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BOSTON 
PUBLIC 
LIBRARY 


Tom  TEMPLE'S 
Career 


By  HORATIO  ALGER,  Jr. 

Author  of**  Tom  Thatcher's  Fortune," 

"  Tom  Turner's  Legacy,"  **The  Train  Bo/,** 

"Ben  Bruce,"  Etc. 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS 
NEW  YORK 


Copyright,  1888.      By  A.  L.  BURT. 


TOM   TEMPLE'S   CAREER. 
Bt  Horatio  Alger,  Jr. 


Pi? 

fo 


TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 


CHAPTER  I. 

KATHAN"    MIDDLETOH. 

|N  the  main  street,  in  the  town  of  Plympton^ 
stood  a  two-story  house,  with  a  narrow  lawn  in 
front.  It  had  a  stiff,  staid  look  of  decorum, 
as  if  no  children  were  ever  allowed  to  create  disorder 
within  its  precincts,  or  interfere  with  its  settled  regu- 
larity. It  appeared  to  he  a  place  of  business  as  well  as  a 
residence,  for  there  was  a  thin  plate  on  one  side  of  the 
front  door,  bearing  the  name  of 


KATHAN    MIDDLETON, 
Insueancb  Agekt. 

Some  people  might  object  to  turning  even  a  part  of 
their  dwellings  into  a  business  office,  but  then  it  saved 
rent,  and  Mr.  Middleton  was  one  of  the  saving  kind.  He 
had  always  been  saving  from  the  first  time  he  received  a 
penny  at  the  mature  age  of  five,  and  triumphing  over  the 
delusive  pleasures  of  an  investment  in  candy,  put  it  in  a 
tin  savings-bank  to  the  present  moment.  He  didn't 
marry  until  the  age  of  forty,  not  having  dared  to  under- 
take the  expense  of  maintaining  two  pei'sons.     At  that 


%  rOAi  TEytPLE  'S  CAREER. 

timey  howerer,  he  fortnnatelj  encx>antered  a  maiden  ladf 
cf  about  his  own  age,  whose  habits  were  equally  eco- 
nomical, who  poBseBBed  the  snm  of  four  thousand  dollars. 
After  a  caJcnlation  of  some  length  he  concluded  that  it 
would  be  for  his  pecuniary  benefit  to  marrr.  He  pro- 
posed, was  accepted,  and  in  due  time  AILss  Corinthia 
Oanrer  became  Mrs.  Nathan  Middleton« 

Their  married  life  had  lasted  eight  jears,  when  tnef 
Tery  unexpectedly  became  the  custodian  of  my  hero. 

One  day  Mr.  Middleton  sat  in  his  office,  drawing  up 
an  appHcarion  for  insnianoe,  when  a  stranger  entered. 

••  Wants  to  insure  his  life,  I  hope,''  thought  Nathan, 
in  the  hope  of  a  commisBion. 

''Take  a  chair,  sir.  What  can  I  do  for  you?''  he 
asked  nrbanelj.  **  Hare  you  been  thinking  of  insuring 
jout  life?  I  represeait  scHue  of  the  best  companies  in  the 
eoantxy." 

«<  That  isat  my  bnaiiiBBB,**  said  the  visitor  dicisively. 

Kathan  looked  diBippoinied,  smd  waited  for  the  bust^ 
jesB  tobe  annonnoed. 

"You  had  a  school-mate  named  Stephen  Temple, 
did  you  not,  Mr.  Middleton^" 

"Tes;  we  used  to  go  to  school  toget.%a.  What  has 
become  of  him?" 

"He  is  dead." 

**  I  am  sorry  to  hear  ru     Any  family?** 

"One  son,  a  boy  of  sixteen.    That  Ib  why  I  am  here.* 

**  Really,  I  don't  understand  you." 

"  He  has  left  his  son  to  you,"  said  the  stranger. 
What!"  exclaimed  Xathan,  in  dismay. 
HaTing  no  other  friends,  for  he  has  bee^j  away  from 


€€ 


JiA  THAN  MIDDLE  TON,  7 

kome  nearly  all  his  life,  he  thought  you  would  be  irWng 
to  give  the  boy  a  home.^ 

Instantly  there  roee  in  the  economical  mind  of  Mr. 
Middleton  an  appalling  array  of  expenaeSy  induding 
board,  vaghing,  clothes,  books  ai^d  so  on,  which  would 
be  likely  to  be  incurred  on  behalf  of  a  well-grown  boy, 
and  he  actually  shuddered. 

**  Stephen  Temple  had  no  right  to  expect  snci  a  thing 
of  me,^  he  said.  ''  The  fact  that  we  w^it  to  sdMMd 
together  doesn't  gire  him  any  claim  upon  me.  If  the 
boy  hasn't  got  any  relations  willing  to  support  him  he 
should  be  sent  to  the  poor-house,'' 

The  risitor  laughed  heartily,  much  to  Nathan  Middle- 
ton's  bewilderment. 

'*  I  don't  see  what  I  have  said  that  is  so  Teij  amne- 
ing."  he  said  stiffly. 

"You  talk  of  a  boy  worth  forty  thousand  doHara 
going  to  the  poor-house!" 

*•  What  I"  exclaimed  Xathan,  in  open-eyed  wonder. 

'*'  As  his  father  directs  that  his  gaardiazi  shall  reoeife 
ft  thousand  dollars  a  re^  tar  bk  caie,  most  poBOBS 
would  not  refuse  so  hastily." 

"  My  dear  sir  I"  said  Xathan  persuasively,  feeling  as  if 
be  had  suddenly  discoTered  a  gold  mine,  ''  is  this  reaOj 
true?" 

**  I  can  show  you  a  copy  of  the  will,  if  you  are  in 
doub**" 

"  I  beliere  you  implicitly,  my  dear  sir;  and  so  poor 
Stephen  is  dead^''  and  the  insurance  agent  toc^  oat  his 
kaiidkerchief  and  placed  it  before  his  eyes  to  ^vipe  sway 


«  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

the  imaginary  tears.  "  We  were  very  intimate  when  we 
were  boys — like  brothers,  in  fact.  Excuse  my  tears,  I 
shall  soon  recover  the  momentary  shock  of  your  sad 
announcement.'' 

*'  I  hope  so,"  said  the  visitor  dryly.  "  As  you  are  not 
willing  to  take  the  boy,  I  will  look  elsewhere. " 

*'  My  dear  sir,'*  hastily  exclaimed  Nathan,  alarmed  at 
the  prospect  of  losing  a  thousand  dollars  a  year,  ''you 
are  quite  mistaken.     I  have  not  refused." 

**  You  suggested  his  being  cared  for  by  some  relative." 

**It  was  a  misapprehension,  I  assure  you.  I  will 
gladly  receive  my  poor  friend's  son  into  my  happy  home 
circle.  I  will  be  his  second  father.  I  have  no  sons  of 
my  own.  I  will  lavish  upon  him  the  tenderness  of  a 
parent." 

The  visitor  laaghea  snortly. 

**  I  am  afraid  you  have  very  little  idea  of  what  Tom 
Temple  is." 

**  He  is  the  son  of  my  early  friend." 

*'  That  may  De,  but  %t)sx  don't  make  him  a  model,  or  a 
very  desirable  boaraer.^' 

''  Is  he  a  bad  boy.^" 

"  He  is  known  among  us  as  *  The  Bully  of  the  Vil- 
lage.' He  is  fond  oi  teasing  and  domineering  over  otner 
boys,  and  is  full  of  mischief.  He  is  sure  to  give  you 
trouble." 

"  I'd  rather  he  was  a  good  boy,"  thought  Nathan, ''  bui 
a  thousand  dollars  mil  make  up  for  a  good  deal  of 
trouble." 

**  Does  my  description  frighten  you?" said  the  visitor. 


NA  THAN  MIDDLE  TOK.  Q 

"No/*  said  Nathan.  "Ont  of  regard  for  the 
lamented  friend  of  my  early  days^  I  will  receive  this  mis- 
guided boy^  and  try  to  correct  his  faults  and  make  him 

steady  and  well-behaved.  ** 

"  YouTl  find  it  a  hard  job,  my  friend.  * 

"  I  shall  have  the  co-operation  of  Mrs.  MiddleUm,  aa 
admirable  lady,  whose  precepts  and  example  will  have  % 
most  salutary  effect  upon  my  young  charge.'* 

*'  Well,  I  hope  so,  for  your  sake.  When  shall  I  send 
Tom  to  your 

*' As  soon  as  you  like,*'  said  Nathan,  who  desired  that 
the  allowance  of  twenty  dollars  a  week  should  commentje 
at  once.     "  To  whom  am  I  to  send  my  bills?'* 

"  To  me.  I  am  a  lawyer,  and  the  executor  of  Mr. 
Temple's  will." 

•'  I  wonder  this  lawyer  didn't  try  to  secure  the  thons* 
and  dollars  a  year  for  himself,"  thought  Nathan,  and  he 
inwardly  rejoiced  that  he  had  not  done  so. 

"Am  I  expected  to  provide  the  boy's  clothes?"  he 
asked  anxiously,  the  thought  suddenly  occurring  to  hinu 
**  Is  that  to  come  out  of  the  thousand  dollars?" 

"  No;  not  at  all.  You  will  furnish  the  clothes,  how- 
ever, and  send  the  bills  to  me.    Here  is  my  card." 

"  I  believe  my  business  is  at  an  end,"  he  said  rising; 
*'  at  least  for  the  present.  The  boy  will  be  forwarded  at 
once.  He  will  probably  present  himself  to  yon  day  after 
to-morrow." 

The  card  which  he  placed  in  the  hand  of  Kathan  con« 
tained  the  name  of 


TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAMSEM. 


j  EPHBADI  SHARP,  \ 

I  AlT0B3rBT-AT-LAW, 


I 


CS27TSBTIIJJL 


**Vc;ry  well,  Mr.  Sharp.    We  will  be  ready  to  reodve 
him.     Good-moming,  sir,** 
*' Good-moming,  Mr.  Middleton.    I  hope  you  wiB 

not  repent  your  decision.'' 

"That  isn't  likely,''  said  Nathan  to  himself  gleefully, 
when  he  was  left  alone.  "  A  thousand  dollars  a  year, 
and  the  bo/s  board  won't  probably  cost  me  moiB*ft 
a  hundred.  We  don't  pamper  ourselves  with  luxuriona 
living.  It  is  wrong.  Besides,  it  is  wasteful.  I  must  go 
and  acquaint  Mrs.  Middleton  with  the  news." 

*'  Corinthia,  my  dear,  we  are  about  to  have  a  boarder,* 
he  said,  on  reaching  the  presence  of  his  fair  partner. 

Corinthia's  eyes  flashed,  not  altogether  amiably, 

"  Do  yon  mean  to  say,  Mr.  Middleton,  you  have  agreed 
to  take  a  boarder  without  consulting  me?" 

"  I  knew  you  would  consent,  my  dear." 

*'  How  did  you  know?" 

"  You  would  be  crazy  to  refuse  a  boarder  that  is  to  pay 
a  thousand  dollars  a  year." 

*' Whatr'  ejaculated  the  lady  incredulously. 

"Listen,  and  111  tell  you  all  about  it" 

He  told  the  story,  winding  up  with: 

" Now  wasn't  it  right  to  say  'yes?"' 

"  How  much  of  this  money  am  I  going  to  receive?" 
asked  his  wife  abruptly. 


JfA  THAfT  MIDDLE  TON,  H 

Mr.  Middleton  was  taken  aback. 

•*  What  do  jou  mean,  my  dear?** 

•*  What  I  say.  Do  yon  expect  ma  to  have  the  care  of 
a  boy — I  always  hated  boys — and  all  for  your  benefit?" 

*^  We  two  are  one,  my  dear.*' 

**Not  in  money  matters.  I  repeat  H,  I  won*t  take 
him  unless  yon  give  me  three  hnndred  dollars  of  the 
money  eyery  year  for  my  own  nse.** 

Mr.  Middleton  didn't  like  it,  bnt  he  was  finally  com- 
pelled to  give  in.  After  all,  it  wonld  leave  him  seven 
hundred^  and  at  least  five  hundred  would  be  clear  profit. 


OHAPTEB  TL 

nrrB0DUcz3  tom  tekplb. 

HE  STAGE  stopped  in  front  of  the  Plymptou 
Hotel  two  days  afterward.  There  were  several 
^  inside  passengers,  but  with  these  we  have 
nothing  to  do.  Beside  the  driver  sat  a  stout  boy,  with 
a  keen,  expressive  face,  who  looked  full  of  life  and 
activity. 

'*  Here  you  are,**  said  the  driver,  with  a  final  flourish 
of  the  whip. 

"I  see  that,  old  chap,*' said  the  boy;  "but  I  don't 
stop  here.  ^ 

**  Where  are  you  goin'  to  put  up?" 

"  The  man's  name  is  Middleton.  He  is  to  have  the 
honor  of  feeding  and  lodging  me  for  the  present.** 

**I  suppose  you  mean  Xathan  Middleton.  I  don't 
envy  you.     He  keeps  the  meanest  table  in  town.-" 

"  Does  he?  Then  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  reform  his 
table/' 

**  I  don't  believe  you  can  do  it.  There's  only  one  per- 
•on  in  town  meaner  than  old  Middleton,  and  thaf  s  his 
wife.     What  makes  you  board  with  them?" 

'*  Can't  help  it.  He  went  to  school  with  my  father, 
and  he  left  orders  in  his  will  that  I  should  be  taken  care 
of  by  Middleton.     «  Youll  take  me  up  there?" 

"  Yes;  youll  have  to  wait  till  I  land  the  mail  and  dis- 
charge cargo.'* 


INTRODUCES  TOM  TEMPLE.  15 

-AU  right'' 

A  few  minntes  later  Tom  Temple  was  deposited  at  tlie 
gate  of  liis  future  guardian.  Xathan  Middleton  hastened 
to  welcome  him  with  the  consideration  due  to  so  wealthy 
a  boarder. 

*' My  dear  young  friend/*  he  begun  erpansively,  "I 
am  indeed  glad  to  welcome  the  son  of  my  old  fiiend  to 
my  humble  home." 

If  Mr.  Middleton  expected  Tom  to  reply  in  a  similar 
manner,  he  soon  realized  his  mistake.  Our  hero  was  not 
one  of  the  gushing  kind. 

"All  right, '^  he  answered  coolly.  '* "Will  you  help  me 
in  with  my  trunk?" 

Mr.  Middleton  mechanically  obeyed,  not  seeing  his 
way  clear  to  any  more  sentiment. 

Mrs.  Middleton  appeared  in  the  front  entry  as  the 
trunk  was  set  down. 

"  Corinthia,  my  dear,  this  is  the  son  of  my  deceased 
friend,  Stephen  Temple." 

Mrs.  Middleton's  thin  figure  was  clad  in  a  thin,  slazj 
silk  of  very  scant  pattern,  and  her  pinched  features  wore 
an  artificial  smile. 

'*  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Temple?"  she  sai«i. 

'*I'm  well,  but  hungry,"  responded  Tom  readily. 

"Is  tea  nearly  ready,  Corinthia?'"  asked  her  husband. 

"It  will  be  ready  in  fiiteen  minutes,  K  you  will 
show  Mr.  Temple  to  his  room,  he  won't  hare  long  to 
wait." 

The  two  together  carried  up  Tom's  trunk,  and  de- 
posited it  in  a  scantily  furnished  chamber,  which  it  was 
announced  he  was  to  occupy. 


14  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"I  hope,  my  young  friend,  you  will  like  your  apart* 
ment,"  said  Nathan. 

Tom  looked  about  him  critically. 

*'I  don't  see  any  rocking-chair/*  he  said. 

"  I  was  not  aware  that  rocking-chairs  were  considered 
necessary  in  a  sleeping  apartment/'  said  Nathan,  who 
did  not  fancy  buying  any  extra  furniture. 

'^  I  study  in  my  room/'  said  Tom,  "and  I  need  a 
rocking-chair  to  support  my  spine." 

"  I  hope  your  spine  is  not  affected,"  said  Mr.  Middle- 
ton,  rather  astonished. 

*'  It's  very  weak,"  said  Tom  gravely. 

''You  don't  look  it,"  said  Nathan,  surveying  the 
strong  form  of  his  young  friend. 

"Appearances  are  deceitful,"  said  Tom  sententiously. 

"  I  will  procure  you  a  rocking-chair,"  said  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton,  sighing  at  the  thought  of  the  extra  expense.  "I 
will  now  leave  you  to  any  little  preparations  you  may  de- 
sire to  make.     I  will  call  you  when  supper  is  ready." 

So  Tom  was  left  alone. 

Our  hero  sat  down  on  the  bed  and  reflected. 

"  I  don't  fancy  the  old  man's  looks,"  he  thought. 
*'He  looks  niean,  and  so  does  his  wife.  I  have  an  idea 
they'll  try  to  starve  me,  but  if  they  do  I'll  make  it  lively 
for  them,  or  my  name  isn't  Tom  Temple.  I  know,  from 
what  Sharp  told  me,  that  they  are  going  to  get  a  steep 
price  for  my  board,  and  I  don't  want  them  to  make  too 
much  out  of  me.  This  bed  is  as  hard  as  a  brick.  No 
wonder — it's  filled  with  straw.  I  suppose  mattresses 
come  too  high.     I  see  I  shall  have  to  give  some  lessons 


INTRODUCES  TOM  TEMPLE,  15 

to  my  worthy  friends  on  the  subject  of  keeping  house. 
IVe  got  plenty  of  money,  and  I  don't  see  why  I  shouldn't 
go  in  for  comfort.  I  could  stand  hard  fare  if  there  was 
any  need  of  it,  but  there  isn't." 

Soon  the  feet  of  Mr.  Middleton  were  heard  on  the 
stairs. 

**  My  young  friend,**  he  said,  as  Tom  opened  the  door 
at  his  gentle  tap,  *' supper  is  ready." 

"  My  old  friend,"  said  Tom  promptly,  "  I  am  ready, 
too." 

**  What  a  very  extraordinary  boy!'*  thought  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton. **  Why  should  he  call  me  old?  I  am  older  than 
he,  to  be  sure,  but  I  am  not  aged." 

He  led  the  way  into  the  dining-room.  Mrs.  Middleton 
was  already  seated  at  the  table.  It  did  not  look  particu- 
larly inviting.  There  was  a  plate  of  bread,  cut  in  thin 
slices,  a  very  small  plate  of  butter,  a  plate  of  con- 
sumptive looking  gingerbread  and  half  a  dozen  slices  of 
meat  aboux  the  thickness  of  a  wafer. 

*'Not  much  chance  of  overeating  myself  here,** 
thought  Tom.     "  This  won't  do  at  all." 

"Will  you  be  seated,  Mr.  Temple,**  said  the  lady. 
"Shall  I  give  you  some  tea?** 

''Yes,  ma'am.** 

Corinthia  poured  out  a  cup  of  colored  liquid,  into 
which  she  poured  about  half  a  teaspoonful  of  milk  aud 
an  extremely  small  portion  of  sugar. 

**  Excuse  me,  ma'am,"  said  Tom,  **  but  I  am  not  afraid 
of  milk  or  sugar.** 

'•'  Eeally!'*  said  the  lady,  not  quite  comprehending. 


16  ty)^  TEMPLE'S  CAkEEk. 

*'ni  put  in  the  sugar  and  milk  myself/'  said  Tom, 
and  he  deliberately  poured  out  a  part  of  his  tea  into  the 
saucer,  filling  up  with  milk,  and  deposited  two  full 
spoonfuls  of  sugar  in  the  same. 

This  was  wasteful  extravagance  in  the  eves  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Middleton. 

**  I  never  knew  any  one  use  so  much  sugar  and  milk, 
Mr.  Temple/'  she  said  with  asperity. 

'*You  haven't  any  objection,  have  you?*' he  asked 
coolly. 

''Oh,  of  course  not,"  she  answered  bridling;  ''but  it 
seems  so  singular." 

**  Does  it?    That's  just  what  I  thought  of  your  way." 

"Shall  I  help  you  to  a  slice  of  meat,  Mr.  Temple?" 
asked  Nathan. 

"  You'd  better  give  me  two  or  three;  they  seem  to  be 
very  small,"  said  Tom. 

Mrs.  Middleton  looked  far  from  amiable  as  she  heard 
this  remark.  Her  husband  contented  himself  with  put- 
ting two  of  the  wafers  on  his  young  friend's  plate. 

"We  don't  always  have  meat  at  supper,"  said  his 
wife,  fearing  that  Tom  would  expect  it  as  a  general 
thing,  "but  we  suppose i  your  journey  might  make  you 
hungry." 

"  So  it  has.  Mr.  Middleton  will  you  help  me  to  more 
meat?"  said  Tom,  who  had  already  disposed  of  the  two 
wafers. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  exchanged  glances  of  dismay. 

"  [  think  you'll  have  to  send  for  more,"  said  Tom 
coolly.  "  I'm  delicate,  and  the  doctor  says  1  must  eat 
plenty  of  meat." 


INTRODUCES  TOM  TEMPLE,  17 

^*  My  doctor  tells  me  meat  is  injurious  at  supper,^' said 
Mrs.  Middleton,  with  emphasis. 

"Tell  him  he  doesn^t  know  much.  Another  piece  of 
butter,  Mr.  Middleton,  if  you  please?  It  would  kill  me 
to  go  without  meat.^' 

"You  don't  look  delicate.'' 

"  I  am,  though.  I  tried  doing  without  meat  at  sup- 
per for  a  week,  and  what  do  you  think  happened?" 

Mr.  Middleton  looked  curious. 

"  I  got  up  in  the  night — fast  asleep,  you  know — and 
set  the  bed-clothes  on  fire.  Came  near  burning  up  the 
house.     All  on  account  of  not  eating  meat." 

"Bless  my  soul!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Middleton  alarmed. 
"  Do  you  walk  in  your  sleep,  Mr.  Temple?" 

^'  Not  when  I've  had  a  hearty  supper,  ma'am." 

"  I  think,  Corinthia,  you'd  better  get  some  meat,*' 
said  her  husband,  who  looked  anxious. 

"  Warm  meat — ^beefsteak,  for  instance — ^is  better  than 
cold  to  make  me  sleep,"  said  Tom.  "  By  the  way,  Mrs. 
Middleton,  the  butter  is  out,  and  so  is  the  bread." 

"  I  never  saw  so  voracious  a  boy,"  said  the  lady  to  her- 
self.    "  He  really  has  an  ungovernable  appetite." 

But  she  got  the  bread  and  the  butter.  Tom  generally 
managed  to  have  his  way. 

In  justice  to  him  I  must  say  that  he  had  no  more 
appetite  than  is  usual  to  a  hearty,  growing  boy,  but  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Middleton  stinted  themselves  out  of  regard  to 
economy^  and  to  them  he  seemed  to  eat  enough  for  sis. 


CHAPTEB  nL 

T03£^S  FIEST   BATTLBr 

FTER  supper  Tom  took  a  walk.     He  wanted 
something  about  his  future  home, 
I1.US  Lir  his  impressions  had  not  been  alto- 
gether agreeable. 

"  If  the  Middleton's  are  a  fair  specimen  of  the  people 
of  Plvmpton,  it's  a  good  place  to  emigrate  from/'  he 
thought.  ''  However,  111  stav  a  while  and  see  what  ttims 
up.- 

Plympton  was  a  village  of  moderate  size.    It  probably 
eonrained  about  fifteen  htindred  inhabitants,  beside  the 
occupants  of  outlving  farms,  for  the  town  was  largely 
agriculturaL     Those  who  met  our  hero  surveyed  him 
with  attention,  for  in  a  small  country  town  all  are  ac- 
quainted, and  a  stranger  is  at  once  recognized  aa  such. 
One  old  lady,  Mjs.  Prudence  Peabody,  was  not  content 
with  staring  at  our  hero.     She  stopped  short  and  ad- 
dressed him. 
"  Do  you  live  in  Plympton,  young  man?** 
"  Yes,  ma'am,"  said  Tom,     *'  Do  you?* 
"  Tve  lived  here  ever  since  I  was  a  gaL** 
"Have  you?"'  asked  Tom  innocently.     "That  muiit 
be  a  long  time." 

"I  ain't  so  old  as  I  might  be,"  said  the  old  lady 
sharply.  "Where  do  you  live?  I  never  see  you 
afore." 


TOM'S  FIRST  BA  TTLE.  19 

*'  If  8  a  remarkable  coincidence  that  /  neyer  aet  eyes 
ya  you  before/' 

**  Who  be  Tou  a  liying  with?'*' 

'^  Mr.  Middleton.     Shall  be  happy  to  receiTe  a  caTL** 

The  old  lady  looked  sharply  at  our  hero,  but  his  man- 
ner was  so  cool  and  matter-of-fact  that  it  was  impossible 
to  tell  whether  he  intended  to  be  polite  or  was  merely 
chaffing  her. 

'*  What's  your  name^*'  asked  the  old  lady. 

"Thomas  Washington,**  said  our  hero.  '* Sorry  I 
haven't  a  card." 

**  You  ain't  related  to  Gineral  Washington,  be  you^'' 

'*I'm  his  first  cousin's  grandson,"  mswercd  Tom, 
who,  at  any  rate,  did  not  posess  the  traditianal  lore  of 
truth  which  we  usually  associate  with  the  name  which 
he  had  so  unjustifiably  assumed. 

"I  declare  I  Who'd  hare  thought  it?"  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Peabody.     "  Be  you  related  to  the  Middletons?" 

*'  I  don't  think  I  am,"  said  Tom  hastily,  for  he  could 
not  tolerate  such  an  idea  even  in  joke, 

"  Be  you  goin'  to  stay  long?"  asked  the  persevering 
questioner. 

**  That  depends  upon  my  spine,"  said  Tom  gravely. 

**  You  don't  mean  to  say  you've  got  the  spine  com- 
plaint?" 

"Yes,  I  do." 

"  Did  you  ever  try  poultices?" 

**  Lots  of  'em,  but  I  had  to  give  'em  up.* 

"Why?" 

"  They  made  me  crazy.* 


20  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  You  don't  say!'*  ejaculated  the  old  lady,  sheering 
off  in  some  alarm. 

''You  needn't  be  afraid/'  said  Tom  gravely.  "I 
haven't  had  an  attack  for  a  week." 

This  only  alarmed  Mrs.  Peabody  the  more,  and  with 
a  hasty  good-night  she  hurried  on  her  way,  considerably 
bewildered  by  her  interview. 

''  She's  a  prying  old  lady,  and  deserves  to  be  mysti- 
fied," said  Tom  to  himself.  "  I'll  bet  a  hat  she'll  come 
round  to  old  Middleton's  to-morrow  to  find  out  all  about 
me.  Halloo!  there  are  two  chaps  playing  ball.  I  guess 
111  join  in." 

The  boys  were  James  Davenport  and  his  cousin,  Ed- 
win Barker,  and  they  were  playing  in  a  field  belonging 
to  Lawyer  Davenport,  the  father  of  the  former.  The 
boys  were  about  Tom's  age,  and  belonged  to  the  upper 
crust  of  Plympton  society.  They  regarded  themselves 
as  socially  superior  to  the  other  village  boys,  and  had  a 
habit  of  playing  together,  and  so  avoiding  the  possible 
contamination  of  association  with  the  village  plebeians. 
Of  course  Tom  didn't  know  this,  and  if  he  had  it  would 
have  made  very  little  difference  to  him.  He  jumped 
over  the  wall  which  separated  the  road  from  the  field, 
and  called  out  in  an  easy  way  . 

''Halloo,  boys,  just  pitch  the  ball  this  way,  will 
you?" 

"  Who  are  you?"  demanded  James  Davenport  haugh- 
tily. 

"I  haven't  got  my  visiting-cards  with  me,  but  I  can 
handle  a  ball,  name  or  no  name." 


'*  This  field  is  private  property/'  said  James  loftily. 

'*  Yes,  private  property,"  chimed  in  his  cousin. 

"  So  I  supposed,"  answered  Tom  coolly,  ''most  fields 
are." 

**  And  you  are  trespassing." 

"  Am  I?  There  isn't  anything  to  hurt  If  I  do  an; 
damage,  bring  in  your  bill." 

''We  are  playing  by  ourselves.  We  don't  wish  any 
company." 

"  Well,  I  do.  I  feel  just  like  having  a  game  at  balL 
Just  pitch  it  over." 

"  I  won't  do  it,"  said  James.     '*  Edwin,  catch  it." 

So  saying,  he  pitched  the  ball  to  his  cousin,  but  Tom 
intercepted  it  before  it  reached  the  hands  for  which  it 
was  designed. 

"Let  go  that  ball!"  exclaimed  James  angrily. 

"Red  dead -ball,  isn't  it?"  said  Tom,  at  the  same 
time  tossing  it  up  and  down.     "  Where'd  you  get  it?" 

"I'll  let  you  know,"  said  James  menacingly.  "  What 
business  have  you  got  with  my  ball  ?" 

"  111  toss  it  to  you  if  you'll  toss  it  back  again,"  said 
Tom.     "  We'll  have  a  social  game  of  three." 

"  No,  we  won't.  Clear  out  of  this  field,  you  vaga- 
bond!" 

"You're  very  polite,  but  you  haven't  got  my  name 
right,  you  loafer,"  said  Tom  coolly. 

"Loafer!"  ejaculated  James,  with  insulted  dignity. 

"  Yes,  you're  just  as  much  of  a  loafer  as  I  am  a  vaga- 
bond. Good  ball  this!"  and  he  kept  tossing  it  up  and 
down. 


22  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

*'Help  me,  Edwin,  and  111  take  it  from  him,"  said 
James  Davenport,  in  a  rage.  '*'  Well  teach  the  rascal  a 
lesion  *' 

*'  Will  YOU?-"  said  Tom.     *•'  Catch  me  first/' 

He  run  across  the  field,  tossing  the  ball  from  time  to 
time,  the  two  boys  pursuing  him.  He  eluded  their  pur- 
suit for  a  time,  till  finding  himself  cornered  he  gathered 
his  strength  and  sent  the  ^1  whirling  into  a  neighbor- 
ing corn-field,  where  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  find  it. 

'•  What  did  you  do  that  for?*'  shouted  James  furi- 
ously. 

**For  fun,^  said  Tom.  *'You  wouldn't  play  with 
me,  60  you  must  take  the  consequences." 

"  111  give  you  a  beating.'' 

"  Will  you?    Come  on,  then." 

In  an  instant  Tom  had  flung  off  his  coat  and  stood  in 
his  shirt' sleeves,  facing  his  two  foes. 

''  Stand  by  me,  Edwin — we'll  rush  on  him  together," 
said  James. 

But  Tom,  stepping  to  one  side,  received  James  singly, 
and  flinging  him  on  his  back,  made  a  dash  at  Edwin 
and  served  him  in  the  same  way. 

"That's  the  first  round,"  said  he,  squaring  off. 
**  Xow  get  up,  you  loafer,  and  well  try  it  again." 

But  James  had  been  laid  flat  with  so  much  force  that 
it  jarred  his  frame,  and  he  didn't  like  it.  The  stranger 
was  altogether  too  strong  to  make  it  pleasant. 

*'  Why  didn't  you  help  me?"  he  asked,  turning  to  Ed- 
win. 

**  He  had  you  down  before  I  got  a  chance,"  said  his 
cousin. 


TOM'S  FIRST  BATTLE.  23 

"  You're  a  brute  and  a  bully  I^  he  said  angrily. 

'•Anything  more?*'  asked  Tom  coolly.  "Go  ahead 
if  it  does  you  good.  You  ought  to  know  what  a 
bully  is,^ 

"Why?" 

*•'  Because  youM  be  one  if  you  had  a  little  more  cour- 
age." 

James  couldn't  stand  this.  He  made  another  dash  at 
our  hero,  hoping  to  take  him  off  his  guard,  but  Tom 
had  a  quick  eye  and  saw  what  was  coming.  He  receiyed 
James  and  again  laid  him  flat. 

'•  Xow  Fm  ready  for  you,**  he  said,  turning  to  Edwin. 

But  the  latter  did  not  seem  inclined  to  accept  the  in- 
yitation. 

"  James,,  let  us  go.  Don't  let  us  hare  anything  to  do 
with  him,"  said  he. 

James  by  this  time  was  picking  him.ylf  up  sil^uly, 
and  seemed  inclined  to  follow  the  adyice. 

*•'  111  make  you  suffer  for  this  I'*  he  said,  q^kin^  his 
fist.     **  My  fathers  a  lawyer." 

''Is  he?    I  pity  him." 

"What  for?" 

**  For  haying  such  a  son.** 

"  I  ain't  a  thief!" 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  that^'*  demanded  Tom,  hk 
face  darkening. 

*•  YouVe  stolen  my  ball  and  thrown  it  away." 

"  I  didn't  steal  it.  I  took  it  because  you  were  too 
boorish  to  let  me  play  with  you.** 

•'  You've  lo6t  it  for  me.* 


24  TOM  TEMiFLE'S  CA£FK£, 


HjnoBi^fiid  ]i,rn  pi^joiifarit.  My  lune 
hBfle.  I  bond  widi  Ksdiaii  IfiddletoB.  Yom. 
csiKiidjon-Uiaaeif  joa]ik&  :5rofv  HI  wish  jon 
gnnd-w^gfct  mn^  better  r:^2zizier5, " 

Tom  YiBnesT  -^r  ^ill  i:  :-t    :  .it      He  TBoIted  Ofer 
md  wlked  :  ~        -£  1j^*  ^riy,  half 


CHAPTEE  IT. 


'H 


^~  .  Ji^i. 

■   '           ^^ 

:,      ¥r 

»dMza. 

"V^BflClB.  96 

-    ^ 

Mr. 


26  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

ton's  first  cousin/'   said  Tom,  "  and  the  old  fright  he^ 
lieyed  it." 

'^  I  fear,  my  young  friend,  that  you  are  not  suffi- 
ciently regardful  of  the  truth,"  expostulated  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton,"  with  mild  censure. 

"Oh,  I  was  only  chaffing.  If  she  believes  it,  it  won't 
do  her  any  harm." 

**  I  had  a  fight  besides,"  continued  Tom. 

"A  fight!  Not  with  Miss  Peabody?"  asked  Mrs. 
Middleton,  horror-stricken. 

"  Not  much.  I  don't  fight  with  women,"  said  Tom. 
*'  It  was  with  two  boys.  One  said  his  father  was  a  law- 
yer." 

"  It  must  be  James  Davenport,"  said  Nathan,  dis- 
turbed.    "  How  came  you  to  fight  with  him?  " 

"  He  and  another  fellow  were  pitching  ball,  and 
wouldn't  let  me  into  the  game,  so  I  grabbed  the  ball, 
and  they  went  for  me." 

"  Were  you  much  hurt?  " 

*• '  I  wasn't  the  one  that  was  hurt,"  said  Tom  signifi- 
cantly. "  I  laid  them  both  flat  and  threw  the  ball  into 
a  corn-field." 

'*  Eeally,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  who  stood  in  con- 
siderable awe  of  the  lawyer's  family,  *'  that  was  very 
unprincipled." 

