, please." + +"If your mother'll give me a spoon, I'll pour some out." + +When the medicine was taken, the boys began to talk. + +"I ought to be at work," said Jim, sighing. "I don't know how we'll +get along if I don't get out soon. Mother has some washing to do, but +it isn't enough to pay all our expenses. I used to bring in +seventy-five cents a day, and that, with what mother could earn, kept +us along." + +"I wish I was rich enough to help you, Jim, but you know how it is. +All I can earn I have to carry home. My mother sews for a house on +State Street, but sewing doesn't pay as well as washing." + +"I know you'd help me if you could, Luke. You have helped me by +bringing in the medicine, and it does me good to have you call." + +"But I would like to do more. I'll tell you what I will do. I know a +rich gentleman, one of my customers. I! am to call upon him to-morrow. +I'll tell him about you, and perhaps he will help you." + +"Any help would be acceptable, Luke, if you don't mind asking him." + +"I wouldn't like to ask for myself, but I don't mind asking for you." + +Luke stayed an hour, and left Jim much brighter and more cheerful for +his visit. + +When he went out into the street it was quite dark, although the moon +now and then peeped out from behind the clouds that a brisk breeze +sent scurrying across the sky. + +Having a slight headache, he thought he would walk it off, so he +sauntered slowly in the direction of the business portion of the +city. + +Walking farther than he intended, he found himself, almost before he +was aware, crossing one of the numerous bridges that span the river. +He was busy with thoughts of Jim, and how he could help him, and did +not notice that two boys were following him stealthily. It was a +complete surprise to him therefore when they rushed upon him, and, +each seizing an arm, rendered him helpless. + +"Hand over what money you've got, and be quick about it!" demanded one +of the boys. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +HOW LUKE ESCAPED + +The attack was so sudden and unexpected that Luke was for the moment +incapable of resistance, though in general quite ready to defend +himself. It was not till he felt a hand in his pocket that he "pulled +himself together," as the English express it, and began to make things +lively for his assailants. + +"What are you after?" he demanded. "Do you want to rob me?" + +"Give us the money, and be quick about it." + +"How do you know I have any money?" asked Luke, beginning to suspect +in whose hands he was. + +"Never mind how! Hand over that five-dollar bill," was the reply in +the same hoarse whisper. + +"I know you now. You're Tom Brooks," said Luke. "You're in bad +business." + +"No, I'm not Tom Brooks." It was Pat who spoke now. "Come, we have no +time to lose. Stephen, give me your knife." + +The name was a happy invention of Pat's to throw Luke off the scent. +He was not himself acquainted with our hero, and did not fear +identification. + +"One of you two is Tom Brooks," said Luke, firmly. "You'd better give +up this attempt at highway robbery. If I summon an officer you're +liable to a long term of imprisonment. I'll save you trouble by +telling you that I haven't any money with me, except a few pennies." + +"Where's the five-dollar bill?" + +It was Tom who spoke now. + +"I left it at home with my mother. It's lucky I did, though you would +have found it hard to get it from me." + +"I don't believe it," said Tom, in a tone betraying disappointment. + +"You may search me if you like; but if a policeman comes by you'd +better take to your heels." + +The boys appeared disconcerted. + +"Is he lying?" asked Pat. + +"No," responded Tom. "He'd own up if he had the money." + +"Thank you for believing me. It is very evident that one of you knows +me. Good-night. You'd better find some other way of getting money." + +"Wait a minute! Are you going to tell on us? It wouldn't be fair to +Tom Brooks. He ain't here, but you might get him into trouble." + +"I shan't get you into trouble, Tom, but I'm afraid you bring trouble +on yourself." + +Apparently satisfied with this promise, the two boys slunk away in the +darkness, and Luke was left to proceed on his way unmolested. + +"I wouldn't have believed that of Tom," thought Luke. "I'm sorry it +happened. If it had been anyone but me, and a cop had come by, it +would have gone hard with him. It's lucky I left the money with +mother, though I don't think they'd have got it at any rate." + +Luke did not acquaint his mother with the attempt that had been made +to rob him. He merely told of his visit and of the sad plight of the +little bootblack. + +"I would like to have helped him, mother," Luke concluded. "If we +hadn't been robbed of that money father sent us----" + +"We could afford the luxury of doing good," said his mother, finishing +the sentence for him. + +Luke's face darkened with justifiable anger. + +"I know it is wrong to hate anyone, mother," he said; "but I am afraid +I hate that man Thomas Butler, whom I have never seen." + +"It is sometimes hard to feel like a Christian, Luke," said his +mother. + +"This man must be one of the meanest of men. Suppose you or I should +fall sick! What would become of us?" + +"We won't borrow trouble, Luke. Let us rather thank God for our +present good health. If I should be sick it would not be as serious as +if you were to become so, for you earn more than twice as much as I +do." + +"It ought not to be so, mother, for you work harder than I do." + +"When I get a sewing machine I shall be able to contribute more to the +common fund." + +"I hope that will be soon. Has Bennie gone to bed?" + +"Yes, he is fast asleep." + +"I hope fortune will smile on us before he is much older than I. I +can't bear the idea of sending him into the street among bad boys." + +"I have been accustomed to judge of the newsboys by my son. Are there +many bad boys among them?" + +"Many of them are honest, hard-working boys, but there are some black +sheep among them. I know one boy who tried to commit highway robbery, +stopping a person whom he had seen with money." + +"Did he get caught?" + +"No, he failed of his purpose, and no complaint was made of him, +though his intended victim knew who his assailant was." + +"I am glad of that. It would have been hard for his poor mother if he +had been convicted and sent to prison." + +This Mrs. Walton said without a suspicion that it was Luke that the +boy had tried to rob. When Luke heard his mother's comment he was glad +that he had agreed to overlook Tom's fault. + +The next morning Luke went as usual to the vicinity of the Sherman +House, and began to sell papers. He looked in vain for Tom Brooks, who +did not show up. + +"Where is Tom Brooks?" he asked of one of Tom's friends. + +"Tom's goin' to try another place," said the boy. "He says there's too +many newsboys round this corner. He thinks he can do better somewheres +else." + +"Where is he? Do you know?" + +"I seed him near the corner of Dearborn, in front of the 'Saratoga.'" + +"Well, I hope he'll make out well," said Luke. + +Luke had the five-dollar bill in his pocket, but he knew that it was +too early for the offices on La Salle Street to be open. + +Luke's stock of morning papers included the Chicago _Tribune_, the +_Times_, _Herald_, and _Inter-Ocean_. He seldom disposed of his entire +stock as early as ten o'clock, but this morning another newsboy in +addition to Tom was absent, and Luke experienced the advantage of +diminished competition. As he sold the last paper the clock struck +ten. + +"I think it will do for me to go to Mr. Afton's office now," thought +Luke. "If I don't find him in I will wait." + +La Salle Street runs parallel with Clark. It is a busy thoroughfare, +and contains many buildings cut up into offices. This was the case +with No. 155. + +Luke entered the building and scanned the directory on either side of +the door. He had no difficulty in finding the name of Benjamin Afton. + +He had to go up two flights of stairs, for Mr. Afton's office was on +the third floor. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MR. AFTON'S OFFICE + +Mr. Afton's office was of unusual size, and fronted on La Salle +Street. As Luke entered he observed that it was furnished better than +the ordinary business office. On the floor was a handsome Turkey +carpet. The desks were of some rich dark wood, and the chairs were as +costly as those in his library. In a closed bookcase at one end of the +room, surmounted by bronze statuettes, was a full library of +reference. + +At one desk stood a tall man, perhaps thirty-five, with red hair and +prominent features. At another desk was a young fellow of eighteen, +bearing a marked resemblance to the head bookkeeper. There was besides +a young man of perhaps twenty-two, sitting at a table, apparently +filing bills. + +"Mr. Afton must be a rich man to have such an elegant office," thought +Luke. + +The red-haired bookkeeper did not take the trouble to look up to see +who had entered the office. + +"Is Mr. Afton in?" Luke asked, in a respectful tone. + +The bookkeeper raised his eyes for a moment, glanced at Luke with a +supercilious air, and said curtly, "No!" + +"Do you know when he will be in?" continued the newsboy. + +"Quite indefinite. What is your business, boy?" + +"My business is with Mr. Afton," Luke answered. + +"Humph! is it of an important nature?" + +"It is not very important," he answered, "but I wish to see Mr. Afton +personally." + +"Whose office are you in?" + +"He isn't in any office, Uncle Nathaniel," put in the red-haired boy. +"He is a newsboy. I see him every morning round the Sherman House." + +"Ha! is that so? Boy, we don't want to buy any papers, nor does Mr. +Afton. You can go." + +As the bookkeeper spoke he pointed to the door. + +"I have no papers to sell," said Luke, "but I come here on business +with Mr. Afton, and will take the liberty to wait till he comes." + +"Oh, my eyes! Ain't he got cheek?" ejaculated the red-haired boy. "I +say, boy, do you black boots as well as sell papers?" + +"No, I don't." + +"Some of the newsboys do. I thought, perhaps, you had got a job to +black Mr. Afton's boots every morning." + +Luke who was a spirited boy, was fast getting angry. + +"I don't want to interfere with you in any way," he said. + +"What do you mean?" demanded the red-haired boy, his cheeks rivaling +his hair in color. + +"I thought that might be one of your duties." + +"Why, you impudent young vagabond! Uncle Nathaniel, did you hear +that?" + +"Boy, you had better go," said the bookkeeper. + +"You can leave your card," added Eustis Clark, the nephew. + +A friend of Luke's had printed and given him a dozen cards a few days +previous, and he had them in his pocket at that moment. + +"Thank you for the suggestion," he said, and walking up to the boy's +desk he deposited on it a card bearing this name in neat script: + +LUKE WALTON. + +"Be kind enough to hand that to Mr. Afton." + +Eustis held up the card, and burst into a guffaw. + +"Well, I never!" he ejaculated. "Mr. Walton," he concluded, with a +ceremonious bow. + +"The same to you!" said Luke, with a smile. + +"I never saw a newsboy put on such airs before," he said, as Luke left +the office. "Did you, Uncle Nathaniel? Do you think he really had any +business with the boss?" + +"Probably he wanted to supply the office with papers. Now stop +fooling, and go to work." + +"They didn't seem very glad to see me," thought Luke. "I want to see +Mr. Afton this morning, or he may think that I have not kept my word +about the money." + +Luke stationed himself in the doorway at the entrance to the building, +meaning to intercept Mr. Afton as he entered from the street. He had +to wait less than ten minutes. Mr. Afton smiled in instant recognition +as he saw Luke, and seemed glad to see him. + +"I am glad the boy justified my idea of him," he said to himself. "I +would have staked a thousand dollars on his honesty. Such a face as +that doesn't belong to a rogue." + +"I am rather late," he said. "Have you been here long?" + +"Not very long, sir; I have been up in your office." + +"Why didn't you sit down and wait for me?" + +"I don't think the red-haired gentleman cared to have me. The boy +asked me to leave my card." + +Mr. Afton looked amused. + +"And did you?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Do you generally carry visiting cards?" + +"Well, I happened to have some with me this morning." + +"Please show me one. So your name is Luke Walton?" he added, glancing +at the card. + +"Yes, sir; office corner Clark and Randolph Streets." + +"I will keep the card and bear it in mind." + +"I have brought your change, sir," said Luke. + +"You can come upstairs and pay it to me in the office. It will be more +business-like." + +Luke was glad to accept the invitation, for it would prove to the +skeptical office clerks that he really had business with their +employer. + +Eustis Clark and his uncle could not conceal their surprise when they +saw Luke follow Mr. Afton into the office. + +There was a smaller room inclosed at one corner, which was especially +reserved for Mr. Afton. + +"Come here, Luke," said he, pleasantly. + +Luke followed him inside. + +He drew from his pocket four dollars and ninety-eight cents, and laid +it on the table behind which his patron had taken a seat. + +"Won't you please count it and see if it is right?" he asked. + +"I can see that it is, Luke. I am afraid I have put you to more +trouble than the profit on the two papers I bought would pay for." + +"Not at all, sir. Besides, it's all in the way of business. I thank +you for putting confidence in me." + +"I thought I was not mistaken in you, and the result shows that I was +right. My boy, I saw that you had an honest face. I am sure that the +thought of keeping back the money never entered your head." + +"No, sir, it did not, though one of the newsboys advised me to keep +it." + +"It would have been very shortsighted as a matter of policy. I will +take this money, but I want to encourage you in the way of +well-doing." + +He drew from his vest pocket a bill, and extended it to Luke. + +"It isn't meant as a reward for honesty, but only as a mark of the +interest I have begun to feel in you." + +"Thank you, sir," said Luke; and as he took the bill, he started in +surprise, for it was ten dollars. + +"Did you mean to give as much as this?" + +"How much is it?" + +"Ten dollars." + +"I thought it was five, but I am glad it is more. Yes, Luke, you are +welcome to it. Have you anyone dependent upon you?" + +"My mother. She will be very much pleased." + +"That's right, my lad. Always look out for your mother. You owe her a +debt which you can never repay." + +"That is true, sir. But I would like to use a part of this money for +some one else." + +"For yourself?" + +"No; for a friend." + +Then he told in simple language of Jim Norman, and how seriously his +family was affected by his sickness and enforced idleness. + +"Jim has no money to buy medicine," he concluded. "If you don't +object, Mr. Afton, I will give Jim's mother half this money, after +buying some cough medicine out of it." + +The merchant listened with approval. + +"I am glad, Luke, you feel for others," he said, "but I can better +afford to help your friend than you. Here is a five-dollar bill. Tell +the boy it is from a friend, and if he should need more let me know." + +"Thank you, sir," said Luke, fairly radiant as he thought of Jim's +delight. "I won't take up any more of your time, but will bid you +good-morning." + +Probably Mr. Afton wished to give his clerks a lesson, for he followed +Luke to the door of the outer office, and shook hands cordially with +him, saying: "I shall be glad to have you call, when you wish to see +me, Luke;" adding, "I may possibly have some occasional work for you +to do. If so, I know where to find you." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"What's got into the old man?" thought Eustis Clark. + +As Mr. Afton returned to his sanctum, Eustis said with a grin, holding +up the card: + +"Mr. Walton left his card for you, thinking you might not be in time +to see him." + +"Give it to me, if you please," and the rich man took the card without +a smile, and put it into his vest pocket, not seeming in the least +surprised. + +"Mr. Walton called to pay me some money," he said, gravely. "Whenever +he calls invite him to wait till my return." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A STRANGE ENCOUNTER + +Luke went home that evening in high spirits. The gift he had received +from Mr. Afton enabled him to carry out a plan he had long desired to +realize. It was to secure a sewing machine for his mother, and thus +increase her earnings while diminishing her labors. He stopped at an +establishment not far from Clark Street, and entering the showroom, +asked: "What is the price of your sewing machines?" + +"One in a plain case will cost you twenty-five dollars." + +"Please show me one." + +"Do you want it for your wife?" + +"She may use it some time. My mother will use it first." + +The salesman pointed out an instrument with which Luke was well +pleased. + +"Would you like to see how it works?" + +"Yes, please." + +"Miss Morris, please show this young man how to operate the machine." + +In the course of ten minutes Luke got a fair idea of the method of +operating. + +"Do you require the whole amount down?" asked Luke. + +"No; we sell on installments, if preferred." + +"What are your terms?" + +"Five dollars first payment, and then a dollar a week, with interest +on the balance till paid." + +"Then I think I will engage one," Luke decided. + +"Very well! Come up to the desk, and give me your name and address. On +payment of five dollars, we will give you a receipt on account, +specifying the terms of paying the balance, etc." + +Luke transacted his business, and made arrangements to have the +machine delivered any time after six o'clock, when he knew he would be +at home. + +As Luke was coming out of the sewing-machine office he saw Tom Brooks +just passing. Tom looked a little uneasy, not feeling certain whether +Luke had recognized him as one of his assailants or not the evening +previous. + +Luke felt that he had a right to be angry. Indeed, he had it in his +power to have Tom arrested, and charged with a very serious +crime--that of highway robbery. But his good luck made him +good-natured. + +"Good-evening, Tom," he said. "I didn't see you selling papers +to-day." + +"No; I was on Dearborn Street." + +"He doesn't know it was me," thought Tom, congratulating himself, and +added: "Have you been buying a sewing machine?" + +This was said in a joke. + +"Yes," answered Luke, considerably to Tom's surprise. "I have bought +one." + +"How much?" + +"Twenty-five dollars." + +"Where did you raise twenty-five dollars? You're foolin'." + +"I bought it on the installment plan--five dollars down." + +"Oho!" said Tom, nodding significantly. "I know where you got that +money?" + +"Where did I?" + +"From the gentleman that bought a couple of papers yesterday." + +"You hit it right the first time." + +"I thought you weren't no better than the rest of us--you that +pretended to be so extra honest." + +"What do you mean by that, Tom Brooks?" + +"You pretended that you were going to give back the man's change, and +spent it, after all. I thought you weren't such a saint as you +pretended to be." + +"I see you keep on judging me by yourself, Tom Brooks. I took round +the money this morning, and he gave it to me." + +"Is that true?" + +"Yes; I generally tell the truth." + +"Then you're lucky. If I'd returned it, he wouldn't have given me a +cent." + +"It's best to be honest on all occasions," said Luke, looking +significantly at Tom, who colored up, for he now saw that he had been +recognized the night before. + +Tom sneaked off on some pretext, and Luke kept on his way home. + +"Did you do well to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie. + +"Yes, Bennie; very well." + +"How much did you make?" + +"I'll tell you by and by. Mother, can I help you about the supper?" + +"You may toast the bread, Luke. I am going to have your favorite +dish--milk toast." + +"All right, mother. Have you been sewing to-day?" + +"Yes, Luke. I sat so long in one position that I got cramped." + +"I wish you had a sewing machine." + +"So do I, Luke; but I must be patient. A sewing machine costs more +money than we can afford." + +"One can be got for twenty-five dollars, I have heard." + +"That is a good deal of money for people in our position." + +"We may as well hope for one. I shouldn't be surprised if we were able +to buy a sewing machine very soon." + +Meanwhile Luke finished toasting the bread and his mother was dipping +it in milk when a step was heard on the stairway, the door was opened, +and Nancy's red head was thrust into the room. + +"Please, Mrs. Walton," said Nancy, breathlessly, "there's a man +downstairs with a sewing machine which he says is for you." + +"There must be some mistake, Nancy. I haven't ordered any sewing +machine." + +"Shall I send him off, ma'am?" + +"No, Nancy," said Luke; "it's all right. I'll go down stairs and help +him bring it up." + +"How is this, Luke?" asked Mrs. Walton, bewildered. + +"I'll explain afterwards, mother." + +Up the stairs and into the room came the sewing machine, and was set +down near the window. Bennie surveyed it with wonder and admiration. + +When the man who brought it was gone, Luke explained to his mother how +it had all come about. + +"You see, mother, you didn't have to wait long," he concluded. + +"I feel deeply thankful, Luke," said Mrs. Walton. "I can do three +times the work I have been accustomed to do, and in much less time. +This Mr. Afton must be a kind and charitable man." + +"I like him better than his clerks," said Luke. "There is a red-headed +bookkeeper and a boy there who tried to snub me, and keep me out of +the office. I try to think well of red-headed people on account of +Nancy, but I can't say I admire them." + +After supper Luke gave his mother a lesson in operating the machine. +Both found that it required a little practice. + +The next morning as Luke was standing at his usual corner, he had a +surprise. + +A gentleman came out of the Sherman House and walked slowly up Clark +Street. As he passed Luke, he stopped and asked, "Boy, have you the +_Inter-Ocean?_" + +Luke looked up in his customer's face. He paused in the greatest +excitement. + +The man was on the shady side of fifty, nearly six feet in height, +with a dark complexion, hair tinged with gray, and a wart on the upper +part of his right cheek! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A MARKED MAN + +At last, so Luke verily believed, he stood face to face with the man +who had deceived his dying father, and defrauded his mother and +himself of a sum which would wholly change their positions and +prospects. But he wanted to know positively, and he could not think of +a way to acquire this knowledge. + +Meanwhile the gentleman noticed the boy's scrutiny, and it did not +please him. + +"Well, boy!" he said gruffly, "you seem determined to know me again. +You stare hard enough. Let me tell you this is not good manners." + +"Excuse me," said Luke, "but your face looked familiar to me. I +thought I had seen you before." + +"Very likely you have. I come to Chicago frequently, and generally +stop at the Sherman House." + +"Probably that explains it," said Luke. "Are you not Mr. Thomas, of +St. Louis?" + +The gentleman laughed. + +"You will have to try again," he said. "I am Mr. Browning, of +Milwaukee. Thomas is my first name." + +"Browning!" thought Luke, disappointed. "Evidently I am on the wrong +track. And yet he answers father's description exactly." + +"I don't know anyone in Milwaukee," he said aloud. + +"Then it appears we can't claim acquaintance." + +The gentleman took his paper and turned down Randolph Street toward +State. + +"Strange!" he soliloquized, "that boy's interest in my personal +appearance. I wonder if there can be a St. Louis man who resembles me. +If so, he can't be a very good-looking man. This miserable wart ought +to be enough to distinguish me from anyone else." + +He paused a minute, and then a new thought came into his mind. + +"There is something familiar in that boy's face. I wonder who he can +be. I will buy my evening papers of him, and take that opportunity to +inquire." + +Meanwhile Luke, to satisfy a doubt in his mind, entered the hotel, +and, going up to the office, looked over the list of arrivals. He had +to turn back a couple of pages and found this entry: + +"THOMAS BROWNING, Milwaukee." + +"His name is Browning, and he does come from Milwaukee," he said to +himself. "I thought, perhaps, he might have given me a false name, +though he could have no reason for doing so." + +Luke felt that he must look farther for the man who had betrayed his +father's confidence. + +"I didn't think there could be two men of such a peculiar appearance," +he reflected. "Surely there can't be three. If I meet another who +answers the description I shall be convinced that he is the man I am +after." + +In the afternoon the same man approached Luke, as he stood on his +accustomed corner. + +"You may give me the _Mail_ and _Journal_," he said. + +"Yes, sir; here they are. Three cents." + +"I believe you are the boy who recognized me, or thought you did, this +morning." + +"Yes, sir." + +"If you ever run across this Mr. Thomas, of St. Louis, present him my +compliments, will you?" + +"Yes, sir," answered Luke, with a smile. + +"By the way, what is your name?" + +"Luke Walton." + +The gentleman started. + +"Luke Walton!" he repeated, slowly, eying the newsboy with a still +closer scrutiny. + +"Yes, sir." + +"It's a new name to me. Can't your father find a better business for +you than selling papers?" + +"My father is dead, sir." + +"Dead!" repeated Browning, slowly. "That is un fortunate for you. How +long has he been dead?" + +"About two years." + +"What did he die of?" + +"I don't know, sir, exactly. He died away from home--in California." + +There was a strange look, difficult to read, on the gentleman's face. + +"That is a long way off," he said. "I have always thought I should +like to visit California. When my business will permit I will take a +trip out that way." + +Here was another difference between Mr. Browning and the man of whom +Luke's father had written. The stranger had never been in California. + +Browning handed Luke a silver quarter in payment for the papers. + +"Never mind about the change," he said, with a wave of his hand. + +"Thank you, sir. You are very kind." + +"This must be the son of my old California friend," Browning said to +himself. "Can he have heard of the money intrusted to me? I don't +think it possible, for I left Walton on the verge of death. That money +has made my fortune. I invested it in land which has more than +quadrupled in value. Old women say that honesty pays," he added, with +a sneer; "but it is nonsense. In this case dishonesty has paid me +richly. If the boy has heard anything, it is lucky that I changed my +name to Browning out of deference to my wife's aunt, in return for a +beggarly three thousand dollars. I have made it up to ten thousand +dollars by judicious investment. My young newsboy acquaintance will +find it hard to identify me with the Thomas Butler who took charge of +his father's money." + +If Browning had been possessed of a conscience it might have troubled +him when he was brought face to face with one of the sufferers from +his crime; but he was a hard, selfish man, to whom his own interests +were of supreme importance. + +But something happened within an hour which gave him a feeling of +anxiety. + +He was just coming out of the Chicago post-office, at the corner of +Adams and Clark Streets, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder. + +"How are you, Butler?" said a tall man, wearing a Mexican sombrero. "I +haven't set eyes upon you since we were together at Gold Gulch, in +California." + +Browning looked about him apprehensively. Fortunately he was some +distance from the corner where Luke Walton was selling papers. + +"I am well, thank you," he said. + +"Are you living in Chicago?" + +"No; I live in Wisconsin." + +"Have you seen anything of the man you used to be with so +much--Walton?" + +"No; he died." + +"Did he, indeed? Well, I am sorry to hear that. He was a good fellow. +Did he leave anything?" + +"I am afraid not." + +"I thought he struck it rich." + +"So he did; but he lost all he made." + +"How was that?" + +"Poor investments, I fancy." + +"I remember he told me one day that he had scraped together seven or +eight thousand dollars." + +Browning shrugged his shoulders. "I think that was a mistake," he +said. "Walton liked to put his best foot foremost." + +"You think, then, he misrepresented?" + +"I think he would have found it hard to find the sum you mention." + +"You surprise me, Butler. I always looked upon Walton as a singularly +reliable man." + +"So he was--in most things. But let me correct you on one point. You +call me Butler?" + +"Isn't that your name?" + +"It was, but I had a reason--a good, substantial, pecuniary +reason--for changing it. I am now Thomas Browning." + +"Say you so? Are you engaged this evening?" + +"Yes, unfortunately." + +"I was about to invite you to some theater." + +"Another time--thanks." + +"I must steer clear of that man," thought Browning. "I won't meet him +again, if I can help it." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +STEPHEN WEBB + +The more Browning thought of the newsboy in whom he had so strangely +recognized the son of the man whom he had so cruelly wronged, the more +uneasy he felt. + +"He has evidently heard of me," he soliloquized. "His father could not +have been so near death as I supposed. He must have sent the boy or +his mother a message about that money. If it should come to his +knowledge that I am the Thomas Butler to whom his father confided ten +thousand dollars which I have failed to hand over to the family, he +may make it very disagreeable for me." + +The fact that so many persons were able to identify him as Thomas +Butler made the danger more imminent. + +"I must take some steps--but what?" Browning asked himself. + +He kept on walking till he found himself passing the entrance of a low +poolroom. He never played pool, nor would it have suited a man of his +social position to enter such a place, but that he caught sight of a +young man, whose face and figure were familiar to him, in the act of +going into it. He quickened his pace, and laid a hand on the young +man's shoulder. + +The latter turned quickly, revealing a face bearing the unmistakable +marks of dissipation. + +"Uncle Thomas!" he exclaimed, apparently ill at ease. + +"Yes, Stephen, it is I. Where are you going?" The young man +hesitated. + +"You need not answer. I see you are wedded to your old amusements. Are +you still in the place I got for you?" + +Stephen Webb looked uneasy and shamefaced. + +"I have lost my place," he answered, after a pause. + +"How does it happen that you lost it?" + +"I don't know. Some one must have prejudiced my employer against me." + +"It is your own habits that have prejudiced him, I make no doubt." + +This was true. One morning Stephen, whose besetting sin was +intemperance, appeared at the office where he was employed in such a +state of intoxication that he was summarily discharged. It may be +explained that he was a son of Mr. Browning's only sister. + +"When were you discharged?" asked his uncle. + +"Last week." + +"And have you tried to get another situation?" + +"Yes." + +"What are your prospects of success?" + +"There seem to be very few openings just now, Uncle Thomas." + +"The greater reason why you should have kept the place I obtained for +you. Were you going to play pool in this low place?" + +"I was going to look on. A man must have some amusement," said +Stephen, sullenly. + +"Amusement is all you think of. However, it so happens that I have +something that I wish you to do." + +Stephen regarded his uncle in surprise. + +"Are you going to open an office in Chicago?" he asked. + +"No; the service is of a different nature. It is--secret and +confidential. It is, I may say, something in the detective line." + +"Then I'm your man," said his nephew, brightening up. + +"The service is simple, so that you will probably be qualified to do +what I require." + +"I've read lots of detective stories," said Stephen, eagerly. "It's +just the work I should like." + +"Humph! I don't think much is to be learned from detective stories. +You will understand, of course, that you are not to let anyone know +you are acting for me." + +"Certainly. You will find that I can keep a secret." + +"I leave Chicago to-morrow morning, and will give you directions +before I go. Where can we have a private conference?" + +"Here is an oyster house. We shall be quiet here." + +"Very well! We will go in." + +They entered a small room, with a sanded floor, provided with a few +unpainted tables. + +Stephen and his uncle went to the back of the room, and seated +themselves at the rear table. + +"We must order something," suggested Stephen. + +"Get what you please," said Browning, indifferently. + +"Two stews!" ordered Stephen. "We can talk while they are getting them +ready." + +"Very well! Now, for my instructions. At the corner of Clark and +Randolph Streets every morning and evening you will find a newsboy +selling papers." + +"A dozen, you mean." + +"True, but I am going to describe this boy so that you may know him. +He is about fifteen, I should judge, neatly dressed, and would be +considered good-looking." + +"Do you know his name?" + +"Yes, it is Luke Walton." + +"Is he the one I am to watch?" + +"You are to make his acquaintance, and find out all you can about his +circumstances." + +"Do you know where he lives?" + +"No; that is one of the things you are to find out for me." + +"What else do you want me to find out?" + +"Find out how many there are in family, also how they live; whether +they have anything to live on except what this newsboy earns." + +"All right, Uncle Thomas. You seem to have a great deal of interest in +this boy." + +"That is my business," said Browning, curtly. "If you wish to work for +me, you must not show too much curiosity. Never mind what my motives +are. Do you understand?" + +"Certainly, Uncle Thomas. It shall be as you say. I suppose I am to be +paid?" + +"Yes. How much salary did you receive where you were last employed?" + +"Ten dollars a week." + +"You shall receive this sum for the present. It is very good pay for +the small service required of you." + +"All right, uncle." + +The stews were ready by this time. They were brought and set before +Stephen and his uncle. The latter toyed with his spoon, only taking a +taste or two, but Stephen showed much more appreciation of the dish, +not being accustomed, like his uncle, to dining at first-class +hotels. + +"How am I to let you know what I find out?" asked Stephen. + +"Write me at Milwaukee. I will send you further instructions from +there." + +"Very well, sir." + +"Oh, by the way, you are never to mention me to this Luke Walton. I +have my reasons." + +"I will do just as you say." + +"How is your mother, Stephen?" + +"About the same. She isn't a very cheerful party, you know. She is +always fretting." + +"Has she any lodgers?" + +"Yes, three, but one is a little irregular with his rent." + +"Of course, I expect that you will hand your mother half the weekly +sum I pay you. She has a right to expect that much help from her +son." + +Stephen assented, but not with alacrity, and as he had now disposed of +the stew, the two rose from their seats and went outside. A few words +of final instructions, and they parted. + +"I wonder why Uncle Thomas takes such an interest in that newsboy," +thought Stephen. "I will make it my business to find out." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION + +Luke was at his post the following morning, and had disposed of half +his papers when Stephen Webb strolled by. He walked past Luke, and +then, as if it was an after thought, turned back, and addressed him. + +"Have you a morning _Tribune?_" he asked. + +Luke produced it. + +"How's business to-day?" asked Stephen in an offhand manner. + +"Pretty fair," answered Luke, for the first time taking notice of the +inquirer, who did not impress him very favorably. + +"I have often wondered how you newsboys make it pay," said Stephen, in +a sociable tone. + +"We don't make our fortunes, as a rule," answered Luke, smiling, "so I +can't recommend you to go into it." + +"I don't think it would suit me. I don't mind owning up that I am +lazy. But, then, I am not obliged to work for the present, at least." + +"I should like to be able to live without work," said the newsboy. +"But even then I would find something to do. I should not be happy if +I were idle." + +"I am not wholly without work," said Stephen. "My uncle, who lives at +a distance, occasionally sends to me to do something for him. I have +to hold myself subject to his orders. In the meantime I get an income +from him. How long have you been a newsboy?" + +"Nearly two years." + +"Do you like it? Why don't you get a place in a store or an office?" + +"I should like to, if I could make enough; but boys get very small +salaries." + +"I was about to offer to look for a place for you. I know some men in +business." + +"Thank you! You are very kind, considering that we are strangers." + +"Oh, well, I can judge of you by your looks. I shouldn't be afraid to +recommend you." + +"Thank you!" he replied; "but unless you can offer me as much as five +dollars a week, I should feel obliged to keep on selling papers. I not +only have myself to look out for, but a mother and little brother." + +Stephen nodded to himself complacently. It was the very information of +which he was in search. + +"Then your father isn't living?" he said. + +"No. He died in California." + +"Uncle Thomas made his money in California," Stephen said to himself. +"I wonder if he knew this newsboy's father." + +"Five dollars is little enough for three persons to live upon," he +went on, in a sympathetic manner. + +"Mother earns something by sewing," Luke answered, unsuspiciously; +"but it takes all we can make to support us." + +"Then they can't have any other resources," thought Stephen. "I am +getting on famously." + +"Well, good-morning, Luke!" he said. "I'll see you later." + +"How do you know my name?" asked Luke, in surprise. + +"I'm an idiot!" thought Stephen. "I ought to have appeared ignorant of +his name. I have seen you before to-day," he replied, taking a little +time to think. "I heard one of the other newsboys calling you by name. +I don't pretend to be a magician." + +This explanation satisfied Luke. It appeared very natural. + +"I have a great memory for names," proceeded Stephen. "That reminds me +that I have not told you mine--I am Stephen Webb, at your service." + +"I will remember it." + +"Have a cigarette, Luke?" added Stephen, producing a packet from his +pocket." + +"Thank you; I don't smoke." + +"Don't smoke, and you a newsboy! I thought all of you smoked." + +"Most of us do, but I promised my mother I wouldn't smoke till I was +twenty-one." + +"Then I'm old enough to smoke. I've smoked ever since I was twelve +years old--well, good morning!" + +"That'll do for one day," thought Stephen Webb. + +It was three days before Stephen Webb called again on his new +acquaintance. He did not wish Luke to suspect anything, he said to +himself. Really, however, he found other things to take up his +attention. At the rate his money was going it seemed very doubtful +whether he would be able to give his mother any part of his salary, as +suggested by his uncle. + +"Hang it all!" he said to himself, as he noted his rapidly diminishing +hoard. "Why can't my uncle open his heart and give me more than ten +dollars a week? Fifteen dollars wouldn't be any too much, and to him +it would be nothing--positively nothing." + +On the second evening Luke went home late. It had been a poor day for +him, and his receipts were less than usual, though he had been out +more hours. + +When he entered the house, however, he assumed a cheerful look, for he +never wished to depress his mother's spirits. + +"You are late, Luke," said Mrs. Walton; "but I have kept your supper +warm." + +"What makes you so late, Luke?" asked Bennie. + +"The papers went slow, Bennie. They will, sometimes. There's no very +important news just now. I suppose that explains it." + +After a while Luke thought he noticed that his mother looked more +serious than usual. + +"What's the matter, mother?" he asked. "Have you a headache?" + +"No, Luke. I am perfectly well, but I am feeling a little anxious." + +"About what, mother?" + +"I went around this afternoon to take half a dozen shirts that I had +completed, and asked for more. They told me they had no more for me at +present, and they didn't know when I could have any more." + +This was bad news, for Luke knew that he alone did not earn enough to +support the family. However, he answered cheerfully: "Don't be +anxious, mother! There are plenty of other establishments in Chicago +besides the one you have been working for." + +"That is true, Luke; but I don't know whether that will help me. I +stopped at two places after leaving Gusset & Co.'s, and was told that +their list was full." + +"Well, mother, don't let us think of it to-night! To morrow we can try +again." + +Luke's cheerfulness had its effect on his mother, and the evening was +passed socially. + +The next morning Luke went out to work at the usual time. He had all +his papers sold out by half-past ten o'clock, and walked over to State +Street, partly to fill up the time, arid partly in search of some +stray job. He was standing in front of the Bee Hive, a well-known +drygoods store on State Street, when his attention was called to an +old lady, who, in attempting to cross the street, had imprudently +placed herself just in the track of a rapidly advancing cable car. +Becoming sensible of her danger, the old lady uttered a terrified cry, +but was too panic-stricken to move. + +On came the car, with gong sounding out its alarm, and a cry of horror +went up from the bystanders. + +Luke alone seemed to have his wits about him. + +He saw that there was not a moment to lose, and, gathering up his +strength, dashed to the old lady's assistance. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A HOUSE ON PRAIRIE AVENUE + +The old lady had just become conscious of her peril when Luke reached +her. She was too bewildered to move, and would inevitably have been +crushed by the approaching car had not Luke seized her by the arm and +fairly dragged her out of danger. + +Then, as the car passed on, he took off his hat, and said, +apologetically: "I hope you will excuse my roughness, madam, but I +could see no other way of saving you." + +"Please lead me to the sidewalk," gasped the old lady. Luke complied +with her request. + +"I am deeply thankful to you, my boy," she said, as soon as she found +voice. "I can see that I was in great danger. I was busily thinking, +or I should not have been so careless." + +"I am glad that I was able to help you," responded Luke, as he +prepared to leave his new acquaintance. + +"Don't leave me!" said the old lady. "My nerves are so upset that I +don't like being left alone." + +"I am quite at your service, madam," replied Luke, politely. "Shall I +put you on board the cars?" + +"No, call a carriage, please." + +This was easily done, for they were in front of the Palmer House, +where a line of cabs may be found. Luke called one, and assisted the +old lady inside. + +"Where shall I tell the driver to take you?" he asked. + +The old lady named a number on Prairie Avenue, which contains some of +the finest residences in Chicago. + +"Can I do anything more for you?" asked our hero. + +"Yes," was the unexpected reply. "Get in yourself, if you can spare +the time." + +"Certainly," assented Luke. + +He took his seat beside the old lady. + +"I hope you have recovered from your fright," he said, politely. + +"Yes, I begin to feel myself again. Probably you wonder why I have +asked you to accompany me?" + +"Probably because you may need my services," suggested Luke. + +"Not altogether. I shudder as I think of the danger from which you +rescued me, but I have another object in view." + +Luke waited for her to explain. + +"I want to become better acquainted with you." + +"Thank you, madam." + +"I fully recognize that you have done me a great service. Now, if I +ask you a fair question about yourself, you won't think it an old +woman's curiosity?" + +"I hope I should not be so ill-bred, madam." + +"Really, you are a very nice boy." + +"Now, tell me where you live?" + +"On Green Street." + +"Where is that?" + +"Only a stone's throw from Milwaukee Avenue." + +"I don't think I was ever in that part of the city." + +"It is not a nice part of the city, but we cannot afford to live in a +better place." + +"You say 'we.' Does that mean your father and mother?" + +"My father is dead. Our family consists of my mother, my little +brother, and myself." + +"And you are--excuse my saying so--poor?" + +"We are poor, but thus far we have not wanted for food or shelter." + +"I suppose you are employed in some way?" + +"Yes; I sell papers." + +"Then you are a newsboy?" + +"Yes, madam." + +"I suppose you cannot save very much?" + +"If I make seventy-five cents a day I consider myself quite lucky. It +is more than I average." + +"Surely you can't live on that--I mean the three of you?" + +"Mother earns something by making shirts; at least, she has done so; +but yesterday she was told that she would not have any more work at +present." + +"And your brother--he is too young to work, I suppose?" + +"Yes, madam." + +While this conversation was going en, the cab was making rapid +progress, and as the last words were spoken the driver reined up in +front of a handsome residence. + +"Is this the place, madam?" + +The old lady looked out of the hack. + +"Yes," she answered. "I had no idea we had got along so far." + +Luke helped her out of the cab. She paid the man his fare, and then +signed Luke to help her up the steps. + +"I want you to come into the house with me," she said. "I have not got +through talking with you." + +A maidservant answered the bell. She looked surprised when she saw the +old lady's young companion. + +"Is my niece in?" asked the old lady. + +"No, Mrs. Merton--Master Harold is in." + +"Never mind! You may come upstairs with me, young man." + +Luke followed the old lady up the broad, handsome staircase, stealing +a curious glance at an elegantly-furnished drawing-room, the door of +which opened into the hall. + +His companion led the way into the front room on the second floor. + +"Remain here until I have taken off my things," she said. + +Luke seated himself in a luxurious armchair. + +He looked about him and wondered how it would seem to live in such +luxury. He had little time for thought, for in less than five minutes +Mrs. Merton made her appearance. + +"You have not yet told me your name," she said. + +"Luke Walton." + +"That's a good name--I am Mrs. Merton." + +"I noticed that the servant called you so," said Luke. + +"Yes; I am a widow. My married niece lives here with me. She is also a +widow, with one son, Harold. I think he might be about your age. Her +name is Tracy. You wonder why I give you all these particulars? I see +you do. It is because I mean to keep up our acquaintance." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Merton." + +"My experience this morning has shown me that I am hardly fit to go +about the city alone. Yet I am not willing to remain at home. It has +occurred to me that I can make use of your services with advantage +both to you and myself. What do you say?" + +"I shall be glad of anything that will increase my income," said Luke, +promptly. + +"Please call here to-morrow morning, and inquire for me. I will then +tell you what I require." + +"Very well, Mrs. Merton. You may depend upon me." + +"And accept a week's pay in advance." + +She put a sealed envelope into his hand. Luke took it, and, with a +bow, left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A PLOT THAT FAILED + +As the distance was considerable to the business part of the city, +Luke boarded a car and rode downtown. It did not occur to him to open +the envelope till he was half way to the end of his journey. + +When he did so, he was agreeably surprised. The envelope contained a +ten-dollar bill. + +"Ten dollars! Hasn't Mrs. Merton made a mistake?" he said to himself. +"She said it was a week's pay. But, of course, she wouldn't pay ten +dollars for the little I am to do." + +Luke decided that the extra sum was given him on account of the +service he had already been fortunate enough to render the old lady. + +Next to him sat rather a showily dressed woman, with keen, sharp eyes. +She took notice of the bank-note which Luke drew from the envelope, +and prepared to take advantage of the knowledge. + +No sooner had Luke replaced the envelope in his pocket than this woman +put her hand in hers, and, after a pretended search, exclaimed, in a +loud voice: "There is a pickpocket in this car. I have been robbed!" + +Of course, this statement aroused the attention of all the +passengers. + +"What have you lost, madam?" inquired an old gentleman. + +"A ten-dollar bill," answered the woman. + +"Was it in your pocketbook?" + +"No," she replied, glibly. "It was in an envelope. It was handed to me +by my sister just before I left home." + +As soon as Luke heard this declaration, he understood that the woman +had laid a trap for him, and he realized his imprudence in displaying +the money. Naturally he looked excited and disturbed. He saw that in +all probability the woman's word would be taken in preference to his. +He might be arrested, and find it difficult to prove his innocence. + +"Have you any suspicion as to who took it?" asked the old gentleman. + +"I think this boy took it," said the woman pointing to Luke. + +"It's terrible, and he so young!" said an old lady with a severe cast +of countenance, who sat next to the old gentleman. "What is the world +coming to?" + +"What, indeed, ma'am?" echoed the old gentleman. + +Luke felt that it was time for him to say something. + +"This lady is quite mistaken," he declared, pale but resolute. "I'm no +thief." + +"It can easily be proved," said the woman, with a cunning smile. "Let +the boy show the contents of his pockets." + +"Yes, that is only fair." + +Luke saw that his difficulties were increasing. + +"I admit that I have a ten-dollar bill in an envelope," he said. + +"I told you so!" said the woman, triumphantly. + +"But it is my own." + +"Graceless boy!" said the old gentleman, severely, "Do not add +falsehood to theft." + +"I am speaking the truth, sir." + +"How the boy brazens it out!" murmured the sour-visaged lady. + +"Return the lady her money, unless you wish to be arrested," said the +old gentleman. + +"I don't intend to give this person"--Luke found it hard to say +lady--"what she has no claim to." + +"Young man, you will find that you are making a grand mistake. +Probably if you give up the money the lady will not prosecute you." + +"No, I will have pity upon his youth," said the woman. + +"I can tell exactly where I got the money," went on Luke, +desperately. + +"Where did you get it?" asked the old maid, with a sarcastic smile. + +"From Mrs. Merton, of Prairie Avenue." + +"What did she give it to you for?" + +"I am in her employment." + +"Gentlemen," said the woman, shrugging her shoulders, "you can judge +whether this is a probable story." + +"I refer to Mrs. Merton herself," said Luke. + +"No doubt! You want to gain time. Boy, I am getting out of patience. +Give me my money!" + +"I have no money of yours, madam," replied Luke, provoked; "and you +know that as well as I do." + +"So you are impertinent, as well as a thief," said the old gentleman. +"I have no more pity for you. Madam, if you will take my advice, you +will have the lying rascal arrested." + +"I would prefer that he should give up the money quietly." + +"I will take it upon myself to call a policeman when the car stops." + +"You do me great injustice, sir," said Luke. "Why do you judge so +severely of one whom you do not know?" + +"Because, young man, I have lived too long to be easily deceived. I +pride myself upon my judgment of faces, and I can see the guilt in +yours." + +Luke looked about him earnestly. + +"Is there no one in this car who believes me innocent?" he asked. + +"No," said the old gentleman. "We all believe that this very +respectable lady charges you justly." + +"I say amen to that," added the old maid, nodding sharply. + +Next to the old maid sat a man of about thirty-five, in a business +suit, who, though he had said nothing, had listened attentively to the +charges and counter-charges. In him Luke was to find a powerful and +effective friend. + +"Speak for yourself, old gentleman," he said. "You certainly are old +enough to have learned a lesson of Christian charity." + +"Sir," exclaimed the old gentleman, in a lofty tone, "I don't require +any instruction from you." + +"Why do you think the boy a thief? Did you see him take the money?" + +"No, but its presence in his pocket is proof enough for me of his +guilt." + +"Of course it is!" said the old maid, triumphantly. + +The young man did not appear in the least disconcerted. + +"I have seldom encountered more uncharitable people," he said. "You +are ready to pronounce the boy guilty without any proof at all." + +"Don't it occur to you that you are insulting the lady who brings the +charge?" asked the old gentleman, sternly. + +The young man laughed. + +"The woman has brought a false charge," he said. + +"Really, this is outrageous!" cried the old maid. "If I were in her +place I would make you suffer for this calumny." + +"Probably I know her better than you do. I am a salesman in Marshall +Field's drygoods store, and this lady is a notorious shoplifter. She +is varying her performances to-day. I have a great mind to call a +policeman. She deserves arrest." + +Had a bombshell exploded in the car, there would not have been a +greater sensation. The woman rose without a word, and signaled to have +the car stopped. + +"Now, sir," went on the young man, sternly, "if you are a gentleman, +you will apologize to this boy for your unworthy suspicions, and you, +too, madam." + +The old maid tossed her head, but could not find a word to say, while +the old gentleman looked the picture of mortification. + +"We are all liable to be mistaken!" he muttered, in a confused tone. + +"Then be a little more careful next time, both of you! My boy, I +congratulate you on your triumphant vindication." + +"Thank you, sir, for it. I should have stood a very poor chance +without your help." + +The tide was turned, and the uncharitable pair found so many +unfriendly glances fixed upon them that they were glad to leave the +car at the next crossing. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TOM BROOKS IN TROUBLE + +"I begin to think I am the favorite of fortune," thought Luke. "Ten +dollars will more than pay a month's rent. Mother will feel easy now +about her loss of employment." + +Some boys would have felt like taking a holiday for the balance of the +day, perhaps, or going to a place of amusement, but Luke bought his +evening papers as usual. He had but half a dozen left when his new +acquaintance, Stephen Webb, sauntered along. + +"How's business, Luke?" he asked. + +"Very fair, thank you." + +"Give me a _News._" + +Stephen passed over a penny in payment, but did not seem inclined to +go away. + +"I meant to see you before," he said, "but my time got filled up." + +"Have you taken a situation, then?" asked Luke. + +"No, I am still a man of leisure. Why don't you hire a small store, +and do a general periodical business? It would pay you better." + +"No doubt it would, but it would take money to open and stock such a +store." + +"I may make a proposition to you some time to go in with me, I +furnishing the capital, and you managing the business." + +"I am always open to a good offer," said Luke, smiling. + +"I suppose I ought to have some business, but I'm a social kind of +fellow, and should want a partner, a smart, enterprising, trustworthy +person like you." + +"Thank you for the compliment." + +"Never mind that! I am a judge of human nature, and I felt confidence +in you at once." + +Somehow Luke was not altogether inclined to take Stephen Webb at his +own valuation. His new acquaintance did not impress him as a reliable +man of business, but he had no suspicion of anything underhand. + +By this time Luke had disposed of his remaining papers. + +"I am through for the day," he said, "and shall go home." + +"Do you walk or ride?" + +"I walk." + +"If you don't mind, I will walk along with you. I haven't taken much +exercise to-day." + +Luke had no reason for declining this proposal, and accepted Stephen's +companionship. They walked on Clark Street to the bridge, and crossed +the river. Presently they reached Milwaukee Avenue." + +"Isn't the walk too long for you?" asked Luke. + +"Oh, no! I can walk any distance when I have company. I shall take a +car back." + +Stephen accompanied the newsboy as far as his own door. He would like +to have been invited up, but Luke did not care to give him an +invitation. Though Stephen seemed very friendly, he was not one whom +he cared to cultivate. + +"Well, so long!" said Stephen, with his "good-night," "I shall +probably see you to-morrow." + +"I have found out where they live," thought Stephen. "I am making a +very good detective. I'll drop a line to Uncle Thomas this evening." + +Meanwhile Luke went upstairs two steps at a time. He was the bearer of +good tidings, and that always quickens the steps. + +He found his mother sitting in her rocking-chair with a sober face. + +"Well, mother," he asked, gayly, "how have you passed the day?" + +"Very unprofitably, Luke. I went out this afternoon, and visited two +places where I thought they might have some sewing for me, but I only +met with disappointment. Now that I have a sewing machine, it is a +great pity that I can't make use of it." + +"Don't be troubled, mother! We can get along well enough." + +"But we have only your earnings to depend upon." + +"If I always have as good a day as this, we can depend on those very +easily." + +"Did you earn much, Luke?" + +"I earned a lot of money." + +Mrs. Walton looked interested, and Luke's manner cheered her. + +"There are always compensations, it seems. I was only thinking of my +own bad luck." + +"What do you say to that, mother?" and Luke displayed the ten-dollar +bill. + +"I don't understand how you could have taken in so much money, Luke." + +"Then I will explain," and Luke told the story of the adventure on +State Street, and his rescue of the old lady from the danger of being +run over. + +"The best of it is," he concluded, "I think I shall get regular +employment for part of my time from Mrs. Merton. Whatever I do for her +will be liberally paid for." + +Luke went to a bakery for some cream cakes, of which Bennie was +particularly fond. + +At the same time Stephen Webb was busily engaged In the writing room +of the Palmer House, inditing a letter to his uncle. + +DEAR UNCLE THOMAS:--I have devoted my whole time to the task which you +assigned me, and have met with very good success. I found the boy +uncommunicative, and had to exert all my ingenuity. + +Of the accuracy of this and other statements, the reader will judge +for himself. + +The boy has a mother and a younger brother. They depend for support +chiefly upon what he can earn, though the mother does a little sewing, +but that doesn't bring in much. They live in Green Street, near +Milwaukee Avenue. I have been there, and seen the house where they +reside. It is a humble place, but as good, I presume, as they can +afford. No doubt they are very poor, and have all they can do to make +both ends meet. + +I have learned this much, but have had to work hard to do it. Of +course, I need not say that I shall spare no pains to meet your +expectations. If you should take me into your confidence, and give me +an idea of what more you wish to know, I feel sure that I can manage +to secure all needed information. Your dutiful nephew, + +STEPHEN WEBB. + +Thomas Browning, in his Milwaukee home, read this letter with +satisfaction. + +He wrote briefly to his nephew: + +"You have done well thus far, and I appreciate your zeal. Get the boy +to talking about his father, if you can. Let me hear anything he may +say on this subject. As to my motive, I suspect that Mr. Walton may +have been an early acquaintance of mine. If so, I may feel disposed to +do something for the family." + +On his way to the Sherman House, the next morning, Luke witnessed +rather an exciting scene, in which his old friend, Tom Brooks, played +a prominent part. + +There was a Chinese laundry on Milwaukee Avenue kept by a couple of +Chinamen who were peaceably disposed if not interfered with. But +several boys, headed by Tom Brooks, had repeatedly annoyed the +laundrymen, and excited their resentment. + +On this particular morning Tom sent a stone crashing through the +window of Ah King. The latter had been on the watch, and, provoked +beyond self-control, rushed out into the street, wild with rage, and +pursued Tom with a flatiron in his hand. + +"Help! help! murder!" exclaimed Tom, panic-stricken, running away as +fast as his legs would carry him. + +But anger, excited by the broken window, lent wings to the Chinaman's +feet, and he gained rapidly upon the young aggressor. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE + +Tom Brooks had reason to feel alarmed for his Chinese pursuer fully +intended to strike Tom with the flatiron. Though this was utterly +wrong, some excuse must be made for Ah King, who had frequently been +annoyed by Tom. + +It was at this critical juncture that Luke Walton appeared on the +scene. + +He had no reason to like Tom, but he instantly prepared to rescue him. +Fortunately, he knew Ah King, whom he had more than once protected +from the annoyance of the hoodlums of the neighborhood. + +Luke ran up and seized the Chinaman by the arm. + +"What are you going to do?" he demanded, sternly. + +"Fool boy bleak my window," said Ah King. "I bleak his head." + +"No, you mustn't do that. The police will arrest you." + +"Go way! Me killee white boy," cried Ah King, impatiently trying to +shake off Luke's grasp. "He bleak window--cost me a dollee." + +"I'll see that he pays it, or is arrested," said Luke. + +Unwillingly Ah King suffered himself to be persuaded, more readily, +perhaps, that Tom was now at a safe distance. + +"You plomise me?" said Ah King. + +"Yes; if he don't pay, I will. Go and get the window mended." + +Luke easily overtook Tom, who was looking round the corner to see how +matters were going. + +"Has he gone back?" asked Tom, rather anxiously. + +"Yes, but if I hadn't come along, he would, perhaps, have killed +you." + +"You only say that to scare me," said Tom, uneasily. + +"No, I don't; I mean it. Do you know how I got you off?" + +"How?" + +"I told Ah King you would pay for the broken window. It will cost a +dollar." + +"I didn't promise," said Tom, significantly. + +"No," said Luke, sternly, "but if you don't do it, I will myself have +you arrested. I saw you throw the stone at the window." + +"What concern is it of yours?" asked Tom, angrily. "Why do you meddle +with my business?" + +"If I hadn't meddled with your business, you might have a fractured +skull by this time. It is a contemptibly mean thing to annoy a poor +Chinaman." + +"He's only a heathen." + +"A well-behaved heathen is better than a Christian such as you are." + +"I don't want any lectures," said Tom in a sulky tone. + +"I presume not. I have nothing more to say except that I expect you to +hand me that dollar to-night." + +"I haven't got a dollar." + +"Then you had better get one. I don't believe you got a dollar's worth +of sport in breaking the window, and I advise you hereafter to spend +your money better." + +"I don't believe I will pay it," said Tom, eying Luke closely, to see +if he were in earnest. + +"Then I will report your case to the police." + +"You're a mean fellow," said Tom, angrily. + +"I begin to be sorry I interfered to save you. How ever, take your +choice. If necessary, I will pay the dollar myself, for I have +promised Ah King; but I shall keep my word about having you +arrested." + +It was a bitter pill for Tom to swallow, but he managed to raise the +money, and handed it to Luke that evening. Instead of being grateful +to the one who had possibly saved his life, he was only the more +incensed against him, and longed for an opportunity to do him an +injury. + +"I hate that Luke Walton," he said to one of his intimate friends. "He +wants to boss me, and all of us, but he can't do it. He's only fit to +keep company with a heathen Chinee." + +Luke spent a couple of hours in selling papers. He had not forgotten +his engagement with Mrs. Merton, and punctually at ten o'clock he +pulled the bell of the house in Prairie Avenue. + +Just at that moment the door was opened, and he faced a boy of his own +age, a thin, dark-complexioned youth, of haughty bearing. This, no +doubt, he concluded, was Harold Tracy. + +"What do you want?" he asked, superciliously. + +"I should like to see Mrs. Merton." + +"Humph! What business have you with Mrs. Merton?" + +Luke was not favorably impressed with Harold's manner, and did not +propose to treat him with the consideration which he evidently thought +his due. + +"I come here at Mrs. Merton's request," he said, briefly. "As to what +business we have together, I refer you to her." + +"It strikes me that you are impudent," retorted Harold, angrily. + +"Your opinion of me is of no importance to me. If you don't care to +let Mrs. Merton know I am here, I will ring again and ask the servant +to do so." + +Here a lady, bearing a strong personal resemblance to Harold, made her +appearance, entering the hall from the breakfast room in the rear. + +"What is it, Harold?" she asked, in a tone of authority. + +"Here is a boy who says he wants to see Aunt Eliza." + +"What can he want with her?" + +"I asked him, but he won't tell." + +"I must trouble him to tell me," said Mrs. Tracy, closing her thin +mouth with a snap. + +"Like mother--like son," thought Luke. + +"Do you hear?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, unpleasantly. + +"I am here by Mrs. Merton's appointment, Mrs. Tracy," said Luke, +firmly. "I shall be glad to have her informed that I have arrived." + +"And who are you, may I ask?" + +"Perhaps you've got your card about you?" sneered Harold. + +"I have," answered Luke, quietly. + +With a comical twinkle in his eye, he offered one to Harold. + +"Luke Walton," repeated Harold. + +"Yes, that is my name." + +"I don't think my aunt will care to see you," said Mrs. Tracy, who was +becoming more and more provoked with the "upstart boy," as she +mentally termed him. + +"Perhaps it would be better to let her know I am here." + +"It is quite unnecessary. I will take the responsibility." + +Luke was quite in doubt as to what he ought to do. He could not very +well prevent Harold's closing the door, in obedience to his mother's +directions, but fortunately the matter was taken out of his hands by +the old lady herself, who, unobserved by Harold and his mother, had +been listening to the conversation from the upper landing. When she +saw her visitor about to be turned out of the house, she thought it +quite time to interfere. + +"Louisa," she called, in a tone of displeasure, "you will oblige me by +not meddling with my visitors. Luke, come upstairs." + +Luke could not forbear a smile of triumph as he passed Harold and Mrs. +Tracy, and noticed the look of discomfiture on their faces. + +"I didn't know he was your visitor, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, +trembling with the anger she did not venture to display before her +wealthy relative. + +"Didn't he say so?" asked Mrs. Merton, sharply. + +"Yes, but I was not sure that he was not an impostor." + +"You had only to refer the matter to me, and I could have settled the +question. Luke is in my employ----" + +"In your employ?" repeated Mrs. Tracy, in surprise. + +"Yes; he will do errands for me, and sometimes accompany me to the +city." + +"Why didn't you call on Harold? He would be very glad to be of service +to you." + +"Harold had other things to occupy him. I prefer the other +arrangement. Luke, come into my room and I will give you directions." + +Mrs. Tracy and Harold looked at each other as the old lady and Luke +disappeared. + +"This is a new freak of Aunt Eliza's," said Mrs. Tracy. "Why does she +pass over you, and give the preference to this upstart boy?" + +"I don't mind that, mother," replied Harold. "I don't want to be +dancing attendance on an old woman." + +"But she may take a fancy to this boy--she seems to have done so +already--and give him part of the money that ought to be yours." + +"If we find there is any danger of that, I guess we are smart enough +to set her against him. Let her have the boy for a servant if she +wishes." + +"I don't know but you are right, Harold. We must be very discreet, for +Aunt Eliza is worth half a million." + +"And how old is she, mother?" + +"Seventy-one." + +"That's pretty old. She can't live many years." + +"I hope she will live to a good old age," said Mrs. Tracy, +hypocritically, "but when she dies, it is only fair that we should +have her money." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A WELCOME GIFT + +When Luke and Mrs. Merton were alone, the old lady said, with a smile: +"You seemed to have some difficulty in getting into the house." + +"Yes," answered Luke. "I don't think your nephew likes me." + +"Probably not. Both he and his mother are afraid someone will come +between me and them. They are selfish, and cannot understand how I can +have any other friends or beneficiaries. You are surprised that I +speak so openly of such near relatives to such a comparative stranger. +However, it is my nature to be outspoken. And now, Luke, if you don't +think it will be tiresome to escort an old woman, I mean to take you +downtown with me." + +"I look upon you as a kind friend, Mrs. Merton," responded Luke, +earnestly. "I want to thank you for the handsome present you made me +yesterday. I didn't expect anything like ten dollars." + +"You will find it acceptable, however, I don't doubt. Seriously, Luke, +I don't think it's too much to pay for saving my life. Now, if you +will wait here five minutes, I will be ready to go out with you." + +Five minutes later Mrs. Merton came into the room attired for the +street. They went downstairs together, and Luke and she got on a +street car. + +They were observed by Mrs. Tracy and Harold as they left the house. + +"Aunt Eliza's very easily imposed upon," remarked the latter. + +"She scarcely knows anything of that boy, and she has taken him out +with her. How does she know but he is a thief?" + +"He looks like one," said Harold, in an amiable tone. "If aunt is +robbed, I shan't pity her. She will deserve it." + +"Very true; but you must remember that it will be our loss as well as +hers. Her property will rightfully come to us, and if she is robbed we +shall inherit so much the less." + +"I have been thinking, Harold, it may be well for you to find out +something of this boy. If you can prove to Aunt Eliza that he is of +bad character, she will send him adrift." + +"I'll see about it, mother." + +Meanwhile Mrs. Merton and Luke were on their way to the business +portion of the city. + +"I think I will stop at Adams Street, Luke," said the old lady. "I +shall have to go to the Continental Bank. Do you know where it is?" + +"I believe it is on La Salle Street, corner of Adams." + +"Quite right. I shall introduce you to the paying teller as in my +employ, as I may have occasion to send you there alone at times to +deposit or draw money." + +"I wish Harold was more like you," she said. "His mother's suggestion +that I should take him with me as an escort would be just as +disagreeable to him as to me." + +"Is he attending school?" asked Luke. + +"Yes. He is preparing for college, but he is not fond of study, and I +doubt whether he ever enters. I think he must be about your age." + +"I am nearly sixteen." + +"Then he is probably a little older." + +They entered the bank, and Mrs. Merton, going to the window of the +paying teller, presented a check for a hundred dollars. + +"How will you have it, Mrs. Merton?" asked the teller. + +"In fives and tens. By the way, Mr. Northrop, please take notice of +this boy with me. I shall occasionally send him by himself to attend +to my business. His name is Luke Walton." + +"His face looks familiar. I think we have met before." + +"I have sold you papers more than once, Mr. Northrop," said Luke. "I +stand on Clark Street, near the Sherman." + +"Yes, I remember, now. We bank officials are apt to take notice of +faces." + +"Here, Luke, carry this money for me," said Mrs. Merton, putting a +lady's pocketbook into the hand of her young escort. "You are less +likely to be robbed than I." + +Luke was rather pleased at the full confidence his new employer seemed +to repose in him. + +"I am now going up on State Street," said Mrs. Merton, as they emerged +into the street. "You know the store of Marshall Field?" + +"Oh, yes; everybody in Chicago knows that," said Luke. + +In a few minutes they stood before the large store, and Mrs. Merton +entered, followed by Luke. + +Mrs. Merton went to that part of the establishment where woolens are +sold, and purchased a dress pattern. To Luke's surprise, the salesman +was the same one who had come to his assistance in the car the day +previous when he was charged with stealing. The recognition was +mutual. + +"I believe we have met before," said the young man, with a smile. + +"Yes, fortunately for me," answered Luke, gratefully. + +"The two parties who were determined to find you guilty looked foolish +when they ascertained the real character of your accuser." + +"What is this, Luke? You didn't tell me of it," said Mrs. Merton. + +The story was related briefly. + +"I should like to meet that woman," said Mrs. Merton, nodding +energetically. "I'd give her a piece of my mind. Luke, you may hand me +ten dollars." + +The goods were wrapped up and the change returned. + +"Where shall I send the bundle, Mrs. Merton?" asked the salesman, +deferentially. + +"Luke will take it." + +As they left the store Mrs. Merton said: "Did you think I was buying +this dress for myself, Luke?" + +"I thought so," Luke answered. + +"No, I have dresses enough to last me a lifetime, I may almost say. +This dress pattern is for your mother." + +"For my mother?" repeated Luke, joyfully. + +"Yes; I hope it will be welcome." + +"Indeed it will. Mother hasn't had a new dress for over a year." + +"Then I guessed right. Give it to her with my compliments, and tell +her I give it to her for your sake. Now, I believe I will go home." + +No present made to Luke could have given him so much pleasure as this +gift to his mother, for he knew how much she stood in need of it. + +When they reached the house on Prairie Avenue, they met Mrs. Tracy on +the steps. She had been out for a short call. + +"Did you have a pleasant morning, Aunt Eliza?" she asked, quite +ignoring Luke. + +"Yes, quite so. Luke, I won't trouble you to come in. I shall not need +you to-morrow. The next day you may call at the same hour." + +Luke turned away, but was called back sharply by Mrs. Tracy. + +"Boy!" she said, "you are taking away my aunt's bundle. Bring it back +directly." + +"Louisa," said the old lady, "don't trouble yourself. That bundle is +meant for Luke's mother." + +"Something you bought for her?" + +"Yes, a dress pattern." + +"Oh!" sniffed Mrs. Tracy, eying Luke with strong disapproval. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THOMAS BROWNING AT HOME + +In one of the handsomest streets in Milwaukee stood a private +residence which was quite in harmony with its surroundings. It looked +like the home of a man of ample means. It was luxuriously furnished, +and at one side was a conservatory. It was apt to attract the +attention of strangers, and the question was asked: "Who lives +there?" + +And the answer would be: "Thomas Browning. He will probably be mayor +some day." + +Yes, this was the residence of Thomas Browning, formerly Thomas +Butler, the man to whom the dead father of Luke Walton had intrusted +the sum of ten thousand dollars to carry to his wife and children. How +he fulfilled his trust, or, rather, did not fulfill it, we already +know. But in Milwaukee, where Mr. Browning had become a leading +citizen, it was not known. It was entirely inconsistent with what was +believed to be his character. For Mr. Browning was president of one +charitable society and treasurer of another. At the annual meetings of +these societies he was always called upon to speak, and his allusions +to the poverty and privations of those who were cared for by these +societies never failed to produce an impression. + +It was popularly supposed that he gave away large sums in charity. +Indeed, he admitted the fact, but explained the absence of his name +from subscription papers by saying: "All my gifts are anonymous. +Instead of giving my name, I prefer to put down 'Cash,' so much, or 'A +Friend,' such another sum. I don't wish to influence others, but it +jars upon me to have my name ostentatiously paraded in the public +prints." + +Now, in all subscriptions there are donations ascribed to "Cash" and +"A Friend," and whenever these occurred, it was generally supposed +they represented Mr. Browning. But, to let the reader into a little +secret, this was only a shrewd device of Mr. Browning's to have the +reputation of a philanthropist at little or no expense, for, as a +matter of fact, he never contributed at all to the charities in which +he seemed to take such an interest! + +In a pleasant room on the second floor sat the pseudo-philanthropist. +The room was furnished as a library. At a writing table, poring over +what looked like an account book, he looked the picture of comfort and +respectability. A few well-chosen engravings adorned the walls. A +pleasant light was diffused about the room from a chandelier suspended +over the table. + +Thomas Browning leaned back in his chair, and a placid smile +overspread his naturally harsh features. He looked about him, and his +thoughts somehow ran back to a time when he was very differently +situated. + +"Five years ago to-night," he said, "I was well-nigh desperate. I +hadn't a cent to bless myself with, nor was the prospect of getting +one particularly bright. How I lived, for a considerable time, I +hardly know. I did have a notion at one time, when I was particularly +down on my luck, of committing suicide, and so ending the struggle +once for all. It would have been a great mistake!" he added after a +pause. "I didn't foresee at the time the prosperous years that lay +before me. Frederick Walton's money changed my whole life. Ten +thousand dollars isn't a fortune, but it proved the basis of one. It +enabled me to float the Excelsior Mine. I remember there were a +hundred thousand shares at two dollars a share, all based upon a few +acres of mining land which I bought for a song. With the ten thousand +dollars, I hired an office, printed circulars, distributed glowing +accounts of imaginary wealth, etc. It cost considerable for +advertising, but I sold seventy thousand shares, and when I had +gathered in the money I let the bottom fall out. There was a great +fuss, of course, but I figured as the largest loser, being the owner +of thirty thousand shares (for which I hadn't paid a cent), and so +shared the sympathy extended to losers. It was a nice scheme, and +after deducting all expenses, I made a clean seventy-five thousand +dollars out of it, which, added to my original capital, made +eighty-five thousand. Then I came to Milwaukee and bought this house. +From that time my career has been upward and onward. My friends say +some day I shall be mayor of the city. Well, stranger things have +happened, and who knows but my friends may be right!" + +At this moment a servant entered the library. + +"Well, Mary, what is it?" asked the philanthropist. + +"Please, sir, there's a poor woman at the door, and she would like to +see you." + +"Ah, yes, she wants relief from the Widows' and Orphans' Society, +probably. Well, send her up. I am always at home to the poor." + +"What a good man he is!" thought Mary. "It's strange he gives such low +wages to the girls that work for him. He says it's because he gives +away so much money in charities." + +Mary ushered in, a moment later, a woman in a faded dress, with a look +of care and sorrow on her thin features. + +"Take a seat, madam," said Thomas Browning, urbanely. "Did you wish to +see me?" + +"Yes, sir. I am in difficulties, and have ventured to call upon you." + +"I am glad to see you. I am always ready to see the unfortunate." + +"Yes, sir; I know you have the reputation of being a philanthropist. + +"No, no," said Mr. Browning, modestly. "Don't mention it. I am fully +aware of the flattering estimation which is placed on my poor +services, but I really don't deserve it. It is, perhaps, as the +President of the Widows' and Orphans' Charitable Society that you wish +to speak to me." + +"No, sir. It is as President of the Excelsior Mining Company that I +wish to make an appeal to you." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Browning, with a perceptible change of countenance. + +"Of course you remember it, sir. I was a widow, with a small property +of five thousand dollars left me by my late husband. It was all I had +on which to support myself and two children. The banks paid poor +interest, and I was in search of a profitable investment. One of your +circulars fell into my hands. The shares were two dollars each, and it +was stated that they would probably yield fifty per cent dividends. +That would support me handsomely. But I didn't decide to invest until +I had written a private letter to you." + +She took it from the pocket of her dress, and offered it to Thomas +Browning, but that gentleman waved it aside. + +She continued: "You indorsed all that the circular contained. You said +that within a year you thought he shares would rise to at least ten +dollars. So I invested all the money I had. You know what followed. In +six months the shares went down to nothing, and I found myself +penniless." + +"I know it, my good woman," said Thomas Browning. "I know it, to my +cost. I myself had sixty thousand dollars invested in the stock. I +lost it all." + +"But you seem to be a rich man," said the poor woman, looking about +her. + +"I have made it out of other ventures. But the collapse of the mine +was a sad blow to me. As the president, I might have had something +from the wreck, but I did not. I suffered with the rest. Now, may I +ask what I can do for you?" + +"It was on account of your advice that I bought stock. Don't you think +you ought to make up to me a part of the loss?" + +"Impossible!" said Browning, sharply. "Didn't I tell you I lost much +more heavily than you?" + +"Then you can do nothing for me?" + +"Yes; I can put you on the pension list of the Widows' and Orphans' +Society. That will entitle you to receive a dollar a week for three +months." + +"I am not an object of charity, sir. I wish you good-night." + +"Good-night. If you change your mind come to me." + +"Very unreasonable, upon my word," soliloquized Thomas Browning. + +At eleven o'clock Mr. Browning went to his bedchamber. He lit the gas +and was preparing to disrobe, when his sharp ear detected the sound of +suppressed breathing, and the point from which it proceeded. He walked +quickly to the bed, bent over, and looked underneath. In an instant he +had caught a man who had been concealed beneath it. + +The intruder was a wretchedly dressed tramp. Browning allowed the man +to get upon his feet, and then, facing him, demanded, sternly: "Why +are you here? Did you come to rob me?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A STRANGE VISITOR + +"Did you come to rob me?" repeated Mr. Browning, as he stood facing +the tramp, whom he had brought to the light from under the bed. + +There was an eager, questioning look on the face of the tramp, as he +stared at the gentleman upon whose privacy he had intruded--not a look +of fear, but a look of curiosity. Thomas Browning misinterpreted it. +He thought the man was speechless from alarm. + +"Have you nothing to say for yourself?" demanded Browning, sternly. + +The answer considerably surprised him. + +"Why, pard, it's you, is it?" said the man, with the air of one to +whom a mystery was made plain. + +"What do you mean by your impertinence?" asked the respectable Mr. +Browning, angrily. + +"Well, that's a good one! Who'd have thought that this 'ere mansion +belonged to my old friend and pard?" + +"What do you mean? Are you crazy, fellow?" + +"No, I ain't crazy, as I know of, but I'm flabbergasted--that's what I +am." + +"Have done with this trifling and tell me why I shouldn't hand you +over to the police?" + +"I guess you won't do that, Tom Butler!" returned the burglar, +coolly. + +Browning stared in surprise and dismay at hearing his old name +pronounced by this unsavory specimen of humanity. + +"Who are you?" he demanded, quickly. + +"Don't you know me?" + +"No, I don't. I never saw you before. I don't associate with men of +your class." + +"Hear him now!" chuckled the tramp, in an amazed tone. "Why, Tom +Butler, you an' me used to be pards. Don't you remember Jack King? +Why, we've bunked together, and hunted for gold together, and almost +starved together; but that was in the old days." + +Browning looked the amazement he felt. + +"Are you really Jack King?" he ejaculated, sinking back into an +easy-chair, and staring hard at his unexpected visitor. + +"I'm the same old coon, Tom, but I'm down at the heel, while you--do +you really own this fine house, and these elegant fixin's?" + +"Yes," answered Browning, mechanically. + +"Well, you've fared better than I. I've been goin' down, down, till +I've got about as far down as I can get." + +"And you have become a burglar?" + +"Well, a man must live, you know." + +"You could work." + +"Who would give such a lookin' man as I any work?" + +"How did you get in?" + +"That's my secret! You mustn't expect me to give myself away." + +"And you had no idea whose house you were in?" + +"I was told it belonged to a Mr. Browning." + +"I am Mr. Browning--Thomas Browning." + +"You! What has become of Butler?" + +"I had good substantial reasons for changing my name--there was money +in it, you understand." + +"I'd like to change my own name on them terms. And now, Tom Butler, +what are you going to do for me?" + +Mr. Browning's face hardened. He felt no sympathy for the poor wretch +with whom he had once been on terms of intimacy. He felt ashamed to +think that they had ever been comrades, and he resented the tone of +familiarity with which this outcast addressed him--a reputable +citizen, a wealthy capitalist, a man whose name had been more than +once mentioned in connection with the mayor's office. + +"I'll tell you what I ought to do," he said, harshly. + +"Well?" + +"I ought to call a policeman, and give you in charge for entering my +house as a burglar." + +"You'd better not do that," he said without betraying alarm. + +"Why not? Why should I not treat you like any other burglar?" + +"Because--but I want to ask you a question." + +"What did you do with that money Walton gave you on his deathbed?" + +"What do you mean?" he faltered. + +"Just what I say. What did you do with Walton's money?" + +"I am at a loss to understand your meaning." + +"No, you are not. However, I am ready to explain. On his deathbed +Walton gave you ten thousand dollars to carry to his wife and family. +Did you do it?" + +"Who told you this?" + +"It is unnecessary for me to say. It is enough that I know it. At the +time you were poor enough. You might have had a few hundred dollars of +your own, but certainly not much more. Now--it isn't so many years +ago--I find you a rich man. Of course, I have my own ideas of how this +came about." + +"Do you mean to accuse me of dishonesty?" demanded Browning, angrily. + +"I don't accuse you of anything. I am only thinking of what would be +natural under the circumstances. I'm not an angel myself, Tom Butler, +and I can't say but the money might have miscarried if it had been +handed to me instead of to you. I wish it had; I wouldn't be the +miserable-looking wretch I am now." + +"Walton handed me some money," said Browning, cautiously--"not ten +thousand dollars--and I handed it to his family." + +"Where did they live?" + +"In a country town," he answered, glibly. + +"I was thinking I might run across Mrs. Walton some day," he said, +significantly. "She would be glad to see me, as I knew her late +husband in California." + +"She is dead," said Browning, hastily. + +"Dead! How long since?" + +"She died soon after she heard of her husband's death. Died of grief, +poor woman!" + +"Were there no children?" + +"Yes, there was a girl, but she was adopted by a relative in +Massachusetts." + +"I don't believe a word of it!" thought Jack King. "He wants to put me +off the scent." + +"Humph! And you gave the wife the money?" + +"Of course." + +"I may meet the girl some time; I might advertise for any of the +family." + +"Do you think they would be glad to see you?" + +"They might help me, and I stand in need of help." + +"There is no need of that. You are an old comrade in distress. I +haven't forgotten the fact, though I pretended to, to try you. Here's +a five-dollar bill. I'll let you out of the house myself. Considering +how you entered it, you may count yourself lucky." + +"That's all right, as far as it goes, Tom, but I want to remind you of +a little debt you owe me. When you were out of luck at Murphy's +diggings I lent you twenty-five dollars, which you have never paid +back." + +"I had forgotten it." + +"I haven't. That money will come mighty convenient just now. It will +buy me a better-looking suit, second hand, and make a different man of +me. With it I can get a place and set up for a respectable human +being." + +"Here's the money," said Browning, reluctantly drawing the additional +bills from his wallet. "Now that we are square, I hope you won't annoy +me by further applications. I might have sent you out of the house +under very different circumstances." + +"You were always considerate, Tom," said the tramp, stowing away the +bills in the pocket of his ragged vest. "May I refer to you if I apply +for a situation?" + +"Yes; but remember I am Thomas Browning. I prefer not to have it known +that my name was ever Butler." + +"All right! Now, if you'll do me the favor of showing me the door I'll +leave you to your slumbers." + +"It's very awkward, that man's turning up," muttered Browning, as he +returned from letting out his unsavory visitor. "How could he have +heard about Walton's money?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +HOW JACK KING FARED + +Jack King left the house with the money Browning had unwillingly given +him. He sought a cheap lodging and the next morning proceeded to make +himself respectable. When he had donned some clean linen, a suit of +clothes which he bought cheap at a second-hand store, taken a bath, +and called into requisition the services of a barber, it would have +been hard to recognize him as the same man who had emerged from under +the bed of the well-known philanthropist, a typical tramp and would-be +burglar. + +Jack King counted over the balance of his money, and found that he had +nine dollars and thirty-seven cents left. + +"This won't support me forever," he reflected. "I must get something +to do." + +While sauntering along, he fell in with an old acquaintance named +Stone. + +"What are you up to, King?" he asked. + +"Looking for a job." + +"You are my man, then. I am keeping a cigar store at the Prairie +Hotel, but I have some business calling me away from the city for six +weeks or two months. Will you take my place?" + +"What are the inducements?" + +"Board and lodging and five dollars a week." + +"Agreed." + +"Come over, then, and I will show you the place." + +The hotel was a cheap one, not far from the railway station, and +though comfortable, was not patronized by fastidious travelers. + +"When do you want me to take hold?" he asked. + +"To-morrow." + +"All right." + +"Come around at ten o'clock. I want to leave Milwaukee in the +afternoon." + +King could not help reflecting about the extraordinary prosperity of +his old comrade, Tom Butler, now Thomas Browning, Esq. + +"What does it mean?" he asked himself. "He seemed very uneasy when I +asked him about Walton's money. I believe he kept it himself. I wish I +knew. If I could prove it, it would be a gold mine for me. I must make +inquiries, and, if possible, find out Walton's family." + +"Do you know anything of Thomas Browning?" he asked Stone. + +"The philanthropist? Yes. What of him?" + +"I called on him last evening." + +Jack did not think it best to mention the circumstances of his visit. + +"Indeed! How did you know him?" + +"In California." + +"I suppose he laid the foundation of his fortune there." + +"Is he so rich, then?" + +"Yes, probably worth a quarter of a million." + +This was an exaggeration, but rich men's wealth is generally +overstated. + +"How does he stand in the city?" + +"First-class. He has been mentioned for mayor. I shouldn't be +surprised if he might get the office some day." + +"He has certainly been very lucky." + +"I should say so. Was he rich in California?" + +"Not when I knew him. At one time there he had to borrow money of me. +He paid me back last evening." + +"He is on the top of the ladder now, at any rate." + +"His respectability would suffer a little," thought Jack King, "if I +could prove that he had appropriated Walton's money. I must think the +matter over, and secure some information if I can." + +The next Sunday evening he called at the house of the philanthropist, +and sent in his name. + +Thomas Browning went himself to the door. He was afraid King might be +wearing the same disreputable suit in which he had made his former +visit. But to his relief his visitor looked quite respectable. + +"Do you wish to see me?" he asked. + +"Yes; but only for a social call. I am not acquainted in Milwaukee, +and it does me good to see an old friend and comrade." + +"I have not much time to spare, but come in!" + +They went into the philanthropist's library, formerly described. + +"Have you found anything to do?" asked Browning. + +"Yes." + +"What is it?" + +King answered the question. + +"It is not much," he added, "but will do for the present." + +"At any rate, it is considerably better than entering a house at night +and hiding under the bed," said Browning, dryly. + +"So it is," answered King, smiling. "You must make allowance for my +destitute condition. I little thought that I was in the house of an +old friend. I have been asking about you, Tom Butler--I beg pardon, +Mr. Browning--and I find that you stand very high in Milwaukee." + +A shade of annoyance showed itself on the philanthropist's face when +King referred to him under his former name, but when his high standing +was referred to he smiled complacently. + +"Yes," he said, "I have been fortunate enough to win the good opinion +of my fellow-citizens." + +"Some one told me that you would probably run for mayor some day." + +"It may be. I have been sounded on the subject." + +"The worst of running for office is that if a man has ever done +anything discreditable it is sure to be brought out against him." + +"I hope you don't mean to imply that I have ever done anything +discreditable," said Browning, sharply. + +"Oh, dear, no! How could I think such a thing? But sometimes false +charges are brought. If you had ever betrayed a trust, or kept money +belonging to another, of course, it would hurt you." + +"Certainly it would," said the philanthropist, his voice betraying +some nervousness, "but I am glad to say that my conscience is clear on +that point." + +"By the way, Jack, let me send for a bottle of wine. We'll drink to +the memory of old time." + +"With all my heart, Tom. I see you're the right sort. When you are +nominated for office I will work for you." + +Browning smiled graciously on his visitor, and the interview closed +pleasantly. + +"He's afraid of me!" thought Jack, as he left the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT + +When Luke brought home the dress pattern his mother was much pleased. + +"I have needed a dress for a good while," she said, "but I never felt +that I could spare the money to buy even a common one. This material +is very nice." + +"It cost seventy-five cents a yard. I was with Mrs. Merton when she +bought it." + +"I hope you didn't hint to Mrs. Merton that I needed one." + +"No, that isn't like me, mother, but I own that I was very glad when +she thought of it." + +"Please tell her how grateful I am." + +"I will certainly do so. Now, mother, I want you to have it made up at +once. I can spare the money necessary." + +"It will cost very little. I will have it cut by a dress maker and +make it up myself. I hope you will long retain the friendship of Mrs. +Merton." + +"It won't by my fault if I don't. But I can't help seeing that her +niece, Mrs. Tracy, and Harold, a boy about my age, look upon me with +dislike." + +"Why should they? I don't see how anyone can dislike you." + +"You are my mother and are prejudiced in my favor. But I am sure they +have no reason to dislike me. I think, however, they are jealous, and +fear the old lady will look upon me with too much favor. She is very +rich, I hear, and they expect to inherit all her fortune." + +"Money makes people mean and unjust." + +"If I can only get hold of some, I'll run the risk of that," said +Luke. "I should feel a good deal more comfortable if I hadn't two +enemies in the house." + +"Do your duty, my son, and leave the rest to God. It isn't well to +borrow trouble." + +"No doubt you are right, mother. I will follow your advice." + +The next morning Luke was at his usual stand near the Sherman House +when a boy who was passing uttered a slight exclamation of surprise. +Looking up, Luke recognized Harold Tracy. + +"So it's you, is it?" said Harold, not over politely. + +"Yes," answered Luke. "I hope you are well." + +"I didn't know you were a newsboy." + +"I spend a part of my time in selling papers." + +"Does Mrs. Merton know you are a newsboy?" + +"I think I have told her, but I am not certain." + +"It must be inconvenient for you to come so far as our house every +day?" + +"Of course it takes up some time, but Mrs. Merton does not allow me to +work for nothing." + +"How much does Aunt Eliza pay you?" + +"I would rather you would ask Mrs. Merton. I am not sure that she +would care to have me tell." + +"You seem to forget that I am her nephew that is, her grandnephew. It +is hardly likely she would keep such a thing secret from me." + +"That may be, but I would rather you would ask her." + +"Does she pay you more than two dollars a week?" + +"Again I must refer you to her." + +"It is ridiculous to make a secret of such a trifle," said Harold, +annoyed. + +"How much do you make selling papers?" he asked. + +"I averaged about seventy-five cents a day before I began to work for +Mrs. Merton. Now I don't make as much." + +"Why don't you black boots, too? Many of the newsboys do?" + +"I never cared to take up that business." + +"If you should go into it, I would give you a job now and then." + +"I am not likely to go into that business, but I shall be glad to sell +you a paper whenever you need one." + +"You are not too proud to black boots, are you?" persisted Harold. + +"I don't think it necessary to answer that question. I have always got +along without it so far." + +Harold carried the news home to his mother that Luke was a newsboy, +and Mrs. Tracy found an opportunity to mention it at the supper +table. + +"Harold saw your paragon this morning, Aunt Eliza," she commenced. + +"Have I a paragon? I really wasn't aware of it," returned the old +lady. + +"Your errand boy." + +"Oh, Luke. Where did you see him, Harold?" + +"He was selling papers near the Sherman House." + +"I hope you bought one of him." + +"I didn't have any change." + +"Did you know he was a newsboy, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. Tracy. + +"Yes; he told me so. You speak of it as if it were something to his +discredit." + +"It is a low business, of course." + +"Why is it a low business?" + +"Oh, well, of course it is only poor street boys who engage in it." + +"I am aware that Luke is poor, and that he has to contribute to the +support of his mother and brother. I hope, if you were poor, that +Harold would be willing to work for you." + +"I wouldn't sell papers," put in Harold. + +"I don't suppose Luke sells papers from choice." + +"Aunt Eliza, I don't see why you should so persistently compare Harold +with that ragged errand boy of yours." + +"Is he ragged? I am glad you noticed it. I must help him to a new +suit." + +This was far from a welcome suggestion to Mrs. Tracy, and she made +haste to add: "I don't think he's ragged. He dresses well enough for +his position in life." + +"Still, I think he needs some new clothes, and I thank you for +suggesting it, Louisa." + +The next day, Luke, to his surprise, was asked to ac company Mrs. +Merton to a ready-made clothing house on Clark Street, where he was +presented with a fine suit, costing twenty dollars. + +"How kind you are, Mrs. Merton!" said Luke. + +"I didn't notice that you needed a new suit," returned the old lady, +"but my niece, Mrs. Tracy, spoke of it, and I was glad to take the +hint." + +It was in the afternoon of the same day that Luke, having an errand +that carried him near the lake shore, strolled to the end of North +Pier. He was fond of the water, but seldom had an opportunity to go +out on it. + +"How are you, Luke?" said a boy in a flat-bottomed boat a few rods +away. + +In the boy who hailed him Luke recognized John Hagan, an acquaintance +of about his own age. + +"Won't you come aboard?" asked John. + +"I don't mind, if you'll come near enough." + +In five minutes Luke found himself on board the boat, He took the oars +and relieved John, who was disposed to rest. + +They rowed hither and thither, never very far from the pier. Not far +away was a boat of the same build, occupied by a man of middle size, +whose eccentric actions attracted their attention. Now he would take +the oars and row with feverish haste, nearly fifty strokes to a +minute; then he would let his oars trail, and seem wrapped in thought. +Suddenly the boys were startled to see him spring to his feet and, +flinging up his arms, leap head first into the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +AMBROSE