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diff --git a/old/52017.txt b/old/52017.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fd3c4ad..0000000 --- a/old/52017.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8987 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Boy's Fortune, by Horatio Alger - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: A Boy's Fortune - Or, The Strange Adventures of Ben Baker - - -Author: Horatio Alger - - - -Release Date: May 7, 2016 [eBook #52017] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOY'S FORTUNE*** - - -E-text prepared by David Edwards, Andrés V. Galia, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images -generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustration. - See 52017-h.htm or 52017-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/52017/52017-h/52017-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/52017/52017-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/boysfortuneorstr00alge - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=). - - - - - -[Illustration: "HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP."] - - -A BOY'S FORTUNE - -Or, - -The Strange Adventures of Ben Baker - -by - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -Author of "Adrift in the City," "Grit," "Frank and Fearless," -"Dan, the Detective," "Plucky Paul Palmer," etc. - - - - - - - -The John C. Winston Co. -Philadelphia -Chicago Toronto - -Copyright, 1898, by -Henry T. Coates & Co. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. OLIVER HITCHCOCK'S LUNCH-ROOM, 1 - - II. A LODGING IN ST. MARK'S PLACE, 10 - - III. THE MERCHANT'S SECRET, 19 - - IV. THE MOCK PHILANTHROPIST, 28 - - V. A YOUNG DUDE, 37 - - VI. BEN GETS INTO TROUBLE, 45 - - VII. A STRANGE ADVENTURE, 54 - - VIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 67 - - IX. CLARENCE IS PUZZLED, 72 - - X. AT THE OFFICE OF MR. CODICIL, 81 - - XI. THE HOME OF POVERTY, 90 - - XII. A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT, 99 - - XIII. A FAREWELL CALL, 108 - - XIV. WHAT BEN'S FRIENDS THOUGHT, 117 - - XV. FILIPPO NOVARRO, 126 - - XVI. ON BOARD THE PARTHIA, 134 - - XVII. THE BEAUFORTS IN TROUBLE, 143 - - XVIII. MRS. FLANAGAN IS DRIVEN FROM THE FIELD, 152 - - XIX. BRIGHTER PROSPECTS, 162 - - XX. THE NEW HOME, 171 - - XXI. THE COLLAPSE OF AN ELDERLY DUDE, 181 - - XXII. THE ROMANCE OF A ROSE, 190 - - XXIII. ON THE BORDERS OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA, 200 - - XXIV. THE MAISON DE FOUS, 208 - - XXV. IN A TRAP, 218 - - XXVI. INTRODUCES TWO CELEBRITIES, 227 - - XXVII. A MIDNIGHT ESCAPE, 236 - - XXVIII. BEN'S FLIGHT, 245 - - XXIX. BEN IS MISSED, 249 - - XXX. M. BOURDON'S LITTLE SCHEME, 254 - - XXXI. A WANDERER IN FRANCE, 262 - - XXXII. A STRANGE MEETING, 267 - - XXXIII. AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY, 271 - - XXXIV. ROSE MAKES AN ENEMY, 279 - - XXXV. A WOMAN'S JEALOUSY, 287 - - XXXVI. ROSE COMES INTO A FORTUNE, 296 - - XXXVII. BEN MEETS HIS COUSIN, 305 - - XXXVIII. M. BOURDON HAS A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR, 310 - - XXXIX. BEN AND HIS UNCLE, 314 - - XL. CONCLUSION, 319 - - - - - A BOY'S FORTUNE; - - OR, THE - - STRANGE ADVENTURES OF BEN BAKER. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - OLIVER HITCHCOCK'S LUNCH-ROOM. - - -"Wake up there! This is no place to sleep." - -The speaker was a policeman, the scene was City Hall Park, and the -person addressed was a boy of perhaps sixteen, who was reclining on -one of the park benches, with a bundle at his side. - -The officer accompanied his admonition with a shaking which served -to arouse the young sleeper. - -"Is it morning?" asked the boy, drowsily, not yet realizing his -situation. - -"No, it isn't. Don't you know where you are?" - -"I know now," said the boy, looking about him. - -"Come, get up, Johnny! This is no place for you," said the officer, -not unkindly, for he was a family man, and had a boy of his own not -far from the age of the young wayfarer. - -The boy got up, and looked about him undecidedly. Clearly he did not -know where to go. - -"Are you a stranger in the city?" asked the policeman. - -"Yes, sir. I only got here this afternoon." - -"Then you have no place to sleep?" - -"No." - -"Haven't you got money enough to go to a hotel? There is Leggett's -Hotel, just down Park Row," pointing eastward. - -"I have a little money, but I can't afford to go to a hotel." - -"You can go to the Newsboys' Lodging House for six cents." - -"Where is it?" - -The officer told him. - -"I feel hungry. I suppose there isn't any place where I can get -supper so late as this?" - -"Oh, yes! There's one close by. Do you see a light over there?" - -The officer pointed to a basement opposite the post-office, at the -corner of Beekman street and Park Row. - -"Yes, I see it," answered the boy. "Is it a good place?" - -"I should say so. Why, that's Oll Hitchcock's. You can't get a -better cup of coffee or sandwich anywhere in New York. I often get -lunch there myself, when I don't have time to go home." - -"Thank you for telling me. I'll go over." - -Ben Baker, for that is the name of our young hero, walked across -the street, and descended the steps into the well-known restaurant -or lunch-room of Oliver Hitchcock. Open by night as well as by day, -there is hardly an hour of the twenty-four in which it is not fairly -well patronized, while at times it is thronged. It is a favorite -resort for men of all classes--printers, journalists, newsmen--who -drop in in the early morning on their way to or from the offices of -the great morning papers for their regular supplies--politicians and -business men of all kinds. - -More than once in Oliver Hitchcock's old saloon, farther up the -same street, Horace Greeley, the elder Bennett, and Raymond, of the -_Times_, could be found at the plain tables, unprovided with cloths, -but bearing appetizing dishes. - -When Ben entered the restaurant at half-past eleven he was surprised -to find most of the tables occupied. - -Coming from the country, where ten o'clock found nearly every one in -bed, he was much surprised to find so many persons up and engaged in -supping. - -"People in New York seem to sit up all night," he thought. - -He took a vacant seat, and the waiter soon coming up to him, stood -in silent expectation of an order. - -"Give me a cup of coffee and a sandwich," said Ben. - -"What kind?" - -"Ham." - -The waiter sped on his errand, and soon set before our hero a cup -of fragrant coffee, steaming hot, and a sandwich made of tender -meat and fresh bread, which tasted delicious to the hungry boy--so -delicious that he resolved to forego the intended piece of pie and -ordered another. - -While he was eating the second sandwich, he observed that a young -man, sitting just opposite, was eyeing him attentively. - -He was tall, dark-complexioned, slender, and had a kindly face. - -"You seem to relish your supper, Johnny," he said. - -"Yes, I do, but my name isn't Johnny." - -The young man smiled. - -"Excuse me," he said, "but in New York we call boys by that name, -if we don't know their real names. I suppose you have not been here -long?" - -"No; I only arrived this afternoon." - -"Come to make your fortune, eh?" - -"Well, I don't know. I should like to, but if I can make a living -it is all I expect. Besides, I have another object," added the boy, -slowly. - -"Were you ever here before?" - -"No, sir." - -"You are up rather late. You don't sit up so late in the country, do -you?" - -"Oh, no, I am in bed by nine o'clock generally." - -"We don't go to bed early here. I myself haven't been in bed before -midnight for three years." - -"Do you like to sit up so late?" asked Ben. - -"I didn't at first. Now I am used to it. My business keeps me up -late." - -Seeing that Ben looked curious, he added: - -"I am a reporter on a morning paper." - -"Do you like it?" asked Ben, doubtfully. - -"Oh, yes. It isn't a bad business." - -"What paper do you write for?" asked Ben, with considerable respect -for a man who wrote for the papers. - -"I used to work on the _Sun_. Now I'm on the _Herald_. It suits me -very well while I am a young man, but I should like a different -position when I am older." - -"Is it hard work?" - -"Sometimes. I am liable to be sent off at five minutes' notice to -any part of the city. Then I am expected to keep my eyes open, and -make note of anything that comes in my way. There was a big fire -last night about one o'clock, up town. I heard of it as I was going -up in the horse-cars, so I hurried to the spot, and instead of going -to bed I got all the information I could, hurried back to the office -and wrote it up. I got extra pay for it. Besides, it shows interest, -and may help me to promotion." - -"Have you got through for to-night?" asked Ben. - -"Yes; I feel tired, being up so late last night. When I leave here I -shall go home and to bed. By the way, where are you staying?" - -"Nowhere," answered Ben, in some embarrassment. - -"You are not going to sit up all night, are you?" - -"No. I suppose I must go somewhere." - -"There is a hotel close by--Leggett's." - -"So a policeman told me, but I haven't much money, and I had better -not go to a hotel. He said there was a Newsboys' Lodging House, -where I could get lodging for six cents." - -"I am afraid you couldn't get in at this late hour." - -Ben looked perplexed. He felt sleepy, and needed rest. - -"Then I suppose I shall have to go to the hotel," he answered. "Do -you know how much they charge?" - -"Not exactly. It depends on the room. I can direct you to a cheaper -lodging even than you could get at the Newsboys' Lodging House." - -"I wish you would," said Ben, looking up hopefully. - -"Then come home with me. My room-mate is away for a few days, and I -have room for you." - -"Thank you, sir, if it won't inconvenience you." - -"Not at all." - -Ben had read of adventurers that lie in wait for unsuspecting -travellers and "rope them in," but he entertained no suspicion -of the young man who had so kindly offered him a bed. The mere -fact that he was a newspaper man seemed to Ben a guarantee of -respectability. - -As Hugh Manton (the reporter) and he went up to the counter to pay -the amount of their checks, a stout, handsomely-dressed man, of -portly form and medium stature, entered the restaurant. As his eye -fell upon Ben he started and muttered to himself: - -"That boy in New York! What does he want here?" - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - A LODGING IN ST. MARK'S PLACE. - - -Hugh Manton, whose calling had trained him to quick observation, did -not fail to notice that the stout gentleman was in some way moved by -the sight of his young companion. This surprised him not a little, -for in the portly gentleman he recognized a wealthy retail merchant -whose store was located on the upper part of Broadway. - -"Can there be any connection between this country boy and the rich -Mr. Walton?" he asked himself, curiously. - -He resolved to take an early opportunity to question Ben. - -When their bills were paid they went out of the restaurant. It was -twelve o'clock by the clock on the City Hall when they emerged from -the lunch-room. A Third Avenue horse-car was just passing. - -"Follow me!" said the reporter, as he jumped aboard. - -Ben did so. - -"My room is on St. Mark's place," he said. "I suppose you don't know -where that is?" - -"No; I have never been in New York before." - -"It must be nearly two miles from the City Hall Park. It is the -eastern part of Eighth street." - -"Fare!" said the conductor. - -Ben put his hand into his pocket. - -"No," said his companion, "I have the change." - -"Thank you!" said Ben, "but you ought not to pay for me." - -"Oh, you shall take your turn some time." - -They sat down in the car, and, both being tired, sat silent. - -After riding fifteen to twenty minutes they came in sight of a large -brown-colored building, set between Third and Fourth avenues, just -beyond the termination of the Bowery. - -"We will get out here," said Hugh Manton. "That building is the -Cooper Institute. Of course you have heard of it? We turn to the -right, and will soon reach my den." - -Time was when St. Mark's place had some pretension to gentility, but -now it is given up to lodging and boarding-houses. In front of a -brick house, between Second and First avenues, the reporter paused. - -"This is where I live," he said. - -He opened the door with a latch-key, and they entered a dark hall, -for at eleven o'clock the light was extinguished. - -"Follow me," he said to Ben. "Take hold of the banister, and feel -your way. I am generally the last in," he said, "unless some one -of my fellow-lodgers is out having a good time. One more flight of -stairs. So, here we are." - -The rear room on the third floor was his. Opening a door, he quickly -lighted a gas-jet on one side of the room. - -"There, my young friend," said the reporter, "you can undress as -soon as you please, and jump into that bed nearest the window. It -isn't luxurious, but will serve your turn." - -"Thank you," said Ben. "I feel very tired. I shan't lie awake long -to consider what kind of a bed I am in. Do you get up early?" - -"Sometimes I get up as early as nine o'clock." - -Ben laughed. - -"Do you call that early?" he said. "Six o'clock isn't extra early in -the country." - -"My young friend--by the way, what's your name?" - -"Ben Baker." - -"Well, Ben, let me tell you that nine o'clock is a very early -hour for a reporter. We'll rise at nine, and go out to breakfast -together." - -"I think I can sleep till then," said Ben, "for I am as tired as I -ever was after a hard day's work on the farm." - - * * * * * - -"Wake up, Ben." - -It was the next morning and the words were spoken by Hugh Manton, as -he gave a gentle shake to the still sleeping boy. - -Ben opened his eyes and looked about him in a confused way. Finally -recollection came to him. - - -"I thought I was in that park down town," he said, with a smile. - -"Do you know where you are now?" - -"Yes." - -"Have you slept well, youngster?" - -"I have had a bully sleep." - -"And you feel ready for breakfast?" - -"I think I can eat some." - -The two new acquaintances dressed and went down stairs. Ben was -about to take his bundle, but the reporter stopped him. - -"Leave it here," he said, "for the present. Blodgett won't be back -for three or four days, and you can stay here till he returns. You -won't want to be lugging that bundle all over town." - -"You are very kind," said Ben, gratefully. - -"Why shouldn't I be? I came to the city myself a poor country -youth, and I had a hard struggle as first till I reached my present -pinnacle of wealth," he concluded, with a smile. - -"Are reporters well paid?" asked Ben, innocently. - -"That depends! Whatever they earn, it is seldom that one gets fifty -dollars ahead. That is because, as a rule, they are improvident, -and sometimes dissipated. I am not as well paid as some, but I make -a little writing sketches for the weekly story papers. I pick up -two or three hundred a year that way. Then I take better care of -my money than some. I laid up five hundred dollars last year, and -nearly as much the year before." - -"You will soon be rich," said Ben, to whom five hundred dollars -seemed a large sum of money. - -The reporter smiled. - -"It takes considerable money to make a man rich in New York," he -said. "However, I know it makes me feel very comfortable to think I -have a thousand dollars in the bank." - -"I should think it would," said Ben, seriously. - -"Here we are!" said the reporter, pausing in front of a restaurant -on Ninth street, facing the side of the great retail store -established by the late A. T. Stewart. "We can get a comfortable -breakfast inside for a low price." - -They entered, and sat down at one of the small tables. Hugh Manton -ordered a beefsteak and a cup of coffee. This, with bread and -butter, cost twenty cents. Ben duplicated the order. The meat was -not of the best quality, but it was as good as could be afforded at -the price, and Ben ate with the zest of a healthy boy of his age. - -"By the way, Ben," said the reporter, with apparent carelessness, -though he scanned the face of his young companion attentively as he -spoke, "are you acquainted with a clothing merchant of this city -named Nicholas Walton?" - -Ben started in irrepressible astonishment. - -"What makes you ask?" he said. "Did you know he was my uncle?" - -It was Hugh Manton's turn to be astonished. - -"Your uncle!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean to say Nicholas Walton -is your uncle?" - -"Yes, I do. My mother is his sister." - -"Is it possible? He has the reputation of being very rich, while -you----" - -"While I am very poor. Yes, that is true." - -"Are you going to call upon him?" - -"Yes. I thought, being my uncle, he might give me a place in his -store." - -"Did you write him that you were coming?" - -"No--that is, not lately. I wrote three months ago, and he wrote -back that I had better stay where I was." - -"What were you doing?" - -"I was working on a farm. I was paid three dollars a week." - -"Did you live on the farm?" - -"No; I lived with my mother." - -"She is living, then?" - -"Yes," said Ben, and his face lighted up with love for his absent -mother. - -"I should think Mr. Walton would do something for his own sister." - -"So he does. He sends her twenty-five dollars a month. She lives in -a small house belonging to my grandfather. My uncle is part owner, -but he lets mother live in it." - -"I suppose you don't like the country, or you wouldn't have come to -the city." - -"I have a taste for business, and no taste for farming. My uncle -came to New York a poor boy, and he has succeeded. I don't see why I -can't." - -"It doesn't always follow," said the reporter, thoughtfully. "Still -I think you have it in you to succeed. You look bold, persevering -and resolute." - -"I mean to succeed!" said Ben, firmly. "I am not afraid of work." - -"Shall you call on your uncle this morning?" - -"Yes; I want to find out as soon as I can what I am to depend upon." - -"Very well! Just make my room your home. I shall not be back myself -till midnight, or later, but here is a latch-key which will admit -you to my room whenever you like. I have Blodgett's with me, which I -can use myself." - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THE MERCHANT'S SECRET. - - -Five years before Ben's arrival in the city Nicholas Walton kept a -moderate sized store on Grand street. He was doing a good business, -but he was not satisfied. He wished to take a store on Broadway, and -make his name prominent among business men. In this wish his wife -entirely sympathized with him. She boasted aristocratic lineage, but -when Mr. Walton married her she was living in genteel poverty, while -her mother was forced, very much against her will, to take lodgers. -It was a great piece of good luck for Theodosia Granville to marry -a prosperous young merchant like Nicholas Walton, but she chose to -consider that all the indebtedness was on the other side, and was -fond of talking about the sacrifice she made in marrying a man of no -family. - -They had two children, Emiline and Clarence Plantagenet Walton, -the latter about three months older than his cousin Ben. Both were -haughty and arrogant in temper and disposition, and as a matter of -course neither was a favorite with their young associates, though -each had flatterers whose interest was served by subserviency. - -At that time Ben's father was living and practicing as a physician -in the little town of Sunderland, fifty miles distant in the -country. There was comparatively little intercourse between the -families, though there was not yet that difference in their worldly -circumstances that afterward arose. - -One day, just as the clerks were getting ready to close up, Nicholas -Walton was surprised by the sudden appearance of his brother-in-law, -Dr. Baker. - -"What brings you to town, James?" he asked. - -"Business of great importance," answered Baker. - -"Indeed!" said Walton, curiously. - -"I will tell you all about it, but not here." - -"Do you go back to Sunderland to-night?" - -"No; I think of trespassing upon your hospitality." - -"Certainly. I shall be glad to have you stay with me. My wife and -children are out of town--visiting a sister of hers in Hartford--but -the servants will see that we are comfortable." - -"All the better. Of course I should have been glad to see Mrs. -Walton and the children, but now you can give me more attention." - -"I wonder whether he wants to borrow money," thought the merchant, -with some uneasiness. "If he does, I shall refuse as civilly as I -can. I don't propose to be a prey to impecunious relatives. I need -all the money I can command to further my own schemes. In three or -four years, if things go well, I shall be able to move to Broadway, -and then our family can take a higher social position. My wife would -like to have me move at once, but I don't choose to do anything -rashly. The time has not yet come for so important a step." - -"We will go now," said Mr. Walton. "The clerks will close up. If -you will walk as far as the Bowery, we will board a Fourth avenue -car." - -"Do you still live on Twelfth street, Nicholas?" - -"Yes. Mrs. Walton urges me to take a house on Madison avenue, but I -must not go too fast." - -"You are prospering, I take it, Nicholas?" - -"He is feeling his way toward a loan, I am afraid," thought the -merchant. - -"Yes, I am making headway," he admitted, warily, "but I have to be -very cautious. Oftentimes I am short of money, I assure you. In -fact, I am hampered by my small capital." - -"My neighbors in Sunderland would be surprised to hear that," said -Dr. Baker, smiling. "They look upon you as one of the merchant -princes of New York." - -"Do they?" said Walton, looking gratified. "Some day I hope to be -what they think I am now." - -"You will be, if you are not too much in haste." - -"So I hope. And you, I hope you are prospering?" said the merchant, -guardedly. - -"I have no cause for complaint," said his brother-in-law, -"especially now." - -"What does he mean by 'especially now?'" thought the merchant. - -"I am glad to hear it," he said, aloud. - -Arrived at the house in Twelfth street--it was a plain brick house -of three stories--dinner was found to be awaiting, and as they sat -down at once, there was no opportunity for a private conversation. -When the cloth was removed, and they were left to themselves, Walton -invited his brother-in-law's confidence by saying, suggestively: - -"So business of importance brought you to New York, doctor?" - -"Yes, business of great importance!" - -"I suppose it seems great to him," thought Walton. "Well," he said -aloud, "you have aroused my curiosity. It is only fair to gratify -it." - -"That is what I propose to do. Let me say, then, that this day has -made a great change in me." - -"I don't see any change," said Walton, puzzled. - -"Yet it has; I awoke this morning a poor man. To-night I am rich." - -"You--haven't been speculating?" said Walton, curiously. - -"No; I had no money to speculate with. But to-day a fortune has come -to me." - -"A fortune! How much?" - -"One hundred thousand dollars!" answered the physician. - -"A hundred thousand dollars!" ejaculated Nicholas Walton, staring at -his brother-in-law in amazement. - -"Yes." - -"Explain yourself--that is, if you are not joking." - -"Fortunately it is not a joke. As to the explanation, here it is: -Some years ago I was called, when a young practitioner in New York -(I began here, you know), to attend a wealthy West Indian planter, -boarding at the New York Hotel. He was critically sick, and required -constant attention. I had little to do, and devoted myself to him. -He was convinced that he owed his life to me. He paid me handsomely -then, and requested me to keep him apprised of my whereabouts. I -have done so. Yesterday I received a letter, requesting me to come -to New York, and call at a certain room in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. I -did so. I found a Cuban gentleman, who, first apprising me that my -former patient was dead, added, to my amazement, that he had left me -in his will one hundred thousand dollars. Furthermore, he had the -amount with him in negotiable securities, and transferred them at -once to my hands." - -"And you have them with you?" - -"Yes." - -"It was strangely informal." - -"True, but this gentleman was about to sail for Europe, to be absent -five years--he sailed this afternoon--and he wished to be rid of his -commission." - -"It is like a romance," said the merchant, slowly. - -"Yes, it's like a romance. I don't mind telling you," added the -doctor, in a lower tone, "that it relieves me very much. Conscious, -as I am, that my life hangs on a thread, it makes me easy about the -future of my wife and child." - -"Your life hangs on a thread? What do you mean?" - -"I mean," said the physician, seriously, "that our family is subject -to heart disease. My grandfather died at a minute's notice; so did -my father; so, in all probability, shall I. No insurance company, -knowing this, would insure me, and, till this windfall came, I was -subject at times to great anxiety." - -"Does your wife--my sister--know that you have received this money?" -asked Walton, slowly. - -"No; she merely knows that I received a letter from New York." - -"And you are really liable to die suddenly?" - -"Yes; I shall probably drop dead some day. My father died at my -present age. Any sudden excitement----" - -"Good heavens! what is the matter with you?" exclaimed Walton, -springing to his feet, excitedly. - -"What do you mean?" asked the physician, startled. - -"Your face is livid; you look like a corpse. Great heavens! has -your time come?" - -Doctor Baker rose to his feet in terrible agitation; his face -changed; he put his hand on his heart, swayed himself for a moment, -and then fell lifeless. - -Walton had supplied the sudden excitement, and brought upon him the -family doom. - -Nicholas Walton, half-terrified, half-triumphant, gazed at his -victim. He knelt down, and tearing open the vest of his visitor, -placed his hand upon his heart. - -It had ceased to beat. - -"Now for the securities!" he murmured hoarsely. - -They were found. A brief examination showed that they were -negotiable by bearer. He carefully locked them up in his desk, and -then, ringing the bell hastily, summoned a physician. One came, but -could afford no help. - -"Now," he said to himself, with inward exultation, "this fortune is -mine, and I can realize the dream of my life! No one will ever be -the wiser." - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE MOCK PHILANTHROPIST. - - -Nicholas Walton, much sooner than he had anticipated, was able -to realize the dream of his life. He engaged a larger store on -Broadway, within three months of the death of his brother-in-law. -The latter was supposed to have died a poor man. In settling up his -estate it was found that he left only the modest cottage in which -he had lived. Mrs. Baker's anxiety, however, was alleviated by the -following letter from her brother Nicholas: - - "MY DEAR SISTER:--I sympathize with you sincerely in - your sad and sudden loss. I am afraid my poor brother-in-law - has not been able to leave you comfortably provided for. I - cannot do as much as I would like, but I will send you a - monthly sum of twenty-five dollars, which, as you have no - rent to pay, will perhaps keep you comfortable. If I can at - any time feel justified in so doing, I will increase this - allowance." - - -"Nicholas is very kind," said Mrs. Baker, to her friends. "He has -done this without any appeal from me." - -She really felt grateful for his kindness, as she termed it, having -no suspicion of the terrible secret that haunted her brother day and -night, making him an unhappy man in spite of his outward prosperity. -But he had no intention of making restitution; his remorse did not -go so far as this. - -"As to taking a hundred thousand dollars from my business," he said, -in answer to conscience, "it would cripple me seriously. Besides, -my sister doesn't want it; it would do her no good. She and her -children can live comfortably on what I send her." - -He tried to persuade himself that he was liberal in his provision -for his sister; but even his effrontery could not go so far as this. - -In reality, Mrs. Baker would have found great difficulty in keeping -her expenses within three hundred dollars a year if Ben had not -managed to pick up a dollar or two a week by working at odd jobs, -running errands, or assisting some of the neighboring farmers. But -the small town of Sunderland did not satisfy the ambitious boy. -There was no kind of business which he could learn at home that -offered him a satisfactory career. - -"Mother," he said, about three months before my story begins, "don't -you think my uncle would give me a place in his store?" - -"You don't want to leave home, Ben, do you?" - -"I don't want to leave you, mother; but you know how it is. There is -nothing to do in Sunderland." - -"I am sure you pick up considerable money in the course of a year, -Ben." - -"But what does it all amount to, mother?" - -"It is a great help to me," said Mrs. Baker. - -"I don't mean that. It isn't getting me ahead. I can't do any more -now than I could a year ago. If I learned my uncle's business I -might get ahead, as he has." - -"You may be right, Ben; but how could I spare you? I should feel so -lonely." - -"You have Alice, mother. She is ten years old, and is a good deal of -company to you." - -So the discussion continued. Finally, as might have been expected, -Ben obtained from his mother a reluctant consent to his writing to -his uncle. He did not have to wait long for the answer; but when it -came, it was cold and unsatisfactory. It read thus: - - "NEPHEW BENJAMIN:--Your letter has come to hand, asking me - to give you a place in my store. I think you are much better - off in the country. Besides that, I do not think you ought - to leave your mother. You say there is no chance for you - in Sunderland; but you are mistaken. You can work for some - farmer, and gradually acquire a knowledge of the business, - and in time I may help you buy a farm, or at any rate hire - one, if I am satisfied with your conduct. As to the city, - you had better keep away from it. I am sure your mother will - agree with me. - - "Your uncle, - - "NICHOLAS WALTON." - -"Your uncle seems to me to write very sensibly," said Mrs. Baker. -"The city is full of temptations." - -"If I go to the city I shall work too hard to be troubled in that -way, mother." - -"Your uncle makes a very kind offer, I think." - -"It doesn't bind him to much," said Ben. "He says he may help me to -buy or hire a farm, if I learn farming." - -"That would be a gift worth having, Ben," said his mother, who -thought chiefly of keeping Ben at home. - -"I shall never make a farmer, mother; I don't like it well enough. -It is a very useful and honorable business, I know, but I have a -taste for business; and if Uncle Nicholas won't help me to a start, -I must see what I can do for myself after a time." - -Nicholas Walton congratulated himself when his letter to Ben -remained unanswered. - -"That will settle the matter," he said to himself. "I would -rather keep the boy in the country. I couldn't have him in my -establishment. I should never see him without thinking of his -father's sudden death before my eyes," and the rich merchant -shuddered in spite of himself. "Besides," and a shade of -apprehension swept over his face, "I am in constant fear lest he -should hear of the large sum of money which came into his father's -hands just before his death. While he stays in Sunderland, there is -little chance of any such knowledge coming to him; if he is in the -city, there is a greater chance of it. Who knows; the man who paid -Doctor Baker the money may turn up. It was his intention to go to -Europe for five years. That period has nearly passed already. If -this discovery should ever be made, I am ruined. I might even be -accused of murdering him, though, happily, that could not be proved. -But there would be a blot on my name, and my reputation would -suffer." - -For three months Ben made no sign, and his uncle concluded that he -had given up his plan of coming to New York in search of employment. - -But one evening--it was the one on which our story commenced--on his -way back from a call upon some friends in Brooklyn, Nicholas Walton -stepped into Hitchcock's lunch-room, knowing it well by reputation, -and was startled by seeing the nephew whose appearance he so much -dreaded. - -It was his first impulse to speak to him, and harshly demand his -reason for disobeying the positive command to remain at home; but -this might be followed by an appeal for help (it was clear that Mr. -Walton did not understand his nephew) and that might be awkward. - -"No," thought the merchant; "I won't speak to him till he comes to -the store, as no doubt he intends to. Then I will give him a piece -of my mind." - -We now come back to Ben and his new found friend, the reporter. - -"If you don't object, I will walk down town with you, Mr. Manton," -said Ben, as they left the restaurant where they had breakfasted. - -"I shall be glad of your company, Ben," said Manton, cordially. "I -will point out to you the chief landmarks, and places of interest, -as we go along." - -"I wish you would," said Ben. "I know very little of the city." - -"That is a defect you will soon remedy," said his friend. - -"By the way," said Ben, with a sudden thought, "how was it that you -asked me if I knew Mr. Walton?" - -"Because I saw that Mr. Walton knew you." - -"You saw that he knew me?" repeated Ben, puzzled. - -"Yes. Do you remember a stout gentleman who came into Hitchcock's -just as we were going out?" - -"No; I did not observe him." - -"It was Nicholas Walton. When his glance first rested upon you he -started and looked disturbed." - -"He did not approve of my coming to New York," explained Ben. "Then -you think he recognized me?" - -"I am sure of it." - -"I wonder he did not speak to me!" said Ben, thoughtfully. - -"Probably for the reason you have assigned--because he did not -approve of your coming. Do you expect to call upon him?" - -"Yes; I am going to ask if he won't give me a place in his store. He -employs a large number, I suppose?" - -"Yes; not less than a hundred, I should think, in various ways -inside the store, besides scores of seamstresses outside. He has a -very large establishment, and is accounted a very rich man." - -"So I have always heard," said Ben. "He wanted me to stay in -Sunderland and become a farmer." - -"And you don't fancy the advice?" - -"No. I should never make a farmer. If I had any taste for it, I -might have followed my uncle's advice." - -"Have you ever seen Mr. Walton's store?" asked the reporter, -presently. - -"No." - -"Here it is," and he pointed to a spacious store, with great -plate-glass windows, in which was displayed suits of clothes in -profusion. - -"Then, Mr. Manton, I believe I will leave you and go in. I want -to find out as soon as possible whether my uncle will help me, or -whether I must depend upon myself." - -"Good luck to you, Ben, then! I will expect to see you to-night." - -And Hugh Manton kept on his way down town, to see what work had -been laid out for him at the office. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - A YOUNG DUDE. - - -Ben entered the great store, gazing not without admiration at the -long counters loaded with piles of clothing. - -"My uncle must be a very rich man," he said to himself. "Surely he -can find a place for me in so large a store." - -"Do you wish to buy a suit?" asked a spruce young man, coming -forward to meet our hero. - -"No; I would like to see Mr. Walton," answered Ben. - -The young man surveyed Ben's country garb with a smile of -depreciation. He was apt to judge others by their clothes, -being conscious, perhaps, that they were his own chief claim to -consideration. - -"I don't think Mr. Walton will see you, youngster," he said. - -"Why not?" demanded Ben, looking him calmly in the eye. - -"His time is of too much value to waste on country kids." - -"Mr. Walton is my uncle," said Ben, quietly. - -"Your uncle!" repeated the clerk, in considerable surprise. "Oh, -well, that alters the case. Just go through the store and you will -find Mr. Walton in his office." - -Ben followed directions, and found the office without further -inquiry. - -Through the open door he saw a short man, of fifty or thereabouts, -sitting at a desk. There was another person in the office--a boy, -somewhere near his own age--dressed in the fashion, with a gold -watch-chain across his vest, a showy pin in his scarf, and the air -of a young coxcomb. - -This was Clarence Plantagenet Walton, the only son of the merchant, -and of course Ben's cousin. The two, however, had not met since both -were very young boys, and neither would have recognized the other. - -Ben overheard a fragment of the conversation between his uncle and -cousin. - -"You spend too much money, Plantagenet. It is less than a week since -I gave you ten dollars." - -"The fellows I go with are all rich, and spend plenty of money. You -wouldn't want them to look upon me as mean, pa?" - -"The boys of the present day are altogether too extravagant," said -his father, frowning. "Why, when I was a boy, I didn't spend ten -dollars in three months." - -"You were not in fashionable society like me, pa," said Clarence -Plantagenet, consequentially. - -"Much good it does you!" muttered Mr. Walton. "What do you want -money for particularly to-day?" - -"I am going with Percy Van Dyke to a base-ball match this afternoon. -Percy lives in a splendid house on Fifth avenue, and his family is -one of the first. I suppose we shall get home late, and I want to -give him a little supper at Delmonico's." - -"The Van Dykes stand very high," said Mr. Walton, complacently. "I -am very glad to have you associate with such a high-toned family. I -suppose I must let you have the money." - -He drew out a ten-dollar bill and tendered it to Clarence. - -"Five dollars more, if you please, pa," said the elegant youth. -"Suppers at Delmonico's are expensive, and I don't want to economize -with such a fellow as Percy." - -"Very well; here are five dollars more, but don't be foolishly -extravagant." - -Clarence was about to leave the office, well satisfied, when he -espied Ben. - -"Who do you want to see, boy?" he demanded, curtly. - -"I should like to speak with my uncle," answered Ben. - -"Then don't hang around my father's office. If your uncle is -employed in this establishment, you can ask one of the floor-walkers -to point him out." - -Ben eyed the arrogant boy in some amusement, and answered, demurely: - -"My uncle is Mr. Nicholas Walton, and you, I suppose, are my cousin -Clarence." - -Clarence Plantagenet recoiled in disgust. - -"I don't understand you," he said. "You must be crazy." - -Ben was not obliged to vindicate his sanity, for his uncle, who had -hitherto remained silent, now spoke. - -"You can come in, if you are Benjamin Baker, of Sunderland." - -"Thank you, Uncle Nicholas," said Ben. - -"Is he my cousin?" asked Plantagenet of his father, in evident -discomposure. - -"Yes, I presume so. His mother is my sister." - -"Did you send for him, pa?" - -"No." - -"Then why is he here?" - -"I expect him to explain that to me," said Mr. Walton, coldly. -"Benjamin, what brings you to New York?" - -"I want to get a position here, so that I may learn business. I -thought you might find me a place in your store, Uncle Nicholas." - -"Did I not write you to stay in Sunderland?" asked Mr. Walton, -coldly. - -"Yes." - -"Then why have you disobeyed me?" continued the merchant, with a -frown. - -"Because I have no taste for farming, and there is no other -employment there." - -"A boy like you is not qualified to judge what is best for him," -said Mr. Walton, harshly. "Did I not promise, if you learned -farming, that when you got older I would set you up on a farm of -your own?" - -"I never should succeed as a farmer, for I don't like it," answered -Ben. - -"What fault have you to find with it?" demanded the merchant, -testily. - -"None whatever, uncle, except that I am not suited for it." - -"You don't look to me suited for anything else," said Clarence -Plantagenet, insolently. - -"I don't think you know me well enough to judge what I am fit for," -answered Ben, calmly. - -"You might make a good blacksmith, perhaps," continued Clarence, in -the same offensive tone. "Isn't there any opening in that line in -the country?" - -"There might be. The business is not to my taste, though it may be -to yours." - -"To my taste!" ejaculated the horrified Plantagenet. "What have I to -do with such a dirty business as that?" - -"Stop this foolish discussion, Plantagenet," said his father. "You -had better go to meet your friend, Van Dyke, and I will settle -matters with your cousin here." - -"Pack him back to the country, pa!" said Clarence. "That is the best -place for him." - -So saying, the young "dude" sauntered out of the office and left -the store, several of the clerks who wished to stand well with -their employer bowing deferentially to him. Plantagenet barely -acknowledged their bows by a supercilious nod. He did not look upon -them as his social equals. - -"I am inclined to agree with my son," said the merchant, after -Plantagenet had left the office. "I think the country is the best -place for you." - -"Then, Uncle Nicholas, you won't give me a place in your store?" -asked Ben, his face showing his disappointment. - -"I will do nothing to encourage you in a step which I consider so -ill-advised as coming to the city." - -"Then I must bid you good-morning," said Ben, soberly. - -"Stay!" said his uncle. "I am willing to make up to you the expense -of your trip to the city, on condition that you go back to-day." - -He put his hand into his pocket as he spoke. - -"Thank you, Uncle Nicholas," said Ben. "I thank you for your offer, -but I won't accept it; I shall not go back to Sunderland." - -"You won't go back!" gasped the merchant. "What will you do, then?" - -"Look elsewhere for a place," said Ben. - -"You are a foolish, headstrong boy. I wash my hands of you. You need -not expect any help from me. You must make your own way." - -"I mean to," answered Ben, quietly, as he bowed and walked out of -the office. - -"This is very annoying," said Mr. Walton to himself. "He is an -obstinate boy. However, his eyes will soon be opened to his folly, -and he will have to go back, after all. Perhaps it is as well for -him to try, and fail. He will be more manageable afterward." - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - BEN GETS INTO TROUBLE. - - -Ben went out of his uncle's store in a serious frame of mind. He -knew that his uncle was opposed to his leaving his country home and -coming to New York, but he had hoped that he would nevertheless be -willing to extend to him a helping hand, especially as it would cost -him so little. - -He found himself now in a critical position. He had in his pocket -a dollar and twenty-seven cents, and this constituted his entire -worldly capital. It was enough to carry him back to Sunderland, -but, if he had been willing to do that, it would have been for his -interest to accept his uncle's offer to refund to him what his trip -would cost. - -But Ben was not easily discouraged. His motto was: - - "If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again!" - -"I won't go back to Sunderland unless I am obliged to," he said to -himself. "There are other stores besides my uncle's in this large -city, and more ways of making a living than one. I won't give up -till I have tried my best." - -So he walked along Broadway in a leisurely way, keeping his eyes -wide open, and interested, in spite of his critical circumstances, -in the crowds and bustle of that brilliant thoroughfare. - -Presently he came to a shop window on which was posted the notice-- - -"BOY WANTED." - -"Here's a chance for me," he thought, hopefully. "I'll apply for the -place. I can't be any more than refused." - -He entered. It was a store appropriated to "Gentlemen's Furnishing -Goods." - -A tall young man, with his auburn hair parted in the middle, glanced -at him languidly. - -"I see you want a boy," said Ben, plunging at once into business. - -"Humph! Are you the boy?" - -"I am a boy, and would like a place," answered Ben. - -The clerk picked his teeth languidly with a wooden toothpick which -he had brought from the cheap restaurant where he had taken his -breakfast. - -"Are you from the country?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"How long have you been in the city?" - -"I arrived yesterday." - -"Then you don't know your way round New York?" - -"No; but I would soon learn." - -"That wouldn't suit us. Besides, you don't live with your parents." - -"My father is dead; my mother lives in the country." - -"You won't suit us, then. However, you can go back and speak to Mr. -Talbot. There he is, in the rear of the store." - -Ben had at first supposed that the young man with whom he was -speaking was the proprietor. He did not dream that he was a clerk, -working for nine dollars a week. He made application to Mr. Talbot, -a middle-aged gentleman, not half so consequential as his clerk, but -was asked essentially the same questions as before. - -"I am afraid I must refuse you," said Mr. Talbot, kindly. "We -require a boy who is used to the city streets, and we prefer that he -should live with his parents. I am sorry for your disappointment." - -"Thank you, sir," said Ben; but it was in rather a subdued tone. His -prospects did not seem quite so good as a little while before. - -Coming out into the street, Ben saw quite a crowd of boys and young -men, who were following a tall lady, just in advance, and showing -signs of amusement. It only took a glance to discover the cause of -their mirth. - -The lady wore a sack, evidently just purchased, on which was a card, -bearing in large, distinct characters, the words: - -"CHEAP FOR CASH." - -This it was that had excited the amusement of the crowd. - -Ben was also amused, but he sympathized with the lady; and, -stepping forward promptly, touched her on the arm. - -She looked back in surprise, and then for the first time became -aware of the crowd that was following her. She was a lady probably -nearing forty, and had a shrewd, kindly look. - -"What does it all mean?" she asked. - -"There is something on your sack, madam. Allow me to remove it." - -And Ben plucked off the ticket, which he handed to the lady. - -"I am not surprised at the amusement of the boys," said the lady, -smiling. "The ticket should have been removed. I am very much -obliged to you, my young friend." - -"You are quite welcome," said Ben, bowing and falling back. - -The lady smiled, and passed on. She would have remained had she -known that by his act of kindness her young acquaintance had -involved himself in trouble. - -No sooner had the lady disappeared than the disappointed young -ruffians who had been making sport of her turned angrily upon our -hero. - -"Ain't you smart?" sneered one. - -"You're a little too fresh, country!" said another. - -Ben turned from one to another in surprise. He didn't understand in -what way he had offended. - -"What is the matter?" he asked. "What have I done?" - -"What made you tell the lady what she had on her back?" demanded a -third. - -"I thought she ought to know," answered Ben. - -"Oh, you did!" sneered the first. "What you wanted was a reward. I'm -glad she didn't give you a cent." - -"You judge me by yourself," said Ben, provoked. "I can be polite -without being paid for it." - -"Say that again!" said Mike Rafferty, a freckle-faced young rowdy, -squaring off in a scientific manner. - -"All right; I do say it again!" returned Ben, angrily. - -"Take that, then!" said the fellow, as he struck at Ben. - -Our hero dodged, and returned the compliment. - -At that moment a policeman came round the corner, just in time to -see Ben's demonstration. - -"So you're fightin' agin, you young rascal!" exclaimed the valiant -officer. "I've got ye this time!" and he seized Ben by the shoulder. - -Ben turned, and, it must be confessed, was startled to find himself, -for the first time in his life, in the hands of the law. - -"That boy attacked me, sir," he said. - -"It's a lie!" exclaimed Mike Rafferty. "Isn't it b'yes?" - -"Yes, it's a lie!" chimed in his companions, whose sympathies, of -course, were with Mike. - -"Jist what I thought meself," said the astute officer. - -"Say, cop, ye didn't see me hit him?" said Mike. - -"Don't ye call me cop!" said the policeman, with insulted dignity. - -"I mean captain," amended Mike, craftily. - -"What's all the fuss about?" interrogated the officer. - -"I axed him was he from the country, and he got mad and hit me," -said Mike. "Say, b'yes, ain't it so?" - -"Yes, that's so," answered the boys, in chorus. - -"Then you must come with me, you young rascal!" said the officer. - -"Where?" asked Ben, with sinking heart. - -"To the station-house. I'll tache ye to fight in the streets. You -must go along, too, and make complaint," he added, addressing Mike -Rafferty. - -"All right, captain. Come along, b'yes," said Mike, with a wink of -enjoyment at his companions. - -Ben felt not a little humiliated at walking along Broadway in the -clutch of a policeman. He felt bewildered, too, it had come upon -him so quickly. It really seemed as if misfortunes were crowding -upon him. First, his uncle had practically disowned him, he had -been rebuffed in his attempt to obtain employment, and now he was -arrested, and on his way to the station-house, charged with fighting -and disorderly conduct in the streets. - -To make matters worse and heighten his humiliation, as he was -walking along, shrinking from observation, he met his cousin, -Clarence Plantagenet, in company with another boy, somewhat older, -dressed also in the height of the fashion. - -Clarence regarded Ben in amazement, and turned away his head in a -disgust which he did not attempt to conceal. - -"He will tell Uncle Nicholas," thought our unfortunate hero, "and he -will think I have been doing something disgraceful." - -"Come along, ye young rapscallion!" said the policeman, roughly, -"I'll soon attind to your case." - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - A STRANGE ADVENTURE. - - -Under different circumstances Ben might have been interested in his -first view of a police station. But, standing before the bar in the -custody of a policeman, he felt too much troubled in mind to notice -his surroundings. As another prisoner was under examination, fifteen -minutes elapsed before Ben's turn came. - -"What is the charge against this boy?" asked the sergeant. - -"I caught him fightin' in the streets," said the officer. "He was -hittin' that b'ye yonder," indicating Mike Rafferty. - -Mike, who looked emphatically like a hard case, tried to appear like -a respectable, well-behaved boy, who had been set upon by a young -ruffian. - -"What's your name?" asked the sergeant, addressing Mike. - -"Mike Rafferty, yer honor," answered Mike, thinking it best to be as -respectable as possible. - -"Did this boy strike you?" - -"Yes, and he did, your honor, and if you don't believe me just ax -any of them b'yes," indicating his companions. "Tommy Burke, didn't -you see him hit me?" - -"That will do. What did he hit you for?" - -"Faith, and I don't know," said Mike, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Did you hit him first?" - -"No, I didn't do nothing to him," answered Mike, virtuously. - -"I think you have been here before," said the sergeant, whose memory -was good. - -"I don't remember it," said Mike, cautiously, not thinking it -politic to contradict the sergeant. - -"Officer, do you know anything of the boy you have brought in?" - -"Oh, yes, I've known him a long time. He's wan of the gang," -answered the policeman, glibly. - -Just then a gentleman came forward, whom, much to Ben's delight, he -remembered as the keeper of a dry-goods store in Sunderland. Bowing -to the sergeant, he said, respectfully: - -"I know this boy, and I know that the policeman is under a great -mistake. Will you allow me to say what I know about him?" - -"Go on, sir." - -"So far from his being a member of any city gang, he lives in the -country, and it is extremely doubtful if the policeman ever saw him -before. He only came to the city yesterday." - -"He's wan of the gang," persisted the officer, sullenly. "I've seen -him ivery day for the last three months." - -"Mr. Sergeant," said the former speaker, "this officer is guilty of -willful falsehood. I know the boy as well as I know my own son, and -I know that he has passed the last three months in the country." - -"The boy is discharged," said the officer. He added, sharply: -"Officer Flynn, I expect the truth from you in future. The boy -you have arrested is much more respectable in appearance than his -accuser, and, under the circumstances, I cannot attach any credit to -your charge against him. Be more careful in future." - -With sullen reluctance, the officer, who is a type of a considerable -number on the force, but not of all, released Ben. - -Our hero walked up to the gentleman whose testimony had been of so -much value to him, and warmly thanked him. - -"I was in a bad scrape," he said, "and I don't know how I would have -come out of it if you had not spoken for me." - -"I chanced to see you in charge, and followed as soon as I could," -said Mr. Woodbury. "What luck are you meeting with in New York, Ben?" - -"Not much, yet; but don't say anything to mother about your meeting -me here, or she may be worried. I shall make every effort to get -something to do here. If I can't, I may be obliged to go home." - -"Well, Ben, I wish you good luck. I must now leave you, as I have -several business calls to make." - -Ben emerged from the station-house feeling that he had made a lucky -escape. The boys who had followed him (Mike and his friends) had -vanished, on finding that things did not turn out as they expected, -fearing that they might get into trouble themselves. - -"I see," said Ben to himself, "that I must keep my eyes wide open in -New York. I used to think that an innocent person need not fear the -police, but I don't find it exactly so." - -He strolled back to Broadway, and mingled once more with the busy -crowds. The same thought came to him, as to so many in his position, -"Everybody seems to have something to do except me. Why am I alone -idle?" - -When Ben reached the Metropolitan Hotel he paused for a moment at -the entrance. As he stood there a gentleman passed out hurriedly. -As his eyes fell upon Ben his face lighted up, and a sudden plan -presented itself to his mind. - -"Boy," he said, "do you live in New York?" - -"I expect to, if I can find anything to do." - -"Where do you come from?" - -"Sunderland." - -"Where is that?" - -"In Connecticut." - -"How far away is it?" - -"About forty miles." - -"What relatives have you living?" - -"A mother and sister in the country." - -As the gentleman did not inquire whether he had relatives in New -York, Ben did not see fit to volunteer information, particularly as -he did not care to claim relationship with an uncle and cousin who -were evidently ashamed of him. - -"You are in search of a position, are you?" asked the gentleman. - -"Yes, sir." - -"And you are not particular what you do?" - -"No, sir, as long as it is honest." - -"Yes, I think he will do," soliloquized the gentleman, regarding -Ben intently. "He is the same size and shape, and has a similar -expression. It will be easy to mistake him for Philip." - -Ben only caught part of this soliloquy, and of course he did not -understand it. - -"Of course, of course," said the gentleman, hastily, answering Ben's -words after a while. "Well, I think I can give you something to do. -Do you write a fair hand?" - -"Yes, sir, pretty fair." - -"Come up stairs with me," said the gentleman, abruptly. "I am -staying at this hotel." - -"Is it safe?" thought Ben; but the thought that he was a poor boy, -and was little likely to attract the attention of adventurers, -reassured him, and without hesitation he followed his new, and, as -it appeared, rather eccentric acquaintance. - -They took the elevator and got out at the fourth landing. - -His new friend nodded, and Ben followed him along the hall. - -The gentleman drew a key from his pocket and opened the door of a -room near at hand. - -"Come in," he said. - -The room was a double one, consisting of a parlor and bedchamber. -There were two trunks in the bedroom. - -"Sit down," said the gentleman. - -Ben seated himself. - -"What is your name?" - -"Benjamin Baker." - -"I engage you as my private secretary." - -"Do you think I will suit?" asked Ben, considerably amazed. - -"You won't have much to do," was the answer. "You are also to pass -for my nephew." - -"I wonder whether I am awake or dreaming," he asked himself. - -"I shall call you Philip Grafton," continued the stranger. - -"Why can't I keep my own name?" asked Ben, uneasily. - -"It is unnecessary to state. My secretary must be Philip Grafton," -said the gentleman, firmly. "Don't you like the name?" - -"Yes, sir; it is a good name. Many would prefer it to mine, but I -don't like to sail under false colors." - -"It is a whim of mine," said the gentleman, "but I don't think you -will be sorry for acceding to it. Now, as to compensation, I propose -to pay you fifty dollars a month and board--that is, of course, you -will live with me." - -"Fifty dollars a month!" repeated Ben, opening his eyes in amazement. - -"Yes; isn't it satisfactory?" - -"I don't see how I can possibly earn fifty dollars a month." - -"That is my lookout. As long as I am satisfied, you needn't worry -about that." - -"I am afraid you will be disappointed in me, sir." - -"I hope not. Do as I tell you, and I shall be satisfied." - -"When am I to go to work?" asked Ben. - -"You will enter upon your duties at once. I suppose you have no -objection?" - -"Am I to live at the hotel with you, sir?" - -"Yes." - -"Then I will go and get my clothes." - -"Ah, yes; I didn't think of that. You won't need to get them." - -"Won't need to get my clothes?" repeated Ben in amazement. - -He began to think his employer was out of his head. - -"I have clothes for you here--in that trunk. This key fits it. Open -it." - -Wondering much, Ben took the key, and, fitting it in the lock of -the smaller trunk, lifted the lid. He found it full of shirts, -under-garments, handkerchiefs, etc., of fine texture. - -"You will find underneath two suits of clothes," said his employer. -"Take them out." - -Ben followed directions. - -"Now take off your own clothes--all of them--and dress yourself from -the contents of the trunk." - -Ben hesitated. He could not at all understand what was happening to -him. - -"Of course," said the gentleman, "your present clothing won't do for -my private secretary. The contents of this trunk are yours, if the -clothes fit you." - -Ben proceeded to remove his clothing, and in a few minutes he was -newly rigged from top to toe. Every article fitted admirably. - -"Now look at yourself in the mirror," said the gentleman, evidently -pleased with the transformation. - -Ben looked in the mirror, and was delighted with the change in -his appearance. His outer suit was of fine French cloth, all -his under-garments were of costly fabric, and he found himself -transformed from a country boy in badly-cut garments of coarse cloth -to a finely-dressed young gentleman. - -"How do you like it?" asked the gentleman, smiling. - -"Very much," said Ben, sincerely. - -"So do I," answered the gentleman. - -"Where shall I put my old clothes?" asked Ben. - -"Make a bundle of them and give them to some poor boy. You won't -need them." - -Ben resolved, instead, to send them home by express. They might come -in use some time. - -"Now," said the gentleman, "there is one thing more. Have you a -pocket-book?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Here is a little money in advance. You will need to carry some -about with you." - -He took from his own pocket-book fifteen dollars in bills and handed -them to Ben. - -"I wonder if I am dreaming," thought our hero. "This may be like -the fairy gold I have read of." - -As a matter of fact, however, they were bank-notes on the Park Bank -of New York, and Ben soon had occasion to test their genuineness. - -"We will go down to lunch now," said Richard Grafton, for that was -the name of the gentleman, as Ben discovered. - -Ben entered the large dining-room and took a seat next his employer. -Though new to hotel life he copied what he saw other guests do, and -no one suspected that the handsomely-dressed boy had not all his -life been used to luxury. - -When the meal was over, Mr. Grafton said: - -"You can go where you please this afternoon, but be on hand at six -o'clock. We shall go to some theatre this evening." - -Mr. Grafton left the hotel. Ben took an opportunity to examine -the hotel register soon after. He discovered that Mr. Grafton had -arrived the day before. - -This was the entry: - - "RICHARD GRAFTON, London, England." - -Underneath, to his amazement, he read another name: - - "MASTER PHILIP GRAFTON, London, England." - -"I suppose that means me," he said to himself. "What does it all -mean? How did Mr. Grafton know that I would be here? He had never -seen me. And how did he find clothes to fit me so exactly?" - -There was certainly a mystery, but it was fraught with so much to -the advantage of our hero that he resolved to cease asking questions -and accept the gifts of fortune. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - AN UNEXPECTED MEETING AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE. - - -When Clarence Plantagenet saw his poor country cousin marching up -Broadway escorted by a policeman he was very much surprised, but on -the whole he was not displeased. - -"Do you know that boy?" asked his companion. - -"No, certainly not," answered Clarence, coloring. - -"I thought you looked as if you did." - -"He looks like a boy I met in the country last summer," was the -evasive answer. - -"Poor devil! I wonder what he has been doing." - -"Stealing, very likely," said Clarence, shrugging his shoulders. - -"He doesn't look like a thief." - -"Appearances are deceitful," said Clarence, oracularly. - -At the supper-table, where Clarence met his father for the first -time since he had called at his office, he said: - -"Oh, papa, what do you think? That country boy I saw in your office -has got into trouble." - -"Do you mean your cousin Benjamin?" - -"I suppose he is my cousin," said Clarence, reluctantly, "but I -don't care about knowing him for a relation. I saw him on Broadway -in charge of a policeman." - -"Are you sure of this?" said Mr. Walton, much surprised. - -"Yes; I knew him well enough by his clothes." - -Clarence then gave an account of his meeting Ben. - -"Did you speak to him?" asked his father. - -"Mercy, no! Percy Van Dyke was with me. I wouldn't for a hundred -dollars have him know that I had a cousin arrested, and such a -countryfied-looking cousin, too." - -"I think Benjamin would be a good-looking boy if he were well -dressed," said Mr. Walton. - -"I don't," said Clarence, decidedly. - -"I am sorry to hear he has got into trouble," said Mr. Walton, who -was not so mean as his son. "I think I ought to do something to help -him." - -"Better leave him to his fate, pa. No doubt he is a bad boy." - -"I can't understand why he should be. My sister is poor but an -excellent woman, and his father was an exemplary man." - -"I don't think we have any call to trouble ourselves about this -boy," said Clarence. "He has disgraced us, and we couldn't do -anything without having it all come out." - -"By the way, Clarence, I have two tickets to the Grand Opera House -this evening; would you like to go?" - -"Just the thing, pa; I was wondering what we should do to pass the -time." - -"Edwin Booth is to appear as Cardinal Richelieu. It is one of his -best characters. It will be a rare treat." - -"Percy Van Dyke is to be there with his sister," said Clarence. -"That is the reason why he wouldn't take supper with me at -Delmonico's this evening." - -"You will have a chance to see your friends between the acts," said -Mr. Walton. "I am perfectly willing you should become intimate with -the Van Dykes. By the way, bring your friend around and introduce -him to me." - -"Yes, pa." - -Mr. Walton had been the architect of his own fortune, while the Van -Dykes were descended from an old Dutch family, and had held for over -a century a high social position. Now that the merchant had money, -he thirsted for social recognition--something money will not always -buy. - -Eight o'clock found father and son in choice orchestra seats in the -Grand Opera House, and they began to look about them. - -Suddenly Mr. Walton said, sharply: - -"What was all that rubbish you were telling me about your cousin -being arrested?" - -"It was perfectly true, pa," answered Clarence, looking at his -father in surprise. - -"What do you say to that, then?" - -Following the direction of his father's finger, Clarence's eyes -rested upon his despised country cousin, elegantly dressed, sitting -two rows to the front, and a little to the right, with his eyes -fixed upon the curtain, which was then rising. - -"That looks very much as if your cousin had been arrested!" said his -father, with a sneer. - -"I can't understand it," ejaculated Clarence. "It can't be my -cousin. It must be some other boy that looks like him." - -Just then Ben chanced to turn round. Observing his uncle's eyes -fixed upon him, he bowed politely and turned once more to the stage. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - CLARENCE IS PUZZLED. - - -Clarence Plantagenet was so puzzled by the appearance of his cousin -at a fashionable theatre at a time when he supposed him to be -enjoying the hospitality of the police authorities that he paid -little attention to the stage performance. He had a large share of -curiosity, and resolved to gratify it, even if it were necessary to -speak to Ben himself. - -At the end of the second act, Ben, feeling thirsty, and having -noticed that ice-water could be obtained in the lobby, left his seat -and walked up the aisle. - -Clarence, observing this, rose also, and followed him. - -He came to the water-fount just as Ben had quenched his thirst. He -was surprised anew when he observed how elegantly his cousin was -dressed. He was fastidious as to his own dress, but was obliged to -confess that Ben surpassed him in this respect. - -Ben was conscious of the same thing, and, under the circumstances, -it gratified him. - -Another thing also was evident to Clarence, though he admitted it -with reluctance, that Ben was a strikingly handsome boy. He had -appeared somewhat to disadvantage in his country-made suit, but all -signs of rusticity had now disappeared. - -"Good evening," said Clarence, with a good deal more politeness than -he had displayed at the office. - -"Good evening," said Ben, politely. - -"I am surprised to see you here," continued Clarence. - -"Yes," answered Ben. "I didn't expect to see you here." - -"Oh, I come here often. I thought you would spend the evening in an -entirely different place," said Clarence, significantly. - -"You are kind to think of me at all," said Ben, smiling. - -Clarence was puzzled. He began to think that he must have been -mistaken in the person when he supposed he saw Ben in the custody -of an officer. Now he came to think of it, the boy under arrest had -shown no signs of recognition. We know that it was because Ben was -far from wishing to attract the attention of any one who knew him. - -"Have you passed the day pleasantly?" inquired Clarence, thinking he -might lead up to the subject on which he desired light. - -"Quite pleasantly," answered Ben. "New York is a beautiful city." - -"I was afraid you had got into a scrape," said Clarence. "As I was -walking along Broadway, soon after you left father's office, I saw a -boy just like you in charge of a policeman." - -"Poor fellow! I hope he got off. Did you stop and speak to him?" - -"No; I was so surprised that I stood still and stared till it was -too late." - -"I am not at all anxious to make the acquaintance of the police," -said Ben, not sorry to have put his cousin off the scent. - -"You have changed your dress," said Clarence, wishing to satisfy -his curiosity in another direction. - -"Yes," answered Ben, with studied indifference. - -"You have a good seat to-night." - -"Yes; I have an excellent view of the play." - -"The orchestra seats are high-priced. I thought you were short of -money." - -"I was, but I am earning a good income now, and----" - -"You haven't got a place, have you?" ejaculated his cousin, in -surprise. - -"Yes, I have." - -"Is it in a store?" - -"No; I am private secretary to a gentleman living at the -Metropolitan Hotel." - -"Private secretary!" exclaimed Clarence, in continued surprise. "You -can't be fit for such a position. How did you get it?" - -"I am not sure whether I shall suit," said Ben, "but the gentleman -applied to me, and I accepted." - -"I never heard of anything so strange. How much pay do you get?" - -"Fifty dollars a month and board." - -"It can't be possible!" - -"That is what I say to myself," responded Ben, good-naturedly. "I am -afraid that my employer will find out that he is paying me too much -money." - -"Are you staying at the Metropolitan, too?" - -"Yes, for the present." - -"I will call on you before long." - -"Thank you." - -"My aristocratic cousin seems disposed to be very polite to me now," -thought Ben. "I am glad I put him off the track about the arrest." - -"Excuse me," he said. "I believe the curtain is rising." - -"Who is that fine-looking boy you were just speaking to?" asked -Percy Van Dyke, who came up at this moment. - -"It is a cousin of mine," answered Clarence, not unwillingly. - -"I should like to know what tailor he employs. He is finely -dressed, and a handsome fellow, besides." - -"Of course, being a cousin of mine," said Clarence, with a smirk. - -"How does it happen I have never met your cousin before?" - -"He has only recently come to the city. He is staying at the -Metropolitan just at present." - -Wonders will never cease. Here was Clarence Plantagenet Walton, the -son of a wealthy merchant, actually acknowledging with complacency -his relationship to a country cousin whom earlier in the day he had -snubbed. - -He did not have another chance to speak to Ben that evening, as his -cousin remained in his seat till the close of the performance, and -in the throng at the close he lost sight of him. - -As he and his father were walking home, Clarence said: - -"I saw Ben in the lobby, between the acts." - -"What did he say?" asked the merchant, who was himself not without -curiosity. - -"I must have been mistaken about his being in charge of a -policeman," said Clarence. - -"I thought you were." - -"But the boy I saw looked precisely like Ben." - -"What did your cousin say?" - -"He has had a stroke of good luck. He has been engaged as private -secretary to a gentleman staying at the Metropolitan Hotel." - -"Is this true, Clarence?" - -"So Ben says; and he says, also, that he is to receive fifty dollars -a month." - -"He can't be fitted for any such position with his country -education." - -"So I told him." - -"And what did he say?" - -"He agreed with me. He said he was afraid his employer would find -out that he was paying him too much." - -"The boy is candid. If all this is true, he is strangely lucky." - -"Did you notice how stylishly he was dressed, pa?" - -"I observed that he was dressed a good deal better than when he -called at my office to-day." - -"Even Percy Van Dyke noticed it, and asked me who he was." - -"Did you tell him?" - -"Yes, I said he was a cousin of mine, who was staying at the -Metropolitan. He wanted to find out who was Ben's tailor." - -"Your cousin seems a very smart boy. Perhaps he was right in -thinking that he would be better off in the city." - -"I never saw such a change in a boy in my life. I told him I would -call on him at the hotel." - -"Do so, Clarence. I confess I have a curiosity to learn how he has -managed to get such a position." - -Certainly this had been a day of strange vicissitudes to Ben. He had -been in the depths of humiliation and at the summit of joy. - -He had come to the city in the morning, a poor country boy. In the -evening he had attended a performance at a fashionable theatre as -elegantly dressed as any of his own age in the audience. - -Mr. Grafton's room contained two beds, a large and a small one. The -latter was appropriated to Ben. - -Our hero was very tired, and Mr. Grafton was obliged to call him -the next morning. - -"Wake up, my boy," he said; "it is half-past eight." - -"Half-past eight! Why, I got up at half-past six in the country." - -"Dress yourself and we will go down to breakfast. Afterward I have -to make a business call, and you must go with me." - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - AT THE OFFICE OF MR. CODICIL. - - -In one of the large business buildings appropriated chiefly to -offices, within a stone's throw of Printing-House Square, were the -commodious offices of Nathan Codicil, a prominent lawyer, whose -business related chiefly to the estates of wealthy clients. - -Mr. Codicil himself was a dignified-looking gentleman, of grave -aspect, whose whitening locks seemed to indicate that he had reached -the age of threescore. He was a cautious, careful, trustworthy man, -whose reputation was deservedly high. - -Mr. Grafton and Ben, stepping out of the elevator, paused before the -door of Mr. Codicil's office for a moment, when the former opened -the door and entered. - -"You may sit down here, Philip, while I go in and speak to Mr. -Codicil," said Mr. Grafton, indicating a chair near the door. - -"I wish he wouldn't call me Philip," thought Ben. "I like my own -name much