"  I  regret  exceedingly,  my  young  friend,"  said  Na-  i 
than  gravely,  "  that  you  should  have  commited  an  un- 
provoked assault  upon  the  son  and  nephew  of  one  of 
our  first  citizens." 

"  It  was  their  fault,"  said  Tom  coolly.  *'  Why  were 
they  so  boorish  as  to  decline  playing  with  me?  " 


A  TROUBLESOME  BOARDER.  27 

**They  didn't  know  you." 

•*They  know  me  now,**  said  Tom  significantly. 

** Was  the  ball  lost?*'  asked  Mr.  Middleton,  disturbed. 

"Very  likely.  It  wouldn't  be  easy  to  find  it  in  a 
aom-field.'* 

"  Then  you  are  responsible  for  the  loss.*' 

"  Oh,  I  am  willing  to  pay  for  it.  I  told  them  so.  If 
the  old  man '* 

"Theoldmanr 

"  Yes,  the  lawyer — ^if  he  sends  you  a  note  about  it, 
just  pay  it  to  him  and  charge  to  me.*' 

"  How  can  I  be  sure  that  I  shall  be  repaid?"  inquired 
Nathan  cautiously. 

'*0h.  111  see  you  paid.  Fve  got  twenty-five  dollars 
in  my  pocket-book.'* 

Nathan  was  relieved.  He  had  no  fancy  for  running 
any  pecuniary  risk, 

*'  Still/*  he  said,  '*  I  regret  this  occurrence.*' 

**  You  must  be  very  quarrelsome,**  said  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton,  who  didn't  like  Tom,  and  would  have  showed  it 
much  more  plainly  if  he  had  been  a  poor  boy. 

**  I  suppose  I  am,'*  said  Tom  frankly.  '*  They  used 
to  call  me  the  bully  of  the  village,  but  I  never  tyrannized 
over  weak  boys.  It's  only  the  upstarts  and  pretenders 
that  I  interfere  with.  Those  boys  I  saw  to-night  need 
a  few  lessons  in  good  manners.'* 

"  My  young  friend,  I  fear  you  quite  mistake  their 
character.  They  stand  high  socially — very  high — indeed 
I  may  say  they  belong  to  one  of  the  first  families,  if  not 
our  very  first.  I  had  hoped  you  would  find  them  con- 
genial companions." 


28  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

**  I  am  afraid  you'll  be  disappointed/'  said  Tom. 
**  They  seem  to  me  like  snobs." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  exchanged  looks  of  discom- 
posure. They  feared  that  Tom  would  get  them  on  bad 
terms  with  the  lawyer's  family,  whom,  like  true  syco^ 
phants,  they  were  disposed  to  fawn  upon. 

''  We  will  talk  of  this  another  time,"  said  Nathan. 
"  Whenever  you  are  tired  you  are  at  liberty  to  retire. 
Is  there  anything  you  would  like  first?  " 

'*  Yes,"  said  Tom  unexpectedly.  '^  I  should  like 
something  to  eat. " 

"  We  have  had  supper,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  in  a 
pointed  manner. 

*'  I  know  it,  but  I  have  been  walking,  and  am  hun- 

'*  It  is  very  injurious  to  the  health  to  eat  just  before 
going  to  sleep,"  said  Nathan,  reinforcing  his  wife. 

''  I'll  take  the  risk,"  said  Tom  coolly.  "  If  I  get 
sick  no  one  will  suffer  but  myself." 

''  Corinthia,  is  there  anything  in  the  pantry?"  asked 
Nathan  deprecatingly,  for  he  saw  a  frown  on  the  face 
of  his  spouse. 

*'  I  suppose  so,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton  shortly.  "  Per- 
haps you  are  hungry,  too,"  she  added  sarcastically. 

''  Oh,  dear,  no! "  said  Nathan  hastily,  *'  not  after 
our  hearty  supper." 

''Does  he  call  the  supper  hearty?"  thought  Tom. 
'Til  bet  the  old  woman  won't  let  him  have  what  he 
wants  to  eat." 

Here  Tom  was  mistaken,  for  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton 
were  quite  agreed  in  their  notions  of  economy. 


A  TROUBLESOME  BOARDER,  29 

Very  much  against  her  will  Mrs.  Middleton  produced 
some  bread  and  butter,  and  on  Tom's  specially  calling 
for  it,  some  meat.  Her  thin  lips  were  compressed  with 
displeasure,  and  she  very  evidently  thought  our  hero  a 
glutton.  If  she  expected  her  displeasure  would  pro- 
duce the  least  effect  on  Tom,  she  was  mistaken.  He  ate 
heartily — in  fact,  he  ate  all  that  was  set  before  him. 

"Have  you  had  enough?"  asked  Mrs,  Middleton 
sharply. 

"It  will  do,''  said  Tom  coolly. 

*'  I  am  glad  of  it,'*  she  retorted. 

"Pleasant  female  thatr  thought  Tom.  "She  isn't 
used  to  me  yet.  She'll  find  it  harder  to  starve  me  than 
she  thinks." 

"Now,  I  think  111  go  to  bed,"  said  Tom.  "Oh, 
there's  one  thing  I  forgot  to  mention;  I  noticed  there 
was  a  straw-bed  in  my  room." 

"  Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton.    "  Doesn't  it  suit  you?" 

"No,  I  am  used  to  a  mattress." 

"Mr.  Middleton  and  I  sleep  on  a  straw-bed." 

"  It's  all  right  if  you  like  it,  but  I  don't  like  it** 

*'  Really,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  who  could  not  con- 
trol herself  at  the  bidding  of  policy  as  well  as  her  hus- 
band, '*if  you  are  an  inmate  of  our  family,  I  think  you 
will  have  to  conform  to  our  regulations." 

"  Then,"  said  Tom,  "  I  think  I  had  better  not  trouble 
you  any  longer.  I  can  easily  find  another  boarding- 
place." 

But  this  did  not  suit  Mr.  Middleton.  He  could  not 
bear  the  idea  of  giving  up  twenty  dollars  a  week,  and 


30  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 


altlioi^  it  voald  tsort  waoej  to  buy  a  luaiUmii,  accord* 
ing  to  Tom's  imiifiMiiiMihip  desney  and  make  more  liberal 
anangementB  fn*  the  iMe,  all  tiiat  eoold  be  done^  ^id 
itill  a  eonodeiaUe  margm  be  left  for  piv^t. 

''Mjjooiig£riQid,''beaid,^MEBL  Mlddleton  and  I 
vin  talk  ofer  the  matter  and  see  vbat  we  eaa  do.  Of 
eomse  oax  first  desbe  is  to  make  joa  as  coniftrtobiB  as 


"I  am  g^ad  to  bear  it,^  said  Tom,  ^th  the  air  of  one 
idfto  heard  sfMnething  imeqieeted. 

**1  bope  joa.  will  bare  no  canae  to  doubt  it,"  Nathan 
eontnmed.     '*  &<jod-nig^t,  and  pleasant  dreams, ' ' 

'* Good-night;,"  said  T<mi.  "Please  thnrnp  on  my 
door  in  tke  mondng,  wbssn  breakfast  is  ready." 

**He*s  a  perfect  pig,**  exclaimed  Mrs.  Middleton, 
wben  our  ben>  bad  left  the  room.  *'  I  neyer  in  all  my 
bom  dajB  saw  a  boy  eat  so  mnch." 

'*  He  certainly  bas  a  good  appetite,"  said  Katban. 

"  Hell  eat  ns  oat  of  boose  and  brane,^  said  the  lady 
indignantly. 

''But  yoa  must  remember,  my  dear,  how  well  we  are 
pad.  Ton  get  six  doIlarB  a  week  dear  prof  t,  wkQe 
out  of  my  foorfce^i  I  baye  to  pay  the  large  expen=e  of 
bisbooid.'' 

''  Tme,"  said  Mrs.  IGddleton,  more  calmly,  '*  viewed 
in  that  lig^  it  is  wdl  to  keep  bim.  Bat  I  ask  yoa, 
Mr.  Middleton,  is  it  ^dl  to  yidd  to  all  his  unreasonable 

**  Wby,  mj  dear,  we  mnst  try  to  keep  him  contented 
or  be  win  go  away." 


A  TROUBLESOJiE  BOAMDEIL  31 

^I  hj;te  him!''    erdaimwl   Mis.    MiifcnitoB,  wiA 

:    >-  his,' aid  Katibn,  *<  Imt  I  like 
rire  for  Iubl'' 

fora hon;  TiMi iMi^ tihe 
Tbej  were  abcmfc  to 

:  1     -  :f  noises  of  s   st^ 


_iT  be  crazT. 
zi's  room- 


CHAPTER  V. 

A   WAKLTTTE   VISIT. 

HEX  Tom  deposited  himself  in  bed,  he  found 
the  straw-bed  even  more  uncomfortable  than 
H  he  anticipated.  The  straw  crackled  beneath 
him  at  everv  moYement,  and  was  far  from  affording  that 
ease  which  onr  hero  coveted. 

*'  I  might  as  well  sleep  on  a  bed  of  thorns  or  briers,** 
lie  said  to  himself.  "  Ifs  cheap,  and  that  is  the  only 
recommendation  it  has,  but  I  can't  stand  it,  and  I  don't 
mean  to." 

At  first  Tom  intended  to  make  no  disturbance  till  the 
next  day,  but  Mrs.  Middleton's  eyident  unwillingness  to 
provide  anything  better  decided  him  to  take  action  im- 
mediately. 

"  What  shaU  I  do?''  he  thought 

A  bright  idea  came  to  him. 

In  his  trunk  were  two  boxes  of  torpedoes  which  he 
had  saved  over  from  the  last  Fourth  ol  July.  These  he 
took,  two  or  three  at  a  time,  and  struck  against  the  un- 
carpeted  floor,  producing  the  series  of  noises  which 
startled  his  guardians. 

'^  I  guess  that'll  bring  'em  up,"  thought  Tom. 

In  anticipation  of  a  visit  he  had  slipped  on  his  pants. 

Presently  he  heard  a  tapping  at  the  door,  but  at  first 
he  took  no  notice  of  it,  but  kept  on  firing  the  torpedoes. 


A   WARLIKE  VISITOR.  9 

"Can't  Tcra  knock  louder,  Mr.  Middletonr  oii  Ui 
wifo  iiinHlhiniilj^  and  she  herself  rigGro^j  poonded 
tliedooE. 

''  I  gness  rn  kt  'em  in,^  said  Tom  to  loHBiL 

"  What's  the  matto*?    Is  h  lauMM^r'hgatod^wift 

the  air  of  one  who  had  just  waked  opu 

"Wfaai  Bik^i^  tte  jnt  iqp  teT  df  radffi  Mis. 
Middleton  atemtf, 

**  I,  up  to  mischief?"  said  Tom,  widi  an  air  of  bewH- 


''Tes;  wliat  are  voa  makray  Ois 

f«r 

T(Mn  passed  hitkMid  €ffcrMigyBiaaif  to  reedH  hiBi- 

^a  nmfc  ]»i«  Vea  feii^ «Hpeds0^,*kB and,  Ic:  iii:!^ 
at  the  box  in  his  hand. 

"^TwpedoeB^   n^BedT  eiriaiiwil   Mia. 
sniffiB^  iwd^TMnflr.     ^J^  ] 
conduct  at  this  time  of  night, 

"  I  told  Ton  that  I  got  np  in  my 
said  ToiB. 

Mrs.  m^ileton  eTideii^  Ikw^lil  this  ''too  thin,* 
and  looked  her  iiierediility. 

''  What  eomfal  hare  made  joa  get  wfST  aaked  ker  kai- 
band. 

'<!  know  what  it  was,"*  sad  Mis.  MiiMflnftM     "^ 
vaieatiiiskteafcHcH.    IkawrkTOMMligiBe  wit^ 


S4  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREEM, 

*'  Ko  donbt  you  are  right,  mj  dear,**  chimed  in  bfir 

hnsband- 

"  It  wasn't  that,**  said  Tom  bluntly.  "  Eating  never 
disgrees  with  me.     It  was  the  gtraw-bed." 

"Thegtraw-bed!"' 

**  Yes,  it's  a=  hard  as  a  brick-bat  It  doesnt  agree 
with  mj  spine.*' 

'*  Mr.  iliddleton  and  I  sleep  on  a  straw-bed,'*  said  the 
ladv. 

"  Perhaps  you  have  a  feather-bed,  too,*  suggested  our 
hero. 

As  this  happened  to  be  true,  the  lady  did  not  see  fit 
to  reply  directly. 

"I  don't  believe  the  bed  had  anything  to  do  with  it,* 
she  said  snappishly,  "  and,  moreover,  I  don't  want  any 
torpedoes  in  the  hotise." 

"  My  dear,"  said  her  husband  soothingly,  *'  I  am  sure 
our  young  friend  will  not  care  to  keep  them.  Doubt- 
less it  is  a  mere  accident  that  he  happened  to  have 
them." 

If  3  lucky  they  were  not  fire-crackers,"  said  Tonu 

It  might  have  set  the  bed  on  fire," 

"  Something  must  be  done,"  said  Nathan,  in  alarm. 
"  My  dear,  isn't  there  a  feather-bed  or  a  mattress  in  the 
house?" 

**  There  is  a  mattress  in  the  spare  chamber,"  said  the 
lady  reluctlantly. 

"Then,  by  all  means,  let  us  give  it  to  our  young 
friend,  that  he  may  have  a  comfortable  night's  rest." 

"  That's  ju^  the  thing," said  Tom  briskly.  "Ill  help 
you  bring  it  in.** 


it 

€t 


A   WARLIKE  VISITOR.  35 

Mrs.  Middleton  would  like  to  have  objected,  bnt  there 
seemed  to  be  no  other  way  of  secnriiig  qniet,  and  she 
tacitly  consented.  That  is,  she  held  her  peace  while  her 
hnsband  and  Tom  went  to  the  spare  chamber  and  trans- 
ferred the  cherished  mattress  to  the  chamber  of  th« 
latter.'* 

'*  There,**  said  she,  "  I  hope  yon  are  satisfied  now.* 

** Thank  yon,**  said  Tom  politely.  "It  is  a  decided 
improvement.     I  shall  sleep  like  a  top  now." 

"  Grood-night,"  said  Xathan,,  and  Tom  responded, 
"Good-night'* 

"  I'd  like  to  see  that  boy  flogged, **  said  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton,  addressing  her  hnsband  later  in  the  privacy  of  their 
own  apartment.  "  He's  the  most  impndent  yonng  ruf- 
fian I  ever  saw.  He's  tnmed  the  honse  upside  down 
abeady." 

"Think  of  the  pay,  Corinthia,**  said  her  htisband 
soothingly.  "  Six  dollars  a  week  I  "VThy,  ifs  a  dollar  a 
day  for  you,  leaving  out  Sunday.* 

This  happily  diverted  his  wife's  thoughts  in  a  more 
agreeable  channel.  She  reflected  that  in  a  few  days  she 
would  be  able  to  buy  a  new  bonnet  with  her  board- 
money — an  article  she  had  long  needed,  but  had  becai 
too  mean  to  buy — and  she  gradually  calmed  down. 

Now,  though  I  by  no  means  intend  to  justify  Tom  in 
his  eccentric  conduct,  I  submit  that  he  was  entitled  to 
a  comfortable  bed  and  enough  to  eat,  especially  con- 
sidering the  liberal  board  he  was  to  pay,  and  probably 
he  would  have  found  it  difficult  to  compass  his  desires, 
but  by  some  such  decisive  measure  as  he  adopted.     Ai 


36  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

anv  rate  he  made  no  further  disturbance,  but  '^  kept  the 
peace  "  till  morning. 

"Usually  breakfast  at  the  Middletons'  was  a  very 
frugal  meaL  Bread  and  butter,  accompanied  by  thin 
and  watery  coffee,  supplemented  occasionally  by  a  little 
cold  meat,  satisfied  the  economical  pair.  But  they 
rightly  judged  that  Tom  would  require  something  more, 
and  Mrs.  Middleton  was  induced  to  provide  a  small  por- 
tion of  beefsteak  and  some  fried  potatoes,  which,  in  her 
eyes,  constituted  a  sumptuous  repast. 

Tom  consumed  the  greater  portion  of  the  steak, 
rightly  thinking  that  if  there  was  not  enough  for  all 
the  loss  should  fall  to  those  who  chose  to  provide  too 
small  a  supply.  He  used  much  more  milk  and  sugar 
than  the  lady  of  the  house  regarded  as  safficient,  but  it 
was  very  evident  that  on  this  subject  she  and  her  new 
boarder  were  not  likely  to  agree. 

Breakfast  was  scarcely  over  when  a  tall  man,  with  a 
very  stiff,  dignified  figure  was  seen  entering  the  front 
gate. 

'•  It's  Lawyer  Davenport,  **  said  Xathan,  in  a  fltistered 
manner.     '^  What  can  bring  him  here  so  early?'*' 

^^  Xo  doubt  it  is  on  account  of  the  assatdt  Mr.  Temple 
made  upon  his  son,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton. 

"I  am  afraid  it  is,''  said  hei  husband,  evidently  dis- 
turbed. ''  I  fear,  my  young  friend,  you  have  got  into 
hot  water." 

''  I  don't  think  it  will  scald  me,"  said  Tom  coolly. 

''  Mr.  Davenport  is  one  of  our  first  citizenja,"  said 
Nathan. 


A    WARLIKE   VISITOR.  37 

"  He  seems  to  think  he  is,*'  said  Tom.  "  He  walks 
40  erect  that  he  bends  backward/^ 

"He  has  a  proper  sense  of  his  social  position/^  said 
Mrs.  Middleton  reprovingly. 

"  So  has  his  son/*'  said  Tom. 

A  ponderous  knock  here  notified  the  party  that  the 
lawyer  had  amved  at  the  front  door,  and  demanded 
admittance. 

Mr.  Middleton  himself  answered  the  call,  and  with  an 
air  of  deference  tishered  the  distinguished  visitor  into 
the  sitting-room. 

"I  hope  I  see  yon  well,  Mi^.  Middleton,*'  said  the 
visitor,  with  stately  condescension. 

"  Thank  you,  sir;  I  am  not  as  well  as  I  have  been,** 
said  the  lady.  **  I  have  been  subjected  to  unusual  trials 
during  the  last  twenty-four  hours,*'  she  continued,  with 
a  side  glance  at  Tom. 

"I  am  sorry  to  hear  it,"  said  the  lawyer.  "  I  r^ret 
also  to  say  that  I  have  called  this  morning  on  rather  an 
unpleasant  maner  connected,  if  I  mistake  not,  with  the 
young  man  whom  I  see  here." 

"This  is  Thomas  Temple,  Squire  Davenport,  my 
ward." 

"  Indeed  I    I  was  not  aware  that  you  had  a  ward." 

*•  He  is  the  son  of  my  old  school-mate,  Stephen  Tem- 
ple, who  desired  at  his  death  that  his  son  should  come 
to  me." 

"  It  is  very  kind  of  you  to  asstime  the  charge,"  said 
the  lawyer,  who  fancied  that  Tom  was  without  means, 

"  Xot  at  all,"  said  Xathan  modestly.     •*'  For  the  sake 


38  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

of  my  old  friend  I  am  glad  to  assume  his  place  to  his 
orphan  boy.'^ 

"I  hope,  young  man/'  said  the  lawyer^  ''that  you 
are  sensible  of  Mr.  Middleton's  kindness/' 

"  Oh,  yes/'  said  Tom,  "  I  appreciate  it  properly." 

Our  hero's  tone  was  rather  peculiar,  and  Nathan  Mid- 
dleton  felt  uncomfortable,  not  knowing  what  he  might 
be  tempted  to  say.  He  was  quite  conscious  that  board- 
ing Tom  for  twenty  dollars  a  week  did  not  involve  any 
extraordinary  kindness  on  his  part. 

"  I  believe,  young  man,  you  had  some  difficulty  with 
my  son  yesterday/'  said  the  lawyer,  in  a  tone  calculated 
to  overawe  our  hero. 

''  I  had  a  little  difficulty  with  two  boys,"  said  Tom 
coolly. 

*'My  son  and  nephew." 

''I  am  very  sorry  that  anything  unpleasant  should 
have  occurred.  Squire  Davenport,'  said  Nathan  nerv- 
ously. 

*•  It  is  for  th«  young  man  to  apologize,  not  you,  Mr. 
Middleton/'  said  the  lawyer  severely. 

"  You  are  quite  mistaken,  sir,"  said  Tom;  *'  it  is  for 
your  son  to  apologize." 

'*  Young  man,  this  assurance  is  most  extraordinary,'* 
gasped  the  lawyer,  in  amazement. 

*'  If  your  son  had  behaved  like  a  gentleman  he  would 
have  had  nothing  to  complain  of,"  said  Tom.  '*  He 
refused  to  play  with  me,  and  I  playfully  threw  his  ball 
into  a  corn-field.  Then,  as  he  rushed  at  me,  I  defended 
myself." 


A    WARLIKE   VISITOR.  39 

*'  Mr.  Middleton,  do  you  sustain  this  boy  in  his  extra- 
ordinary and  defiant  attitude  ?" 

"  There  must  have  been  a  misunderstanding,"  said 
Nathan  eagerly,  "  I  am  anxious  that  Thomas  should 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  associating  with  your  son  and 
nephew,  and  I  hope  when  they  come  to  know  each  other 
better  they  will  become  friends/' 

'*  It  is  rather  presumptuous  for  a  charity  boy  to  expect 
to  associate  with  my  family,"  thought  the  lawyer;  but 
he  said :  ''If  this  young  man  will  apologize  for  this  out- 
rage of  yesterday  and  treat  my  son  with  proper  respect, 
I  may  consent  to  his  occasionally  visiting  him." 

^'  I  am  sure  he  will  be  willing,"  said  Mr.  Middleton. 

"  Quite  a  mistake,"  said  Tom.  ''  He  owes  me  an 
apology  for  his  boorish  conduct.  As  to  the  ball — if  it's 
lost,  lai  pay  for  it." 

He  drew  out  his  pocket-book  and  displayed  a  roll  of 
bills,  considerably  to  the  astonishment  of  the  lawyer, 
who  begun  to  think  he  had  acted  too  hastily. 

''  Be  kind  enough  to  take  pay  for  the  ball  out  of 
that,"  said  Tom,  offering  a  ten-dollar  bill  to  the  visitor. 

Lawyer  Davenport  had  a  respect  for  money.  Tom 
was  no  longer  a  charity  boy,  to  be  condescended  to,  but 
a  young  gentleman^ 

''On  no  account,"  he  said  mildly.  "The  offer  is 
sufficient.  No  doubt  it  was  a  mere  boy's  quarrel.  Well 
say  no  more  about  it.  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  you  come 
over  and  take  supper  with  us  some  evening.  Master 
Temple.  I  have  no  doubt  you  and  James  will  become 
good  friends  yet." 


40  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  Oh,  I  bear  no  malice/'  said  Tom  easily.  *'  ITl  be 
happy  to  come/' 

'^  Come  this  evening,  then/' 

''All  right.     Thank  you,  sir/' 

* '  I  must  say  good-morning,  Mr.  Middleton,"  said  the 
lawyer.     ''Good-morning,  Mr.  Temple." 

Mr.  Davenport  took  care  to  inquire  of  Nathan  Mid- 
dleton the  extent  of  Tom's  property,  when  he  accom- 
panied him  to  the  door,  and  went  away  with  very  dif- 
ferent feelings  toward  him  from  those  with  which  he 
entered. 

"James,"  said  he,  on  his  return  home,  "I  fear  you 
have  been  very  rude  to  the  young  gentleman  who  is 
boarding  at  Mr.  Middleton's." 

"  Young  gentleman!     He  is  a  bully." 

"  Hush,  James.  He  is  a  young  man  of  large  prop- 
erty— fifty  thousand  dollars,  at  the  very  least,  as  Mr. 
Middleton  informs  me — ^just  the  companion  I  desire  for 
you  and  Edwin.  He  very  handsomely  offered  to  buy 
you  a  new  ball,  but  I  wouldn't  permit  it." 

"Is  he  so  rich,  father?"  inquired  James,  in  astonish- 
ment. 

"  Yes,  you  made  a  great  mistake  about  him.  I  hav«t 
invited  him  to  supper  here  this  evening,  and  I  expect 
you  and  Edwin  to  treat  him  with  attention." 

James  was  like  his  father,  and  needed  no  admonition. 
Tom  was  no  longer  a  bully  in  his  eyes,  but  a  young  ge».- 
tleman  entitled  to  consideration. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    POOR    RELATION. 

WO  HOURS  later  a  note  was  received  from 
Mrs.  Davenport,  inviting  Tom  to  pass  the 
day  at  her  house.  It  was  brought  by  an 
errand-boy,  and  arrived  just  as  Tom,  having  arranged 
his  wardrobe,  was  about  to  start  on  a  journey  of  explo- 
ration. 

'Til  come  with  pleasure,'"*  said  Tom.  "Say  Fll  be 
round  in  fifteen  minutes. '^ 

*'You  see,  my  dear,''  said  Mr.  Middleton,  "Tom  has 
been  taken  up  by  the  Davenports;  we  must  take  care  to 
gratify  him  in  all  his  wishes.  It  will  do  us  credit  to 
have  him  at  our  house." 

"  I  wonder  they  have  invited  him.  I  am  sure  ne  was 
very  impudent  to  Squire  Davenport." 

"  Boys  will  be  boys,  my  dear,  and  our  young  friend 
is  rich." 

"Well,  Fm  glad  of  one  thing,  he'll  be  away  for  two 
meals." 

"  True,  my  deai,  that  will  be  a  saving.  He  certainly 
has  a  great  appetite." 

Meanwhile  Tom,  having  brushed  his  hair  and  put  on 
a  clean  collar,  walked  round  to  Lawyer  Davenport's. 
He  found  the  two  boys  in  front  of  the  house. 

'^  Good-morning,"  said  Tom. 


42  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''  Good-morning/^  said  James,  rather  sheepishly. 

"  Will  you  let  me  play  with  you  this  moxning?"  said 
Tom  smiling. 

''We  didn't  know  who  you  were  yesterday,^'  said 
James,  "  but  as  you're  a  gentleman,  we  are  glad  to  see 
you/' 

''  Thank  you.     Did  you  find  the  ball?" 

*'  Yes.  Mike,  the  errand-boy,  found  it.  Shall  we 
have  a  toss?" 

''I  should  like  it." 

They  went  into  the  field  before  referred  to,  and  spent 
a  couple  of  hours  very  pleasantly.  James  and  Edwin, 
looking  upon  their  companion  as  a  young  man  of  fort- 
une, were  very  courteous  and  polite.  Indeed  it  was 
hard  to  think  of  them  as  the  same  boys  who  had  treated 
Tom  so  rudely  the  day  before.  Our  hero  was  clear- 
sighted and  understood  very  well  the  meaning  of  the 
change  in  their  manners,  but  he  took  the  world  as  he 
found  it,  and  didn't  choose  to  quarrel  with  the  respect 
which  his  wealth  procured  him." 

At  dinner  he  made  acquaintance  with  Mrs.  Daven- 
port. This  lady  was  very  much  like  her  husband  and 
son.  When  she  had  heard  of  Tom's  difficulty  with 
James,  she  was  very  indignant,  supposing  our  hero  to 
be  a  poor  boy.  Now  that  she  had  ascertained  hi«  cir- 
cumstances, she  was  prepared  to  receive  him  cordially. 

''  I  am  glad  that  my  son  and  nephew  have  found  a 
suitable  companion,"  she  said  affably.  ''  I  don't  want 
to  say  anything  against  the  village  boys,  who  are  very 
well  in  their  way,  but  of  course  they  are  not  the  social 


THE  POOR  RELA  TION,  43 

equals  of  my  boys.  They  are  lacking  in  culture  and 
refinement/^ 

"  The/re  low,"  said  James. 

*'  I  was  low  yesterday,"  thought  Tom,  "  but  it's  dif- 
ferent to-day." 

'^  Thank  you,  ma'am,"  he  said, ''  you  are  very  oblig- 
ing." 

"  I  am  told  you  are  to  reside  with  the  Middletons,  Mr, 
Temple,"  the  lady  proceeded. 

"Yes,  ma'am." 

''They  are  very  worthy  people — not  stylish,  but 
respectable.     Was  your  father  connected  with  them?" 

*'  He  was  a  school-mate  of  Mr.  Middleton,  I  believe." 

"I  say,  Tom,"  said  James,  ''you  must  look  out  or 
you  will  get  the  gout  there." 

"  I'll  take  care  of  that,"  said  Tom. 

*'  Mrs.  Middleton  will,  if  you  don't." 

"James,  you  should  not  make  such  remarks,"  said 
his  mother.  "  It  is  true,  I  believe,  that  the  Middletons 
are  rather  economical  in  their  table  expenses,  but  doubt- 
less out  of  regard  to  Mr.  Temple  they  will  adopt  a  dif- 
ferent policy." 

Tom  smiled,  but  said  nothing.  He  did  not  con- 
sider it  honorable  to  refer  to  Mr.  Middleton's  domestic 
arrangements. 

At  this  moment  two  girls  entered  the  room.  One  was 
evidently  Mrs.  Davenport's  daughter,  as  she  bore  a 
striking  resemblance  to  that  dignified  lady.  She  was  by 
no  means  pretty,  but  evidently  thought  considerable  of 
herself,  and  was  not  troubled  with  bashfulness.     She 


44  TOM  TEMPLE* S  CAREER, 

made  a  low  courtesy,  in  the  most  approved  dancing- 
school  style,  to  Tom,  who  was  sufficiently  well-bred  to 
acquit  himself  creditably. 

*^'My  daughter,  Imogene,  Mr.  Temple,"  said  Mr. 
Davenport. 

The  other  girl  was  probably  a  year  younger,  and  as 
pretty  as  Imogene  was  unattractive.  But  she  was 
plainly  dressed,  and  had  a  timid,  retiring  look.  In  fact 
she  was  a  poor  cousin,  a  dependent  upon  the  lawyer's 
bounty,  and  made  to  feel  her  position  by  all  the  family. 

^^Mary  Somers,  Mr.  Temple,"  said  Mrs.  Davenport 
slightingly. 

Mary  blushed,  and  offered  her  hand  timidly  to  our 
hero. 

''What  a  pretty  girl!"  thought  Tom.  ''She's  ever 
so  much  prettier  than  the  other,  but  I  guess  from  the 
old  lady's  manner  that  she  hasn't  got  the  stamps." 

They  sat  down  to  the  dinner-table,  which  Tom  saw 
with  satisfaction  presented  a  very  different  appearance 
from  the  frugal  board  of  Mr.  Middleton.  It  was  a 
capital  dinner,  and  Tom  enjoyed  it. 

"  I  shouldn't  mind  boarding  here,"  bethought. 

There  was  only  one  drawback.  He  was  seated  next 
to  Imogene,  when  he  would  have  very  much  preferred 
a  seat  next  to  Mary  Somers,  the  poor  cousin. 


CHAPTER  Va 

A   ROW  AND   A   EESCUE, 

[I^MHAT  shall   we    do    this    afternoon?"    asked 

L||»|i^  James,  as  they  rose  from  the  dinner-table. 

^fj^JI       "  Suppose  we  go  out  rowing  ?''  said  Edwin, 

**I  should  like  that/'  said  Tom  eagerly. 

"  Can  you  row?"  asked  James. 

*'  I  can  keep  up  my  side  of  the  boat/'  said  Tom. 

"Very  well,  we'll  go,  then,"  said  James.  ''Come 
along,  fellows." 

Half  a  mile  from  the  lawyer's  house  was  a  river,  nar- 
row but  with  a  swift  current.  Thither  the  boys  directed 
their  steps.  Under  a  tree  a  round-bottomed  boat  of 
fair  size  was  padlocked. 

'*  The  boat  belongs  to  me,"  said  James  complacently. 
"  It  was  a  birthday  present." 

"  It  looks  like  a  good  one.     Let  us  get  in,"  said  Tom. 

They  unlocked  the  boat  and  pushed  off. 

"  You  can  steer,"  said  James,  "and  Edwin  and  I  will 
row." 

"Just  as  you  please,"  said  Tom.  "You  own  the 
boat. 

He  vould  have  preferred  to  row,  but  was  willing  to 
wait  till  one  of  the  boys  got  tired  and  yielded  the  oars. 
He  seated  himself  therefore  in  the  end  of  the  boat  and 
steered. 


46  I'OM  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

''  I  am  not  used  to  the  river/'  said  Tom,  ''and  you 

must  tell  me  if  I  steer  wrong." 

They  had  the  current  in  their  favor,  and  the  boat 
went  merrily  onward,  easily  impelled  by  the  two  boys, 
who  were  evidently  pleased  with  their  speed. 

''  It'll  be  rather  different  rowing  back/'  said  Tom. 

"  Oh,  we  can  manage  it,"  said  James,  with  an  air  of 
consequence.     '^  We  are  used  to  rowing." 

*'  The  current  will  be  against  you." 

"  We  can  manage,"  said  James  confidently. 

A  little  later  they  were  startled  by  a  loud  scream.  A 
boy  of  six  had  tumbled  into  the  river  while  playing  on 
the  bank,  and  though  it  was  shallow,  was  in  danger  of 
drowning. 

Tom  was  the  first  to  perceive  his  danger. 

"Row  to  the  shore,  quick!"  he  shouted.  "A  boy  is 
drowning." 

He  turned  the  rudder,  and  James  and  his  cousin 
mechanically  obeyed.  Tom  reached  over  and  grasped 
the  urchin  by  his  arm  and  deposited  him  in  the  bottom 
of  the  boat. 

It  was  a  young  Irish  boy,  dirty-faced  and  in  rags,  and 
dripping,  of  course,  from  his  recent  immersior 

James  surveyed  him  with  evident  disgust. 

''  The  dirty  brat  will  wet  the  boat  and  make  it  unfit 
for  us  to  stay  in,"  he  said. 

*^  Do  you  want  me  to  pitch  him  into  the  water  again  ?*' 
asked  Tom  coolly. 

"  No,"  said  James  slowly.  "  Of  course  I  don't  want 
him  to  drown,  but  I  don't  enjoy  taking  in  one  of  the 


** *BOW TOTHB SHORE,  QUICK  1*  TOM  SHOUTED.    •A  BO^  » DKOWIfnPG." 


48  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

lower  order  as  a  passenger.  We^d  better  put  him  on 
shore/* 

"  So  I  think/'  said  Edwin.  "  The  little  beggar  will 
be  better  off  there. '* 

"  I  don't  think  so/'  said  Tom.  "  Do  you  see  how  the 
little  chap  is  shivering?  He'll  catch  his  death  of  cold 
if  he  doesn't  change  his  wet  clothes  soon.  What  is 
your  name,  my  little  boy?" 

"  Jimmy  Grady/'  said  the  boy,  his  teeth  chattering. 

''He's  got  your  name,  James,"  said  Tom  slyly. 
^*  He's  your  namesake/' 

"Don't  associate  me  with  him,"  said  James  loftily. 

"Of  course  it's  very  impudent  for  him  to  have  the 
same  name,"  said  Tom  smiling.  "  Perhaps  he'll  change 
it.     Where  do  you  live,  Jimmy?" 