KEAN'S IMPRUDENCE + +Luke and his companion were startled by the sudden attempt at suicide, +and for an instant sat motionless in their boat. Luke was the first to +regain his self-possession. + +"Quick, let us try to save him," he called to John Hagan. + +They plunged their oars into the water, and the boat bounded over the +waves. Fortunately they were but half a dozen rods from the place +where the would-be suicide was now struggling to keep himself up. For, +as frequently happens, when he actually found himself in the water, +the instinct of self-preservation impelled the would-be self-destroyer +to attempt to save himself. He could swim a very little, but the +waters of the lake were in lively motion, his boat had floated away, +and he would inevitably have drowned but for the energetic action of +Luke and John. They swept their boat alongside, and Luke thrust his +oar in the direction of the struggling man. + +"Take hold of it," he said, "and we will tow you to your own boat." + +Guided and sustained by the oar, the man gripped the side of Luke's +boat, leaving the oar free. His weight nearly overbalanced the craft, +but with considerable difficulty the boys succeeded in reaching the +other boat, and, though considerably exhausted, its late occupant +managed to get in. + +As he took his place in the boat he presented a sorry spectacle, for +his clothes were wet through and dripping. + +"You will take your death of cold unless you go on shore at once," +said Luke. + +"It wouldn't matter much if I did," said the young man, gloomily. + +"We will row to shore also," said Luke to John Hagan. "He may make +another attempt to drown himself. I will see what I can do to reason +him out of it." + +They were soon at the pier, and the three landed. + +"Where do you live?" asked Luke, taking his position beside the young +man. + +The latter named a number on Vine Street. It was at a considerable +distance, and time was precious, for the young man was trembling from +the effects of his immersion. + +"There is no time to lose. We must take a carriage," said Luke. + +He summoned one, which fortunately had just returned from the pier, to +which it had conveyed a passenger, and the two jumped in. + +Luke helped him up to his room, a small one on the third floor, and +remained until he had changed his clothes and was reclining on the +bed. + +"You ought to have some hot drink," he said. "Can any be got in the +house?" + +"Yes; Mrs. Woods, the landlady, will have some hot water." + +Luke went downstairs and succeeded in enlisting the sympathetic +assistance of the kind-hearted woman by representing that her lodger +had been upset in the lake and was in danger of a severe cold. + +When the patient had taken down a cup of hot drink, he turned to Luke +and said: "How can I thank you?" + +"There is no need to thank me. I am glad I was at hand when you needed +me." + +"What is your name?" + +"Luke Walton." + +"Mine is Ambrose Kean. You must think I am a fool," + +"I think," said Luke, gently, "that you have some cause of +unhappiness." + +"You are right there. I have been unfortunate, but I am also an +offender against the law, and it was the fear of exposure and arrest +that made me take the step I did. I thought I was ready to die, but +when I found myself in the water life seemed dearer than it had +before, and I tried to escape. Thanks to you, I am alive, but now I +almost wish that I had succeeded. I don't know how to face what is +before me." + +"Would you mind telling me what it is?" + +"No; I need someone to confide in, and you deserve my confidence. Let +me tell you, then, that I am employed in an office on Dearborn Street. +My pay is small, twelve dollars a week, but it would be enough to +support me if I had only myself to look out for. But I have a mother +in Milwaukee, and I have been in the habit of sending her four dollars +a week. That left me only eight dollars, which I found it hard to live +on, and there was nothing left for clothes." + +"I can easily believe that," said Luke. + +"I struggled along, however, as best I might, but last week I received +a letter from my mother saying that she was sick. Of course her +expenses were increased, and she wrote to know if I could send her a +little extra money. I have been living so close up to my income that I +absolutely had less than a dollar in my pocket. Unfortunately, +temptation came at a time when I was least prepared to resist it. One +of our customers from the country came in when I was alone, and paid +me fifty dollars in bills, for which I gave him a receipt. No one saw +the payment made. It flashed upon me that this sum would make my +mother comfortable even if her sickness lasted a considerable time. +Without taking time to think, I went to an express office, and +forwarded to her a package containing the bills. It started yesterday, +and by this time is in my mother's hands. You see the situation I am +placed in. The one who paid the money may come to the office at any +time and reveal my guilt." + +"I don't wonder that you were dispirited," returned Luke. "But can +nothing be done? Can you not replace the money in time?" + +"How can I? I have told you how small my salary is." + +"Have you no friend or friends from whom you could borrow the money?" + +"I know of none. I have few friends, and such as they are, are, like +myself, dependent on small pay. I must tell you, by the way, how we +became poor. My mother had a few thousand dollars, which, added to my +earnings, would have made us comparatively independent, but in an evil +hour she invested them in a California mine, on the strength of the +indorsement of a well-known financier of Milwaukee, Mr. Thomas +Browning----" + +"Who?" asked Luke, in surprise. + +"Thomas Browning. Do you know him?" + +"I have seen him. He sometimes comes to Chicago, and stops at the +Sherman House." + +"He recommended the stock so highly--in fact, he was the president of +the company that put it on the market--that my poor mother thought it +all right, and invested all she had. The stock was two dollars a +share. Now it would not fetch two cents. This it was that reduced us +to such extreme poverty." + +"Do you think Mr. Browning was honest in his recommendation of the +mine?" asked Luke, thoughtfully. + +"I don't know. He claimed to be the principal loser himself. But it is +rather remarkable that he is living like a rich man now. Hundreds lost +their money through this mine. As Mr. Browning had himself been in +California----" + +"What is that?" asked Luke, in excitement. "You say this Browning was +once in California? Can you tell when?" + +"Half a dozen years ago, more or less." + +"And he looks like the man to whom my poor father confided ten +thousand dollars for us," thought Luke. "It is very strange. +Everything tallies but the name. The wretch who swindled us was named +Butler." + +"Why do you ask when Mr. Browning was in California?" asked the young +man. + +"Because my father died in California," answered Luke, evasively, "and +I thought it possible that Mr. Browning might have met him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A FRIEND IN NEED + +"Mr. Browning is a man of very peculiar appearance," said Kean. + +"You refer to the wart on the upper part of his right cheek?" + +"Yes, it gives him a repulsive look." + +"And yet he is popular in Milwaukee?" + +"Yes, among those who were not swindled by his mining scheme. He has +done more harm than he can ever repair. For instance," added the young +man, bitterly, "this crime which I have committed--I will call it by +its right name--I was impelled to do by my mother's poverty, brought +on by him." + +"How does it happen that you are not at the office to day?" + +"I felt sick--sick at heart, rather than sick in body, and I sent word +to my employer that I could not be there. I dread entering the office, +for at any time exposure may come." + +"If you could only raise the fifty dollars, you could replace the +money before it was inquired for." + +Ambrose Kean shook his head. + +"I can't possibly raise it," he said, despondently. + +"I would let you have it if I possessed as much money, but, as you may +suppose, I am poor." + +"I am no less grateful to you, Luke. You have a good heart, I am sure. +You don't despise me?" + +"No, why should I?" + +"I have been guilty of a crime." + +"But you are sorry for it. Is there positively no one with whom you +are acquainted who is rich enough to help you?" + +"There is one lady in Chicago--a rich lady--who was a schoolmate of my +mother. She was older and in better circumstances, but they were good +friends." + +"Who is this lady?" + +"A Mrs. Merton." + +"Mrs. Merton!" exclaimed Luke, in excitement. "Of Prairie Avenue?" + +"Yes; I believe she lives there." + +"Why, I know her--I am in her employ," said Luke. + +Ambrose Kean stared at Luke in open amazement. + +"Is this true?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"Is she a kind lady? Do you think she would help me in this trouble of +mine?" + +"She is very kind-hearted, as I know from my own experience. I will go +to her at once, and see what I can do." + +Ambrose Kean grasped Luke's hand with fervor. + +"You are a friend sent from heaven, I truly believe," he said. "You +have given me hope of retrieving myself." + +"I will leave you for a time," said Luke. "There is no time to be +lost." + +"I shall be full of anxiety till I see you again." + +"Be hopeful. I think I shall bring you good news." + +When Luke reached the house on Prairie Avenue he was about to ring the +bell when Harold Tracy opened the door. + +"You here again!" he said, in a tone of displeasure. "Weren't you here +this morning?" + +"Yes." + +"Did Aunt Eliza ask you to come this afternoon?" + +"No." + +"Then what brings you?" + +"Business," answered Luke, curtly, and he quietly entered the hall, +and said to a servant who was passing through, "Will you be kind +enough to ask Mrs. Merton if she will see me?" + +"Well, you're cheeky!" ejaculated Harold, who had in tended to keep +him out. + +"As long as Mrs. Merton doesn't think so, I shall not trouble myself," +said Luke, coldly. + +"Sooner or later Aunt Eliza will see you in your true colors," said +Harold, provoked. + +"I think she does now." + +At this moment the servant returned. + +"You are to go upstairs," she said. "Mrs. Merton will see you." + +The old lady was sitting back in an easy-chair when Luke entered. She +smiled pleasantly. + +"This is an unexpected pleasure," she said, "this after-noon call." + +"I will tell you at once what brought me, Mrs. Merton." + +"It isn't sickness at home, I hope?" + +"No, I came for a comparative stranger." + +Then Luke told the story of Ambrose Kean, his sudden yielding to +temptation, his repentance and remorse. + +"I am interested in your friend," said Mrs. Merton. "You say he +appropriated fifty dollars?" + +"Yes, but it was to help his mother." + +"True, but it was a dangerous step to take. It won't be considered a +valid excuse." + +"He realizes all that. His employer is a just but strict man, and if +the theft is discovered Kean will be arrested, and, of course, +convicted." + +"And you think I will help him? Is that why you have come to me with +this story?" + +"I don't think I would have done so if he had not mentioned you as an +old friend and schoolmate of his mother." + +"What's that?" added Mrs. Merton, quickly. "His mother an old +schoolmate of mine?" + +"That is what he says." + +"What was her name before marriage?" + +"Mary Robinson." + +"You don't say so!" Mrs. Merton exclaimed with vivacity. "Why, Mary +was my favorite at school. And this young man is her son? + +"I would have helped him without knowing this, but now I won't +hesitate a moment. Mary's boy! You must bring him here. I want to +question him about her." + +"I can tell you something about her. She lost her money by investing +in a California mine--I think it was the Excelsior Mine." + +"She, too?" + +Luke looked surprised. He did not understand the meaning of this +exclamation. + +"I have a thousand shares of that worthless stock myself," continued +the old lady. "It cost me two thousand dollars, and now it is worth +nothing." + +"The one who introduced the stock was a Mr. Browning, of Milwaukee." + +"I know. He was an unscrupulous knave, I have no doubt. I could afford +the loss, but hundreds invested, like poor Mary, who were ruined. Is +the man living, do you know?" + +"Yes, he is living in Milwaukee. He is rich, and is prominently spoken +of as a candidate for mayor." + +"If he is ever a candidate I will take care that his connection with +this swindling transaction is made known. A man who builds up a +fortune on the losses of the poor is a contemptible wretch, in my +opinion." + +"And mine, too," said Luke. "It is very strange that he answers the +description of a man who cheated our family out of ten thousand +dollars." + +"Indeed! How was that?" + +Luke told the story, and Mrs. Merton listened with great interest. + +"So all corresponds except the name?" + +"Yes." + +"He may have changed his name." + +"I have thought of that. I mean to find out some time." + +"I won't keep you any longer. Your friend is, no doubt, in great +anxiety. I have the money here in bills. I will give them to you for +him." + +Mrs. Merton was in the act of handing a roll of bills to Luke when the +door opened suddenly, and Mrs. Tracy entered. + +She frowned in surprise and displeasure when she saw her aunt giving +money to "that boy," as she contemptuously called him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HOW AMBROSE KEAN WAS SAVED + +"I didn't know you were occupied, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, in a +significant tone, as she paused at the door. + +"My business is not private," returned the old lady. "Come in, +Louisa." + +Mrs. Tracy did come in, but she regarded Luke with a hostile and +suspicious glance. + +"That is all, Luke," said his patroness. "You may go. You can report +to me to-morrow." + +"All right, ma'am." + +When Luke had left the room, Mrs. Tracy said: "You appear to repose a +great deal of confidence in that boy." + +"Yes; I think he deserves it." + +Mrs. Tracy coughed. + +"You seem to trust him with a great deal of money." + +"Yes." + +"Of course, I don't want to interfere, but I think you will need to be +on your guard. He is evidently bent on getting all he can out of +you." + +"That is your judgment, is it, Louisa?" + +"Yes. Aunt Eliza, since you ask me." + +"He has done me a service this morning. He has brought to my notice a +son of one of my old school mates who is in a strait, and I have just +sent him fifty dollars." + +"By that boy?" + +"Yes. Why not?" + +"Are you sure the person to whom you sent the money will ever get +it?" + +"Please speak out what you mean. Don't hint. I hate hints." + +"In plain terms, then, I think the boy will keep the money himself, +or, at any rate, a part of it." + +"I don't fear it." + +"Have you any more to say?" + +"Nothing, except to warn you against that designing boy." + +"You are very kind, Louisa, but I am not quite a simpleton. I have +seen something of the world, and I don't think I am easily taken in." + +Mrs. Tracy left the room, not very well satisfied. She really thought +Luke had designs upon the old lady's money, and was averse even to his +receiving a legacy, since it would take so much from Harold and +herself. + +"Harold, when I entered your aunt's room, what do you think I saw?" + +This she said to Harold, who was waiting below. + +"I don't know." + +"Aunt Eliza was giving money to that boy." + +"Do you know how much?" + +"Fifty dollars." + +"Whew! Was it for himself?" + +"He came to her with a trumped-up story of an old schoolmate of aunt's +who was in need of money." + +"Do you think he will keep it himself?" + +"I am afraid so." + +"What a cheeky young rascal he is, to be sure! I have no doubt you are +right." + +"Yes; there is too much reason to think he is an unscrupulous +adventurer, young as he is." + +"Why don't you tell aunt so?" + +"I have." + +"And what does she say?" + +"It doesn't make the least impression upon her." + +"What do you think the boy will do?" + +"Get her to make a will in his favor, or at least to leave him a large +legacy." + +Harold turned pale. + +"That would be robbing us," he said. + +"Of course it would. He wouldn't mind that, you know." + +"He was very impertinent to me this morning." + +"I presume so. He depends upon his favor with aunt." + +"Isn't there anything we can do, mother?" + +"I must consider." + +Meanwhile Luke returned at once to the room of Ambrose Kean. He found +the young man awaiting him with great anxiety. + +"What success?" he asked, quickly. + +"I have got the fifty dollars," answered Luke. + +"Thank God! I am saved!" ejaculated the young man. + +"Would you mind taking it round to the office with a note from me?" +asked Kean. + +"I will do so cheerfully." + +"Then I shall feel at ease." + +"Mrs. Merton would like to have you call on her. She remembered your +mother at once." + +"I shall be glad to do so, but shall be ashamed to meet her now that +she knows of my yielding to temptation." + +"You need not mind that. She also suffered from the rascality of +Thomas Browning, and she will make allowances for you." + +"Then I will go some day with you." + +"You had better give me a letter to take to your employer with the +money." + +"I will." + +Ambrose Kean wrote the following note: + +JAMES COOPER: + +DEAR SIR:--Hiram Crossley called at the office yesterday and paid in +fifty dollars due to you. Being busy, I thrust it into my pocket, and +inadvertently took it with me. I think I shall be able to be at the +office to-morrow, but think it best to send the money by a young +friend. I gave Mr. Crossley a receipt. + +Yours respectfully, AMBROSE KEAN. + +When Luke reached the office, Mr. Cooper was conversing with a stout, +broad-shouldered man, of middle age, and Luke could not help hearing +some of their conversation. + +"You say you paid fifty dollars to my clerk, Mr. Crossley?" asked the +merchant. + +"Yes." + +"Have you his receipt?" + +"Here it is." + +Mr. Cooper examined it. + +"Yes, that is his signature." + +"Isn't he here to-day?" + +"No; he sent word that he had a headache." + +"And you don't find the money?" + +"No." + +"That is singular." And the two men exchanged glances of suspicion. + +"What sort of a young man is he?" + +"I never had any cause to suspect him." + +"I hope it is all right." + +"If it isn't, I will discharge him," said Cooper, nodding +emphatically. + +"He probably didn't think I would be here so soon. I didn't expect to +be, but a telegram summoned me to the city on other business." + +Of course Luke understood that the conversation related to Kean, and +that he had arrived none too soon. He came forward. + +"I have a letter for you from Mr. Kean," he said. + +"Ha! Give it to me!" + +Mr. Cooper tore open the envelope, saw the bank bills, and read the +letter. + +"It's all right, Mr. Crossley," he said, his brow clearing. "Read that +letter." + +"I am really glad," said Crossley. + +"How is Mr. Kean?" asked Cooper, in a friendly tone. + +"He had a severe headache, but he is better, and hopes to be at the +office to-morrow." + +"Tell him I shall be glad to see him, but don't want him to come +unless he is really able." + +"Thank you, sir. I will do so." And Luke left the office. + +He went back to Ambrose Kean, and told him what had happened at the +office. + +"I have escaped better than I deserved," he said. "It will be a lesson +to me. Please tell Mrs. Merton that her timely aid has saved my +reputation and rescued my poor mother from sorrow and destitution." + +"I will, and I am sure she will consider the money well spent." + +The next morning, as Luke stood at his usual post, he saw Thomas +Browning, of Milwaukee, come out of the Sherman House. He knew him at +once by the wart on the upper part of his right cheek, which gave him +a remarkable appearance. + +"Can there be two persons answering this description?" Luke asked +himself. + +Thomas Browning came across the street, and paused in front of Luke. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +STEPHEN WEBB IS PUZZLED + +"Will you have a morning paper?" asked Luke. + +He wanted to have a few words with Mr. Browning, even upon an +indifferent subject, as he now thought it probable that this was the +man who had defrauded his mother and himself. + +Browning, too, on his part, wished for an opportunity to speak with +the son of the man he had so shamefully swindled. + +"Yes," he said, abruptly, "you may give me the _Times._" + +When the paper had been paid for, he said: + +"Do you make a good living at selling papers?" + +"It gives me about seventy-five cents a day," answered Luke. + +"You can live on that, I suppose?" + +"I have a mother to support." + +"That makes a difference. Why do you stay in Chicago? You could make a +better living farther West." + +"In California?" asked Luke, looking intently at Browning. + +Thomas Browning started. + +"What put California into your head?" he asked. + +"My father died in California." + +"A good reason for your not going there." + +"I thought you might be able to tell me something about California," +continued Luke. + +"Why should I?" + +"I thought perhaps you had been there." + +"You are right," said Browning, after a pause. "I made a brief trip to +San Francisco at one time. It was on a slight matter of business. But +I don't know much about the interior and can't give you advice." + +"I wonder if this is true," thought Luke. "He admits having been to +California, but says he has never been in the interior. If that is the +case, he can't have met my father." + +"I may at some time have it in my power to find you a place farther +West, but not in California," resumed Browning. "I will take it into +consideration. I frequently come to Chicago, and I presume you are to +be found here." + +"Yes, sir." + +Thomas Browning waved his hand by way of good-by, and continued on his +way. + +"The boy seems sharp," he said to himself. "If he had the slightest +hint of my connection with his father's money, he looks as if he would +follow it up. Luckily there is no witness and no evidence. No one can +prove that I received the money." + +At the corner of Adams Street Mr. Browning encountered his nephew, +Stephen Webb, who was gazing in at a window with a cigar in his mouth, +looking the very image of independent leisure. + +"You are profitably employed," said Browning, dryly. + +Stephen Webb wheeled round quickly. + +"Glad to see you, Uncle Thomas," he said, effusively. "I suppose you +received my letter?" + +"Yes." + +"I hope you are satisfied. I had hard work to find out about the +boy." + +"Humph! I don't see how there could be anything difficult about it. I +hope you didn't mention my name?" + +"No. I suppose you are interested in the boy," said Stephen, with a +look of curious inquiry. + +"Yes; I always feel interested in the poor, and those who require +assistance." + +"I am glad of that, uncle, for you have a poor nephew." + +"And a lazy one," said Browning, sharply. "Where would I be if I had +been as indolent as you?" + +"I am sure I am willing to do whatever you require, Uncle Thomas. Have +you any instructions?" + +"Well, not just now, except to let me know all you can learn about the +newsboy. Has he any other source of income except selling papers?" + +"I believe he does a few odd jobs now and then, but I don't suppose he +earns much outside." + +"I was talking with him this morning." + +"You were!" ejaculated Stephen in a tone of curiosity. "Did you tell +him you felt an interest in him?" + +"No, and I don't want you to tell him so. I suggested that he could +make a better income by leaving Chicago, and going farther West." + +"I think I might like to do that, Uncle Thomas." + +"Then why don't you?" + +"I can't go without money." + +"You could take up a quarter-section of land and start in as a farmer. +I could give you a lift that way if I thought you were in earnest." + +"I don't think I should succeed as a farmer," said Stephen, with a +grimace. + +"Too hard work, eh?" + +"I am willing to work hard, but that isn't in my line." + +"Well, let that go. You asked if I had any instructions. Find +opportunities of talking with the boy, and speak in favor of going +West." + +"I will. Is there anything more?" + +"No. I believe not." + +"You couldn't let me have a couple of dollars extra, could you, +uncle?" + +"Why should I?" + +"I--I felt sick last week, and had to call in a doctor, and then get +some medicine." + +"There's one dollar! Don't ask me for any more extras." + +"He's awfully close-fisted," grumbled Stephen. + +"I am afraid King might visit Chicago, and find out the boy," said +Browning to himself as he continued his walk. "That would never do, +for he is a sharp fellow, and would put the boy on my track if he saw +any money in it. My best course is to get this Luke out of Chicago, if +I can." + +Stephen Webb made it in his way to fall in with Luke when he was +selling afternoon papers. + +"This is rather a slow way of making a fortune, isn't it, Luke?" he +asked. + +"Yes; I have no thoughts of making a fortune at the newspaper +business." + +"Do you always expect to remain in it?" continued Webb. + +"Well, no," answered Luke, with a smile. "If I live to be fifty or +sixty I think I should find it rather tiresome." + +"You are right there." + +"But I don't see any way of getting out of it just yet. There may be +an opening for me by and by." + +"The chances for a young fellow in Chicago are not very good. Here am +I twenty-five years old and with no prospects to speak of." + +"A good many people seem to make good livings, and many grow rich, in +Chicago." + +"Yes, if you've got money you can make money. Did you ever think of +going West?" + +Luke looked a little surprised. + +"A gentleman was speaking to me on that subject this morning," he +said. + +"What did he say to you?" asked Stephen, curiously. + +"He recommended me to go West, but did not seem to approve of +California." + +"Why not. Had he ever been there?" + +"He said he had visited San Francisco, but had never been in the +interior." + +"What a whopper that was!" thought Stephen Webb. "Why should Uncle +Thomas say that?" + +"What sort of a looking man was he? Had you ever seen him before?" he +inquired. + +"He is a peculiar-looking man--has a wart on his right cheek." + +"Did he mention the particular part of the West?" + +"No; he said he would look out for a chance for me." + +"It is curious Uncle Thomas feels such an interest in that boy," Webb +said to himself, meditatively. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +MRS. MERTON PASSES A PLEASANT EVENING + +Ambrose Kean called with Luke an evening or two later to thank Mrs. +Merton in person for her kindness. They arrived ten minutes after Mrs. +Tracy and Harold had started for Hooley's Theater, and thus were saved +an embarrassing meeting with two persons who would have treated them +frigidly. + +They were conducted upstairs by the servant, and were ushered into +Mrs. Merton's room. + +Ambrose Kean was naturally ill at ease, knowing that Mrs. Merton was +acquainted with the error he had committed. But the old lady received +him cordially. + +"I am glad to meet the son of my old schoolmate, Mary Robinson," she +said. + +"In spite of his unworthiness?" returned Ambrose, his cheek flushing +with shame. + +"I don't know whether he is unworthy. That remains to be seen." + +"You know I yielded to temptation and committed a theft." + +"Yes; but it was to help your mother." + +"It was, but that does not relieve me from guilt." + +"You are right; still it greatly mitigates it. Take my advice; forget +it, and never again yield to a similar temptation." + +"I will not, indeed, Mrs. Merton," said the young many earnestly. "I +feel that I have been very fortunate in escaping the consequences of +my folly, and in enlisting your sympathy." + +"That is well! Let us forget this disagreeable circumstance, and look +forward to the future. How is Mary your mother?" + +"She is an invalid." + +"And poor. There is a remedy for poverty. Let us also hope there is a +remedy for her ill-health. But tell me, why did you not come to see me +before? You have been some time in Chicago." + +"True, but I knew you were a rich lady. I didn't think you would +remember or care to hear from one so poor and obscure as my mother." + +"Come, I consider that far from a compliment," said the old lady. "You +really thought as badly of me as that?" + +"I know you better now," said Ambrose, gratefully. + +"It is well you do. You have no idea how intimate your mother and I +used to be. She is five years my junior, I think, so that I regarded +her as a younger sister. It is many years since we met. And how is she +looking?" + +"She shows the effects of bad health, but I don't think she looks +older than her years." + +"We have both changed greatly, no doubt. It is to be expected. But you +can tell her that I have not forgotten the favorite companion of my +school days." + +"I will do so, for I know it will warm her heart and brighten her +up." + +"When we were girls together our worldly circumstances did not greatly +differ. But I married, and my husband was very successful in +business." + +"While she married and lost all she had." + +"It is often so. It might have been the other way. Your mother might +have been rich, and I poor; but I don't think she would have been +spoiled by prosperity any more than I have been. Now tell me how you +are situated." + +"I am a clerk, earning twelve dollars a week." + +"And your employer--is he kind and considerate?" + +"He is just, but he has strict notions. Had he learned my slip the +other day he would have discharged me, perhaps had me arrested. Now, +thanks to your prompt kindness, he knows and will know nothing of +it." + +"Is he likely to increase your salary?" + +"He will probably raise me to fifteen dollars a week next January. +Then I can get along very well. At present it is difficult for me, +after sending my mother four dollars a week, to live on the balance of +my salary." + +"I should think it would be." + +"Still, I would have made it do, but for mother's falling sick, and so +needing a larger allowance." + +"I hope she is not seriously ill," said Mrs. Merton, with solicitude. + +"No, fortunately not. I think she will be as well as usual in a few +weeks." + +"Tell her I inquired particularly for her, and that I send her my love +and remembrance." + +"I shall be only too glad to do so." + +The time slipped away so rapidly that Luke was surprised when, looking +at the French clock on the mantel, he saw that it lacked but a quarter +of ten o'clock. + +"Mr. Kean," he said, glancing at the clock, "it is getting late." + +"So it is," said Ambrose, rising. "I am afraid we have been +trespassing upon your kindness, Mrs. Merton." + +"Not at all!" said Mrs. Merton, promptly. "I have enjoyed the evening, +I can assure you. Mr. Kean, you must call again." + +"I shall be glad to do so, if you will permit me." + +"I wish you to do so. Luke will come with you. I shall want to hear +more of your mother, and how she gets along." + +As they were leaving, Mrs. Merton slipped into the hand of Ambrose +Kean an envelope. + +"The contents is for your mother," she said. "I have made the check +payable to you." + +"Thank you. It is another mark of your kindness." + +When Ambrose Kean examined the check, he ascertained to his joy that +it was for a hundred dollars. + +"What a splendid old lady she is, Luke!" he said, enthusiastically. + +"She is always kind, Mr. Kean. I have much to be grateful to her for. +I wish I could say the same of other members of the family." + +"What other members of the family are there?" + +"A niece, Mrs. Tracy, and her son, Harold." + +"Why didn't we see them to-night?" + +"I don't know. I suppose they were out." + +The next day Ambrose handed the check to his employer and asked if he +would indorse it, and so enable him to draw the money. + +James Cooper took the check and examined the signature. + +"Eliza Merton," said he. "Is it the rich Mrs. Merton who lives on +Prairie Avenue?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Indeed; I did not know that you were acquainted with her." + +"She and my mother were schoolmates." + +"And so you keep up the acquaintance?" + +"I spent last evening at her house. This check is a gift from her to +my mother." + +Ambrose Kean rose greatly in the estimation of his employer when the +latter learned that Kean had such an aristocratic friend, and he was +treated with more respect and consideration than before. + +Meanwhile Harold and his mother had enjoyed themselves at the +theater. + +"I suppose Aunt Eliza went to bed early, Harold," said Mrs. Tracy, as +they were on their way home. + +"Went to roost with the hens," suggested Harold, laughing at what he +thought to be a good joke. + +"Probably it is as well for her," said his mother. "It isn't good for +old people to sit up late." + +It was about half-past eleven when they were admitted by the drowsy +servant. + +"I suppose Mrs. Merton went to bed long ago, Laura," said Mrs. Tracy. + +"No, ma'am, she set up later than usual." + +"That is odd. I thought she would feel lonely." + +"Oh, she had company, ma'am." + +"Company! Who?" + +"Master Luke was here all the evenin', and a young man with him." + +Mrs. Tracy frowned ominously. + +"The sly young artful!" she said to Harold when they were alone. "He +is trying all he can to get on aunt's weak side. Something will have +to be done, or we shall be left out in the cold." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MRS. TRACY'S BROTHER + +A day or two later, while Mrs. Merton was in the city shopping, +accompanied by Luke, a man of thirty years of age ascended the steps +of the house on Prairie Avenue and rang the bell. + +"Is Mrs. Tracy at home?" he asked of the servant who answered the +bell. + +"Yes, sir; what name shall I give?" + +"Never mind about the name. Say it is an old friend." + +"Won't you come in, sir?" + +"Yes, I believe I will." + +Mrs. Tracy received the message with surprise mingled with curiosity. + +"Who can it be?" she asked herself. + +She came downstairs without delay. + +The stranger, who had taken a seat in the hall, rose and faced her. + +"Don't you know me, Louisa?" he asked. + +"Is it you, Warner?" she exclaimed, surprised and! startled. + +"Yes," he answered, laughing. "It's a good while since we met." + +"Five years. And have you----" + +"What--reformed?