better." - -He did not complain aloud, however, for he felt that his salary -was liberal enough to compensate him for some slight sacrifice of -feeling. - -"Good morning, Mr. Grafton," said the lawyer, advancing to meet his -visitor. - -"Good morning, Mr. Codicil; I am glad to find you in, for I've made -quite an effort to reach your office at an early hour. You observe I -have brought the boy with me." - -The sharp eyes of the lawyer had not failed to note the presence of -Ben. - -"You observe that he is in excellent health, despite all reports to -the contrary." - -"So it appears," said the lawyer. "He seems to have lost all -resemblance to the family." - -"Do you think so?" said Grafton, carelessly. "Opinions differ about -that. For my own part, I can see the resemblance plainly." - -"How old is he now?" - -"Sixteen." - -"I have not seen him since he was four years of age." - -"Twelve years effect many changes." - -"Very true." - -"And now, Mr. Codicil, as I have another engagement very soon, if -you can conveniently attend to our little business at once--" - -"Certainly, sir." - -Mr. Codicil prepared a receipt which he requested Mr. Grafton to -sign. He then opened a check-book and filled a check for a large -amount, which he handed to his visitor. The latter pocketed it with -evident satisfaction. - -"I hope, Mr. Codicil, you are not disappointed to know that the boy -is still alive?" he said. - -"Heaven knows that I wish no harm to the lad!" said the lawyer, -warmly. "Yet, when I consider how his poor cousins are compelled to -struggle for a living, I cannot help regretting the injustice of -old John Portland's will, which maintains one grandchild in luxury, -while three others, having equal natural claims, should be thrown on -the cold mercies of the world." - -"Yes, to be sure!" said Richard Grafton, carelessly. "Still a man's -last will and testament must be respected. A man can do as he likes -with his own." - -"True, in the eyes of the law. Morally, there would be no harm in -your young ward doing something for his poor cousins. They would -like to meet him and make his acquaintance." - -"I am afraid it won't be possible. We remain in the city but a short -time," said Mr. Grafton, hastily. - -"Where do you go?" - -"I have not quite decided whether to take a trip to the Pacific -coast or to return to Europe. Of course I shall apprise you promptly -when I have made my decision." - -"Your ward is an American. Is it right to rear him in Europe, -leaving him without any adequate knowledge of his own country?" - -"He will have advantages abroad which he would not have in his own -country. However, I will consider what you have said, and I may -arrange to spend a part of each year in America." - -"I would like to speak to Philip," said Mr. Codicil. - -Richard Grafton hesitated, but only for a moment. He was playing a -bold game for a large stake. It would not do to be timid. - -"Come here, Philip," he said, "Mr. Codicil wishes to speak to you." - -Ben rose and advanced to meet the lawyer. - -"I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir," he said. - -"And I am pleased to meet you, my boy. You look well!" - -"Yes, sir; I always enjoy good health." - -Mr. Codicil looked a little surprised, but he regarded with approval -the boy's bright face and manly figure. - -"He is certainly a very attractive boy," thought the lawyer. "I -haven't much confidence in his guardian, but the boy doesn't appear -to be spoiled." - -"Come, Philip. I am afraid I must hurry you away," said Mr. Grafton, -"as I have another visit to pay." - -Ben shook hands with the lawyer and went out of his office. - -"I cannot help distrusting that man," said Mr. Codicil, as the door -closed. "I believe him to be a trickster. I wish the boy were under -better influences." - -Ben had been at such a distance from the inner office that he had -not heard or understood the conversation between his employer and -Mr. Codicil, yet it seemed to him singular that he should have -received so much attention from the lawyer. - -"I suppose Mr. Grafton was speaking to him about me," said he to -himself. - -When they reached the street Mr. Grafton said: - -"Philip, I shall not require your company any longer this morning. -If you have any plans of your own you are quite at liberty to follow -them. Have you all the money you need?" - -"Yes, sir; you gave me fifteen dollars yesterday." - -"I remember. Very well; you can go where you please. We will meet at -the hotel at one o'clock." - -"Would you object, Mr. Grafton, to my sending five dollars to my -mother? I shall have enough left for myself." - -"Do as you like. You may send ten dollars if you like. When you are -out of money you have only to apply to me." - -"You are very kind, sir," said Ben, gratefully. - -"It is on account of your first month's wages, you know." - -Then he paused a moment, regarding Ben with some apparent solicitude. - -"By the way," he said, "I must guard you against saying too much -about me or your relation with me. I have a great dislike to have -myself or my affairs talked about." - -"I will remember, sir." - -"You need not mention that I have desired you to bear a different -name from your own." - -"I will not mention it, sir, if you object." - -"With me it is a matter of sentiment," said Mr. Grafton in a low -voice. "I had a dear son named Philip. He died, and left me alone in -the world. You resemble him. It is pleasant to me to call some one -by his name, yet I cannot bear to excite the curiosity of a cold, -unsympathizing world, and be forced to make to them an explanation -which will harrow up my feelings and recall to me my bitter loss." - -"I quite understand you, Mr. Grafton," said Ben, with quiet -sympathy. "Though I would prefer to be called by my own name, I am -glad if I can help make up to you for your loss." - -"Enough, my boy! I felt that I had judged you aright. Now go where -you please. Only try to be back at the hotel at one o'clock." - -As Ben walked away Richard Grafton said to himself, in a tone of -self-congratulation: - -"I might have sought far and wide without finding a boy that would -suit my purpose as well as this one. Codicil, as shrewd as he thinks -himself, was quite taken in. I confess I looked forward to the -interview with dread. Had I allowed the boy to be closely questioned -all would have come out, and I would have lost the handsome income -which I receive as his guardian. While the real Philip Grafton -sleeps in his foreign grave, his substitute will answer my purpose, -and insure me ease and comfort. But it won't do to remain in New -York. There are too many chances of discovery. I must put the sea -between me and the lynx-eyed sharpness of old Codicil." - -Mr. Grafton's urgent business engagement was at the Park Bank, -where he got his check cashed. He next proceeded to the office of -the Cunard Steamship Company, and engaged passage for the next -Saturday for Richard Grafton and Master Philip Grafton. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE HOME OF POVERTY. - - -The time has come to introduce some new characters, who will play a -part in my story. - -Five minutes' walk from Bleecker street, in a tall, shabby tenement -house, divided, as the custom is, into suites of three rooms, or -rather two, one being a common room, and the other being subdivided -into two small, narrow chambers, lived Rose and Adeline Beaufort, -respectively nineteen and seventeen years of age, and their young -brother Harry, a boy of thirteen. - -It is five o'clock in the afternoon when we look in upon them. - -"Rose," said her sister, "you look very tired. Can't you leave off -for an hour and rest?" - -Rose was bending over a vest which she was making. Her drooping -figure and the lines on her face bespoke fatigue, yet her fingers -swiftly plied the needle, and she seemed anxiously intent upon her -task. - -She shook her head in answer to her sister's words. - -"No, Addie," she said; "it won't do for me to stop. You know how -little I earn at the most. I can't make more than one vest in a day, -and I get but thirty-five cents apiece." - -"I know it, Rose," replied Adeline, with a sigh; "it is a great deal -of work to do for that paltry sum. If I were able to help you we -might get along better, even at such wages. I feel that I am very -useless, and a burden on you and Harry." - -"You mustn't think anything of the kind, Addie," said Rose, quickly, -looking affectionately at her sister. "You know you are not strong -enough to work." - -"And so you have to work the harder, Rose." - -"Never mind, Addie; I am strong, and I enjoy working for you." - -"But still I am so useless." - -"You chase us up, and we can work all the better." - -"I earn nothing. I wonder if I shall always be so weak and useless?" - -"No. Don't you remember the doctor said you would in all probability -outgrow your weakness and be as strong as I am? All that is needed -is patience." - -"Ah, it is not so easy to be always patient--when I think, too, of -how differently we should have been situated if grandfather had -treated us justly." - -A shadow came over the face of Rose. - -"Yes; I don't like to think of that. Why should he have left all his -property to our cousin Philip and none to us?" - -"But if Philip should die it would all be ours, so Mr. Codicil says." - -"I don't want anything to happen to the poor boy." - -"Nor I, Rose. But don't you think he might do something for us?" - -"So he would, very probably, if he were left to himself; but -you know he is under the guardianship of that uncle of his, -Richard Grafton, who is said to be intensely selfish and wholly -unprincipled. He means to live as handsomely as he can at Philip's -expense." - -"Did grandfather appoint him guardian?" - -"I believe so. Richard Grafton is very artful, and he led -grandfather to believe him fitted to be an excellent guardian for -the boy." - -"I suppose he is in Europe?" - -"No; I heard from Mr. Codicil, yesterday, that he was in New York." - -"Is Philip with him?" - -"Yes. He was to take the boy to Mr. Codicil's office to-day. There -was a report some time since--I did not mention it to you for -fear of exciting you--that Philip was dead. Mr. Codicil wrote to -Mr. Grafton to make inquiry. In answer, he has come to New York, -bringing Philip with him. While the boy lives, he receives an -annual income of six thousand dollars for the boy's expenses, and -to compensate him for his guardianship. You see, therefore, that -Philip's death would make a great difference to him." - -"And to us," sighed Adeline. - -"Addie," said Rose, gravely, "don't allow yourself to wish for the -death of our young cousin. It would be wicked." - -"I know it, Rose; but when I consider how hard you work, and how -confined Harry is as a cash-boy, I am strongly tempted." - -"Then put away the temptation, and trust to a good Providence to -take good care of us. God will not fail us." - -"I wish I had your faith, Rose," said her younger sister. - -"So you would, Addie, if you had my strength," said Rose, in an -affectionate tone. "It is harder for you to be idle than for me to -work." - -"You are right there, Rose. I only wish I could work. Do you know -where Philip and his guardian are staying?" - -"Yes; Mr. Codicil told me they were staying at the Metropolitan -Hotel." - -"Did you ever see Philip?" - -"Not since he was a little boy. I would not know him." - -"Do you suppose he knows anything about us?" - -"Probably Mr. Grafton never mentions us. Yet he must know that he -has cousins living, but he may not know how hard we have to struggle -for a livelihood." - -"I wish we could get a chance to speak to him. He might feel -disposed to help us." - -"Probably his power is not great. He is only sixteen, and I presume -has little command of money." - -"How do you think it would do for Harry to carry him a letter, -asking him to call upon us?" - -"His guardian would intercept it." - -"It might be delivered to him privately." - -"There is something in what you say," returned Rose, thoughtfully. -"He is our cousin, and we are his only living relatives. It would -only be proper for him to call upon us." - -"The sooner we communicate with him the better, then," said Adeline, -whose temperament was quick and impulsive. "Suppose I write a letter -and get Harry to carry it to the hotel when he comes home." - -"As you please, Addie. I would write it, but I want to finish this -vest to-night." - -"I will write it. I want to be of some little use." - -She rose, and with languid step drew near the table. Procuring -writing materials, she penned a brief note, which she handed to -Rose, when completed, with the inquiry, "How will that do?" - -Rose cast her eyes rapidly over the brief note, which read as -follows: - - "DEAR COUSIN PHILIP:--No doubt you are aware that you have - three cousins in this city--my sister Rose, my brother - Harry, who will hand you this note, and myself. We have not - seen you for many years. Will it be too much to ask you to - call on us? We are in humble quarters, but shall be glad to - welcome you to our poor home. - - "Your cousin, - - "ADELINE BEAUFORT." - -In a line below, the address was given. - -"That will do very nicely, Addie," said Rose. "I am glad you did not -hint at our need of assistance." - -"If he comes to see us, he can see that for himself. I hope -something may come of it," continued the younger sister. - -"Don't count too much on it, or your disappointment will be the more -keen." - -"Harry can carry it around after supper." - -"Philip may be at supper." - -"Then he can wait. I wish he would come home." - -As if in answer to her wish the door was hastily opened, and a -bright, ruddy-faced boy entered. - -"Welcome back, Harry," said Rose, with a smile. "How have you passed -the day?" - -"Running round as usual, Rose. It's no joke to be a cash-boy." - -"I wish I could run round, Harry," sighed Addie. - -"So do I. That would be jolly. How are you feeling to-day, Addie?" - -"About the same. Are you very tired?" - -"Oh, no; only about the same as usual." - -"Because I would like to have you do an errand for me." - -"Of course I will," said Harry, cheerfully. "What is it?" - -"I want you to take this note to the Metropolitan Hotel." - -"Who do you know there?" asked Harry, in surprise. - -An explanation was given. - -"I want you to be very particular to give the note to Philip without -his guardian's knowledge. Can you manage it?" - -"I'll try. I'll go the first thing after supper." - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT. - - -Harry Beaufort entered the Metropolitan Hotel with the confidence -of a city boy who knew that hotels are places of general resort, -and that his entrance would not attract attention. He walked slowly -through to the rear, looking about him guardedly to see if he could -discover anybody who answered to his idea of Philip Grafton. Had he -seen Ben, he would doubtless have supposed that he was the cousin of -whom he was in search; but Ben had come in about five o'clock and -had gone out again with his friend, the reporter, who had called for -him. - -Thus Harry looked in vain, and was disposed to think that he would -have to leave the hotel with his errand unaccomplished. This he -didn't like to do. He concluded, therefore, to go up to the desk and -inquire of the clerk. - -"Is there a boy staying here named Philip Grafton?" asked Harry. - -"Yes, my boy. Do you want to see him?" returned the clerk. - -"Yes, sir, if you please." - -"He went out half an hour since," said a bell-boy, who chanced to be -near. - -"You can leave any message," said the clerk. - -"I have a note for him," said Harry, in a doubtful tone. - -"I will give it to him when he comes in." - -Harry hesitated. He had been told to put the note into Philip's own -hand. But there was no knowing when Philip would come in. - -"I guess it'll do to leave it," he thought. "Please give it into his -own hands," he said; and the clerk carelessly assented. - -Harry left the hotel, and five minutes later Richard Grafton, or -Major Richard Grafton, as he called himself, entered and walked up -to the clerk's desk. - -"Any letters or cards for me?" he asked. - -"There's a note for your nephew," said the clerk, producing the one -just left. - -"Ha!" said the major, pricking up his ears suspiciously. "Very well, -I will take it and give it to him." - -Of course the clerk presumed that this was all right, and passed it -over. - -Major Grafton took the note carelessly and sauntered into the -reading-room, where he deliberately opened it. - -"I must see who is writing to Philip," he said to himself. "It may -be necessary to suppress the note." - -As he read the note, the contents of which are already familiar to -the reader, his brow darkened with anger and anxiety. - -"It is fortunate that this came into my hands," he reflected. "It -would have puzzled the boy, and had he gone to see these people the -murder would have been out and probably my plans would have ended in -disaster. There is something about the boy that leads me to doubt -whether he would second my plans if he suspected what they were. I -must devise some means for throwing these people off the scent and -keeping the boy in the dark. What shall I do?" - -After a little reflection, Major Grafton decided to remove at once -to a different hotel. He resolved to do it that very night, lest -there should be another attempt made to communicate with his young -secretary. He must wait, however, till Ben returned. - -Half an hour later Ben entered, and found the major walking -impatiently up and down the office. - -"I thought you would never come back," he said, impatiently. - -"I am sorry if I inconvenienced you, sir," Ben said. "I didn't know -you wished me back early." - -"Come up stairs with me and pack. We are going to leave the hotel." - -"Where are we going?" asked Ben in surprise. - -"You will know very soon," answered the major. - -Major Grafton notified the clerk that he wished a hack in fifteen -minutes, as he was about to leave the hotel. - -"Very well, major. Are you going to leave the city?" - -"Not at once. I may spend a few days at the house of a friend," -answered Grafton, evasively. - -"Shall we forward any letters?" - -"No; I will call here for them." - -In fifteen minutes a porter called at the door of Major Grafton's -room and took down the two trunks. A hack was in waiting. - -"Where to, sir?" asked the driver. - -"You may drive to the Windsor Hotel," was the answer. - -The Windsor Hotel, on Fifth avenue, is over two miles farther up -town than the Metropolitan. Leaning back in his comfortable seat, -Ben enjoyed the ride, and was pleased with the quiet, aristocratic -appearance of the Windsor. A good suite of rooms was secured, and -he found himself even more luxuriously accommodated than at the -Metropolitan. - -"I wonder why we have changed our hotel," he thought. - -As if aware what was passing through his mind, Major Grafton said: - -"This hotel is much more conveniently located for my business than -the other." - -"It seems a very nice hotel," said Ben. - -"There is none better in New York." - -"I wonder what his business is," passed through Ben's mind, but he -was afraid of offending by the inquiry. - -Another thing puzzled him. He was ostensibly Major Grafton's private -secretary, and as such was paid a liberal salary, but thus far he -had not been called upon to render any service. There was nothing -in this to complain of, to be sure. If Major Grafton chose to pay -him for doing nothing, that was his lookout. Meanwhile he would be -able to save up at least half of his salary, and transmit it to his -mother. - -When they were fairly installed in their new home Major Grafton said: - -"I have a call to make, and shall be absent till late. I suppose you -can take care of yourself?" - -"Oh, yes, sir. If there is anything you wish me to do----" - -"Not this evening. I have not got my affairs settled yet. That is -all the better for you, as you can spend your time as you choose." - -About an hour later, as Ben was in the billiard-room, looking with -interest at a game, his cousin, Clarence Plantagenet, and Percy Van -Dyke entered. - -"How are you?" said Clarence, graciously. "Percy, this is my cousin, -Ben Baker." - -"Glad to see you, I'm sure," said Percy. - -"Won't you join us in a little game?" - -"No, thank you," answered Ben. "I don't play billiards." - -"Then you ought to learn." - -"I thought you said you were staying at the Metropolitan," said -Plantagenet. - -"So I was, but we have moved to the Windsor." - -"Have you a good room?" - -"Tip-top!" - -"Does that mean on the top floor?" asked Percy, laughing. - -"Not exactly. We are on the third floor." - -"Come, Percy, here's a table. Let us have a game." - -They began to play, and Ben sat down in a comfortable arm-chair and -looked on. Though neither of the boys was an expert, they played a -fair game, and Ben was interested in watching it. - -"It's wonderful how he's improved," thought Clarence. "When I saw -him in pa's office I thought he was awkward and gawky; now he looks -just like one of us. He's had great luck in falling in with this -Major Grafton. Really, I think we can afford to recognize him as a -relation." - -When the boys had played a couple of games, they prepared to go. - -"By the way, Ben," said Clarence, "the governor told me to invite -you to dinner on Sunday. Have you any other engagement?" - -"Not that I know of. I will come if I can." - -"That's right. Ta-ta, old fellow." - -"He treats me a good deal better than he did when we first met," -thought Ben. "There's a great deal of virtue in good clothes, I -expect." - -Ben was asleep before Major Grafton came home. - -In the morning, when he awoke, he found that the major was already -dressing. - -"By the way, Philip," said his employer, quietly, "we sail for -Europe this afternoon at three." - -"Sail for Europe!" ejaculated Ben, overwhelmed with surprise. - -"Yes. See that your trunk is packed by eleven." - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - A FAREWELL CALL. - - -Ben was startled by Major Grafton's abrupt proposal. To go to Europe -would be delightful, he admitted to himself, but to start at a few -hours' notice was naturally exciting. What would his mother and -sister say? - -"I suppose there isn't time for me to go home and see my mother -before sailing?" he ventured to say, interrogatively. - -"As we are to sail at three o'clock this afternoon, you can judge -for yourself about that," said the major, coolly. "Don't you want to -go?" - -"Oh, yes, sir. There is nothing I should like better. I should like -to have said good-by to my mother, but----" - -"Unfortunately, you can't. I am glad you take so sensible a view of -the matter. I will depend on you to be ready." - -"How long shall we probably be gone?" asked Ben. - -"I can tell you better some weeks hence, Philip. By the way," he -added, after a moment's thought, "if any letters should come here -addressed to you, don't open them till I come back." - -Ben looked at the major in surprise. Why should he not open any -letters that came for him? He was not likely, he thought, to receive -any except from Sunderland. - -"I will explain," continued the major. "There are some people in the -city that are continually writing begging letters to me. They use -every method to annoy me, and might go so far as to write to you and -ask your intercession." - -"I understand," said Ben, unsuspiciously. - -"I thought you would," returned the major, evidently relieved. "Of -course if you get any letter from home you will open that." - -"Thank you, sir." - -After breakfast Major Grafton left the hotel without saying where -he was going, and Ben addressed himself first to packing his trunk, -and then going down to the reading-room. There he sat down and wrote -a letter to his mother, which ran thus: - - "DEAR MOTHER:--I can imagine how much you will be surprised - when I tell you that when this letter reaches you I shall - be on my way to Europe. Major Grafton, my employer, only - told me an hour since, and we sail this afternoon at three. - I should be glad to come home and bid you and my little - sister good-by, but there is no time. I know you will miss - me, but it is a splendid chance for me to go, and I shall - be receiving a liberal salary, out of which I can send you - money from time to time. I know I shall enjoy myself, for I - have always had a longing to go to Europe, though I did not - dream that I should have the chance so soon. I will write to - you as soon as we get on the other side. - - "Your loving son, BEN. - - "P. S.--We sail on the Parthia." - -It may be readily understood that this letter made a great -sensation in Sunderland. Mrs. Baker hardly knew whether to be glad -or sorry. It was hard to part from Ben for an uncertain period. On -the other hand, all her friends congratulated her on Ben's great -success in securing so good a position and salary. It was certainly -a remarkable stroke of good fortune. - -Ben was about to write another letter to Clarence, explaining why he -could not accept the invitation for dinner on Sunday, but a glance -at the clock showed him that he would have a chance to go to his -uncle's store, and that seemed, on the whole, more polite. - -He jumped on board a Broadway car at Twenty-third street, and -half an hour later got out in front of his uncle's large business -establishment. He entered with quite a different feeling from that -attending his first visit, when, in his country attire, poor and -without prospects, he came to make an appeal to his rich uncle. - -Handsome clothes are apt to secure outward respect, and one of the -salesmen came forward, obsequiously, and asked: - -"What can I show you, young gentleman?" - -"Nothing, thank you," answered Ben, politely. "Is my uncle in?" - -"Your uncle?" - -"Mr. Walton." - -"Oh, yes; you will find him in his office." - -"Thank you." - -Nicholas Walton looked up as Ben entered his presence, and did -not immediately recognize the handsomely-dressed boy who stood -before him. He concluded that it was one of Clarence's high-toned -acquaintances. - -"Did you wish to see Clarence?" he asked affably. "I am sorry to say -that he has not been in this morning." - -"I should like to see him, Uncle Nicholas; but I also wished to see -you." - -"Oh, it's Ben!" said Mr. Walton, in a slightly changed tone. - -"Yes, uncle; I met my cousin at the Windsor last evening." - -"He told me so. You are staying there, he says." - -"For a very short time. My cousin was kind enough to invite me to -dinner on Sunday." - -"Yes; we shall be glad to have you dine with us." - -"I am sorry I cannot come. I am to sail for Europe this afternoon." - -"You sail for Europe!" repeated his uncle, in amazement. - -"Yes, uncle. I knew nothing of it till this morning." - -"It is indeed surprising. To what part do you go?" - -"I believe we sail for Liverpool in the Parthia. More than that I -know nothing." - -"You are certainly strangely fortunate," said the merchant, -musingly. "Does this Major Grafton appear to be wealthy?" - -"I judge that he is." - -"Does he pay you well?" - -"He gives me fifty dollars per month." - -"And what do you do?" - -"I am his private secretary, but thus far I have not been called -upon to do much. I suppose I shall have more to do when I get to -Europe." - -"He seems to be eccentric as well as rich. Perhaps he will want to -adopt you. I advise you to try to please him." - -"I shall certainly do that, though I don't think he will adopt me." - -"Clarence will be sorry not to have seen you. He has taken a trip -to Long Branch this morning with Percy Van Dyke." - -"I saw Percy last evening." - -"This country nephew of mine gets into fashionable society -remarkably quick," thought the merchant. "There must be something in -the boy, or he would not make his way so readily." - -"We are all going to Long Branch next week," said Mr. Walton, aloud. -"We are to stay at the West End. If you had remained here you could -have tried to persuade Major Grafton to spend part of the season at -the Branch." - -"I shall be satisfied with Europe," said Ben, smiling. - -"You have reason to be satisfied. Clarence will envy you when he -hears that you are going." - -"It didn't look as if he were likely to envy me for anything when I -met him here the other day," thought Ben. - -"Please remember me to my cousin," said Ben, and shaking his -uncle's extended hand he left the store. - -He was passing through the store when he felt a touch on his -shoulder. - -Turning, he recognized the tall lady he had met just after his last -visit. - -"Are you not the boy who told me I had a ticket on my shawl?" she -inquired. - -"Yes, madam," replied Ben, smiling. - -"I recognize your face, but otherwise you look very different." - -"You mean I am better dressed." - -"Yes; I thought you a country boy when I met you." - -"So I am, but I am trying to be mistaken for a city boy." - -"I am relieved to meet you, for some one told me you had got into -some trouble with the unmannerly boys who were following me." - -"I am much obliged to you for your solicitude in my behalf," said -Ben, not caring to acknowledge the fact of the arrest. - -"I had hoped to be of service to you, but I see you don't appear to -need it. I am here buying a suit of clothes for a poor boy in whom -I am interested. Let me give you my card, and if you ever need a -friend, come and see me." - -The card bore the name of "Jane Wilmot, 300 Madison avenue." - -Ben thanked Miss Wilmot and left his uncle's store. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - WHAT BEN'S FRIENDS THOUGHT. - - -"Did you see Philip?" asked Adeline, eagerly, when her young brother -returned from his visit to the Metropolitan Hotel. - -"No," answered Harry. "He was out." - -"And you brought back the note, then?" said his sister, disappointed. - -"No; the clerk said he would give it to him; so I left it with him." - -Adeline looked anxious. - -"I am afraid his guardian will get hold of it," she said, turning to -Rose. - -"Even if he does, there is nothing in it that you need regret -writing." - -"It would never reach Philip." - -"Probably you are right. In that case we must make another effort -when there seems a good chance." - -It was decided that Harry should call the next day, at his dinner -hour, and ascertain whether the note had been delivered. He did so, -but only to learn that the note had been given to Major Grafton, and -that both he and Philip had left the hotel. - -"Do you know where they went," asked Harry, eagerly. - -"No; the major did not say. He will probably send here for letters, -and then I can mention that you called." - -Harry assented, not being able to explain that this would not answer -his purpose. - -When he reported his information at home, Adeline said, quickly: - -"He left because he does not want us to communicate with Philip." - -"Probably," said Rose. "This shows," she added, "that he is afraid -Philip would be inclined to do something for us. I am glad to have -my faith strengthened in the boy, at all events. If he were willing -to live in luxury while he knew we were struggling with poverty I -could not regard him as a cousin." - -The next morning Mr. Codicil read in the morning papers, among the -passengers who had sailed for Europe the day before, the names of -Major Grafton and Philip. - -"The fellow has lost no time," he said to himself. "The boy is -bright and attractive, but he stands a chance of being spoiled under -such a guardian. I wish I had questioned him, and tried to learn -something of him. I might have given him some idea of the injustice -which has been practiced toward his poor cousins. I do not care -so much that he profits by it as that that worthless uncle of his -should live in luxury at their expense. I am afraid they are having -a hard time." - -How hard a time the sisters were having--how stern and exacting was -the toil which her sister's helplessness imposed upon Rose--Mr. -Codicil really had little idea. If he had, he would certainly have -done something to assist them, for he was a kind-hearted man; but -whenever Rose called upon him she was neatly dressed, and did not -bear outward marks of the poverty with which she had to contend. - -So far as Nicholas Walton was concerned, he was glad, upon the -whole, to learn that his nephew had gone to Europe. He could not -see Ben without his conscience reproaching him with the wrong he -had done him, and was still doing him and his mother, by retaining -possession of a sum of money which would have given them opulence -in exchange for the poverty which was not removed by the small -allowance he sent them. - -"Perhaps Major Grafton will adopt the boy," he said to himself, "and -then he won't need his father's money." - -As if this would gloss over or excuse the base fraud of which he had -been guilty. He had knowingly and intentionally been the occasion of -his brother-in-law's sudden death, and was as much his murderer as -if he had plunged a knife into his breast, though his crime was less -brutal and revolting. - -While these thoughts were passing through his mind, Clarence entered -the office. - -"Clarence, your cousin has been here to see you," said Mr. Walton. - -"What did he have to say, pa?" - -"He came to bid you good-by." - -"To bid me good-by? What for? Where is he going?" - -"He is to sail for Europe this afternoon." - -"To sail for Europe!" repeated Clarence, in amazement. "He didn't -say anything about it last evening." - -"Because he did not know it. He was only told this morning." - -"He's a lucky beggar!" said Clarence, enviously. "I've been longing -to go to Europe this ever so long. Percy Van Dyke spent last summer -in Switzerland. It annoys me to hear him talk of the splendid times -he had. Here is my country cousin going, while I have to stay at -home." - -"Don't worry, Clarence," said his father, encouragingly. "You shall -go in time. If your friend Percy should be going again, and will -accept you as a companion, I will let you go." - -This somewhat cheered up Clarence, though with the natural -impatience of youth he wanted to go at once. - -"I think I never knew a boy as lucky as Ben," said he. - -"He certainly has been strangely fortunate," said Mr. Walton. - -"He would have been glad to take a place in a store at five dollars -a week, and now he's got something ever so much better. I believe he -has more money than I to spend, and I am sure he dresses better." - -"He seems to have made an impression upon this Major Grafton. I -shouldn't be surprised if Grafton adopted him. He has no family of -his own, and is, I imagine, very rich." - -We know that on this last point Mr. Walton was misinformed. The -suggestion, however, was enough to excite the envy and jealousy of -Clarence. - -"Do you think he will be richer than I?" he asked. - -"You will be well provided for, Clarence. You won't have occasion -for envying your cousin, even if he should be adopted by Major -Grafton." - -We have now to change the scene to the little town of Sunderland, -from which our hero had come to New York to seek the good fortune -which he so strangely found. - -We direct our steps to a plain cottage, containing but four rooms -and an attic, which stood a little out of the centre of the village. -Small and plain as it was, it had an air of refinement and good -taste, with its climbing honeysuckles, tiny bed of flowers, its -trimly-kept lawn and neat surroundings, which are vainly sought -about many more pretentious residences. - -Here dwelt Mrs. Baker and Ben's little sister, Alice, but ten years -old. She bore a strong family resemblance to Ben, and was equally -good-looking. - -"It seems an age since Ben left home," said Mrs. Baker, with a -little sigh. - -"I miss him dreadfully, mother," said Alice. "Why need he go away?" - -"I can't blame him, Alice, though I am very sorry to have him go," -said Mrs. Baker. "He is ambitious----" - -"What does that mean?" asked Alice, puzzled. - -"It means that he is anxious to get on in the world--to make money. -It is a natural feeling for a boy." - -"He used to earn money here at home," said Alice. - -"Only a little. No doubt he can do better in New York, if he can get -a chance. If his uncle will only help him----" - -"I should think he might, mother. Ben is a good boy." - -"There is none better," assented his mother, fondly; "but strangers -may not know that." - -Just then a neighbor, driving by, paused in the road and called out -to the widow, whom he saw at the open window: - -"Widder Baker, there's a letter for you at the post-office. 