"  There,"  said  the  boy,  pointing  to  a  small,  unpainted 
dwelling  further  up  the  river,  and  about  twenty  rods 
from  the  bank. 

"  Turn  back,"  said  Tom,  "  well  carry  him  home." 

**  I  don't  choose  to  trouble  myself  about  such  a  beg- 
gar as  that,"  said  James.  "  We'll  go  on,  and  on  our 
s^ay  back  we'll  land  him." 

'•  And  let  him  die  of  exposure?"  said  Tom  sternly. 

"  Oh,  such  beggars  are  tough,"  said  James,  in  a  tone 
quite  destitute  of  feeling.     "  Eow  away,  Edwin." 

"I  forbid  it!"  said  Tom,  with  startling  emphasis. 
"  Reverse  your  stroke.     We  are  going  back." 

At  the  same  time  he  changed  the  course  of  the  boat 
as  far  as  he  was  able  by  turning  the  rudder. 

James  Davenport  flushed.  He  was  accustomed  to  have 
his  own  way.  and  he  didn't  relish  dictation. 


A  so  IV  AND  A  RESCUE,  49 

''The  boat  is  mine/' said  he,  doggedly.  ''We  loonH 
turn  back  V* 

"  Turn  back  instantly,  or  1^11  throw  you  overboard/' 
said  Tom,  in  a  determined  tone. 

'*  I  haven't  got  to  obey  you/'  said  James  angrily. 

Tom  sprung  from  his  seat,  grasped  James  by  the 
shoulder,  and  repeated  his  command.  There  was  some- 
thing in  our  hero's  look  when  he  was  fairly  aroused  that 
showed  that  he  was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  James  thought 
of  his  encounter  the  day  before,  and  he  was  by  no  means 
sure  that  Tom  would  not  carry  out  his  threat. 

"Will  you  do  it  or  not  ?"  demanded  Tom. 

"  If  you're  so  very  anxious,  I'll  do  it,"  said  James, 
backing  down.  "You  make  more  fuss  about  the  little 
chap  than  he  deserves." 

"His  life  is  worth  as  much  to  him  as  ours  is  to  us," 
said  Tom,  resuming  his  seat.  "When  I  have  restored 
him  to  his  home,  I  will  go  up  or  down,  as  you  choose." 

Eather  mortified  at  his  defeat,  and  indignant  also, 
James  sullenly  rowed  to  the  shore  at  the  point  opposite 
little  Jimmy's  humble  home.  His  mother  was  on  the 
bank,  looking  anxiously  for  her  lost  boy. 

"It's  me,  mother,"  said  Jimmy,  his  tear-begrimed 
face  lighting  up  with  joy. 

"  We've  got  Jimmy  safe,  Mrs.  Grady,"  called  out  Tom, 
cheerfully.  "He  tumbled  into  the  river,  and  is  wet 
through.  You'd  better  take  off  his  wet  clothes,  or  hell 
get  cold." 

"  The  saints  be  praised  !"  exclaimed  the  poor  woman, 
fervently.     "  I  thought  the  poor  boy  was  drowned.    I'm 


50  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

sure  I'm  very  thankful  to  you,  young  gentlemen,  for 
taking  so  much  trouble  with  a  poor  woman's  boy.  How 
could  you  run  away  so,  Jimmy,  darlint  ?" 

^'^I  didn't  mane  to  tumble  in,"  said  Jimmy,  as  Tom 
helped  him  over  the  side  into  his  mother's  arms. 

*^*^  Thank  you  kindly,  gentlemen,"  said  Mrs.  Grady, 
repeating  her  thanks,  but  only  Tom  responded. 

The  other  two  regarded  the  poor  woman  scornfully. 

''  Thank  Heaven  !  we've  got  rid  of  that  beggar,"  said 
James.  *'I  don't  mean  to  let  one  into  my  boat  again. 
I  shall  have  to  have  it  washed  out." 

''^Whenever  either  of  you  gets  tired,  I'll  row,"  said 
Tom. 

"I'm  tired,"  said  Edwin.  "It's  hard  rowing  up 
stream!" 

"Against  the  current.  I  told  you  it  would  be.  I'll 
take  your  place." 

They  changed  places,  and  Tom  begun  to  ply  his  oar. 
James  soon  found  out  that  our  hero  had  not  only  rowed 
before,  but  that  he  was  very  strong  and  dexterous,  and 
considerably  more  than  a  match  for  him,  even  if  he  had 
not  been  tired.  He  would  have  been  glad  to  have  been 
relieved  himself,  but  was  too  proud  to  own  that  he  was 
fatigued. 

"Shall  we  go  up  or  down?"  asked  Tom. 

"I  don't  appear  to  have  much  to  say  about  it,^*  said 
James  unpleasantly.    ^^  You  appear  to  control  the  boat." 

"  Come,  James,  don't  bear  malice,"  said  Tom  pleas- 
antly. "I  wouldn't  have  interfered,  except  to  save 
Jimmy  a  fit  of  sickness.     I  knew  you  didn't  realize  the 


A  ROW  AND  A  RESCUE.  51 

danger  of  his  going  a  long  time  with  wet  clothing.  Kow 
I  am  ready  to  receive  your  commands.     Up  or  downP' 

"We'd  better  go  home,"  said  Edwin.  "  It'll  be  hard 
getting  there  as  it  is,  against  the  current." 

*'Home  then/'  said  James,  his  pride  somewhat  soothed 
by  Tom's  leaving  the  matter  to  him. 

Presently  Tom,  seeing  that  his  companions  lagged  in 
rowing,  said: 

"If  you  are  tired,  James,  I'll  take  both  oars  for  a  little 
while." 

"  I  don't  believe  you  can." 

"Oh,  I'm  used  to  it." 

"Try  it  then,"  said  James,  glad  of  a  respite;  '*I  am 
not  much  tired,  but  I'd  like  to  see  how  you  will  make 
out." 

Tom  took  both  oars  and  used  them  vigorously.  He 
found  his  task  a  difficult  one,  but  he  kept  up  single- 
handed  for  a  mile,  when  Edwin  came  to  his  assistance. 

They  were  all  glad  to  reach  the  starting-point.  Jump- 
ing out,  James  secured  the  boat. 

*'  Now  we'll  go  home,"  he  said. 

"  We've  had  a  bully  row,"  said  Tom,  "though  it  was 
rather  a  hard  pull  back.  It's  lucky  for  Jimmy  that  we 
went  back." 

"  It  would  have  served  the  little  beggar  right  if  he'd 
drowned,"  muttered  James. 

"  I'm  glad  he  didn't,  though,"  said  Tom. 

"  Small  loss  if  he  had,"  muttered  the  lawyer's  son. 

"Perhaps  some  might  say  so  of  us,"  said  Tom. 

"  I  hope  you  don't  compare  me  with  that  low  boy,'* 
said  James  scornfully. 


52  TOM  TEMPLE 'S  CAREER, 

"I  dare  say  his  mother  wouldn't  exchange  one  Jimmy 
for  another/'  remarked  Tom  jokingly. 

''  She's  welcome  to  the  brat/'  said  James  loftily.  *ll 
have  nothing  in  common  with  such  people/' 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE      TWO      COUSINS. 

P^^^ll  HE  SUPPER  was  as  excellent  as  the  dinner, 
ISffiSli:!  ^^^  Tom,  made  hungry  by  his  exertions  upon 
|[j^iBj^jj  the  river,  enjoyed  it. 

By  accident  he  found  himself  seated  next  to  Mary 
Somers,  the  poor  cousin.  The  two  conversed  quite 
socially,  rather  to  the  disgust  of  Imogene,  who,  hearing 
that  Tom  was  rich,  wished  to  monopolize  him  herself. 
She  was  vexed  to  find  that  he  was  considerably  more 
attentive  to  her  penniless  cousin  than  he  had  been  to 
herself. 

If  Mary  had  been  homely,  and  she  herself  handsome, 
she  could  have  been  quite  friendly,  but  Mary's  fresh 
color  and  bright  eyes  showed  to  such  advantage  com- 
pared with  her  own  sallow  complexion  and  dull  eyes 
that  she  envied  and  hated  her. 

"  Did  you  have  a  pleasant  afternoon,  Mr.  Temple  ?'' 
asked  Mary. 

*'  Very  pleasant,''  said  Tom.  ''  We  had  an  adventure, 
too." 

"  What  was  it?" 

*'  We  saved  a  little  Irish  boy  from  drowning.'* 

"  That  is  new  business  for  Cousin  James,"  said  Mary, 
smiling. 

"  You  needn't  lay  it  to  me,"  said  James.  **I  didn't 
have  anything  to  do  with  the  little  brat." 


54  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

''You  speak  as  if  it  were  discreditable/*  said  Tom. 
«ril  stand  the  blame." 

"  I  didn't  want  him  to  drown,"  said  James,  "but  I 
am  not  partial  to  i*agged  boys." 

"  It  is  always  well  to  be  humane,"  said  Lawyer  Daven- 
port. "I  am  glad  that  my  boy  was  instrumental  in 
preserving  the  life  of  a  fellow-being." 

Mary  and  Tom  continued  their  conversation,  while 
Imogene  grew  more  and  more  vexed  with  her  cousin, 
till  she  had  the  ill-breeding  to  say,  in  an  ill-natured 
tone: 

''  Really,  Mary,  you  talk  so  much  that  nobody  else 
gets  a  chance." 

*'  I  am  sorry,"  said  Mary  blushing. 

*'I  am  just  as  much  to  blame,"  said  Tom  good- 
naturedly.     '' Fve  been  asking  your  cousin  questions." 

"I  hate  to  see  girls  so  forward,"  said  Imogene  spite- 
Mly. 

Mary  looked  pained,  and  there  was  some  spirit  in  her 
answer. 

''  I  didn't  think  it  would  be  polite  to  refuse  answering 
Mr.  Temple,"  she  said. 

"Imogene  is  right,"  said  Mrs.  Davenport,  who  thor- 
oughly sympathized  with  her  daughter.  "  You  are  too 
forward." 

Mary's  mouth  quivered  with  mortification,  but  she 
said  nothing.  Neither  did  Tom.  He  was  indignant  at 
the  petty  malice  of  Imogene,  and  determined,  if  he 
could  not  speak  to  Mary,  he  would  not  speak  at  all. 
He  only  answered  the  questions  of  the  rest  in  monosylla- 
bles during  the  remainder  of  the  meal. 


THE  TWO  COUSINS.  55 

When  supper  was  over,  Mrs.  Davenport  said: 

'^"We  will  go  into  the  parlor.  Imogene,  can't  you 
play  for  Mr.  Temple?'' 

"Do  you  like  music,  Mr.  Temple?"  asked  Imogene. 

"  Pretty  well/''  said  Tom,  "  but  I  am  not  much  of  a 
judge  of  it." 

"  I  have  taken  lessons  for  three  years,"  said  Imogene 
complacently. 

'^ Have  you?    Do  you  like  it?" 

"I  am  passionately  fond  of  it,"  said  the  young  lady. 

"  Does  your  cousin  play,  too?" 

'^  A  little,"  said  Imogene  ungraciously.  "  She  hasn't 
much  taste  for  it,  but  it  is  really  necessary  for  her  to 
learn." 

'^Why?" 

'^  Because  she  is  to  be  a  governess,"  said  Imogene. 
''  She  is  very  poor — in  fact  she  has  nothing  of  her  own. 
Pa  kindly  agreed  to  take  her  and  give  her  an  education, 
so  as  to  qualify  her  to  earn  her  own  living.  Shell  be  a 
governess,  or  teach  school,  or  something  of  the  kind, 
when  she's  old  enough." 

"  Perhaps  she  won't  have  to,"  said  Tom,  who  liked 
to  annoy  his  companion. 

*'  She  has  got  to  earn  her  living." 

''I  mean  she  may  get  married." 

''Yes,"  said  Imogene,  '*but,  of  course,  she  can't  ex- 
pect to  make  much  of  a  match.  She  may  get  a  farmer, 
or  mechanic,  perhaps." 

"I  suppose,"  said  Tom,  "yot^  would  not  marry  a 
farmer  or  mechanic?" 


56  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

'^I  should  think  not/'  said  Imogene,  tossing  her  head. 
*'  I  have  a  right  to  look  higher.  I  may  marry  a  lawyer 
like  pa.     What  do  you  expect  to  be,  Mr.  Temple?" 

''  I  haven't  thought  about  it/'  said  Tom. 

"  I  suppose  you  won't  have  to  do  anything.  You  are 
rich,  are  you  not?" 

*'  I  suppose  so/'  said  Tom,  who  was  not  inclined  to 
boast  of  his  wealth,  ''but  I  shouldn't  be  willing  to  be 
idle." 

"  You  might  buy  an  estate  and  take  care  of  it,  and 
live  on  3^our  income." 

*'  Then  I  should  be  a  farmer." 

"Oh,  that's  different.  You  wouldn't  have  to  work 
yourself.  What  shall  I  play  for  you?"  asked  the  young 
lady,  who  was  now  seated  at  the  piano. 

"  I'm  not  particular.     I  like  songs  best." 

Imogene  sang  a  fashionable  song,  but  her  voice  was 
thin  and  shrill,  and  Tom  could  not  in  conscience  praise 
the  performance.  He  thanked  her,  but  did  not  ask  for 
another.  Imogene,  however,  played  two  other  pieces, 
and  then  rose  from  the  piano. 

''  Miss  Mary,'*  said  Tom,  ''won't  you  play  something?" 

"  Shall  I  aunt?"  asked  Mary. 

"If  Mr.  Temple  wishes  to  hear  you,"  said  Mrs.  Dav- 
enport ungraciously.  "  He  will  make  allowances,  as  h© 
can  hardly  expect  you  to  perform  as  well  as  Imogene." 

So  Mary  took  her  place  at  the  piano. 

"  I  do  not  play  very  much,"  she  said  apologetically. 

"  I'm  not  a  critic,"  said  Tom.  "  I  sha'n't  find  fault. 
Do  you  sing?'* 


THE  TWO  COUSINS,  57 

''A  few  common  songs,  such  as  *  Sweet  Home/*' 

"  That's  just  what  I  like/' 

So  Mary  played  and  sang  '^  Sweet  Home/'  Her  voice 
was  sweet  and  fresh,  far  superior  to  her  cousin's,  and  her 
performance  was  wholly  free  from  affectation. 

'^  Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
song.     ^^  I  enjoyed  it  very  much." 

He  was  about  to  ask  for  another  song,  when  Imogene 
said: 

*'  Don't  bang  away  on  the  piano  any  more,  Mary,  I  am 
sure  Mr.  Temple  will  gladly  excuse  you." 

"You  are  mistaken,"  said  Tom,  "I  particularly  enjoy 
your  cousin's  singing." 

'*  I  want  to  show  you  some  engravings,"  said  Imogene, 
determined  to  separate  the  two. 

Mary  rose  from  the  piano.  It  would  be  impossible  to 
continue  after  such  a  broad  hint. 

"  I  shall  hope  to  hear  you  again,"  said  Tom,  as  he  led 
her  to  a  seat. 

"  Some  other  time  I  will  sing  to  you,  if  you  wish," 
said  Mary.     '*^  Imogene  doesn't  want  me  to  now." 

"What  a  spiteful  girl  her  cousin  is!"  thought  Tom. 
"  She's  a  little  more  disagreeable  than  James,  if  possible. 
If  she  expects  to  make  any  impression  on  me,  she's  very 
much  mistaken." 

Tom  had  no  further  opportunity  to  converse  with  Mary 
Somers  that  evening.  Imogene  laid  herself  out  to  enter- 
tain him,  and  at  all  events  succeeded  in  monopolizing 
his  attention.  Tom  was  not  unaccustomed  to  society, 
and  although  he  was  weary  of  his  companion,  he  was  too 


68  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

polite  to  say  so.  He  permitted  her  to  show  him  several 
collections  of  engravings,  and  forced  himself  to  converse, 
though  his  eyes  frequently  wandered  to  Mary,  who  was 
sitting  at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  wholly  neglected. 
Neither  James  nor  Edwin  thought  it  necessary  to  go  near 
her,  but  were  playing  a  game  of  checkers,  while  Mr. 
Davenport  was  nodding  over  his  newspaper,  and  Mrs. 
Davenport  was  attending  to  some  feminine  work. 

Our  hero  was  glad  when  the  time  came  to  go.  He  found 
the  Middletons  curious  to  hear  the  particulars  of  his  re- 
ception by  the  great  man  of  the  place. 

''  What  do  you  think  of  Miss  Imogene?''  asked  Nathan. 

"  She's  thin  and  bony/^  said  Tom;  ''not  at  all  good- 
looking. '^ 

''Keally,''  said  Nathan,  rather  shocked,  "  I  think  you 
are  unjust.    She  is  considered  a  very  stylish  young  lady.'* 

*'  Her  cousin  Mary  is  pretty,"  said  Tom. 

*'  I  suppose  you  know  she  is  only  a  poor  relation.'' 

"  I  know  all  about  that,"  said  Tom,  laughing.  ^'  Imo- 
gene  told  me.  She  thought  I  was  paying  her  too  much, 
attention." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  exchanged  glances.  They 
understood  that  the  great  man's  daughter  was  pleased 
with  Tom,  and  thought  more  of  him  accordingly. 

"Will  you  have  some  refreshments  before  you  retire?" 
asked  Mrs.  Middleton. 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  had  a  jolly  supper  at  Mr.  Daven- 
port's." 

Mrs.  Middleton  was  relieved  to  hear  this,  and  did  not 
press  her  invitation. 


THE  TWO  COUSINS,  59 

Tke  next  day  Tom  went  on  an  exploring  expedition. 
He  was  returning  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon, 
when  he  was  startled  by  a  young  girl^s  shriek.  Turning 
his  head  he  saw  a  terrified  figure  pursued  by  a  fierce  dog. 
A  moment's  glance  revealed  to  him  that  it  was  Mary 
Somers. 

She  recognized  him  at  the  same  moment. 

*'0h,  save  me,  Mr.  Temple !''  she  exclaimed,  clasping 
her  hands. 

"I  will,''  said  Tom  resolutely. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

THE   DOG   AND   HIS   MASTER. 

iJ^^Sl;  OM  HAD  been  in  the  woods,  where  by  good 
lij^^^ji  fortune  he  had  cut  a  stout  stick  with  a  thick, 
ipE^MJ^I  gnarled  top,  something  like  the  top  of  a  cane. 
Armed  with  this  weapon,  he  rushed  between  Mai  y  and 
her  pursuer,  and  brought  down  the  knob  t,  uh  full  force 
on  the  dog^s  back.  Th:  attention  of  tlio  furious  animal 
— a  large  bull-dog — was  diverted  to  his  assailant.  With 
a  fierce  howl  he  rushed  upon  Tom.  I>ut  our  hero  was 
wary  and  expected  the  attack.  He  junped  o:  one  side 
and  brought  down  the  stick  with  terrible  fore::  upon  the 
dog^s  head.  The  animal  fell,  partially  stuniicd,  his 
quivering  tongue  protruding  from  his  r.iouth. 

*'  It  won^t  do  to  leave  him  so,"  thougl  Tom;  ''when 
he  revives  he'll  be  as  dangerous  as  bef  .J* 

He  dealt  the  prostrate  animal  two  more  bl'^ws,  which 
settled  his  fate.  The  furious  brute  would  no  longer  do 
any  one  harm. 

"Oh,  thank  you,  Mr.  Temple!"  said  Mary  Somers 
fervently,  a  trace  of  color  returning  to  her  cheeks.  "I 
was  terribly  frightened." 

'^I  don't  wonder,"  said  Tom.  *'The  brute  was  dan- 
gerous." 

*'  How  brave  you  are!"  exclaimed  the  young  lady, 
in  admiration. 


THE  DOG  AND  HIS  MASTER.  61 

'•"It  doesn^t  take  much  courage  to  hit  a  dog  on  the 
head  with  a  stick/'  said  Tom  modestly. 

'*^Many  boys  would  have  run/'  said  Mary. 

"  What,  and  left  you  unprotected?"  said  Tom  indig 
iiantly.     ^'  None  but  a  coward  would  have  done  that/^ 

"  My  cousin  James  run  away/'  said  Mary. 

•'  Did  he  see  the  dog  chasing  you?" 

'^Yes/' 

'^  And  what  did  he  do?" 

*'  He  jumped  over  a  stone  wall." 

''  Perhaps  he  didn't  have  a  stick  with  him/'  said  Tom 
considerately.  ''I  shouldn't  like  to  have  tackled  the 
brute  without  that." 

'^Yes;  James  had  a  gun.  He  had  just  come  from 
hunting." 

^' All  I  can  say  is,  that  it  isn't  my  style,"  said  Tom. 
''  Do  you  see  how  he  froths  at  the  mouth?  I  believe  the 
dog  was  mad." 

^'^How  fearful!"  exclaimed  Mary,  with  a  shudder. 
"  Did  you  suspect  that  before  ?" 

''Yes,  I  suspected  it  when  I  first  saw  him/' 

''And  yet  you  dared  to  meet  him?" 

* '  It  was  safer  than  to  run.     I  wonder  whose  dog  it  is  V* 

"I'll  tell  you,"  said  a  brutal  voice. 

Turning,  Tom  beheld  a  stout  young  fellow,  about  two 
years  older  than  himself,  with  a  face  in  which  the  animal 
seemed  to  predominate. 

"  111  let  you  know.  What  have  you  been  doing  to  my 
dog?" 

Addressed  in  this  tone,  Tom  thought  it  unnecessary 
to  throw  away  politeness  upon  the  new-comer. 


42  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

*'  Killing  him/'  he  answered  shortly. 

*'  What  business  had  ^o\x  to  kill  my  dog?''  demanded 
the  other  fiercely. 

'*  It  was  your  business  to  keep  the  brute  locked  up, 
where  he  wouldn't  do  any  one  harm,"  said  Tom.  ^*  As 
you  didn't  I  was  obliged  to  kill  him." 

'*I'll  flog  you  within  an  inch  of  your  life,*'  said  the 
other,  with  an  oath. 

''You'd  better  not  try  it,"  said  Tom  coolly,  ** I  sup- 
pose you  think  I  ought  to  have  let  the  dog  bite  Miss 
Somers." 

••He  wouldn  t  have  bitten  her.'^ 

"  He  would.  He  was  chasing  her  with  that  inten- 
tion." 

"It  was  only  in  sport." 

"I  suppose  he  was  frothing  at  the  mouth  only  in 
sport,"  said  Tom.  "  The  dog  was  probably  mad.  You 
ought  to  thank  me  for  killing  him.  He  might  have 
bitten  you. " 

"  That  don't  go  down,"  said  the  other  coarsely.  **  It's 
much  too  thin." 

^'  It's  true,"  said  Mary  Somers,  speaking  for  the  first 
time. 

"  Of  course  you'll  stand  up  for  your  sweetheart,"  said 
the  butcher  boy  (for  this  was  his  business),  "but  that's 
neither  here  nor  there.  I  paid  five  dollars  for  that  dog, 
and  if  he  don't  pay  me  what  I  gave,  I'll  beat  him.^ 

"I  shall  do  nothing  of  the  sort,"  said  Tom  quietly. 
^'  A  dog  like  that  ought  to  be  killed,  and  no  one  has 
any  right  to  let  him  run  loose,  risking  the  lives  of  people. 


THE  DOG  AND  HIS  MASTER,  63 

The  next  time  you  get  five  dollars  you'd  better  invest  it 
better." 

"Then  you  won't  pay  me  the  money?''  exclaimed  the 
other,  in  a  passion.     "  I'll  break  your  head." 

^'  Come  on  then,"  said  Tom.  "  I've  got  something  to 
say  about  that,"  and  he  squared  off  scientifically. 

'*0h,  don't  fight  with  him,  Mr.  Temple— Tom,"  said 
Mary  Somers,  much  distressed.  '*  He's  much  stronger 
than  you." 

'*  He'll  find  that  out  soon  enough,  I'm  thinking," 
growled  Tom's  big  opponent. 

This  was  no  doubt  true.  Ben  Miller  was  not  only 
stouter  and  larger,  but  stronger  than  our  hero.  On  the 
other  hand  he  didn't  know  how  to  use  his  strength.  It 
was  undisciplined  brute  force,  and  that  was  all.  If  he 
could  have  got  Tom  by  his  waist  the  latter  would  have 
been  completely  at  his  mercy,  but  our  hero  knew  that 
well  enough,  and  didn't  choose  to  allow  it.  He  was  a 
pretty  fair  ooxer,  and  stood  on  his  defense,  calm  and 
wary. 

When  Ben  rushed  in,  thinking  to  seize  him,  he  found 
himself  greeted  with  two  blows  on  the  face,  dealt  in  quick 
succession,  one  of  which  struck  him  on  the  nose,  the 
other  in  the  eye,  the  effect  of  both  being  to  make  his 
head  spin. 

*^  I'll  mash  you  for  that,"  he  yelled  in  a  frenzy  of  rage, 
but  as  he  rushed  on  a  second  time  he  never  thought  of 
guarding  his  face.  The  consequence  was  a  couple  more 
blows,  the  other  eye  being  assailed  this  time. 

Ben  was  astonished.     Indeed,  I  may  well  say  he  was 


64  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

astounded.  He  expected  to ''  chaw  up ''  his  small  antag- 
onist at  the  first  outset.  Instead  of  that,  there  stood  Tom 
cool  and  unhurt,  while  he  could  feel  that  his  nose  was 
bleeding,  while  both  eyes  were  in  a  very  uncomfortable 
condition.  He  stopped  short  and  stared  at  Tom  as  well 
»s  he  could  through  his  injured  optics. 

*' Where  did  you  learn  to  fight?''  he  aske*}*,  rubbing 
his  wounds. 

^*0f  Professor  Thompson,**  said  Tom. 

"Who's  her 

^'He  teaches  boxing.'* 

"  How  did  your  fists  get  so  hard?** 

"They're  not  very  hard,"  said  Tom,  "but  they're 
rather  harder  than  your  nose  or  eyes.  Do  you  want  any 
more?'* 

"  Not  just  now,"  said  Ben.  "  I  say,  whatll  you  take 
to  teach  me  boxin'?" 

"I  shouldn't  dare  to,"  said  Tom. 

"Why  not?" 

'^When  you'd  learned  you  could  lick  me  easily.** 

"Well,  I  wouldn't,"  said  Ben.  "I'm  a  rough  cus- 
tomer, I  expect,  but  you're  a  trump,  and  you've  got 
grit,  I  vow  if  you  haven't.  There's  my  hand,  to  show  I 
don't  bear  no  malice." 

Tom  offered  his  hand,  though  he  feared  there  might 
be  craft  in  the  offer  of  friendship.  But  it  was  honestly 
meant.  Ben  was  not  altogether  a  brute,  and  he  really 
felt  respect  for  Tom's  pluck.  He  gave  him  a  cordial 
pressure,  and  said: 

"  It's  all  right,  isn't  it?" 


THE  DOG  AND  HIS  MASTER  65 

**  Yes/'  said  Tom.     ''  I  hope  your  face  doesn't  pain 

yo.1." 

*'  Yes,  it  does,  bat  no  matter.     It'll  soon  be  better. '' 

*'Kow,"  said  Tom,  ^^^Fm  willing  to  pay  you  the  five 
dollars  you  lost  on  the  dog." 

"  No,"  said  Ben.  ^^  I  guess  you're  right  about  his 
being  an  ugly  brute.     Maybe  he  was  mad,  as  you  say. " 

**  I  feel  sure  of  it,"  said  Tom.     "  Look  at  him." 

'^  Well,  I'll  bury  the  poor  brute.  It  wasn't  his  fault 
he  got  mad. " 

''  Good-morning,"  said  Tom.  '^  I'll  see  you  again 
about  the  boxing.  Now  I  am  going  to  accompany  this 
young  lady  home." 

*'  You  needn't  put  yourself  to  so  much  trouble,  Mr. 
Temple,"  said  Mary. 

"It's  no  trouble,"  said  Tom  politely.  **  I  see  you 
are  nervous.     That's  only  natural." 

*'  You  have  saved  my  life,  Mr.  Temple,"  said  Mary 
warmly.     *'  I  cannot  tell  you  how  grateful  I  am." 

"  I'll  take  that  for  granted,"  said  Tom.  **  I  am  going 
to  ask  a  favor." 

"J  shall  be  sure  to  grant  it." 

"  Then  don't  call  me  Mr.  Temple.  I'm  not  used  to 
that  name  from  my  friends.     Call  me  Tom." 

"  If  you  wish  me  to,"  said  Mary  bashfully. 

"  Yes,  I  do.  When  you  call  me  Mr.  Temple,  it 
makes  me  feel  as  if  I  were  your  uncle,  or  grandfather, 
or  some  one  equally  venerable." 

Mary  laughed. 

'•'  Perhaps  you'd  like  to  have  me  call  you  Uncle  Tom," 
she  said. 


66  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

''That  would  be  better  than  Mr.  Temple/*  said  onr 
hero,  ''  but  as  there's  another  well-known  Uncle  Tom,  I 
would  rather  be  called  only  Tom." 

"  111  remember,  Tom,'*  said  Mary  hesitatingly. 

"That's  right,"  said  Tom  with  satisfaction. 

They  talked  together  pleasantly  until  they  reached 
Mr.  Davenport's  house.  Imogene  saw  them  coming 
from  the  front  window  where  she  was  sitting,  and  her 
face  grew  dark  with  vexation  and  jealousy. 


CHAPTEE  X. 
A   gibl's  spite. 
I  EALLY,  Mary/'  said  Imogene  coldly,  '*  Mr. 


Temple  must  have  a  singular  opinion  of  you.^ 
Even  the  mildest  natures  are  capable  of  in- 
dignation at  times,  and  Mary  showed  her  sense  of  her 
cousin's  injustice. 

\'  I  don't  know  why/'  she  said. 

•'  It  isn't  the  custom  for  young  ladies  to  call  on  young 
men  and  ask  their  escort." 

*^  Who  has  done  it.^"  demanded  Mary. 

*'It  looks  very  much  as  if  you  had  done  it,"  said 
Imogene. 

"  Your  suspicion  is  ridiculous/'  said  Mary  with  dig- 
nity. 

"  Considering  that  my  father  supports  you,  you  might 
treat  me  with  greater  respect/'  said  Imogene  angrily. 

''  I  am  not  likely  to  forget  my  dependence,  Imogene," 
said  Mary.  "  You  take  care  to  remind  me  of  it  often 
enoughc  You  might  spare  me  at  least  before  Mr. 
Temple." 

"I  suppose  you  wish  him  to  think  you  a  rich  young 
lady,"  said  Imogene  coarsely,  "  but  it  is  of  no  use.  He 
understands  that  you  are  a  beggar,  and  are  being  edu- 
cated for  a  governess." 

"I'd  like  to  wring  the  girl's  neck,"  thought  Tom, 


68  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

who  felt  for  Mary,  under  the  coarse  abuse  which  her 
cousin  thought  fit  to  heap  upon  her.  He  thought  it 
quite  time  to  speak. 

'*  I  have  just  as  much  respect  for  Miss  Somers  as  if 
she  were  an  heiress, "  he  said,  with  a  look  of  sympathy 
which  Mary  saw  and  appreciated.  '^  I  was  fortunate 
enough  to  meet  your  cousin  a  short  time  since.  Miss 
Davenport,  when  she  was  exposed  to  a  great  danger. '' 

''From  which  Mr.  Temple's  courage  saved  me,"  said 
Mary  gratefully. 

"  Eeally,  one  would  think  you  had  been  attacked  by  a 
wild  beast.'' 

*'That  is  really  the  case/'  said  Tom. 

"  A  wild  beast — in  Plympton!"  exclaimed  Imogene  in 
amazement. 

*'  Yes,  the  worst  kind  of  a  wild  beast — p.  mad -dog. 
Fortunately,  I  had  a  stick  with  me  and  killed  him.  ' 

"  After  your  brother  James  had  run  away  and  left  me 
to  my  fate, "  said  Mary,  a  little  bitterly. 

Imogene's  curiosity  led  her  to  inquire  into  the  details 
«»f  the  rescue.  Though  not  altogether  pleased  with  the 
growing  intimacy  of  Tom  and  her  poor  cousin,  she  was 
glad  that  it  was  only  a  chance  meeting,  and  that  it  was 
only  an  instinct  of  common  humanity  that  led  to  our 
hero's  interfering  in  her  behalf.  Considering  the  youth 
of  the  parties,  I  may  be  charged  with  exaggerating  her 
feelings,  but  Imogene  is  by  no  means  the  only  girl  of 
fifteen  who  suffers  from  jealousy.  She  was  not  in  love 
of  course,  but  she  was  covetous  of  attention,  and  the 
possible  rivalry  of  her  cousin  made  her  very  angry.     She 


A  GIRL'S  SPITE.  ^9 

begun  tc  tliink,  on  the  whole,  that  she  had  been  too 
open  in  her  spite,  and  that  this  was  not  the  surest  way 
of  winning  Tom's  favor.  She  was  clear-sighted  enough 
to  see  that  his  sympathies  in  the  present  case  were  with 
Mary. 

Softening  her  tone,  therefore,  she  said: 

*^At  any  rate,  I  am  glad  it  has  brought  you  to  the 
house,  Mr.  Temple.  Pray  come  in,  and  let  me  offer  you 
a  plate  of  strawberries  and  cream.  ^' 

Tom  was  not  heroic  enough  to  withstand  such  an  offer 
as  this.  He  was  fond  of  strawberries,  and  he  knew 
there  was  no  chance  of  getting  any  at  the  Middletons*. 
They  would  have  thought  it  sinful  extravagance  to  spend 
money  on  such  a  luxury. 

*'  Thank  you,'"  he  said,  and  entered. 

"  You^d  better  go  up-stairs  and  change  your  dress, 
Mary,"  said  her  cousin.  ^'  Really  the  one  you  have  on 
looks  disgracefully  dirty.'' 

''  I  fell  while  I  was  running  away  from  the  dog,^'  said 
Mary. 

Just  here  James  entered.  He  looked  rather  sheepish 
when  he  saw  Mary. 

'^  Halloo!     Are  you  all  right,  Mary?"  he  asked. 

-'Yes!"  she  said,  rather  significantly.  ''I  am  glad 
you  were  prudent  enough  not  to  run  into  danger  on  my 
account." 

'^  The  dog  came  so  suddenly,"  said  James,  coloring, 
"that  I  didn't  have  time  to  think." 

"  So  you  jumped  over  the  wall.  I  don't  know  what 
would  have  become  of  me  if  Mr.  Temple  had  not  come 
along." 


70  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  Did  you  have  a  gun?"  asked  James. 

"No;  I  had  a  stick  that  I  cut  in  the  woods.*' 

*'He  killed  the  dog  with  it,"  said  Mary,  "and  afters 
ward  he  conquered  the  dog's  owner/* 

*'  You  don't  mean  to  say  you  fought  with  Ben 
Miller?"  exclaimed  James,  in  surprise. 

"  He  insisted  on  my  paying  for  the  dog  or  fighting 
him,"  said  Tom.     *'  I  chose  the  last." 