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I can't say as to that. I can only tell you that I am not +wanted by the police at present. Is the old lady still alive?" + +"Aunt Eliza?" + +"Of course." + +"Yes, she is alive and well." + +"I thought perhaps she might have died, and left you in possession of +her property." + +"Not yet. I don't think she has any intention of dying for a +considerable number of years." + +"That is awkward. Has she done nothing for you?" + +"We have a free home here, and she makes me a moderate allowance, but +she is not disposed to part with much money while she lives." + +"I am sorry for that. I thought you might be able to help me to some +money. I am terribly hard up." + +"You always were, no matter how much money you had." + +"I never had much. The next thing is, how does the old lady feel +toward me?" + +"I don't think she feels very friendly, though nothing has passed +between us respecting you for a long time. She has very strict notions +about honesty, and when you embezzled your employer's money you got +into her black books." + +"That was a youthful indiscretion," said Warner, smiling. "Can't you +convince her of that?" + +"I doubt if I can lead her to think of it in that light." + +"I know what that means, Louisa. You want to get the whole of the old +lady's property for yourself and that boy of yours. You always were +selfish." + +"No, Warner, though I think I am entitled to the larger part of aunt's +money, I don't care to have you left out in the cold. I will do what I +can to reconcile her to you." + +"Come, that's fair and square. You're a trump, Louisa. You have not +forgotten that I am your brother." + +"No, I am not so selfish as you think. If I don't succeed in restoring +you to Aunt Eliza's good graces, and she chooses to leave me all her +property, I promise to take care of you and allow you a fair income." + +"That's all right, but I would rather the old lady would provide for +me herself." + +"Do you doubt my word?" + +"No, but your idea of what would be a fair income might differ from +mine. How much do you think the old lady's worth?" + +"Quarter of a million, I should think," replied Mrs. Tracy, +guardedly. + +"Yes, and considerably more, too." + +"Perhaps so. I have no means of judging." + +"Supposing it to be the figure you name, how much would you be willing +to give me, if she leaves me out in the cold?" + +"I am not prepared to say, Warner. I would see that you had no good +reason to complain." + +"I should prefer to have you name a figure, so that I might know what +to depend upon." + +But this Mrs. Tracy declined to do, though her brother continued to +urge her. + +"Where have you been for a few years past, Warner?" she asked. + +"Floating about. At first I didn't dare to come back. It was a year at +least before I heard that aunt had paid up the sum I got away with. +When I did hear it I was in Australia." + +"What did you do there?" + +"I was a bookkeeper in Melbourne for a time. Then I went into the +country. From Australia I came to California, and went to the mines. +In fact, I have only just come from there." + +"Didn't you manage to make money anywhere?" + +"Yes, but it didn't stick by me. How much money do you think I have +about me now?" + +"I can't guess," said Mrs. Tracy, uneasily. + +"Five dollars and a few cents. However, I am sure you will help me," +he continued. + +"Really, Warner, you mustn't hope for too much from me. I have but a +small allowance from Aunt Eliza--hardly enough to buy necessary +articles for Harold and myself." + +"Then you can speak to aunt in my behalf." + +"Yes, I can do that." + +"Where is she?" + +"She has gone out shopping this morning." + +"Alone, or is Harold with her?" + +"Neither," answered Mrs. Tracy, her brow darkening. "She has picked up +a boy from the street, and installed him as a first favorite." + +"That's queer, isn't it?" + +"Yes; but Aunt Eliza was always queer." + +"What's the boy's name?" + +"Luke Walton." + +"What's his character?" + +"Sly--artful. He is scheming to have aunt leave him Something in her +will." + +"If she leaves him a few hundred dollars it won't hurt us much." + +"You don't know the boy. He won't be satisfied with that." + +"You don't mean to say that his influence over aunt is dangerous?" + +"Yes, I do." + +"Can't you get her to bounce him?" + +"I have done what I could, but she seems to be infatuated. If he were +a gentleman's son I shouldn't mind so much, but Harold saw him the +other day selling papers near the Sherman House." + +"Do you think aunt's mind is failing?" + +"She seems rational enough on all other subjects. She was always +shrewd and sharp, you know." + +"Well, that's rather an interesting state of things. I haven't +returned to Chicago any too soon." + +"Why do you say that?" + +"Because it will be my duty to spoil the chances of this presuming +young man." + +"That is easier said than done. You forget that Aunt Eliza thinks a +great deal more of him than she does of you." + +"I haven't a doubt that you are right." + +"Then what can you do?" + +"Convince her that he is a scapegrace. Get him into a scrape, in other +words." + +"But he is too smart to be dishonest, if that is what you mean." + +"It is not necessary for him to be dishonest. It is only necessary for +her to think he is dishonest." + +There was some further conversation. As Warner Powell was leaving the +house, after promising to call in the evening, he met on the steps +Mrs. Merton, under the escort of Luke Walton. + +The old lady eyed him sharply. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION + +"Don't you know me, Aunt Eliza?" asked Warner Powell casting down his +eyes under the sharp glance of the old lady. + +"So it is you, is it?" responded Mrs. Merton, in a tone which could +not be considered cordial. + +"Yes, it is I. I hope you are not sorry to see me?" + +"Humph! It depends on whether you have improved or not." + +Luke Walton listened with natural interest and curiosity. This did not +suit Mrs. Tracy, who did not care to have a stranger made acquainted +with her brother's peccadilloes. + +"Warner," she said, "I think Aunt Eliza will do you the justice to +listen to your explanation. I imagine, young man, Mrs. Merton will not +require your services any longer to-day." + +The last words were addressed to Luke. + +"Yes, Luke; you can go," said the old lady, in a very different tone. + +Luke bowed and left the house. + +"Louisa," said Mrs. Merton, "in five minutes you may bring your +brother up to my room." + +"Thank you, aunt." + +When they entered the apartment they found the old lady seated in a +rocking-chair awaiting them. + +"So you have reformed, have you?" she asked, abruptly. + +"I hope so, Aunt Eliza." + +"I hope so, too. It is full time. Where have you been?" + +"To Australia, California, and elsewhere." + +"A rolling stone gathers no moss." + +"In this case it applies," said Warner. "I have earned more or less +money, but I have none now." + +"How old are you?" + +"Thirty." + +"A young man ought not to be penniless at that age. If you had +remained in your place at Mr. Afton's, and behaved yourself, you would +be able to tell a different story." + +"I know it, aunt." + +"Don't be too hard upon him, Aunt Eliza," put in Mrs. Tracy. "He is +trying to do well now." + +"I am very glad to hear it." + +"Would you mind my inviting him to stay here for a time? The house is +large, you know." + +Mrs. Merton paused. She didn't like the arrangement, but she was a +just and merciful woman, and it was possible that Warner had reformed, +though she was not fully satisfied on that point. + +"For a time," she answered, "till he can find employment." + +"Thank you, Aunt Eliza," said the young man, relieved, for he had been +uncertain how his aunt would treat him. "I hope to show that your +kindness is appreciated." + +"I am rather tired now," responded Mrs. Merton, as an indication that +the interview was over. + +"We'd better go and let aunt rest," said Warner, with alacrity. He did +not feel altogether comfortable in the society of the old lady. + +When they were alone Mrs. Tracy turned to her brother with a smile of +satisfaction. + +"You have reason to congratulate yourself on your reception," she +said. + +"I don't know about that. The old woman wasn't very complimentary." + +"Be careful how you speak of her. She might hear you, or the servants +might, and report." + +"Well, she is an old woman, isn't she?" + +"It is much better to refer to her as the old lady--better still to +speak of her as Aunt Eliza." + +"I hope she will make up her mind to do something for me." + +"She has; she gives you a home in this house." + +"I would a good deal rather have her pay my board outside, where I +would feel more independent." + +"I have been thinking, Warner, you might become her secretary and man +of business. In that case she would dispense with this boy, whose +presence bodes danger to us all." + +"I wouldn't mind being her man of business, to take charge of her +money, but as to trotting round town with her like a tame poodle, +please excuse me." + +"Warner," said his sister, rather sharply, "just remember, if you +please, that beggars can't be choosers." + +"Perhaps not, but this plan of yours would be foolish. She wouldn't +like it, nor would I. Why don't you put Harold up to offering his +services? He's as large as this boy, isn't he?" + +"He is about the same size." + +"Then it would be a capital plan. You would get rid of the boy that +way." + +"You forget that Harold has not finished his education. He is now +attending a commercial school. I should like to have him go to +college, but he doesn't seem to care about it." + +"So, after all, the boy seems to be a necessity." + +"I would prefer a different boy--less artful and designing." + +"How much does the old woman--beg pardon, the old lady--pay him?" + +"I don't know. Harold asked Luke, but he wouldn't tell. I have no +doubt he manages to secure twice as much as his services are worth. +He's got on Aunt Eliza's blind side." + +"Just what I would like to do, but I have never been able to discover +that she had any." + +"Did you take notice of the boy?" + +"Yes; he's rather a good-looking youngster, it seems to me." + +"How can you say so?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, sharply. "There's a very +common look about him, I think. He isn't nearly as good-looking as +Harold." + +"Harold used to look like you," said Warner, with a smile. "Natural +you should think him good-looking. But don't it show a little +self-conceit, Louisa?" + +"That's a poor joke," answered his sister, coldly. "What are you going +to do?" + +"Going out to see if I can find any of my old acquaintances." + +"You had much better look out for a position, as Aunt Eliza hinted." + +"Don't be in such a hurry, Louisa. Please bear in mind that I have +only just arrived in Chicago after an absence of five years." + +"Dinner will be ready in half an hour." + +"Thank you. I don't think I should like a second interview with Aunt +Eliza quite so soon. I will lunch outside." + +"A lunch outside costs money, and you are not very well provided in +that way." + +"Don't trouble yourself about that, Louisa. I intend to be very +economical. + +"My estimable sister is about as mean as anyone I know," said Warner +to himself, as he left the house. "Between her and the old woman, I +don't think I shall find it very agreeable living here. A cheap +boarding house would be infinitely preferable." + +On State Street Warner Powell fell in with Stephen Webb, an old +acquaintance. + +"Is it you, Warner?" asked Webb, in surprise. "It's an age since I saw +you." + +"So it is. I haven't been in Chicago for five years." + +"I remember. A little trouble, wasn't there?" + +"Yes; but I'm all right now, except that I haven't any money to speak +of." + +"That's my situation exactly." + +"However, I've got an old aunt worth a million, more or less, only she +doesn't fully appreciate her nephew." + +"And I have an uncle, pretty well to do, who isn't so deeply impressed +with my merits as I wish he were." + +"I am staying with my aunt just at present, but hope to have +independent quarters soon. One trouble is, she takes a fancy to a boy +named Luke Walton." + +"Luke Walton!" repeated Stephen in amazement. + +"Do you know him?" + +"Yes, my uncle has set me to spy on him--why, I haven't been able to +find out. So he is in favor with your aunt?" + +"Yes, he calls at the house every day, and is in her employ. Sometimes +she goes out shopping with him." + +"That's strange. Let us drop into the Saratoga and compare notes." + +They turned into Dearborn Street, and sat down to lunch in the +Saratoga. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +UNCLE AND NEPHEW + +"So this boy is an object of interest to your uncle?" resumed Warner +Powell. + +"Yes." + +"Does he give any reason for his interest?" + +"No, except that he is inclined to help him when there is an +opportunity." + +"Does the boy know him?" + +"No." + +"Has he met your uncle?" + +"Yes; Uncle Thomas frequently visits Chicago--he lives in +Milwaukee--and stays at the Sherman when he is here. He has stopped +and bought a paper of Luke once or twice." + +"I remember my sister told me this boy Luke was a newsboy." + +"How did he get in with your aunt?" + +"I don't know. I presume it was a chance acquaintance. However that +may be, the young rascal seems to have got on her blind side, and to +be installed first favorite." + +"Your sister doesn't like it?" + +"Not much. Between you and me, Louisa--Mrs. Tracy--means to inherit +all the old lady's property, and doesn't like to have anyone come in, +even for a trifle. She'll have me left out in the cold if she can, but +I mean to have something to say to that. In such matters you can't +trust even your own sister." + +"I agree with you, Warner." + +The two young men ate a hearty dinner, and then adjourned to a +billiard room, where they spent the afternoon over the game. Warner +reached home in time for supper. + +"Where have you been, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy. + +"Looking for work," was the answer. + +"What success did you meet with?" + +"Not much as yet. I fell in with an old acquaintance, who may assist +me in that direction." + +"I am glad you have lost no time in seeking employment. It will please +aunt." + +Warner Powell suppressed a smile. He wondered what Mrs. Merton would +have thought could she have seen in what manner he prosecuted his +search for employment. + +"This is Harold," said Mrs. Tracy, proudly, as her son came in. +"Harold, this is your Uncle Warner." + +"So you are Harold," said his uncle. "I remember you in short pants. +You have changed considerably in five years." + +"Yes, I suppose so," answered Harold, curtly. "Where have you been?" + +"In Australia, California, and so on." + +"How long are you going to stay in Chicago?" + +"That depends on whether I can find employment. If you hear of a place +let me know." + +"I don't know of any unless Aunt Eliza will take you into her employ +in place of that newsboy, Luke Walton." + +"She can have me if she will pay me enough salary. How much does Luke +get?" + +"I don't know. He won't tell." + +"Do you like him?" + +"I don't consider him a fit associate for me. He is a common +newsboy." + +"Does Aunt Eliza know that?" + +"Yes; it makes no difference to her. She's infatuated with him." + +"I wish she were infatuated with me. I shall have to ask Luke his +secret. Aunt Eliza doesn't prefer him to you, does she?" + +"I have no doubt she does. She's very queer about some things." + +"Harold," said his mother, solicitously, "I don't think you pay Aunt +Eliza enough attention. Old persons, you know, like to receive +courtesies." + +"I treat her politely, don't I?" asked Harold, aggressively. "I can't +be dancing attendance upon her and flattering her all the time." + +"From what I have seen of Luke Walton," thought Warner Powell, "I +should decidedly prefer him to this nephew of mine. He seems conceited +and disagreeable. Of course, it won't do to tell Louisa that, for she +evidently admires her graceless cub, because he is hers." + +"Are you intimate with this Luke?" asked Warner, mischievously. + +"What do you take me for?" demanded Harold, of fended. "I am not in +the habit of getting intimate with street boys." + +Warner Powell laughed. + +"I am not so proud as you, Nephew Harold," he said. "Travelers pick +up strange companions. In San Francisco I became intimate with a +Chinaman." + +"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Harold, in incredulity and disgust." + +"Yes, I do." + +"You weren't in the laundry business with him, were you?" went on +Harold, with a sneer. + +"No," he answered aloud. "The laundry business may be a very good +one--I should like the income it produces even now--but I don't think +I have the necessary talent for it. My Chinese friend was a commission +merchant worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. I wasn't above +borrowing money from him sometimes." + +"Of course, that makes a difference," said Mrs. Tracy, desiring to +make peace between her brother and son. "He must have been a superior +man. Harold thought you meant a common Chinaman, such as we have in +Chicago." + +The reunited family sat down to supper together. + +After supper Warner made an excuse for going out. + +"I have an engagement with a friend who knows of a position he thinks +I can secure," he said. + +"I hope you won't be late," said Mrs. Tracy. + +"No, I presume not, but you had better give me a pass key." + +Mrs. Tracy did so reluctantly. She was afraid Harold might want to +join his uncle; but the nephew was not taken with his new relative, +and made no such proposal. + +In reality, Warner Powell had made an engagement to go to McVicker's +Theater with his friend Stephen Webb, who had arranged to meet him at +the Sherman House. + +While waiting, Warner, who had an excellent memory for faces, +recognized Luke, who was selling papers at his usual post. There was +some startling news in the evening papers--a collision on Lake +Michigan--and Luke had ordered an unusual supply, which occupied him +later than his ordinary hour. He had taken a hasty supper at Brockway +& Milan's, foreseeing that he would not be home till late. + +"Aunt Eliza's boy!" thought Warner. "I may as well take this +opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance." + +He went up to Luke and asked for a paper. + +"You don't remember me?" he said, with a smile. + +"No," answered Luke, looking puzzled. + +"I saw you on Prairie Avenue this morning. Mrs. Merton is my aunt." + +"I remember you now. Are you Mrs. Tracy's brother?" + +"Yes, and the uncle of Harold. How do you and Harold get along?" + +"Not at all. He takes very little notice of me." + +"He is a snob. Being his uncle, I take the liberty to say it." + +"There is no love lost between us," Luke said. "I would like to be +more friendly, but he treats me like an enemy." + +"He is jealous of your favor with my aunt." + +"There is no occasion for it. He is a relative, and I am only in her +employ." + +"She thinks a good deal of you, doesn't she?" + +"She treats me very kindly." + +"Harold suggested to me this evening at supper that I should take your +place. You needn't feel anxious. I have no idea of doing so, and she +wouldn't have me if I had." + +"I think a man like you could do better." + +"I am willing to. But here comes my friend, who is going to the +theater with me." + +Looking up, Luke was surprised to see Stephen Webb. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +HAROLD'S TEMPTATION + +Mrs. Merton was rather astonished when her grand-nephew Harold walked +into her room one day and inquired for her health. (She had been +absent from the dinner table on account of a headache.) + +"Thank you, Harold," she said. "I am feeling a little better." + +"Have you any errand you would like to have me do for you?" + +Mrs. Merton was still more surprised, for offers of services were rare +with Harold. + +"Thank you, again," she said, "but Luke was here this morning, and I +gave him two or three commissions." + +"Perhaps you would like me to read to you, Aunt Eliza." + +"Thank you, but I am a little afraid it wouldn't be a good thing for +my head. How are you getting on at school, Harold?" + +"Pretty well." + +"You don't want to go to college?" + +"No. I think I would rather be a business man." + +"Well, you know your own tastes best." + +"Aunt Eliza," said Harold, after a pause, "I want to ask a favor of +you." + +"Speak out, Harold." + +"Won't you be kind enough to give me ten dollars?" + +"Ten dollars," repeated the old lady, eying Harold closely. "Why do +you want ten dollars?" + +"You see, mother keeps me very close. All the fellows have more money +to spend than I." + +"How much does your mother give you as an allowance?" + +"Two dollars a week." + +"It seems to me that is liberal, considering that you don't have to +pay for your board or clothes." + +"A boy in my position is expected to spend money." + +"Who expects it?" + +"Why, everybody." + +"By the way, what is your position?" asked the old lady, pointedly. + +"Why," said Harold, uneasily, "I am supposed to be rich, as I live in +a nice neighborhood on a fashionable street." + +"That doesn't make you rich, does it?" + +"No," answered Harold, with hesitation. + +"You don't feel absolutely obliged to spend more than your allowance, +do you?" + +"Well, you see, the fellows think I am mean if I don't. There's Ben +Clark has an allowance of five dollars a week, and he is three months +younger than I am." + +"Then I think his parents or guardians are very unwise. How does he +spend his liberal allowance?" + +"Oh, he has a good time." + +"I am afraid it isn't the sort of good time I would approve." + +"Luke has more money than I have, and he is only a newsboy," grumbled +Harold. + +"How do you know?" + +"I notice he always has money." + +"I doubt whether he spends half a dollar a week on his own amusement. +He has a mother and young brother to support." + +"He says so!" + +"So you doubt it?" + +"It may be true." + +"If you find it isn't true you can let me know." + +"I am sorry that you think so much more of Luke than of me," +complained Harold. + +"How do you know I do?" + +"Mother thinks so as well as I." + +"Suppose we leave Luke out of consideration. I shall think as much of +you as you deserve." + +Harold rose from his seat. + +"As you have no errand for me, Aunt Eliza, I will go," he said. + +Mrs. Merton unlocked a drawer in a work table, took out a pocketbook, +and extracted therefrom a ten-dollar-bill. + +"You have asked me a favor, and I will grant it--for once," she said. +"Here are ten dollars." + +"Thank you," said Harold, joyfully. + +"I won't even ask how you propose to spend it. I thought of doing so, +but it would imply distrust, and for this occasion I won't show any." + +"You are very kind, Aunt Eliza." + +"I am glad you think so. You are welcome to the money." + +Harold left the room in high spirits. He decided not to let his mother +know that he had received so large a sum, as she might inquire to what +use he intended to put it; and some of his expenditures, he felt +pretty sure, would not be approved by her. + +He left the house, and going downtown, joined a couple of friends of +his own stamp. They adjourned to a billiard saloon, and between +billiards, bets upon the game, and drinks, Harold managed to spend +three dollars before suppertime. + +Three days later the entire sum given him by his aunt was gone. + +When Harold made the discovery, he sighed. His dream was over. It had +been pleasant as long as it lasted, but it was over too soon. + +"Now I must go back to my mean allowance," he said to himself, in a +discontented tone. "Aunt Eliza might give me ten dollars every week +just as well as not. She is positively rolling in wealth, while I have +to grub along like a newsboy. Why, that fellow Luke has a great deal +more money than I." + +A little conversation which he had with his Uncle Warner made his +discontent more intense. + +"Hello, Harold, what makes you look so blue?" he asked one day. + +"Because I haven't got any money," answered Harold. + +"Doesn't your mother or Aunt Eliza give you any?" + +"I get a little, but it isn't as much as the other fellows get." + +"How much?" + +"Two dollars a week." + +"It is more than I had when I was of your age." + +"That doesn't make it any better." + +"Aunt Eliza isn't exactly lavish; still, she pays Luke Walton +generously." + +"Do you know how much he gets a week?" asked Harold, eagerly. + +"Ten dollars." + +"Ten dollars!" ejaculated Harold. "You don't really mean it." + +"Yes, I do. I saw her pay him that sum yesterday. I asked her if it +wasn't liberal. She admitted it, but said he had a mother and brother +to support." + +"It's a shame!" cried Harold, passionately. + +"Why is it? The money is her own, isn't it?" + +"She ought not to treat a stranger better than her own nephew." + +"That means me, I judge," said Warner, smiling. "Well, there isn't +anything we can do about it, is there?" + +"No, I don't know as there is," replied Harold, slowly. + +But he thought over what his uncle had told him, and it made him very +bitter. He brooded over it till it seemed to him as if it were a great +outrage. He felt that he was treated with the greatest injustice. He +was incensed with his aunt, but still more so with Luke Walton, whom +he looked upon as an artful adventurer. + +It was while he was cherishing these feelings that a great temptation +came to him. He found, one day in the street, a bunch of keys of +various sizes attached to a small steel ring. He picked it up, and +quick as a flash there came to him the thought of the drawer in his +aunt's work table, from which he had seen her take out the morocco +pocketbook. He had observed that the ten-dollar bill she gave him was +only one out of a large roll, and his cupidity was aroused. He rapidly +concocted a scheme by which he would be enabled to provide himself +with money, and throw suspicion upon Luke. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +HAROLD'S THEFT + +The next morning, Mrs. Merton, escorted by Luke, went to make some +purchases in the city. Mrs. Tracy went out, also, having an engagement +with one of her friends living on Cottage Grove Avenue. Harold went +out directly after breakfast, but returned at half-past ten. He went +upstairs and satisfied himself that except the servants, he was alone +in the house. + +"The coast is clear," he said, joyfully. "Now if the key only fits." + +He went to his aunt's sitting room, and, not anticipating any +interruption, directed his steps a once to the small table, from a +drawer in which he had seen Mrs. Merton take the morocco pocketbook. +He tried one key after another, and finally succeeded in opening the +drawer. He drew it out with nervous anxiety, fearing that the +pocket-book might have been removed, in which case all his work would +have been thrown away. + +But no! Fortune favored him this time, if it can be called a favor. +There, in plain sight, was the morocco pocketbook. Harold, pale with +excitement, seized and opened it. His eyes glistened as he saw that it +was well filled. He took out the roll of bills, and counted them. +There were five ten-dollar bills and three fives--sixty-five dollars +in all. There would have been more, but Mrs. Merton, before going out, +had taken four fives, which she intended to use. + +It was Harold's first theft, and he trembled with agitation as he +thrust the pocketbook into his pocket. He would have trembled still +more if he had known that his mother's confidential maid and +seamstress, Felicie Lacouvreur, had seen everything through the +crevice formed by the half-open door. + +Felicie smiled to herself as she moved noiselessly away from her post +of concealment. + +"Master Harold is trying a dangerous experiment," she said to herself. +"Now he is in my power. He has been insolent to me more than once, as +if he were made of superior clay, but Felicie, though only a poor +servant, is not, thank Heaven, a thief, as he is. It is a very +interesting drama. I shall wait patiently till it is quite played +out." + +In his hurry, Harold came near leaving the room with the table drawer +open. But he bethought himself in time, went back, and locked it +securely. It was like shutting the stable door after the horse was +stolen. Then, with the stolen money in his possession, he left the +house. He did not wish to be found at home when his aunt returned. + +Harold had sixty-five dollars in his pocket--an amount quite beyond +what he had ever before had at his disposal--but it must be admitted +that he did not feel as happy as he had expected. If he had come by it +honestly--if, for instance, it had been given him--his heart would +have beat high with exultation, but as it was, he walked along with +clouded brow. Presently he ran across one of his friends, who noticed +his discomposure. + +"What's the matter, Harold?" he asked. "You are in the dumps." + +"Oh, no," answered Harold, forcing himself to assume a more cheerful +aspect. "I have no reason to feel blue." + +"You are only acting, then? I must congratulate you on your success. +You look for all the world like the Knight of the Sorrowful +Countenance." + +"Who is he?" asked Harold, who was not literary. + +"Don Quixote. Did you never hear of him?" + +"No." + +"Then your education has been neglected. What are you going to do +to-day?" + +"I don't know." + +"Suppose we visit a dime museum?" + +"All right." + +"That is, if you have any money. I am high and dry." + +"Yes, I have some money." + +They went to a dime museum on Clark Street. + +Harold surprised his companion by paying for the two tickets out of a +five-dollar bill. + +"You're flush, Harold," said his friend. "Has anybody left you a +fortune?" + +"No," answered Harold, uneasily. "I've been saving up money lately." + +"You have? Why, I've heard of your being at theaters, playing +billiards, and so on." + +"Look here, Robert Greve, I don't see why you need trouble yourself so +much about where I get my money." + +"Don't be cranky, Harold," said Robert, good-humoredly, "I won't say +another word. Only I am glad to find my friends in a healthy financial +condition. I only wish I could say the same of myself." + +There happened to be a matinee at the Grand Opera House, and Harold +proposed going. First, however, they took a nice lunch at Brockway & +Milan's, a mammoth restaurant on Clark Street, Harold paying the +bill. + +As they came out of the theater, Luke Walton chanced to pass. + +"Good-afternoon, Harold," he said. + +Harold tossed his head, but did not reply. + +"Who is that boy--one of your acquaintances?" asked Robert Greve. + +"He works for my aunt," answered Harold. "It is like his impudence to +speak to me." + +"Why shouldn't he speak to you, if you know him?" said Robert Greve, +who did not share Harold's foolish pride. + +"He appears to think he is my equal," continued Harold. + +"He seems a nice boy." + +"You don't know him as I do. He is a common newsboy." + +"Suppose he is; that doesn't hurt him, does it?" + +"You don't know what I mean. You don't think a common newsboy fit to +associate with on equal terms, do you?" + +Robert Greve laughed. + +"You are too high-toned, Harold," he said. "If he is a nice boy, I +don't care what sort of business a friend of mine follows." + +"Well, I do," snapped Harold, "and so does my mother. I don't believe +in being friends with the ragtag and bobtail of society." + +Luke Walton did not allow his feelings to be hurt by the decided +rebuff he had received from Harold. + +"I owe it to myself to act like a gentleman," he reflected. "If Harold +doesn't choose to be polite, it is his lookout, not mine. He looks +down upon me because I am a working boy. I don't mean always to be a +newsboy or an errand boy. I shall work my way upwards as fast as I +can, and, in time, I may come to fill a good place in society." + +It will be seen that Luke was ambitious. He looked above and beyond +the present, and determined to improve his social condition. + +It was six o'clock when Harold ascended the steps of the mansion on +Prairie Avenue. He had devoted the day to amusement, but had derived +very little pleasure from the money he had expended. He had very +little left of the five-dollar bill which he had first changed at the +dime museum. It was not easy to say where his money had gone, but it +had melted away, in one shape or another. + +"I wonder whether Aunt Eliza has discovered her loss," thought Harold. +"I hope I shan't show any signs of nervousness when I meet her. I +don't see how she can possibly suspect me. If anything is said about +the lost pocketbook, I will try to throw suspicion on Luke Walton." + +Harold did not stop to think how mean this would be. +Self-preservation, it has been said, is the first law of nature, and +self-preservation required that he should avert suspicion from himself +by any means in his power. He went into the house whistling, as if to +show that his mind was quite free from care. + +In the hall he met Felicie. + +"What do you think has happened, Master Harold?" asked the French +maid. + +"I don't know, I'm sure." + +"Your aunt has been robbed. Some money has been taken from her room." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +LUKE WALTON IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT + +Harold was prepared for the announcement, as he felt confident his +aunt would soon discover her loss, but he felt a little nervous, +nevertheless. + +"You don't mean it?" he ejaculated, in well-counterfeited, surprise. + +"It's a fact." + +"When did Aunt Eliza discover her loss, Felicie?" + +"As soon as she got home. She went to her drawer to put back some +money she had on hand, and found the pocketbook gone." + +"Was there much money in it?" + +"She doesn't say how much." + +"Well," said Harold, thinking it time to carry on the programme he had +determined upon, "I can't say I am surprised." + +"You are not surprised!" repeated Felicie, slowly. "Why? Do you know +anything about it?" + +"Do I know anything about it?" said Harold, coloring. "What do you +mean by that?" + +"Because you say you are not surprised. I was surprised, and so was +the old lady and your mother." + +"You must be very stupid not to understand what I mean," said Harold, +annoyed. + +"Then I am very stupid, for I do not know at all why you are not +surprised." + +"I mean that the boy Aunt Eliza employs--that boy Luke has taken the +money." + +"Oh, you think the boy, Luke, has taken the money." + +"Certainly! Why shouldn't he? He is a poor newsboy. It would be a +great temptation to him. You know he is always shown into Aunt Eliza's +sitting room, and is often there alone." + +"That is true." + +"And, of course, nothing is more natural than that he should take the +money." + +"But the drawer was locked." + +"He had some keys in his pocket, very likely. Most boys have keys." + +"Oh, most boys have keys. Have you, perhaps, keys, Master Harold?" + +"It seems to me you are asking very foolish questions, Felicie. I have +the key of my trunk." + +"But do newsboys have trunks? Why should this boy, Luke, have keys? I +do not see." + +"Well, I'll go upstairs," said Harold, who was getting tired of the +interview, and rather uneasy at Felicie's remarks and questions. + +As Felicie had said, Mrs. Merton discovered her loss almost as soon as +she came home. She had used but a small part of the money he took with +her, and, not caring to carry it about with her, opened the drawer to +replace it in the pocketbook. + +To her surprise the pocketbook had disappeared. + +Now, the contents of the pocketbook, though a very respectable sum, +were not sufficient to put Mrs. Merton to any inconvenience. Still, no +one likes to lose money, especially if there is reason to believe that +it has been stolen, and Mrs. Merton felt annoyed. She drew out the +drawer to its full extent, and examined it carefully in every part, +but there was no trace of the morocco pocketbook. + +She locked the door and went downstairs to her niece. + +"What's the matter, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. Tracy, seeing, at a +glance, from her aunt's expression, that some thing had happened. + +"There is a thief in the house!" said the old lady, abruptly. + +"What!" + +"There is a thief in the house!" + +"What makes you think so?" + +"You remember my small work table?" + +"Yes." + +"I have been in the habit of keeping a supply of money in a pocketbook +in one of the drawers. I just opened the drawer, and the money is +gone!" + +"Was there much money in the pocketbook?" + +"I happen to know just how much. There were sixty-five dollars." + +"And you can find nothing of the pocketbook?" + +"No; that and the money are both gone." + +"I am sorry for your loss, Aunt Eliza." + +"I don't care for the money. I shall not miss it. I am amply provided +with funds, thanks to Providence. But it is the mystery that puzzles +me. Who can have robbed me?" + +Mrs. Tracy nodded her head significantly. + +"I don't think there need be any mystery about that," she said, +pointedly. + +"Why not?" + +"I can guess who robbed you." + +"Then I should be glad to have you enlighten me, for I am quite at a +loss to fix upon the thief." + +"It's that boy of yours, I haven't a doubt of it." + +"You mean Luke Walton?" + +"Yes, the newsboy, whom you have so imprudently trusted." + +"What are your reasons for thinking he is a thief?" asked the old lady +calmly. + +"He is often alone in the room where the work table stands, is he +not?" + +"Yes; he waits for me there." + +"What could be easier than for him to open the drawer and abstract the +pocketbook?" + +"It would be possible, but he would have to unlock the drawer." + +"Probably he took an impression of the lock some day, and had a key +made." + +"You are giving him credit for an unusual amount of cunning." + +"I always supposed he was sly." + +"I am aware, Louisa, that you never liked the boy." + +"I admit that. What has happened seems to show that I was right." + +"Now you are jumping to conclusions. You decide, without any proof, or +even investigation, that Luke took the money." + +"I feel convinced of it." + +"It appears to me that you are not treating the boy fairly." + +"My instinct tells me that it is he who has robbed you." + +"Instinct would have no weight in law." + +"If he didn't take it, who did?" asked Mrs. Tracy, triumphantly. + +"That question is not easy to answer, Louisa." + +"I am glad you admit so much, Aunt Eliza." + +"I admit nothing; but I will think over the matter carefully, and +investigate." + +"Do so, Aunt Eliza! In the end you will agree with me." + +"In the meanwhile, Louisa, there is one thing I must insist upon." + +"What is that?" + +"That you leave the matter wholly in my hands." + +"Certainly, if you wish it." + +"There are some circumstances connected with the robbery, which I have +not mentioned." + +"What are they?" asked Mrs. Tracy, her face expressing curiosity. + +"I shall keep them to myself for the present." + +Mrs. Tracy looked disappointed. + +"If you mention them to me, I may think of something that would help +you." + +"If I need help in that way, I will come to you." + +"Meanwhile, shall you continue to employ the boy?" + +"Yes; why not?" + +"He might steal something more." + +"I will risk it." + +Mrs. Merton returned to her room, and presently Harold entered his +mother's presence. + +"What is this I hear about Aunt Eliza having some money stolen?" he +asked. + +"It is true. She has lost sixty-five dollars." + +"Felicie told me something about it--that it was taken out of her +drawer." + +Mrs. Tracy went into particulars, unconscious that her son was better +informed than herself. + +"Does aunt suspect anyone?" asked Harold, uneasily. + +"She doesn't, but I do." + +"Who is it?" + +"That boy, Luke Walton." + +"The very one I thought of," said Harold, eagerly. "Did you mention +him to Aunt Eliza?" + +"Yes; but she is so infatuated with him that she didn't take the +suggestion kindly. She has promised to investigate, however, and +meanwhile doesn't want us to interfere." + +"Things are working round as I want them," thought Harold. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WHO STOLE THE MONEY? + +Did Mrs. Merton suspect anyone of the theft? This is the question +which will naturally suggest itself to the reader. + +No thought of the real thief entered her mind. Though she was fully +sensible of Harold's faults, though she knew him to be selfish, +bad-tempered, and envious, she did not suppose him capable of theft. +The one who occurred to her as most likely to have robbed her was her +recently returned nephew, Warner Powell, who had been compelled to +leave Chicago years before on account of having yielded to a similar +temptation. She knew that he was hard up for money, and it was +possible that he had opened the table drawer and abstracted the +pocketbook. As to Luke Walton, she was not at all affected by the +insinuations of her niece. She knew that Mrs. Tracy and Harold had a +prejudice against Luke, and that this would make them ready to believe +anything against him. + +She was curious, however, to hear what Warner had to say about the +robbery. Would he, too, try to throw suspicion upon Luke in order to +screen himself, if he were the real thief? This remained to be +proved. + +Warner Powell did not return to the house till five o'clock in the +afternoon. His sister and Harold hastened to inform him of what had +happened, and to communicate their conviction that Luke was the thief. +Warner said little, but his own suspicions were different. He went up +stairs, and made his aunt a call. + +"Well, aunt," he said, "I hear that you have been robbed." + +"Yes, Warner, I have lost some money," answered the old lady, +composedly. + +"Louisa told me." + +"Yes; she suspects Luke of being the thief. Do you agree with her?" + +"No, I don't," answered Warner. + +Mrs. Merton's face brightened, and she looked kindly at Warner. + +"Then you don't share Louisa's prejudice against Luke?" she said. + +"No; I like the boy. I would sooner suspect myself of stealing the +money, for, you know, Aunt Eliza, that my record is not a good one, +and I am sure Luke is an honest boy." + +Mrs. Merton's face fairly beamed with delight. She understood very +well the low and unworthy motives which influenced her niece and +Harold, and it was a gratifying surprise to find that her nephew was +free from envy and jealousy. + +"Warner," she said, "what you say does you credit. In this particular +case I happen to know that Luke is innocent." + +"You don't, know the real thief?" asked Warner. + +"No; but my reason for knowing that Luke is innocent I will tell you. +The money was safe in my drawer when I went out this morning. It was +taken during my absence from the house. Luke was with me during this +whole time. Of course, it is impossible that he should be the thief." + +"I see. Did you tell Louisa this?" + +"No; I am biding my time. Besides, I am more likely to find the real +thief if it is supposed that Luke is under suspicion." + +"Tell me truly, Aunt Eliza, didn't you suspect me?" + +"Since you ask me, Warner, I will tell you frankly that it occurred to +me as possible that you might have yielded to temptation." + +"It would have been a temptation, for I have but twenty-five cents. +But even if I had known where you kept your money (which I didn't), I +would have risked applying to you for a loan, or gift, as it would +have turned out to be, rather than fall back into my old disreputable +ways." + +"I am very much encouraged by what you say, Warner. Here are ten +dollars. Use it judiciously; try to obtain employment, and when it is +gone, you may let me know." + +"Aunt Eliza, you are kinder to me than I deserve. I will make a real +effort to secure employment, and will not abuse your confidence." + +"Keep that promise, Warner, and I will be your friend. One thing more: +don't tell Louisa what has passed between us. I can, at any time, +clear Luke, but for the present I will let her think I am uncertain on +that point. I shall not forget that you took the boy's part where your +sister condemned him." + +"Louisa and Harold can see no good in the boy; but I have observed him +carefully, and formed my own opinion." + +Warner could have done nothing better calculated to win his aunt's +favor than to express a favorable opinion of Luke. It must be said, +however, in justice to him, that this had not entered into his +calculations. He really felt kindly towards the boy whom his sister +denounced as "sly and artful," and liked him much better than his own +nephew, Harold, who, looking upon Warner as a poor relation, had not +thought it necessary to treat him with much respect or attention. He +had a better heart and a better disposition than Mrs. Tracy or Harold, +notwithstanding his early shortcomings. + +"Who could have been the thief?" Warner asked himself, as he left his +aunt's sitting room. "Could it have been Harold?" + +He resolved to watch his nephew carefully and seek some clew that +would lead to a solution of the mystery. + +"I hope it isn't my nephew," he said to himself. "I don't want him to +follow in the steps of his scapegrace uncle. But I would sooner +suspect him than Luke Walton. They say blood is thicker than water, +but I confess that I like the newsboy better than I do my high-toned +nephew." + +"Have you made any discovery of the thief, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs. +Tracy, as her aunt seated herself at the evening repast. + +"Nothing positive," answered the old lady, significantly. + +"Have you discovered anything at all?" + +"I have discovered who is not the thief," said Mrs. Merton. + +"Then you had suspicions?" + +"No definite suspicions." + +"Wouldn't it be well to talk the matter freely over with me? Something +might be suggested." + +"I beg your pardon, Louisa, but I think it would be well to banish +this disagreeable matter from our table talk. If I should stand in +need of advice, I will consult you." + +"I don't want to obtrude my advice, but I will venture to suggest that +you call in a private detective." + +Harold looked alarmed. + +"I wouldn't bother with a detective," he said. "They don't know half +as much as they pretend." + +"I am inclined to agree with Harold," said Mrs. Merton. "I will act as +my own detective." + +Save for the compliment to Harold, Mrs. Tracy was not pleased with +this speech of her aunt. + +"At any rate," she said, "you would do well to keep a strict watch +over that boy, Luke Walton." + +"I shall," answered the old lady, simply. + +Mrs. Tracy looked triumphant. + +Warner kept silent, but a transient smile passed over his face as he +saw how neatly Aunt Eliza had deceived his astute sister. + +"What do you think, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy, desirous of additional +support. + +"I think Aunt Eliza will get at the truth sooner or later. Of course I +will do anything to help her, but I don't want to interfere." + +"Don't you think she ought to discharge Luke?" + +"If she did, she would have no chance of finding out whether he was +guilty or not." + +"That is true. I did not think of that." + +"Warner is more sensible than any of you," said Mrs. Merton. + +"I am glad you have changed your opinion of him," said Mrs. Tracy, +sharply. + +She was now beginning to be jealous of her scapegrace brother. + +"So am I," said Warner, smiling. "At the same time I don't blame aunt +for her former opinion." + +The next morning Harold was about leaving the house, when Felicie, the +French maid, came up softly, and said: "Master Harold, may I have a +word with you?" + +"I am in a hurry," said Harold, impatiently. + +"It is about the stolen money," continued Felicie, in her soft voice. +"You had better listen to what I have to say. I have found out who +took it." + +Harold's heart gave a sudden thump, and his face indicated dismay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT + +"You have found out who took the money?" stammered Harold. + +"Yes." + +"I didn't think it would be found out so soon," said Harold, trying to +recover his equanimity. "Of course it was taken by Luke Walton." + +"You are quite mistaken," said Felicie. "Luke Walton did not take +it." + +Harold's heart gave another thump. He scented danger, but remained +silent. + +"You don't ask me who took the money?" said Felicie, after a pause. + +"Because I don't believe you know," returned Harold, "You've probably +got some suspicion?" + +"I have more than that. The person who took the money was seen at his +work." + +Harold turned pale. + +"There is no use in mincing matters," continued Felicie. "You took the +money." + +"What do you mean by such impertinence?" gasped Harold. + +"It is no impertinence. If you doubt my knowledge, I'll tell you the +particulars. You opened the drawer with one of a bunch of keys which +you took from your pocket, took out a morocco pocketbook, opened it +and counted the roll of bills which it contained, then put the +pocketbook into your pocket, locked the drawer and left the room." + +"That's a fine story," said Harold, forcing himself to speak. "I dare +say all this happened, only you were the one who opened the drawer." + +"I saw it all through a crack in the half-open door," continued +Felicie, not taking the trouble to answer his accusation. "If you want +further proof, suppose you feel in your pocket. I presume the +pocketbook is there at this moment." + +Instinctively Harold put his hand into his pocket, then suddenly +withdrew it, as if his fingers were burned, for the pocketbook was +there as Felicie had said. + +"There is one thing more," said Felicie, as she drew from her pocket a +bunch of keys. "I found this bunch of keys in your room this +morning." + +"They are not mine," answered Harold, hastily. + +"I don't know anything about that. They are the ones you had in your +hand when you opened the drawer. I think this is the key you used." + +"The keys belong to you!" asserted Harold, desperately. + +"Thank you for giving them to me, but I shall have no use for them," +said Felicie, coolly. "And now, Master Harold, do you want to know why +I have told you this little story?" + +"Yes," answered Harold, feebly. + +"Because I think it will be for our mutual advantage to come to an +understanding. I don't want to inform your aunt of what I have seen +unless you compel me to do so." + +"How should I compel you to do so?" stammered Harold, uneasily. + +"Step into the parlor, where we can talk comfortably. Your aunt is +upstairs, and your mother is out, so that no one will hear us." + +Harold felt that he was in the power of the cunning Felicie, and he +followed her unresistingly. + +"Sit down on the sofa, and we will talk at our ease. I will keep +silent about this matter, and no one else knows a word about it, +if----" + +"Well?" + +"If you will give me half the money." + +"But," said Harold, who now gave up the pretense of denial, "I have +spent part of it." + +"You have more than half of it left?" + +"Yes." + +"Give me thirty dollars and I will be content. I saw you count it. +There were sixty-five dollars." + +"I don't see what claim you have to it," said Harold, angrily. + +"I have as much as you," answered Felicie, coolly. "Still, if you +prefer to go to your aunt, own up that you took it, and take the +consequences, I will agree not to interfere. But if I am to keep the +secret, I want to be paid for it." + +Harold thought it over; he hated to give up so large a part of his +plunder, for he had appropriated it in his own mind to certain +articles which he wished to purchase. + +"I'll give you twenty dollars," he said. + +"No, I will take thirty dollars, or go to your aunt and tell her all I +know." + +There was no help for it. Poor Harold took out three ten-dollar bills, +reluctantly enough, and gave them to Felicie. + +"All right, Master Harold! You've done wisely. I thought you would see +matters in the right light. Think how shocked your mother and Aunt +Eliza would be if they had discovered that you were the thief." + +"Don't use such language, Felicie!" said Harold, wincing. "There is no +need to refer to it again." + +"As you say, Master Harold. I won't detain you any longer from your +walk," and Felicie, with a smile, rose from the sofa and left the +room, Harold following. + +"Don't disturb yourself any more," she said, as she opened the door +for Harold. "It will never be known. Besides, your aunt can well +afford to lose this little sum. She is actually rolling in wealth. She +ought to be more liberal to you." + +"So she ought, Felicie. If she had, this would not have happened." + +"Very true. At the same time, I don't suppose a jury would accept this +as an excuse." + +"Why do you say such things, Felicie? What has a jury got to do with +me?" + +"Nothing, I hope. Still, if it were a poor boy that had taken the +money, Luke Walton, for instance, he might have been arrested. Excuse +me, I see this annoys you. Let me give you one piece of advice, Master +Harold." + +"What is it?" + +"Get rid of that morocco pocketbook as soon as you can. If it were +found on you, or you should be careless, and leave it anywhere, you +would give yourself away, my friend." + +"You are right, Felicie," said Harold, hurriedly. "Good-morning!" + +"Good-morning, and a pleasant walk, my friend," said Felicie, +mockingly. + +When Harold was fairly out in the street, he groaned in spirit. He had +lost half the fruits of his theft, and his secret had become known. +Felicie had proved too much for him, and he felt that he hated her. + +"I wish I could get mother to discharge her, with out her knowing that +it was I who had brought it about. I shall not feel safe as long as +she is in the house. Why didn't I have the sense to shut and lock the +door? Then she wouldn't have seen me." + +Then the thought of the morocco pocketbook occurred to him. He felt +that Felicie was right--that it was imprudent to carry it around. He +must get rid of it in some way. + +He took the money out and put it in another pocket. The pocketbook he +replaced till he should have an opportunity of disposing of it. + +Hardly had he made these preparations when he met Luke Walton, who had +started unusually early, and was walking towards the house. An idea +came to Harold. + +"Good-morning, Luke!" he said, in an unusually friendly tone. + +"Good-morning, Harold!" answered Luke, agreeably surprised by the +other's cordiality. + +"Are you going out with Aunt Eliza this morning?" + +"I am not sure whether she will want to go out. I shall call and +inquire." + +"You seem to be quite a favorite of hers." + +"I hope I am. She always treats me kindly." + +"I really believe she thinks more of you than she does of me." + +"You mustn't think that," said Luke, modestly. "You are a relation, +and I am only in her employ." + +"Oh, it doesn't trouble me. I am bound for the city. I think I shall +take the next car, good-day!" + +"Good-day, Harold!" + +Luke walked on, quite unconscious that Harold, as he passed by his +side, had managed to slip the morocco wallet into the pocket of his +sack coat. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +HAROLD'S PLOT FAILS + +Luke wore a sack coat with side pockets. It was this circumstance that +had made it easy for Harold to transfer the wallet unsuspected to his +pocket. + +Quite ignorant of what had taken place, Luke kept on his way to Mrs. +Merton's house. He rang the bell, and on being admitted, went up, as +usual, to the room of his patroness. + +"Good morning, Luke," said Mrs. Merton, pleasantly. + +"Good-morning," responded Luke. + +"I don't think I shall go out this morning, and I don't think of any +commission, so you will have a vacation." + +"I am afraid I am not earning my money, Mrs. Merton. You make it very +easy for me." + +"At any rate, Luke, the money is cheerfully given, and I have no doubt +you find it useful. How are you getting along?" + +"Very well, indeed! I have just made the last payment on mother's +machine, and now we owe nothing, except, perhaps, for the rent, and +only a week has gone by on the new month." + +"You seem to be a good manager, Luke. You succeed in keeping your +money, while I have not always found it easy. Yesterday, for instance, +I lost sixty-five dollars." + +"How was that?" inquired Luke, with interest. + +"The drawer in which I keep a pocketbook was unlocked, and this, with +its contents, was stolen." + +"Don't you suspect anyone?" + +"I did, but he has cleared himself, in my opinion. It is possible it +was one of the servants." + +At this moment Luke pulled his handkerchief from his side pocket and +with it came the morocco pocketbook, which fell on the carpet. + +Mrs. Merton uttered an exclamation of surprise. + +"Why, that is the very pocketbook!" she said. + +Luke stooped and picked it up, with an expression of bewilderment on +his face. + +"I don't understand it," he said. "I never saw that pocketbook before +in my life." + +"Please hand it to me." + +Luke did so. + +"Yes, that is the identical pocketbook," said the old lady. + +"And it came from my pocket?" + +Yes." + +"Is there any money in it, Mrs. Merton." + +Mrs. Merton opened it, and shook her head. That has been taken out," +she answered. + +"I hope you won't think I took the money," said Luke, with a troubled +look. + +"I know you did not. It was taken while we were out together +yesterday. The last thing before I left the house I locked the drawer, +and the pocketbook with the money inside was there. When I returned it +was gone." + +"That is very mysterious. I don't understand how the pocketbook came +in my pocket." + +"Someone must have put it there who wished you to be suspected of the +theft." + +"Yes," said Luke, eagerly. "I see." + +Then he stopped suddenly, for what he was about to say would throw +suspicion upon Harold. + +"Well, go on!" + +"I don't know that I ought to speak. It might throw suspicion on an +innocent person." + +"Speak! It is due to me. I will judge on that point. Who has had the +chance of putting the wallet into your pocket?" + +"I will speak if you insist upon it, Mrs. Merton," said Luke, +reluctantly. "A few minutes since I met Harold on the street. We were +bound in opposite directions. He surprised me by stopping me, and +addressing me quite cordially. We stood talking together two or three +minutes." + +"Did he have an opportunity of putting the wallet in your pocket?" + +"He might have done so, but I was not conscious of it." + +"Let me think!" said the old lady, slowly. "Harold knew where I kept +my money, for I opened the drawer in his presence the other day, and +he saw me take a bill from the pocketbook. I did not think him capable +of robbing me." + +"Perhaps he did not," said Luke. "It may be explained in some other +way." + +"Can you think of any other way?" asked the old lady. + +"Suppose a servant had taken the money, and left the pocketbook +somewhere where Harold found it----" + +"Even in that case, why should he put it in your pocket?" + +"He does not like me. He might wish to throw suspicion upon me." + +"That would be very mean." + +"I think it would, but still he might not be a thief." + +"I would sooner excuse a thief. It is certainly disreputable to steal, +but it is not necessarily mean or contemptible. Trying to throw +suspicion on an innocent person would be both." + +Luke remained silent, for nothing occurred to him to say. He did not +wish to add to Mrs. Merton's resentment against Harold. + +After a moment's thought the old lady continued: "Leave the pocketbook +with me, and say nothing about what has happened till I give you +leave." + +"Very well." + +Mrs. Merton took the pocketbook, replaced it in the drawer, and +carefully locked it. + +"Someone must have a key that will open this drawer," she said. "I +should like to know who it is." + +"Do you think anyone will open it again?" asked Luke. + +"No; it will be supposed that I will no longer keep money there. I +think, however, I will sooner or later find out who opened it." + +"I hope it won't prove to be Harold." + +"I hope so, too. I would not like to think so near a relative a thief. +Well, Luke, I won't detain you here any longer. You may come +to-morrow, as usual." + +"It is lucky Mrs. Merton has confidence in me," thought Luke. +"Otherwise she might have supposed me to be the thief. What a mean +fellow Harold Tracy is, to try to have an innocent boy suspected of +such a crime." + +As he was going out of the front door, Mrs. Tracy entered. + +She cast a withering glance at Luke. + +"Have you seen my aunt this morning?" she asked. + +"Yes, madam." + +"I wonder you had the face to stand in her presence." + +It must be said, in justification of Mrs. Tracy, that she really +believed that Luke had stolen Mrs. Merton's money. + +"I know of no reason why I should not," said Luke, calmly. "Will you +be kind enough to explain what you mean?" + +"You know well enough," retorted Mrs. Tracy, nodding her head +venomously. + +"Mrs. Merton appears to be well satisfied with me," said Luke, +quietly. "When she is not, she will tell me so, and I shall never come +again." + +"You are the most brazen boy I know of. Why it is that my aunt is so +infatuated with you, I can't for my part, pretend to understand." + +"If you will allow me, I will bid you good-morning," said Luke, with +quiet dignity. + +Mrs. Tracy did not reply, and Luke left the house. + +"If I ever hated and despised a boy, it is that one!" said Mrs. Tracy +to herself as she went upstairs to remove her street dress. "I wish I +could strip the mask from him, and get aunt to see him in his real +character. He is a sly, artful young adventurer. Ah, Felicie, come and +assist me. By the way, I want you to watch that boy who has just gone +out?" + +"Luke Walton?" + +"Yes; of course you have heard of my aunt's loss. I suspect that this +Luke Walton is the thief." + +"Is it possible, madam? Have you any evidence?" + +"No; but we may find some. What do you think?" + +"I haven't thought much about the matter. It seems to me very +mysterious." + +When Felicie left the presence of her mistress she smiled curiously. + +"What would Madam Tracy say if she knew it was her own son?" she +soliloquized. "He is a young cur, but she thinks him an angel." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +HAROLD MAKES A PURCHASE + +Harold had been compelled to give up half his money, but he still had +thirty dollars left. How should he invest it? That was the problem +that occupied his thoughts. Thus far he had not derived so much +satisfaction from the possession of the money as he had anticipated. +One thing, at any rate, he resolved. He would not spend it upon +others, but wholly upon himself. + +He stepped into a billiard saloon to enjoy his favorite pastime. In +the absence of any companion he played a game with a man employed in +the establishment, and, naturally, got beaten, though he was given +odds. At the end of an hour he owed sixty cents, and decided not to +continue. + +"You play too well for me," he said, in a tone of disappointment. + +"You had bad luck," answered his opponent, soothingly. "However, I can +more than make it up to you." + +"How?" inquired Harold, becoming interested. + +"A friend of mine has pawned his watch for fifteen dollars. It is a +valuable gold watch--cost seventy-five. He could have got more on it, +but expected to redeem it. He has been in bad luck, and finds it no +use. He has put the ticket in my hands, and is willing to sell it for +ten dollars. That will only make the watch cost twenty-five. It's a +big bargain for somebody." + +Harold was much interested. He had always wanted a gold watch, and had +dropped more than one hint to that effect within the hearing of Aunt +Eliza, but the old lady had always said: "When you are eighteen, it +will be time enough to think of a gold watch. Till then, your silver +watch will do." + +Harold took a different view of the matter, and his desire for a gold +watch had greatly increased since a school friend about his own age +had one. For this reason he was considerably excited by the chance +that seems to present itself. + +"You are sure the watch is a valuable one?" he asked. + +"Yes; I have seen it myself." + +"Then why don't you buy the ticket yourself?" + +"I haven't the money. If I had, I wouldn't let anybody else have it." + +"Let me see the ticket." + +The other produced it from his vest pocket, but, of course, this threw +no light upon the quality of the watch. + +"I can secure the watch, and have nearly five dollars left," thought +Harold. "It is surely worth double the price it will cost me, and then +I shall have something to show for my money." + +On the other hand, his possession of the watch would excite surprise +at home, and he would be called upon to explain how he obtained it. +This, however, did not trouble Harold. + +"I've a great mind to take it," he said, slowly. + +"You can't do any better. To tell the truth, I hate to let it go, but +I don't see any prospect of my being able to get it out myself, and my +friend needs the money." + +Harold hesitated a moment, then yielded to the inducement offered. + +"Give me the ticket," he said. "Here is the money." + +As he spoke, he produced a ten-dollar bill. In return, the ticket was +handed to him. + +The pawnbroker, whose name was found on the ticket, was located less +than fifteen minutes walk from the billiard saloon. Harold, eager to +secure the watch, went directly there. + +"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" asked a small man, with +wrinkled face and blinking eyes. + +"I want to redeem my watch. Here is the ticket." + +The old man glanced at the ticket, then went to a safe, and took out +the watch. Here were kept the articles of small bulk and large value. + +Harold took out fifteen dollars which he had put in his vest pocket +for the purpose, and tendered them to the pawnbroker. + +"I want a dollar and a half more," said the old man. + +"What for?" asked Harold, in surprise. + +"One month's interest. You don't think I do business for nothing, do +you?" + +"Isn't that high?" asked Harold, and not without reason. + +"It's our regular charge, young man. Ten per cent a month--that's what +we all charge." + +This statement was correct. Though the New York pawnbroker is allowed +to charge but three per cent a month, his Chicago associate charges +more than three times as much. + +There was nothing for it but to comply with the terms demanded, and +Harold reluctantly handed out the extra sum. + +"You ought to have a watch chain, my friend," said the pawnbroker. + +"I should like one, but I cannot afford it." + +"I can give you a superior article--rolled gold--for a dollar." + +"Let me see it!" + +The chain was displayed. It looked very well; and certainly set off +the watch to better advantage. + +Harold paid down the dollar, and went out of the pawn broker's with a +gold watch, and chain of the same color, with only two dollars left of +his ill-gotten money. This was somewhat inconvenient, but he rejoiced +in the possession of the watch and chain. + +"Now Ralph Kennedy can't crow over me," he soliloquized. "I've got a +gold watch as well as he." + +As he left the pawnbroker's, he did not observe a familiar face and +figure on the opposite side of the street. It was Warner Powell, his +mother's brother, who recognized, with no little surprise, his nephew, +coming from such a place. + +"What on earth has carried Harold to a pawn broker's?" he asked +himself. + +Then he caught sight of the watch chain, and got a view of the watch, +as Harold drew it out ostentatiously to view his new acquisition. + +"There is some mystery here," he said to himself. "I must +investigate." + +He waited till Harold was at a safe distance, then crossed the street, +and entered the pawnbroker's. + +"There was a boy just went out of here," he said to the old man. + +"Suppose there was," returned the pawnbroker, suspiciously. + +"What was he doing here?" + +"Is that any of your business?" + +"My friend, I have nothing to do with you, and no complaint to make +against you, but the boy is my nephew, and I want to know whether he +got a watch and chain here." + +"Yes; he presented a ticket, and I gave him the watch." + +"Is it one he pawned himself?" + +"I don't know. He had the ticket. I can't remember everybody that +deals with me." + +"Can you tell me how much the watch and chain were pawned for?" + +"The watch was pawned for fifteen dollars. I sold him the chain for a +dollar." + +"All right. Thank you." + +"It's all right?" + +"Yes, so