'Spect -it's from Ben." - -"Go right over and get it, Alice," said her mother, excitedly. - -Alice wasn't long in performing her errand. She came back well -rewarded, bringing with her two letters, one of which had arrived -the day before. The first letter contained an account of his cold -reception by his uncle, and on the other hand his good luck in -encountering Major Grafton. As an earnest of his good fortune he -enclosed three five-dollar bills. - -"God has been very good to us!" said the widow, with beaming face. -"I can hardly believe in Ben's good fortune." - -"Open the other letter, mother," said Alice. - -Mrs. Baker did so, and, glancing over it rapidly, uttered a quiet -exclamation of surprise and dismay. - -"Alice," she said, "Ben has sailed for Europe!" - -"Gone to Europe, and without bidding us good-by!" - -"He did not have any chance," and Mrs. Baker read Ben's letter. - -When she came to think it over, she felt that Ben was, on the -whole, fortunate to have so good an opportunity of seeing the world; -and as to dangers and risks, God would take care of him abroad as -well as at home. She would have liked to have known the man who had -her boy in charge. Doubtless he must have taken a fancy to Ben, or -he would not have given him such a chance. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - FILIPPO NOVARRO. - - -Nicholas Walton was well pleased with the good fortune of his -nephew. Though a selfish man, he was not wholly without a conscience -and a heart. He had always regretted the manner in which he had -possessed himself of the large sum of money which, by enabling him -to take a store on Broadway, and largely extend his business, had -allowed him to take a place among the foremost merchants of New -York. He would have preferred to compass his own fortune without -bringing ill-fortune to his brother-in-law, but if the thing had to -be done again, under the same circumstances, he would probably have -yielded to the same temptation. - -"Ben appears to be a smart, attractive boy," said Walton to -himself. "He is likely to make his own way in the world, especially -in his present position. I dare say it is better for him to have -lived plainly, and nourished self-reliance, than to have been reared -in luxury. Then, as to the fortune, Doctor Baker was a man of very -little business shrewdness. He would have wasted the money in bad -investments, and, ten to one, not a dollar of it would have remained -at the present time." - -All this Nicholas Walton said to quiet his conscience, but without -success. Many a time, especially in the silent watches of the -night, memory revived for him that scene, which he would so gladly -have forgotten, when his ill-fated brother-in-law died in a fit of -agitation brought on by Walton intentionally. He could see himself -once more rifling the pockets of the dead man, and converting to his -own use the money which would have made the physician and his family -prosperous and happy. - -These disquieting thoughts he tried to get rid of. He tried to -persuade himself that he was wholly disinterested in his good wishes -for his nephew. By way of keeping up the illusion he snatched -five minutes from his business, and wrote the following letter of -congratulation to his sister: - - "MY DEAR SISTER:--Benjamin has no doubt apprised you of his - success in obtaining a profitable engagement, and of his - departure for Europe. He has also, perhaps, told you that - I was opposed to his remaining in the city. I admit that - I thought it would have been better for him to remain in - Sunderland and obtain a practical acquaintance with farming, - in which case I would, at the proper time, have set him up - on a farm of his own, for I hold that the farmer is the - only truly independent man. A merchant may be rich to-day - and a bankrupt to-morrow, and that in spite of the utmost - care and prudence. However, I won't dwell on this subject. - I am willing to admit that I did not give my nephew credit - for the energy and ability he has shown. Though I refused - to help him, further than to pay the expenses of his trip - to the city, on condition of his returning home at once, he - remained and succeeded in commending himself to the favor of - a rich man who has given him an excellent position, and will - probably--for he seems to be eccentric--finally conclude to - adopt the boy. - - "It is needless to say that I could not have anticipated - such extraordinary luck for Benjamin, and that I am glad he - followed his own counsel and remained in the city. Doubtless - a better fortune awaits him than the life of a farmer, - which, though independent, is laborious. I only write now - to congratulate you upon his success, and to express my - interest in him. Though you will no doubt miss him, I think - you will be able to see that he has done the best thing for - himself and for you in the engagement which he has made with - Major Grafton. He would have dined at my house to-morrow, - but for his sudden departure. - - "I inclose my next month's allowance a little in advance. - - "Your affectionate brother, - - "NICHOLAS WALTON." - -Mrs. Baker was surprised and gratified on receiving this unusually -long letter from her brother Nicholas. She had been wounded at the -cool reception which he had accorded to Ben, as detailed in the -letter of the latter, but this letter put a new face on the matter. - -"After all, Nicholas feels an interest in Ben," she said to -herself, "and no doubt he acted for what he thought the best in the -advice he gave him to remain in Sunderland and become a farmer. He -acknowledges his mistake very handsomely." - -So upon the spur of the moment she wrote her brother a letter, -acknowledging gratefully his kindness to her boy, and asking for a -continuance of it. - -This letter was received by Mr. Walton with satisfaction. It made -it easier for him to feel that he had not, after all, wronged his -sister and her family as much as his conscience sometimes reproached -him with. - -"Would that I could lose all the memories of that dreadful hour!" he -said to himself, with a shudder. - -But he did not find that so very easy. It was destined to be -recalled to him in a startling manner within a week. - -As he sat in his office the following Thursday, a clerk entered. - -"Mr. Walton," he said, "there is a foreign gentleman in the store -who wishes to see you." - -"Is it a stranger?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"He wishes to see me on business, doubtless. You may bring him in." - -The visitor entered--a man of medium size and swarthy -complexion--who would be taken at first sight for a Spaniard or a -Portuguese. Nicholas Walton regarded him with a look of inquiry. - -"Do I speak to Mr. Walton?" asked the stranger, in good English, but -with a foreign accent. - -"I am Mr. Walton," answered the merchant. - -"You are brother-in-law to Mr.--I beg pardon, Doctor Baker?" - -"Ye-es," answered the merchant, with a startled look. - -"Can you tell me if the good doctor is well?" - -"He is--dead!" replied Walton, slowly. "Did you know him?" - -"I much regret to hear of his death. I did not know him, but I met -him once." - -"This must be the man who gave him the bonds," thought Walton, -trying to conceal his perturbation. "The moment and the man I have -so long dreaded have arrived. Now, Nicholas Walton, you require all -your coolness and nerve." - -"May I ask when that was?" he asked, with apparent unconcern. - -"Five years ago. I was the agent for conveying to him a large sum -in securities bequeathed him by my uncle, to whom he had rendered a -great service." - -"Indeed! I am most glad to see you, sir. I wish my brother-in-law -were alive to give you personal welcome." - -"When--did he die?" - -"But a short time after you met him. He died instantly--of heart -disease." - -"He left a wife and child, did he not?" - -"He left a wife and two children." - -"And they live?" - -"Yes." - -"I wish I could see them." - -Nicholas Walton was perplexed and alarmed. If the stranger should -see Mrs. Baker, his elaborate scheme would fall to the ground and he -would be called upon for an explanation. - -"Do you remain long in the city?" he asked. - -"I go to Havana in three days. Business of importance, not to -mention the sickness of my brother, calls me there." - -"Ah!" said the merchant, relieved. "You will have to defer seeing -Mrs. Baker, then." - -"I thought she might live near by," said Filippo Novarro, for such -was the name he gave. - -"Two years ago she removed to Minnesota," said the merchant, with -fluent falsehood. "Her son, however, is travelling in Europe." - -"That, at least, will look as if she retained her fortune," he said -to himself. - -"Then I must not hope to meet her," said Novarro. "When you write, -will you give her my profound respects?" - -"With pleasure, Senor Novarro," said Walton, briskly. "Can I be of -any service to you personally?" - -"Thank you, sir, no. I shall be very busy till I leave the city." - -"Then let me express my pleasure in meeting you," said Walton, -offering his hand. - -"The pleasure is mutual, Mr. Walton, I assure you," said the -stranger, bowing low. - -"Thank Heaven, I have got rid of you," said Walton to himself, -wiping the perspiration from his brow. "But shall I always be as -lucky?" - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - ON BOARD THE PARTHIA. - - -"Am I really on the Atlantic, bound for Europe?" said Ben to -himself, as he paced the deck of the Parthia, then several hours out. - -He found it hard to realize, for only a week before he had been in -his quiet country home, wholly unconscious of the great change that -fate had in store for him. - -He was not unfavorably affected by the new sea-life. Instead of -making him sick, it only gave him a pleasant sense of exhilaration. -With Major Grafton it was different. He was a very poor sailor. He -was scarcely out of port before he began to feel dizzy, and was -obliged to retire to his state-room. He felt almost irritated when -he saw how much better Ben bore the voyage than he. - -"One would think you were an old sailor, instead of me," he said. -"I have crossed the Atlantic a dozen times, and yet the first whiff -of sea air lays me on my back, while you seem to enjoy it." - -"So I do at present," answered Ben; "but perhaps my time will come -to be sick. Can't I do something to make you comfortable?" - -"You may tell the steward to bring some ginger ale," said the major. - -Ben promptly complied with the major's request. He felt glad to do -something to earn the liberal salary which he was receiving. It was -not exactly acting as a private secretary; but, at any rate, he was -able to be of service, and this pleased him. He had no complaint to -make of Major Grafton. The latter saw that he wanted for nothing, -and had he been the major's son he would have fared no better. Yet -he did not form any attachment for his employer, as might have been -thought natural. He blamed himself for this, when he considered the -advantages of his position; but it was not so strange or culpable -as Ben supposed. The boy saw clearly that, whatever might have been -Major Grafton's motives in taking him into his service, it was not -any special interest or attachment. The reader understands that -Grafton had a purpose to serve, and that a selfish one. For Ben he -cared nothing, but his own interest required that he should have a -boy with him as a substitute for the one whose death he wished to -conceal, and our hero filled the bill as well as any he could secure. - -One day, while Major Grafton was in his state-room, enduring as well -as he could the pangs of sea-sickness, a gentleman on deck accosted -Ben: - -"You seem to enjoy the voyage, young man," he said. - -"Yes, sir; very much." - -"You are not alone?" - -"No; I am travelling with Major Grafton." - -"Indeed!" said the gentleman, in surprise. "I didn't know the major -was on board. Where does he keep himself?" - -"He seldom leaves his state-room. He has been sick ever since he -started." - -"I remember meeting the major last summer in Switzerland. You were -sick at the time, but from your present appearance I judge that you -got bravely over it." - -"I think you are mistaken, sir. I was not with Major Grafton at that -time." - -"You were not! That is strange. Surely there was a boy with him; I -remember he called him Philip." - -"He calls me so, but that is not my name." - -"Do you mean to say that you were not with the major at that time?" - -"I did not know there was such a man at that time." - -"Humph! I don't understand it," said James Bolton (this was the -traveller's name). "I do remember, however, hearing that the boy, -then called Philip, died at Florence." - -"I think that settles it," said Ben. "Whoever the poor fellow may -have been that died, I am sure that it was not I." - -"Are you Major Grafton's adopted son, or ward?" - -"No, sir; I am his private secretary. That is, I was hired in that -capacity, though as yet I have not had much writing to do." - -"You are lucky. Take care you don't die, like the other boy." - -"I will try to live, I assure you, sir." - -"By the way, just mention my name to the major--James Bolton, of -London. I dare say he will remember me. Just say that I occupied -the room opposite his in the Hotel des Bergues, in Geneva, and -that we went to Chamounix together. I should be glad to renew my -acquaintance with him, whenever he feels well enough to come on -deck." - -"I will mention you to him, Mr. Bolton," said Ben, politely. - -Our young hero took an early opportunity of keeping his promise. - -On his next visit to the state-room he said: - -"Major Grafton, I met a gentleman on deck this morning who wishes to -be remembered to you." - -"Who is it?" asked the major, quickly, raising his head from the -pillow of his berth. - -"He says his name is Bolton--James Bolton, of London." - -"Don't know him!" said the major, shortly. - -"He says that he was with you at the Hotel des Bergues, in Geneva, -Switzerland, last summer; also that he went with you to Chamounix." - -"What else did he say?" asked the major, who seemed unpleasantly -affected by the mention of Bolton's name. - -"He thought I was with you at the time." - -"Ha! What did you say?" - -"I told him he was mistaken." - -"Don't tell these fellows too much; they are simply impertinent," -said the major, with a frown. "What more did he say?" - -"He said you had a boy with you whom you called Philip, and that -this boy, as he afterward heard, died at Florence." - -Ben looked inquiringly at the major, as if to obtain confirmation or -denial of this story. - -Major Grafton hesitated, as if not decided what to say. - -"It is true," he said, after a pause. "Poor Philip died; but it -is a painful subject. I don't like to speak of it. You resemble -him very closely, and that was my chief object in taking you as a -companion. I don't really need a private secretary, as you have -probably found out." - -"I wish you did, sir. I would like to do something to earn my wages." - -"Don't trouble yourself on that score. It suits me to have a -companion; I hate being alone. As long as you conform to my wishes, -I will provide for you." - -"Thank you, sir." - -"But hark you, Philip! I don't care to have you talk too much to -strangers about me or my affairs. Now, as to this man Bolton, I -prefer that you should keep him at a distance. He is not a fit -companion for you." - -"Is he a bad man?" asked Ben, in some surprise, for Bolton had -seemed to him a very respectable sort of man. - -"He is a thoroughly unprincipled man," answered the major, -emphatically. "He is a confirmed gambler, and is cultivating your -society because he thinks you may have money. He is trying to lead -you into a snare." - -"Then I was deceived in him," said Ben, indignantly, for it didn't -occur to him to doubt the positive statement of Major Grafton. - -"Quite natural, Philip," said Grafton, pleased with having -aroused the boy's suspicions of a man who might impart dangerous -information. "Of course, I needn't suggest to you to keep the man at -a distance. I do not care to have you come under his influence." - -"I shall bear in mind what you say, sir," said Ben. - -"I think I have checkmated this meddling Bolton," said the major to -himself, in a tone of satisfaction. - -When, a few hours later, Bolton approached Ben and asked: "Have you -spoken to Major Grafton about me?" Ben coldly answered, "Yes, sir." - -"Did he remember me?" questioned Bolton. - -"Yes, sir." - -"I thought he would. Are we likely to see him on deck soon?" - -"No, sir, I think not." - -Ben spoke so coldly that Bolton regarded him with a puzzled look. -He could not help seeing that the boy did not care to continue the -conversation, and, with a bow of farewell, joined another passenger -in a promenade. - -"I should like to have asked him a little more about the boy I am -succeeding," thought Ben; but he respected the major's wishes, and -kept aloof from Bolton for the remainder of the voyage. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - THE BEAUFORTS IN TROUBLE. - - -There was an anxious look on Rose Beaufort's pleasant face. She and -her young brother were the only bread-winners in the family, and -work as hard as they might it was very difficult to make both ends -meet. But for one item they could have managed with strict economy, -but that item--the rent--was a formidable one. They hired their -humble apartment of a Mrs. Flanagan, who leased the whole floor, and -agreed to pay two dollars a week. This woman was a coarse, selfish -person, whose heart was as hard and unfeeling as her face and -manners were unprepossessing. - -One Monday morning, about two months after Ben's departure for -Europe, the landlady knocked at the door of the two sisters. - -"It's Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose, with a troubled look, recognizing -her knock. "She has come for her rent, and I have but fifty cents -toward it." - -"Perhaps she will wait," suggested Adeline; but her voice was not -hopeful. - -"Come in!" said Rose. - -"You were mighty long tellin' me to come in," grumbled the landlady, -as she entered the humble room, with a hostile look. - -"I am sorry if I kept you waiting," said Rose, gently. - -"I thought maybe you didn't want to see me," said Mrs. Flanagan. "I -won't stay long to trouble ye." - -"Stay as long as you like," said Rose in a conciliatory manner. - -"I didn't come for any palaver--I haven't the time. I suppose you -know what I came for. You haven't forgot it's Monday mornin'?" said -the landlady, in an aggressive tone. - -"I didn't forget it, Mrs. Flanagan, but I am afraid I shall have to -disappoint you this morning." - -"Do you mane to say you haven't got my rint ready?" demanded Mrs. -Flanagan, her red face becoming still more inflamed with anger. - -"Indeed, Mrs. Flanagan, it isn't my fault," pleaded Rose. "I've got -fifty cents toward it, and if--" - -"Fifty cints! What's fifty cints?" exclaimed the landlady, angrily. -"Can I pay my rint wid fifty cints? It's a shame--that it is--for -you to chate a poor hard-workin' woman, and a widder besides." - -"My sister never cheats anybody," said Adeline, indignantly. - -"Hoity-toity! So it's you that are spakin', is it?" said Mrs. -Flanagan, with her arms akimbo. "You can talk, anyway, if you can't -work. All you do is to sit here all day long, while your sister is -wearin' out her fingers wid the needle." - -It was a cruel blow to the poor girl, who needed no reminder of what -she often thought about with bitter regret and mortification. She -did not retort angrily, but, turning sadly to her sister, said: - -"I am afraid it's true, Rose; I am only a burden and an expense to -you. I do nothing to help you." - -Now it was Rose's turn to be angry. - -"Are you not ashamed, Mrs. Flanagan, to twit my poor sister with -what is her misfortune, not her fault?" she exclaimed, with flushed -face and sparkling eyes. "She would gladly work, if she could." - -"It's ashamed I'm to be, am I?" retorted Mrs. Flanagan, viciously. -"I pay my bills, anyhow, and it's ashamed I'd be if I didn't. I -don't want no more talk from the like of you. It's money I want." - -"Here are fifty cents, and I will try to get you the rest to-day," -said Rose, sadly. - -"Them that wear gold rings can pay their rint, if they want to," was -Mrs. Flanagan's parting shot, as she slammed the door behind her. - -Rose looked at the plain gold ring on her finger. It had been her -mother's ring, and for that she valued it above its intrinsic value. - -"I can't part with this," she murmured, with moistened eyes. "Yet, -is it right to keep it when we owe money?" - -"Don't part with mother's ring, whatever you do, Rose," said her -sister, hastily. - -"But have we a right to keep it?" asked Rose, doubtfully. - -"Yes, a thousand times, yes! That woman can wait for her money. We -cannot part with this legacy of our dying mother." - -"But she may put us out into the street," said Rose, shuddering. - -"Is there nothing else by which we can raise money?" said Adeline, -realizing their situation. - -"Money is due me for two vests. As a general thing, Walton & Co. -don't pay me till I hand in half a dozen, but perhaps they would -make an exception in this case." - -"That would be but seventy cents. It would not make up what we owe -Mrs. Flanagan." - -"It might induce her to wait for the rest," said Rose. "If you don't -mind staying alone a little while, Addie, I will wrap them up and -carry them to the store." - -"Go, if you like, Rose. I always miss you, but I cannot expect to -keep you here with me all the time." - -Rose wrapped up the two completed vests, and putting on her hat, -kissed her sister and went down stairs. - -It was not far to the great store, which we have already entered -with Ben. - -Entering, Rose walked to the back part of the store and took the -elevator to the second floor, where she found the superintendent of -the work-room. - -She made known her request. - -"Quite out of the question, miss," said the superintendent, sharply. - -He was a hard-featured man, who was a good man of business, but was -not open to sentimental consideration. - -"Didn't you know our rules?" he asked. - -"Yes, sir; but this was a case of necessity." - -"I beg your pardon, miss, it is a matter of business. When you have -finished the batch we will pay you, and not till then." - -"But, sir, I need the money very much." - -"That is your affair, not ours. Probably you have friends and can -borrow money, if you need it sooner than we are ready to pay it to -you." - -"I don't know where to find them," thought Rose, but she did not -say this. - -The superintendent had already turned away, as if to intimate that -he had no more time to give her. Rose walked to the elevator slowly -and sadly, and descended to the main store. - -"What shall I do?" she thought. "Mrs. Flanagan will turn us out, and -then poor Addie will suffer." - -As she stepped out into the street the thought of the ring came -back to her. It was dear to her as a cherished legacy from a mother -early lost and deeply mourned, yet it had a money value which would -relieve their pressing necessities for a week at least. - -"I don't think mother would wish me to keep it under the -circumstances," she thought. "Addie will scold me, but it appears -to be the only thing that remains for me to do. Heaven knows that I -don't wish to part with it." - -The proper place to go would have been to a pawnbroker's shop, -but Rose did not know of one. She had never had dealings with any. -As she passed a jewelry store it occurred to her that perhaps they -would buy it inside, and she entered. - -"In what way can I serve you, miss?" asked a young man behind the -counter. - -"I--I wish to dispose of a ring," said Rose, hurriedly. "Can you -tell me the value of it?" and she slipped the ring from her finger -and offered it to the salesman. - -"We don't buy second-hand jewelry," said the clerk, rudely. "We sell -rings here; don't buy them." - -"Then would you be kind enough to lend me two dollars on it -till--till next week?" entreated Rose. "It must be worth much more -than that." - -"It doesn't matter how much it is worth," said the clerk. "We ain't -in that line of business. You don't suppose we keep a pawnbroker's -shop, do you?" and he laughed contemptuously, glancing at a tall -lady who stood beside Rose and had listened attentively to the -conversation, as if inviting her to enjoy the joke with him. - -"Then perhaps you will direct me to a pawnbroker's," said Rose, ill -at ease. - -"Oh, you can go find one on the Bowery," said the clerk, -carelessly. "Now, madam," turning to the tall lady, "what can I show -you?" - -His tone was much more respectful than the one he employed in -speaking to Rose, for the lady, though far from beautiful, and no -longer young, was handsomely-dressed, and had the appearance of -being wealthy. - -"You can't show me anything to-day, young man," said Miss Jane -Wilmot, for it was she. "I wish to speak to this young lady. My -dear, come out of the store with me. I wish to ask you a few -questions." - -The clerk arched his brows in surprise and disappointment as his -hoped-for customer walked away without purchasing anything, followed -by Rose. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - MRS. FLANAGAN IS DRIVEN FROM THE FIELD. - - -Miss Jane Wilmot had never been pretty, even when, twenty years -before, she could lay claim to being a young lady; and her manners -were decided; but a kind smile lighted up her face as she said to -Rose: - -"My child, you seem to be in trouble." - -"Yes, indeed, madam," said Rose, "I am in great trouble." - -"Don't think me inquisitive," said Miss Wilmot, "if I inquire into -your trouble. I infer that you are in need of money." - -"Yes, madam, I am very much in need of money, or I would not think -of selling my mother's ring." - -"Your mother--is she living?" - -"No; she has been dead for five years." - -"You are not alone in the world?" - -"No, thank Heaven! I don't know how I could bear to feel myself -alone. I have a sick sister and a little brother." - -"And does the whole burden of their support fall on you?" asked Miss -Wilmot, in a tone of sympathy. - -"Not quite. My little brother Harry earns two dollars a week as a -cash-boy." - -"That is not much help." - -"It is nearly as much as I earn myself. There is not much to be -earned at making vests at thirty-five cents each." - -"Thirty-five!" repeated Miss Wilmot, indignantly. "Who pays you such -a wretched price?" - -"Walton & Co." - -"No wonder they prosper, if they pay so little for having their work -done. How many vests can you make in a week?" - -"One vest a day is about as much as I can make, but I have made -seven in a week." - -"And you consider that a good week's work?" asked Miss Wilmot. - -"Yes, but I cannot average that." - -"That makes--let me see--two dollars and forty-five cents. You -don't mean to say, child, that your united incomes amount to only -four dollars and forty-five cents?" - -"It generally amounts to less, for I cannot average seven vests a -week." - -"Well, well, what are we coming to?" ejaculated Miss Wilmot, -pityingly. "You don't look, child, as if you had always been so -miserably poor." - -"I have not. My grandfather was rich, but he took offense at -mother's marriage to father and he left all his property to my -cousin." - -"The old wretch! Excuse me, child, I forgot that he was your -grandfather. So you were wholly left out of the will?" - -"If my cousin should die, the whole property would come to us." - -"He should have left the property between you. But I fancy you think -I am a curious old woman, with my questions." - -"I don't think you an old woman at all, madam." - -Miss Wilmot smiled. Though she was a spinster of over forty she was -not wholly without appreciation of a compliment, and the reply of -Rose pleased her. - -"At any rate, I am old enough to be your mother, my dear," she said. -"But that is neither here nor there. How much did you expect to get -for that ring?" - -"I hoped that I might get three dollars," said Rose, hesitatingly. -"I owe Mrs. Flanagan--she is my landlady--a dollar and a half, and I -could pay that and have a little fund left to fall back upon." - -"A little fund--a dollar and a half!" said Miss Wilmot, pityingly. - -"I suppose I would not get so much at a pawnbroker's?" continued -Rose. - -"My child, I am not a pawnbroker, but I think it will be better for -me to lend you something on the ring." - -"If you only would, madam! I feel timid about going to a pawnshop." - -"Where they would offer some ridiculous trifle for it, no doubt. -Here, child, give me the ring." - -Rose drew it from her finger and handed it to Miss Wilmot. - -The latter drew a purse from her pocket and slipped the ring into -it. - -"It is too small for me to wear," she said. "It will be safe in my -purse." - -She drew out two five-dollar bills and handed them to Rose. - -"Ten dollars!" exclaimed Rose, in surprise. - -"I don't do business on the regular terms," said Miss Wilmot, -smiling. "I am sure the ring is worth more than ten dollars to you. -Some day you may be able to redeem it." - -"I am afraid not, madam; but this money seems like a small fortune -to me." - -"You don't know what future luck is in store for you. I will keep -the ring for you. You should know who has it. I am Miss Jane Wilmot, -of 300 Madison avenue. I am called a strong-minded woman; I hope -that won't prejudice you against me." - -"It would be hard for me to become prejudiced against you after your -liberality, Miss Wilmot. I wish there were more strong-minded woman -like you." - -"Now for your name, my child." - -"I am Rose Beaufort; my sister's name is Adeline, and my little -brother, twelve years old, is Harry." - -"I have a great mind to go home with you, if you won't consider it -an intrusion," said Miss Wilmot. - -"Far from it, Miss Wilmot--that is, if you won't mind our humble -quarters." - -"If you can endure them week after week, I can get along for half an -hour," said the spinster. "Lead the way, my dear. Is it far? If so, -we will take a horse-car." - -"It is less than half a mile, I should think," said Rose. - -"Then we will walk." - -They soon reached the poor tenement-house. - -"You see it is a poor place," said Rose, apologetically. - -"Poor enough!" said Miss Wilmot, plainly. - -"You may not care to come up." - -"There is nothing delicate about me, my child. Go on, I will follow." - -Rose entered the poor room in advance of her visitor. - -"Home again, Rose?" said Adeline, whose head was turned away from -the door, and who therefore did not see Miss Wilmot. - -"Yes, Addie." - -"Did you get any money? Did they pay you for the vests?" - -"No; but I met a good friend, who has come home with me. Miss -Wilmot, this is my sister, Addie." - -"I am glad to make your acquaintance, my dear," said the spinster, -and her face, plain as it was, looked positively attractive from -very kindness. - -"You look good!" said Addie, whose instincts were rapid. "I am sure -you are a friend." - -"I will be," said Miss Wilmot, emphatically. - -The weakness of the younger sister appealed to her even more -strongly than the beauty of the elder. - -Just then a knock was heard at the door. Mrs. Flanagan had heard -the step of Rose upon the stairs, and had come up to see if she had -brought money for the rent. - -"It is my landlady, Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose. - -"I want to see what sort of a woman she is. Ask for delay, and let -me go into this inner room," said Miss Wilmot, rapidly. - -When Mrs. Flanagan entered the room there was no sign of a visitor. - -"Well," said the landlady, entering upon her business at once, "have -you got my money for me?" - -But for Miss Wilmot's admonition, Rose would have produced the money -without delay, but she thought it necessary to follow the directions -of her new friend. - -"They would not pay me for the two vests I had made," she said. "I -must wait till all are finished." - -"Just what I expected," said the landlady, placing her arms akimbo. -"I saw how it would turn out. You needn't think I am going to be put -off like this. Pay me my rent, or out you go, bag and baggage!" - -"Would you turn my poor sister into the street, Mrs. Flanagan?" - -"I am not going to keep you here for nothing, you may rely upon -that." - -"Won't you wait till next week?" - -"When another week's rent will be due? No, I won't, and I hope that -you understand it." - -"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself, woman!" said a strong, -decided voice, and Miss Wilmot strode out of the bedroom. - -Mrs. Flanagan stared at her with mingled surprise and indignation. - -"I am no more a woman than you are," she retorted. - -"That's true enough," rejoined Miss Wilmot, "nor half as much. -There's nothing womanly about you." - -"Do you think I can let my rooms for nothing?" said the landlady, -sullenly. She saw that Miss Wilmot was richly dressed, and she had a -respect for such evidence of wealth. - -"How much do the young ladies owe you?" - -"A dollar and a half." - -"What is the rent of these rooms?" - -"Two dollars a week." - -"Then, three dollars and a half will pay to the end of the present -week?" - -"Yes, ma'am." - -"Here is the money. They will move out at the end of the week." - -"I shall be glad to have them stay," said the landlady, now anxious -to retain them. - -"I shall find them a better home. Good-morning." - -Mrs. Flanagan went down stairs feeling that she was worsted in the -contest. She was a bold woman, but she was rather afraid of Miss -Wilmot. - -"Now, my dears," said the spinster, "let us talk business." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - BRIGHTER PROSPECTS. - - -"You must know, my dear," said Miss Wilmot, "that I am a rich -woman, and own considerable more than my share of worldly goods. -Among other items of property, I own a French flat house on West -Twenty-fifth street. It isn't one of the costly flats, but is -intended for people with moderate incomes. I learned yesterday that -one of the flats was just vacated. The family occupying it is about -to move to the West, and desired me, as a matter of convenience to -them, to purchase their furniture, and let it furnished. I intended -to decline, but now I shall accept, having found a tenant that suits -me." - -"Who is it?" asked Rose, not quite understanding her own connection -with the matter. - -"Her name is Rose Beaufort," said Miss Wilmot, smiling. - -"But, Miss Wilmot, I am afraid it will be beyond my means. What rent -shall you ask?" - -"I don't think thirty dollars a month will be too much, considering -that there are five well-furnished rooms. There is even a piano." - -"Thirty dollars a month!" exclaimed Rose, in dismay. "Why, that will -be more than all of us together can earn. Mrs. Flanagan only asks us -two dollars a week, and that we've hardly been able to meet." - -"I think that can be made easy for you," said the spinster. "I shall -let you pay in work." - -"But I couldn't do enough to pay the rent alone." - -"Not at making vests at thirty-five cents apiece, I admit. My -work will be better paid for. I shall want some writing done, -account-books straightened, and--by the way, do you play on the -piano?" - -"Oh, yes, madam." - -"Well?" - -"I believe I have a taste for it." - -"Do you consider yourself competent to teach the piano?" - -"Yes, I think so." - -"Why, then, did you not seek pupils, instead of trying to make a -living by sewing?" - -"So I did, but I had no one to recommend me, and I could not afford -to advertise." - -"Do you also play, my dear?" asked Miss Wilmot, turning to Adeline. - -"But very little," answered the young girl, humbly. - -"Addie draws and paints," said Rose. "I have no talent for either." - -"Why, that is well. I may be able to obtain pupils for her, too. -However, we can wait and see." - -"Miss Wilmot," said Rose, gratefully, "you came to us like a good -angel. I was almost despairing when I met you. Now, I am full of -courage." - -"Never despair!" said Miss Wilmot, kindly. "The sun is often behind -the clouds. But I must be going. You will hear from me in a day or -two." - -The good spinster rose as she spoke, and going out of the humble -room, descended the dirty staircase, leaving behind her joy where -she had found sorrow. - -"It seems almost too good to be true, Rose," said Addie. - -"So it does, Addie." - -"A nice furnished flat and a piano! I shall not believe it until I -see it." - -"We can rely upon whatever Miss Wilmot promises. Has she not paid -our rent, and given us ten dollars besides?" - -"How glad Harry will be when he hears it!" - -"Yes, poor boy. It hasn't been a very pleasant home for him. Do you -know, Addie, I feel inclined to be extravagant?" - -"In what way, Rose?" - -"I am going to order a nice dinner from a restaurant--roast turkey -and vegetables; and I will make some coffee, and we will have -everything ready by the time Harry arrives." - -"But it will cost a great deal, Rose," said Adeline, in alarm. - -"Never mind, for once. This ought to be a Thanksgiving Day for -us. Let us celebrate it as such. Besides," added Rose, the frugal -instinct coming in, "if I order two plates it will be enough for -three of us. I know of a restaurant where we can get all I want for, -say, seventy-five cents. We won't mind about money to-night." - -"It will seem good to have a nice dinner once more," said Adeline, -thoughtfully. "It is a long time since we had anything but the -plainest food." - -Rose postponed her feast until six o'clock, the hour when Harry -usually got home. There was a restaurant near by, where she gave the -order, directing it to be sent in at ten minutes to six. - -Mrs. Flanagan was considerably surprised when a colored waiter made -his appearance at her door with a large covered dish. - -"Who is this for? Haven't you made a mistake?" she asked. - -"No, ma'am. It's for a young lady--Miss Beaufort. Doesn't she live -here?" - -"Yes. What have you got there?" asked the landlady, curiously. - -"Roast turkey." - -"Bless my soul!" thought Mrs. Flanagan. "She must have come into a -fortune. It's all right!" and she directed the waiter to the room of -the Beauforts. - -When Harry arrived the little table was set out with its usual -neatness, and on it there was a display such as made him start back -with surprise. - -"Where did all this come from?" he asked, bewildered. - -"Explanations postponed till after supper," said Rose. "Sit down and -we will begin." - -"All right; I've no objection," said Harry. "Yes, Rose, you may give -me some of the dressing. I say, ain't it good, though? I wish we -could live like this every day." - -A great fuss to make over a very ordinary dinner, some of my young -readers may think; but let them put themselves in the place of this -family, and judge whether they would not hail with joy such a meal -after a long course of the most frugal fare. - -They were in the midst of their enjoyment when a knock was heard at -the door--a subdued knock, not like the authoritative knock of their -landlady. So there was general surprise when Mrs. Flanagan opened -the door. The fact was she could not repress the impulse to gratify -her curiosity, which had been excited by the remarkably lavish -dinner of her tenants. - -"So I've caught you at dinner," she remarked, apologetically. "You -must excuse me; it didn't occur to me that I might be intruding." - -"It's of no consequence, Mrs. Flanagan," said Rose, not sorry, -perhaps, that her old enemy should witness such an indication of -prosperity. "I would invite you to dinner, but I am afraid there is -no more of the turkey left." - -"Roast turkey, upon my word! Well, here's luxury!" said Mrs. -Flanagan. "I've had my supper, so I could not accept if you did -invite me." - -"We don't have turkey every day, Mrs. Flanagan," said Adeline. "We -thought we would have it to-day by way of variety." - -"They must have come into some money," thought Mrs. Flanagan. -"Perhaps that old lady was their aunt." - -"I'm sure I'm glad you're doin' so well," she said. "I hope you'll -stay with me, in spite of all that's past and gone. You see I am -that worried sometimes to get money to pay my rent that I may speak -kind of cross like, but I don't mean anything--as is well-known to -you." - -"Didn't you mean anything this morning when you were going to put -us out of the house because I could not pay the whole of the rent?" -asked Rose. - -"I didn't mean it. They were only hasty words," said the landlady, -stoutly. "I hope you'll stay with me, for it wouldn't look natural -to see anybody else goin' in and comin' out of these rooms." - -"I cannot tell yet what we may do," said Rose. "I am glad you didn't -mean what you said this morning," she added, quietly, "for it made -us feel very sober. I thought you meant to put us into the street." - -"I'm sure I'm very sorry. I was cross, and I didn't know what I -said. Well, I must be goin' down and gettin' Mike's supper, for he -always comes home late." - -"It's the way of the world, Rose," said Adeline, as the landlady -disappeared. - -"What does it all mean?" asked Harry, puzzled. "What has made that -old cat so good-natured all at once?" - -"Roast turkey," answered Rose, dryly. "She thinks we are prospering, -and will be good tenants." - -"You are going to stay, ain't you?" - -Then the new prospects of the family were explained to Harry, who -was much exhilarated by the account. - -"Can't I give lessons in something?" he asked. - -"You might give lessons in whistling," said Addie, who didn't -enjoy her brother's performance in that line; "but I hope you won't -receive pupils at home." - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - THE NEW HOME. - - -Two days later Rose Beaufort received another call from Miss Jane -Wilmot. - -"My dear," said the spinster, "your new rooms are ready for you, and -you can move in at once." - -"Our rent is paid here till Saturday," suggested Rose. - -"Give your landlady the benefit of the balance of the week. Is this -furniture all yours?" - -"Such as it is." - -"You won't want it. Any articles that you do not value you had -better send to an auction store to sell. The flat is already well -furnished." - -"A tenant on the floor below has offered to buy the furniture," said -Rose. - -"Does he make you a fair offer?" - -"He offers thirty-five dollars." - -"A low price, but it will save you trouble to accept it. When that -matter is arranged I will send my carriage, and take you and your -sister right over to your new home." - -Without dwelling upon details, it is sufficient to say that before -sunset the two sisters found themselves installed in a pretty -and cosey home in a much better part of the city. There was a -parlor, fronting on the street, a kitchen, and there were three -sleeping-rooms, so that each of the little family could have one. -The parlor contained a piano, a bookcase, well filled--this had -not belonged to the recent tenants, but was supplied, without the -knowledge of Rose, by Miss Wilmot. - -Adeline uttered a cry of delight as she went from room to room. - -"It is delightful!" she said. - -"Here is an easy-chair for you," said Miss Wilmot. "It will be more -comfortable than a rocking-chair, even." - -This, too, had been added by the thoughtful spinster. - -"Now open the piano and let me hear you play," said Miss Wilmot. - -While Rose was playing, her benevolent friend nodded approvingly -more than once. - -"You'll do," she said. "I confess I had some doubts about your -qualifications as a teacher, but I can see that you are a brilliant -performer." - -"If I can obtain pupils, I hope to suit," said Rose, modestly. - -"I have some in view. An acquaintance of mine, Mrs. Tilton, of West -Forty-second street, is in want of a music-teacher for her two -girls. I will send you there, with a note, to-morrow. But first I -must give you a hint. How much were you intending to charge for a -lesson?" - -"I had not thought," said Rose, hesitating. "How would fifty cents -do?" - -"Fifty cents!" repeated Miss Wilmot, with a rising inflection. "If -you undervalue yourself to that extent, no one will think you know -how to teach. You must charge two dollars per lesson." - -"But will anybody pay me so much?" asked Rose, amazed. "To one who -has only been earning thirty-five cents a day at vest-making, fifty -cents an hour seems very large pay." - -"My dear child, be guided by me. I know the world, and the world -will set very much the same value upon you that you set on yourself. -Ask Mrs. Tilton two dollars an hour." - -"But if she objects to pay it?" - -"Say that you are sorry that you cannot make any arrangements." - -"I am afraid I can't keep a straight face when I ask such a price, -Miss Wilmot." - -"Oh, yes, you will! Don't feel nervous. If you lose the pupils, -I will see that you don't suffer by it. By the way, put on your -best dress, for it is desirable that you make a favorable first -impression." - -"I will follow your advice, Miss Wilmot," said Rose. - -"You can't do better." - -The next day Rose rang the bell at the door of a fine brown-stone -house on West Forty-second street. - -"Is Mrs. Tilton at home?" she asked. - -"Yes, miss. Who shall I say wishes to see her?" - -"The music-teacher." - -Rose was shown into the drawing-room, and presently Mrs. Tilton -entered. She was a tall, blonde lady of fashionable appearance, -thoroughly worldly, and influenced by externals to a large extent. - -"I believe Miss Wilmot has written you in reference to the subject -of my call," said Rose. - -"Yes, Miss Beaufort. You are a music-teacher?" - -Rose bowed. - -"My two little girls have made a beginning, but have only taken two -quarters each. I wish them to have every advantage." - -Rose bowed again. - -"Of course, any one recommended by Miss Wilmot can hardly fail to be -competent. May I ask, Miss Beaufort, where you live?" - -"At the Wilmot Flats, in West Twenty-fifth street." - -"Then you are a tenant of Miss Wilmot?" - -"Yes, madam. My brother and sister and myself live together." - -"Of course you have a piano at home?" - -"Yes, madam," answered Rose, glad to answer the question in the -affirmative. - -"I asked because it might at times be more convenient--when we were -preparing for company, for instance--to send your pupils to you." - -"Just as may suit you, madam." - -"Now, as to your terms, Miss Beaufort?" - -"I charge two dollars per lesson," answered Rose, as boldly as she -could. - -"Isn't that high?" asked Mrs. Tilton. "Most lady teachers do not -charge as much." - -"I am quite aware of that," said Rose. - -"I think some charge only a dollar per lesson." - -"I presume you are right," said Rose; but, obedient to Miss Wilmot's -suggestions, she didn't offer to reduce her own price. "I hope to -make my services worth the amount I ask." - -"Then you won't accept a less price?" - -"I should prefer not to do so." - -Mrs. Tilton was not a generous woman. She was disposed to haggle -about prices, and had Rose applied to her for work as a seamstress -she would have driven a hard bargain with her, but, as the friend -and _protege_ of Miss Jane Wilmot, a lady of the highest social -consideration, she did not venture to follow her own economical -inclinations. In fact, Mrs. Tilton was not of an old family. Her -husband had recently become rich, and though she aspired to be -fashionable, there were circles to which she could not obtain -admission. She plumed herself on her acquaintance with Miss Wilmot, -and would not, on any account, have had Rose report to that lady -that she had been unwilling to pay her price. Two dollars an hour -seemed high, but she knew very well that she must buy social -recognition, and that she valued above money. - -"Very well," she said, after a pause; "I will pay your price. Can -you give me Tuesday and Friday afternoons from three to five?" - -"Yes, madam." - -"Then we will commence next Tuesday, if you please. By the way, my -neighbor, Mrs. Green, also desires to secure instruction for her -daughter, and I promised to ask you to call." - -"I will do so now if the lady is likely to be in," said Rose, gladly. - -"I think you will find her in, now. You may hand her my card." - -Mrs. Green lived but three doors away. She was at home, and engaged -her, without any demur as to price, to give her daughter two hours a -week, Monday and Thursday afternoons being selected. - -As Rose walked home she could hardly credit her good fortune. Six -lessons a week at two dollars apiece would amount to twelve dollars, -and leave her plenty of time to herself. Twelve dollars! and till -now her weekly income, laboring all day, had been less than three -dollars. - -"Addie," she said, after recounting her success to her sister, "do -you know I feel quite like a young lady of fortune? I am almost -afraid that it is all a dream, and that I shall wake up some day and -find myself back again at Mrs. Flanagan's." - -"Let us enjoy it as long as it lasts, Rose," said Adeline. "I wish -I could help. I don't like to have the whole family leaning on you." - -Adeline had her wish. Three days later Miss Wilmot came in with two -little girls. - -"They want to take lessons in drawing," she said. "They have a -taste, but their father is a mechanic, and they have been unable to -gratify it. Now, I have been thinking that I will let you pay the -rent by instructing them, and leave your sister her whole time to -teach music." - -"I should like nothing better," said Adeline, brightening up. - -"Then they will begin at once." - -Adeline was fond of children, and found instruction in her favorite -accomplishment no task, but a positive pleasure. - -"I shall not be a burden upon you, Rose, any longer," she said, -cheerfully. - -"I should think not. If you pay the rent, it will be no light help. -I shall insist on contributing my share, and will pay you fifteen -dollars a month to make matters even." - -Adeline protested, but Rose was firm. Her invalid sister's spirits -were raised, and life was no longer monotonous, now that she felt -herself of some use in the world. - -"Do you know, Rose," she said, "I don't think I should be happier -if our share of grandfather's money had come to us, as we once -anticipated." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - THE COLLAPSE OF AN ELDERLY DUDE. - - -The remarkable change that had taken place in the fortunes of Rose -Beaufort interfered seriously with the plans of a person who has -thus far only been incidentally mentioned--the superintendent of the -work department of Nicholas Walton's large clothing store. - -Hugh Parkinson was a man no longer young. If not forty, he looked -that age. Moreover, his natural attractions, which were very scanty, -had not been increased by the passage of time. His hair, which was -of a reddish tinge, was carefully combed up from the side to cover -the rather extensive vacancy for which time and irregular hours -were responsible; but to look young was a problem which he had not -been able to compass. He did what he could, in the way of dress, -to make up for the ravages of time. He always got his clothes made -by a fashionable Broadway tailor, and in the street he looked like -an elderly "dude," and thus far more ridiculous than the younger -specimens of this class. - -Perhaps it is well for our self-conceit that we do not see ourselves -as others see us. Hugh Parkinson, when he surveyed himself in the -mirror, decided that he was handsome and stylish-looking. He felt -that it was time he married. His salary was a liberal one--fifty -dollars per week--and he had a snug sum in various savings banks, -representing the savings of the last ten years. - -"I'm a good catch!" he said to himself, complacently; "I've a right -to expect considerable in a wife. Egad! I must be getting married -while I am still a young man." - -He had been a young man for a good many years, and so entitled to -call himself such. - -Hugh Parkinson was fastidious, however, and he had never met the -one he wanted to marry till he saw Rose Beaufort. Rose was about -half his age, and her fresh beauty touched the heart--such as he -had--of the old young man. - -"She has no fortune, but what does that matter?" he said to himself, -magnanimously. "I have enough for both. When she goes with me to the -theatre she will excite the admiration of all, and all the young men -in society will envy me. Egad! I must marry her." - -Rose, however, had as yet shown no signs of admiring Mr. Parkinson. -Indeed, the superintendent had good reason to doubt whether she even -esteemed him. He saw, however, that she was poor. Marriage with him -would bring her comfort, and even a moderate degree of luxury; upon -this he depended for a favorable issue to his suit. As to her being -poor, that was evident enough. To be sure, she was well dressed, -but no one who is in good circumstances takes vests to make at -thirty-five cents apiece. Besides, he knew where she lived, for the -vest-makers were obliged to leave their addresses with their names; -and he had passed through Bleecker street, and seen for himself the -shabby tenement-house in which Rose lived. - -"I wish she might become poorer still," said Mr. Parkinson to -himself; "then I would have a chance to step in as her good angel -and relieve her from suffering. She couldn't help being drawn to me." - -When Rose called and desired pay for the two vests which she had -completed, Mr. Parkinson was pleased; it showed that she was -becoming harder pressed by poverty. - -"Daniells," he said to the examining clerk, "when Miss Beaufort -calls with her package of vests I want you to object to the quality -of her work." - -"But, Mr. Parkinson, her work is always well done," objected -Daniells. - -"Oh, well, you can always find faults. Just say that she must see me -before you feel authorized to pay her." - -"What's your game, Mr. Parkinson?" asked Daniells. - -Mr. Parkinson winked significantly. - -"The fact is, Daniells," he said, "I want an opportunity to -ingratiate myself with the fair Rose. I will take her part, pay her -the money as a favor, and--you comprehend?" - -"Yes, I see. The fact is, Rose is pretty, and if I were not a -married man I would try to obtain a smile from her myself." - -"Just do as I tell you, there's a good fellow, and you won't lose by -it." - -When Rose had obtained by good fortune the powerful friendship -of the rich Miss Wilmot, she, of course, decided to give up -vest-making. She had some time left, but she felt that it would be -necessary for her to keep up her practice at home, if she aspired -to become a successful piano-teacher. However, she would finish the -vests she had in hand, and let those be the last. - -When the vests were finished she took them round to Mr. Walton's -establishment. - -The vigilant Daniells did not fail to note her appearance, and -prepared to serve the interests of his superior in the way which had -been arranged between them. - -"So you've finished the vests?" he said, carelessly. "Let me look at -them." - -Rose regarded this as a mere formality, knowing that they had been -well made, and never before having had her work objected to. - -What was her surprise, therefore, when Daniells went over them one -by one, frowning and shaking his head, disapprovingly. - -"Really," he said, "these vests are hardly satisfactory." - -"What is amiss with them?" asked Rose, in genuine surprise. - -"I can't go into particulars," said Daniells, who would have found -it hard to do so, by the way; "I can only say that they are not as -well made as we expect." - -"They are as well made as usual," said Rose, flushing indignantly. -"I cannot understand why you object to them, when all the work I've -done before has passed without objection." - -"All I can say, Miss Beaufort, is that I do not feel authorized to -pay you for them. Mr. Parkinson, however, is my superior. You can -refer the matter to him." - -"I should like to do so, sir," said Rose, with cold dignity. - -"I will accompany you." - -The two passed on to the superintendent's desk, and Daniells -explained the matter to his superior. - -"I will look over the work myself," said Parkinson. "You may go -back, Mr. Daniells. I will settle the matter." - -Rose stood quiet, while the superintendent examined the vests. - -"Really, Miss Beaufort," said Hugh, with his fascinating smile, "I -think Mr. Daniells has done you injustice. To my eye, the vests are -very neatly made." - -"Thank you, sir," said Rose, gratefully. "I am sure they are as well -made as any I have brought here." - -"The fact is," said Parkinson, confidentially, "Daniells is rather -fussy--I might say cranky--I have had more than once to reverse his -decision. You shall certainly be paid promptly, as usual." - -"Thank you, sir." - -Rose had never admired the superintendent, but he seemed to her -now a just and agreeable man. The money was not now of so much -importance to her, but she strongly objected to being unjustly -treated, and being deprived of the money which she had fairly earned. - -Mr. Parkinson himself paid over to Rose the money due for the six -vests. - -"Miss Beaufort," he said, "I hope you won't think we men of business -are all hard and disposed to take advantage of the poor. Now, in -your case, I assure you that I feel very kindly toward you." - -"Thank you, sir," said Rose, considerably surprised. - -Mr. Parkinson's vanity led him to think that she was regarding him -with a look of interest, but he misinterpreted her. She looked upon -him as old enough to be her father, and not a suspicion had ever -entered her mind that he thought of her as a possible wife. - -"If you will permit me," said the superintendent, "I am about to go -out to lunch, and will communicate to you a plan I have for your -advantage. It will be better not to take any new work now." - -"I did not intend to," said Rose. - -Mr. Parkinson looked a little surprised. - -They passed through the store together, and out into Broadway. Rose -waited for Mr. Parkinson to say what he appeared to have in his mind. - -"I think, Miss Beaufort," he said, as they emerged into the street, -"you could do better than make vests at thirty-five cents each." - -"I think so, too," answered Rose. "I wonder what he means?" she -thought. - -"Such a beautiful girl as you are----" - -"Sir!" exclaimed Rose, haughtily. - -"No offense, my dear. Quite the contrary, I assure you. I have had -my eye upon you for some time, and I admire you exceedingly. You are -poor, but I shall overlook that. My dear girl, I am very well off, -as you may suppose, and I offer to make you Mrs. Parkinson." - -"Good-evening, sir," said Rose, coldly. "I don't wish to continue -the conversation." - -"Don't be foolish, my dear girl. It is a fine chance for a poor -vest-maker to marry a man in my position." - -Rose did not deign to answer, but tried to escape. He attempted to -seize her by the arm, when his hat was violently knocked over his -eyes, and he came near measuring his length on the sidewalk. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - THE ROMANCE OF A ROSE. - - -Mr. Parkinson adjusted his hat, and darted a glance of indignation -at a fine-looking young man who had come to the rescue of Rose -Beaufort. - -"This is an outrage, sir," he said, angrily. - -Clinton Randall paid no attention to the discomfited Parkinson, but -asked Rose: - -"Has this man annoyed you?" - -"He forced his attentions upon me," answered Rose. - -"If he has insulted you, I will take care that he is punished." - -"Don't meddle with what is none of your business," said Parkinson, -furiously. "I have a good mind to horsewhip you." - -"Make the attempt whenever you please, sir," said Randall, -significantly. "If ever I find you annoying this young lady again, I -shall probably give you a taste of the same medicine." - -"Annoying?" sneered Parkinson. "I offered to make her my wife, if -you call that annoyance. Let me tell you that when a gentleman in -my position offers to marry a vest-maker she has reason to feel -complimented." - -"She evidently does not," said Randall, not without sarcasm. -"Whether she is a vest-maker or not, she is evidently a young lady -and is entitled to be treated as such." - -"She will be sorry for having made such a fuss," said Parkinson, -spitefully. "Miss Beaufort," he continued, turning to Rose, "you -need not trouble yourself to come to the store again for work, as I -shall decline to give you any. You may regret having treated me with -such scant courtesy." - -"I had no intention of asking for more work," said Rose, coldly. - -"Perhaps you have come into a fortune," sneered Parkinson. - -"Enough of this!" said Randall, sternly. "This young lady has no -favors to ask of you. You had better go back to your master and -conduct yourself hereafter in a more becoming manner, or you may -repent it." - -Here was a fresh outrage for poor Parkinson. In his own eyes he -was a man of very great importance, and to be told by this young -man, before a common vest-maker, to go back to his master, was very -humiliating. He was trying to think of some scathing retort, when -Randall, with a bow, offered his arm to Rose, and they walked away -together. - -"I wonder whether she really doesn't care for any more work," -thought Parkinson, "or is it only pretense? I dare say she will, -after a while, be coming round again for vests to make. If she does, -I shall have her in my power." - -And the superintendent walked slowly back to the store, chafing -inwardly at his ill-success. - -"I hope you won't allow yourself to think of this disagreeable -occurrence," said Clinton Randall, "or of this unmannerly cur." - -"No, sir, thanks to your kindness, I shall have no occasion." - -"He seemed spiteful. I hope it is not in his power to annoy you." - -He said this, thinking that Rose might be dependent upon Parkinson -for work. - -"Last week he might have done so," answered Rose. "I was engaged in -making vests for the store in which he is employed, and he might -have refused me work. Now, fortunately, thanks to a kind lady, I -have no further occasion to apply to him." - -"I am heartily glad to hear it. Any connection with such a cur must -be disagreeable. Has he ever annoyed you before?" - -"Never; and I was much surprised to-day when he followed me from the -store and pressed his attentions upon me." - -"He is old enough to be your father--the old fool!" said Randall, -resentfully. - -It seemed to him profanation that such a man should have thought of -appropriating the fresh beauty of the charming girl at his side. - -"He thought I ought to regard myself honored by his proposal," -said Rose, smiling, as she thought of the unromantic figure of her -elderly lover. - -"He has found out by this time that you hold a different opinion. -If he should ever persecute you again, I hope I may be at hand to -rescue you once more." - -"I am not likely to meet him, and have no further occasion to make -vests for a living. If you will kindly stop the next up-town car, I -will not longer detain you." - -"Certainly," answered Randall; and as a car was just at hand, he -complied with her request. - -He stood on the sidewalk, following, with his glances, the Broadway -car into which he had helped Rose. - -"I wish I dare follow her, and find out who she is," said Randall -to himself; "but she might misinterpret my motive and class me with -that elderly reprobate with whom I was compelled to interfere. What -a charming girl she is! I never saw a sweeter expression, or a more -beautiful complexion." - -He was in a day-dream, from which he was presently roused. - -"What are you staring at, Randall?" asked a young man of about his -own age, slapping him on the shoulder. "You seem star-gazing." - -"So I am." - -"Star-gazing at midday?" - -"It is a human star, Tudor. In short, it is a beautiful girl, whom I -have just helped into a car." - -"Who is she?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure." - -"An unknown divinity, eh? Tell me about it, for there is evidently a -story under all this." - -"A very short one. I found an elderly scamp annoying her, and -knocked his hat over his eyes." - -"And, after having gallantly rescued her, you helped her into a car?" - -"Exactly." - -"And that is the whole of it?" - -"I am afraid so." - -"You don't mean to say you are struck at last, Randall--you who have -so long been the despair of manoeuvering mammas? Come, that would be -news, indeed!" - -"I am not at all sure but I am. Tudor, I will say one thing, that I -never saw a sweeter face in all my wanderings." - -"That's saying a good deal, for you have been all over the world. -And you don't know the young lady's name?" - -"Haven't the slightest clew to it." - -"Is she rich or poor, a stylish city lady or a rustic beauty?" - -"I fancy she is not rich," said Randall, who, for some reason, -did not care to mention that she had been a vest-maker. To him it -mattered little, but his friend Tudor might be more fastidious, and -he was not willing to give him any chance to look down upon Rose. - -"Couldn't you manage to ask her name?" - -Randall shook his head. - -"I tried to think of a pretext, but could not," he answered. - -"You may meet her again." - -"I hope to do so." - -"And if you do?" - -Randall smiled. - -"Considering that it is not over ten minutes since I first set -eyes upon her, it is, perhaps, a little premature to consider that -question. I shall certainly try to meet her again." - -The two young men sauntered up-town, and the conversation fell upon -other themes, but Clinton Randall seemed unusually thoughtful. Do -what he might, he could not help recurring again and again to the -fair face which he had seen for the first time that morning. - -When Rose was at home again the matter seemed no longer serious to -her. Whenever she thought of Mr. Parkinson and his suit she felt -inclined to laugh. - -"Addie," she said, "I have had a proposal this morning." - -"A proposal!" repeated her sister, in surprise. - -"Yes, an offer of marriage." - -"You are not in earnest?" - -"Indeed I am! I am not sure but I shall give you a brother-in-law." - -"I wasn't aware that you knew any eligible young man." - -"He isn't a young man. Let me describe him to you. His name is -Parkinson; he is somewhere between forty and fifty; he is partially -bald, and--I am not quite sure that he is not bow-legged." - -"And you love him?" queried Adeline, mischievously. "If so, I -give my consent, for though I had hoped for a better-looking -brother-in-law, I am not willing that your young affections should -be blighted." - -"Nonsense, Addie," returned Rose, half-vexed. - -"Tell me all about it." - -Rose did so, and her sister listened with fixed interest. - -"And this young man who rescued you, and knocked your adorer's hat -over his eyes. I suppose he was a commonplace young man, red-haired -and freckled, perhaps?" - -"Indeed he was not," said Rose, indignantly. - -"Then he was handsome?" - -"Yes, I think that he would be considered so." - -"Take care you don't dream of him. It would be very -romantic--wouldn't it?--if you should marry him, as generally -happens in romances." - -"Don't be a goose, Addie!" said Rose; but she did not seem annoyed. -Secretly, she thought Clinton Randall the most attractive young -man she had ever met, and wondered if fate would ever throw them -together again. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - ON THE BORDERS OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA. - - -It is time to look after our hero in his European wanderings. - -He had been travelling hither and thither with his guardian, who -appeared to have no definite aim except to enjoy himself. Whether -he succeeded in doing this was by no means certain. On the whole, -he and Ben got along very well together. He did not undertake to -control his young secretary, but left him very much to his own -devices. There were times when he seemed irritable, but it generally -happened when he had been losing money at the gaming-table, for -he was fond of play, not so much because he was fascinated by it -as because it served as a distraction in lieu of more serious -pursuits. On the whole, he did not lose much, for he was cool and -self-possessed. - -One thing was unsatisfactory to Ben--he had little or nothing to do. -He was private secretary in name, but what use Major Grafton had for -a private secretary Ben could not divine. - -Why Ben need have concerned himself, as long as he received his -salary, may excite the wonder of some of my readers, but I think -most people like to feel that they are doing something useful. - -Ben, however, found a use for part of his time. In his travels -through France, Switzerland, and Italy, he had oftentimes found -himself, when alone, at a loss on account of a want of knowledge of -the French language. - -"Why should I not learn it?" he asked himself. - -He procured some elementary French books, including a grammar, -dictionary, and tourist's guide, and set himself to the task with -his usual energy. Having little else to do, he made remarkable -progress, and found his studies a source of great interest. - -"What are you doing there, Philip?" asked Major Grafton, one -afternoon. - -"I am trying to obtain some knowledge of French. I suppose you have -no objection?" - -"Not the least in the world. Do you want a teacher?" - -"No, sir; I think I can get along by myself." - -Major Grafton was rather glad that Ben had found some way of passing -his time. He did not want the boy to become homesick, for his -presence was important to him for reasons that we are acquainted -with. - -Ben supplemented his lessons by going into shops, pricing articles, -and attempting to hold a conversation with the clerks. This was a -practical way of learning the language, which he found of great use. - -Again they found themselves in Geneva, which Ben thought, on the -whole, a pleasant place of residence. Here, too, he could make -abundant use of his new acquisition, and did not fail to avail -himself of his opportunity. So he enjoyed his stay in the charming -Swiss city until one day he made an astounding discovery. - -The most interesting walk in Geneva is along the borders of the -lake. Near it are placed seats on which the visitor may sit and -survey the unequalled view. - -Ben had seated himself one day, with a French book in his hand, -which he was studying, when he observed a couple of ladies seat -themselves near him. He would have given them no further thought if -by chance the name of Major Grafton, spoken by one of them, had not -reached his ears. - -"I see that Major Grafton is here," said one. "You know we met him -at Florence." - -"Yes, the one who had the sick boy with him." - -"The same." - -"It was his son, was it not?" - -"I thought so at the time, but I have since learned that I was -mistaken. He was the boy's guardian." - -"The boy died, did he not?" - -"Yes, and it must have been a serious calamity to him." - -"You mean that he was very much attached to the boy?" - -"No, I don't mean that. On the contrary, he appeared to care very -little for him. It was the pecuniary loss I was thinking of." - -"Explain yourself." - -"You must know, then, that the boy was heir to a large fortune, the -income of which, during his minority, was payable to Major Grafton -for his benefit. No doubt the guardian made a good thing out of it. -He probably made it pay both the boy's expenses and his own." - -"Then, on the boy's death, he would lose this income?" - -"Precisely." - -"It is strange," said the younger lady; "but he still has a boy with -him." - -"He has?" inquired the other, in surprise. - -"The name he calls him is Philip." - -"That was the name of the boy who died." - -"Are you sure that he died? Are you sure that this is not the same -boy?" - -"Positive." - -"It is very singular. A strange idea has occurred to me." - -"What is it?" - -"What if he is passing off this boy for the first, in order to -retain the liberal income which he received as guardian?" - -"But that would be fraudulent." - -"That is true; but I think Major Grafton would be capable of it. I -hear from my brother that he gambles, and a gambler is not apt to be -overburdened with principle." - -"If this is so, he ought to be exposed. To whom would the boy's -fortune go, if it were known that he was dead?" - -"To three cousins, who, I understand, are living in poverty in New -York. There are two young girls and a brother, named Beaufort. -They were cut off by the grandfather, from whom the fortune was -inherited. For what reason I am not aware. However, the will -stipulated that if the boy should die, the fortune should go to -these children." - -"Then they ought to be enjoying it now?" - -"Exactly. If all is true that I suspect, they are being kept out of -it by a conspiracy." - -"Who is the boy that Major Grafton has with him now?" - -"I don't know. Possibly it is a relative of his own. He calls him -Philip to deceive the public, if all is as I suspect." - -"Don't you think we ought to do something in the matter, Clara?" - -"I never meddle with matters that don't concern me." - -"Not even to right such a wrong as this?" - -"No; I suppose matters will come right after awhile. The deception -will be discovered, you may depend upon it." - -"If I knew the boy I would speak to him about it." - -"You would have your labor for your pains. The boy is probably in -the conspiracy. I think he is a nephew of Major Grafton. If anything -were said to him, he would no doubt put the major on his guard, and -that would be the end of it. My dear, we shall do much better not to -interfere in the matter at all." - -The younger lady looked dissatisfied, but did not reply. - -The feelings with which Ben heard this revelation may be imagined. -He never for a moment doubted the truth of the story. It made clear -to him what had seemed singular hitherto. He had never been able -to understand why Major Grafton should pick him up, and without -any inquiry into his capacity offer him an engagement as private -secretary. He had found that the office was merely nominal, and that -there were no duties to speak of connected with it. Major Grafton -had shown no particular interest in him, and evidently cared nothing -for him, save as he served his purpose. But if his presence enabled -Grafton to remain in possession of a large income, there was no need -to inquire further. Ben saw that he was made an important agent in a -wicked conspiracy to divert a large fortune from its lawful owners. - -What ought he to do? - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE MAISON DE FOUS. - - -This question of what he ought to do disturbed Ben not a little. -As