'^  Why,  he's  twice  as  strong  as  you,"  said  James. 
**  He  could  whip  you  and  me  together,  that  is  if  1  would 
condescend  to  fight  with  such  a  low  fellow.'* 

"  I  had  to  condescend,"  said  Tom  laughing,  "  as  he 
attacked  me  furiously. 

"What  did  you  do?" 

"  I  condescended  to  give  him  the  worst  of  it.  He 
won't  want  to  fight  with  me  again." 

*'  I  don't  understand  it.   He  is  certainly  stronger  than 

you." 

**  He  doesn't  know  how  to  use  his  strength.  I  can 
box,  and  while  I  warded  off  his  blows  I  put  in  a  few  that 
he  didn't  like." 

"  Then  you  box?" 

"AUttle." 

**  111  take  care  not  to  get  into  a  fight  with  him,"  said 
James  to  himself.  "If  he  can  whip  Ben  Miller  he's 
more  than  a  match  for  me." 

Meanwhile  Mary  had  gone  up-stairs  and  changed  her 
dress,  as  her  cousin  suggested. 

Imogene,  having  Tom  to  herself,  became  very  agree- 
able, loaded  his  plate  with  strawberries,  and  strove  to 


A  GIRL  '5  SPITE,  71 

Ingratiate  herself  with  him.  But  Tom  did  not  easilj' 
forget  the  spite  which  she  had  exhibited  toward  her 
cousin,  and  Imogene  would  hardly  have  felt  flattered 
had  she  been  able  to  read  the  real  opinion  which  h« 
entertained  concerning  her. 

"Take  some  more  strawberries — do,  Mr.  Temple,*' 
said  Imogene. 

'*  Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  "  but  I  have  eaten  heartily. 
Besides,  your  cousin  hasn't  had  any.'' 

*'  Oh,  Mary  doesn't  care  for  strawberries,**  said  Imo- 
gene carelessly. 

'*  Yes,  I  do,"  said  Mary,  who  that  moment  entered. 
**I  think  they  are  beautiful/* 

Imogene  frowned. 

"Oh,  well,  empty  the  dish  if  you  like,**  said  she 
rudely. 

*'If  she  does,  she  won't  have  as  much  as  we  have 
eaten,"  said  Tom.     "  Let  me  help  you.  Miss  Mary." 

And  to  Imogene's  vexation  he  deposited  the  remaining 
strawberries  in  a  plate  and  handed  them  to  Mary. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Mary,  and  chafed  by  her  cousin's 
rudeness  she  defiantly  seasoned  and  ate  the  strawberries. 

Imogene  rose  abruptly  while  Mary  was  still  eating. 

**Come  into  the  parlor,  Mr.  Temple,"  she  said.  "I 
would  like  to  show  a  piece  of  music  which  my  music- 
teacher  just  brought  me." 

"  You  must  excuse  me.  Miss  Davenport,"  said  Tom, 
bowing.  "  I  have  not  been  home  since  morning,  and  I 
need  to  change  my  dress  as  well  as  your  cousin." 

*'  Don't  mind  your  dress.     I'll  excuse  it.** 


78  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  But  I  feel  dirty.  I  have  been  tramping  about  the 
woods  I  wouldn't  have  Tentured  into  a  young  lady's 
presence  except  under  the  circumstances," 

*'I  am  sorry  the  dog  is  dead  for  your  sake,  Mary,** 
said  Imogene  sarcasti  rally.  *' You  might  contrive  to 
get  rescued  again  in  a  day  or  two.'' 

"I  would  rather  be  excused,**  said  Mary  Somers.  ''  I 
wouldn't  have  such  a  fright  again  for  a  thousand  dollars, '' 

"  It  would  pay  you,  as  you  are  never  likely  to  get  so 
much  money  in  any  other  way." 

*'  I  am  nor  likely  to  forget  that  I  am  poor,  Imogene," 
said  Mary,  in  a  hurt  tone. 

"  Good-by,"  said  Tom. 

When  Tom  had  gone  the  luckless  Mary  had  to  undergo 
another  attack. 

"  I  should  be  ashamed  to  lay  myself  out  to  attract 
attention  as  you  do,  Mary,"  said  her  amiable  cousin. 

''Who  says  I  haver" 

*'  I  say  so.  It  is  really  sickening  io  see  how  you  try 
to  attract  Mr.  Temple.  You  seem  to  forget  that  he  is 
rich,  or  going  to  be,  and  that  you  will  only  be  a  poat 
governess." 

"  I  think  it  is  mean,  Imogene,  to  remind  me  of  my 
poverty  before  strangers." 

**  I  wouldn't  if  you  didn't  put  on  so  many  airs.  Really 
it  is  sickening.'* 

•'*  If  we  were  to  change  places  I  would  not  taunt  you 
with  your  dependence." 

*'  Wait  till  I  am  dependent,"  said  Imogene.  "  I  flatter 
myself  there   is  no  fear  of  that.     My  father  is  the 


A  GIRL'S  SP/TR.  73 

wealthiest  man  in  the  town,  which  is  fortunate  for  you. 
Although  you  are  permitted  to  share  in  the  same  advan- 
tages with  his  children,  you  ought  always  to  remember 
your  true  position.  You  ought  to  be  more  respectful  to 
me  and  James,  for,  though  we  are  your  cousins,  we  are 
far  above  you  in  social  position." 

Poor  Mary!  It  was  not  the  first  time  she  had  been 
compelled  to  listen  to  such  admonitions  from  her  haughty 
cousin. 

She  left  the  room  with  an  aching  heart.  Her  material 
wants  were  provided  for — she  lacked  not  for  food  or 
clothing — but  she  sought  in  vain  for  the  sympathy  which 
the  heart  craves.  She  felt  that  she  was  regarded  with 
disdain  by  her  uncle's  family,  and  she  longed  for  the  time 
when  she  could  throw  off  the  thralldom  of  dependence 
and  earn  her  own  living. 

*'l  hate  her!'*  said  Imogene  to  herself,  as  her  cousin 
closed  the  door.  ''With  her  meek  face  and  cajoling 
ways,  she  is  artfully  trying  to  get  Tom  Temple  interest- 
ed in  her.  She  sha'n't  succeed  if  I  can  help  it.  I'll 
show  him  her  real  character.  I  wish  pa  would  send  her 
o£t  to  som*»  cheap  boarding-schooL'* 


CHAPTER  XL 

AFTER  THEEE  MONTHS. 

iJ^^gSJiHREE  months  passed,  and  Tom  was  still  a 
l-Sl^S^j  boarder  with  the  Middletons.  The  academy 
||gSSplJS:'|  — for  there  was  one  in  the  town — was  in  ses- 
sion^  and  Tom  was  numbered  among  the  pupils.  James 
Davenport,  his  sister  Imogene,  and  Mary  Somers,  also 
attended.  Edwin,  who  had  only  been  on  a  visit,  had 
returned  to  his  home  in  the  city. 

Our  hero  had  easily  gained  an  ascendency  in  the 
school.  His  physical  prowess  made  his  companions  shy 
of  opposing  him,  and  I  am  compelled  to  say  that  he 
showed  a  disposition  to  assert  authority  over  his  school- 
fellows. He  oftentimes  insisted  on  carrying  his  point, 
when  it  would  have  been  in  better  taste  to  consult  the 
wishes  of  others.  There  was  evidently  some  ground  for 
the  name  which  he  had  won  in  his  former  home,  that  of 
the  bully  of  the  village.  But  Tom  had  redeeming 
traits.  He  always  sided  with  the  weaker  against  the 
stronger.  Though  he  domineered  over  the  smaller  boys, 
he  allowed  no  one  else  to  do  so.  He  had  more  than  once 
interfered  to  protect  younger  boys  from  the  exactions  of 
the  lawyer's  son,  who  was  also  inclined  to  be  despotic, 
but  was  mean  as  well.  James  was  always  compelled  to 
give  in  to  Tom,  partly  because  he  was  afraid  of  him,  but 
partly,  also,  because  he  respected  Tom's  wealth.     '*  A 


AFTER  THREE  MONTHS.  75 

boy  who  is  ricli  has  a  right  to  command/'  thought 
James.  Still  he  did  not  like  Tom,  nor  did  Tom  like 
him,  but  James  thought  it  best  to  preserve  the  peace 
between  them.  As  for  ImogeKe,  she  partly  liked  and 
partly  hated  our  hero.  He  was  rich,  and  she  was  am- 
bitious of  receiving  his  attentions,  but  she  hated  him 
because  he  would  often  neglect  her  and  devote  himself 
to  Mary  Somers,  who,  poor  girl,  received  more  than  one 
angry  lecture  from  her  jealous  cousin. 

*'  Was  it  my  fault  that  Tom  chose  to  go  home  with 
me?''  she  asked  on  one  occasion. 

"  Probably  you  invited  him?''  sneered  Imogens. 

"I  did  not.'* 

"  Then  you  looked  as  if  you  wanted  him  to  come.  I 
know  your  sly  ways,  miss." 

''  You  are  too  bad,  Imogene.  Go  and  speak  to  Tom, 
if  you  want  to— I  am  not  to  blame.  Besides,  doesn't  he 
go  home  with  you  sometimes?" 

"  That  is  different.  I  am  his  Bocial  equal.  He  is 
rich,  and  so  am  I.     But  you  are  as  poor  as  poverty." 

''  It  isn't  very  kind  to  be  reminding  me  of  that  all  the 
time." 

"  I  wouldn't  if  you  didn't  forget  your  place.  You 
seem  to  forget  that  you  have  got  to  earn  your  own 
living." 

*'  I  wish  I  could  now,"  said  Mary  rather  bitterly.  *'  1 
would  rather  work  among  strangers,  no  matter  how  hard, 
than  to  be  a  dependent,  and  be  continually  twitted  with 
my  poverty." 

''  There's  gratitude  for  you,"  said  Imogene  sarcastic- 
ally. 


78  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  I  would  defy  anv  one  to  feel  grateful  to  you,"  said 
Mary  with  some  spirit. 

"  I  wish  pa  would  follow  mv  advice  and  send  you  to  a 
ooarding-school/'  said  Imogene. 

" I  wish  he  would,"  answered  her  cousin-  "  I  might 
get  a  little  peace  then." 

"  Fine  talk,  miss.  You  wouldn't  be  willing  to  leave 
your  darling  Tom. " 

Mary  was  about  to  reply,  when  both  girls  started,  for 
it  so  happened  that  our  hero  was  close  behind  them. 

*'Trho  is  talking  about  me?*  he  asked  roguishly,  for 
he  had  heard  the  word  "  darling. ** 

"Imogene,"  said  Mary  quickly. 

"  Thank  you  for  your  flattering  opinion  of  my  hum- 
ble self,"  said  Tom,  bowing  low. 

**  It's  a  mistake,"  said  Imogene.  '*  I  was  alluding  to 
Mary's  unwiQiugness  to  go  to  a  boarding-school  becduse 
she  would  be  separated  from  you." 

"Is  that  true?"  a^ked  Tom,  turning  to  Mary  with 
evident  pleasure. 

"  It  is  true  that  I  should  miss  you,  Tom,"  said  Mary 
frankly. 

**  I  am  glad  to  hear  that.-" 

**  But  still  there  are  reasons  why  I  should  be  willing 
to  go  to  a  boardiug-school." 

"(Wouldn't  we  go  together?"  asked  Tom  insinuatingly. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  couldn't  pass  for  a  g>'rl,"  said  Mary 
laughing. 

"  I  am  afraid  not,"  said  Tom  reflectively.  "  My 
mustache  would  betray  me," 


AFTER  THREE  MONTBS,  77 

**  There  isnH  enoQgh  of  it  to  do  any  harm,"  said  Mary 
sancOy. 

"  I  vifl  be  revenged  for  that,*'  said  Tom.  "  When 
yon  slight  my  mnstache  you  tonch  me  in  my  tendereet 
point** 

"  Mary,**  said  Imogene  sharply,  '*  I  wish  yon  would 
stop  talking  nonsense.'' 

Imogene  disliked  particularly  the  familiarity  that 
marked  Mary's  conTersation  with  our  hero.  Though 
she  had  known  him  equally  long,  she  did  not  Tenture 
upon  a  similar  tone,  nor  would  she  hare  succeeded  very 
well  in  badinage,  for  she  had  Uttle  sense  of  humor.  It 
made  her  angry  to  think  Tom  was  more  intimate  with 
her  poor  cousin  than  with  hersslf. 

"  Let  us  be  serious,  then,"  said  Tom.  "  Is  it  tme 
that  you  are  going  to  a  boarding-school,  MaryP* 

"Ask  Imogene,"' 

Tom  turned  to  Imogene. 

*' Very  probable,"  said  Imogene  snappishly. 

"And  shall  you  go  too?" 

"  Oh,  no,"  answered  the  young  lady.  *'  I  should  not 
be  willing  to  give  up  my  fine  home  for  the  shabby 
accommodations  of  a  boarding-schooL** 

"  Then  why  is  your  cousin  to  go?** 

**  Her  case  is  different.** 

"Whyr 

"  m  tell  you,"  answered  Mary,  her  lip  curling,  **  and 
spare  Imogene  the  trouble,  I  am  a  poor  rel^on. 
Some  time  I've  got  to  work  for  my  living.  It  doesn't 
matter  much  about  me.  The  shabby  accommodationa 
of  a  boarding-school  will  suit  floe  very  welL** 


78  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''That  is  perfectly  true/*  said  Imogene  sharply, 
**  though  you  probably  don't  mean  it.  As  you  can't 
expect  anything  better  than  a  common  home  when  you 
are  grown  up,  it  would  be  better  that  you  should  pre- 
pare for  it  in  a  boarding-school  than  to  become  accus 
tomed  to  luxury  in  my  father's  house." 

"  You  are  extremely  considerate,  Imogene,'*  said 
Mary.  "  I  suppose  I  ought  to  feel  grateful  to  you  for 
thinking  so  much  about  what  would  be  best  for  me." 

"  I  don't  expect  any  gratitude  from  you,  miss,**  re* 
torted  Imogene,  ''  though  my  papa  does  board  you  and 
pay  all  your  bills." 

''Tom  must  feel  very  much  interested  in  our  con- 
versation," said  Mary,  flushing  with  mortification. 

"  Uncommonly,"  said  Tom.  "  Do  I  understand  that 
you  mean  to  earn  your  living  some  day?** 

"  Yes,  if  I  get  the  chance." 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do?'* 

"  Be  a  teacher — seamstress — anything.** 

"Good!"  said  Tom.  "1*11  engage  you  to  give  m© 
lessons." 

"In  what?*' 

"  Sewing,"  said  Tom  gravely;  **  or  would  you  recom- 
mend knitting.?" 

Mary  laughed. 

"  I  should  prefer  sewing,  as  I  understand  it  better; 
but  I  am  afraid  you  won't  be  patient  enough.*' 

"Try  me." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  the  lawyer's  house,  and 
the  two  girls  entered.  Imogene  was  thoroughly  in 
earnest  in  her  resolution  to  get  rid  of  Mary. 


AFTER  THREE  MONTHS  79 

That  evening  a  family  conclave  was  held;  tne  papers 
were  examined  for  the  advertisement  of  a  cheap  board- 
ing-school, the  cheapest  was  selected,  and  early  the  nest 
week  Mary  Somers  started  by  the  coach  for  a  new  home. 

As  the  coach  whirled  away  Imogene  looked  af^er  it 
with  exultation. 

*'IVe  got  rid  of  her,"  she  exclaimed,  **and  no%i  a 
snail  have  Tom  all  to  myself^' 

But  Tom^s  own  stay  in  Plympton  was  to  be  shortj 
though  shp  r)id  not  know  it^  nor  he  either. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

BAD   NEWS  FOR  TOM. 

IOM  GOT  along  tolerably  well  with  the  Mid 
dletons.  They  had  found  out  that  it  was 
necessary  to  give  him  his  own  way,  for  he  was 
sure  to  obtain  it  sooner  or  later  in  a  way  that  annoyed 
them.  They  were  obliged  to  considerably  improve  their 
frugal  table,  but  after  all  there  was  a  handsome  profit  in 
Tom's  board,  and  besides,  they  fared  better  themselves. 

At  the  end  of  every  month  Nathan  rode  over  to  Cen- 
terville,  twelve  miles  distant,  and  collected  eighty-three 
dollars  and  thirty-four  cents  for  Tom's  board.  He  might 
have  waited  for  a  check,  but  he  was  afraid  it  might  be 
delayed,  and  besides,  he  had  a  chance  to  combine  a  little 
insurance  business  with  his  other  errand. 

So  it  happened  that  one  October  day  he  stopped  his 
horse  before  the  office  of  Ephraim  Sharp,  attorney-at- 
law,  who  had  charge  of  Tom's  property.  With  a  pleas- 
ant smile,  he  entered  the  office  and  greeted  the  attorney, 
who  was  sitting  at  a  desk,  his  brow  knit  with  care. 

*'  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Sharp?"  said  Nathan.  *'  Fine 
morning!"  ^ 

"Is  it?"  said  the  lawyer  abruptly.  *'I  hadn't  time 
to  think  of  the  weather." 

**  You  see  the  month  brings  me  round,"  said  Nathan. 
**  T  om's  very  weLL  ** 


BAD  NEWS  FOR  TOM  81 

*'  And  you  want  that  money  for  his  board  I  suppose?" 

*'  "Well,  I  don^t  mind  telling  you  that  it  will  be  con- 
venient/' answered  Nathan,  rubbing  his  hands  with  the 
pleased  look  of  a  man  who  is  to  receive  money. 

''  Sit  down,  Mr.  Middleton,'"  said  the  lawyer.  '*  I  am 
glad  you  have  come  over;  1  want  to  talk  to  you." 

'^  I  hope  he  won't  propose  to  take  Tom  away  from 
me,''  thought  Mr.  Middleton,  a  little  nervously.  It 
occurred  to  him  that  Tom  might  have  written  to  Mr. 
Sharp  expressing  a  desire  to  leave  Plympton.  Yet  that 
seemed  hardly  likely,  for  his  young  ward  had  appeared 
quite  contented. 

"I  wish  to  speak  to  you  about  Tom's  property,"  Mr. 
Sharp  begun. 

Mr.  Middleton  pricked  up  his  ears  and  assumed  a 
look  of  deep  attention.  He  hoped  the  lawyer  had  got 
tired  of  his  trust  and  wanted  to  resign  the  charge  of  the 
property  to  him,  in  which  case  he  could  charge  a  nice 
commission. 

'^  I  believe  I  told  you  on  the  occasion  of  my  first 
visit  that  Tom's  fortune  amounted  to  forty  thousand 
dollars." 

"And  a  very  nice,  ample  property,"  murmured  Mr. 
Middleton. 

"But  when  it  came  into  my  charge  it  was  invested  in 
a  way  that  seemed  to  me  injudicious.  For  instance,  Mr. 
Temple,  Tom's  father,  lent  ten  thousand  dollars  to  a 
New  York  merchant,  with  absolutely  no  security — a 
very  unbusiness-like  proceeding." 

"  Extremely  so,"  said  Mr.  Middleton. 


82  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''The  merchant  was  a  personal  friend,  and  that  was 
no  doubt  the  motive  that  influenced  Mr.  Temple.  Well, 
the  merchant  has  failed,  and  his  assets  are  next  to 
nothing — possibly  he  may  pay  five  cents  on  a  dollar.'* 

"Shocking!"  exclaimed  Nathan,  who  almost  felt  it  a 
personal  loss. 

"  We  may  as  well  count  it  a  total  loss.  Tl^at  is  not 
all.  Fifteen  thousand  dollars  were  invested  in  Western 
mining  shares,  which  my  late  friend  was  induced  to  buy 
in  the  hope  of  making  unheard-of  dividends.  For  a 
time  prospects  were  flattering,  bnt  investigations  which 
I  have  been  quietly  making  during  the  last  three  months 
satisfy  me  that  they  are  little  short  of  worthless.  That's 
fifteen  thousand  dollars  more  gone." 

*'Good  gracious!"  exclaimed  Nathan  dismally,  for  he 
saw  that  his  young  boarder  would  no  longer  be  able  to 
pay  the  handsome  rate  of  board  he  had  thus  far  received. 

*'  That  isn't  all,"  said  the  lawyer. 

''What,  more  losses?"  groaned  Nathan. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  answer  in  the  affirmative.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  money,  that  is,  all  but  a  few  hundred 
dollars,  was  invested  in  an  assorted  cargo,  sent  in  con- 
junction with  an  old  friend  in  trade,  as  a  mercantile 
venture  to  India.  I  received  tidings  yesterday  that  the 
vessel — ^the  Harbinger — is  lost. " 

"But  the  insurance?"  suggested  Nathan  eagerly, 
"That  can  be  recovered." 

"  It  will  be  contested,  and  probably  cannot  be  recov- 
ered. Some  of  the  conditions  of  safety,  it  is  alleged, 
were  violated.' 


BAD  NEWS  FOR  TOM,  83 

**Then  Tom  has  lost  all  his  fortune/'  said  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton  in  consternation. 

**  It  is  more  than  likely,"  answered  the  lawyer  gravely, 

'*It  is  a  terrible  misfortune/'  said  Nathan,  wiping  hia 
forehead  with  his  red  silk  handkerchief.  But  ho 
thought  rather  of  the  loss  to  himself  than  to  Tom. 

*'0f  course  we  must  make  some  different  arrange- 
ments for  him." 

''You  said  something  was  left,  didn't  you.^"  inquired 
Nathan. 

'*  Yes;  a  few  hundred  dollars/' 

'^  That  will  pay  his  board  a  few  months  longer/* 

"And  leave  him  penniless  at  the  end!  My  dear  sir, 
do  you  imagine  he  is  in  a  situation  to  pay  twenty  dollars 
a  week  for  board?" 

"  I  might  take  him  for  a  little  less,"  said  Nathan  re- 
luctantly. 

"  It  would  have  to  be  a  great  deal  less.  These  four 
hundred  dollars — possibly  five — are  all  that  the  boy  is 
sure  of.  They  rjiust  be  husbanded.  My  idea  is,  that 
he  should  be  sent  to  a  cheap  boarding-school  for  a  year, 
or  else  begin  to  learn  some  business  at  once.  Under  the 
changed  circumstances  five  dollars  a  week  must  be  the 
limit  charged  for  his  board." 

''  I  should  lose  money  if  I  took  him  for  that,"  said 
Nathan.  ''Besides  I  am  sure  Mrs.  Middleton  would 
not  consent.  He  really  has  a  great  appetite,  and  he  is 
very  dainty  about  his  victuals.  Really  you  would  be 
surprised  to  know  how  much  my  expenses  are  increased 
by  his  becoming  a  member  of  my  family/' 


84  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

*'  He  is  a  growing  bo^  I  can  readily  believe  that  he 
18  hearty/^ 

''And  he  gives  a  great  deal  of  trouble/* 

**  I  told  you  when  you  agreed  to  take  him  that  he  was 
not  a  model  boy.  I  had  no  doubt  he  would  give  you 
trouble/' 

"  He  is  very  headstrong,  and  I  really  could  not  stand 
it  unless — unless  it  was  made  worth  my  while/* 

"No  doubt.  Well,  I  don't  think  it  best  that  he 
should  stay  in  Plympton.  He  can't  afford  to  pay  you 
enough  to  make  up  for  the  trouble  he  will  cause.  I 
think  it  will  be  best  that  you  send  him  at  once  to  me." 

**  I'll  send  him  to-morrow,"  said  Nathan  promptly, 
"but  about  the  board  due  for  the  last  month?"  he  in- 
quired with  anxiety, 

"  That  shall  be  paid.     Where  is  your  bill?" 

"I  have  got  it  here,"  said  Nathan,  considerably  re- 
lieved. "The  board  comes  to  eighty-three  dollars  and 
thirty-four  cents.  Then  I  have  spent  five  dollars  and 
fifty-six  cents  besides  for  books,  and  I  have  charged  fifty 
cents  for  a  pane  of  glass  which  Tom  broke  in  my  kitchen 
window  —  altogether,  eighty-nine  dollars  and  forty 
3ents." 

"  I  will  hand  you  a  check  for  that  amount  and  three 
dollars  besides,  which  you  may  give  to  Tom  for  travel- 
ing expenses." 

Nathan  received  the  money  with  mingled  joy  and  re- 
gret, the  latter  feeling  being  roused  by  the  thought  that 
it  was  the  last  money  ^e  would  receive  on  Tom's  ao* 
count. 


BAD  NEWS  FOR  TOM,  85 

"And  he's  a  beggar  after  all,"  said  Nathan  to  him- 
self as  he  rode  homeward.  "  Who  would  have  thought 
it?  It'll  take  down  a  little  of  his  independence,  I  reck- 
on. I  a'n't  sorry  as  far  as  he's  concerned.  His  pride 
deserves  k>  have  a  fall.     But  it'll  be  a  terrible  loss  to 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

NEWS  AFFECTS  TOM^S  FRIENDS. 

I^^^^HhEN  Nathan  Middleton  reached  home  at  thre^i 
j^^^fel  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  his  face  wore  the 
P^n||jf^|  look  of  mysterious  importance  that  indicated 
the  possession  of  a  secret.  His  wife  understood  this  at 
once,  and  asked  immediately: 

"  What's  happened,  Nathan?'' 

'"  What's  happened?  "WTio  said  anything  had  hap- 
pened?" 

'^  Your  looks  said  so.'' 

''  Perhaps  my  looks  will  tell  you  what  it  is." 

''Nonsense,  Mr.  Middloton!  Don't  keep  me  in  sus- 
pense." 

"It's  about  Tom." 

"  What's  he  done  ?"  asked  the  lady  eagerly.  **  Anything 
bad?" 

"  I  should  say  it  would  be  bad  for  him — and  for  us 
too." 

*'  Do  tell  me,  Mr.  Middleton,  without  beating  around 
the  bush  all  day." 

''  Then  this  is  the  long  and  short  of  it — he's  lost  his 
fortune." 

"  Good  gracious  I    How!" 

* '  Bad  investments.  It's  a  pity  the  money  hadn't  been 
placed  in  my  hands." 


NEWS  AFFECTS  TOM" S  FRIENDS.  87 

''Has  he  lost  forty  thousand  dollars?"  ejaculated  the 
lady. 

"All  but  a  few  hundred  dollars/* 

"  Then  he's  got  enough  to  pay  his  board  a  few  months 
longer." 

"  Mr.  Sharp  says  he  must  leave  us  at  once  or  pay  only 
five  dollars  a  week. " 

"Five  dollars  a  week  I     Ridiculous!" 

"Of  course  it  can't  be,  Corinthia.  So  he  leaves  us 
to-morrow  morning." 

"Did  you  get  paid  for  this  month?"  asked  Mrs. 
Middleton  anxiously. 

"Yes,  I  made  sure  of  that." 

"Well,"  said  the  lady.  "It'll  be  a  loss  to  us,  but  1 
ain't  sorry  for  the  boy.  It'll  be  a  good  lesson  for  him 
with  all  his  airs  and  importance.  I'm  glad  he'll  have  to 
earn  his  own  living." 

"As  far  as  that  goes  I'm  not  sorry  myself,"  said  Nathan. 

"Does  he  know  it?" 

"Not  yet." 

"  When  are  you  going  to  tell  him?** 

"At  supper." 

"  Be  sure  and  tell  him  before  me.  I  want  to  see  how 
he  stands  it." 

"I  meant  to,  Corinthia.  By  the  way,  I  think  you 
needn't  have  any  meat  on  at  supper.  He  may  as  well 
begin  at  once  to  deny  himself." 

"  A  good  suggestion,  Mr.  Middleton." 

Just  then  the  door  was  opened,  and  Squire  Daven- 
port was  ushered  in. 


88  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  I  called  to  see  you  about  renewing  the  insurance  on 
my  house,  Mr.  Middleton/'  said  he. 

"  Glad  to  see  you  squire.*' 

^'^  Are  you  quite  well,  Mrs.  Middleton?  I  needn't  ask 
after  your  young  ward.     I  left  him  at  my  house.'' 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  looked  at  each  other.  The 
former  coughed. 

*'  Tom  leaves  us  to-morrow,"  said  Nathan. 

"Indeed!     You  surprise  me,"  said  the  lawyer. 

"  Circumstances  render  it  necessary  for  him  to  make 
different  arrangements." 

"'  Has  he  become  tired  of  Plympton?  James  will  miss 
him." 

"  I  don't  know  that  he  has  become  tired  of  it,  but  he 
has  lost  his  fortune,  and  is  now  a  poor  boy." 

*^  You  amaze  me,"  ejaculated  Squire  Davenport.  "^'I 
thought  him  rich." 

"Three  months  ago  he  was  worth  forty  thousand 
dollars." 

"  How  has  it  been  lost?" 

"  By  bad  investments.  I'll  tell  you  all  I  know  about 
it,"  and  Nathan  repeated  the  information  he  had  heard 
in  the  morning. 

"Of  course,"  he  concluded,  "he  must  now  earn  his 
own  living." 

"  I  see,"  said  the  lawyer.     "  How  does  he  take  it." 

"He  doesn't  know  it." 

"  I'm  glad  he  is  to  leave  Plympton.  Of  course,  I 
could  no  longer  receive  him  at  my  house  as  the  intimate 
companion  of  my  son  and  daughter,  if  he  is  to  be  a 
working  boy." 


I^EWS  AFFECTS  TOM'S  FRIENDS.  89 

"Certainly  not/'  said  Nathan  obsequiously.  "Your 
children  have  a  right  to  look  higher/'' 

"Of  course,"  said  the  lawyer  pompously.  "While 
he  was  an  heir  to  a  handsome  fortune,  it  was  all  very 
well,  but  social  distinctions  must  be  respected — eh,  Mrs. 
Middleton?" 

"  You  are  quite  right,  I  am  sure.  Squire  Davenport," 
said  Mrs.  Middleton.  ' '  The  boy  may  be  a  common  laborer 
or  mechanic." 

"  To  be  sure.  Well,  Mr.  Middleton,  I  thank  you  for 
your  information.  It  is  well  that  he  is  not  a  few  years 
older,  or  his  evident  admiration  for  Imogene  might  have 
led  to  unfortunate  complications." 

"  No,  doubt,"  said  Nathan,  though  remembering  the 
far  from  flattering  terms  in  which  Tom  had  often  spoken 
of  the  young  lady,  he  very  much  doubted  whether  there 
was  any  ground  for  such  an  apprehension. 

An  hour  later  Squire  Davenport  bent  his  steps  home- 
ward. 

On  the  way  he  met  Tom,  just  returning  from  his  own 
house.  Usually  he  had  been  very  polite  and  gracious  to 
otir  hero,  but  now  he  walked  stiffly  by,  very  slightly 
inclining  his  head,  to  Tom's  decided  amazement. 

"What's  up?"  thought  our  hero.  "He's  as  cold  as 
an  iceberg.     What  have  I  been  doing,  I  wonder?" 

Tom  thought,  but  in  vain.  He  had  been  unusually 
quiet  for  a  week  past,  and  could  not  imagine  how  he  had 
offended  the  village  magnate. 

"I  suppose  I'll  find  out  sometime,"  he  thought 
**  Meanwhile  I  won't  trouble  myself  about  it." 


00  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

A  new  surprise  awaited  our  hero.  Generally  Mr.  ana 
Mrs.  Middleton  were  quite  deferential  to  him.  Remem- 
bering the  twenty  dollars  a  week  they  thought  it  polite 
to  treat  him  as  well  as  possible. 

Now  when  he  opened  the  door,  and  was  about  to  go 
np-stairs,  Mrs.  Middleton  called  out  sharply: 

"  Wipe  your  feet,  will  you?  Do  you  think  I  shall  al- 
low a  peck  of  dust  to  be  tracked  up-stairs.*' 

Tom  stared  at  her  in  amazement. 

**  What  do  you  stand  gaping  at?'*  demanded  Corinthia 
in  the  same  tone.     "  Didn't  you  hear  what  I  saidP* 

*^  You  spoke  loud  enough  for  me  to  hear,'*  said  Tom 
coolly.     *'  Is  anything  the  matter  with  youP* 

**  What  do  you  mean?'' 

**I  thought  you  might  have  eaten  something  that 
didn't  agree  with  you/'  said  Tom. 

**  Well,  I  declare!"  ejaculated  Mrs.  Middleton.  **  You 
beat  all  for  impudence!" 

"  I  generally  treat  people  well  if  they  treat  me  well,** 
said  Tom  composedly,  "  but  if  you  are  impudent  to  me, 

1  shall  answer  accordingly." 

This  was  too  much  for  Mrs.  Middleton.  Had  Tom 
still  been  rich,  he  would  have  had  a  right  to  assume  such 
a  tone,  but  in  a  poor  boy  it  was  intolerable. 

"Ill  tell  Mr.  Middleton  how  you  treat  me!'*  she  said 
angrily. 

"  Do,"  said  Tom,  ''  if  you  want  to." 

"  Nathan,"  called  his  wife,  opening  the  door  of  the 
apartment  in  which  her  liege  lord  was  reading. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  my  dear?" 


NEWS  AFFECTS  TOM*S  FRIENDS,  91 

"Thomas  has  been  impudent  to  me/' 

**  Thomas,  this  is  a  serious  charge,"  said  Nathan 
severely. 

Here  was  another  surprise  for  Tom. 

^'It  strikes  me  you  are  both  crazy,''  he  said,  looking 
from  one  to  the  other.  "  Settle  it  between  you.  I  am 
going  up-stairs." 

'^  Nathan,  will  you  suffer  him  to  insult  me?''  screamed 
Corinthia,  showing  signs  of  hysterics. 

Tom  did  not  hear  the  reply,  as  he  was  already  enter- 
ing his  room. 

"  Something's  up,"  he  said  to  himself.  **  I  wonder 
what  it  is." 

Tom's  curiosity  was  soon  to  be  satisfied. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

TOM   LEARNS  WHAT  IS   UP. 

I^^Sii|  HEN  Tom  came  down  stairs  to  supper  he  was 
^^^fe  struck  by  the  naked  appearance  of  the  table. 
Im^^M-  The  Middletons  had  returned  to  their  old 
economical  fare.  Mr.  Middleton  looked  sober,  and  his 
wife  had  a  forbidding  aspect. 

"Very  jolly  thisP'  thought  our  hero  as  he  sat  down  in 
his  usual  place. 

'*  A  little  more  milk,  if  you  please,*'  said  Tom  as  Mrs. 
Middleton  passed  his  tea,  diluted  by  a  spoonful  of  milk. 

**  I  have  given  you  as  much  as  I  take  myself, '^  said 
Corinthia  sourly. 

Tom  reached  over  without  a  word,  and  taking  the 
milk-pitcher,  used  what  he  wanted. 

Mrs.  Middleton's  sallow  face  flushed. 

"  Did  you  see  that,  Mr.  Middleton  ?'*  she  demanded. 

*'  I  did,  my  dear.'' 

«  What  do  you  think  of  it^ 

"  I  think  it  very  ill-bred." 

Tom  looked  from  one  to  the  other  attentively.  He 
didn't  know  what  to  make  of  the  change  in  their  de- 
meanor. 

"Has  milk  risen  in  price?"  he  asked. 