far as you are concerned. How long had the watch been in?" + +"For three weeks." + +Warner Powell left the shop, after obtaining all the information he +required. + +"It is Harold who robbed Aunt Eliza," he said to himself. "I begin to +think my precious nephew is a rogue." + +Meanwhile, Harold, eager to ascertain the value of his watch, stepped +into a jeweler's. + +"Can you tell me the value of this watch?" he inquired. + +The jeweler opened it, and after a brief examination, said: "When new +it probably cost thirty-five dollars." + +Harold's countenance fell. + +"I was told that it was a seventy-five dollar watch," he said. + +"Then you were cheated." + +"But how can such a large watch be afforded for thirty-five dollars?" + +"It is low-grade gold, not over ten carats, and the works are cheap. +Yet, it'll keep fair time." + +Harold was very much disappointed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +A SKILLFUL INVENTION + +When he came to think it over, Harold gradually recovered his +complacence. It was a gold watch, after all, and no one would know +that the gold was low grade. He met one or two acquaintances, who +immediately took notice of the chain and asked to see the watch. They +complimented him on it, and this gave him satisfaction. + +When he reached home, he went directly upstairs to his room, and only +came down when he heard the supper bell. + +As he entered the dining room his mother was the first to notice the +watch chain. + +"Have you been buying a watch chain, Harold?" she asked. + +"I have something besides," said Harold, and he produced the watch. + +Mrs. Tracy uttered an exclamation of surprise, and Mrs. Merton and +Warner exchanged significant glances. + +"How came you by the watch and chain?" asked Mrs. Tracy, uneasily. + +"They were given to me," answered Harold. + +"But that is very strange. Aunt Eliza, you have not given Harold a +watch, have you?" + +"No, Louisa. I think a silver watch is good enough for a boy of his +age." + +"Why don't you ask me, Louisa?" said Warner, smiling. + +"I don't imagine your circumstances will admit of such a gift." + +"You are right. I wish they did. Harold, we are all anxious to know +the name of the benevolent individual who has made you such a handsome +present. If you think he has any more to spare, I should be glad if +you would introduce me." + +"I will explain," said Harold, glibly. "I was walking along Dearborn +Street about two o'clock, when I saw a gentleman a little in advance +of me. He had come from the Commercial Bank, I judge, for it was not +far from there I came across him. By some carelessness he twitched a +wallet stuffed with notes from his pocket. A rough-looking fellow +sprang to get it, but I was too quick for him. I picked it up, and +hurrying forward, handed it to the gentleman. He seemed surprised and +pleased. + +"'My boy,' he said, 'you have done me a great service. That wallet +contained fifteen hundred dollars. I should have lost it but for you. +Accept this watch and chain as a mark of my deep gratitude.' + +"With that, he took the watch from his pocket, and handed it to me. I +was not sure whether I ought to take it, but I have long wanted a gold +watch, and he seemed well able to afford the gift, so I took it." + +Mrs. Tracy never thought of doubting this plausible story. + +"Harold," she said, "I am proud of you. I think there was no objection +to accepting the watch. What do you say, Aunt Eliza?" + +"Let me look at the watch, Harold," said the old lady, not replying to +her niece's question. + +Harold passed it over complacently. He rather plumed himself on the +ingenious story he had invented. + +"What do you think of it, Warner?" asked Mrs. Merton, passing it to +her nephew. + +"It is rather a cheap watch for a rich man to carry," answered Warner, +taking it in his hand and opening it. + +"I am sure it is quite a handsome watch," said Mrs. Tracy. + +"Yes, it is large and showy, but it is low-grade gold." + +"Of course, I don't know anything about that," said Harold. "At any +rate, it is gold and good enough for me." + +"No doubt of that," said the old lady, dryly. + +"Rich men don't always carry expensive watches," said Mrs. Tracy. +"They are often plain in their tastes." + +"This watch is rather showy," said Warner. "It can't be called +plain." + +"At any rate, Harold has reason to be satisfied. I am glad he obtained +the watch in so creditable a manner. If it had been your protege, Aunt +Eliza, I suspect he would have kept the money," + +"I don't think so, Louisa," said Mrs. Merton, quietly. "I have perfect +confidence in Luke's honesty." + +"In spite of your lost pocketbook?" + +"Yes; there is nothing to connect Luke with that." + +Harold thought he ought to get the advantage of the trick played upon +Luke in the morning. + +"I don't know as I ought to say anything," he said, hesitating, "but I +met Luke this morning, and if I am not very much mistaken, I saw in +his pocket a wallet that looked very much like aunt's. You know he +wears a sack coat, and has a pocket on each side." + +Again Mrs. Merton and Warner exchanged glances. + +"This is important!" said Mrs. Tracy, in excitement. "Did you speak to +him on the subject?" + +"No." + +"Why not?" + +"I thought he might be innocent, and I didn't want to bring a false +charge against him." + +"You are very considerate," said Mrs. Merton. + +"That seems quite conclusive, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy, +triumphantly. "I am sure Warner will agree with me." + +"As to that, Louisa," said her brother, "Harold is not certain it was +aunt's lost pocketbook." + +"But he thinks it was----" + +"Yes, I think it was" + +"For my own part, I have no doubt on the subject," said Mrs. Tracy, in +a positive tone. "He is the person most likely to take the money, and +this makes less proof needful." + +"But, suppose, after all, he is innocent," suggested Warner. + +"You seem to take the boy's side, Warner. I am surprised at you." + +"I want him to have a fair chance, that is all. I must say that I have +been favorably impressed by what I have seen of the boy." + +"At any rate, I think Aunt Eliza ought to question him sternly, not +accepting any evasion or equivocation. He has been guilty of base +ingratitude." + +"Supposing him to be guilty?" + +"Yes, of course." + +"I intend to investigate the matter," said the old lady. "What do you +think, Harold? Do you think it probable that Luke opened my drawer, +and took out the pocket-book?" + +"It looks very much like it," said Harold. + +"Certainly it does," said Mrs. Tracy, with emphasis. + +"Suppose we drop the conversation for the time being," suggested the +old lady. "Harold has not wholly gratified our curiosity as to the +watch and chain. Do you know, Harold, who the gentleman is to whom you +rendered such an important service?" + +"No, Aunt Eliza, I did not learn his name." + +"What was his appearance? Describe him." + +"He was a tall man," answered Harold, in a tone of hesitation. + +"Was he an old or a young man?" + +"He was an old man with gray hair. He walked very erect." + +"Should you know him again, if you saw him?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"Then, perhaps, we may have an opportunity of ascertaining who he was. +My broker will probably know him from your description." + +"Why do you want to find out who he is?" asked Harold, uneasily. +"Don't you think I ought to keep the watch?" + +"I have a feeling of curiosity on the subject. As to keeping it, I +don't think the gentleman will be likely to reclaim it." + +"Of course not. Why should he?" said Mrs. Tracy. "He gave it freely, +and it would be very strange if he wished it back." + +Here the conversation dropped, much to Harold's relief. Warner +accompanied his aunt from the room. + +"What do you think of Harold's story, Warner?" asked the old lady. + +"It is very ingenious." + +"But not true?" + +"No; he got the watch and chain from a pawnbroker. I saw him come out +of the shop, and going in, questioned the pawnbroker. He must have got +the ticket somewhere." + +"Then it seems that Harold is not only a thief, but a liar." + +"My dear aunt, let us not be too hard upon him. This is probably his +first offense: I feel like being charitable, for I have been in the +same scrape." + +"I can overlook theft more easily than his attempt to blacken the +reputation of Luke," said Mrs. Merton, sternly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +WARNER POWELL STARTS ON A JOURNEY + +Thanks to the liberal compensation received from Mrs. Merton, Luke was +enabled to supply his mother and Bennie with all the comforts they +required, and even to put by two dollars a week. This he did as a +measure of precaution, for he did not know how long the engagement at +the house on Prairie Avenue would last. If he were forced to fall back +on his earnings as a newsboy, the family would fare badly. This might +happen, for he found himself no nearer securing the favor of Harold +and his mother. The manner of the latter was particularly unpleasant +when they met, and Harold scarcely deigned to speak to him. On the +other hand, Warner Powell showed himself very friendly. He often took +the opportunity to join Luke when he was leaving the house, and chat +pleasantly with him. Luke enjoyed his companionship, because Warner +was able to tell him about Australia and California, with both of +which countries Mrs. Tracy's brother was familiar. + +"Mother," said Harold, one day, "Uncle Warner seems very thick with +that newsboy. I have several times seen them walking together." + +Mrs. Tracy frowned, for the news displeased her. + +"I am certainly very much surprised. I should think my brother might +find a more congenial and suitable companion than Aunt Eliza's hired +boy. I will speak to him about it." + +She accordingly broached the subject to Warner Powell, expressing +herself with emphasis. + +"Listen, Louisa," said Warner, "don't you think I am old enough to +choose my own company?" + +"It doesn't seem so," retorted Mrs. Tracy, with a smile. + +"At any rate, I don't need any instructions on that point." + +"As my guest, you certainly ought to treat me with respect." + +"So I do. But I don't feel bound to let you regulate my conduct." + +"You know what cause I have--we both have--to dislike this boy." + +"I don't dislike him." + +"Then you ought to." + +"He is in Aunt Eliza's employment. While he remains so, I shall treat +him with cordiality." + +"You are blind as a mole!" said Mrs. Tracy, passionately. "You can't +see that he is trying to work his way into aunt's affections." + +"I think he has done so already. She thinks a great deal of him." + +"When you find her remembering him in her will, you may come over to +my opinion." + +"She is quite at liberty to remember him in her will, so far as I am +concerned. There will be enough for us, even if she does leave Luke a +legacy." + +"I see you are incorrigible. I am sorry I invited you to remain in my +house. + +"I was under the impression that it was Aunt Eliza's house. You are +claiming too much, Louisa." + +Mrs. Tracy bit her lip, and was compelled to give up her attempt to +secure her brother's allegiance. She contented herself with treating +him with formal politeness, abstaining from all show of cordiality. +This was carried on so far that it attracted the attention of Mrs. +Merton. + +"What is the trouble between you and Louisa?" she asked one day. + +Warner laughed. + +"She thinks I am too intimate with your boy, Luke." + +"I don't understand." + +"I often walk with Luke either on his way to or from the house. Harold +has reported this to his mother, and the result is a lecture as to the +choice of proper companions from my dignified sister." + +Mrs. Merton smiled kindly on her nephew. + +"Then you don't propose to give up Luke?" she said. + +"No; I like the boy. He is worth a dozen Harolds. Perhaps I ought not +to say this, for Harold is my nephew and they say blood is thicker +than water. However, it is a fact, nevertheless, that I like Luke the +better of the two." + +"I shall not blame you for saying that, Warner," returned the old +lady. "I am glad that one of the family, at least, is free from +prejudice. To what do you attribute Louisa's dislike of Luke?" + +"I think, aunt, you are shrewd enough to guess the reason without +appealing to me." + +"Still, I would like to hear it from your lips." + +"In plain words, then, Louisa is afraid you will remember Luke in your +will." + +"She doesn't think I would leave everything to him, does she?" + +"She objects to your leaving anything. If it were only five hundred +dollars she would grudge it." + +"Louisa was always selfish," said Mrs. Merton, quietly. "I have always +known that. She is not wise, however. She does not understand that I +am a very obstinate old woman, and am more likely to take my own way +if opposed." + +"That's right, aunt! You are entitled to have your own way, and I for +one am the last to wish to interfere with you." + +"You will not fare any the worse for that! And now, Warner, tell me +what are your chances of employment?" + +"I wished to speak to you about that, aunt. There is a gentleman in +Milwaukee who has a branch office in Chicago, and I understand that he +wants someone to represent him here. His present agent is about to +resign his position, and I think I have some chance of obtaining the +place. It will be necessary for me, however, to go to Milwaukee to see +him in person." + +"Go, then, by all means," said Mrs. Merton. "I will defray your +expenses." + +"Thank you very much, aunt. You know that I have little money of my +own. But there is another thing indispensable, and that I am afraid +you would not be willing to do for me." + +"What is it, Warner?" + +"I shall have charge of considerable money belonging to my employer, +and I learn from the present agent that I shall have to get someone to +give bonds for me in the sum of ten thousand dollars." + +"Very well! I am willing to stand your security." + +Warner looked surprised and gratified. + +"Knowing how dishonestly I have acted in the past?" he said. + +"The past is past. You are a different man, I hope and believe." + +"Aunt Eliza, you shall never regret the generous confidence you are +willing to repose in me. It is likely to open for me a new career, and +to make a new man of me." + +"That is my desire, Warner. Let me add that I am only following your +own example. You have refused to believe evil of Luke, unlike your +sister, and have not been troubled by the kindness I have shown him. +This is something I remember to your credit." + +"Thank you, aunt. If you have been able to discover anything +creditable in me, I am all the more pleased." + +"How much will this position pay you, supposing you get it?" + +"Two thousand dollars a year. To me that will be a competence. I shall +be able to save one-half, for I have given up my former expensive +tastes, and am eager to settle down to a steady and methodical +business life." + +"When do you want to go to Milwaukee, Warner?" + +"I should like to go at once." + +"Here is some money to defray your expenses." + +Mrs. Merton opened her table drawer, and took out a roll of bills +amounting to fifty dollars. + +"I wish you good luck!" she said. + +"Thank you, aunt! I shall take the afternoon train to Milwaukee, and +sleep there to-night." + +Warner Powell hastened to catch the train, and, at six o'clock in the +evening, landed, with a large number of fellow passengers, in the +metropolis of Wisconsin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET + +Warner Powell had learned wisdom and prudence with his increasing +years, and, instead of inquiring for the best hotel, was content to +put up at a humbler hostelry, where he would be comfortable. He made +the acquaintance on the cars of a New York drummer, with whom he +became quite sociable. + +"I suppose you have been in Milwaukee often," said Warner. + +"I go there once a year--sometimes twice." + +"Where do you stay?" + +"At the Prairie Hotel. It is a comfortable house--two dollars a day." + +"Just what I want. I will go there." + +So, at quarter-past six. Warner Powell found himself in the office of +the hotel. He was assigned a room on the third floor. + +After making his toilet, he went down to supper. At the table with him +were two gentlemen who, from their conversation, appeared to be +residents of the city. They were discussing the coming municipal +election. + +"I tell you, Browning will be our mayor," said one. "His reputation as +a philanthropist will elect him." + +"I never took much stock in his claims on that score." + +"He belongs to all the charitable societies, and is generally an +officer." + +"That may be; how much does he give himself?" + +"I don't know. I suppose he is a liberal subscriber." + +"He wants to give that impression, but the man is as selfish as the +average. He is said to be a hard landlord, and his tenants get very +few favors." + +"I am surprised to hear that." + +"He is trading on his philanthropy. It would be interesting to learn +where his wealth came from. I should not be surprised if he were more +smart than honest." + +Warner Powell found himself getting interested in this Browning. Was +he really a good man, who was unjustly criticised, or was he a sham +philanthropist, as charged? + +"After all, it doesn't concern me," he said to himself. "The good +people of Milwaukee may choose whom they please for mayor so far as I +am concerned." + +After supper Warner stepped up to the cigar stand to buy a cigar. +This, as the reader will remember, was kept by Jack King, an old +California acquaintance of Thomas Browning, whose first appearance in +our story was in the character of a tramp and would-be burglar. + +"Is business good?" asked Warner, pleasantly. + +"It is fair; but it seems slow to a man like myself, who has made a +hundred dollars a day at the mines in California." + +"I have been in California myself," said Powell, "but it was recently, +and no such sums were to be made in my time." + +"That is true. It didn't last with me. I have noticed that even in the +flush times few brought much money away with them, no matter how lucky +they were." + +"There must become exceptions, however." + +"There were. We have a notable example in Milwaukee." + +"To whom do you refer?" + +"To Thomas Browning, the man who is up for mayor." + +Jack King laughed. + +"I've heard a lot of talk about that man. He's very honest and very +worthy, I hear." + +"They call him so," he answered. + +"I am afraid you are jealous of that good man," said Warner, smiling. + +"I may be jealous of his success, but not of his reputation or his +moral qualities." + +"Then you don't admire him as much as the public generally?" + +"No, I know him too well." + +"He is really rich, is he not?" + +"Yes, that is, he is worth, perhaps, two hundred thousand dollars." + +"That would satisfy me." + +"Or me. But I doubt whether the money was creditably gained." + +"Do you know anything about it? Were you an acquaintance of his?" + +"Yes; I can remember him when he was only a rough miner. I never heard +that he was very lucky, but he managed to take considerable money East +with him." + +Warner eyed Jack King attentively. + +"You suspect something," he said, shrewdly. + +"I do. There was one of our acquaintances who had struck it rich, and +accumulated about ten thousand dollars. Browning was thick with him, +and I always suspected that when he found himself on his deathbed, he +intrusted all his savings to Butler----" + +"I thought you were speaking of Browning?" + +"His name was Butler then. He has changed it since. But, as I was +saying, I think he intrusted his money to Browning to take home to his +family." + +"Well?" + +"The question is, did Browning fulfill his trust, or keep the money +himself?" + +"That would come out, wouldn't it? The family would make inquiries." + +"They did not know that the dying man had money. He kept it to +himself, for he wanted to go home and give them an agreeable surprise. +Butler knew this, and, I think, he took advantage of it." + +"That was contemptible. But can't it be ascertained? Is it known where +the family lives? What is the name?" + +"Walton." + +"Walton!" repeated Warner Powell, in surprise. + +"Yes; do you know any family of that name?" + +"I know a boy in Chicago named Luke Walton. He is in the employ of my +aunt. A part of his time he spends in selling papers." + +"Mr. Browning told me that Walton only left a daughter, and that the +family had gone to the Eastern States." + +"Would he be likely to tell you the truth--supposing he had really +kept the money?" + +"Perhaps not. What more can you tell me about this boy?" + +Powell's face lighted up. + +"I remember now, he told me that his father died in California." + +"Is it possible?" said Jack King, excited. "I begin to think I am on +the right track. I begin to think, too, that I can tell where Tom +Butler got his first start." + +"And now he poses as a philanthropist?" + +"Yes." + +"And is nominated for mayor?" + +"Yes, also." + +"How are your relations with him?" + +"They should be friendly, for he and I were comrades in earlier days, +and once I lent him money when he needed it, but he has been puffed up +by his prosperity, and takes very little notice of me. He had to do +something for me when I first came to Milwaukee, but it was because he +was afraid not to." + +Meanwhile Warner Powell was searching his memory. Where and how had he +become familiar with the name of Thomas Browning? At last it came to +him. + +"Eureka!" he exclaimed, in excitement. + +"What does that mean? I don't understand French." + +Warner smiled. + +"It isn't French," he said; "but Greek, all the Greek I know. It means +'I have discovered'--the mystery of your old acquaintance." + +"Explain, please!" said Jack King, his interest be coming intense. + +"I have a friend in Chicago--Stephen Webb, a nephew of your +philanthropist--who has been commissioned by his uncle to find out all +he can about this newsboy, Luke Walton. He was speculating with me why +his uncle should be so interested in an obscure boy." + +"Had his uncle told him nothing?" + +"No, except that he dropped a hint about knowing Luke's father." + +"This Luke and his family are poor, you say?" + +"Yes, you can judge that from his employment. He is an honest, manly +boy, however, and I have taken a fancy to him. I hope it will turn out +as you say. But nothing can be proved. This Browning will probably +deny that he received money in trust from the dead father." + +Jack King's countenance fell. + +"When you go back to Chicago talk with the boy, and find out whether +the family have any evidence that will support their claim. Then send +the boy on to me, and we will see what can be done." + +"I accept the suggestion with pleasure. But I will offer an amendment. +Let us write the boy to come on at once, and have a joint consultation +in his interest." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +FELICIE PROVES TROUBLESOME + +We must return to Chicago for a short time before recording the +incidents of Luke's visit to Milwaukee. + +Though Harold had lost nearly half of his money through being +compelled to divide with Felicie, he was, upon the whole, well +satisfied with the way in which he had escaped from suspicion. He had +his gold watch, and, as far as he knew, the story which he had told +about it had not been doubted. But something happened that annoyed and +alarmed him. + +One day, when there was no one else in the house, except the servants, +Felicie intercepted him as he was going out. + +"I want a word with you, Master Harold," she said. + +"I am in a hurry, Felicie," replied Harold, who had conceived a +dislike for the French maid. + +"Still, I think you can spare a few minutes," went on Felicie, smiling +in an unpleasant manner. + +"Well, be quick about it," said Harold, impatiently. + +"I have a sister who is very sick. She is a widow with two children, +and her means are very small." + +"Goodness, Felicie! What is all this to me? Of course, I'm sorry for +her, but I don't know her." + +"She looks to me to help her," continued Felicie. + +"Well, that's all right! I suppose you are going to help her." + +"There is the trouble, Master Harold. I have no money on hand." + +"Well, I'm sure that is unlucky, but why do you speak to me about +it?" + +"Because," and here Felicie's eyes glistened, "I know you obtained +some money recently from your aunt." + +"Hush!" said Harold, apprehensively. + +"But it's true." + +"And it's true that you made me give you half of it." + +"It all went to my poor sister," said Felicie theatrically. + +"I don't see what I have to do with that," said Harold, not without +reason. + +"So that I kept none for myself. Now I am sure you will open your +heart, and give me five dollars more." + +"I never heard such cheek!" exclaimed Harold, indignantly. "You've got +half, and are not satisfied with that." + +"But think of my poor sister!" said Felicie, putting her handkerchief +to her eyes, in which there were no tears. + +"Think of me!" exclaimed Harold, angrily. + +"Then you won't give me the trifle I ask?" + +"Trifle? I haven't got it." + +"Where is it gone?" + +"Gone to buy this watch. That took nearly the whole of it." + +"It is indeed so? I thought you received it as a reward for picking up +a pocketbook." + +"I had to tell my aunt something. Otherwise they would ask me +embarrassing questions." + +"Ah, _quelle invention!_" exclaimed Felicie, playfully. "And you +really have none of the money left?" + +"No." + +"Then there is only one way." + +"What is that?" + +"To open the drawer again." + +"Are you mad, Felicie? I should surely be discovered. It won't do to +try it a second time when my aunt is on her guard. Besides, very +likely she don't keep her money there now." + +"Oh, yes, she does." + +"How do you know?" + +"I was in the room yesterday when she opened the drawer to take out +money to pay a bill." + +"She must be foolish, then." + +"Ah," said Felicie, coolly, "she thinks lightning won't strike twice +in the same place." + +"Well, it won't." + +"There must have been fifty dollars in bills in the drawer," continued +Felicie, insinuatingly. + +"It may stay there for all me. I won't go to the drawer again." + +"I must have some money," said Felicie, significantly. + +"Then go and tell Aunt Eliza, and she may give you some." + +"I don't think your Aunt Eliza likes me," said Felicie, frankly. + +"Very likely not," said Harold, with equal candor. + +"You can raise some money on your watch, Master Harold," suggested +Felicie. + +"How?" + +"At the pawnbroker's." + +"Well, I don't mean to." + +"No?" + +"No!" returned Harold, emphatically. + +"Suppose I go and tell Mrs. Merton who took her money?" + +"You would only expose yourself." + +"I did not take it." + +"You made me divide with you." + +"I shall deny all that. Besides, I shall tell all that I saw--on that +day." + +Harold felt troubled. Felicie might, as he knew, make trouble for him, +and though he could in time inform against her, that would not make +matters much better for him. Probably the whole story would come out, +and he felt sure that the French maid would not spare him. + +A lucky thought came to him. + +"Felicie," he said, "I think I can suggest something that will help +you." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"Go to my aunt's drawer yourself. You have plenty of chance, and you +can keep all the money you find. I won't ask you for any of it." + +Felicie eyed him sharply. She was not sure but he meant to trap her. + +"I have no keys," she said. + +"You can use the same bunch I have. Here they are!" + +Felicie paused a moment, then took the proffered keys. After all, why +should she not make use of the suggestion? It would be thought that +the second thief was the same as the first. + +"Can I rely on your discretion, Master Harold?" she asked. + +"Yes, certainly. I am not very likely to say anything about the +matter." + +"True! It might not be for your interest. Good-morning, Master Harold, +I won't detain you any longer." + +Harold left the house with a feeling of relief. + +"I hope Felicie will be caught!" he said to himself. "I have a great +mind to give Aunt Eliza a hint." + +It looked as if the generally astute Felicie had made a mistake. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +LUKE WALTON'S LETTER + +"Here is a letter for you, Luke!" said Mrs. Walton. + +Luke took it in his hand, and regarded it curiously. He was not in the +habit of receiving letters. + +"It is postmarked Milwaukee," he said. + +"Do you know anyone in Milwaukee?" asked his mother. + +"No; or stay, it must be from Mr. Powell, a brother of Mrs. Tracy." + +"Probably he sends a message to his sister." + +By this time Luke had opened the following letter, which he read with +great surprise and excitement: + +DEAR LUKE:--Come to Milwaukee as soon as you can, and join me at the +Prairie Hotel. I write in your own interest. There is a large sum due +to your father, which I may be able to put you in the way of +collecting. You had better see Aunt Eliza, and ask leave of absence +for a day or two. If you haven't money enough to come on, let her +know, and I am sure she will advance it to you. + +Your friend, + +WARNER POWELL. + +"What can it mean?" asked Mrs. Walton, to whom Luke read the letter. + +"It must refer to the ten thousand dollars which father sent to us on +his dying bed." + +"If it were only so!" said the widow, clasping her hands. + +"At any rate, I shall soon find out, mother. I had better take the +letter which was sent us, giving us the first information of the +legacy." + +"Very well, Luke! I don't know anything about business. I must leave +the matter entirely in your hands. + +"I will go at once to Mrs. Merton and ask if it will inconvenience her +if I go away for a couple of days." + +"Do so, Luke! She is a kind friend, and you should do nothing without +her permission." + +Luke took the cars for Prairie Avenue, though it was afternoon, and he +had been there once already. He was shown immediately into the old +lady's presence. + +Mrs. Merton saw him enter with surprise. + +"Has anything happened, Luke?" she asked. + +"I have received a letter from your nephew, summoning me to +Milwaukee." + +"I hope he is not in any scrape." + +"No; it is a very friendly letter, written in my interest. May I read +it to you?" + +"I shall be glad to hear it." + +Mrs. Merton settled herself back in her rocking-chair, and listened to +the reading of the letter. + +"Do you know what this refers to, Luke?" she asked. + +"Yes; my father on his deathbed in California intrusted a stranger +with ten thousand dollars to bring to my mother. He kept it for his +own use, and it was only by an accident that we heard about the +matter." + +"You interest me, Luke. What was the accident?" + +Luke explained. + +"It must be this that Mr. Powell refers to," he added. + +"But I don't see how my nephew should have anything to do with it." + +"There is a man in Milwaukee who answers the description of the +stranger to whom my poor father intrusted his money. I have seen him, +for he often comes to Chicago. I have even spoken to him." + +"Have you ever taxed him with this breach of trust?" + +"No, for he bears a different name. He is Thomas Browning, while the +letter mentions Thomas Butler." + +"He may have changed his name." + +"I was stupid not to think of that before. There can hardly be two men +so singularly alike. I have come to ask you, Mrs. Merton, if you can +spare me for two or three days." + +"For as long as you like, Luke," said the old lady, promptly. "Have +you any money for your traveling expenses?" + +"Yes, thank you." + +"No matter. Here are twenty dollars. Money never comes amiss." + +"You are always kind to me, Mrs. Merton," said Luke, gratefully. + +"It is easy to be kind if one is rich. I want to see that man +punished. Let me give you one piece of advice. Be on your guard with +this man! He is not to be trusted." + +"Thank you! I am sure your advice is good." + +"I wish you good luck, Luke. However things may turn out, there is one +thing that gratifies me. Warner is showing himself your friend. I have +looked upon him till recently as a black sheep, but he is redeeming +himself rapidly in my eyes. I shall not forget his kindness to you." + +As Luke went downstairs he met Mrs. Tracy. + +"Here again!" said she, coldly. "Did my aunt send for you this +afternoon?" + +"No, madam." + +"Then you should not have intruded. You are young, but you are very +artful. I see through your schemes, you may rest assured." + +"I wished to show Mrs. Merton a letter from your brother, now in +Milwaukee," said Luke. + +"Oh, that's it, is it? Let me see the letter." + +"I must refer you to Mrs. Merton." + +"He has probably sent to Aunt Eliza for some money," thought Mrs. +Tracy. "He and the boy are well matched." + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY + +Thomas Browning sat in his handsome study, in a complacent frame of +mind. The caucus was to be held in the evening, and he confidently +expected the nomination for mayor. It was the post he had coveted for +a long time. There were other honors that were greater, but the +mayoralty would perhaps prove a stepping-stone to them. He must not be +impatient. He was only in middle life, and there was plenty of time. + +"I didn't dream this when I was a penniless miner in California," he +reflected, gleefully. "Fortune was hard upon me then, but now I am at +the top of the heap. All my own good management, too. Tom Butler--no, +Browning--is no fool, if I do say it myself." + +"Someone to see you, Mr. Browning," said the servant. + +"Show him in!" replied the philanthropist. + +A poorly dressed man followed the maid into the room. + +Mr. Browning frowned. He had thought it might be some influential +member of his party. + +"What do you want?" he asked, roughly. + +The poor man stood humbly before him, nervously pressing the hat +between his hands. + +"I am one of your tenants, Mr. Browning. I am behindhand with my rent, +owing to sickness in the family, and I have been ordered out." + +"And very properly, too!" said Browning. "You can't expect me to let +you stay gratis." + +"But sir, you have the reputation of being a philanthropist. It hardly +seems the character----" + +"I do not call myself a philanthropist--others call me so--and perhaps +they are right. I help the poor to the extent of my means, but even a +philanthropist expects his honest dues." + +"Then you can do nothing for me, sir?" + +"No; I do not feel called upon to interfere in your case." + +The poor man went out sorrowfully, leaving the philanthropist in an +irritable mood. Five minutes later a second visitor was announced. + +"Who is it?" asked Browning, fearing it might be an other tenant. + +"It is a boy, sir." + +"With a message, probably. Show him up." + +But Thomas Browning was destined to be surprised, when in the +manly-looking youth who entered he recognized the Chicago newsboy who +had already excited his uneasiness. + +"What brings you here?" he demanded, in a startled tone. + +"I don't know if you remember me, Mr. Browning," said Luke, quietly. +"Luke Walton is my name, sir, and I have sold you papers near the +Sherman House, in Chicago." + +"I thought your face looked familiar," said Browning, assuming an +indifferent tone. "You have made a mistake in coming to Milwaukee. You +cannot do as well here as in Chicago." + +"I have not come in search of a place. I have a good one at home." + +"I suppose you have some object in coming to this city?" + +"Yes; I came to see you." + +"Upon my word, I ought to feel flattered, but I can't do anything for +you. I have some reputation in charitable circles, but I have my hands +full here." + +"I have not come to ask you a favor, Mr. Browning. If you will allow +me, I will ask your advice in a matter of importance to me." + +Browning brightened up. He was always ready to give advice. + +"Go on!" he said. + +"When I was a young boy my father went to California. He left my +mother, my brother, and myself very poorly provided for, but he hoped +to earn money at the mines. A year passed, and we heard of his +death." + +"A good many men die in California," said Browning, phlegmatically. + +"We could not learn that father left anything, and we were compelled +to get long as we could. Mother obtained sewing to do at low prices, +and I sold papers." + +"A common experience!" said Browning, coldly. + +"About three months ago," continued Luke, "we were surprised by +receiving in a letter from a stranger, a message from my father's +deathbed." + +Thomas Browning started and turned pale, as he gazed intently in the +boy's face. + +"How much does he know?" he asked himself, apprehensively. + +"Go on!" he said, slowly. + +"In this letter we learned for the first time that father had +intrusted the sum of ten thousand dollars to an acquaintance to be +brought to my mother. This man proved false and kept the money." + +"This story may or may not be true," said Browning, with an effort. +"Was the man's name given?" + +"Yes; his name was Thomas Butler." + +"Indeed! Have you ever met him?" + +"I think so," answered Luke, slowly. "I will read his description from +the letter: He has a wart on the upper part of his right cheek--a mark +which disfigures and mortifies him exceedingly. He is about five feet +ten inches in height, with a dark complexion and dark hair, a little +tinged with gray. + +"Let me see the letter," said Browning, hoarsely. + +He took the letter in his hand, and, moving near the grate fire, began +to read it. Suddenly the paper as if accidentally, slipped from his +fingers, and fell upon the glowing coals--where it was instantly +consumed. + +"How careless I am!" ejaculated Browning, but there was exultation in +the glance. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS + +The destruction of the letter, and the open exultation of the man who +had in intention at least doubly wronged him, did not appear to dismay +Luke Walton. He sat quite cool and collected, facing Mr. Browning. +"Really, I don't see how this letter happened to slip from my hand," +continued the philanthropist. "I am afraid you consider it +important." + +"I should if it had been the genuine letter," said Luke. + +"What!" gasped Browning. + +"It was only a copy, as you will be glad to hear." + +"Boy, I think you are deceiving me," said Browning, sharply. + +"Not at all! I left the genuine letter in the hands of my lawyer." + +"Your lawyer?" + +"Yes. I have put this matter in the hands of Mr. Jordan, of this +city." + +Mr. Browning looked very much disturbed. Mr. Jordan was a well-known +and eminent attorney. Moreover, he was opposed in politics to the +would-be mayor. If his opponent should get hold of this discreditable +chapter in his past history, his political aspirations might as well +be given up. Again he asked himself, "How much of the story does this +boy know?" + +"If you are employing a lawyer," he said, after a pause, "I don't +understand why you came to me for advice." + +"I thought you might be interested in the matter," said Luke, +significantly. + +"Why should I be interested in your affairs? I have so many things to +think of that really I can't take hold of anything new." + +"I will tell you, sir. You are the man who received money in trust +from my dying father. I look to you to restore it with interest." + +"How dare you insinuate any such thing?" demanded Browning, furiously. +"Do you mean to extort money by threats?" + +"No, sir, I only ask for justice." + +"There is nothing to connect me with the matter. According to your +letter it was a Thomas Butler who received the money you refer to." + +"True, and your name at that time was Thomas Butler." + +Mr. Browning turned livid. The net seemed to be closing about him. + +"What proof have you of this ridiculous assertion?" he demanded. + +"The testimony of one who knew you then and now--Mr. King, who keeps a +cigar stand at the Prairie Hotel." + +"Ha! traitor!" ejaculated Browning, apostrophizing the absent King. + +"This is a conspiracy!" he said. "King has put you up to this. He is a +discreditable tramp whom I befriended when in dire need. This is my +reward for it." + +"I have nothing to do with that, Mr. Browning. Mr. King is ready to +help me with his testimony. My lawyer has advised me to call upon you, +and to say this: If you will pay over the ten thousand dollars with +interest I will engage in my mother's name to keep the matter from +getting before the public." + +"And if I don't agree to this?" + +"Mr. Jordan is instructed to bring suit against you." + +Drops of perspiration gathered on the brow of Mr. Browning. This would +never do. The suit, even if unsuccessful, would blast his reputation +as a philanthropist, and his prospects as a politician. + +"I will see Mr. Jordan," he said. + +"Very well, sir. Then I wish you good-morning." + +Within two days Thomas Browning had paid over to the lawyer for his +young client the full sum demanded, and Luke left Milwaukee with the +happy consciousness that his mother was now beyond the reach of +poverty. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +CONCLUSION + +Felicie reflected over Harold's dishonest suggestion, and concluded to +adopt it. She meant to charge Harold with the second robbery, and to +brazen it out if necessary. Accordingly, one day she stole into Mrs. +Merton's sitting room, and with the keys supplied by Harold succeeded +in opening the drawer. Inside, greatly to her surprise, she saw the +identical pocketbook which it had been understood was taken at the +time of the first robbery. She was holding it in her hand, when a +slight noise led her to look up swiftly. + +To her dismay she saw the old lady, whom she had supposed out of the +house, regarding her sternly. + +"What does this mean, Felicie?" demanded Mrs. Merton. + +"I--I found these keys and was trying them to see if any of them had +been used at the time your money was stolen." + +"Do you know who took my money on that occasion?" continued the old +lady. + +"Yes, I do," answered Felicie, swiftly deciding to tell the truth. + +"Who was it?" + +"Your nephew Harold," answered Felicie, glibly. + +"You know this?" + +"I saw him open the drawer. I was looking through a crack of the +door." + +"And you never told me of this?" + +"I didn't want to expose him. He begged me not to do so." + +"That is singular. He warned me yesterday that he suspected you of +being the thief, and that he had reason to think you were planning a +second robbery." + +"He did?" said Felicie, with flashing eyes. + +"Yes; what have you to say to it?" + +"That he put me up to it, and gave me these keys to help me in doing +it. Of course, he expected to share the money." + +This last statement was untrue, but Felicie was determined to be +revenged upon her treacherous ally. + +"And you accepted?" + +"Yes," said Felicie, seeing no way of escape. "I am poor, and thought +you wouldn't miss the money." + +"My nephew accused Luke Walton of being the thief." + +"It is untrue. He wanted to divert suspicion from himself. Besides, he +hates Luke." + +"Do you?" + +"No; I think him much better than Harold." + +"So do I. Where did my nephew get his gold watch?" + +"It was bought with the money he stole from the drawer." + +"So I supposed. Well, Felicie, you can go, but I think you had better +hand me that bunch of keys." + +"Shall you report me to Mrs. Tracy?" + +"I have not decided. For the present we will both keep this matter +secret." + +Luke's absence was, of course, noticed by Mrs. Tracy. + +"Have you discharged Luke Walton?" she asked, hopefully. "I observe he +has not come here for the last two or three days." + +"He has gone out of the city--on business." + +"I am surprised that you should trust that boy to such an extent." + +At this moment a telegraph messenger rang the bell, and a telegram was +brought up to Mrs. Merton. + +It ran thus: + +To MRS. MERTON, ---- Prairie Avenue, Chicago: + +I have recovered all my mother's money with interest. Mr. Powell is +also successful. Will return this evening. + +LUKE WALTON, + +"Read it if you like, Louisa," said the old lady, smiling with +satisfaction. + +"What does it mean?" + +"That Luke has recovered over ten thousand dollars, of which his +mother had been defrauded. It was Warner who put him on the track of +the man who wrongfully held the money." + +"Indeed!" said Mrs. Tracy, spitefully. "Then the least he can do is to +return the money he took from you." + +"He never took any, Louisa." + +"Who did, then?" + +"Your son, Harold." + +"Who has been telling lies about my poor boy?" exclaimed Mrs. Tracy, +angrily. + +"A person who saw him unlocking the drawer." + +"Has Luke Walton been telling falsehoods about my son?" + +"No; it was quite another person. I have other proof also, and have +known for some time who the real thief was. If Harold claims that I +have done him injustice, send him to me." + +After an interview with Harold, Mrs. Tracy was obliged to believe, +much against her will, that he was the guilty one and not the boy she +so much detested. This did not prepossess her any more in favor of +Luke Walton, whom she regarded as the rival and enemy of her son. + +It was a joyful coming home for Luke. He removed at once to a nice +neighborhood, and ceased to be a Chicago newsboy. He did not lose the +friendship of Mrs. Merton, who is understood to have put him down for +a large legacy in her will, and still employs him to transact much of +her business. Next year she proposes to establish her nephew, Warner +Powell, and Luke in a commission business, under the style of + +POWELL & WALTON + +she furnishing the capital. + +The house on Prairie Avenue is closed. Mrs. Tracy is married again, to +a man whose intemperate habits promise her little happiness. Harold +seems unwilling to settle down to business, but has developed a taste +for dress and the amusements of a young man about town. He thinks he +will eventually be provided for by Mrs. Merton, but in this he will be +mistaken, as she has decided to leave much the larger part of her +wealth to charitable institutions after remembering her nephew, Warner +Powell, handsomely. + +Ambrose Kean never repeated the mistake he had made. Still more, by +diligent economy he saved up the sum advanced him by Mrs. Merton, and +he offered it to her. She accepted it, but returned it many times over +to his mother. Her patronage brought him another advantage; it led his +employer to increase his salary, which is now double that which he +formerly received. + +Felicie lost her position, but speedily secured another, where it is +to be hoped she will be more circumspect in her conduct. + +Thomas Browning, after all, lost the nomination which he craved--and +much of his wealth is gone. He dabbled in foolish speculation, and is +now comparatively a poor man. Through the agency of Jack King, the +story of his breach of trust was whispered about, and the sham +philanthropist is better understood and less respected by his +fellow-citizens. + +His nephew, Stephen Webb, has been obliged to buckle down to hard work +at ten dollars a week, and feels that his path is indeed thorny. + +Luke Walton is not puffed up by his unexpected and remarkable success. +He never fails to recognize kindly, and help, if there is need, the +old associates of his humbler days, and never tries to conceal the +fact that he was once a Chicago newsboy. + +THE END. + + +[Graphic decoration: Cherub with tethered birds (upside down)] + + +WHITE HOUSE INCIDENTS. + +Trying the "Greens" on Jake. + +A deputation of bankers were one day introduced to the President by +the Secretary of the Treasury. One of the party, Mr. P---- of Chelsea, +Mass., took occasion to refer to the severity of the tax laid by +Congress upon State Banks. + +"Now," said Mr. Lincoln, "that reminds me of a circumstance that took +place in a neighborhood where I lived when I was a boy. In the spring +of the year the farmers were very fond of a dish which they called +greens, though the fashionable name for it now-a-days is spinach, I +believe. One day after dinner, a large family were taken very ill. The +doctor was called in, who attributed it to the greens, of which all +had frequently partaken. Living in the family was a half-witted boy +named Jake. On a subsequent occasion, when greens had been gathered +for dinner, the head of the house said: + +"'Now, boys, before running any further risk in this thing, we will +first try them on Jake, If he stands it, we are all right.' + +"And just so, I suppose," said Mr. Lincoln, "Congress thought it would +try this tax on State Banks!" + + + +A Story Which Lincoln Told the Preachers. + +A year or more before Mr. Lincoln's death, a delegation of clergymen +waited upon him in reference to the appointment of the army chaplains +The delegation consisted of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and an +Episcopal clergyman. They stated that the character of many of the +chaplains was notoriously bad, and they had come to urge upon the +President the necessity of more discretion in these appointments. + +"But, gentlemen," said the President, "that is a matter which the +Government has nothing to do with; the chaplains are chosen by the +regiments." + +Not satisfied with this, the clergymen pressed, in turn, a change in +the system. Mr. Lincoln heard them through without remark, and then +said, "Without any disrespect, gentlemen, I will tell you a 'little +story.' + +"Once, in Springfield, I was going off on a short journey, and reached +the depot a little ahead of time. Leaning against the fence just +outside the depot was a little darkey boy, whom I knew, named 'Dick,' +busily digging with his toe in a mud-puddle. As I came up, I said, +'Dick, what are you about?' + +"'Making a church,' said he. + +"'A church,' said I; 'what do you mean?' + +"'Why, yes,' said Dick, pointing with his toe, 'don't you see there is +the shape of it; there's the steps and front door--here the pews, +where the folks set--and there's the pulpit. + +"Yes, I see,' said I; 'but why don't you make a minister? + +"'Laws,' answered Dick, with a grin, 'I hain't got mud enough.'" + + + +How Lincoln Stood Up for the Word "Sugar-Coated." + +Mr. Defrees, the Government printer, states, that, when one of the +President's message was being printed, he was a good deal disturbed by +the use of the term "sugar-coated," and finally went to Mr. Lincoln +about it. Their relations to each other being of the most intimate +character, he told the President frankly, that he ought to remember +that a message to Congress was a different affair from a speech at a +mass meeting in Illinois; that the messages became a part of history, +and should be written accordingly. + +"What is the matter now?" inquired the President. + +"Why," said Mr. Defrees, "you have used an undignified expression in +the message;" and then, reading the paragraph aloud, he added, I would +alter the structure of that if I were you." + +"Defrees," replied Mr. Lincoln, "that word expresses exactly my idea, +and I am not going to change it. The time will never come in this +country when the people won't know exactly what 'sugar-coated' means." + +On a subsequent occasion, Mr. Defrees states that a certain sentence +of another message was very awkwardly constructed. Calling the +President's attention to it in the proof-copy, the latter acknowledged +the force of the objection raised, and said, "Go home, Defrees, and +see if you can better it." + +The next day Mr. Defrees took into him his amendment. Mr. Lincoln met +him by saying: + +"Seward found the same fault that you did, and he has been rewriting +the paragraph, also." Then, reading Mr. Defrees' version, he said, "I +believe you have beaten Seward; but, 'I jings,' I think I can beat you +both." Then, taking up his pen, he wrote the sentence as it was +finally printed. + + + +Lincoln's Advice to a Prominent Bachelor. + +Upon the betrothal of the Prince of Wales to the Princess Alexandra, +Queen Victoria sent a letter to each of the European sovereigns, and +also to President Lincoln, announcing the fact. Lord Lyons, her +ambassador at Washington,--a "bachelor," by the way,--requested an +audience of Mr. Lincoln, that he might present this important document +in person. At the time appointed he was received at the White House, +in company with Mr. Seward. + +"May it please your Excellency," said Lord Lyons, "I hold in my hand +an autograph letter from my royal mistress, Queen Victoria, which I +have been commanded to present to your Excellency. In it she informs +your Excellency that her son, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, +is about to contract a matrimonial alliance with her Royal Highness +the Princess Alexandra of Denmark." + +After continuing in this strain for a few minutes, Lord Lyons tendered +the letter to the President and awaited his reply. It was short, +simple, and expressive, and consisted simply of the words: + +"Lord Lyons, go thou and do likewise." + +It is doubtful if an English ambassador was ever addressed in this +manner before, and it would be interesting to learn what success he +met with in putting the reply in diplomatic language when he reported +it to her Majesty. + + +[Illustration of carriage on forested road.] + + +Mr. Lincoln and the Bashful Boys. + +The President and a friend were standing upon the threshold of the +door under the portico of the White House, awaiting the coachman, when +a letter was put into his hand. While he was reading this, people were +passing, as is customary, up and down the promenade, which leads +through the grounds of the War Department, crossing, of course, the +portico. Attention was attracted to an approaching party, apparently a +countryman, plainly dressed, with his wife and two little boys, who +had evidently been straying about, looking at the places of public +interest in the city. As they reached the portico the father, who was +in advance, caught sight of the tall figure of Mr. Lincoln, absorbed +in his letter. His wife and the little boys were ascending the steps. + +The man stopped suddenly, put out his hand with a "hush" to his +family, and, after a moment's gaze, he bent down and whispered to +them, "There is the President!" Then leaving them, he slowly made a +circuit around Mr. Lincoln, watching him intently all the while. + +At this point, having finished his letter, the President turned and +said: "Well, we will not wait any longer for the carriage; it won't +hurt you and me to walk down." + +The countryman here approached very diffidently, and asked if he might +be allowed to take the President by the hand; after which, "Would he +extend the same privilege to his wife and little boys?" + +Mr. Lincoln, good-naturedly, approached the latter, who had remained +where they were stopped, and, reaching down, said a kind word to the +bashful little fellows, who shrank close up to their mother, and did +not reply. This simple act filled the father's cup full. + +"The Lord is with you, Mr. President," he said, reverently; and then, +hesitating a moment, he added, with strong emphasis, "and the people, +too, sir; and the people, too!" + +A few moments later Mr. Lincoln remarked to his friend: "Great men +have various estimates. When Daniel Webster made his tour through the +West years ago, he visited Springfield among other places, where great +preparations had been made to receive him. As the procession was going +through the town, a barefooted little darkey boy pulled the sleeve of +a man named T., and asked: + +"'What the folks were all doing down the street?' + +"'Why, Jack,' was the reply, 'the biggest man in the world is +coming.' + +"Now, there lived in Springfield a man by the name of G----, a very +corpulent man. Jack darted off down the street, but presently +returned, with a very disappointed air. + +"'Well, did you see him?' inquired T. + +"'Yees,' returned Jack; 'but laws, he ain't half as big as old G.'." + + + +An Irish Soldier Who Wanted Something Stronger Than Soda Water. + +Upon Mr. Lincoln's return to Washington, after the capture of +Richmond, a member of the Cabinet asked him if it would be proper to +permit Jacob Thompson to slip through Maine in disguise, and embark +from Portland. The President, as usual, was disposed to be merciful, +and to permit the arch-rebel to pass unmolested, but the Secretary +urged that he should be arrested as a traitor. "By permitting him to +escape the penalties of treason," persistently remarked the Secretary, +"you sanction it." "Well," replied Mr. Lincoln, "let me tell you a +story. + +"There was an Irish soldier here last summer, who wanted something to +drink stronger than water, and stopped at a drug-shop, where he espied +a soda-fountain. + +"'Mr. Doctor' said he, 'give me, plase, a glass of soda wather, an' if +yees can put in a few drops of whisky unbeknown to any one, I'll be +obleeged.' + +"Now," said Mr. Lincoln, "if Jake Thompson is permitted to go through +Maine unbeknown to any one, what's the harm? So don't have him +arrested." + + + +Looking Out for Breakers. + +In a time of despondency, some visitors were telling the President of +the "breakers" so often seen ahead--"this time surely coming." +"That," said he, "suggests the story of the school-boy, who never +could pronounce the names 'Shadrach,' 'Meshach,' and 'Abednego.' He +had been repeatedly whipped for it without effect. Some times +afterwards he saw the names of the regular lesson for the day. Putting +his finger upon the place, he turned to his next neighbor, an older +boy, and whispered, 'Here comes those "tormented Hebrews" again!'" + + + +A Story About Jack Chase. + +A farmer from one of the border counties went to the President on a +certain occasion with the complaint that the Union soldiers in passing +his farm had helped themselves not only to hay but to his horse; and +he hoped the proper officer would be required to consider his claim +immediately. + +"Why, my good sir," replied Mr. Lincoln, "if I should attempt to +consider every such individual case, I should find work enough for +twenty Presidents! + +"In my early days I knew one Jack Chase who was a lumberman on the +Illinois, and when steady and sober the best raftsman on the river. It +was quite a trick twenty-five years ago to take the logs over the +rapids, but he was skillful with a raft, and always kept her straight +in the channel. Finally a steamer was put on, and Jack--he's dead now, +poor fellow!--was made captain of her. He always used to take the +wheel going through the rapids. One day when the boat was plunging and +wallowing along the boiling current, and Jack's utmost vigilance was +being exercised to keep her in the narrow channel, a boy pulled his +coat-tail and hailed him with: Say, Mister Captain! I wish you would +just stop your boat a minute--I've lost an apple overboard!" + + + +Stories Illustrating Lincoln's Memory. + +Mr. Lincoln's memory was very remarkable. At one of the afternoon +receptions at the White House a stranger shook hands with him, and as +he did so remarked, casually, that he was elected to Congress about +the time Mr. Lincoln's term as representative expired, which happened +many years before. + +"Yes," said the President, "you are from," mentioning the state. "I +remember reading of your election in a newspaper one morning on a +steamboat going down to Mount Vernon." + +At another time a gentleman addressed him, saying, "I presume, Mr. +President, you have forgotten me?" + +"No," was the prompt reply; "your name is Flood. I saw you last, +twelve years ago at ----," naming the place and the occasion. "I am +glad to see," he continued, "that the Flood flows on," + +Subsequent to his re-election a deputation of bankers from various +sections were introduced one day by the Secretary of the Treasury. +After a few moments of general conversation, Mr. Lincoln turned to one +of them and said: "Your district did not give me so strong a vote at +the last election as it did in 1860." + +"I think, sir, that you must be mistaken," replied the banker. "I +have the impression that your majority was considerably increased at +the last election," + +"No," rejoined the President, "you fell off about six hundred votes." +Then taking down from the bookcase the official canvass of 1860 and +1864 he referred to the vote or the district named and proved to be +quite right in his assertion. + + + +Philosophy of Canes. + +A gentleman calling at the White House one evening carried a cane +which in the course of conversation attracted the President's +attention. Taking it in his hand he said: "I always used a cane when I +was a boy. It was a freak of mine. My favorite one was a knotted beech +stick, and I carved the head myself. There's a mighty amount of +character in sticks. Don't you think so? You have seen these +fishing-polls that fit into a cane? Well, that was an old idea of +mine. Dogwood clubs were favorite ones with the boys. I suppose they +use them yet. Hickory is too heavy, unless you get it from a young +sapling. Have you ever noticed how a stick in one's hand will change +his appearance? Old women and witches wouldn't look so without sticks. +Meg Merrilies understands that." + + + +Common Sense. + +The Hon. Mr. Hubbard, of Connecticut, once called upon the President +in reference to a newly invented gun, concerning which a committee had +been appointed to make a report. + +The "report" was sent for, and when it came in was found to be of the +most voluminous description. Mr. Lincoln glanced at it and said: "I +should want a new lease of life to read this through!" Throwing it +down upon the table he added: "Why can't a committee of this kind +occasionally exhibit a grain of common sense? If I send a man to buy a +horse for me, I expect him to tell me his points--not how many hairs +there are in his tail." + + + +Lincoln's Confab with a Committee on "Grant's Whisky." + +Just previous to the fall of Vicksburg a self-constituted committee, +solicitous for the _morale_ of our armies, took it upon themselves to +visit the President and urge the removal of General Grant. + +In some surprise Mr. Lincoln inquired, "For what reason?" + +"Why," replied the spokesman, "he drinks too much whisky." + +"Ah!" rejoined Mr. Lincoln, dropping his lower lip. "By the way, +gentlemen, can either of you tell me where General Grant procures his +whisky? because, if I can find out, I will send every general in the +field a barrel of it!" + + + +A "Pretty Tolerable Respectable Sort of a Clergyman." + +Some one was discussing in the presence of Mr. Lincoln the character +of a time-serving Washington clergyman. Said Mr. Lincoln to his +visitor: + +"I think you are rather hard upon Mr. ----. He reminds me of a man in +Illinois, who was tried for passing a counterfeit bill. It was in +evidence that before passing it he had taken it to the cashier of a +bank and asked his opinion of the bill, and he received a very prompt +reply that it was a counterfeit. His lawyer, who had heard the +evidence to be brought against his client, asked him just before going +into court, 'Did you take the bill to the cashier of the bank and ask +him if it was good?' + +"'I did,' was the reply, + +"'Well, what was the reply of the cashier?' + +"The rascal was in a corner, but he got out of it in this fashion: 'He +said it was a pretty tolerable, respectable sort of a bill.'" Mr. +Lincoln thought the clergyman was "a pretty tolerable, respectable +sort of a clergyman." + + + +Opened His Eyes. + +Mr. Lincoln sometimes had a very effective way of dealing with men who +troubled him with questions. A visitor once asked him how many men the +Rebels had in the field. + +The President replied, very seriously, "_Twelve hundred thousand, +according to the best authority._" + +The interrogator blanched in the face, and ejaculated, "_Good +Heavens!_" + +"Yes, sir, twelve hundred thousand--no doubt of it. You see, all of +our generals, when they get whipped, say the enemy outnumbers them +from three or five to one, and I must believe them. We have four +hundred thousand men in the field, and three times four makes twelve. +Don't you see it?" + + + +Minnehaha and Minneboohoo! + +Some gentlemen fresh from a Western tour, during a call at the White +House, referred in the course of conversation to a body of water in +Nebraska, which bore an Indian name signifying "weeping water." Mr. +Lincoln instantly responded: "As 'laughing water,' according to Mr. +Longfellow, is 'Minnehaha,' this evidently should be 'Minneboohoo.'" + + + +Lincoln and the Artist. + +F. B. Carpenter, the celebrated artist and author of the well-known +painting of Lincoln and his Cabinet issuing the Emancipation +Proclamation, describes his first meeting with the President, as +follows: + +"Two o'clock found me one of the throng pressing toward the center of +attraction, the blue room. From the threshold of the crimson parlor as +I passed, I had a glimpse of the gaunt figure of Mr. Lincoln in the +distance, haggard-looking, dressed in black, relieved only by the +prescribed white gloves; standing, it seemed to me, solitary and +alone, though surrounded by the crowd, bending low now and then in the +process of hand-shaking, and responding half abstractedly to the +well-meant greetings of the miscellaneous assemblage. + +"Never shall I forget the electric thrill which went through my whole +being at this instant. I seemed to see lines radiating from every part +of the globe, converging to a focus where that plain, awkward-looking +man stood, and to hear in spirit a million prayers, 'as the sound of +many waters,' ascending in his behalf. + +"Mingled with supplication I could discern a clear symphony of triumph +and blessing, swelled with an ever-increasing volume. It was the voice +of those who had been bondmen and bondwomen, and the grand diapason +swept up from the coming ages. + +"It was soon my privilege in the regular succession, to take that +honored hand. Accompanying the act, my name and profession were +announced to him in a low tone by one of the assistant secretaries, +who stood by his side. + +"Retaining my hand, he looked at me inquiringly for an instant, and +said, Oh, yes; I know; this is the painter. Then straightening himself +to his full height, with a twinkle of the eye, he added, playfully, +'Do you think, Mr. C----, that you could make a handsome picture of +_me?_' emphasizing strongly the last word. + +"Somewhat confused at this point-blank shot, uttered in a voice so +loud as to attract the attention of those in immediate proximity, I +made a random reply, and took the occasion to ask if I could see him +in his study at the close of the reception. + +"To this he replied in the peculiar vernacular of the West, 'I +reckon,' resuming meanwhile the mechanical and traditional exercise of +the hand which no President has ever yet been able to avoid, and +which, severe as is the ordeal, is likely to attach to the position so +long as the Republic endures." + + + +The American Boy's Sports Series + +BY MARK OVERTON + +12mo Cloth. Illustrated. Price 60c Each. + +These stories touch upon nearly every sport in which the active boy is +interested. Baseball, rowing, football, hockey, skating, ice-boating, +sailing, camping and fishing all serve to lend interest to an unusual +series of books. There are the following four titles: + +1. Jack Winters' Baseball Team; or, The Mystery of the Diamond. + +2. Jack Winters' Campmates; or, Vacation Days in the Woods. + +3. Jack Winters' Gridiron Chums; or, When the Half-back Saved the Day. + +4. Jack Winters' Iceboat Wonder; or, Leading the Hockey Team to +Victory. + + + +The Aeroplane Series + +By JOHN LUTHER LANGWORTHY + +1. The Aeroplane Boys; or, The Young Pilots First Air Voyage + +2. The Aeroplane Boys on the Wing; or, Aeroplane Chums in the Tropics + +3. The Aeroplane Boys Among the Clouds; or, Young Aviators in a Wreck + +4. The Aeroplane Boys Flights; or. A Hydroplane Round-up + +5. The Aeroplane Boys on a Cattle Ranch + + + +The Girl Aviator Series + +By MARGARET BURNHAM + +Just the type of books that delight and fascinate the wide awake Girls +of the present day who are between the ages of eight and fourteen +years. The great author of these books regards them as the best +products of her pen. Printed from large clear type on a superior +quality of paper; attractive multi-color jacket wrapper around each +book. Bound in cloth. + +1. The Girl Aviators and the Phantom Airship + +2. The Girl Aviators on Golden Wings + +3. The Girl Aviators' Sky Cruise + +4. The Girl Aviators' Motor Butterfly. + +For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of 75c. + +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY + +701-733 S. 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