an honorable boy he did not wish to benefit any longer than was -absolutely necessary by a deception which involved injustice and -fraud. He was living very comfortably, it is true, and his allowance -was a handsome one. He sent half of it to his mother, and this was -sufficient to provide all that was needed for her and his sister's -comfort. He had done this innocently, hitherto, but now that his -eyes were opened, his knowledge would make him an accomplice in the -conspiracy. - -In his uncertainty he decided upon what was not, perhaps, the most -judicious course, to ask Major Grafton directly in regard to the -matter. - -An opportunity soon came. - -"Major Grafton," Ben began, "how long since did Philip die?" - -The major regarded him suspiciously. The question put him on his -guard. - -"A few months ago," he answered indifferently. - -"Were you--his guardian?" - -"You seem curious this morning, Philip," answered the major, coldly. - -If Ben had been older and more experienced he would have been -able to get at the truth indirectly, but it was his nature to be -straightforward. - -"I heard something yesterday that disturbed me," he said. - -Major Grafton threw himself back in an easy-chair and fixed his eyes -searchingly on the boy. - -"Tell me what you heard," he said, shortly, "and from whom." - -"I was sitting on a bench near the lake when two ladies began -speaking about you--and me." - -"Tell me what they said," broke in Grafton, impatiently. - -"The truth must be told," thought Ben, "even if Major Grafton gets -offended." - -"They said that Philip had a large fortune, and you were his -guardian. When he died the money was to go to some cousins in New -York. They said that you had concealed his death, and so continued -to draw the income of the property, and were palming off me for him. -They seemed to think I was your nephew, and was in the plot." - -Major Grafton was a good deal disturbed by what Ben had told him. Of -course there was a strong chance that the truth would come out some -time, but he had hoped to keep it concealed for some years, perhaps. - -"These ladies seem to have a large share of imagination," he said, -with a forced laugh. "From one fabrication you may judge all. You -know whether you are my nephew or not, and whether you are engaged -in any plot?" - -"No, sir, of course not." - -"The whole thing is ridiculous; I don't think you need trouble -yourself any more about it." - -But Ben was not satisfied, and Major Grafton could see this from his -look. - -"That was my reason for asking whether Philip had any property," he -continued, with an inquiring look. - -"I must satisfy him in some way," thought the major, "or he will -compromise me." - -"I wouldn't like to think I was keeping any property away from the -rightful owners," proceeded Ben. - -"You can put yourself at ease," said the major, carelessly. "Those -ladies, whoever they are, know almost nothing about the matter. -Philip did have a little property, yielding scarcely enough for his -own expenses. At his death it fell to me. His grandfather was an -intimate friend of mine, and made the arrangement in gratitude for -my care of the boy." - -"Then there were no cousins in New York?" asked Ben, doubtfully. - -"Not that I am aware of. That is a lie out of whole cloth. There -is no one more unscrupulous than a female gossip. Did you speak to -either of the ladies?" - -"No, sir." - -"That was right. You might have made mischief and seriously offended -me. Do you often write home?" - -"Every week, sir." - -"I have no objection to that, but I must caution you against -repeating this nonsensical and absurd story. I have taken a great -deal of interest in you on account of your resemblance to poor -Philip, to whom I was tenderly attached. It is on that account I -engaged you to accompany me. You would not be likely to do as well -in New York?" - -"No, sir; no one would think of paying me as liberally as you do." - -"I am glad you appreciate the advantages of your position. I hope -you won't lose it by any foolishness," added Grafton, significantly. - -Ben felt that there was no more to say, but he was far from -satisfied. He was thoroughly persuaded within himself that the story -was true, and that Major Grafton was acting a fraudulent part. How -could he find out? - -He had not forgotten his visit to the office of Mr. Codicil, just -before they left New York. He had seen enough, then, to be aware -that between Major Grafton and the lawyer there were business -relations, and he suspected that they referred to the boy whose -place he had taken. This would seem to bear out and confirm the -story told by the two ladies. Now, if he should write a letter to -Mr. Codicil he might ascertain all he needed to know, and if all -was as he suspected he could refuse having any further part in the -conspiracy. He did not remember the exact location of Mr. Codicil's -office, but he did remember his first name, and he judged rightly -that a letter simply directed to the lawyer, and addressed New York, -would be likely to reach him. - -Major Grafton, after the interview between Ben and himself, watched -our hero with ever-increasing suspicion. He felt that he was in the -boy's power. An indiscreet revelation would overthrow the fabric of -fraud which in his self-interest he had erected, and reduce him to -earning a precarious living at the gaming-table. In the case of an -average boy he would have been secure, from the boy's regard for -his own interest; but he saw that Ben was a conscientious boy, of -honorable impulses, and this disgusted him. - -"The boy is dangerous," he decided. "I must place him where he can -do no mischief." - -When a man is thoroughly unprincipled he can always find ways and -means for the carrying out of his iniquitous plans. Major Grafton -experienced no difficulty in devising a method for staving off the -threatened danger. - -One day after a leisurely breakfast, during which Major Grafton had -been unusually chatty and affable, he said: - -"Philip, I have a pleasure in store for you." - -"What is it, sir?" - -"We are going to take a long drive into the country." - -"Thank you, sir. I shall enjoy it." - -Fifteen minutes afterward an open carriage drove into the court-yard -of the hotel. - -"Is this the carriage I ordered?" asked Major Grafton. - -"It is for M. de Grafton," said the driver. - -"But you are not the man I spoke to." - -"No, it was my brother. He is obliged to stay at home; his wife is -taken suddenly sick." - -"Very well; you will no doubt answer the purpose equally well. -Philip, take a seat inside." - -Ben did so. - -"Where shall I drive, monsieur?" - -Major Grafton indicated the direction. - -They drove over a broad, smooth road on the eastern shore of the -lake. It was a charming drive, not alone on account of the smooth -waters of the lake which were in constant view, but also on account -of the distant mountains and the picturesque Swiss habitations which -regaled their eyes. - -They kept on uninterruptedly for nearly two hours, until Ben began -to marvel at the length of the drive. - -Finally they came in sight of a large, picturesquely situated house, -surrounded by trees. - -"We will descend here, Philip," said Major Grafton. "I want you to -see this chateau." - -"Is there anything interesting connected with it?" asked Ben. - -"Yes, I believe Voltaire once lived here," answered Grafton. - -"I always thought he lived at the Chateau de Ferney." - -"He also lived here for a few months," said Major Grafton, shortly. -"I think Calvin also lived here once." - -Ben entered without suspicion. A suave, black-whiskered man welcomed -them. He seemed to recognize Major Grafton, and was voluble in his -protestations of joy at meeting them. - -"Is this the boy you spoke of?" he asked. - -"Yes," answered Grafton. "Philip," he said, "remain in this room a -few minutes while I speak with M. Bourdon." - -"Certainly, sir." - -He waited fifteen, twenty, thirty minutes, and no one came back. -Finally the door opened and the black-whiskered man made his -appearance--alone. - -"Where is Major Grafton?" asked Ben. - -The other smiled craftily. - -"He is gone, M. Philippe." - -"Gone! and without me?" - -"You are to live with me, my son." - -"I don't understand you. What sort of a place is this?" - -"It is a _maison de fous_." - -Ben was horror-struck. He knew now that he was in a lunatic asylum. -He could guess why he was placed there. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - IN A TRAP. - - -For a sane person to find himself suddenly incarcerated in a lunatic -asylum is enough to excite a thrill of horror in the most stolid. -Ben shuddered and started back, pale and sick with apprehension. He -was a brave boy, but it required more courage than he possessed to -preserve his coolness under such circumstances. - -"What does it mean?" he ejaculated. - -"It means, my friend," answered M. Bourdon, with a sardonic smile, -"that you are not quite right here," and he tapped his forehead -significantly. - -He spoke English correctly, but with an accent, having, when a young -man, passed several years in England. - -"It is a lie!" exclaimed Ben, indignantly, his terror giving place -to anger. "My mind is not in the least affected." - -M. Bourdon shrugged his shoulders, with another aggravating smile. - -"They all say so," he answered. - -"I am as sane as you are!" continued Ben, hotly. - -"Well, well, I may be a little touched myself--who knows?" said M. -Bourdon, or the doctor, as we may call him, in a tone of banter. - -It was hard for Ben to restrain himself, so impressed was he by the -outrage of which he was the victim. It would have been a relief to -attack the doctor, and seek deliverance by forcible means, but a -glance at the well-knit frame of M. Bourdon, and the certainty of -his being able to summon assistance, deterred him and led him to -control his rash impulse. One thing he could do, and that was to -ascertain, if possible, Major Grafton's motive in subjecting him to -imprisonment. - -"What proof have you that I am insane?" he asked, more calmly. - -"Your appearance." - -"You have not had time to examine me." - -"The doctors are able to judge from very slight examination," said -M. Bourdon, smiling. - -"Did Major Grafton tell you I was insane?" asked Ben. - -"You mean the gentleman who came here with you?" - -"Yes." - -"He has assured me of it." - -"What did he say? How did he tell you I had shown signs of insanity?" - -"He said you had tried to drown yourself in the lake, and, being -foiled in that, had made an attempt to poison him. Surely this is -enough to warrant his sending you to me." - -"Did he utter these infamous falsehoods?" demanded Ben, startled. - -"Of course you pronounce them falsehoods, my young friend, and -doubtless you believe what you say. I am quite sure you have no -recollection of what you did. This is one of your sane periods. At -this moment you are as sane as I am." - -"You admit that?" said Ben, in surprise. - -"Certainly, for it is true. Your insanity is fitful--paroxysmal. -Half an hour hence you may stand in need of a strait-jacket. If you -were always as clear in mind as at present there would be no need of -detaining you. I would open my door and say, 'Go, my young friend. -You do not need my care.' Unfortunately, we do not know how long -this mood may last." - -The doctor spoke smoothly and plausibly, and it was hard for Ben to -tell whether he was really in earnest or not. He regarded M. Bourdon -intently, and thought he detected a slight mocking smile, which -excited his doubt and distrust anew. To appeal to such a man seemed -well-nigh hopeless, but there was nothing else to do. - -"Are you the doctor?" he asked. - -"Yes; I am Dr. Bourdon," was the reply. - -"And you are at the head of this establishment?" continued Ben. - -"I have that honor, my young friend," answered Bourdon. - -"Then I wish to tell you that Major Grafton has deceived you. He -has an object to serve in having me locked up here." - -"Doubtless," answered the doctor, with an amused smile, taking a -pinch of snuff. - -"He is afraid I would reveal a secret which would strip him of his -income," continued Ben. - -"And that secret is----?" said the doctor, not without curiosity. - -Ben answered this question as briefly and clearly as he could. - -The doctor listened with real interest, and it might have been -satisfactory to Ben had he known that his story was believed. M. -Bourdon was a shrewd man of the world, and it struck him that this -knowledge might enable him to demand more extortionate terms of -Major Grafton. - -"Don't you believe me?" asked Ben, watching the face of his listener. - -"I hear a great many strange stories," said the doctor. "I have to -be cautious about what I believe." - -"But surely you will believe me, knowing that I am perfectly sane?" - -"That is the question to be determined," said M. Bourdon, smiling. - -"Won't you investigate it?" pleaded Ben. "It is a crime to keep me -here, when I am of sound mind." - -"Whenever I am convinced of that I will let you go. Meanwhile you -must be quiet, and submit to the rules of my establishment." - -"How long do you expect to keep me here?" asked Ben. - -"As long as you require it and your board is paid." - -Ben looked despondent, for this assurance held out very little hope -of release. Still he was young, and youth is generally hopeful. -Something might turn up. Ben was determined that something should -turn up. He was not going to remain shut up in a mad-house any -longer than he could help. He remained silent, and M. Bourdon -touched a little bell upon a small table beside the door. - -The summons was answered by a stout man with rough, black locks, who -looked like a hotel porter. - -"Francois," said the doctor, in the French language, "conduct this -young man to No. 19." - -"At once, _Monsieur le Docteur_," answered the attendant. "Come with -me, young man." - -He signed to Ben to follow him, and our hero, realizing the utter -futility of resistance, did so. - -"Go ahead, monsieur," said Francois, when they came to a staircase. - -Ben understood him very well, though he spoke in French, thanks to -his assiduous study of the last four weeks. - -They walked along a narrow corridor, and Francois, taking from his -pocket a bunch of keys, carefully selected one and opened the door. - -"_Entrez monsieur._" - -Ben found himself in an apartment about the size of a hall bedroom, -with one window, and a narrow bedstead, covered with an exceedingly -thin mattress. There was no carpet on the floor, and the furniture -was very scanty. It consisted of but one chair, a cheap bureau, and -a washstand. And this was to be Ben's home--for how long? - -"I must get acquainted with this man," thought Ben. "I must try to -win his goodwill, and perhaps he may be able to help me to escape." - -"Is your name Francois?" he asked, as the man lingered at the door. - -"_Oui, monsieur._" - -"And how long have you been here--in this asylum?" - -"How long, monsieur? Five years, nearly." - -"There is some mistake about my being here, Francois. I don't look -crazy, do I?" - -"No, monsieur; but----" - -"But what?" - -"That proves nothing." - -"There is a plot against me, and I am put here by an enemy. I want -you to be my friend. Here, take this." - -Ben produced from his pocket a silver franc piece and offered it -to Francois, who took it eagerly, for the man's besetting sin was -avarice. - -"Thanks, monsieur--much thanks!" he said, his stolid face lighting -up. "I will be a friend." - -"Francois!" - -At the call from below Francois hastily thrust the coin into his -pocket, nodded significantly to Ben, and, retiring, locked the door -behind him. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - INTRODUCES TWO CELEBRITIES. - - -What a change a short half-hour may make in the position and -feelings of any person! Little did Ben imagine, when he set out on a -drive in the morning with Major Grafton, that he was on his way to -one of the most hopeless of prisons. - -It was hard even now for him to realize his position. He looked -from the window, and with a glance of envy saw in a field, not far -away, some Swiss peasants at work. They were humble people, living -a quiet, uneventful, laborious life; yet Ben felt that they were -infinitely better off than he, provided he were doomed to pass the -remainder of his life in this refuge. But of this he would not -entertain the idea. He was young, not yet seventeen, and life was -full of pleasant possibilities. - -"I am a Yankee," he thought, "and I don't believe they will succeed -in keeping me here long. I will keep a bright lookout for a chance -to escape." - -Half an hour later Ben heard the key grate in the lock, and, fixing -his eyes on the entrance, he saw Francois enter. - -"Monsieur, dinner is ready," he said. - -Ben, notwithstanding his disagreeable situation, felt that he, too, -was ready for the dinner. He was glad to find that it was not to be -served to him in his own room. He would have a chance of seeing the -other inmates of the house. - -"Where is it?" he asked. - -"Follow me," answered Francois, of course in French. - -He led the way, and Ben followed him into a lower room, long -and narrow, which was used as the dining-room. There were no -side-windows, and it would have been quite dark but for a narrow -strip of window near the ceiling. - -Around a plain table sat a curious collection of persons. It was -easy to see that something was the matter with them, for I do -not wish to have it understood that all the inmates of the house -were, like our hero, perfectly sane. M. Bourdon was not wholly a -quack, but he was fond of money, and, looking through the eyes of -self-interest, he was willing to consider Ben insane, although he -knew very well that he was as rational as himself. - -"Sit here, monsieur," said Francois. - -Ben took the seat indicated, and naturally turned to survey his -immediate neighbors. - -The one on the right-hand was a tall, venerable-looking man, with -white hair and a flowing beard, whose manner showed the most perfect -decorum. The other was a thin, dark-complexioned man, of bilious -aspect, and shifty, evasive eyes. Neither noticed Ben at first, as -the dinner appeared to engross their first attention. This consisted -of a thin broth and a section of a loaf of coarse bread as the first -course. Ben had been accustomed to more luxurious fare, and he was -rather surprised to see with what enjoyment his neighbors partook -of it. Next came a plate of meat, and this was followed by a small -portion of grapes. There was nothing more. It was clear that M. -Bourdon did not consider rich fare good for his patients. - -"I think I would rather dine at the hotel," thought Ben; but the -diet was not by any means the worst thing of which he complained. - -"If I were free I would not mind how poor and plain my fare was," he -thought. - -His companions finished dinner before him, and had leisure to bestow -some attention upon him. - -"My little gentleman, do you come from Rome?" asked the venerable -old gentleman on his right. - -"No, sir," answered Ben. - -"I am sorry. I wished to ask you a question." - -"Indeed, sir. Perhaps I might answer it even now. I have been in -Florence." - -"No; that will not do; and yet, perhaps you may have met persons -coming from Rome?" - -"I did, monsieur." - -"Then perhaps they told you how things were going on." - -"Very well, I believe, monsieur." - -"No, that could not be," said the old gentleman, shaking his head. -"I am sure nothing would go well without me." - -"Do you, then, live in Rome?" asked Ben, curiously. - -"Surely!" exclaimed the old man. "Did you not know that the Pope -lived in Rome?" - -"But what has that to do with you, sir?" - -"A great deal. Know, my little gentleman, that I--to whom you are -speaking--am the Pope." - -This was said with an air of importance. - -"There's no doubt about his being insane," thought Ben. - -"How, then, do you happen to be here?" asked our hero, interested to -see what his companion would say. - -"I was abducted," said the old gentleman, lowering his voice, "by an -emissary of the King of America. M. Bourdon is a cousin of the king, -and he is in the plot. But they won't keep me here long." - -"I hope not," said Ben, politely. - -"The King of Spain has promised to send an army to deliver me. I -only received his letter last week. You will not tell M. Bourdon, -will you?" - -"Certainly not," answered Ben. - -"It is well; I thought I could rely upon your honor." - -"My friend," said another voice, that of his left-hand neighbor, -"you are losing your time in talking with that old fool. The fact -is, he isn't right here," and he touched his head. - -The Pope appeared deeply absorbed in thought, and did not hear this -complimentary remark. - -"He thinks he is the Pope. He is no more the Pope than I am." - -Ben nodded non-committally. - -"He ought to be here. But I--I am the victim of an infamous horde of -enemies, who have placed me here." - -"Why should they do that, sir?" - -"To keep me out of my rights. It is the English Government that has -done it. Of course, you know who I am." - -"No, sir, I don't think I do." - -"Look well at me!" and the dark man threw himself back in his chair -for inspection. - -"I am afraid I don't recognize you, monsieur," said Ben. - -"Bah! where are your eyes?" said the other, contemptuously. "I am -Napoleon Bonaparte!" - -"But I thought you died at St. Helena," said Ben. - -"Quite a mistake, I assure you. The English Government so asserted, -but it was a deception. They wished my memory to die out among my -faithful French. They buried my effigy, but smuggled me off in a -vessel late at night. They placed me here, and here they mean to -keep me--if they can. But some day I shall escape; I shall re-enter -France; I shall summon all to my banner, and at the head of a great -army I shall enter Paris. Do you know what I will do then?" - -"What will you do, sir?" asked Ben, with some curiosity. - -"I shall descend upon England with an army of five millions of -men," said the dark man, his eyes flashing, "and burn all her cities -and towns." - -"That will be rather severe, won't it?" asked Ben. - -"She deserves it; but I may do worse." - -"How can that be?" - -"Do you see that man over on the other side of the table--the short, -red-haired man?" - -"Yes, I see him." - -"He is a chemist and has invented a compound a thousand times more -powerful than dynamite. I am negotiating for it, and, if I succeed, -I mean to blow the whole island out of the water. What do you think -of that, eh?" he continued, triumphantly. - -"I think in that case I shall keep away from England," answered Ben, -keeping as straight a face as he could. - -"Ah, you will do well." - -When dinner was over, the boarders passed out of the room, Ben among -them. He was destined not to go out quietly. - -Suddenly a wild-looking woman darted toward him and threw her arms -around his neck, exclaiming: - -"At last I have found you, my son, my son!" - -Ben struggled to release himself, assisted by Francois, who did not -scruple to use considerable force. - -"None of your tricks, madam!" he cried, angrily. - -"Will you take from me my boy?" she exclaimed, piteously. - -"There is some mistake. I am not your son," said Ben. - -The woman shook her head sadly. - -"He disowns his poor mother," she said, mournfully. - -On the whole, Ben was rather glad to return to his chamber. - -"I don't like my fellow-boarders," he thought. "I sha'n't stay in -the _maison de fous_ any longer than I am obliged to." - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - A MIDNIGHT ESCAPE. - - -For three days Ben passed a dull, uniform existence, being most of -the time confined to his chamber. To a boy of active temperament it -was most irksome. If he only had something to read, the hours would -pass more swiftly. Fortunately, on the second day, he bethought -himself of Francois, who seemed friendly. - -"Francois," he said, "can't you get me something to read?" - -"I don't know," said the attendant, doubtfully. "What would monsieur -like?" - -"Anything you can find. I would prefer a story." - -"I will try, monsieur." - -The next time Francois made his appearance he held in his hand a -tattered edition of a popular novel. - -"Will that do?" he asked. - -Ben had never heard of the book, but on opening its pages it looked -attractive, and he answered: - -"Yes, Francois, I am much obliged to you." - -He thought it politic, remembering that he might need other favors, -to put a franc piece into the hand of the friendly attendant. - -Francois brightened up. His wages were so small that these little -gratuities were very welcome. - -"Would monsieur like something else?" he inquired. - -"There is one thing I would like very much, Francois," answered Ben. - -"What is that, monsieur?" - -"To get out of this place." - -"But monsieur is insane." - -"I am no more insane than you are. Do I look insane?" - -"No; but one cannot always tell." - -"I would give a hundred francs to any one who would get me out of -this," said Ben, not, however, expecting to produce much impression -on the mind of his auditor. - -"A hundred francs!" repeated Francois, his eyes sparkling. - -But in a moment he looked sober. - -"It would not do. I should be discharged," he said. - -"Think it over, Francois," said Ben. - -The attendant did not answer, but the suggestion had borne fruit. - -It may be asked how Ben had so much money. It may be explained that -he was about to send a remittance home, having received a payment -from Major Grafton, but his unexpected arrival at the refuge had -prevented him. He had with him two hundred francs, or about forty -dollars in gold. - -Something happened on the third day which worked favorably for Ben's -hopes of securing the active assistance of Francois. About dusk a -boy appeared at the gate of the asylum, and asked to see Francois. - -When the two were brought together, he said: - -"I came from your wife. She wishes you to come home. The -child--little Marie--is very sick." - -Poor Francois was much disturbed. In a little cottage five miles -away lived his wife and his only child, Marie. The poor fellow was -deeply attached to his child, for it must be remembered that the -poor and simple-minded are quite as apt to have as strong affections -as the richer and more favored. - -"Is she very bad, Jean?" he asked, quite pale. - -"Yes," answered Jean. "I think she is out of her head. She keeps -moaning. Her poor mother is very much frightened." - -"I will ask if I can come," said Francois, and he straightway sought -out the doctor. - -"I would like to speak to you, M. Bourdon," he said. - -"Speak quick, then, for I am busy," said the doctor, gruffly, for -something had happened to disturb him. - -"Jean Gault has just told me that my little Marie is very sick, and -my wife wants me to come home. If I could go now, I would come back -in the morning." - -"Well, you can't go," said the doctor, harshly. - -"But, _Monsieur le Docteur_, do you understand that my child--my -little Marie--is very sick? She moans, and is out of her head, and I -may never see her again, if I don't go." - -"Plague take your little Marie!" said M. Bourdon, brutally. "What -have I to do with her? I want you to stay here. You know very well -that you can't be spared." - -"But," protested Francois, indignantly, "do you think because I am -poor that I have no feeling? You are very much mistaken. I cannot -stay away and let poor Marie die without seeing her." - -"You can't go, at all events," said M. Bourdon, roughly. - -"I cannot go?" - -"No; or, if you do, you will lose your place. I cannot have my men -going away on every silly pretext. I don't believe your child is -sick at all." - -"But Jean Gault is below. He has brought word from my wife." - -"I dare say it is all planned between you." - -"Then you will not let me go?" - -"No, I won't. If you go, you lose your place. I shall not take you -back. Do you understand?" - -"Yes, I understand," said Francois, slowly. - -"Then you can go. We have had words enough about this." - -If the doctor had not been irritated he would have been careful how -he dealt with Francois, who was the most valuable man in his employ. -But when we are irritated we lose sight of what is politic, and are -apt to make grievous mistakes, as M. Bourdon certainly did on this -occasion. - -Francois sought out little Jean. - -"Jean," he said, "go home and tell my wife that I will come some -time to-night. The doctor has forbidden me to go, but I shall go, -all the same. Be sure you tell no one else." - -"Very well, Francois," answered the boy. - -"Tell my wife I may be late, but I will surely come." - -The boy went away, and Francois went up to Ben's room. - -"Monsieur, I have something to say to you," he commenced. - -"What is it, Francois?" - -"You said you would give a hundred francs to any one who would get -you out of this?" - -"Yes, Francois," answered Ben, quickly. - -"Have you so much money with you, then?" asked Francois, doubtfully. - -"See here!" and Ben took out five napoleons, which he displayed in -his open palm. - -The attendant's eyes sparkled. - -"And you will give them to me, if perchance I set you free?" - -"Yes." - -"Listen, then. I would not do it, but my little Marie is very sick, -and my wife wants me to come home. Perhaps she may die;" and the -poor fellow suppressed a sob. "But M. Bordon--that is the doctor--he -says I shall not go. He said 'Plague take your child!'" continued -Francois, wrathfully. - -"Poor Francois," said Ben compassionately. - -"Ah! you feel for me, little monsieur," said Francois, gratefully. -"The doctor has a heart like a stone. He says if I go I shall not -come back; but I do not care, I cannot stay away. I will go, and you -shall go with me. Can you walk five miles?" - -"I can walk ten--fifteen, if necessary," said Ben, promptly. - -"Then be ready at midnight. We will go together. It will not do to -go earlier. Then the doctor will be asleep. Every one else will be -asleep, and we can go away unobserved. M. Bourdon will be sorry that -he did not let me go. I promised to come back." And Francois's eyes -sparkled with honest indignation. - -Ben's heart beat high with hope. - -"You will come to my room at midnight?" he said. - -"Yes, monsieur." - -"I will be ready." - -"One thing, monsieur. Do not have your shoes on. You can carry them -in your hand. We must not make any noise when we are going down -stairs, or we may be caught." - -"That is well thought of, Francois. Depend upon me. I will be ready." - -It will easily be supposed that Ben did not go to bed. He sat -waiting patiently hour after hour till, as midnight struck, his door -was softly opened, and Francois appeared. - -"Now," said the attendant, "follow me, and make no noise." - -Ben, in his stocking feet, followed the attendant down stairs. -Producing a large key, Francois opened the outside door, then closed -it softly, and they stood outside under a star-lit sky. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - BEN'S FLIGHT. - - -As good luck would have it, Ben and Francois departed without being -observed. On emerging from the asylum they at first ran, after -putting on their shoes, but when a quarter of a mile had been -traversed they dropped into a walk. - -"Well, we got away safely," said Ben. - -"Yes; the doctor was asleep. We shall not be missed till morning." - -"And then it shall be my fault if I am caught. Where is your home, -Francois?" - -"Five miles away." - -"Yes, but is it on my way?" - -"Where would monsieur go?" - -"To Paris." - -"To Paris!" ejaculated Francois, with wonderment. "That is a great -way off, is it not?" - -"Yes, I think it must be a thousand miles away." - -"But monsieur is a boy; he cannot walk so far." - -"No," answered Ben, laughing. "I don't propose to. Is there any -railroad station near your house?" - -"Yes, monsieur; only five minutes off." - -"That will do very well." - -"And has monsieur money enough?" - -"Not to go all the way to Paris, but half-way there, perhaps." - -"And is not monsieur afraid he will starve--without money?" - -"I think I can get along," said Ben, slowly, for it dawned upon him -that it would not be a very pleasant thing to be penniless in a -foreign country. - -"I will give back half the money monsieur has given me," said -Francois, in a friendly tone. - -"No, Francois; you will need it all. I am not afraid." - -After a walk of an hour and a half the two pedestrians reached a -small village set among the hills. Francois began to walk faster, -and to look more eager. - -"Does monsieur see that cottage?" he said. - -Ben's eyes rested on an humble cottage just out of the village. - -"Yes." - -"It is mine. Will monsieur come with me?" - -"Yes, I will go to see if your little girl is alive." - -Soon they were at the door. There was a light burning in the main -room. A plain, neat woman opened the door. - -"Thank Heaven!" she exclaimed, "it is Francois." - -"Is--is Marie alive?" - -"Yes, my husband. She has had a change for the better." - -"Heaven be praised!" - -"And who is this young gentleman?" - -"A friend," answered Francois, after some hesitation. - -"Then I'm glad to see him. Welcome, monsieur." - -"Come in, monsieur," said Francois. - -"I think I had better go to the station." - -"The cars will not start till seven o'clock. Monsieur will need -repose." - -"But I don't wish to incommode you." - -"My wife will give you a blanket, and you can lie here." - -Ben accepted the invitation, and stretched himself out on a settee. - -"I will wake you in time," said Francois. "Be tranquil." - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - BEN IS MISSED. - - -Meanwhile M. Bourdon slept the sleep of the just--or the unjust--not -dreaming of the loss his establishment had sustained. He did not -open his eyes till five o'clock. - -Usually at that hour Francois was stirring, as he had morning duties -to perform. But M. Bourdon did not hear him bustling around as -usual. At first this did not strike him, but after awhile he began -to wonder why. - -"The lazy dog!" he said to himself. "He is indulging himself this -morning, and his work will suffer." - -He went to the door of his chamber and called "Francois!" - -Francois slept in an upper room, but still the asylum was not a -lofty building, and he should have heard. - -"He must be fast asleep, as usual," grumbled M. Bourdon. "I must go -up and rouse him. It would be well if I had a horsewhip." - -Slipping on a part of his clothing, the doctor crept up stairs. - -He knocked at the door of his dilatory servant. - -"Francois! Francois, I say. Are you dead?" - -There was no answer. - -"I suppose he has locked his door," muttered the doctor, as he tried -the latch. - -But no! the door opened, and, to his dismay, the room was empty. The -bed had not been disturbed. - -The doctor's face was dark with anger. - -"The ingrate has left me, after all. He has gone to his child, who -is not sick at all, I dare say. Well, he will repent it. I will not -take him back." - -Here the doctor paused. It would be exceedingly inconvenient to lose -Francois, who, besides being a capable man, accepted very small pay. - -"At any rate I will lower his wages!" he said. "He shall regret the -way he has served me." - -It was a temporary inconvenience. Still there was an outside man -whom he could impress into the service as a substitute, and in a day -or two Francois would be glad to return. It was not, perhaps, so -serious a matter, after all. - -But M. Bourdon changed his mind when he found the front door -unlocked. - -"Who had escaped, if any?" - -This was the question he asked himself. In great haste he went from -one room to another, but all seemed to be occupied. It was only when -he opened Ben's room that he ascertained that the one whom he would -most regret to lose had decamped. Ben's bed, too, was but little -disturbed. He had slept on the outside, if he had slept at all, but -not within the bed, as was but too evident. - -"Has any one seen the boy?" demanded M. Bourdon of an outdoor -servant who slept outside, but was already on duty. - -"Not I, _Monsieur le Docteur_." - -"Then he must have escaped with Francois! Put my horse in the -carriage at once." - -Ten minutes later M. Bourdon was on his way to the cottage of -Francois. - -Fifteen minutes before he arrived Francois had aroused our young -hero. - -"It is time to get up, little monsieur," he said. "In half an hour -the cars will start." - -Refreshed by his sound sleep, Ben sprang up at once--he did not need -to dress--and was ready for the adventures of the day. - -"Where is the station, Francois?" he said. - -"I will go with monsieur." - -"No; if the doctor should come, delay him so that he cannot overtake -me." - -"Perhaps it is best." - -Ben followed the directions of his humble friend, and soon brought -up at the station. He purchased a third-class ticket for a place -fifty miles away, and waited till it was time for the train to start. - -Meanwhile M. Bourdon had driven up to the cottage of Francois. - -The door was opened to him by Francois himself. - -"Where is that boy? Did he come away with you?" he asked, abruptly. - -"What boy?" asked Francois, vacantly. - -"The one who came a few days since. You know who I mean." - -Francois shrugged his shoulders. - -"Is he gone?" he asked. - -"Of course he is, fool." - -Just then the wife of Francois came to the door. Unfortunately her -husband had not warned her, nor did she know that Ben had been an -inmate of the asylum. - -"Where is the boy who came here last night with your husband?" asked -M. Bourdon, abruptly. - -"Gone to the station," answered the woman, unsuspiciously. - -The doctor jumped into his carriage, and drove with speed to the -station. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - M. BOURDON'S LITTLE SCHEME. - - -Meanwhile Ben had entered a third-class carriage--it behooved him to -be economical now--and sat down. He was congratulating himself on -his fortunate escape, when M. Bourdon dashed up to the station. - -He entered the building, and was about passing to the platform, when -he was stopped. "Your ticket, monsieur." - -Just then came the signal for the train to start. - -"Never mind the ticket!" shouted the doctor. "Don't stop me. One of -my patients is running away." - -"I can't help it," said the guard, imperturbably. "Monsieur cannot -pass without a ticket." - -"But I don't want to go anywhere," roared M. Bourdon. "I want to see -the passengers." - -To the railway attendant this seemed a very curious request. He -began to think the doctor, with his excitable manner, was insane. At -any rate, he was obliged to obey the rules. - -"Go back and buy a ticket, monsieur," he said, unmoved. - -"But I don't want to go anywhere," protested M. Bourdon. - -"Then go back!" And the official, placing his hand on the doctor's -sacred person, thrust him forcibly aside. - -"Fool! Dolt!" screamed M. Bourdon, who could hear the train starting. - -"You must be crazy!" said the guard, shrugging his shoulders. - -It was too late now. The train had actually gone, and M. Bourdon -turned back, foiled, humiliated and wrathful. He regretted bitterly -now that he had not let Francois off the evening before, as in that -case Ben would not have had a chance to escape. Now he must lose the -generous sum which Major Grafton had agreed to pay for his ward. -It was more than he received for any other of his patients, for -M. Bourdon, recognizing Ben's sanity, shrewdly surmised that the -guardian had some special design in having his ward locked up, and -took advantage of it to increase the weekly sum which he charged. - -And now all this was lost. - -But no! A happy thought struck the worthy doctor. Ben had escaped, -it is true, but why could not he go on charging for him just as -before? His escape was not known to Major Grafton, and probably -would not be discovered for a long time at least. The major was not -very likely to visit the asylum, as an interview between him and his -young victim would be rather embarrassing to him. - -Yes, that was the course he would pursue. He would from time to time -send in a report of his patient, and regularly collect his board, -while he would be at no expense whatever for him. It was necessary, -however, to take Francois into his confidence, and he drove back to -the cottage of the humble attendant. - -Francois was watching outside. He was afraid the doctor would -succeed in capturing the boy, in whom he had begun to feel a strong -interest. When he saw M. Bourdon drive up alone he smiled to -himself, though his features remained outwardly grave. - -"Did you find him, sir?" he asked, respectfully. - -"No," answered M. Bourdon, roughly. "The train had just started." - -"And was he a passenger?" - -"Doubtless." - -"What will you do, _Monsieur le Docteur_?" Francois asked, curiously. - -"Francois," said M. Bourdon, suddenly, "I am sorry for you." - -"Why?" asked Francois, considerably surprised. "Is it because my -little Marie is sick?" - -"Plague take your little Marie! It is because you have helped the -boy to escape." - -"How could I help him, sir?" - -"Some one must have unlocked the door of his room. Otherwise, he -could not have got out." - -"I don't know, monsieur," said Francois, assuming ignorance. - -"When did you first see him?" - -"I had walked about a quarter of a mile," said Francois, -mendaciously, "when he ran up and overtook me. I told him to go -back, but he would not. He followed me, and came here." - -"This story is by no means ingenious," said the doctor, shaking his -head. "When you stand up in a court of justice you will see how the -lawyers will make you eat your words. And very likely they will send -you to prison." - -"Oh, no! Don't say that!" said poor Francois, much frightened. "What -would become of my poor wife and child?" - -"You should have thought of them before this." - -"Oh, _Monsieur le Docteur_, you will save me from prison!" exclaimed -poor, simple-minded Francois. - -"On one condition." - -"Name it, monsieur." - -"Let no one know that the boy has escaped." - -"I will not, if you desire it." - -"You see, it will be bad for me as well as for you. It was very -important to keep him--very important, indeed--and his friends will -call me to account. But they need not know it, if you remain silent." - -"No one shall hear me say a word, _Monsieur le Docteur_," said -Francois, promptly. - -"That is well. In that case I will overlook your disobedience, and -allow you to return to your place." - -"Oh, monsieur is too good!" said Francois, who did not by any means -anticipate such magnanimous forgiveness. - -"When can you come back?" - -"When monsieur will." - -"Come, then, this evening. It will be in time. I will allow you to -spend the day with your family, since your child is sick." - -The doctor turned his horse's head, and drove back to the asylum. - -Three days after he wrote to Major Grafton: - - "MY DEAR SIR: Your ward is rather sullen, but quiet. He - was at first disposed to make trouble, but the firm and - effective discipline of the institution has had the usual - result. I allow him to amuse himself with reading, as this - seems to be the best way of keeping him quiet and contented. - His insanity is of a mild kind, but it is often precisely - such cases that are most difficult to cure. You may rely, - Monsieur Grafton, upon my taking the best care of the - young gentleman, and, as you desired, I will especially - guard against his obtaining writing materials, lest, by a - misrepresentation of his condition, he might excite his - friends. - - "I thank you for your promptness in forwarding my weekly - payments. Write me at any time when you desire a detailed - account of your ward's condition." - - M. Bourdon signed this letter, after reading it over to - himself, with a complacent smile. He reflected that it did - great credit to his ingenuity. - - "Some men would have revealed the truth," he said to - himself, "and lost a fine income. I am wiser." - -In due time this letter reached Major Grafton. - -"That is well," he said to himself. "I am rather sorry for the -boy, but he has brought it on himself. Why must he be a fool, and -threaten to blab? He was living in luxury, such as he has never been -accustomed to before, and he might rest content with that. In me -surely he had an indulgent master. I rarely gave him anything to do. -He could live on the fat of the land, see the world at no expense to -himself, and have all the advantages of a rich man's son. Well, he -has made his own bed, and now he must lie in it. On some accounts it -is more agreeable to me to travel alone, and have no one to bother -me." - -To avert suspicion, Major Grafton left the Hotel des Bergues and -took up his quarters at another hotel. At the end of two weeks he -left for Italy, having arranged matters satisfactorily by sending M. -Bourdon a month's payment in advance, an arrangement that suited the -worthy doctor remarkably well. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - A WANDERER IN FRANCE. - - -A boy toiled painfully over a country road but a few miles from -the city of Lyons. His clothes bore the marks of the dusty road -over which he was travelling. It was clear by his appearance that -he was not a French boy. There is no need of keeping up a mystery -which my young readers will easily penetrate. This boy was our -hero, Ben Baker. He was now more than half way to Paris, and might -have reached that gay city days since but for his limited supply of -money. When he gave Francois a hundred francs he nearly exhausted -his limited capital, but there was no help for it. - -He had travelled a hundred miles on the railway, far enough to be -beyond the danger of pursuit and the risk of a return to the asylum, -which he could not think of without a shudder. Now he would walk, -and so economize. He had walked another hundred miles, and had -reached this point in his journey. But his scanty funds were now -reduced to a piece of two sous, and he was between three and four -thousand miles from home. This very day he had walked fifteen miles, -and all he had eaten was a roll, which he had purchased in a baker's -shop in a country village through which he had passed in the early -morning. - -Hopeful as Ben was by temperament, he looked sober enough as he -contemplated his position. How was he ever to return home, and what -prospect was there for him in Europe? If he had been in any part of -America he would have managed to find something to do, but here he -felt quite helpless. - -He had walked fifteen miles on an almost empty stomach, and the -result was that he was not only tired but sleepy. He sat down by the -way-side, with his back against the trunk of a tree, and before he -was conscious of it he had fallen asleep. - -How long he had been asleep he did not know, but he was roused -suddenly by a touch. Opening his eyes, he saw a man fumbling at his -watch-chain. The man, who was a stout and unprepossessing-looking -man of about thirty-five, wearing a blouse, jumped back with a -hasty, confused exclamation. - -"What are you doing?" demanded Ben, suspiciously. - -He spoke first in English, but, remembering himself, repeated the -question in French. - -"Pardon, monsieur," said the man, looking uncomfortable. - -Ben's glance fell on his chain and the watch, which had slipped from -his pocket, and he understood that the man had been trying to steal -his watch. In spite of his poverty and need of money he had not yet -parted with the watch, though he suspected the time would soon come -when he should be compelled to do so. - -"You were trying to steal my watch," said Ben, severely. - -"No, monsieur, you are wrong," answered the tramp, for that was -what he would be called in America. - -"How came my watch out of the pocket, and why were you leaning over -me?" continued Ben. - -"I wanted to see what time it was," answered the man, after a -minute's hesitation. - -"I think it is fortunate I awoke when I did," said Ben. - -His new acquaintance did not choose to notice the significance of -the words. - -"Monsieur," he said, "I am a poor man. Will you help me with a few -sous?" - -Ben could not help laughing. It seemed too ridiculous that any one -should ask money of him. He took the two-sous piece from his pocket. - -"Do you see that?" he asked. - -"Yes, monsieur." - -"It is all the money I have." - -The man looked incredulous. - -"And yet monsieur is well dressed, and has a gold watch." - -"Still I am as poor as you, for I am more than three thousand miles -from home, and have not money enough to get there, even if I sell my -watch." - -"Where does monsieur live?" asked the tramp, looking interested. - -"In America." - -"Will monsieur take my advice?" - -"If it is good." - -"There is a rich American gentleman at the Hotel de la Couronne, in -Lyons. He would, perhaps, help monsieur." - -The idea struck Ben favorably. This gentleman could, at any rate, -give him advice, and he felt that he needed it. - -"How far is Lyons away?" - -"Scarcely a league." - -"Straight ahead?" - -"Yes, monsieur." - -"Then I will go there." - -"And I, too. I will guide monsieur." - -"Thank you. I will reward you, if I have the means." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - A STRANGE MEETING. - - -The Hotel de la Couronne is situated in one of the finest parts -of Lyons. As Ben stood before it, he began to doubt whether he -had not better go away with his errand undone. After all, this -American gentleman, if there were one in the hotel, would be likely -to feel very little interest in a destitute boy claiming to be -a fellow-countryman. He might even look upon him as a designing -rogue, with a fictitious story of misfortune, practising upon his -credulity. Ben's cheek flushed at the mere thought that he might be -so regarded. - -So he was on the point of going away; but he was nerved by his very -desperation to carry out his original plan. - -He entered the hotel, and went up to the office. - -"Will monsieur look at some apartments?" asked the landlord's son, a -man of thirty. - -"No, monsieur--that is, not at present. Is there an American -gentleman at present staying in the hotel?" - -"Yes. Is monsieur an American?" - -Ben replied in the affirmative, and asked for the name of his -countryman. - -"It is Monsieur Novarro," was the reply. - -"Novarro!" repeated Ben to himself. "That sounds more like a Spanish -or an Italian name." - -"Is that the gentleman monsieur desires to see?" - -"From what part of America does Mr. Novarro come?" - -The register was applied to, and the answer given was "Havana." - -"Havana!" said Ben, disappointed. "Then he will take no interest in -me," he thought. "There is very little kindred between a Cuban and -an American." - -"Would monsieur like to see M. Novarro?" - -"I may as well see him," thought Ben, and he answered in the -affirmative. - -"There is M. Novarro, now," said the landlord's son; and Ben, -turning, saw a tall, very dark-complexioned man, who had just -entered. - -"M. Novarro, here is a young gentleman who wishes to see you--a -countryman of yours." - -The Cuban regarded Ben attentively, and not without surprise. - -"Have we met before?" he asked, courteously. - -"No, sir," answered Ben, relieved to find that the Cuban spoke -English; "and I am afraid I am taking a liberty in asking for you." - -"By no means! If I can be of any service to you, my friend, you may -command me." - -"It is rather a long story, Mr. Novarro," Ben commenced. - -"Then we will adjourn to my room, where we shall be more at our -ease." - -Ben followed his new acquaintance to a handsome private parlor on -the second floor and seated himself in a comfortable arm-chair, -indicated by the Cuban. - -"I will first mention my name," said Ben. "It is Benjamin Baker." - -"Baker!" exclaimed the Cuban, in evident excitement. "Who was your -father?" - -"My father was Dr. John Baker, and lived in Sunderland, Connecticut." - -"Is is possible!" ejaculated the Cuban; "you are his son?" - -"Did you know my father?" asked Ben, in amazement. - -"I never saw him, but I knew of him. I am prepared to be a friend -to his son. Now tell me your story." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY. - - -Ben told his story so far as it concerned his engagement by Major -Grafton and his visit to Europe. Of his mother and her circumstances -and of his uncle he had scarcely occasion to speak, considering -that his auditor would hardly feel interested in his own personal -history. The Cuban, who had a grave, kindly aspect, listened with -close attention to his narrative. When Ben ceased speaking he said: - -"My young friend, there is one thing that puzzles me in this story -of yours." - -"What is it, sir?" asked Ben, anxiously. He feared that the stranger -did not believe him. - -"Why should you need to travel with Major Grafton, or any other -gentleman, as private secretary, unless, indeed, your mother did not -wish you to come to Europe alone?" - -Ben stared at his interlocutor in amazement. - -"How could I come to Europe alone?" he asked. "Where should I find -the money to pay my expenses?" - -"Your mother might pay the expenses of your trip." - -"My mother is very poor, Mr. Novarro." - -"Very poor! Has she, then, lost the money that your father left her?" - -"I think you must be under a great mistake, Mr. Novarro. My uncle -allows my mother a small income, and I help her all I can." - -"There is certainly a great mistake somewhere," said the Cuban. -"To my certain knowledge your father possessed a hundred thousand -dollars in first-class securities. Didn't you know anything of -this?" continued Mr. Novarro, observing Ben's look of extreme -amazement. - -"I know nothing of it, Mr. Novarro." - -"Then he must have been robbed of the securities which I myself -gave him on the 18th day of May, in the year 18--" - -"That was the day of my father's death," said Ben. - -"He died on that very day?" said the Cuban in excitement. "Tell me -the particulars of your father's death. Did he die a natural death?" - -"Yes, sir; he died of heart disease." - -"And where?" - -"In the house of my Uncle Nicholas." - -"Before he had time to go home? Before he had acquainted your mother -with his good fortune?" - -"Neither my mother nor myself knew but that he died a poor man." - -"But he had the securities with him. Did your uncle say nothing of -them?" - -"Not a word." - -A look of suspicion appeared on the face of Filippo Novarro. - -"Tell me," he said, quickly--"did your uncle, shortly after your -father's death, enlarge his business?" - -"Yes, sir; he moved from a small store in Grand street to a larger -store on Broadway--the one which he now occupies." - -With the Cuban, suspicion was now changed to certainty. - -He brought down his fist heavily upon the table at his side. - -"I know all now," he said. "Your uncle deliberately robbed your dead -father of the securities which I had placed in his hands, and coolly -appropriating them to his own use, used the proceeds to build up and -extend his business, leaving your mother to live in poverty." - -"I feel bewildered," said Ben. "I can hardly believe my uncle would -treat us so shamefully." - -"By the way, when did your mother move to Minnesota?" asked the -Cuban. - -"To Minnesota?" - -"Yes. When I was in New York, not long since, I called upon your -uncle and signified my intention to call upon your mother. He told -me she had moved to Minnesota, and, of course, I was compelled to -give up my plan." - -"My mother has never moved to Minnesota; she still lives in -Sunderland." - -"Then your uncle intended to prevent our meeting. He feared, -doubtless, that if we met, his rascality would be discovered. -Providence has defeated his cunningly-devised scheme, and the truth -will soon be brought to light, to his confusion." - -"I am afraid, sir, it will be difficult for my mother and myself to -prove that my father left money. We have no money, with which to -hire legal assistance." - -"I propose to take the matter into my own hands. I am personally -interested as the agent whom my dead friend commissioned to pay a -debt of gratitude to the man who saved his life. Have you anything -to detain you in Europe?" - -"No, sir, except an empty purse." - -"Permit me to act as your banker." - -Mr. Novarro drew from his pocket two hundred and fifty francs in -gold and paper and handed them to Ben. - -To our hero it seemed like a fairy-tale, in which he was playing -the leading part. He half-feared that the gold would turn into brass -and the bank-notes into withered leaves; but, strange though it was, -he saw good reason to think that his good fortune was real. - -"How can I thank you, sir, for your liberality?" he said, gratefully. - -"You forget that this is your own money; I am only advancing it -to you, and shall be repaid speedily. Will you accept me as your -guardian to protect your interests and compel your uncle to disgorge -his ill-gotten gains?" - -"Thankfully, sir, if you are willing to take the trouble." - -"Then you will sail with me for New York by the next steamer. Have -you your luggage with you?" - -"I have nothing, sir, except what I have on my back. I had to leave -the asylum without a change, and I have not been able to change my -clothes for a week or more." - -"I had forgotten. This must be looked to at once. We will take -lunch, and then go out and purchase a new supply of under-clothing." - -Once more Ben had fallen on his feet. At what appeared to be the -darkest moment light had suddenly fallen across his path, and he -had stumbled upon the one man who was able to bring him into the -sunshine. Before night his wardrobe had been quite replenished, and -he breathed a deep sigh of relief as he found himself in fresh and -clean attire. - -He sought out the tramp who had escorted him to the hotel, and -liberally rewarded him. - -"I shall telegraph for passage in the Havre line of steamships," -said Mr. Novarro. "A steamer is to sail on Saturday, so that we -shall not have long to wait." - -"I fear, Mr. Novarro, you are interrupting your own plans in order -to befriend me," said Ben to his new patron. - -"I have no plans. I am--perhaps unfortunately for myself--a rich -man, under no necessity of labor. Indeed, my chief aim has been to -pass my time as pleasantly as possible. Now I find something to -do, and I find myself happier for having some object in life. I am -rejoiced that we have met. It has brought to my life a new interest; -and even after I have redeemed your wrongs I shall hope to keep -up my acquaintance with you, and to make the acquaintance of your -mother." - -"You may be sure, sir, that my mother will be only too glad to know -so true a friend." - -The Cuban regarded Ben with a look of interest and affection. He -was beginning to be attracted to him for his own sake. He was a man -of energetic temperament, though a large inheritance had hitherto -prevented any display of energy. At length the occasion had arisen, -and he looked forward with eagerness to the struggle with the New -York merchant to secure the rights of his new friend. - -On the next day Ben and his guardian left Lyons for Paris. They -had two days in this lovely city, and late on Friday evening they -reached Havre, the point where they were to embark for America. - -"The first act is over, Ben," said the Cuban. "Our ocean trip is a -long wait between the first and second acts. When the curtain next -rises it will be in New York, and there will be other actors to take -an unwilling part in our drama, which is devoted to the detection -and punishment of guilt." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - ROSE MAKES AN ENEMY. - - -Leaving Ben and his new guardian on their passage across the -Atlantic, we will precede them to New York, and inquire after the -welfare of some of our other characters. - -The Beauforts seemed to have entered on a new and prosperous career. -Rose continued to give lessons in music, and to receive liberal -compensation. She was really an accomplished musician, and had -the happy knack of making herself agreeable to her young pupils. -Besides, she was backed by the influence of Miss Wilmot, and that -helped her not a little. Her sister Adeline, too, gave lessons in -art, and thus contributed to the family purse. - -My readers will not have forgotten the young man who rescued -Rose from the disagreeable attentions of her elderly lover, Mr. -Parkinson. More than once Rose had thought of Clinton Randall, and, -though she scarcely admitted it to herself, cherished the hope that -they would some day meet again. The young man's frank, chivalrous -manners, and handsome face and figure, had impressed her most -favorably, and she suffered herself to think of him more than she -would have liked to admit. Had she known that Clinton Randall had -been equally attracted by her, and had made strenuous efforts to -find her ever since their first meeting, she would have been much -gratified. - -Some weeks passed, however, before she saw him again. One afternoon, -as she was walking through Madison Square on her way home from Mrs. -Tilton's, where she had given her customary lessons, she met the -young man in the walk. - -His face glowed with unmistakable joy as he hurried forward, with -hand extended. - -"I am very glad to meet you again, Miss Beaufort," he said, eagerly. -"Where have you been? Not out of the city?" - -"Oh, no!" answered Rose, successfully concealing her own pleasure -at the meeting. "You can't expect a poor music-teacher to break away -from her work at this season?" - -"But I did not know you were a music-teacher." - -"No, I suppose not," answered Rose, smiling. - -"Do you give lessons on the piano?" - -"Yes, it is my only instrument." - -"I have for a long time thought of taking lessons on the piano," -said Randall, who had never thought of it before, "if I could only -find a teacher who would not be too strict. Do you--take gentlemen?" - -"I am afraid I could not venture upon a pupil of your age, Mr. -Randall," said Rose, amused. "Suppose you proved refractory?" - -"But I never would." - -"I am afraid my time is fully occupied. I will promise, however, to -take you, if I agree to take any gentlemen." - -"Thank you. I shall not forget your promise." - -Clinton Randall, though he had been walking in a different -direction, turned and accompanied Rose, both chatting easily and -familiarly. It never occurred to Rose that she might meet any one -who would comment upon her and her escort. But at the corner of -Eighteenth street and Broadway she met a tall young lady, who made -her the slightest possible nod, while she fixed eyes of scorn and -displeasure upon the two. Clinton Randall raised his hat, and they -parted. - -"You know Miss Jayne, then, Miss Beaufort," said Randall. - -"Yes, slightly, and you?" - -"I have met her in society." - -"She is a niece of Mrs. Tilton, to whose daughters I am giving -music-lessons." - -"Indeed! I know Mrs. Tilton--I am to attend her party next week. -Shall you be there?" - -"I believe so--not as a guest, however. She has invited me to play -on the piano for the entertainment of the guests. You will probably -dance to my music." - -"I would rather dance with you to the music of another player, Miss -Beaufort." - -"You forget, Mr. Randall, that I am a poor music-teacher." - -"I don't think of it at all. It makes no difference in your claims -to consideration." - -"The world does not agree with you, Mr. Randall." - -"Then it ought. By the way, Miss Beaufort, has your elderly admirer -renewed his proposals?" - -"Mr. Parkinson? No, I have not met him since." - -"You are sure you won't relent, and make him a happy man?" - -"I don't think it at all likely," said Rose, laughing. - -Meanwhile Rose had made an enemy without being aware of it. - -Miss Arethusa Jayne had long looked upon Clinton Randall with -eyes of partiality, not alone on account of his good looks, but -because he was wealthy, socially distinguished, and in all respects -a desirable _parti_. In her vanity she had thought that he was not -indifferent to her attractions. When, therefore, she saw him walking -with her aunt's music-teacher, she was not only angry but jealous. -She reluctantly admitted that Rose was pretty, though she considered -herself still more so. After this meeting she changed her plans, and -went straight to her aunt. - -"Aunt," she said, "whom do you think I met on Broadway just now?" - -"I am sure I can't tell, Arethusa. I suppose all the world and his -wife are out this fine day." - -"Your music-teacher, Miss Beaufort, and Clinton Randall." - -"You don't say so!" ejaculated Mrs. Tilton. "How should she know -him?" - -"I have no idea they were ever introduced," said Arethusa, sneering. -"Probably she isn't particular how she makes acquaintance with -gentlemen. I always thought her forward." - -"I can't say I ever did, Arethusa." - -"Oh, she covers it up with you; but I ask you, Aunt Lucy, how could -she otherwise get acquainted with a gentleman of Mr. Randall's -position?" - -"I don't know. Was she actually walking with him?" - -"Certainly, and laughing and talking in a boisterous, unladylike -way." - -Of course this was untrue, but a jealous woman is not likely to -consider her words. - -"I thought you ought to know it, aunt, so I came and told you." - -"Do you think I ought to do anything, Arethusa?" - -"I would not allow such a girl to teach my children." - -"But she is an excellent teacher, and is recommended by Miss Wilmot." - -"Probably Miss Wilmot does not know how she conducts herself. No -doubt she carefully conceals her forwardness from that lady." - -"But I can't discharge her without giving reasons." - -"True, aunt. By the way, Mr. Randall comes to your party, does he -not?" - -"He has sent an acceptance." - -"And you mean to have Miss Beaufort there to play dancing-tunes?" - -"Yes; she comes a good deal cheaper than a professional," said Mrs. -Tilton, who, even in her pleasures, was thrifty. - -"That is well. Then you will have an opportunity to see how the two -go on together, and can quietly signify to Miss Beaufort, the next -day, your opinion of her conduct." - -"But, Arethusa," said Mrs. Tilton, who was not jealous, like her -niece, "I can't think there is anything out of the way. Miss -Beaufort has always seemed to me a model of propriety." - -"Oh, you dear, unsuspicious aunt! How easily you are deceived! Do -you want to know my opinion of Miss Propriety--the opinion I formed -when I first saw her?" - -"Well, Arethusa?" - -"I saw at once that she was bold and sly, and I really think it -is taking a great risk to permit your children to be under the -instruction of such a girl." - -"Well, Arethusa, I will take your advice and watch them both at the -party." - -"That is all I ask, Aunt Lucy." - -"I will get aunt to discharge her yet," said Miss Jayne to herself, -with satisfied malice. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - - A WOMAN'S JEALOUSY. - - -Mrs. Tilton's house was ablaze with light, for it was the evening of -the great party. Ambitious of social distinction, she took care to -do things on a handsome scale, though she was not averse to saving -money where it would not attract attention. - -Among the young ladies present were two with whom we are especially -concerned. One of them was Arethusa Jayne, who was dressed with more -splendor than taste. She made a profuse display of jewelry, some of -which, we may confidentially inform the reader, was borrowed from a -well-known jeweler, who was handsomely paid for the favor. Of course -no one suspected this, and the society young men were misled into -thinking that the owner of so many diamonds must be very rich. This -was precisely what Arethusa desired, for she was in the market, and -had been for more years than she liked to remember. - -Another young lady, still better known to us, was Rose Beaufort. She -was the most plainly dressed young lady in the handsome parlors, yet -she attracted an unusual share of attention. - -"Who is that pretty young lady?" asked a middle-aged lady of -Arethusa. - -"That?" answered Miss Jayne, with a sneer. "Oh, that is Miss -Beaufort, the music-teacher." - -"She is very sweet-looking." - -"Do you think so? I don't at all agree with you. To me she looks -very artful, and I have reason to think that beneath her innocent -exterior there is something quite different." - -"That is a pity." - -"It is not surprising. Still water runs deep, you know." - -Rose kept in the background. She had no wish to make herself -conspicuous at Mrs. Tilton's gay party. She would rather not have -been there, but did not wish to disappoint her employer. - -"Ah, here you are, Miss Beaufort," said a glad voice. - -Rose looked up, and her face flushed with pleasure as she recognized -Clinton Randall. - -"I did not think you would find me," she said. - -"I was sure to do it. I have been looking for you everywhere. Can't -you spare a seat for me?" - -Rose moved, and Clinton sat down beside her on the sofa. He had -scarcely been there two minutes, however, when Arethusa discovered -them. She went straightway to her aunt. - -"Aunt Lucy," she said, in a low voice, "look at the sofa opposite." - -"Well?" said Mrs. Tilton, who was rather short-sighted. - -"There is your precious music-teacher monopolizing Clinton Randall. -Didn't I tell you?" - -"I am really shocked at her brazen ways. You were right, Arethusa." - -"For goodness' sake, separate them before the whole room notices -them." - -"How can I do it?" - -"Send her to the piano." - -"Miss Beaufort," said Mrs. Tilton, coldly, "oblige me by sitting -down to the piano. You may play a waltz." - -"Certainly, Mrs. Tilton," said Rose. - -"That woman speaks as if she owned Miss Beaufort," thought young -Randall. - -He was about to follow her to the piano when Arethusa came up, and -with an insinuating smile, said: - -"Don't look so mournful, Mr. Randall. Let me fill Miss Beaufort's -place." - -"Certainly," answered the young man, moving, but not with alacrity. - -"I wasn't aware that you knew Miss Beaufort," said the young lady. - -"I believe you saw me walking with her the other day." - -"Yes, to be sure; it had escaped my mind." - -Rose began to play. Her touch was fine, and her performance could -hardly fail to attract attention. - -"Miss Beaufort plays remarkably well," said Clinton Randall. - -"Oh, it's her business," answered Arethusa, with careless hauteur. -"She gives lessons to my aunt's children, you know." - -"Your aunt is fortunate to secure such an accomplished pianist." - -"Oh, she is very well," said Arethusa, carelessly. "Do you feel like -dancing?" - -"I beg your pardon. I should have suggested it." - -The two moved out upon the floor and took their places among the -dancers. Arethusa danced passably, her partner remarkably well. At -length he led her to her seat, and, with a bow, left her, much to -her chagrin. - -Later in the evening some one relieved Rose at the piano. Clinton -took the earliest opportunity to seek her out and ask her for a -dance. - -Rose hesitated. - -"I have not danced for a long time," she said. "Circumstances have -kept me out of society. I am afraid you won't find me a satisfactory -partner." - -"I will take the risk, Miss Beaufort. You won't refuse?" - -She rose and took her place on the floor. Arethusa Jayne, who was -dancing with one of the walking gentlemen of society, a young man -who was merely invited to swell the number of guests, was not long -in discovering Miss Beaufort's good luck, and her face showed her -displeasure. It would have pleased her had Rose been awkward, but -she was unusually graceful, in spite of her want of practice. Miss -Jayne was hot with jealousy. - -"You shall repent this," she said to herself, and looked so stern -that her partner asked, with alarm: - -"Are you not well, Miss Jayne?" - -"Certainly"--you fool! she would liked to have added. "Why do you -ask?" - -"I thought you looked disturbed," he stammered. - -"I was only a little thoughtful," she said, with a constrained -smile. "But I am fatigued. Suppose we sit down." - -He led her to her seat, nothing loth, and she had the satisfaction -of following with her glance Clinton Randall and her rival five -minutes more. - -"Did you have a good time, Rose?" asked her sister Adeline, next -morning, at the breakfast-table. - -"Better than I dared to hope," answered Rose, with a smile. - -"Did you dance?" - -"Two or three times." - -She had danced with two partners besides Clinton Randall, and with -him a second time. - -"It seemed quite like the old times," she said, after a pause, "when -we were in society. Though I only appeared in the character of a -governess, I enjoyed it." - -"Don't you feel tired?" - -"A little; but I don't go out to give lessons till afternoon." - -At two o'clock Rose went to Mrs. Tilton's to give her regular -lessons. - -"Mrs. Tilton would like to see you," said the servant. - -A little surprised, Rose remained in the parlor till that lady -appeared. - -"I wish to speak to you, Miss Beaufort," said Mrs. Tilton, coldly, -"about your conduct last evening." - -"My conduct last evening!" repeated Rose, in utter surprise. "To -what do you refer?" - -"To your indelicate conduct with Mr. Clinton Randall and other -gentlemen." - -"What do you mean? I demand an explanation!" exclaimed Rose, -indignantly. - -"You seem to forget your position, Miss Beaufort. As the -instructress of my children, I feel I must be exacting. I do not -approve of your bold flirtation with gentlemen above yourself in -social position, and I beg to say that I must provide myself with -another music-teacher for my girls." - -"After your insulting remarks," said Rose, hotly, "nothing would -induce me to remain in charge of them. Nothing in my conduct has -called for such cruel charges." - -"Doubtless you think so. I disagree with you," said Mrs. Tilton, -coldly. - -"Good-afternoon, madam!" said Rose, rising abruptly. - -"Good-afternoon, Miss Beaufort." - -It was like a thunderbolt to Rose, and mystified as well as made -her indignant. She could recall nothing that had passed which would -justify Mrs. Tilton in her strange treatment. - -It was the first blow, but not the last. Arethusa Jayne, with -unappeased malice, went the rounds of the families in which Rose was -employed, and within a week she received notes from all the parents, -expressing regret that they could no longer avail themselves of her -services. - -It began to look serious for poor Rose. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - - ROSE COMES INTO A FORTUNE. - - -Ben and his friend had a fair passage from Liverpool, and were -equally pleased to set foot on American soil. By this time they had -become excellent friends. The Cuban, having no near relatives, was -surprised to find how much interest he felt in his young ward. - -"Well, Ben," he said, "shall we first attend to your business, or -that of the young ladies whom your late employer has cheated out of -their rightful inheritance?" - -"My business can wait, Mr. Novarro. Let us attend to the last." - -"Do you remember the office of Mr. Codicil--that was the name of the -trustee, was it not?" - -"Yes, sir. I can guide you there without delay." - -"Then, after we are fairly established in our hotel, we will go to -see him." - -Meanwhile there was great despondency in the modest home of the -Beauforts. To be deprived of her pupils without just cause was -indeed a grievous misfortune, and, gentle as she was, Rose could -not think of it without exasperation. Though she could not at first -understand from whom the blow came, reflection satisfied her that -Miss Arethusa Jayne was her enemy and had wrought this mischief. -Her motive Rose could not penetrate, not being in the secret of -Miss Jayne's admiration for Mr. Randall. To make matters worse, her -constant friend, Miss Wilmot, was absent from the city, at some -springs in Virginia, and was not expected home for some weeks to -come. She applied for a position in answer to an advertisement, but -when called upon for references her heart sank within her, as she -reflected that the ladies who had recently employed her would hardly -speak in her favor. - -"What shall we do, Addie?" she asked, despondently. "I can't get -new pupils, and I must do something. I don't like to go back to the -old business of making vests." - -"Don't do that, at any rate, Rose; I am sure you can do better than -that." - -"I wish I knew what." - -"Suppose you go and see Mr. Codicil." - -"He might think I wished him to give me money." - -"No; ask him to use his influence to obtain you music-pupils." - -Rose brightened at the suggestion. - -"I believe I will follow your advice, Addie. It seems to me good." - -"And if that doesn't do any good, write to Miss Wilmot, and ask her -advice. You can always refer to her." - -"Why, Addie, I never gave you credit for such wise counsel. Your -words have inspired me with new cheerfulness. I will go to Mr. -Codicil to-morrow morning." - -Half an hour before the arrival of Rose Beaufort at the lawyer's -office, Ben and Mr. Novarro entered. - -"Can I see Mr. Codicil?" asked Ben. - -The clerk said, doubtfully, noting Ben's youthful appearance, and -judging that his business could not be of great importance: - -"I will see. What name shall I mention?" - -"You may say that I come from Major Grafton." - -This message brought an immediate invitation to enter the lawyer's -sanctum. - -The old man regarded him with considerable surprise as he entered. - -"I thought you were in Europe, Philip," he said. "Is your guardian -with you?" - -"I have just come from Europe, Mr. Codicil," answered Ben. "Major -Grafton is not with me." - -"How does it happen that you have left him? You have not run away, -have you?" - -"Yes, sir; I felt obliged to run away." - -"May I ask why?" demanded the lawyer, searchingly. - -"Because I was not willing to aid Major Grafton in a scheme of -fraud." - -Mr. Codicil pricked up his ears. - -"Proceed, young man," he said. "This is becoming interesting." - -"You called me Philip Grafton, and this is the name Major Grafton -wished me to assume, but it is not my real name." - -"Go on, go on!" - -"My real name is Ben Baker. Major Grafton met me in this city, and -engaged me to travel with him as his private secretary. He gave me -the name of Philip Grafton, because, he said, I looked like his only -son, bearing that name, who died abroad." - -"The old rascal!" - -"I supposed this was true, and saw no objection to the plan." - -"Can you tell me what became of the boy whose name you assumed?" -asked Mr. Codicil, eagerly. - -"Yes, sir; he is dead." - -"Poor fellow! Where did he die?" - -"In Italy, last year." - -"And his rascally guardian, concealing this from me, has drawn the -income of his property regularly for his own use. Now tell me how -you came to learn all this." - -Ben gave the explanation clearly, and recited the steps taken by -Major Grafton to keep him from divulging the secret. - -"It was a bold game," said the lawyer; "but, thanks to your -information, it has failed. I shall at once telegraph to Major -Grafton that his guardianship has ceased, and I will send over an -agent to obtain the necessary proof of the boy's death." - -At this moment a clerk entered. - -"There is a young lady who desires to see you, Mr. Codicil." - -"Did she give her name?" - -"Miss Beaufort." - -"Send her in at once. She could not have come at a more fitting -time. My young friend, go into the little room adjoining, and wait -till I summon you." - -Rose Beaufort entered the lawyer's presence with a grave expression -on her face. - -"I hope, Mr. Codicil, you will excuse my troubling you with a visit." - -"So far from troubling me, I am very glad to see you. What can I do -for you?" - -"I am in trouble, and wish your advice." - -"Proceed." - -Rose unfolded her story, and concluded by asking Mr. Codicil if he -would exert his influence toward obtaining her some pupils in music. - -The lawyer's eyes twinkled behind his spectacles. - -"I hardly know what to say to that request," he answered. - -"I did not suppose you would be prejudiced against me by Mrs. -Tilton's false and groundless accusations," said Rose, with a -troubled air. - -"I am not. That is not the point. I am only questioning the -expediency of your teaching at all." - -"But I know of no better way of earning a livelihood." - -"Still, it is not customary for wealthy young ladies to take pupils." - -"I don't understand you, Mr. Codicil," said Rose, bewildered. - -"Then I will no longer keep you in suspense. Your poor cousin, -Philip, is dead, and you inherit your grandfather's fortune--that -is, you, your sister, and brother." - -"When did poor Philip die?" asked Rose, unaffectedly shocked. "It -must have been very sudden." - -"On the contrary, he died last year." - -"Last year! How happens it, then, that we did not know of it before?" - -"Because there has been a wicked scheme to defraud you of the -inheritance. Ben, come here." - -Ben entered, and the story was soon told. Of course it need not be -repeated. - -"Now, Miss Beaufort, if you insist on taking pupils, I will do what -I can to procure you some," said the lawyer. - -"If I take them it will be without compensation," answered Rose, -smiling. "Can you tell me how soon we may expect to come into our -property? I ask, because we are near the end of our money." - -"It will take perhaps two months to obtain legal proof of Philip's -death, but that will not inconvenience you. I will advance you -whatever money you require in the meantime." - -"You are very kind. If you could let me have twenty dollars----" - -"You are very modest," said the lawyer, smiling. "Suppose we say two -hundred?" - -"Two hundred!" ejaculated Rose. - -"I think you will be able to find a use for it," said the lawyer. -"Remember, though I don't want to encourage you in extravagance, -that is less than two weeks' income." - -There was great joy in the Beaufort household when Rose carried -home the great news, though it was mingled with sorrow for the -untimely fate of poor Philip. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - - BEN MEETS HIS COUSIN. - - -Ben supposed that his new guardian would be in favor of making an -immediate call upon his uncle, but the Cuban counselled delay. - -"First," he said, "I wish to find, if I can, the broker through -whom your uncle sold the securities of which he robbed your father. -We can make out a case without it, but with this our case will be -complete." - -"Won't it be difficult to find out, Mr. Novarro?" asked Ben. - -"Difficult, but not impossible. To begin with, I know the date of -probable transfer. Next, I know the securities. By visiting the -offices of different brokers I may obtain some information. At any -rate, I have mapped out my plan of procedure, and hope within a week -to obtain a clew." - -Ben asked no questions, feeling that he could safely leave the whole -matter in the hands of so experienced a business man as his new -guardian. - -They did not go to a hotel, but to a boarding-house kept by a -Cuban lady, a friend of his guardian, which they found quite as -comfortable and more homelike than the Metropolitan or the Windsor. - -Meanwhile Ben thought it best not to make a call at the office of -his uncle. Indeed, remembering the cruel way in which he had wronged -his mother, he would have found it disagreeable to meet him. - -But one day, on Broadway, he met his cousin, Clarence Plantagenet. -He would have avoided the encounter, but it was too late, for -Clarence had seen him. - -"What! Ben!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea you were back in New York. -When did you arrive?" - -"Three days since," answered Ben. - -"Where are you staying?" - -"At a boarding-house in Forty-second street." - -"How is Major Grafton?" - -"I don't know; I am no longer with him." - -"What!" exclaimed Clarence, pricking up his ears. "You are no longer -in his employ?" - -"No." - -"Where is he?" - -"I left him in Europe." - -"What did he discharge you for?" asked Clarence, cheerfully. - -"He didn't discharge me. He was opposed to my leaving him, but we -couldn't agree." - -"I think you are a fool!" said Clarence, bluntly. "With him you -could live like a gentleman. You haven't got another place, have -you?" - -"No." - -"And you won't get one very soon, I can tell you that, except as a -boy at three or four dollars a week." - -Ben smiled. - -"I can look round, at any rate," he answered. - -"That's all the good it'll do. You mustn't expect my father to help -you." - -"I don't. If I had, I should have called before this." - -"After throwing up a good place, if you were not discharged, you -don't deserve help." - -"I am not sure that I shall look for another place," said Ben. - -"You are not?" asked Clarence, mystified. - -"No; I may go to school a little longer. I haven't as good an -education as I should like." - -"But how are you going to live while you are doing all this?" - -"Don't you think your father would give me a home in his family and -let me attend school in the city?" - -"Well, Ben Baker, you have got cheek, I declare! If that is what you -are counting on, you may as well give it up." - -"It's as well to know the worst," said Ben, tranquilly. - -"I shall have to be going along," said Clarence, coldly. - -He told his father at dinner about his meeting with Ben. - -"I'll tell you what, father," he said. "I couldn't account at first -for Ben's seeming so cool and independent. I think I understand it -now." - -"Well, suppose you explain, then." - -"I think he's robbed Major Grafton of a sum of money and taken -French leave. He said he was not 'bounced' and that the major did -not want him to leave." - -"I hope you are wrong, my son. I haven't the highest opinion of your -cousin, but I earnestly hope he is honest. To have him guilty of -such a crime would be a disgrace to our family. Always be honest, -Clarence! Depend upon it, honesty is the best policy, and a boy or -man makes a great mistake who appropriates what is not his own." - -"Of course, pa, I know all that. Do you think I would steal? As to -Ben Baker, that's a different matter. He's always been poor, and I -suppose the temptation was too strong for him." - -"Let us hope not. Dishonesty I could not overlook, even in a -relation." - -Who would imagine that this man, so strict in his ideas of honesty, -had deliberately stolen a hundred thousand dollars from his widowed -sister and her son! - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - M. BOURDON HAS A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR. - - -Major Grafton was quite easy in mind after consigning Ben to the -safe custody of an insane asylum. - -"Serves the boy right!" he said. "What business had he to interfere -with my plans? M. Bourdon will see that he does not annoy me any -further." - -His confidence in the wisdom of his plan was maintained by the -frequent letters he received from the director of the asylum, in all -of which he spoke encouragingly of the effect of discipline upon -Ben. Major Grafton regularly transmitted the compensation agreed on -between them. - -This continued until one day Major Grafton, who had now returned to -Geneva, was dumbfounded by receiving the following telegram from Mr. -Codicil: - - "Your scheme is revealed, and your guardianship at an end. - No further drafts of yours will be honored. - - N. CODICIL." - -"Confusion! What does this mean?" ejaculated Major Grafton. "That -wretched boy must have found means of writing to America. If this is -so, I will haul M. Bourdon over the coals. It must have been through -his criminal negligence." - -He lost no time in setting out for the asylum, which he reached in -due season. - -"I wish to see M. Bourdon," he said, sternly, to the attendant who -had admitted him. - -The doctor, who would rather have seen any one else, could hardly -conceal his dismay when he set eyes on the major. - -"Can he have found out?" he asked. - -"Dr. Bourdon, how is my ward?" he demanded. - -"Tranquil and contented," answered the doctor, smoothly. - -"I have reason to think you have been negligent, and allowed him to -write letters to America." - -"Impossible, my dear sir--quite impossible, I assure you." - -"I believe there is some trickery here," said the major, sternly. "I -wish to see the boy." - -Perspiration gathered on the brow of M. Bourdon, though it was a -cool day. How could he stave off this visit? His wits came to the -rescue. - -"I greatly regret to tell you," he said, "that your ward is sick of -a contagious disease. To see him would imperil your life." - -Major Grafton was not a nervous man, and he was too much in earnest -to be turned from his design. - -"I am not afraid," he said; "I will see him." - -"I will go and prepare him for your visit," said the doctor, sorely -perplexed. - -Five minutes had not elapsed when he returned in apparent -consternation. - -"My good sir," he said, "I have serious news. Your ward is not in -his room. He must have escaped in the night." - -"You scoundrel!" exclaimed the major, livid with passion. "Just now -you told me he was sick with a dangerous malady; now you say he has -escaped. I have a great mind to strangle you!" and he clutched the -doctor by the collar. - -"Mercy, mercy!" shrieked the doctor, terribly alarmed. "Are you mad?" - -"When did the boy escape? Tell me instantly, if you value your life." - -"Over a month since. I didn't wish to alarm you, and so concealed -the intelligence." - -"While you continued to draw for his board, you thief!" - -"I--I am prepared to refund the money, monsieur. I only drew because -it was necessary to keep up the deception." - -M. Bourdon refunded five weeks' board, told the story of Ben's -escape, and Major Grafton was compelled to be content with this. - -"I am afraid the game is up!" he muttered, as he rode rapidly away. -"That cursed boy has spoiled all. I wish I had him in my clutches!" - -It was well for Ben that he was not within reach of the irate major. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - - BEN AND HIS UNCLE. - - -"Ben," said the Cuban, a few days later, "I have excellent news." - -"What is it, sir?" - -"I have found the broker who sold the stolen securities for your -uncle." - -"Is it possible, sir?" said Ben in excitement. - -"Yes; it is a piece of great good luck. And now I think we are ready -to call upon your uncle. First, however, I have a little scheme in -which I shall require your co-operation." - -"Very well, sir." - -"I wish to test your uncle's disposition toward you. We are in a -position to dictate terms to him. If he shows proper feeling toward -his nephew we shall feel disposed to be considerate toward him." - -"What do you wish me to do?" asked Ben. - -"Call on your uncle and ask him if he can give you a place in his -store, or help you to one outside. Of course you wouldn't accept -one, but we shall see what reception he gives you." - -Into this scheme Ben readily entered. He was no longer a friendless -and penniless boy, dependent upon his uncle for the means of living, -but rich and his own master. - -Nicholas Walton was sitting in his counting-room when Ben entered. -It so happened that Clarence Plantagenet was just leaving the store -as Ben entered. - -"What do you want?" he asked, coldly. - -"I should like to see your father." - -"I don't think he will see you. He is busy." - -"I am quite anxious to see him," persisted Ben. - -"Are you going to ask him to help you?" said his cousin. - -"Yes; to help me to a place." - -"I am sure he won't do it." - -"I would rather take the refusal from his lips," said Ben. - -"Oh, well, I suppose you can go and see him if you want to, but you -will find that I am right." - -"I think I will see him, then." - -Clarence had been intending to go out at once, but it struck -him that he would enjoy seeing his poor cousin rebuffed, and he -accompanied Ben to the back of the store. - -"Father," he said, as he entered the office, followed by Ben, "here -is Ben Baker, who wants to see you. I told him it would be of no use -to ask you for help, but he doesn't believe me." - -Mr. Walton frowned ominously. - -"Well, boy," he said, frigidly, "so you have lost your place with -Major Grafton?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I am convinced that it was on account of misconduct on your part." - -"Is it quite right to condemn me before you have heard anything of -the circumstances attending my leaving him?" said Ben, mildly. - -"Oh, I dare say you have some plausible story," sneered Mr. Walton; -"but it won't produce any effect on me." - -"Still, sir, I will venture to say that I did not leave him on -account of any misconduct on my own part." - -"Perhaps it was on account of misconduct on his part," said Mr. -Walton, with a scornful laugh. - -"Yes, sir, it was." - -"Really, this is very amusing. Now let me know what you want of me." - -"Can you give me a place in your store, sir?" - -"No, I can't, or rather I will not," answered his uncle, curtly. - -"Will you use your influence to obtain me a position elsewhere?" - -"No, I won't, and I consider you very impudent to prefer the -request." - -"You seem to forget, sir, that I am your nephew." - -"I chose to forget it, considering the disreputable manner in which -you have behaved." - -"Then, you won't do anything for me, sir?" - -"No, decidedly no!" - -"I told you so," said Clarence, triumphantly. "You may as well go -to selling papers." - -"He can do better than that," said a strange voice. "He can live on -the interest of his money." - -Clarence and his father started in surprise, as the speaker, -Filippo Novarro, entered the office. The merchant, recognizing him, -turned pale. - - - - - CHAPTER XL. - - CONCLUSION. - - -"I see you know me, Mr. Walton," said the Cuban, quietly. "I have a -few words to say to you. Do you wish your son to listen?" - -"Clarence, you may leave the office," said the merchant, in a husky -voice. - -Clarence, whose curiosity was aroused, was very unwilling to go. - -"Sha'n't Ben go, too?" he asked. - -"Yes." - -"I beg pardon, but I wish him to remain," said the Cuban. "He is -deeply concerned in what I have to say." - -Clarence was still more curious. He left the office, but he lingered -within ear-shot. - -"Mr. Walton," said Novarro, "I am a man of few words, and will come -to the point. As the guardian of this boy, and the friend of his -father's friend, I have come to demand from you the fortune of which -you deprived him." - -"I don't know what you are talking about," said the merchant, trying -to speak firmly. - -"I beg your pardon, but you do. I call for the money you obtained -for the securities which you took from the dead body of Dr. -Baker, who died in your house of heart disease--a sum which you -appropriated to your own use, leaving your sister and your sister's -son poor and dependent." - -"You must be crazy, sir. Where is the proof of your strange and -unfounded charge?" - -"I can produce the broker who sold these securities for you in the -year 18--." - -"It is easy to say this. May I know the name of this broker?" asked -the merchant, making a feeble attempt to deny the charge. - -"His name is John Goldsmith, and his office is No. ---- Wall -street," answered Novarro, promptly. - -Nicholas Walton leaned back in his chair and seemed ready to faint, -but uttered no word. - -"Well, sir, your answer?" - -"Can't we--compromise--this--thing?" asked Walton, feebly. - -"No, sir; we will promise not to expose you, but it will be only -upon condition that you pay principal and interest. The only favor -we will extend is, that we will not demand compound interest." - -"But it will ruin me! I cannot take so large a sum from my business." - -"That I can understand. On behalf of my young ward and his mother, -I will agree to accept half cash, and half in notes maturing at -different dates, secured by your stock in trade. Do you consent, or -shall we bring suit?" - -"Can't you throw off the interest? That boy and his mother will be -amply provided for by the principal." - -"If you had received your nephew differently when he applied for -help just now, we might have consented. Now it is out of the -question." - -Nicholas Walton was forced to make an unconditional surrender, and -the terms were agreed to upon the spot. - -"Ben," said Mr. Novarro, as they left the office, "I congratulate -you. You are now rich." - -"Thanks to you kind management, Mr. Novarro." - -It is said that listeners never hear any good of themselves. -Clarence was in a terrible panic when he heard the conference -between his father and the Cuban. That his despised cousin Ben -should become suddenly rich was a bitter pill to swallow. He sneaked -out of the store, perturbed in mind. - -"Now, Ben, I suppose you will want to carry the news to your -mother," said the Cuban. - -"That is what I was about to ask, Mr. Novarro." - -"We will take the next train for Sunderland, preparing your mother -by a telegram." - -I do not propose to describe Ben's happy meeting with his mother. -Mrs. Baker was grieved to hear of her brother's treachery, but it -was a relief to her to think that he had nothing to do with her -husband's death. As we know, he was directly responsible for it, but -the knowledge of this was confined to his own breast. Even the Cuban -never suspected what had brought on the attack that terminated the -poor doctor's life. - -"Now, Ben, what career do you select?" asked his guardian. - -Ben took a week to consider. He then decided not to go into -business, but to obtain a liberal education, and study law. He and -his mother removed to Cambridge, where he completed his preparatory -studies, and entered Harvard College. He is now a young lawyer, -and has commenced the practice of his profession under flattering -auspices. - -Clarence Plantagenet, on the other hand, is a young man about town, -and his father cannot induce him to enter upon any business. He has -professed his willingness to become a broker, if his father will -purchase him a seat at the Stock Board, but Mr. Walton wisely thinks -it will be cheaper to give him a liberal income than give him the -chance of squandering a fortune in stocks. - -We must not forget the Beauforts. They removed to a fashionable -locality, and purchasing a house, furnished it with elegance and -taste. It is surprising how many people found them out in their days -of prosperity who had ignored them before. Even Mrs. Tilton essayed -to apologize for her outrageous treatment, and tried to ingratiate -herself with Rose, but the latter treated her with such distant -civility that she gave up the attempt. In less than a year Rose -Beaufort became Mrs. Clinton Randall, and her star rose still higher. - -There is one person who never will forgive her for her good fortune, -and that is Miss Arethusa Jayne, who had strongly hoped to secure -the hand of Clinton Randall for herself. No one would have been more -amazed than Randall himself, for he was happily unconscious of Miss -Jayne's admiration for him. - -Ben has not forgotten his early friends. Hugh Manton, the reporter, -by his help has secured an interest in a flourishing daily paper in -an inland city, and is earning a liberal income. - -Major Grafton is earning a precarious living at European spas and -gambling resorts, and is beginning to show the marks of age. Filippo -Novarro has established himself as a permanent resident of the -United States, and spends much of his time with Ben and his mother. - -And now, with all our characters satisfactorily disposed of, the -good rewarded, and the bad punished, we bid the reader farewell and -ring down the curtain. - - - - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the -greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is -one of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a -million copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large -circulating libraries in the country have several complete sets, of -which only two or three volumes are ever on the shelves at one time. -If this is true, what thousands and thousands of boys have read and -are reading Mr. Alger's books! His peculiar style of stories, often -imitated but never equaled, have taken a hold upon the young people, -and, despite their similarity, are eagerly read as soon as they -appear. - -Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book, -"Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York." It was his first book -for young people, and its success was so great that he immediately -devoted himself to that kind of writing. It was a new and fertile -field for a writer then, and Mr. Alger's treatment of it at once -caught the fancy of the boys. "Ragged Dick" first appeared in 1868, -and ever since then it has been selling steadily, until now it is -estimated that about 200,000 copies of the series have been sold. - - --"Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls." - -A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He -should be able to enter into their plans, hopes, and aspirations. He -should learn to look upon life as they do. Boys object to be written -down to. A boy's heart opens to the man or writer who understands -him. - - --From "Writing Stories for Boys," by Horatio Alger, Jr. - -RAGGED DICK SERIES. - - 6 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $6.00 - - Ragged Dick. - Fame and Fortune. - Mark the Match Boy. - Rough and Ready. - Ben the Luggage Boy. - Rufus and Rose. - -TATTERED TOM SERIES--First Series. - - 4 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $4.00 - - Tattered Tom. - Paul the Peddler. - Phil the Fiddler. - Slow and Sure. - -TATTERED TOM SERIES--Second Series. - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Julius. - The Young Outlaw. - Sam's Chance. - The Telegraph Boy. - -CAMPAIGN SERIES. - - 3 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $3.00 - - Frank's Campaign. - Charlie Codman's Cruise. - Paul Prescott's Charge. - -LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--First Series. - - 4 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $4.00 - - Luck and Pluck. - Sink or Swim. - Strong and Steady. - Strive and Succeed. - -LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--Second Series. - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Try and Trust. - Risen from the Ranks. - Bound to Rise. - Herbert Carter's Legacy. - -BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. - - 4 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $4.00 - - Brave and Bold. - Jack's Ward. - Shifting for Himself. - Wait and Hope. - -VICTORY SERIES. - - 3 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $3.00 - - Only an Irish Boy. - Adrift in the City. - Victor Vane, or the Young Secretary. - -FRANK AND FEARLESS SERIES. - - 3 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $3.00 - - Frank Hunter's Peril. - Frank and Fearless. - The Young Salesman. - -GOOD FORTUNE LIBRARY. - - 3 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $3.00 - - Walter Sherwood's Probation. - A Boy's Fortune. - The Young Bank Messenger. - -HOW TO RISE LIBRARY. - - 3 vols. =By Horatio Alger, Jr.= $3.00 - - Jed, the Poorhouse Boy. - Rupert's Ambition. - Lester's Luck. - -COMPLETE CATALOG OF BEST BOOKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS MAILED ON -APPLICATION TO THE PUBLISHERS - -THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., PHILADELPHIA - -FAMOUS STANDARD JUVENILES - -FOR GIRLS - -A GOOD GIRL'S BOOK IS HARD TO FIND! - -One often hears the above quoted. _These_ books have stood the tests -of time and careful mothers, and will be of the greatest interest -to girls of all ages. Free from any unhealthy sensationalism, yet -full of incident and romance, they are the cream of the best girls' -books published. These volumes, each one well illustrated, carefully -printed on excellent paper, substantially bound in cloth, 12mo. - -=WAYS AND MEANS LIBRARY.= By Margaret Vandegrift. 4 vols. - - $3.00 - - Queen's Body Guard. - Rose Raymond's Wards. - Doris and Theodora. - Ways and Means. - -=STORIES FOR GIRLS.= 3 vols. - - $2.25 - - Dr. Gilbert's Daughters. - Marion Berkley. - Hartwell Farm. - -=HONEST ENDEAVOR LIBRARY.= By Lucy C. Lillie. 3 vols. - - $2 25 - - The Family Dilemma. - Allison's Adventures. - Ruth Endicott's Way. - -=MILBROOK LIBRARY.= By Lucy C. Lillie. 4 vols. - - $3 00 - - Helen Glenn. - The Squire's Daughter. - Esther's Fortune. - For Honor's Sake. - -RECENT SUCCESSES - -The following, though of recent date, have at once reached such -a height of popularity that they can already be classified as -standards. 75 cents each. - - Lady Green Satin. By Baroness Deschesney. - Marion Berkley. By Elizabeth B. Comins. - Lenny, the Orphan. By Margaret Hosmer. - Family Dilemma. By Lucy C. Lillie. - Question of Honor. By Lynde Palmer. - Girl's Ordeal. A. By Lucy C. Lillie. - Elinor Belden; or The Step Brothers. By Lucy C. Lillie. - Where Honor Leads. By Lynde Palmer. - Under the Holly. By Margaret Hosmer. - Two Bequests, The; or, Heavenward Led. By Jane R. Sommers. - The Thistles of Mount Cedar. By Ursula Tannenforst. - - $1.25 - -_Catalogue sent on application to the Publisher_ - -A Veritable "Arabian Nights" of Entertainment Containing 168 -Complete Illustrated Stories. - -[Illustration] - - HURLBUT'S - STORY OF THE - BIBLE - told for - YOUNG AND OLD - by - _Rev. Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, D.D._ - -=THE BIBLE MADE FASCINATING TO CHILDREN.=--The heroes and the noble -men and women of the Bible are made to appear as living, acting -people. The book is an original work, and in no sense an imitation. -It has been in preparation for a number of years. - -=THE DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR.=--Dr. Hurlbut has long been associated -with, and director of, the Sunday School work of one of the largest -denominations, and he has been more closely associated with the -detail work of the Chautauqua movement than has any other man. He is -also well known as a writer. - -=REMARKABLE FOR THE BEAUTY AND NUMBER OF ITS ILLUSTRATIONS.=--There -are sixteen pictures in color prepared for this work by the -distinguished artist, W. H. Margetson, and reproduced with the -beauty and attractiveness of the artist's original work. There are -also =nearly 300 half-tone= engravings in this remarkable book, -which is as original in the selection of its illustrations as it is -in its stories. - -WHAT OTHERS THINK OF IT - - "It is a needed and original work. Not an - imitation."--_Christian Advocate_, New York. - - "Written in such a style as to fascinate and hold the - interest of child or man."--REV. F. E. CLARK, Pres. Society - of Christian Endeavor. - - "It is a beautiful book. I hope every family in the land - will secure 'Hurlbut's Story of the Bible.'"--GENERAL O. O. - HOWARD. - - "The best book of its kind, and that kind the most - important."--REV. JAMES A. WORDEN, Presbyterian B'd. of Pub. - and S. S. Work. - - "I like very much the vocabulary you have used, and I can - see how careful you have been in choosing understandable - words."--MR. PHILIP E. HOWARD, _Sunday-School Times_, - Philadelphia. - - "It is the completest and best thing of the kind I have - seen. The book is splendidly illustrated."--MARIAN LAWRANCE, - General Secretary, International Sunday-School Association. - - "Many will be drawn to the Bible who otherwise might look - upon it as only adapted for older people."--HON. DAVID J. - BREWER, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. - -_8vo, cloth. 750 pages. 16 color plates. 262 half-tone engravings. -Net $1.50_ - -The JOHN C. WINSTON CO. - -THE RENOWNED STANDARD JUVENILES - -BY EDWARD S. ELLIS - -Edward S. Ellis is regarded as the later day Cooper. His books will -always be read for the accurate pen pictures of pioneer life they -portray. - -LIST OF TITLES - -DEERFOOT SERIES - - Hunters of the Ozark. - The Last War Trail. - Camp in the Mountains. - -LOG CABIN SERIES - - Lost Trail. - Footprints in the Forest. - Camp Fire and Wigwam. - -BOY PIONEER SERIES - - Ned in the Block-House. - Ned on the River. - Ned in the Woods. - -THE NORTHWEST SERIES - - Two Boys in Wyoming. - Cowmen and Rustlers. - A Strange Craft and Its Wonderful Voyage. - -BOONE AND KENTON SERIES - - Shod with Silence. - In the Days of the Pioneers. - Phantom of the River. - -WAR CHIEF SERIES - - Red Eagle. - Blazing Arrow. - Iron Heart, War Chief of the Iroquois. - -THE NEW DEERFOOT SERIES - - Deerfoot in the Forest. - Deerfoot on the Prairie. - Deerfoot in the Mountains. - -TRUE GRIT SERIES - - Jim and Joe. - Dorsey, the Young Inventor. - Secret of Coffin Island. - -GREAT AMERICAN SERIES - - Teddy and Towser; or, Early Days in California. - Up the Forked River. - -COLONIAL SERIES - - An American King. - The Cromwell of Virginia. - The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion. - -FOREIGN ADVENTURE SERIES - - Lost in the Forbidden Land. - River and Jungle. - The Hunt of the White Elephant. - -PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE SERIES - - The Forest Messengers. - The Mountain Star. - Queen of the Clouds. - -ARIZONA SERIES - - Off the Reservation; or, Caught in an Apache Raid. - Trailing Geronimo; or, Campaigning with Crook. - The Round-Up; or, Geronimo's Last Raid. - - -OTHER TITLES IN PREPARATION - - PRICE $1.00 PER VOLUME Sold separately and in set - -Complete Catalogue of Famous Alger Books, Celebrated Castlemon Books -and Renowned Ellis Books mailed on application. - - - THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. PHILADELPHIA, PA. - - - - - * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -A number of words in this book have both hyphenated and -non-hyphenated variants. All have been retained. This book also -contains dialect and vernacular comversation. - -Obvious punctuation errors were fixed. - -Other printing errors, which were not detected during the revision -of the printing process of the original book, have been corrected. - -The following provides the detail of those corrections: - -In Page 23 the expression "by curiosity" was changed to "my -curiosity". - -In Page 43 in the expression "sauntered out out", "out" was removed -once from the text. - -In Page 52 "In his attempt to obtained" was changed to "In his -attempt to obtain". - -In Page 105 the expression "was an expect" was changed to "was an -expert". - -In Page 176 the expression "for work as a seamtress" was changed to -"for work as a seamstress". - -In Page 179 "I shall insist in" was changed to "I shall insist on". - -In Page 238 the expression "had prevented" was changed to "had -prevented him". - -In Page 239 the expression "to have strong affections" was changed -to "to have as strong affections". - -In Page 310 the expression "was dumfounded by receiving" was changed -to "was dumbfounded by receiving". - -In Page 316 the expression "but he dosen't" was changed to "but he -doesn't". - -In Page 321 "In behalf of my young ward" was changed to "On behalf -of my young ward". - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOY'S FORTUNE*** - - -******* This file should be named 52017.txt or 52017.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/2/0/1/52017 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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