"  No,"  said  Mr.  Middleton,  embarrassed. 

"  Then  why  am  I  to  be  stinted?  Don't  I  pay  enongb 
board  to  entitle  me  to  a  decent  supply  ?*"* 


TOM  LEARNS  WHA  T  IS  UP.  93 

This  was  a  difficult  question  to  answer.  Whatever  the 
future  had  in  store  for  him,  Tom  was  certainly  at  this 
moment  paying  twenty  dollars  a  week  for  his  board. 

*'  You  make  a  great  fuss  about  your  victuals,''  said 
Corinthia,  not  very  elegantly. 

"  I  don't  care  about  being  starved  in  order  that  you 
may  make  a  little  more  money/'  retorted  Tom. 

'^'^Do  you  hear  that,  Mr.  Middleton?"  ejaculated  the 
lady  angrily. 

''Young  man,"  said  Mr.  Middleton  solemnly,  '*you 
should  not  speak  lightly  of  starving.  The  time  may 
come  when  you  will  want  for  food." 

**  The  time  has  come  already,  it  seems  to  me,"  said 
Tom  with  spirit.     *'  I  should  like  some  meat." 

*'  There  is  no  meat  on  the  table." 

"  I  suppose  there  is  some  in  the  house,"  said  Tom 
quietly. 

*' You  can  do  without  it,"  said  Corinthia  spitefully. 

*'  Will  you  tell  me  if  anything  has  happened?"  asked 
Tom,  laying  down  his  knife  and  fork.  "  Probably  there 
is  some  cause  for  your  change  of  treatment." 

"Something  lias  happened,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton 
with  a  look  of  spiteful  exultation. 

''  I  should  like  to  hear  what  it  is." 

*' You  have  lost  your  fortune." 

'*  That  accounts  for  it,"  said  Tom  significantly.  "  1 
am  no  longer  surprised.  As  I  am  rather  interested,  will 
you  be  kind  enough  to  let  me  know  all  about  it?" 

^'  Tell  him,  Nathan,"  said  Corinthia. 

**Ahem!"  said  Mr.  Middleton.     "I  regret  to  com- 


94  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

municate  bad  tidings,  but  I  was  at  Centerville  this 
morning,  and  learned  from  Mr.  Sharp  that  through  the 
bad  way  in  which  your  money  was  invested  when  it 
came  into  his  hands,  the  whole  has  melted  away,  and 
you  are  a  beggar/' 

"Not  quite/'  said  Tom  proudly.  *' I  may  be  poor, 
but  no  one  will  ever  see  me  beg/' 

''You'll  have  to  earn  your  own  living,'*  said  Mrs, 
Middleton  spitefully.  *'  You  won't  find  it  for  your  in- 
terest to  turn  up  your  nose  at  your  victuals/' 

''  I  am  more  likely  to  turn  up  my  nose  at  the  want 
of  them — as  to-night,"  answered  Tom. 

*'  You'll  be  lucky  if  you  always  fare  as  well." 

"  Perhaps  so.  Will  you  tell  me,  Mr.  Middleton,  if 
my  whole  fortune  is  gone?    Is  nothing  left?" 

"  A  few  hundred  dollars  remain,  I  believe." 

'*  That  is  better  than  nothing.  So  I  must  now  make 
my  own  way." 

*'I  am  glad  you  see  it,"  sneered  Corinthia. 

*'  It  seems  to  me  rather  a  sudden  collapse,"  said  Tom 
thoughtfully.     '^  I  must  ask  Mr.  Sharp  about  it." 

'*  Mr.  Sharp  wishes  you  to  come  to  Centerville  to- 
morrow. You  will  find  that  my  statement  is  perfectly 
correct." 

"  I  don't  doubt  it,"  said  Tom.  ''  If  you  and  Mrs.  Mid- 
dleton were  not  quite  convinced  that  my  fortune  was 
gone,  you  wouldn't  have  treated  me  as  you  have  this 
afternoon." 

'^  Good  gracious,  Corinthia!  Do  you  hear  that?" 
ejaculated  Nathan. 


TOM  LEARNS  WHA  T  IS  UP.  95 

''  I  hear  it,  Mr.  Middleton,  and  I  am  not  surprised/' 
said  the  lady  venomously.  "This  is  our  reward  for 
toiling  day  and  night  for  this  ungrateful  boy.  This 
is  our  reward  for  j)ermitting  him  to  upset  all  our  plans 
and  run  riot  through  the  house.  And  this  i«  gratitude! 
Oh,  heavens!'' 

"'  No,  it  isn't/*  said  Tom.  '^  I  don't  see  any  cause  foi 
gratitude,  and  I  haven't  pretended  to  feel  any.  You've 
had  twenty  dollars  a  week  for  my  board,  when  I 
could  get  as  good  anywhere  else  for  one-third  the  price, 
or  some  less.  I  think  it's  you  that  ought  to  be  grate- 
ful.'^ 

"  Do  you  hear  that,  Nathan?    It's  an  outrage.'* 

"I  hear  it,  Oorinthia,  and  I  agree,"  said  her  husband 
solemnly. 

''  May  I  ask  if  I  am  paying  at  the  rate  of  twenty  dol- 
lars a  week  for  this  supper?"  inquired  Tom. 

Mr.  Middleton  was  in  a  quandary.  The  bill  had  been 
paid  up  to  that  day,  but  for  the  extra  portion  of  a  day 
he  meant  to  deduct  payment  out  of  the  three  dollars 
which  had  been  given  for  Tom's  traveling  expenses.  He 
could  not  do  this  with  any  fairness  unless  decent  meals 
were  supplied. 

''  Oorinthia,"  he  said,  ''  you  had  better  send  for  some 
meat." 

''  Why  should  I?  I  don't  think  it  necessary,"  said 
the  lady  reluctantly. 

"  I  have  my  reasons,  which  you  will  acknowledge  to 
be  good.     I  will  explain  to  you  afterward." 

Mrs.  Middleton  complied  with  her  husbands  request, 
but  with  no  great  show  of  willingness. 


^  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

"  As  this  is  your  last  supper  under  my  roof,*'  he  said 
to  Tom  while  his  wife  was  gone  for  the  meat,  **  I  wish 
you  to  be  satisfied/' 

''Then  I  am  not  to  return  to  Plympton?''  said  Tom. 

'*  No;  it  will  probably  be  necessary  for  you  to  work 
for  your  living  at  once.  You  may,  perhaps,  go  into  a 
shoe-shop,  or  learn  the  carpenter's  trade/' 

"  Did  Mr.  Sharp  say  that?" 

''No;  I  only  suggested  it." 

"  Thank  you.  Perhaps  you  would  take  me  into  your 
office  to  learn  the  insurance  business." 

"  Not  with  my  consent,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  who 
reappeared  in  time  to  hear  Tom's  question. 

"  I  don't  think  it  would  be  advisable,"  said  Nathan. 

"  Then  perhaps  I  shall  have  to  go  into  a  shoe-shop,  as 
you  suggest.  If  there  should  be  an  opening  in  Plymp- 
ton,  perhaps  you  would  give  me  your  trade  for  the  sake 
of  old  times." 

"  Perhaps  so,"  said  Nathan  dubiously. 

Tom  helped  himseK  to  the  meat,  and  in  spite  of  the 
bad  news  he  had  heard,  displayed  his  usual  good  appe- 
tite. 

"  I  really  believe,"  Corinthia  remarked  afterward  to 
her  husband,  "  that  boy  would  eat  if  the  house  was  on 
fire." 

"  Very  likely,"  said  Nathan.     "  He's  a  strange  boy.'^ 

At  length  Tom  rose  from  the  table. 

"As  I'm  going  to-morrow,"  he  said,  "1  will  make 
my  farewell  calls,  and  then  come  home  and  pack  my 
trunk." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   LESSON"   OF   POVERTY. 

i^SJ^^i  2ERE  was  another  tea-table  in  Plympton 
fSl^^^l  '^^^^'^  Tom's  affairs  were  discussed  the  same 
pj^S^Jil  afternoon.  As  the  reader  will  conjecture,  I 
refer  to  that  of  Lawyer  Davenport. 

'*  Was  Thomas  Temple  here  this  afternoon  ?''  he  asked 
when  they  were  all  seated. 

'*  Yes,"  said  Imogene  promptly. 

*'  Imogene  is  setting  her  cap  for  him,'*  said  James. 

'*  You  should  not  tease  your  sister,  James, ^'  said  his 
mother.  ''It  is  perfectly  natural  that  Tom  should  be 
polite  to  your  sister.  He  is  in  her  own  social  rank,  and 
will  possess  a  fine  fortune.  What  do  you  say,  Mr.  Dav- 
enport?" 

''  That  the  intimacy  had  better  cease,"'  said  the  law- 
yer. 

*'  Really,  I  can't  understand  your  reasons,**  said  Mrs. 
Davenport. 

*'  What  is  the  matter  with  Tom?**  demanded  Imogene. 

*'  I  have  heard  some  news  about  him  this  afternoon,** 
said  the  lawyer,  "  which  influences  me  in  what  I  have 
said.** 

"  We  shouldn't  be  too  hard  upon  his  boyish  scrapes,** 
said  Mrs.  Davenport  charitably.     "  Boys  will  be  boys.'* 

**  It  isn't  any  boyish  scrape.'* 


98  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

'*  What  is  it,  then?" 

'*  Much  worse  than  that.  He  has  lost  his  entire 
fortune!" 

*•  You  don't  mean  it!"  ejaculated  his  wife. 

*'  It  can't  be  true,  papa,"  said  Imogene. 

**  It  is  perfectly  true.  I  had  it  from  Mr.  Middleton, 
and  he  received  the  information  this  very  day  from  Mr. 
Sharp,  the  boy's  guardian." 

^^But  how  could  he  lose  it?"  asked  James. 

*'  By  bad  investments  and  the  failure  of  large  creditors.  '^ 

**Has  he  lost  everything?" 

"All  but  a  few  hundred  dollars.'* 

'*0f  course,  that  alters  the  case  very  much,"  said 
Mrs.  Davenport.     "  He  is  a  poor  boy  now." 

"To  be  sure.  He  will  have  to  work  for  a  living. 
Probably  he  will  become  a  common  mechanic." 

"Horrible!"  exclaimed  Imogene,  with  a  shudder. 

"  Of  course,  he  is  no  fit  companion  for  our  children 
now." 

*'  Certainly  not,"  said  Mrs.  Davenport  decidedly. 

"  I  am  not  sorry,"  said  James.  "  I  never  liked  him. 
1  always  thought  him  low." 

"I  hope.  Imogene,"  said  her  mother,  "you  won*t 
think  of  encouraging  his  visits  now,"  said  her  mother. 
*'  He  is  far  below  you  in  the  social  scale.  *' 

"  I  understand  that  well  enough,  mother.  I  should 
not  be  willing  to  associate  with  a  working  boy," 

"  Right,  my  love  I  I  see  that  you  cherish  sentiments 
worthy  of  my  daughter.  There  is  nothing  like  having 
a  proper  sense  of  your  own  dignity.'^ 


THE  LESSON  OF  POVERTY,  99 

*'  You  won't  have  to  complain  of  me,"  said  Imogene, 
tossing  her  head. 

''Nor  of  me,"  said  James.  'Til  keep  him  at  a 
distance,  never  fear." 

''If  he  persists  in  coming  here,  you  must  tell  him 
decidedly  that  he  is  not  wanted,"  said  Mrs.  Davenport. 

"  There  will  be  no  difficulty,"  said  the  lawyer,  "He 
is  to  leave  town  at  once,  and  probably  Mr.  Sharp  will 
find  him  a  place." 

"lamgladof  that.*' 

" I  am  not,"  said  James.  "I  should  like  to  see  him 
working  at  some  trade  here  in  town,  so  that  I  could 
snub  him.  and  so  pay  him  off  for  his  independent  airs." 

The  family  had  just  risen  from  the  supper-table  when 
Tom  was  ushered  into  the  room  by  the  servant.  The 
four  who  had  been  discussing  him  and  his  affairs  looked 
at  each  other  in  a  significant  manner.  Tom  was  sharp 
enough  to  see  that  the  change  in  his  fortunes  was  known, 
and  he  smiled  to  himself. 

"Good-evening,  Thomas,"  said  the  lawyer,  in  a  re- 
served tone.  "Do  you  bring  any  message  from  Mr. 
Middleton?" 

"No,  I  don't,"  said  Tom  indepennently.  "I  board 
with  Mr.  Middleton.     I  don't  carry  messages  for  him." 

"  It  appears  to  me  that  you  exhibit  an  unbecoming 
pride,"  said  the  village  magnate. 

"Do  I?"  cried  Tom.  "I  was  only  stating  a  fact, 
which  you  didn't  appear  to  understand.  I  came  on  my 
own  business.  You  may  knov^  that  I  am  to  leave 
PlymptoB  to-morrow." 


100  TOM  TEMPLE  *S  CAREER, 

'''Have  you  got  a  place  yet?"  asked  James  with  a 
sneer. 

*'  What  kind  of  a  place?" 

*'  I  had  an  idea  that  you  were  going  to  learn  a  trade.'* 

*'  Did  you?    Where  did  you  get  the  idea  from?" 

*' You\e  lost  your  money,  haven't  you?" 

"So  they  say." 

''And  have  got  to  earn  your  living." 

"  You  appear  to  know  all  about  my  affairs.  Probably 
you're  right.  Perhaps  you  could  assist  me  by  some  sug- 
gestion. " 

•'If  we  hadn't  a  stable-boy  already,  I  would  ask 
father  to  take  you." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Tom  quietly.  "  It's  a  good  thing 
to  have  friends  when  you're  hard  up,  but  I  don't  think 
I'll  trouble  you.  There  is  one  favor  you  can  do  me, 
however. " 

'^If  James  can  conscientiously  do  you  a  favor,"  said 
the  lawyer  guardedly,  "  I  shall  not  object  to  his  doing 
it." 

*'  Oh,  it  won't  hurt  his  conscience,"  said  Tom  laugh- 
ing.    ''  At  any  rate  it  ought  not." 

"  I  think  the  tone  you  employ  is  hardly  appropriate, 
as  you  are  going  to  ask  a  favor." 

"What  is  it?"  asked  James,  who  felt  rather  curious, 
and  had  no  idea  what  Tom  meant.  If  he  had  he  would 
not  have  felt  so  complacent. 

''Why,"  said  Tom,  "I  feel  a  little  delicate,  but  as  I 
am  leaving  Plympton,  and  am  likely  to  need  the  money, 
I  should  like  to  have  James  pay  me  the  money  I  have 
ient  him  at  different  times." 


THE  LESSON  OF  POVERTY,  101 

James  fluslied  and  looked  uncomfortable.  His  father 
asked  hastily: 

''James,  have  you  borrowed  money  of  Thomas ?*' 

**I  borrowed  a  trifle  on  two  or  three  occasions,'^ 
James  admitted  reluctantly. 

"A  trifle!     How  much  r 

"Here  is  the  statement/'  said  Tom.  "It  amounts  to 
fifteen  dollars  and  a  half  altogether.'' 

"  It  can't  be!"  said  James.  , 

"  You  may  look  over  the  items,"  said  Tom. 

'*  Give  me  the  proper, "  said  the  lawyer. 

*'  James,  is  this  correct?"  lu  demanded  rather  sternly. 

*'  I  am  almost  sure  it  isn't,"  said  James.  '"^I  am  sure 
he  has  put  down  more  than  I  borrowed." 

"You  know  that  is  false,  James  Davenport,"  said 
Tom  contemptuously. 

"  I  didn't  think  you  were  so  mean  as  to  get  everything 
down,"  said  James. 

* '  I  did  it  because  I  always  keep  an  account  of  the 
money  I  spend,"  said  Tom;  "but  I  will  tell  you  frankly 
I  should  never  have  asked  you  to  repay  it,  if  you  had 
not  chosen  to  sneer  at  my  loss  of  foi-tune." 

"  Did  you  expect  my  son  to  treat  you  just  the  same  as 
when  you  were  rich?"  asked  Mr.  Davenport. 

"  No,  for  I  knew  him  too  well,"  said  Tom  signifi- 
cantly. 

"  He  has  acted  in  a  manner  entirely  proper,"  said 
Mrs.  Da \renport  with  emphasis,  "and  I  venture  to  say 
that  my  daughter,  Imogene,  agrees  with  me." 

**  I  do,  ma,"  said  Imogene. 


102  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"  Right,  my  daughter/'  said  her  mother  approvingly. 

Tom  looked  at  Imogene  attentively,  but  made  no 
comment.     He  expressed  no  surprise,  for  he  felt  none. 

''  If  you  were  about  to  remain  in  Plympton,''  said 
Mrs.  Davenport,  ^*  I  should  feel  compelled  to  say  that 
my  son  and  daughter  could  no  longer  associate  with  you 
on  terms  of  equality/' 

^'  It  is  fortunate  that  I  am  going  then/'  said  Tom.  "  I 
really  don't  think  I  could  live  in  Plympton  if  I  were  de- 
prived of  their  society/' 

'*  You  might  see  us  occasionally  if  you  became  oar 
stable-boy,"  said  James. 

'^  Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  "  but  1  must  decline.  I 
am  afraid  you  would  want  to  borrow  all  my  wages.*' 

'^  You  are  impertinent."  said  James  angrily. 

"^So  are  you,"  said  Tom  with  spirit. 

*^  Hush,  James!"  said  his  father.  ''  Such  discussion 
is  unseemly.  In  regard  to  these  sums  you  have  lent  my 
son,  Thomas,"  he  proceeded,  **I  should  be  justified  in 
refusing  to  repay  them,  since  they  were  lent  to  a  minor, 
who,  in  the  eyes  of  the  law,  has  no  right  to  contract 
debts." 

"  Do  as  you  like,"  said  Tom.  *'  If  you  are  unwilling 
to  pay  it,  James  may  regard  it  as  a  present  from  me." 

"  I  should  not  wish  my  son  to  remain  under  such  an 
obligation,  and  I  am  quite  aware  that  your  present  cir- 
cumstances will  not  justify  you  in  making  so  large  a 
present,  or  indeed  any  at  all.     I  therefore  repay  you." 

Tom  received  the  bank-notes  and  put  them  in  hfe 
pocket-book. 


THE  LESSON  OF  POVERTY,  103 

'*  Thank  you/'  he  said,  "  both  for  the  money  and  the 
consideration  for  my  poverty.  I  won't  occupy  any 
more  of  your  time,  but  will  bid  you  all  good-by.  I 
should  be  glad  to  have  you  send  good-by  to  Mary  Somers 
when  you  write." 

*'I'll  do  it,"  said  James.  ''  By  the  way,  you  would 
be  a  good  match  for  her.  She  hasn't  got  a  cent,  and 
can't  expect  anything  better  than  being  a  mechanic's 
wife." 

*'  Would  you  be  willing  to  accept  a  mechanic  for  a 
cousin?"  asked  Tom,  smiling. 

'^We  shouldn't  need  to  be  intimate." 

"  Very  true.  That's  a  comfort.  But  we  won't  look 
too  far  ahead.     Good-by." 

And  Tom  withdrew. 

''What  a  ridiculous  pride  that  boy  has,"  said  Mrs. 
Davenport. 

*'  He's  very  impudent,"  said  James. 

'*I'm  glad  he's  gone,"  said  Imogene. 

"Very  probably  you  will  never  meet  again,"  said  her 
father;  **if  you  do,  you  can  be  very  distant." 

Poor  Tom!  A  few  hours  had  made  a  great  difference 
in  the  demeanor  of  the  Davenports  toward  him.  Such 
is  life  I 


CHAPTER  XVL 

NEW   PLANS. 

^^^^^T  MUST  not  be  supposed  that  Tom  cared 

l^slP^I  ^<^^^i^g  ^^^  ^^^  ^^ss  ^^  ^^s  fortune.  He  waa 
|^y3^!|g|  old  enough  to  know  the  value  of  money,  and 
to  realize  the  great  difference  it  would  make  in  the  life 
that  lay  before  him.  But  he  was  one  of  those  who  think 
it  foolish  to  cry  over  spilled  milk,  and  he  at  once  resolved 
to  make  the  best  of  his  position.  As  to  the  loss  of  such 
friends  as  the  Davenports,  he  cared  little.  He  had  al- 
ways understood  that  they  cared  for  him  only  because 
he  was  rich,  and  he  was  neither  astonished  nor  disap- 
pointed at  the  change  which  had  come  over  them. 

He  made  two  other  calls  and  then  returned  to  his 
boarding-house.  He  went  up-stairs  to  his  room  and 
packed  his  trunk.  As  he  was  thus  engaged,  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton  tapped  at  the  door. 

*'  Come  in,''  said  Tom, 

Mr.  Middleton  entered. 

"There  is  a  little  matter  I  wished  to  speak  to  yon 
about,"  said  Nathan. 

"Very  well^  sir." 

"Mr.  Sharp  paid  your  board-bill  up  to  to-day."' 

"  Very  well,  sir. " 

"  But  there  will  be  one  day  over,  for  which  no  pay 
has  been  received." 


NEW  PLANS,  iO£ 

"Ohf'Baid  Tom;  "there  will  be  no  difficulty  about 
that.     Tell  me  how  much  it  is,  and  1  will  pay  you." 

Mr.  Middleton  coughed. 

"It  can  be  settled  another  way/'  he  said.  **Mr. 
Sharp  handed  mt  three  dollars  for  your  traveling  ex- 
penses.    I  can  take  it  out  of  that.^' 

"Just  as  you  like." 

"I  find/'  proceeded  Nathan,  "that  one-seventh  of 
twenty  dollars  is  two  dollars  and  eighty-six  cents.  I 
will,  therefore,  hand  you  fourteen  cents,  and  that  will 
make  us  square." 

Tom's  lip  curled,  for  he  fully  appreciated  Mr.  Middle- 
ton's  meanness. 

"Never  mind  about  the  change,"  he  said.  "Keep 
the  three  dollars." 

"  I  am  quite  ready  to  pay  you  the  fourteen  cents,"  said 
Nathan. 

"  It's  of  no  consequence.  Keep  it  to  remember  me 
by." 

"  I  sJiall  remember  you,  Thomas,"  said  Mr.  Middle- 
ton,  whose  heart  was  touched  by  the  unexpected  gift. 
'*  1  am  really  sorry  that  circumstances  are  to  separate  us." 

"  No  doubt  you'll  miss  my  money,"  thought  Tom;  but 
it  was  his  rule  to  treat  others  as  they  treated  him,  and 
he  answered  politely: 

"  I  should  prefer  to  have  kept  my  money,  but  1  must 
take  things  as  they  come/' 

"You  may  get  a  part  of  your  money  back;  if  you  do, 
I  shall  be  happy  to  receive  you  back  into  my  family  on 
the  same  terms." 


106  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

*'I  can't  tell  what  my  plans  will  be/'  said  Tom,  who 
could  not  pretend  that  he  wished  to  return.  **If  I 
should  desire  to  return,  I  will  write  to  you.*' 

Mr.  Middleton  on  second  thoughts  had  thought  it 
best  to  treat  our  hero  well,  as  there  was  no  knowing  but 
some  of  the  bad  investments  might  turn  out  better  than 
was  expected. 

Tom  went  to  bed  early.  The  next  morning  the  Cen- 
terville  stage  drove  round  to  the  door,  and  he  got  ou 
board.  Mr.  Middleton  bade  him  a  cordial  farewell,  but 
Mrs.  Middleton  had  less  hopes  of  the  restoration  of  his 
fortunes.  She  coldly  said  good-by,  and  Tom  shed  no 
tears  at  parting. 

Before  twelve  o'clock  he  entered  Mr.  Sharp's  office. 

*^Glad  to  see  you,  Tom,"  said  the  lawyer,  rising 
quickly,     **  I  suppose  you've  heard  the  news?" 

''Yes,  sir." 

''  I  am  heartily  sorry,"  said  the  lawyer.  **  I  hope  you 
don't  think  it  my  fault." 

"I  haven't  heard  the  particulars,"  said  Tom;  **but  I 
felt  sure  you  were  not  to  blame." 

''  Sit  down,  and  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it,"  said  Mr. 
Sharp. 

"I  was  going  to  ask  that  favor,"  said  Tom.  **I 
didn't  get  a  very  clear  idea  from  Mr.  Middleton  as  to 
what  had  happened,  or  rather  how  it  happened.  He 
told  me  I  had  only  a  few  hundred  dollars  to  look  to 
now." 

''  I  hope  it  will  be  better  than  that.  Ten  thousand 
dollars  were  lent  to  Archibald  Armstrong,  a  New  York 


NEW  PLANS,  107 

merchant,  who  has  failed.  His  estate  will  paj  some- 
thing, though  very  little.  If  only  ten  per  cent.,  that 
would  amount  to  a  thousand.     That's  something.'* 

'*^  To  be  sure  it  is/'  said  Tom. 

"  Then  you  have  fifteen  thousand  dollars  invested  in 
mining  shares.  They  are  worth  very  little,  but  they  will 
eell  for  something." 

"  Do  you  think  I  shall  get  ten  per  cent,  on  these?" 

"I  think  you  will." 

''Why,  that  will  be  fifteen  hundred  more!  Really, 
things  are  not  so  bad  as  they  might  be,"  said  Tom 
cheerfully. 

"  I  am  glad  you  take  it  so  well,  Tom.  But  I  can't 
offer  you  any  hope  of  realizing  anything  from  the  bal- 
ance. It  was  invested  in  merchandise  shipped  to  a 
foreign  port,  and  the  vessel,  we  have  every  reason  to 
believe,  is  lost." 

''  Not  much  chance  there,"  said  Tom. 

*'  We  had  better  give  up  all  hopes  in  that  quarter.  As 
f,o  the  other  items,  you  may  depend  upon  my  doing  my 
best  for  you." 

''  Thank  you,"  said  Tom  warmly.  '*  It  is  pleasant  to 
get  a  little  sympathy.     I  didn^t  get  much  in  Plympton." 

''From  Mr.  Middleton,  you  mean." 

"Yes,  and  others.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  are  both 
as  mean  as  they  can  well  be.  Notwithstanding  the 
liberal  board  I  paid,  they  tried  to  starve  me  at  first,  but 
1  wouldn't  stand  it,  and  they  had  to  improve  their  fare." 

"Didn't  they  express  any  sorrow  at  losing  you.^" 

*'  Oh,  they  were  sorry  enough,  but  it  was  at  losing 


108  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

the  money.  Then  there  was  a  lawyer's  family,  who  were 
very  polite  and  attentive  to  me  while  I  was  rich;  but  as 
Boon  as  they  learned  of  my  reverses,  they  tried  to  look 
down  upon  me,  but  they  didn't  succeed  very  well,''  said 
Tom,  with  satisfaction.  ^'\  gave  them  as  good  as  they 
sent.** 

*'  111  warrant  that,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Sharp,  laughing. 
*'  You  generally  do." 

"  I'd  like  to  get  rich  again  just  to  turn  the  tables  en 
them/*  said  Tom  thoughtfully. 

*'You  must  take  the  world  as  you  find  it,"  said  the 
lawyer.  **  There  are  more  selfish  than  unselfish  people 
in  it.  But  you  musn't  jump  to  the  conclusion  that  all 
men  are  mercenary." 

**  I  am  sure  they  are  not,"  said  Tom. 

'*  Keep  your  confidence  in  human  nature,  my  boy,  and 
you  will  be  happier.  Don't  become  a  cynic.  It  would 
only  make  you  unhappy.  Besides  it  would  be  unjust  to 
the  large  number  of  really  excellent  people,  some  of 
whom  I  hope  you  wi^l  meet.  But  to  come  back  to  your 
affairs,  what  would  you  like  to  do?" 

''  What  can  I  do?" 

"  You  can  go  to  a  boarding-school  a  year  without  ex- 
ceeding the  money  I  have  to  your  credit.  Then  if  you 
realize  what  I  think  probable,  you  can  continue  yet 
longer,  and  still  have  something  to  begin  the  w^rld 
with." 

Tom  looked  thoughtful. 

'*I  am  sixteen,"  he  said,  ''and  my  education  is  good, 
though  it  might  be  better.  I  have  thought  I  should 
like  to  seek  my  fortune  in  the  world." 


NEW  PLANS.  109 

"  Don't  decide  hastily,  Tom.  Another  year  at  school 
would  do  you  good." 

*'  I  know  it,  and  I  will  take  time  to  consider.  But  I 
must  know  more  of  the  world  first.  Give  me  fifty  dol- 
lars, and  let  me  go  to  New  York  and  look  about  me.  It 
will  keep  me  there  a  fortnight.  During  that  time  I  will 
look  around  and  decide  how  to  spend  the  next  year.' 

''  You  have  my  consent,  Tom,"  said  the  lawyer. 
"  The  city  abounds  in  temptations,  but  you  are  sixteen, 
and  I  trust  to  your  good  sense  to  keep  clear  of  them. 
When  do  you  want  to  go  ?  " 

**  To-morrow,"  said  Tom  promptly. 

"  Very  well.  You  will  stay  at  my  bouse  to-day,  and 
you  can  take  the  morning  train  for  the  city  to-morrow. 
The  money  shall  be  ready.'* 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

TOM  ARRIVES  IK   NEW  YORK. 

b^|p|;|0M  EEACHED  New  York  about  noon.     It 

iS^fel  ^^^^  ^  bright,  pleasant  day,  and  he  was  in 
|p^9gll"|  excellent  spirits,  although  he  had  just  lost  a 
fortune.  This  was  partly  due,  no  doubt,  to  the  pleas- 
ure which  he  anticipated  from  his  visit  to  the  great  city. 

It  was  not  his  first  visit,  but  he  had  not  been  in  it  for 
six  years,  and  then  he  only  stayed  a  day.  To  all  intents 
and  purposes  it  was  new  to  him,  for  he  remembered  very 
little  about  it. 

As  Tom  left  the  cars  with  a  small  carpet-bag  in  his 
hand,  he  was  accosted  by  the  hackmen. 

*'  Have  a  carriage,  sir?''' 

*'  How  much  do  you  charge?"  asked  our  hero. 

*'  Two  dollars. '^ 

If  Tom  had  still  been  rich,  he  would  probably  have 
said  yes,  and  got  into  the  cab,  but  he  felt  the  need  of 
economy^  and  he  declined. 

A  thm,  sallow  man  of  thirty-five  heard  the  colloquy 
between  Tom  and  the  hack-driver. 

^'  You  are  right,  my  young  friend, '^  said  he,  stepping 
to  Tom's  side, ''  not  to  take  a  carriage.  These  hack- 
men  are  extortionate."' 

*'  Two  dollars  seems  rather  a  steep  price,"  said  Tonu 


TOM  ARRIVES  IN  NEW  YORIC.  Ill 

''  It  is.  Very  likely  tlieyM  have  charged  you  five  at 
the  end  of  the  route.     The  city  is  full  of  sharpers." 

"  Is  it?  "  asked  Tom,  with  interest. 

*'  I  regret  to  say  it  is.  Are  you  a  stranger  in  New 
York.?" 

''  Yes,  sir.*' 

**  If  I  can  be  of  any  service  to  you — I  am  a  merchant 
from  Buffalo,  to  be  here  a  few  days  on  business — I  will 
with  pleasure.     I  have  a  nephew  of  your  age." 

*'  Thank  you,"  said  Tom.     ''  Can  you  recommend  a 
good  hotel — not  too  dear?" 
.  *'  Up  town  or  down?  " 

'*  Down." 

*'  Suppose  you  go  to  French's.  It's  on  the  European 
system.  You  pay  for  your  room  so  much  a  day,  and 
extra  for  meals." 

'*  I'll  try  it,"  said  Tom. 

*'  Then  come  with  me,  I'm  going  there  myself.  It 
isn't  far.     We  can  walk." 

'*  I  should  like  that.  It  will  give  me  a  chance  to  see 
something  of  the  city." 

So  the  two  walked  together  till  they  reached  French's 
Hotel,  at  the  corner  of  Frankfort  Street,  facing  City 
Hall  Park. 

**  I  suppose  we  could  get  a  better  room  if  we  took 
one  together,"  said  the  stranger. 

Tom  hesitated.  He  didn't  altogether  like  the  ar- 
rangement, but  it  seemed  ungracious  to  refuse. 

*^  Very  well,"  he  said. 

*'  Then  put  down  your  name  in  the  books.'' 


118  TOM  TEMPLE  '5  CAREER, 

Tom  with  some  pride,  for  he  had  never  before  stayed 
at  a  hotel,  wrote  in  the  hotel  register,  ''Thomas  Tem- 
ple, Centerville,'*  in  a  bold,  round  hand. 

Underneath  his  companion  scrawled  the  name,  "  Sam- 
uel Livingston,  Buffalo/' 

'*  Give  us  a  good  double-room,''  he  said  to  the  clerk. 

*'  No.  157,'^  said  the  clerk,  calling  a  servant.  *'  Show 
these  gentlemen  up  to  No.  157." 

They  were  shown  into  a  room  of  good  size,  com- 
fortably furnished.  Tom,  who  was  dusty,  refreshed 
himself  by  washing  his  face  and  hands. 

"  Are  you  hungry?"  asked  Mr.  Livingston. 

**  IVe  got  rather  a  healthy  appetite,'^  said  Tom. 

"  After  you've  washed  we'll  go  down  into  the  refec- 
tory and  have  some  dinner.  It  will  be  more  social  din- 
ing together." 

**  Just  as  you  like." 

**  You  must  be  my  guest  at  dinner." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  "but  I  would  rather  pay 
for  my  own  dinner." 

'*  Oh,  don't  be  squeamish." 

"  I  don't  like  to  accept  favors  from  a  stranger.'* 

"  Then  to  ease  your  scruples,  I  will  take  supper  with 
you." 

Tom  would  prefer  to  have  paid  his  own  way  inde- 
pendently of  Mr.  Livingston,  but  as  the  latter  said,  it 
would  amount  to  very  much  the  same  thing,  so  he  made 
no  further  objections. 

They  adjourned  to  the  refectory,  and  although  it  was 
not  yet  one  o'clock^  both  exhibited  a  hearty  appetite. 


TOM  ARRIVES  IN  NEW  YORK.  \\% 

But  prices  were  reasonable,  and  the  united  tickets  only 
came  to  one  dollar  and  a  half. 

"  Give  me  the  checks,"  said  Livingston  to  the  waiter. 

He  opened  his  pocket-book  and  examined  its  contents. 

'*  On  second  thought/'  he  said,  *'  my  young  friend,  I 
will  suggest  a  change  in  our  arrangements.  You  may 
pay  for  the  dinner  and  I  will  pay  for  the  supper.*' 

Tom  looked  surprised,  and  he  explained: 

*'  You  see,"  he  continued,  in  an  off-hand  tone,  '*Fve 
got  a  check  here  for  six  hundred  dollars,  which  I  am 
going  to  get  cashed.  Besides  this,  I  have  only  a  little 
change.*' 

*' Will  you  show  me  the  check?**  asked  Tom,  who  had 
become  rather  suspicious. 

**  To  be  sure,'*  said  his  companion. 

He  exhibited  a  check  on  the  Park  Bank,  which  iooked 
all  right.  It  was  payable  to  bearer,  and  was  in  the  sum 
of  six  hundred  dollars,  as  he  alleged. 

Tom's  suspicions  were  allayed.  He  concluded  that 
his  new  friend  was  all  right,  and  settled  the  bill. 

"Where  are  you  going  this  afternoon?** asked  Living- 
ston. 

"  I  shall  walk  around  the  city  a  little,**  said  Tom. 

"  I'm  sorry  I  can't  go  with  you.  I  have  some  goods 
to  buy  and  some  other  business  to  attend  to,  but  111 
meet  you  in  the  reading-room  at  six  o'clock  and  well  go 
down  to  supper." 

''  Very  well,"  said  Tom.     "  That  will  suiv  me  well 
ugh." 
Hope  youTl  have  a  good  time.     I  am  glad  I  Tell  in 


514  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

with  you.     I  don't  often  take  up  with  strangers,  but  ) 
took  a  fancy  to  you  at  first  sight." 

Tom  felt  that  he  ought  to  be  grateful  for  this  compli- 
ment, though  he  could  not  reciprocate  it.  Glancing 
critically  at  Mr.  Livingston,  he  acknowledged  to  himself 
that  he  was  not  a  man  to  whom  he  would  have  felt 
attracted.  Of  course  he  answered  politel},  and  they 
separated. 

As  he  stepped  outside  of  the  hotel  he  looked  about 
him  a  little,  and  thus  attracted  the  attention  of  a  boot 
black. 

''  Shine  your  boots,  boss?''  asked  Johnny. 

''  Go  ahead,"  said  Tom. 

The  job  was  accomplished,  and  Tom  tarnst  his  band 
into  his  pocket. 

'*  What's  to  pay?"  he  asked 

'*  A  quarter." 

"What?" 

*'  Twenty-five  cents." 

''  Do  you  think  I'll  pay  suoh  a  price  as  that?"  asked 
Tom  indignantly. 

''  Reg'lar  price,  mister,"  said  the  unprincipled  young 
rascal,  who  knew  from  Tom's  appearance  that  he  was  a 
stranger.     "  Keg'lar  price,  isn't  it,  Micky?" 

" 'Course  it  is,"  said  the  confederate.  "You  don't 
live  in  the  city,  mister,  or  you'd  know." 

But  Tom's  sharp  eyes  detected  a  gentleman  near  him 
paying  ten  cents  for  a  similar  service,  and  he  quietly 
tendered  the  same  amount  to  the  boy. 

**You  ain't  so  green  as  you  look,  mister,"  said  the 
latter,  with  a  griiL 


TOM  ARRIVES  IN  NEW  YORK,  115 

''  Thank  you,"  said  Tom.  "  You'll  have  to  try  that 
game  on  somebody  else.     Do  you  often  succeed?" 

"  Sometimes,"  said  the  boy." 

*'  If  a  quarter  was  the  regular  price,  I'd  go  into  the 
business  myself,"  said  Tom. 

"  Maybe  you  couldn't  pay  the  license,"  said  the 
knight  of  the  blacking-brush. 

''  How  much  is  it?" 

'*  Five  hundred  dollars." 

"  If  that's  all,  I'll  buy  two,"  said  Tom. 

'*  I'll  sell  you  mine." 

*'  I  don't  want  one  second-hand." 

^'  You'll  do,"  said  the  street  boy.  **  You've  got  your 
eye-teeth  cut." 

"  I  think  I  shall  need  to  learn  in  this  city,"  thought 
Tom,  "  where  even  the  boys  in  the  street  try  to  swindle 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 

A   MIDNIGHT  ADVENTUEE. 

pKffl^OM  STROLLED  about  the  lower  part  of  th< 
liS^Si]  ^^^^'  keeping  his  eyes  wide  open.  He  mus< 
pB^B^'l  have  walked  several  miles,  but  he  did  not  feel 
tired.  There  was  so  much  to  see,  and  everything  was 
80  different  from  the  quiet  villages  in  which  he  had 
lived  hitherto,  that  he  was  delighted  and  fascinated. 

"I  wonder  if  I  couldn't  get  a  place  here?'*  thought 
our  hero. 

He  determined  to  see  the  city  pretty  thoroughly,  and 
then  decide. 

A  little  before  five  o*clock  he  went  back  to  the  hotel. 
He  sat  in  the  reading-room,  reading  the  papers,  till  six 
o^clock,  when  Livingston  entered. 

**  How  long  have  you  been  here.  Temple?*'  he  asked. 

*'  About  an  hour,  Livingston,"  said  Tom  coolly. 

Livingston  laughed. 

"  You  mean  to  be  even  with  me,'*  he  said. 

"It's  a  poor  rule  that  won't  work  both  ways,**  said 
Tom. 

"  That's  where  your  head's  level,  my  son.  Shall  we 
go  down  to  supper?" 

"Have  you  cashed  that  check?"  asked  Tom  cau- 
tiously. 

"Yes,"  said  the  other,  laughing.  "I  see  you  are 
eharp." 


A  MIDNIGHT  ADVENTURE,  117 

"  I  find  I  have  to  be/'  said  Tom. 

**  Well,  you  won't  have  to  pay  for  snpper.  By  the 
way,  I've  done  considerable  business.** 

"Have  you?" 

"I've  purchased  two  thousand  doliare  worth  of 
goods." 

"With  six  hundred  dollars?^ 

"  Sharp,  again,  my  son.  You  don't  understand  busi- 
ness. I  pay  twenty-five  per  cent  down,  and  get  ninety 
days'  credit  for  the  balance." 

'*  That's  five  hundred  cash." 

"  Precisely.  You'll  make  a  smart  business  man. 
Why  won't  you  come  out  to  Buffalo  and  go  into  my 
employ?" 

"  I  think  I  would  prefer  a  place  here." 

"  If  you  change  your  mind,  let  me  know." 

**  I  don't  think  I  would  like  to  be  in  your  employ," 
thought  Tom.  "I  don't  like  your  appearance  well 
enough." 

Of  course  he  did  not  say  this. 

They  sat  down  to  the  supper,  which  proved  to  be  a 
less  expensive  meal  than  dinner.  The  charge  for  both 
was  out  seventy-five  cents. 

Livingston  walked  up  and  settled  it. 

"  I  made  something  by  paying  for  supper  instead  of 
dinner,"  he  said,  showing  his  teeth.  "  But,  to  make  it 
even,  I'll  pay  for  breakfast  too." 

"  No,  thank  you,"  said  Tom.  "  I  don't  like  that  way. 
We  will  eat  together,  if  you  wish  it,  but  we  will  each 
pay  his  own  bilL 


il8  TOM  TEMPLE' S  CAREER, 

**  Oh,  just  as  you  like.  It  will  save  me  something/' 
fiaid  Livingston  carelessly. 

*'  How  are  you  going  to  spend  the  evening?^'  he  asked 
as  they  were  going  up-stairs. 

"  I  shall  stay  in  the  hotel.  I  am  tired»  and  shall  go 
to  bed  early. 

"  I  shall  probably  go  to  some  theater,"  said  living* 
ston.     **  Won^t  you  join  meP' 

*'  I  guess  not/'  said  Tom. 

'^Then  good-night.  I  suppose  yon  wiB  be  asleep 
when  I  come  in." 

**  Good-night." 

Tom  went  into  the  billiard-room  a  while  and  watched 
the  playing.  Then  he  read  the  papers  once  more. 
About  nine  o'clock  he  went  np  to  his  room. 

*'I  wish  I  hadn't  taken  a  room  with  this  Livingston," 
he  thought  to  himself.  *'  He  may  be  all  he  pretends  to 
be,  but  he  is  a  stranger,  and  it  may  be  dangerous  to 
trust  him.    Suppose  he  should  be  a  swindler?** 

This  set  Tom  to  thinking.  He  had  about  seventy 
dollars  with  him,  including  the  fifty  he  had  received 
from  Mr.  Sharp. 

"What's  to  prevent  his  taking  this  money  when  I  am 
asleep?"  he  considered. 

By  way  of  precaution,  Tom  took  out  all  the  money 
but  five  dollars  from  his  pocket-book  and  tucked  it  into 
one  of  his  stockings.  His  watch  he  tucked  into  the 
other.  These  he  concealed  beneath  the  sheet  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  bed. 

'*  It  won't  do  any  barm,"  he  thought,  **  though  it  may 


A  MIDNIGHT  ADVENTURER,  lift 

be  unnecessary.  My  friend  Livingston  wouldn't  feel 
particularly  complimented  if  he  knew  what  I  am  doing; 
but  I  mean  to  keep  him  from  temptation/' 

More  easy  in  mind  after  he  had  taken  these  precau 
tions,  Tom  composed  himself  to  sleep.     It  was  not  long 
before  he  was  unconscious,  for  his  walk  had  made  hiia 
weary,  though  he  did  not  realize  it  at  the  time. 

How  long  he  slept  Tom  did  not  know,  but  it  was  ac- 
tually about  twelve  o'clock  when  he  awoke,  and  by  the 
moonlight  that  streamed  in  through  the  window,  de- 
tected Livingston  examining  his  pockets.  He  had 
placed  his  clothes  on  a  chair  beside  the  bed.  If  Tom 
had  not  foreseen  that  this  might  happen,  he  would 
probably  have  been  startled.  As  it  was,  he  was  rather 
amused  Avhen  he  pictured  to  himself  Livingston's  disap- 
pointment at  his  small  booty.  Desirous  of  getting  all 
the  fun  he  could  out  of  it,  he  pretended  to  be  asleep 
still. 

Livingston  at  that  moment  was  opening  Tom's  pocket- 
book.  The  moonlight  was  sufficient  to  show  him  the 
contents. 

"Confound  it!"  Tom  heard  him  mutter;  *'the  boy's 
only  got  five  dollars.  It  isn't  worth  half  the  trouble  I've 
taken.  The  young  beggar!  I  thought,  to  be  sure,  he 
had  thirty  or  forty  dollars  with  him,  judging  from  hia 
clothes.  However,  Til  take  the  five.  His  watch  will 
make  up,  perhaps.  I  can  get  something  at  the  pawn- 
broker's for  it." 

He  felt  for  the  watch,  but  did  not  find  it. 

"  Where's  the  boy  put  it?"  Tom  heard  him  matter. 
"  It  certainly  isn't  here." 


ISO  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

Apparently  Livingston  concluded  that  it  might  be 
nnder  his  pillow,  for  he  begun  to  search  there.  This 
did  not  altogether  suit  our  hero,  and  he  purposely  made 
a  noise,  as  if  on  the  point  of  waking  up.  It  answered 
the  purpose.  Livingston  cautiously  retreated,  and  as 
Tom  changed  his  position  in  bed  so  as  to  face  him,  he 
eeemed  to  conclude  that  it  was  best  to  give  up  the  search. 

*'  So  he's  a  swindler  tool^'  thought  Tom.  ^'  He  warned 
me  that  the  city  was  full  of  them,  and  I  find  he^s  right. 
Of  course  his  story  about  being  a  merchant  from  Buf- 
falo, and  buying  two  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  goods,  is 
all  a  lie.'' 

Tom  lay  awake  half  an  hour.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  judging  from  the  deep  breathing  that  Livingston 
was  asleep,  he  allowed  himself  to  fall  asleep  too.  When 
he  woke  up  it  was  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Hi? 
companion  was  still  asleep.  Tom  quietly  dressed  him' 
self,  and  then  went  to  Livingston's  bedside  and  shook 
him. 

*'Eh!  what's  the  matter?"  demanded  the  merchant 
from  Buffalo,  opening  his  eyes.  '^  Oh,  it's  you,  is  it? 
What  makes  you  get  up  so  early?" 

"  I  went  to  bed  early,  you  know,"  said  Tom.  "  By 
the  way,  Mr.  Livingston,  I'll  trouble  you  for  that  money 
you  borrowed  of  me  last  night." 

"I — borrowed  money!  You  must  be  crazy,"  said 
Livingston,  looking  uncomfortable. 

'*  I  saw  you  open  my  pocket-book  and  take  out  a  five- 
dollar  bill,"  said  Tom  coolly.  ''  I  shall  need  it,  and 
must  ask  you  to  return  it'* 


A  MID  NIGHT  ADVENTURB.  \%\ 

•*  Do  you  mean  to  insult  me?**  blustered  Livingston. 

*•  By  no  means/'  said  Tom.  "  You  probably  got  up 
in  your  sleep.  Give  me  the  money,  and  111  say  nothing 
about  if 

"  I  do  sometimes  get  up  in  my  sleep,"  said  Livingston, 
who  felt  that  he  must  surrender  at  discretion.     *'  If  I  / 
find  the  bill,  I  shall  know  I  did/' 

He  felt  in  his  vest  pocket  and  produced  the  bill. 

'•  By  gracious,  that's  strange  I"  said  he,  "I  wouldn't 
have  believed  it.  Why  didn't  you  wake  me  up  when 
you  saw  me?" 

*'  I  thought  I  wouldn't  disturb  you." 

"It's  a  good  joke,  my  robbing  you  in  my  sleep,"  said 
Livingston,  with  a  forced  laugh. 

**  Capital!"  said  Tom.  ''  But  I  think  I'll  have  to  take 
another  room;  it  makes  me  nervous  to  occupy  the  same 
room  with  a  sleep-walker." 

**  Just  as  you  like.  Temple.  What  a  joke  it  was!  Ha! 
hal" 

**  It  might  have  been  something  else  than  a  joke," 
thought  Tom,  as  he  went  down  stairs.  "  You'd  better 
take  the  first  train  for  Buffalo,  old  chap  I" 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

TOM   MAKES   A    PROPOSAL. 

OM  SPENT  the  following  three  days  in 
making  himself  familiar  with  localities  in 
I  New  York.  He  procured  a  pocket-map  of 
the  city,  and  guiding  himself  by  it,  walked  about  to  so 
much  good  purpose  that  at  the  end  of  four  days  he  knew 
more  about  the  streets  and  public  buildings  than  many 
who  have  lived  in  the  city  as  many  months. 

It  was  in  the  afternoon  of  the  f outh  day  that  Tom  was 
walking  through  the  lower  part  of  Pearl  Street,  when  he 
found  himself  passing  in  front  of  a  warehouse,  on  which 
was  the  firm  name  of  Eichard  Armstrong  &  Co. 

''  Richard  Armstrong, '^  repeated  Tom.  ''Why,  that 
must  be  the  merchant  to  whom  my  father  lent  ten 
thousand  dollars.  By  his  failure  one-quarter  of  my 
property  is  gone." 

There  might,  of  course,  be  another  Richard  Armstrong, 
but  Tom  was  impressed  with  the  idea  that  this  was  the 
man — his  father's  friend. 

He  paused  before  the  entrance. 

*'  Shall  I  go  in,"  he  thought.  ''  Perhaps  I  shall  hear 
something  that  will  give  me  a  clearer  idea  of  my  pros- 
pects." 

A  clerk  brushed  by  him  as  this  thought  entered  his 
mind,  saying  rather  impertinently: 


7VM  MAKES  A  PROPOSAL.  123 

''What  business  have  you  here,  boy?  Don't  you 
know  any  better  than  to  fill  up  this  passage-way?" 

Tom  was  spirited,  and  in  the  habit  of  standing  up  for 
his  rights.     He  decided,  upon  the  moment,  to  go  in. 

'^  I  have  as  much  business  here  as  you,"  he  retorted, 
and  followed  the  clerk  in. 

''^Have  you,  indeed?"  sneered  the  clerk. 

''^I  have,"  said  Tom  quietly.  "Is  Mr.  Armstrong 
in?" 

"  Yes,  he  is;  but  he  can't  see  you.** 

''How  do  you  know?" 

''He's  busy.*' 

"  I  think  he'll  see  me,"  said  Tom.  '*  Please  hand  him 
that  card  and  let  me  know  what  he  says." 

The  clerk  was  half -inclined  to  refuse,  but  in  spite  of 
his  reluctance,  he  felt  constrained  to  obey. 

'•'  It's  likely  Mr.  Armstrong  will  allow  himself  to  be 
interrupted  by  an  errand-boy,"  he  said  sneeringly. 

"  I  suppose  you  mean  yourself,"  said  Tom  quickly. 

"No,  I  don't,"  said  the  other,  provoked;  "I  mean 
you." 

"  Then  you're  mistaken.     I  am  not  an  errand-boy."' 

"Are  you  a  newsboy  or  boot-black?  If  you've  got  a 
bill  against  Mr.  Armstrong  for  blacking  his  boots  it 
won't  be  necessary  for  you  to  see  him." 

"  I  don't  black  boots,"  said  Tom.  "  Sometimes  I  do 
a  little  in  blacking  eyes." 

"  You're  the  cheekiest  youngster  I've  met  lately." 

"And  you're  the  most  impudent  clerk." 

The  young  man  would  have  replied,  but  a  voice  from 
an  inner  room  called  him,  and  he  hurried  away. 


124  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

*'l  wonder  whether  he'll  do  my  errand,**  thonght 
Tom.     *'  If  he  doesn't.  Til  make  a  fuss." 

But  the  card  was  delivered.  The  clerk  was  actuated 
partly  by  curiosity,  partly  by  the  desire  to  carry  back  to 
Tom  a  curt  refusal.  But  he  was  rather  astonished  when 
his  employer,  with  a  look  of  interest,  said: 

*'Tom  Temple  1  bring  him  in  at  once." 

**  You're  to  go  in,"  said  the  clerk,  coming  out  and 
callliig  Tom. 

*'I  told  you  so,"  said  Tom  quietly. 

**  I  wonder  what  business  he  has  anyhow,"  thought 
the  clerk,  *'or  who  he  is.     He's  an  impudent  chap." 

Entering  the  counting-room,  Tom  found  himself  in  the 
presence  of  a  stout,  dignified-looking  man  of  about  forty- 
five  years  of  age. 

''Are  you  Tom  Temple?"  asked  the  merchant  ab- 
ruptly. 

**  Yes,  sir,"  said  Tom  respectfully. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you.  T^<:e  a  seat.  Your  father 
was  my  intimate  friend.  I  was  several  years  older  than 
he,  but  we  went  co  school  together." 

**  I  have  heard  him  say  so,  sir." 

*' You  find  me  under  a  cloud,"  said  the  merchant,  a 
shadow  sweeping  over  his  face.  **  Perhaps  you  have 
heard  of  my  failure." 

*'Yes,  sir,  I  have,"  said  Tom. 

"  I  suppose  you  know  also  that  you  are  one  of  my 
creditors.'* 

*'I  have  heard  that  also,  sir,"  said  Tom;  "but  I  am 
sure  that  your  failure  is  the  result  of  misfortune,  and  I 


7VM  MAKES  A  PROPOSAL.  125 

have  called  to  express  my  sympathy  for  my  father's 
friend/' 

'^  Thank  you,  my  boy/*  said  the  merchant  warmly, 
grasping  the  hand  of  our  hero.  "  You  say  this  with 
the  full  knowledge  that  you  have  lost  a  large  sum  bj 
mer 

"  Yes,  sir.'' 

"  You  remind  me  of  your  father — a  noble,  generous 
man,  and  a  true  friend.  I  regret  more  than  before  that 
you  are  involved  in  my  losses. '^ 

''  Don't  think  too  much  of  it,  sir.*' 

'\1  will  at  any  rate  give  you  some  explanation  of  my 
failure,  so  that  you  may  know  that  it  was  as  much  my 
misfortune  as  an  error  of  judgment." 

*'  I  don't  ask  any  explanation,  Mr.  Armstrong,*'  said 
Tom,  who  was  quite  won  over  by  the  merchant's  friendly 
manner. 

''I  would  rather  be  understood — by  you,  at  least. 
You  must  know,  then,  that  though  I  had  met  with  con- 
siderable losses,  which  had  of  course  crippled  me,  I 
should  still  have  remained  solvent  but  for  the  treachery 
of  a  clerk  in  whom  I  reposed  the  utmost  confidence.'^ 

'*  Indeed,  sir!"  said  Tom,  surprised. 

''  One  morning  I  had  some  very  heavy  payments  to 
make,"  the  merchant  proceeded.  ''  I  had,  however,,  a 
considerable  sum  in  bank,  and  valuable  securities  con- 
vertible at  a  moment's  notice,  sufficient  to  provide  for 
the  balance  required.  At  twelve  o'clock  I  sent  the  clerk 
to  the  bank  with  a  check.  He  didn't  return.  I  waited 
in  the  utmost  anxiety  for  him  to  come  back,  but  he  had 


126  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

drawn  the  money,  abstracted  the  securities,  and  taken  to 
flight.  Money  was  tight.  I  was  unable  to  provide  for 
my  notes.     The  day  passed,  and  I  was  a  bankrupt.'' 

**^How  much  did  this  man  carry  away  with  him?'' 
asked  Tom,  interested. 

'^  In  money  and  securities,  about  one  hundred  thous- 
and dollars." 

"Have  you  heard  nothing  from  him  since?" 

"  I  have  reason  to  think  he  is  concealed  somewhere  in 
California." 

"  Why  don't  you  pursue  him?"  asked  Tom  energet- 
ically. 

*^'I  can't  go  myseK.  I  have  communicated  ^th 
detectives  there,  but  I  have  not  much  faith  in  their 
success." 

"  It  would  be  better  to  send  a  special  agent." 

**  Perhaps  so,  but  I  should  not  know  whom  to  send/* 

Tom's  thoughts  had  been  busy.  A  strange  plan  had 
entered  his  mind. 

**  Send  me,  Mr.  Armstrong,"  he  said;  "/  wiU  try  h 
find  him  for  you," 


CHAPTER  XX. 

AN  IMPORTANT   CONFEEENCE. 

!HE   merchant  stared  at  Tom  in  undi» 

guised  amazement. 

^'  Send  you  I"  he  repeated. 

'^'^  Yes^  sir,"  said  Tom  composedly.  "My  time  is  at 
my  disposal,  and  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  do  some- 
thing.'' 

"  Necessary  to  do  something?  Have  you  no  other 
property  than  that  which  I  have  lost  for  you  ?" 

''No,"  said  Tom,  ''or  very  little.  I  too  have  met 
with  losses." 

He  set  forth  the  condition  of  his  affairs  briefly.  The 
merchant  listened  attentively. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  you,"  he  said.  "  Without  any 
fault  of  your  own,  you  are  reduced  to  comparative  pov- 
erty." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Tom,  "but  I  don't  let  it  trouble  me. 
I  am  sorry,  of  course,  but  I  can  make  my  way." 

"I  think  you  can,"  said  Mr.  Armstrong,  observing 
him  attentively.  "  You  look  like  one  who  is  destined 
to  succeed.  If  I  were  where  I  was  a  month  ago,  I  would 
take  you  into  my  employ,  and  give  you  a  start  in  life." 

"  Can't  you  do  it  now,  sir?" 

"  I  shall  be  compelled  to  wind  up  my  business." 

'^I  mean,  can't  you  employ  me  to  find  the  clerk  who 
has  defrauded  you?" 


128  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"  How  old  are  you,  Tom?"  asked  the  merchant  ab* 
ruptly. 

''  Sixteen,  sir/' 

"  And  you  really  think  a  boy  of  sixteen  can  succeed 
in  such  a  difficult  task?"  demanded  the  merchant  in- 
credulously. 

''  Yes,  sir,"  said  Tom  confidently.  '^  He  would  have 
one  advantage  over  an  older  person." 

^' What  is  that?" 

*'  He  would  be  less  likely  to  excite  suspicion  of  his 
errand." 

"That  is  true,"  said  Mr.  Armstrong  thoughtfully. 

"Then,  sir,  are  you  willing  to  send  me?"  asked  Tom 
eagerly. 

"I  am  afraid  I  am  not  in  a  position  to  send  anybody," 
said  the  merchant. 

"Why  not,  sir?" 

"  Do  you  forget  that  my  estate  belongs  to  my  credit- 
ors?   I  am  a  bankrupt." 

"  But  your  creditors  are  interested  in  your  nnding  tha 
clerk." 

"  True;  but  they  may  consider  it  a  wild-goose  chase." 

"  I  don't,  and  I  am  one  of  them." 

"  If  I  could  recover  that  money,"  said  the  merchant 
reflectively,  "  I  could  pay  my  creditors  dollar  for  dollar.'' 

Tom  pricked  up  his  ears. 

"  Then  you  could  pay  me  back  ten  thousand  dollars?" 

"Yes,  and  with  interest." 

"Then  I'll  goon  speculation,"  said  Tom  resolutely. 

*'  How  can  you  go?    It  will  cost  money." 


AN  IMPORTANT  CONFERENCE,  129 

"  I  know  that,  sir,  but  I  have  a  few  hundred  dollars 
left/' 

*^  You  will  have  more,  my  boy.  I  feel  confident,  even 
as  it  is,  of  paying  thirty  cents  on  the  dollar/' 

**  Why,"  said  Tom,  ''that  would  be  three  thousand 
dollars." 

*' You  are  right." 

"  Capital !"  exclaimed  our  hero.  ''  I  feel  rich  already. 
Mr.  Sharp  thought  you  would  only  pay  five  per  cent." 

*'  Mr.  Sharp  was  misinformed." 

*'  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  Suppose,  then,  I  spend  the 
four  hundred  dollars  cash  I  take  with  me,  I  shall  have 
something  to  fall  back  upon." 

"Yes." 

"  Then  I'll  do  it — that  is,  if  Mr.  Sharp  consents." 

*'  I  am  afraid  you  will  soon  get  to  the  end  of  your 
small  stock  of  money,  Tom." 

''Oh,  I  mean  to  earn  money  as  well  as  spend  it. 
When  I  get  to  California  I  shall  see  what  I  can  find  to 
do." 

"You  seem  to  be  an  energetic  young  man." 

"I  hope  I  shall  prove  so.  It  is  time,  for  I  never 
earned  a  penny  in  my  life;  but  if  you  are  willing,  I 
should  like  to  ask  you  a  few  questions,  Mr.  Armstrong?" 

"Goon." 

"  How  shall  I  know  this  clerk  if  I  happen  to  coma 
across  him?" 

"  You  want  me  to  describe  him?  Let  me  see.  He  is 
about  five  feet  six  in  height,  of  rather  stout  build,  dark 
in  complexion,  has  a  cast  in  the  left  eye." 


130  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

**Wait  a  moment,  sir.  I  should  like  to  write  that 
down/' 

And  Tom,  producing  a  pencil,  wrote  down  the  de- 
scription. 

"  Is  there  anything  else,  sir?" 

"He  usually  wears  an  emerald  ring  on  the  middle 
finger  of  his  right  hand,  but  it  might  occur  to  him  to 
throw  this  aside.  However,  there  is  one  thin^  that  he 
could  not  lay  aside.'' 

"What  is  that,  sir?" 

"  He  had  a  scar  on  the  back  of  his  left  hand,  the  result 
of  a  burn.     This  is  a  permanent  mark." 

"Good,"  said  Tom.  "He  will  be  easily  recognized. 
How  old  is  he?" 

"  Probably  about  thirty-five/' 

"  What  colored  hair?'* 

"Black." 

' '  Thank  you,  sir.  You've  given  me  all  the  information 
I  need,  except  the  name." 

"His  name  is  Samuel  Lincoln,  but  as  he  will  un- 
doubtedly change  it,  the  information  will  do  you  little 
good." 

"  It  is  as  well  to  know  it,"  said  Tom,  noting  it  down. 

"  Yes,  no  information  will  come  amiss;  but  Tom  I 
must  warn  you  that  I  may  be  mistaken  in  thinking  he 
has  gone  to  California. " 

"I'll  risk  it,"  said  Tom.  " Something  tells  me  that 
he  is  there.  If  I  had  stolen  money  that  is  where  I 
would  go." 

Mr.  Armstrong  laughed. 


AN  IMPORTANT  CONFERENCE.  131 

'*  I  hope  you'll  never  be  under  the  necessity,"  he  said. 
"  When  do  you  propose  to  start?'' 

"  Next  Monday,"  answered  Tom,  *'  if  I  can.  I  must 
go  and  see  Mr.  Sharp  first." 

"  Shall  I  see  you  again?" 

"  I  will  come  if  I  need  any  more  information.  I  ytTi 
write  you  from  California.     Good- morning,  sir.'* 

"  Good-morning,  Tom,  and  good  luck,  for  both  our 


As  Tom  passed  through  the  outer  room  he  saw  tho 
clerk  who  had  admitted  him  surveying  him  curiously. 

*  *  Good-by, "  said  Tom.  * '  You  see  I  had  some  business 
here  after  all." 

**I  shouldn't  think  Mr.  Armstrong  would  waste  his 
wind  with  a  boy  like  you." 

"Shouldn't  you?  He  has  intrusted  me  with  a  con- 
fidential mission." 

"  I  don't  believe  any  such  nonsense." 

'^  Just  as  you  like,"  said  Tom  carelessly. 

*'I'd  like  to  have  that  boy  under  me,""  muttered  the 
clerk.     "  I'd  cure  him  of  hi^  impudence." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BOUND   FOR   CALIFORN'IA. 

fe^^l^HAT  do  you  think  of  my  plan,  Mr.  Sharp?'' 
^«|^|o  asked  Tom,  after  describing  in  detail  his  pro- 
[JPfeli^l  posed  journey. 

'*  It  is  likely  to  be  rather  a  wild-goose  chase,  Tom,'' 

'*  I  expected  you  would  say  so. " 

**But  you  want  my  consent,  nevertheless?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"•  As  your  mind  is  fixed  upon  it,  I  will  not  interpose 
any  objections,  but  I  have  not  the  slightest  expectation 
that  you  will  succeed." 

''Even  if  1  do  not,"  urged  Tom,  ''I  shall  enjoy  the 
journey." 

''  And  spend  your  money." 

^'Kotallof  it." 

''  Remember  you  have  but  a  few  hundred  dollars  with 
me." 

*'  Mr.  Armstrong  told  me  that  he  should  probably  be 
able  to  pay  me  thirty  cents  on  a  dollar.  That  will  be 
three  thousand  dollars.  So,  you  see,  I  shall  have 
something  to  fall  back  upon  when  I  return." 

''  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  It  is  much  better  than  1 
anticipated." 

''  Besides,  I  shall  only  ask  you  to  give  me  a  hundred 
dollars,  beside  paying  for  my  ticket." 


BOUND  FOR  CALIFORNIA.  l33 

"  Then  you  won't  have  enough  to  pay  for  returning. " 

•*I  mean  to  earn  that,"  said  Tom  confidently. 

"  You  may  not  be  as  fortunate  as  you  expect." 

"  I  am  not  afraid/'  said  Tom,  ^'  if  I  have  my  health. 
If  I  get  sick,  I  will  write  to  you." 

"When  do  you  want  the  money?" 

*'At  once,  if  possible.  I  want  to  sail  by  the  next 
steamer." 

"  The  money  shall  be  ready.  I  am  not  sure  that  I  am 
doing  right  in  humoring  your  whim,  but  a  willful  lad 
must  have  his  way.  By  the  way,  Tom,  I  want  to  give 
you  one  piece  of  advice." 

"  What  is  that,  sir?" 

"  You  know  the  name  you  have  hereP* 

"  The  Bully  of  the  Village,"  said  Tom,  smiling. 

*'  Yes.  I  am  afraid  you  have  deserved  it.  Xow  that 
you  have  assumed  a  man's  responsibilities,  I  hope  you 
will  give  up  your  domineering  spirit,  and  have  a  greater 
regard  for  the  rights  of  others." 

"I  mean  to,"  said  Tom.  "I  think  it  has  done  me 
good  to  lose  my  fortune.  I  feel  twice  as  old  and  twice 
as  much  confidence  in  myself  as  before." 

"  That  is  well,  but  your  success  in  life  will  depend 
largely  upon  the  favorable  impression  you  make  upon 
others.  If  you  still  play  the  bully,  you  cannot  expect 
to  be  liked." 

'^  I  dare  say  you  are  right,  sir,"  said  Tom  thought- 
fully. ''I  will  remember  what  you  say.  But  there  is 
one  thing  I  cannot  give  up/' 

"  What  is  thatl»" 


134  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"  I  mean  to  stand  up  for  my  rights.  I  won't  let  any. 
body  bully  over  me/' 

'*^Be  sure  you  don't  make  any  mistake  about  your 
rights.  Some  claim  more  than  they  are  entitled  to.  You 
see  I  speak  plainly." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  I  have  no  doubt  you  speak  for  my 
good.     I  will  remember  what  you  say." 

A  week  later  Tom  was  a  passenger  on  a  steamer 
bound  for  California.  He  had  got  over  his  first  feeling 
of  seasickness,  and  was  in  a  condition  to  enjoy  his 
meals. 

The  steamer  was  full,  but  not  crowded,  and  as  usual 
contained  in  its  passenger-list  representatives  of  different 
social  grades. 

Tom  was  bright  and  active,  and  prepossessing  in  his 
appearance,  and  became  known  to  all.  He  even  pene- 
trated at  times  into  that  part  of  the  ship  occupied  by  the 
steerage  passengers. 

His  attention  was  particularly  drawn  to  one  poor  fel- 
low, a  young  Irishman  of  twenty-two,  who  was  seasick 
through  the  entire  voyage.  Now,  seasickness  is  scarcely 
tolerable  if  one  has  the  best  accommodations;  in  the 
steerage  it  must  be  perfect  misery. 

Tom  carried  from  the  table  some  fruit  almost  daily  to 
poor  Mike  Lawton,  whose  stomacii  revolted  from  the 
coarse  food  to  whicli  he  was  entitled,  and  cheered  up  the 
poor  fellow  not  a  little. 

**  What  would  I  do  widout  your  kindness?"  said  Mike 
one  day. 

"  Don't  speak  of  it,"  said  Tom.  "It  isn't  much  to 
do.     I  know  how  bad  it  feels  to  be  seasick." 


BOUND  FOR  CALIFORNIA,  135 

"  Sure,  it's  worse  than  the  f aver  I  had  onc't  in  Ire- 
land, when  they  didn^t  expect  I'd  live  to  see  this  day. 
If  I  was  goin'  to  be  seasick  much  longer,  I'd  wish  I 
hadn't/' 

''  Cheer  up,  Mike.  You'll  forget  all  about  it  when 
you  get  to  shore.'' 

''  Then  I  wish  I  was  there  now.  But  there's  one 
thing  I  won't  forget,  and  that  is  how  kind  a  rich  young 
gentleman  like  you  was  to  a  poor  fellow  like  me." 

*'  You're  mistaken  about  my  being  rich,  Mike,"  said 
Tom. 

*'  Sure  you  look  like  it." 

"  I  was  rich  once,  but  I  am  not  now.  I  am  going  out 
like  you  to  seek  my  fortune." 

''  Then  I  hope  you'll  find  it.     Sure  you  deserve  to." 

"  Thank  you,  Mike.    I  hope  the  same  thing  for  you." 

'^  If  iver  the  likes  of  me  can  do  you  a  favor.  Mister 
Tom,  I  hope  you  won't  be  too  proud  to  let  me." 

"  I  promise  that,  Mike.  The  time  may  come  when 
111  want  a  friepd,  and  if  I  know  where  you  are,  I'll  let 
you  know." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Tom.  I'm  a  poor  fellow,  but  I  can 
fight  for  you  anyway." 

"I  can  fight  for  myself,  too,"  said  Tom,  smiling. 
'*  I've  had  to,  more  than  once." 

There  was  another  passenger,  of  quite  a  different 
character,  with  whom  Tom  became  intimate,  and  to 
whom,  also,  he  was  able  to  do  a  service. 

One  morning  he  noticed  an  elderly  man,  evidently 
quite  feeble,  attempting  with  the  help  of  a  cane  to 


136  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

pace  the  deck — about  the  only  exercise  practicable  on 
shipboard.  But  the  vessel  was  so  unsteady  that  the  old 
man  found  the  task  too  great  for  his  strength,  and  he 
was  finally  obliged,  unwillingly,  to  sit  down. 

"That's  a  pity,"  thought  Tom.  ''  Til  offer  to  help 
him.'' 

He  approached  the  old  man  and  said* 

"  You  find  it  hard  work  pacing  the  deck,  don't  you, 
sir?" 

''  Yes,"  answered  the  other.  "I  am  not  young  and 
strong  like  you,  and  the  motion  of  the  vessel  makes  it 
too  much  for  my  scanty  strength." 

''  If  you'll  take  my  arm,  sir,  I  think  I  can  pilot  you 
safe." 

"  But  it  will  be  a  great  deal  of  trouble  for  you,  won't 
it?" 

*'  Oh,  don't  think  of  that,  sir;  I  shall  be  very  glad  to 
be  of  any  service  to  you." 

''  Thank  you.  I  am  tired  of  sitting,  and  will  accept 
your  offer;  but  when  you  are  tired,  tell  me  so.'* 

"All  right,  sir." 

Supported  by  Tom,  the  old  man  was  able  to  resume 
his  walk  and  keep  it  up  with  ease.  Our  hero  was  stout 
and  strong,  and  adapted  himself  to  the  slow  gait  of  his 
elder  companion. 

"Are  you  traveling  alone?"  asked  the  old  man. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Perhaps  you  meet  friends  in  California?" 

"  No,  sir;  I  don't  know  anybody  there." 

"  Then  how  happens  it  that  you  are  going  out?  You 
are  not  over  seventeen,  I  judge." 


BOUND  FOR  CALIFORNIA,  137 

**  I  am  only  sixteen,  sir.  My  principal  object  in  go- 
ing out  is  to  seek  my  fortune/' 

''Are  you  poor?'^  asked  the  old  man  abruptly. 

'' Not  exactly/' said  Tom.  *'That  is,  I  have  a  fe\* 
hundred  dollars,  and  shall  perhaps  have  something  be- 
sides, but  my  fortune  is  to  be  made.  I  have  been  rich, 
but  I  lost  nearly  all  I  had.'* 

"  Does  it  trouble  you?'' 

*'  Not  at  all,"  said  Tom.  "  I  am  not  afraid  but  I  can 
make  my  way/' 

**  You  have,  at  any  rate,  something  that  is  better  than 
money,"  said  the  old  man. 

"What  is  that,  sir?" 

"Youth,  health  and  strength.  I  have  neither  of 
these,  but  I  have  money.  How  gladly  would  I  exchange 
with  you !" 

Tom  felt  that  he  would  not  care  to  make  the  ex- 
change. 

"I  am  going  to  California  for  my  health,"  said 
Tom's  companion.  "  My  doctor  tells  me  that  there  is 
some  hope  that  it  may  benefit  me.  Had  I  stayed  at 
home,  he  said  he  would  not  insure  me  twelve  months 
more  of  life." 

"  Did  you  come  alone,  sir?" 

"  Yes.  I  am  nearly  alone  in  the  world.  I  have  neither 
wife  nor  child." 

There  was  a  sadness  in  his  voice  as  he  said  this,  and 
Tom  felt  pity  for  his  desolate  condition. 

"  I  think  I  will  sit  down  now/'  he  said,  after  walking 
half  an  hour.     "  I  feel  much  better  for  the  exercise.     It 


138  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

is  the  first  I  have  enjoyed  since  we  left  the  great  metrop- 
olis of  the  East." 

"  Let  me  know  when  you  want  to  walk  again,  sir/' 
said  Tom.     ''  I  shall  be  glad  to  walk  with  you." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  my  young  friend.  May  I  know 
to  whom  I  am  indebted?" 

'^  My  name  is  Thomas  Temple.  Everybody  calls  me 
Tom." 

"  Let  me  give  you  my  card.  It  may  happen  that  I 
can  at  some  time  be  of  service  to  you.  If  so,  be  sure  to 
communicate  with  me." 

"Thank  you,  sir." 

Tom  took  the  card.     It  contained  the  name 

:  Hekry  Stoddard.  : 

Underneath,  Mr.  Stoddard  wrote  the  name  of  a 
banker  in  San  Francisco. 

"  I  cannot  tell  where  my  pursuit  of  heaith  may  take 
me,"  said  Mr.  Stoddard,  *'but  a  letter  directed  to  the 
care  of  my  banker  will  be  sure  to  reach  me." 

It  was  the  second  offer  of  service  that  Tom  had 
received  in  the  same  day.  He  felt  that  he  would  not  be 
wholly  friendless  in  the  strange  land  which  he  was  about 
to  visit. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

FIRST      PROSPECTS. 

I  ROM  the  deck  of  the  steamer,  as  it  entered 
the  harbor  of  San  Francisco,  Tom  looked 
with  eager  interest  at  the  city  which  was  to 
be  the  scene  of  his  future  activity.  But  a  few  years 
had  elapsed  since  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California, 
and  San  Francisco  was  small  compared  with  what  it  has 
since  become.  But,  built  as  it  was  upon  a  hill-side, 
overlooking  the  bay,  it  was  more  conspicuous  than  many 
larger  towns  would  have  been,  and,  as  may  readily  be 
imagined,  was  a  welcome  sight  to  voyagers  who  had  been 
over  twenty  days  at  sea. 

Mike  Lawton  had  got  over  his  seasickness  at  length, 
and  was  among  the  passengers  on  deck. 

"How  do  you  feel,  Mike?''  asked  Tom. 

"Mighty  wake,^'  answered  Mike,  "but  it  does  my 
eyes  good  to  see  land  once  more.  If  I  trust  myself  on 
the  say  ag'in,  I'm  a  hay  then,'' 

"Then you  mean  to  stay  in  California  all  your  life?'* 

"I  don't  know  that,"  said  Mike.  "Maybe  I'll  go 
back  by  land." 

"And  get  scalped  by  savage  Indians,  Mike?  That'll 
be  worse  than  being  seasiek." 

"And  what's  that,  Mr.  Temple?" 

"They  take  a  knife  and  slice  off  the  top  of  your  head, 
with  all  the  hair  on  it." 


140  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER. 

*'  Oh,  murdther!  do  they  now?  Isn't  it  jokin'  ye 
are?" 

"  Not  at  all,  Mike.  That's  exactly  what  they  do 
when  they  get  the  chance/' 

'^Bad  luck  to  the  dirty  haythen!"  said  Mike,  horror- 
struck  at  the  thought.  '''And  what  good  does  it  do 
them?" 

*'  They  hang  up  the  scalps  in  their  wigwams — that's 
their  houses — to  show  how  many  enemies  they  have 
killed.  The  one  that  has  the  most  scalps  is  the  greatest 
man. " 

'^ Faith,  then,"  said  Mike,  ''\  think  I'll  be  stayin' 
here  all  the  days  of  my  life.  What  would  Bridget  say 
if  I  should  come  home  without  any  roof  on  my  head?" 

Tom  laughed. 

*'She  wouldn't  have  any  chance  to  pull  your  hair. 
But  what  are  you  going  to  do,  Mike,  in  this  new  coun- 
try?" 

'^  Make  a  livin',  I  hope.  Mister  Tom.  I  must  get 
work  soon,  for  I  haven't  got  but  ten  dollars  in  my 
pocket." 

''I've  got  only  sixty,  Mike." 

*'  That's  little  for  a  gentleman  like  you.  Mister  Tom." 

"  I've  got  to  go  to  work,  too,  Mike." 

"  Shure,  a  gentleman  like  you  will  find  a  place 
quick." 

"I  don't  know,  Tom.     I  hope  so.^' 

Here  Mr.  Stoddard  came  up. 

"  Well,  my  friend,"  he  said,  "  we  are  near  the  end  of 
our  voyage." 


FIJ^ST  PROSPECTS.  141 

'*  Yes,  sir,  and  I  am  glad  of  it/' 

"  I  think  we  all  are.  Landsmen  rarely  enjoy  the  sea. 
What  are  your  plans,  if  I  may  ask  ?" 

''I  shall  go  to  a  hotel  first,  and  then  take  a  look  round 
the  city  and  see  what  are  my  prospects  for  getting  some- 
thing to  do/' 

**  A  wise  resolution,  no  doubt.  I  shall  also  go  to  a 
hotel,  summon  a  physician,  and  ask  his  advice  as  to 
whether  I  had  better  remain  in  San  Francisco  or  go  into 
the  interior.     We  may  meet  again.'' 

"Yes,  sir,  I  hope  so." 

"  Perhaps  we  may  stay  at  the  same  hotel." 

Tom  shook  his  head. 

"  I  don't  think  it  likely,  sir,"  he  said.  "  I  have  very 
little  money,  and  I  must  find  a  cheap  place,  such  as  you 
wouldn't  be  likely  to  go  to." 

"  I  shall  go  to  the  best  hotel,  not  from  any  feeling  of 
pride,  but  because  my  health  and  age  require  comforts 
such  as  you  can  do  without.  But  I  should  like  your 
company,  and  if  you  are  not  above  accepting  a  favor 
from  one  who,  though  a  comparative  stranger,  takes  a 
friendly  interest  in  you,  I  shall  be  glad  to  consider  you 
my  guest  for  a  week." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Tom  gratefully.  '^  I  am  not 
above  accepting  a  kindness,  but  I  have  got  to  rough  it, 
and  the  sooner  I  begin  the  better.  If  1  stay  at  the  best 
hotel  even  for  a  few  days,  it  will  make  it  all  the  harder 
for  me  to  come  down  to  humble  accommodations  after- 
ward.    I  had  better  begin  as  I  can  hold  out." 

"  I  dare  say  you  are  right,  my  young  friend.     There 


143  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

IB  certain! V  good  sense  and  good  judgment  in  what  you 
say.  But  at  any  rate,  I  hope  you  will  call  upon  me  and 
let  me  know  how  you  are  getting  along,  and  what  are 
your  prospects." 

'•'  I  will,  sir,  and  thank  you  for  the  invitation.  There 
is  nobody  in  the  city  that  I  know,  and  it  will  be  a  pleas- 
ure and  priyilege  to  come.'* 

The  old  gentleman  was  pleased  with  this  remark  of 
Tom's,  since  it  showed  appreciation  of  his  friendly  over* 
tures.  Nor  did  he  like  him  any  the  less  for  the  inde- 
pendent spirit  that  led  him  to  decline  becoming  his 
guest. 

'•  He  is  a  fine  young  fellow/*  he  said  to  himself,  "  and 
I  can't  help  feeling  strongly  interested  in  his  success.  If 
I  can  do  him  a  good  turn,  I  will.'' 

I  pass  over  the  time  spent  in  landing.  It  was  not  tUl 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  Tom  stood  on  shore, 
with  his  carpet-bag  in  his  hand.  He  had  not  brought  a 
trunk,  wisely  thinking  that  it  would  be  in  his  way.  As 
he  stood  undecided  where  to  go,  a  man  rotighly  dressed 
approached  him. 

'•'Do  you  want  to  go  to  a  hotel Y'  he  aske^i. 

"  Yes,"  said  Tom.     •'*'  Can  you  recommend  one?" 

'^  III  take  your  bag  and  conduct  you  to  a  good  one." 
said  the  other,  and  he  laid  hold  of  Tom's  carpet-bag. 

'^  Stop  a  minute,"  said  Tom;  *•  what  shall  you  charge 
for  doing  it?" 

''  Five  dollars,"  said  the  other  coolly. 

'•'  Five  doUars!"  gasped  Tom.  "  Five  doUan  to  carry 
a  carpet-bag?    How  far  is  the  hotel?" 


FIRST  PROSPECTS,  143 

"  Abont  half  a  mile.** 

"And  you  ask  five  dollars  for  that?"  said  Tom  in 
amazement. 

"  Regular  price,^  said  the  other. 

''I'D  do  it  for  four/*^  said  another  man,  coming  up. 

**  Will  you?"''  said  the  first  in  a  menacing  tone.  '*'  If 
you  interfere  with  my  business^  VM  blow  your  brains 
out." 

"Don't  quarrel,  gentlemen/*'  said  Tom  hastily,  for 
his  two  would-be  guides  had  the  air  of  men  who  would 
draw  pistols  on  the  least  provocation.  "  I'll  carry  my 
bag  myself.  I  don't  dispute  your  price,  but  I  can't  af- 
ford to  pay  it.  I  am  poor,  and  I  have  my  fortune  to 
make.'' 

"  All  right,  stranger,"  said  the  first.  "  I  thought  yon 
were  rich.  Just  go  straight  ahe^  for  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  and  then  turn  to  the  right,  and  youll  find  a 
cheap  house.     I  don't  charge  anything  for  the  adyice." 

••Thank  you,"  said  Tom.  **' There's  a  gentleman," 
pointing  to  Mr.  Stoddard,  *'•  who  may  wish  to  engage 
you." 

Tom  trtidged  ahead  in  the  direction  indicated. 

"  If  that's  a  specimen  of  California  prices,"  he  said 
to  himself,  "  my  sixty  dollars  won't  last  long.  I  won- 
der what  I  shaU  have  to  pay  at  the  hotel." 

His  guide's  directions  were  easy  to  follow.  Tom 
halted  in  front  of  a  two-story  building  of  rather  primi- 
tive appearance,  which,  however,  had  the  look  of  a 
hotel. 

••  Is  this  a  hotel?"  he  asked  of  a  negro  at  the  door. 


144  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''Yes/'  was  the  reply.  "Have  you  come  by  the 
steamer,  sar?^' 

''  Yes/'  said  Tom.     "  Where  is  the  office?" 

"  Go  in  and  you'll  see." 

Tom  entered  and  walked  up  to  a  desk  which  he  saw 
at  one  corner  of  the  apartment.  A  man  was  seated 
astride  on  it,  picking  his  teeth  with  a  knife. 

^'  I  should  like  to  have  a  room/'  said  Tom. 

'*  A  whole  one?"  asked  the  other  leisurely. 

'T  should  prefer  a  room  to  myself/'  said  Tom. 
"What  will  it  cost?" 

^' About  fifteen  dollars,  I  reckon." 

''  Fifteen  dollars  a  week/'  said  Tom,  encouraged  to 
find  prices  less  than  he  anticipated. 

The  clerk  laughed. 

*'  I  say,  young  chap,  when  did  you  arrive?"  he  asked. 

**  Just  now." 

"  I  thought  so.  You  don't  understand  our  prices.  I 
meant  fifteen  dollars  a  day." 

"  Is  that  your  lowest  price  ?"  asked  Tom  in  dismay. 

"You  said  you  wanted  a  whole  room?" 

*'  How  much  will  it  be  if  I  go  in  with  somebody  else?" 

**I  can  put  you  in  with  two  other  gentlemen,"  said 
the  clerk,  "for  eight  dollars  a  day." 

This  was  not  so  bad,  but  considering  that  our  hero 
had  but  sixty  dollars,  it  was  still  a  formidable  price. 

*'Is  this  the  best  hotel  ia  San  Francisco?"  he  asked. 

*'  There's  more  expensive  ones,"  said  the  clerk. 

*^ril  stay  here/'  said  Tom  hastily,  ''for  a  day  at 
least/' 


FIRST  PSOSPECTS.  145 

"Just  as  jou  like,  stranger/' 

He  led  the  way  to  an  upper  room,  containing  three 
small  beds,  and  little  else.  Tom  laid  down  his  bag  and 
looked  about  him,  but  forbore  comment  on  the  bare 
appearance  of  the  room. 

'*  When  can  I  have  supper?"  he  asked. 

'*  In  an  hour/^ 

*'  Well,"  thought  Tom,  sitting  down  on  the  bed  when 
the  clerk  had  left  him,  "  things  begin  to  look  serious. 
I've  got  money  enough  to  pay  n  week's  board,  and  that's 
all.  I  must  get  work  within  that  time,  or  there's  a  fine 
prospect  of  starvation." 


CHAPTER  XXm. 
mike's    good    luck. 

|FTER  supper,  which  hardly  corresponded 
with  the  price  he  wa«  paying,  Tom  went  out 
to  look  at  the  town.  Five  years  had  elapsed 
since  the  first  discovery  of  gold,  and  society  was  yet  in 
an  unsettled  condition.  Houses  of  all  descriptions, 
some  very  primitive,  were  scattered  about.  It  was  easy 
to  see,  even  at  that  time,  that  some  time  a  well-built  city 
would  take  the  place  of  this  irregular  settlement. 

Everything  indicated  progress,  everything  spoke  of 
enterprise  and  energy.  Notwithstanding  his  scanty 
supply  of  money,  and  the  certainty  that  it  would  soon 
be  exhausted,  Tom  felt  his  spirits  rise.  If  charges  were 
great,  it  was  probable  that  wages  would  also  be  large, 
and  he  felt  sure  that  he  could  earn  his  share. 

On  his  way  home,  in  front  of  a  small  shanty,  he  rec- 
ognized his  steerage  friend,  Mike,  sitting  on  a  three- 
legged  stool,  smoking  a  clay  pipe. 

"How  are  you,  Mike?"'  he  said,  pleased  to  find  one  he 
knew. 

''  Is  it  you.  Mister  Tom?''  responded  Mike,  his  face 
lighting  up  with  equal  pleasure.  "  Shure  :.t  does  me 
good  to  see  you  again." 

"  And  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mike.  Is  this  where  you 
are  putting  up?" 


MIKE'S  GOOD  LUCK.  147 

"Yes,  Mister  Tom." 

"  It  doesn't  look  like  a  hotel." 

''  Shure  it  is,  though,  more  by  token  it  belongs  to  an 
ould  frind  of  mine,  Carny  Rafferty,  from  my  own  town 
in  County  Cork.  Wasn't  it  luck  jist  that  I  met  him  in 
the  strate,  and  he  took  me  home  and  gave  me  a  job  at 
once?  " 

"I  should  say  it  was  luck,  Mike.  What  do  you 
think  I  am  paying  at  my  hotel?  " 

"  How  much,  Mister  Tom?" 

''  Eight  dollars  a  day." 

'^  Shure,  Carny  charges  four  dollars  for  jist  a  bit  of 
a  shake  down  on  the  floor  and  board.'' 

"  You  said  Carny  had  given  you  a  job?  " 

"  Yes.  I'm  the  cook  and  make  the  beds  and  such 
like." 

"What  do  you  know  about  cooking,  Mike?"  asked 
Tom  laughing. 

"  Divil  a  bit,  except  to  bile  pratees,"  answered  Mike, 
with  a  grin,  "  but  I'll  soon  learn." 

"  I  don't  think  I'll  come  here  to  board  till  after 
you've  learned,  Mike." 

"  Sure  it  isn't  any  place  for  the  likes  of  you.  Mister 
Tom.     It's  for  chaps  like  me,  and  poor  miners." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,  Mike.  If  I  don't  get 
something  to  do  in  a  week,  I  shall  go  up  in  a  balloon." 

"  Go  up  in  a  balloon!  "  ejaculated  Mike,  opening  his 
eyes  wide  with  astonishment. 

"  I  mean  that  I  shall  get  to  the  bottom  of  my  purse. 
Do  you  mind  telling  me  how  much  wages  you  get?  " 


148  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''  Three  dollars  a  day  and  board,"  said  Mike. 

"  That's  good.   Couldn't  you  get  me  a  place  as  cook?'' 

"  It's  jokin'  you  are." 

"  I  am  not  sure  about  that.  I'll  take  a  place  as  cook 
or  anything  else  rather  than  remain  idle." 

•'If  you  get  out  of  money,  jist  come  to  me.  Mister 
Tom." 

''  Thank  you,  Mike,"  said  Tom,  grasping  his  hand 
heartily.  "  I'll  do  that  rather  than  starve,  I  promise 
you,  but  I've  got  a  week  to  find  a  place  in,  and  perhaps 
I  shall  be  as  lucky  as  you.* 

"Thank  you.  Mister  Tom.  Mike  Lawton's  your 
friend,  if  you  ain't  ashamed  to  own  him." 

"  Not  I,  Mike.  I  am  glad  of  your  friendship,  and  per- 
haps I'll  prove  it,  by  and  by,  by  borrowing  all  your 
money." 

''  Thank  you.  Mister  Tom,"  said  honest  Mike,  really 
gi'atified  by  Tom's  promise. 

'^  And  now,  Mike,  I  must  bid  you  good-night.  I  feel 
rather  sleepy,  and  shall  enjoy  sleeping  in  a  bed  again. 
I'll  come  round  and  see  you  again  in  a  day  or  two." 

As  Tom  walked  away  he  felt  still  more  encouraged 
about  his  prospects.  Since  Mike  had  been  fortunate, 
why  might  not  he  be  also  ? 

Arrived  at  his  hotel,  Tom  asked  for  a  candle,  as  he 
wished  to  go  to  his  room. 

''  There's  a  light  up  there,"  said  the  clerk.  ''  The 
other  gentlemen  have  just  gone  up." 

''  I  wonder  what  they  are  like?"  thought  Tom  as  he 
ascended  the  stairs. 


MIKE^S  GOOD  L  UCK.  149 

The  door  of  his  room  was  ajar,  and  a  faint  light 
streamed  out  into  the  entry.  Pushing  it  open,  he  saw 
two  roughly  dressed  and  bearded  men  sitting  down  on 
one  of  the  beds  with  a  pack  of  cards  between  them. 

"Wall,  youngster,  what  do  you  want?"  asked  one. 

"  I  believe  we  are  room-mates,"  said  Tom.  '*  This 
bed  is  mine." 

* '  Sail  in,  then.    You're  welcome.    What's  your  name  ?" 

"Tom  Temple." 

"Well,  Temple,  my  name's  Jim  Granger,  and  this 
here's  my  pard.'* 

"Pard?" 

"Yes,  pardner.  Where  was  you  raised  not  to  know 
that?    He's  Bill  Rogers." 

"I'm  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,  gentlemen," 
said  Tom  politely — with  more  politeness,  perhaps,  than 
sincerity. 

"  Come,  that's  talkin'  fair.     Have  a  drink.  Temple?" 

"No,  thank  you." 

"Will  you  take  a  hand?  Me  and  pard  are  playin' 
poker." 

"  I  don't  know  the  game." 

"  Oh,  youll  learn  it  easy." 

"  Thank  you,  but  not  to-night.  I'm  tired,  and  think 
I  shall  go  to  bed.     I  came  in  the  steamer  this  morning." 

"  Me  and  pard  are  goin'  back  by  the  same.  We've 
made  our  pile,  and  now  we're  going  to  spend  it." 

"Have  you  been  to  the  mines?"  asked  Tom,  with 
interest. 

"  Yes,  we  were  there  a  year  and  a  half,'* 

"And  you  were  fortunate?" 


150  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

*'  Not  at  first.  Three  months  ago  we  were  high  and 
dry,  when  we  struck  a  vein,  and  now  we^re  rich. " 

All  this  was  very  interesting  to  Tom.  His  imagina- 
tion had  been  dazzled  by  the  stories  he  had  heard  of 
wealth  suddenly  acquired  at  the  mines.  There  was  a 
romance,  too,  about  a  mining  life  that  had  a  charm  about 
it.  He  waited  until  the  game  was  through  and  ventured 
to  ask  another  question. 

''  Do  you  think  I  shall  stand  any  chance  at  the  mines, 
Mr.  Granger  ?*'  he  asked. 

"Mr.  Granger?  Oh,  you  mean  me!  That^s  the  fust 
time  I've  been  called  mister  in  a  year.  Well,  stranger, 
about  that  question  of  yours,  I  don't  know  what  to  say. 
Maybe  there's  a  chance,  and  maybe  there  isn't.  You'll 
have  to  rough  it." 

^^  I  am  ready  to  do  that." 

"  And  live  poorer  than  you  ever  did  afore,  and  then 
maybe  you'll  fail." 

'*  Perhaps  I  won't,"  said  Tom  quietly.     "  You  didn't." 

"  I  came  mighty  near  it.  Well,  Temple,  go  ahead  and 
try  it,  if  you  ain't  afraid  of  hard  work  and  poor  fare, 
sleeping  out  o'  nights,  and  roughin'  it  generally." 

^^  I  think  I  will  after  a  while,"  said  Tom. 

*^'It's  your  deal,  pard,"  said  Rogers. 

Granger  again  turned  his  attention  to  the  game,  and 
Tom  soon  fell  asleep.  He  dreamed  that  he  went  out  to 
the  mines  and  found  a  nugget  as  big  as  his  head.  In 
the  midst  of  his  joy  at  his  good  luck  he  awoke  to  find 
it  broad  daylight,  and  his  companions  already  risen. 

"  I  hope  the  dream  will  turn  out  true,"  thought  our 
hero  hopefully,  as  he  dressed  himself  leisurely. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

TOM    GETS    A    PLACE. 

iOM  SPENT  five  days  in  pursuit  of  en> 
ployment,  but  without  success.  True,  he 
made  three  dollars  one  day  by  carrying  a 
message,  but  when  this  was  offset  against  an  expend- 
iture of  forty  dollars,  it  did  not  look  encouraging. 

Our  hero,  though  naturally  sanguine,  begun  to  feel 
anxious.  Reluctant  as  he  might  be  to  do  so,  he  feared  that 
he  should  be  obliged  to  ask  Mr.  Stoddard  for  assistance. 
On  the  spiiond  day  he  had  called  upon  that  gentleman  at 
the  CalJv^^rnia  Hotel,  and  been  most  kindly  received. 
Tom  hAd.  every  reason  to  regard  him  as  a  man  of  large 
propter*  y,  and  willing  to  help  him. 

Oo  the  morning  of  the  sixth  day  he  made  a  second 
caV  at  the  hotel. 

"  Is  Mr.  Stoddard  at  home,''  he  inquired  at  the  office, 

"He's  gone  away,"  said  the  clerk. 

"  Gone  away!"  repeated  Tom,  in  accents  of  dismay. 

"  Do  you  know  where  he  has  gone?" 

"  Somewhere  into  the  interior,  I  believe." 

"Didn't  he  leave  any  message  for  me?"  asked  Tom, 
feeling  that  his  last  reliance  had  failed  him. 

"  What's  your  name?" 

"Temple." 

"  He  did  leave  a  little  note  then.     Here  it  is.* 


153  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

Tom  seized  the  note  with  eagerness. 

''My  young  friend/Mt  commenced,  ''the  physician 
tells  me  that  the  climate  of  San  Francisco  at  this  season 
is  not  favorable  to  my  complaints.  He  orders  me  into 
the  interior,  but  the  place  is  not  fixed  upon.  In  three 
months  I  shall  probably  return.  Meantime,  you  can 
learn  from  my  banker,  whose  address  I  inclose,  where  I 
am,  as  I  shall  apprise  them  when  I  have  myself  deter- 
mined. Meanwhile  I  hope  you  may  meet  with  success 
in  all  your  plans,  and  beg  you  to  regard  me  as  your 
friend  and  well-wisher.  Hei^ry  Stoddard. '^ 

This  was  very  friendly  certainly,  but  it  might  be  two 
or  three  weeks  before  Tom  could  communicate  with  his 
new  friend,  and  he  was  nearly  at  the  end  of  his  purse. 

'^  I  made  a  mistake  to  stay  in  San  Francisco.  I  should 
at  once  have  gone  to  the  mines, '^  thought  Tom.  '*  Now 
I  haven^t  money  enough  to  leave  the  city.  I  must  find 
something  to  do.''' 

He  came  to  a  small  wooden  building,  used  as  a  cloth- 
ing store.  Besides  ordinary  clothing  it  contained  outfits 
for  miners,  and  as  profits  were  enormous,  doubtless  the 
business  was  a  profitable  one.  Tom  might  have  passed 
without  taking  particular  notice  if  he  had  not  heard 
sounds  of  altercation  and  loud  voices  as  he  approached. 
Then  a  young  man  of  twenty-one,  or  thereabout,  ran 
hastily  out,  pursued  by  a  stout  man  of  middle  age,  whose 
inflamed  countenance  showed  that  he  was  angry.  The 
young  man,  however,  was  the  better  runner,  and  the 
elder  was  compelled  to  give  up  the  pursuit. 


rOM  GETS  A  PLACE.  153 

Tom  stood  still  and  regarded  the  scene  with  interest 
and  curiosity.  He  was  still  standing  in  front  of  the 
shop  when  the  pursuer  returned. 

''^  What  is  the  matter,  sir?''  asked  Tom. 

"Matter!''  repeated  the  other  vehemently.  ''I'll  tell 
you  what's  the  matter.     That  young  man  is  a  thief." 

"  Did  he  pick  your  pockets?" 

"No,  but  he  might  as  well.  He  was  my  clerk.  I 
engaged  him  two  months  since,  and  only  to-day  I  found 
out  that  he  has  been  robbing  me  systematically.  He 
has  taken  hundreds  of  dollars  probably.  If  I  could  only 
get  hold  of  him,  I  would  give  him  a  lesson  he  would 
never  forget." 

Here  was  Tom's  chance,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  push- 
ing it. 

"  Then  you  have  no  clerk  now?"  he  said. 

"  No,  and  I  don't  know  where  to  get  one  that  I  can 
trust." 

"  Take  me,"  said  Tom  confidently. 

"You I"  repeated  the  merchant  in  surprise. 

"  Yes;  I  am  looking  for  a  place,  and  I  will  serve  you 
faithfully." 

"  How  old  are  you?" 

''Sixteen." 

''You  are  only  a  boy." 

*'  I  know  that,  but  why  can't  a  boy  sell  goods  as  well 
as  a  man.     It  doesn't  take  size  or  strength,  does  it?" 

''You're  right  there,"  said  the  trader,  "but  it  takes 
knowledge  of  the  goods.  Do  you  know  anything  of  the 
business?" 


154  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"No,  but  ril  soon  learn." 

*'  Then  I  shall  have  the  trouble  of  breaking  in  a  green 
hand.'' 

''  It'll  be  very  little  trouble/'  said  Tom  confidently. 
*'  All  you've  got  to  do  is  to  tell  me  the  price  of  the  goods, 
and  I'll  remember." 

**^How  do  I  know  but  you'd  follow  the  example  of  the 
scamp  that's  just  left  me,  and  purloin  my  money? 
Have  you  any  recommendations?" 

"  No,"  said  Tom;  "  I  forgot  all  about  bringing  any." 

"Don't  you  know  anybody  in  the  town?" 

"Yes;  I  know  an  Irishman — Mike  Lawton — cook  in 
an  Irish  hotel." 

"I  don't  think  he'll  do." 

"Then,"  said  Tom  smiling,  "  I  shall  have  to  write  a 
recommendation  for  myself.  There's  nobody  knows  so 
much  about  my  honesty  and  capacity  as  I  do." 

Tom's  frankness  had  won  upon  the  trader,  and  he  was 
inclined  to  overlook  the  want  of  recommendations. 

"Suppose  I  conclude  to  take  you  on  trial,"  he  said, 
'*  what  wages  do  you  expect?" 

Tom  felt  that  in  his  circumstances  he  could  not  afford 
to  bargain.  It  was  all-important  that  he  should  get  the 
place,  for  his  experience  taught  him  that  they  were  not 
to  be  had  easily. 

"Take  me  a  week  on  trial,"  he  said;  "give  me  my 
board  and  as  much  more  as  you  think  I  am  worth." 

"That's  fair.     When  do  you  want  to  come?" 

"  I  can  come  now — or  rather  in  an  hour.  I  shall 
want  to  go  to  the  hotel  where  I  am  stopping  and  get  my 
carpet-bag.'^ 


TOM  GETS  A  PLACE,  155 

*'  Very  well.  I  will  engage  you  for  a  week  on  trial. 
When  you  return  with  your  carpet-bag,  my  wife  will 
give  you  a  room/* 

''  Thank  you,  sir.     I'll  be  right  back.'* 

Tom  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief.  He  had  secured  a 
place  just  in  time.  In  less  than  two  days  his  money 
would  be  exhausted,  and  he  would  be  compelled  either 
to  beg  or  starve.  What  wages  he  might  get  in  the  place 
so  unexpectedly  opened  to  him  he  did  not  know,  or  care 
very  much.  The  main  advantage  was,  that  he  was 
saved  from  the  heavy  expense  of  a  hotel  bill.  As  to  the 
business,  he  did  not  think  he  should  like  it  for  a.  per- 
manent employment,  but  it  would  enable  him  to  live 
while  he  was  looking  about  for  something  better.  In 
the  meantime  he  could  keep  his  eyes  open,  for  he  had 
not  forgotten  that  his  chief  object  in  this  expedition  was 
to  discover  the  defaulting  clerk,  whose  dishonesty  had 
so  largely  affected  his  own  means. 

In  less  than  an  hour  Tom  was  back  in  the  store  and 
receiving  his  first  lessons  in  the  prices  of  articles  for 
sale. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

TOM   IK   A   TIGHT    PLACE. 

OM'S  NEW  employer  was  Oliver  Burton.  He 
had  come  from  New  Jersey  originally  with 
the  intention  of  going  to  the  mines,  but  he 
was  shrewd  enough  to  see,  on  landing  in  San  Francisco, 
that  trading  was  a  more  certain  means  of  getting  rich 
than  mining.  He  established  himself  in  the  city,  there- 
fore, bought  out  a  man  who  was  compelled  by  sickness 
to  retire  from  active  business,  and  was  now  rich.  Though 
occasionally  irritable,  he  was  in  the  main  just  and  easy 
to  get  along  with,  and  Tom  soon  got  into  favor. 

Our  hero  had  never  worked,  but  he  was  sharp  and 
diligent,  and  he  did  not  need  to  be  told  the  same  thing 
twice.  So  at  the  end  of  the  first  week  his  employer 
said: 

*'  Well,  Tom,  you  have  been  with  me  a  week,  and  for 
a  green  hand  you  have  done  remarkably  well." 

''Thank  you,  sir,^'  said  Tom;  ''I  have  tried  to  do  my 
duty  faithfully.'' 

''You  have.  Moreover,  I  am  convinced  of  your 
honesty.'' 

"  You  need  have  no  fears  on  that  score,"  said  Tom 
proudly. 

"I  have  not,  and  experience  teaches  me  that  this  is 
quite  as  important  as  a  capacity  for  business.     Why,  my 


TOM  IX  A   TIGHT  PLACE.  157 

last  clerk  was  a  capital  salesman — knew  how  to  please 
customers  and  influence  trade — but  contrived  to  swindle 
me  out  of  several  hundred  dollars  in  three  months/' 

'*  That  wasn't  very  satisfactory, ''  said  Tom. 

"  I  should  say  not.  But  what  I  am  coming  at  is  this — 
I  should  like  to  have  you  remain  with  me.  What  wages 
will  satisfy  you  V 

*^  You  are  a  better  judge  than  I  am.  What  did  you 
give  your  last  clerk?" 

''  Twenty-five  dollars  a  week  and  board.  You  are  a 
green  hand,  and  several  years  younger,  but  in  consider- 
ation of  your  honesty,  in  which  I  feel  full  confidence,  I 
will  give  you  twenty/' 

*'  That  will  satisfy  me,  sir,''  said  Tom  promptly. 

*^Then  here  are  your  first  two  week's  wages." 

Tom  took  the  money — it  was  in  gold — with  pride 
and  pleasure.  It  was  no  novelty  to  him  to  have  consid- 
erable money,  but  excepting  the  three  dollars  which 
he  had  received  for  carrying  a  bundle,  this  was  the  first 
money  he  had  actually  earned,  and  he  felt  pleased  ac- 
cordingly. 

^'^  Twenty  dollars  and  my  board  for  a  week's  work!'* 
he  said  to  himself.  ''  Now  I  really  begin  to  feel  that 
I  am  of  some  use  in  the  world.  It's  a  good  deal  better 
than  leading  an  idle  life." 

It  may  be  remarked  also,  that  Tom  had  lost  with  his 
property  the  old  bullying  spirit  which  gave  him  the  title 
by  which  he  was  known  at  the  beginning  of  this  story. 
He  still  retained,  however,  the  spirit  and  courage  which 
in  his  case  had  accompanied  it  j  and  this  was  fortunate. 


158  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREEjt, 

for  he  was  in  a  country  where  at  that  time  the  laws  had 
not  yet  obtained  that  ascendency  Avhich  they  possess  in 
older  settlements.  The  time  was  not  far  off  when  his 
courage  was  to  he  tested. 

About  three  weeks  after  his  entrance  into  the  store, 
Mr.  Burton  left  the  city  for  a  visit  of  several  days  into 
the  interior.  By  this  time  Tom  knew  enough  of  the 
business  to  be  intrusted  with  the  sole  charge. 

^^\  shouldn^t  have  dared  to  leave  my  former  clerk/' 
said  Mr.  Burton,  '^but  I  am  sure  I  can  trust  you." 

*'  You  can/'  said  Tom  promptly.  "  I  may  not  be  able 
to  fill  your  place,  but  Til  do  the  best  I  can." 

^'\  am  convinced  of  it.  You  will  sleep  in  the  store; 
for  though  burglaries  are  not  frequent,  there  might  be 
an  attempt  to  open  the  store. " 

^^Yes,  sir." 

*' You  won't  be  afraid  to  remain  here  alone?" 

"Afraid!"  exclaimed  Tom.  "  I  hope  not.  I  should 
be  ashamed  of  myself  if  I  were." 

"  I  shall  leave  my  revolver,  and  I  expect  you  to  use  it 
if  necessary.     Do  you  understand  its  use?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  I  have  no  further  directions  to  give.  I  cannot 
tell  exactly  how  many  days  I  shall  be  absent." 

"  Don^t  hurry  home,  sir.     All  will  go  well." 

"  It's  odd  how  much  confidence  I  have  in  that  boy/' 
said  Mr.  Burton  to  himself.  "  He  says  he  is  only  sixteen, 
but  he's  as  cool  and  self-reliant  as  a  man  of  twenty-five. 
He  has  been  well  educated,  too,  I  judge  from  his  man- 
ners and  conversation.  I  feel  fortunate  in  securing 
him/' 


TOM  IN  A   TIGHT  PLACE.  159 

On  the  fourth  night  after  Mr.  Burton's  departure, 
Tom  went  to  bed  at  his  usual  hour.  His  bed  was  made 
up  on  the  floor,  about  the  center.  He  was  unusually 
fatigued,  and  this  no  doubt  accounted  for  his  sleeping 
sounder  than  common.  Something  roused  him  at  last. 
At  first  he  thought,  in  his  bewilderment,  that  it  was 
Mr.  Burton  who  had  shaken  him,  but  he  was  quickly 
undeceived. 

Lifting  his  head,  he  saw  a  sinister  face,  rough  and 
unshaven,  bending  over  him. 

'^  What!"  he  commenced,  but  the  other  interrupted 
him  in  a  stern  whisper. 

"  Speak  low,  boy!  Make  no  alarm,  or  by  the  powers 
above  Fll  kill  you  instantly.     Do  you  understand  ?" 

Tom  was  now  thoroughly  awake.  He  comprehended 
that  this  man  was  one  against  whom  it  was  his  duty  to 
defend  the  store  and  its  contents.  On  account  of  the 
soundness  of  his  sleep  he  had  not  heard  him  effect  his 
entrance. 

**  What  do  you  want?"  he  asked. 

''  You  can  guess  why  I  am  here.  I  want  all  the  money 
you  have  in  this  store." 

''You  had  better  leave  here  at  once,"  said  Tom, 
having  recourse  to  stratagem.  ''  Suppose  my  employer 
should  have  heard  you  and  come  in." 

''  Suppose  he  don't,"  said  the  burglar,  with  a  sneer. 
*'  I  know  as  well  as  you  that  he  is  in  the  country.  You 
can't  play  any  of  your  games  on  me,  boy." 

''  He  has  been  in  the  country." 

'*  And  he  is  there  now.     Boy,  I  can't  waste  time.     Do 


160  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

you  see  this?'*  and  he  drew  a  formidable  knife  from  it£ 
sheath. 

''  Yes,  I  see  it/'  said  our  hero. 

''You  will  feel  it  also/'  said  the  burglar,  "if  you 
don't  show  me  where  you  keep  your  gold,  and  be  quick 
about  it." 

''  Tom  was  at  his  wits'  end.  There  were  eight  hundred 
dollars  in  gold  in  the  store,  and  moreover  it  was  all  kept 
together.  If  he  could  have  saved  the  rest  by  delivering 
to  the  burglar  a  hundred  dollars,  he  would  not  have 
scrupled  to  do  this,  feeling  that  in  so  doing  he  would  do 
the  best  thing  possible,  and  obtain  Mr.  Burton's  approval. 
But  this  was  impossible.  It  must  be  the  whole  or  none, 
and  it  seemed  probable  that  the  whole  would  be  taken. 
He  was  only  a  boy — strong  of  his  age,  it  is  true,  but  no 
match  for  the  burly  ruffian  who,  with  drawn  knife,  was 
looking  down  upon  him. 

Again,  suppose  he  surrendered  the  money,  how  could 
he  convince  Mr.  Burton  that  he  did  it  upon  compulsion? 
Might  it  not  be  supposed  that  the  burglar  was  a  con- 
federate of  his  own,  whom  he  had  voluntarily  admitted 
into  the  store?  Might  it  not  even  be  suspected  that 
there  had  been  no  burglary  at  all,  but  that  he  himself 
had  appropriated  the  money,  and  trumped  up  a  story  to 
conceal  his  guilt. 

These  thoughts  passed  through  his  mind  in  a  much 
shorter  time  than  1  have  taken  to  record  them.  But 
slight  as  the  delay  was,  it  was  too  great  for  the  impatience 
of  the  ruffian. 

"  If  you  don't  get  up  before  I  count  three,"  he  said, 
*'you  shall  have  a  taste  of  this  knife/' 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   BURGLAR   BAFFLED. 

|SUALLY  Tom  slept  with  the  revolver  undei 
his  pillow.  This  night  he  had  neglected  to 
do  so.  Even  had  it  been  there,  however,  it 
would  have  been  as  much  as  his  life  was  worth  to  reach 
for  it,  as  the  motion  would  have  been  at  once  understood 
by  the  ruffian,  who  stood  over  him  with  a  knife  in  his 
hand. 

''  V\\  get  up,"  said  Tom,  in  answer  to  the  threat  re- 
corded in  the  last  chapter. 

'*  YouM  better!"  growled  the  burglar. 

'^What  shall  I  do?"  thought  Tom,  racking  his  brain 
for  some  way  of  escape. 

An  idea  flashed  upon  him.  He  turned  to  go  behind 
the  counter. 

"Where  are  you  going?"  demanded  the  burglar  sus- 
piciously. 

'*  For  the  money.  That^s  what  you  want,  isn't  it?** 
asked  Tom. 

'*  Be  quick  about  it.     Where  do  you  keep  it?" 

*'  Mr.  Burton  will  think  I  took  it,"  said  our  hero,  who 
had  an  object  in  what  he  said.  "  Won't  you  be  satisfied 
with  taking  some  clothes  ?" 

^^  Don't  be  foolish,  boy!  What  can  I  do  with  clothes? 
It  is  gold  I  want.  Come,  open  the  drawer.  Where  is  it 
you  keep  it?** 


162  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  Will  you  leave  a  note  for  Mr.  Bnrton,  saying  I 
didn't  take  it  ?  "  asked  Tom,  who  wished  the  ruffian  to 
consider  him  simple. 

''  What  a  fool ! ''  thought  the  burglar.  ''  I'll  pretend  to 
humor  him.  Yes/'  he  said,  ''  I'll  leave  a  note  which 
you  can  give  him." 

^' Will  you  write  it  now?'' 

''  Of  course  not.  I  will  as  soon  as  I  have  the  gold  in 
my  possession." 

**  I  suppose  that  will  do.     Step  back,  then." 

^^  What  are  you  going  to  do  ?  "  asked  the  burglar  in 
surprise,  seeing  Tom  bend  over. 

''  Lift  the  trap-door." 

''  What  for  ?" 

"  You  want  me  to  get  the  gold,  don't  you  ?** 

''  Well  ?  " 

*'  I  must  go  down  cellar  for  it." 

'*  Is  it  kept  down  there  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Burton  thought  it  would  be  safest  there." 

**  Did  he  ?  "  chuckled  the  robber.  ''  Then  he'll  find 
his  mistake." 

Tom  raised  the  trap-door  and  disclosed  a  staircase 
leading  down  into  a  subterranean  vault. 

'*  I  can't  see,"  he  said  "  Will  you  lend  me  your  lan- 
tern ?  "  referring  to  the  dark-lantern  which  the  burglar 
carried. 

^*  Oh,  that  will  be  all  right.     I'll  go  down  with  you." 

**  I  wish  you  would,"  said  Tom.  **  I  don't  like  to  go 
done  here  alone." 

''  A  coward  ! "  thought  the  ruffian.     *'  All  the  better 


164  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

for  me.  I  thought  from  his  looks  that  he  was  a  bold, 
spirited  boy,  but  appearances  are  deceitful.  A  pretty 
guardian  he  is  for  property." 

This  was  precisely  the  opinion  which  Tom  desired  his 
companion  to  have  of  him,  as  it  was  necessary  for  the 
success  of  his  plan  that  his  suspicion  should  be  dis- 
armed, and  he  be  taken  off  his  guard. 

The  cellar  into  which  they  descended  was  used  to  store 
goods  of  various  descriptions,  and  presented  to  the  glance 
a  confused  pile  of  bales  and  boxes,  arranged  without 
much  regard  to  order. 

''This  is  a  queer  place  to  keep  money,''  said  the 
burglar,  looking  round. 

''It's  a  first-rate  place,"  said  Tom  complacently,  "for 
nobody  would  ever  think  of  looking  for  it  here." 

"I  don't  know  but  you're  right.     Well,  where  is  it?" 

"In  that  little  chest,"  said  Tom,  pointing  to  one 
under  a  bale. 

"  So  it's  there,  is  it?"  said  the  burglar  triumphantly. 
"How  much  is  there?" 

"  There's  a  good  deal,"  said  Tom;  "  but  don't  take 
all,  will  you?    Mr.  Burton  will  be  so  mad." 

"Oh,  no,  I'll  leave  some,"  said  the  burglar  mockingly. 
"  What  a  simpleton  he  is,"  he  thought.  "  Come,  open 
it.     Is  it  locked?" 

"  There,  what  a  fool  I  was!"  said  Tom,  in  a  tone  so 
natural  that  it  deceived  his  companion.  "  I  left  the  key 
up-stairs.  But  I  won't  keep  you  a  minute.  I'll  go  up 
and  get  it." 

But  for  the  opinion  he  had  formed  of  our  hero's  sim- 


THE  BURGLAR  BAFFLED.  105 

plicity,  the  burglar  would  hardly  have  suffered  Tom 
to  leave  him.  As  it  was  his  contempt  made  him  feel 
secure. 

"  Well,  be  quick  then/'  he  said.  "  I  can't  wait  here 
all  night/' 

Tom  did  not  answer. 

He  sprung  up  the  stairs,  and  the  first  intimation  the 
astonished  ruffian  had  of  his  design  was  conveyed  in  the 
slamming  to  of  the  trap-door. 

*'  Confusion!''  he  muttered.  "  The  young  rogue  has 
outwitted  me." 

He  sprung  forward,  but  in  such  haste  that  he  tripped 
over  a  bale  and  measured  his  length  on  the  floor,  drop- 
ping his  lantern  at  the  same  time.  His  temper  by  no 
means  improved  by  this  accident,  he  picked  himself  up, 
and  springing  up  the  narrow  staircase,  tried  to  raise  the 
trap-door. 

But  Tom  had  drawn  two  bolts  which  fastened  it 
above,  and  moreover,  was  dragging  a  heavy  box  to  place 
upon  it,  so  that  the  entrapped  person  found  himself  ut- 
terly unable  to  lift  it. 

'^  Open  the  door!"  he  shouted  from  below  in  mingled 
rage  and  fright. 

*'I'd  rather  not!"  Tom  shouted  back  in  reply. 

*^  If  you  don't  I'll  make  it  the  worst  for  you,  you 
foung  villain." 

••'  You'll  have  to  get  at  me  first,"  said  Tom  in  a  tone 
of  aggravation. 

The  burglar  realized  that  so  far  from  being  simple 
he  had  to  deal  with  a  boy  who  was  brave  and  quick- 
witted. 


16(J  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"Confusion!'*  he  muttered  to  himself.  "  If  I  am 
caught  here  it  will  ruin  me/' 

Again  he  shouted: 

'*  I'll  shoot  you  through  the  floor/' 

"Better  not,"  retorted  Tom.  ''It  will  rouse  the 
neighbors.     Besides,  I've  got  a  revolver  too/' 

*a  don't  believe  it." 

''  That  don't  alter  the  fact/' 

''  Why  didn't  you  show  it?" 

*'  I  couldn't  get  at  it  while  yoi  stood  over  me  with  a 
knife/' 

"  He's  got  me  at  an  advantage,"  thought  the  villain. 
**  I  must  change  my  tone." 

"Let  me  up,"  he  pleaded,  "and  I'll  go  off  without 
taking  your  gold." 

"  I  don't  mean  that  you  shall,"  said  Tom  coolly. 
"Youcan'tget  at  it." 

"Why  not?" 

"  It  isn't  down  there  at  all." 

"  Then  you  deceived  me,"  exclaimed  the  baffled  vil- 
lain. 

"  Of  course  I  did,  and  would  do  it  again." 

"  Are  you  going  to  let  me  out?"  demanded  the  burg- 
lar, knocking  furiously  at  the  trap-door. 

"Not  till  morning." 

There  was  no  doubt  about  it.  The  burglar  had  been 
completely  outwitted  and  trapped  by  a  boy.  That  was 
the  most  humiliating  part  of  it.  If  he  could  have  got 
at  our  hero  then,  there  is  little  doubt  that  he  would 
have  put  him  to  death  without  a  moment's  hesitation. 


THE  BURGLAR  BAFFLED,  1^ 

i>ut  luckily  for  Tom  there  was  a  good  plank  flooring 
between,  and  a  trap-door  which  was  secured  by  two 
strong  bolts.  But  Tom  did  not  feel  quite  secure.  There 
was  an  egress  from  the  cellar  at  one  side.  If  the  ruffian 
bbould  discoYer  this^  his  peril  would  be  e^reme. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

ARRESTED. 

HE  BURGLAR,  fairly  trapped,  gnashed  hk 
teeth  with  rage.  To  have  been  caught  thus 
by  a  boy  whom  he  had  despised,  increased  his 
rage  and  humiliation.  Besides  he  was  in  great  peril. 
Burglary,  and  indeed  all  offences  against  property,  were 
severely  punished  in  this  new  State.  It  was  a  matter  of 
necessity,  considering  the  elements  that  had  been 
brought  together,  and  the  freedom  and  lack  of  restraint 
that  characterized  the  people.  So  the  ruffian  was  fairly 
frightened.  But  he  resolved  to  try  the  effect  of  one 
more  appeal. 

^'Listen,  boy,'^  he  called  out.  '''Let  me  out,  and  I 
will  not  only  promise  to  do  no  harm  and  take  no  money, 
but  I  will  give  you  two  hundred  dollars  in  gold,  which  I 
have  in  my  pocket  at  this  moment. '' 

But  Tom  was  not  to  be  caught  by  a  promise  only  made 
to  be  broken. 

'^  That's  too  thin,''  he  answered  back.  "  I  shaVt  let 
you  out.     You  are  best  off  where  you  are." 

''  I'd  like  to  kill  him!"  thought  the  burglar,  grinding 
his  teeth. 

'' Beware  what  you  say,  boy,"  he  shouted.  "You 
have  me  at  advantage  now,  but  the  time  will  come  when 
I  shall  be  free.  When  that  time  comes  I  will  kill  you 
unless  you  release  me  at  once." 


ARRESTED.  169 

**  I  must  take  the  risk/'  said  Tom, 

"Then  you  won't  let  me  out?" 

"I  won't." 

There  was  no  answer,  for  the  burglar,  who  had  pre- 
viously decided  that  he  could  not  lift  the  trap-door, 
determined  to  see  if  there  was  no  other  mode  of  egress. 

Here  was  Tom's  danger. 

There  was  a  door  at  one  side,  as  already  explained. 
This  had  hitherto  escaped  the  burglar's  attention,  for 
the  dark-lantern  lighted  up  only  a  small  part  of  the  cel- 
lar, and  left  the  rest  in  gloom.  Supposing  the  door 
vas  found,  and  being  bolted  within,  it  could  easily  be 
opened  and  egress  obtained,  Tom  would  be  in  a  peril- 
ous position.  The  burglar  would  again  enter  as  he  had 
done  previously,  and  inflamed  by  anger,  would  not  only 
take  the  gold,  but  perhaps  kill  our  hero. 

This  thought  was  enough  to  startle  the  bravest.  Tom 
felt  that  he  must  have  assistance,  and  he  took  the  most 
effectual  way  of  calling  it. 

He  threw  open  the  outer  door,  stepped  into  the  street, 
and  fired  the  revolver,  not  once  only,  but  twice.  In  the 
silent  street,  wrapped  in  darkness,  these  two  shots  were 
heard  with  startling  emphasis.  Keighbors  rushed  to 
their  windows  and  called  out: 

''  What  has  happened?    What's  the  matter?" 

"Help I"  exclaimed  Tom.  "Come  here  at  once. 
There's  a  burglar  in  the  cellar.  Come  quick,  and  help 
me  secure  him." 

Half  a  dozen  men  hurried  on  their  clothes,  seized 
arms  and  hurried  down  into  the  street. 


170  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

Meanwhile  the  noise  of  the  revolver  had  been  heard 
by  the  trapped  burglar  also. 

"  Confusion  \"  he  exclaimed,  with  an  oath,  "  the  boy 
is  calling  assistance.  He  must  be  afraid  I  will  get  out. 
There  must  be  a  door  somewhere.  I  must  find  it  at 
once,  or  all  is  over  with  me." 

He  had  been  turning  his  attention  to  the  wrong  side 
of  the  cellar,  and  this  delayed  him  a  little.  But  finally, 
with  a  cry  of  triumph,  he  espied  the  door.  He  saw  also 
that  it  was  bolted  inside,  and  inferred  that  there  would 
be  no  difficulty  in  opening  it.  But  for  some  reason  it 
stuck,  and  this  occasioned  further  delay.  Otherwise  he 
might  have  got  out  in  time  to  attack  Tom  before  the 
arrival  of  help.  But  the  little  delay  was  in  our  heroes 
favor.  When  the  burglar  got  out  he  heard  voices  of 
men  speaking  with  his  young  enemy. 

'^  Whereas  the  burglar  ?  "  asked  Archibald  Campbell,  a 
gigantic  Scot,  who  was  the  next-door  neighbor. 

"  In  the  cellar,"  said  Tom  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Can  he  get  out  ?  " 

*'  Yes,"  said  Tom  in  a  whisper,  so  as  to  afford  no  in- 
formation in  case  the  discovery  had  not  yet  been  made. 
"  There's  a  side  door,  and  if  he's  found  it  he's  free  now 
perhaps." 

*'  Where  is  the  door  ?  " 

"  On  that  side." 

''  Come,  then,"  said  the  brave  Scot,  **  well  nab  hinu 
What  weapons  has  he  got  ?  " 

*'  A  knife,  and  perhaps  a  revolver." 

By  this  time  another  man  had  come  up. 


ARRESTED.  171 

"We  must  have  him  if  it^s  a  possible  thing,"  said 
Campbell.  "That  sort  of  vermin  are  best  shut  up 
where  they  can't  get  into  mischief." 

The  burglar,  now  outside,  heard  these  last  words.  He 
realized  that  Tom  was  too  strong  now  to  attack,  and 
that  his  only  safety  lay  in  flight.  If  he  could  get  away, 
there  would  be  a  chance  for  retaliation  later.  He  could 
not  escape  into  the  street.  That  was  barred  by  his  pur- 
suers. In  the  rear  there  was  a  fence  to  be  surmounted. 
That  was  the  only  way  of  escape. 

He  was  mounting  the  fence  when  his  enemies  came 
round  the  corner  of  the  house  and  espied  him. 

*'  There  he  is,"  said  Tom. 

Archibald  Campbell  raised  his  revolver  and  covered 
the  ruffian. 

"  Halt,  man!"  he  cried.     ''  Do  you  surrender?' 

*'No,  hang  you!"  answered  the  burglar,  and  he,  also, 
was  about  to  draw  a  corresponding  weapon,  when  the 
Scotchman,  feeling  that  their  lives  were  in  peril,  and 
there  was  no  time  for  parley,  fired,  striking  the  man  in 
the  wrist.  The  weapon  fell  to  the  ground,  and  he  ut- 
tered an  exclamation  of  pain.  Before  he  could  recover 
the  weapon  they  had  rushed  upon  him. 

'^  Look  out  for  his  knife!"  shouted  Tom. 

This  made  them  cautious,  and  they  stood  off  at  a  dis- 
tance of  six  feet. 

*'  Come  down  from  that  fence,"  said  Campbell  in  a 
commanding  tone,  ''  and  give  yourself  up  as  our  prisoner. 
If  you  refuse,  or  if  you  stoop  to  raise  that  pistol,  I  will 
fihoot  you  through  the  head." 


172  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

There  was  a  stern  resoluteness  in  his  tone  which  con« 
vinced  the  ruffian  that  he  was  in  earnest. 

**What  do  you  want  with  me?"  he  asked  doggedly. 

'^  What  should  we  want  with  such  as  you?  To  give 
you  up  to  the  authorities.  It  is  not  safe  for  such  mea 
to  be  at  large." 

"  Let  me  go/'  pleaded  the  burglar  abruptly.  "  I  have 
taken  nothing." 

'You  intended  to." 

'^  But  I  have  not,  and  I  will  not — ^f  rom  you.  I  will 
agree  to  leave  the  city  and  never  return." 

*'You  cannot  be  trusted,"  said  the  Scotchman 
promptly.     '*  We  can  make  no  conditions  with  you." 

''You  may  repent  this,"  the  ruffian  growled. 

"  I  should  repent  letting  you  go,  but  I  shaVt  leave 
any  chance  of  that.     Are  you  coming  down?" 

Slowly  and  reluctantly  the  burglar  backed  down  from 
the  fence,  and  with  a  longing  look  at  his  pistol,  which 
he  knew  it  would  be  death  to  pick  up,  he  allowed  him- 
self to  be  taken  prisoner. 

"  Drop  your  knife,"  said  his  chief  captor. 

He  obeyed  with  a  malignant  scowl  at  Tom. 

^'  I'd  like  to  sheathe  it  in  that  boy,"  he  muttered, 
"  and  I  will  some  time." 

"Don't  let  hira  frighten  you,  my  lad,"  said  the 
Scotchman.     "  You've  done  your  duty  bravely." 

*'  He  does  not  frighten  me,"  said  Tom  calmly. 

A  crowd  had  collected  by  this  time,  who  escorted  the 
burglar  to  the  lock-up. 

"  Now,"  thought  Tom  as  he  re-entered  the  shop,  "  111 
try  to  get  a  little  more  sleep." 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

THE    MAN   TOM    WANTED   TO    SEE. 

|X  SPITE  of  the  exciting  events  of  the  night 
Tom  fell  asleep  and  slept  soundly  till  morn- 
ing. He  had  done  his  duty  as  a  matter  of 
course  and  it  did  not  occur  to  him  that  he  had  done 
anything  heroic  till  he  read  a  paragraph  in  the  paper 
the  next  day  giving  an  account  of  the  affair,  in  which 
he  was  spoken  of  in  the  most  complimentary  terms. 
The  paragraph  was  headed  '^  A  Young  Hero.'' 

It  served  as  an  excellent  advertisement.  The  follow- 
ing day  he  had  three  times  the  number  of  visitors  and 
twice  as  large  sales  as  on  any  preceding  one.  In  fact  he 
was  kept  so  hard  at  work  that  he  was  delighted  about 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon  to  see  his  employer  walk 
into  the  shop. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  back,  Mr.  Burton,"  said  Tom. 

"  And  I  am  glad  to  be  back,"  said  his  employer. 
*'  But  what  is  all  this  I  hear,  Tom,  about  an  attempted 
burglary  ?" 

*'Did  you  see  the  paragraph  in  the  morning's  paper, 
sir?" 

*'  Yes.  I  see  you  are  reported  to  have  acted  like  a 
young  hero." 

Tom  smiled. 

"  I  didn't  know  that  I  had  done  anything  heroic  till  I 
read  it  in  the  paper,"  he  said. 


174  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER. 

''I  like  your  modesty,  Tom/"  said  Mr.  Burton  ap- 
provingly.  '^  If  the  account  is  correct,  however,  I  must 
say  that  you  showed  a  good  deal  of  pluck.  That  was  a 
capital  stratagem  by  which  you  trapped  him."" 

^'He  didn"t  think  so/' said  Tom,  laughing.  "You 
have  no  idea  how  mad  he  was.  I  pretended  to  be  a 
simpleton,  and  that  put  him  off  his  guard."" 

"  By  Jove,  I  don"t  believe  I  should  have  managed  the 
matter  so  well  myself.     Weren't  you  afraid?"" 

"  I  wasn't  altogether  comfortable  in  my  mind,""  said 
Tom,  "for  I  wasn't  sure  that  my  plan  would  work,  but 
I  can't  say  I  was  frightened."" 

''  If  you  had  been  you  wouldn't  have  been  able  to  act 
with  so  much  coolness.  How  much  money  was  there  in 
the  drawer?" 

''^  Eight  hundred  dollars." 

*'  Is  it  possible  ?  You  must  have  been  doing  a  good 
trade." 

"  I  think  I  have,"  said  Tom  complacently. 

"  You  have  done  as  well  as  if  I  had  been  here.  I  will 
take  care  that  you  are  rewarded  for  your  fidelity. " 

'*  It  is  enough  if  you  are  pleased,"  said  Tom. 

*'No,  it  isn't.  Such  fidelity  and  bravery  as  yours 
deserve  to  be  encouraged,  for  they  are  rare  enough. "" 

Mr.  Burton  went  to  the  drawer  and  counted  the  money. 
It  exceeded  eight  hundred  dollars,  for  Tom  had  been 
doing  a  good  trade  that  day.  In  fact,  it  was  close  upon 
a  thousand. 

He  took  out  a  hundred  dollars  in  gold  and  handed  it 
to  Tom. 


THE  MA.V  TOM  WANTED  TO  SEE.  175 

''Here,  Tom/'  said  he.  ''I  give  you  a  hundred 
i*.ollars.     It  will  show  you  that  I  am  not  ungrateful." 

**A  hundred  dollars  I''  said  Tom,  in  astonishment, 
**'  You  give  it  to  me?'*' 

'•  Ye*,  I  don't  know  but  I  ought  to  give  you  more." 

"  Xo,  no,"  said  Tom  hastily.  ''You  are  very  gener- 
ous.    But  I  don't  think  I  ought  to  take  it," 

•'  Then  be  guided  by  me  and  accept  it.  I  give  it  to 
you  freely.  Without  you  I  should  hare  lost  eight  times 
the  amount.  You  not  only  hare  done  your  duty  faith- 
fully, but  you  risked  your  life  in  doing  it." 

**I  suppose  I  did,"  said  Tom,  '-'but  I  didn't  think  of 
that  at  the  time. " 

"Take  the  money,  then,  and  I  hope  it  may  be  of 
serrice  to  you." 

*'  Thank  you,  sir.  The  money  will  be  of  service  to 
me,  and  since  you  insist  upon  it,  I  will  accept  it." 

"  Understand,  Tom,  that  in  giving  you  this  money  I 
don't  feel  that  I  have  cancelled  the  obligation.  Should 
another  opportunity  occur,  I  shall  do  what  I  can  to 
promote  your  interests." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Tom. 

The  consciotisness  of  having  done  one's  duty  faith- 
fully, and  having  that  service  appreciated,  is  certainly 
pleasant,  and  Tom  went  about  his  duties  from  this  time 
with  even  greater  alacrity  than  before,  feeling  that  he 
had  made  a  friend  of  his  employer. 

It  was  certainly  a  great  change  from  the  character 
which  he  had  previously  sustained  as  a  bully,  and  an 
arrogant,  imperious  boy.  The  truth  was  that  he  had 
been  injured  by  his  prosperity. 


176  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

When,  through  circumstances  over  which  he  had  no 
control,  he  had  lost  his  fortune,  and  been  reduced  to 
comparative  poverty,  he  found  himself  for  the  first  time 
filling  a  useful  place  in  the  world. 

His  new  position  required  courtesy  and  a  disposition 
to  oblige,  and  he  was  wise  enough  to  see  it.  So  he  had 
improved  in  a  marked  manner  under  the  discipline  of 
adversity,  and  no  longer  deserved  the  appellation  once 
given  him  of  "  Bully  of  the  Village/' 

So  far  as  his  situation  went,  Tom  had  nothing  to 
complain  of.  Rather  he  had  reason  to  congratulate  him- 
self on  his  success.  Coming  to  California,  wholly  with- 
out friends  or  acquaintances,  and  with  very  slender 
means,  he  had  certainly  been  fortunate,  and  had  deserved 
his  good  fortune.  But  he  did  not  forget  that  he  came 
to  San  Francisco  with  a  special  mission,  and  he  had  not 
as  yet  taken  a  single  step  toward  fulfilling  this  mission. 

He  had  promised  Mr.  Armstrong  to  look  up  the  clerk 
who  had  absconded  with  so  large  a  sum  of  money,  and 
precipitated  his  downfall.  All  that  he  had  done  to 
redeem  this  promise  was  to  watch  the  persons  whom  he 
met,  and  notice  their  personal  peculiarities,  in  the  hope 
some  day  of  identifying  Samuel  Lincoln. 

But  as  yet  no  one  had  been  seen  at  all  corresponding 
to  the  merchant's  description. 

''  What  more  can  I  do?  What  more  ought  I  to  do?" 
thought  Tom.  ''  If  I  only  knew,  I  would  do  it.  But 
it  may  be  that  this  is  really  a  wild-goose  chase.  There 
seems  as  little  chance  of  finding  this  man  as  of  finding 
a  needle  in  a  haymow/' 


THE  MAN  TOM  WANTED  TO  SEE.  177 

Tom  was  right.  He  had  absolutely  no  clew  by  which 
to  guide  himself.  He  would  indeed  know  this  man  if 
he  came  across  him,  but  what  was  the  chance  of  such  a 
meeting?    Surely,  very  little. 

Tom  begun  to  think  he  had  been  altogether  too  san- 
guine in  the  matter.  He  had  set  about  the  quest  with 
all  a  boy^s  sanguine  ardor,  forgetting,  or  rather  leaving 
out  of  the  account,  the  difficulties  in  the  way.  But 
unable  to  tell  what  to  do,  he  continued  to  stay  on  in  Mr. 
Burton's  employment,  and  in  so  doing  he  was  uncon- 
sciously doing  the  very  best  thing  he  could. 

One  day,  about  three  months  after  he  had  entered 
upon  his  place,  two  customers  entered  the  shop,  and 
expressed  a  desire  to  look  at  some  clothing. 

The  spokesman  was  a  tall,  thin  man,  of  perhaps  forty. 
From  him  Tom's  glance  wandered  to  his  companion, 
and  his  heart  suddenly  gave  a  great  bound. 

He  was  rather  short,  stout,  dark-complexioned,  with 
a  cast  in  his  left  eye,  and  on  the  hack  of  Ms  left  hand 
there  was  a  scar, 

Ee very  point  of  his  appearance  tallied  with  the  de- 
scription of  the  absconding  clerk. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE   ABSCONDIiq^G   CLERK. 

liUHE  TWO  customers  did  not  notice  Tom's 
earnest  look,  nor  his  start  of  surprise,  but 
asked  to  look  at  a  miner's  outfit.  Tom  waited 
upon  them,  and  listened  eagerly,  hoping  to  hear  some- 
thing that  might  confirm  his  suspicions. 

"  Gates,"  said  the  shorter  of  the  two  whom  Tom  sus= 
pected,  ''here's  something  that  will  suit  you." 

''I  don't  know  but  you  are  right,  Morton,"  was  the 
response. 

''  So  his  name  is  Morton,"  thought  Tom,  with  momen- 
tary disappointment.  ''But  of  course  he  would  change 
his  name,"  he  immediately  reflected.  "He  must  be 
Samuel  Lincoln.  The  description  tallies  in  every  par- 
ticular." 

"Are  you  going  to  the  mines?"  he  asked,  feeling  that 
the  inquiry  would  create  no  suspicion. 

"Yes,"  said  Gates.  "We  are  going  to  make  our 
fortunes." 

"Then  you'd  better  take  me  along,"  said  Tom. 
"  That's  exactly  what  I  am  after." 

Gates  laughed. 

"  Do  you  want  to  go  as  private  secretary?"  he  asked 
jestingly.  "  I  don't  think  my  friend  will  want  one,  and 
I  am  sure  I  don't." 


THE  ABSCONDIXG  C1.EKK.  179 

"  I  can  think  of  another  position  I  would  like,"  said 
Tom. 

''  What  is  that?" 

*'  Treasurer." 

'^  Good !"  said  Gates,  laughing.  '*  I  see  you  are  sharp. 
But  I'll  tell  you  what,  young  man,  we  are  too  sharp  to 
employ  you  in  that  capacity.  You  might  take  a  notion 
to  leave  us  without  warning." 

"  I  see  you  don't  know  me,"  said  Tom.  ''I  am  poor 
but  honest." 

*'  Tve  heard  of  that  before,"  said  Gates.  "There's  a 
good  deal  of  humbug  about  that." 

"Seriously,  gentlemen,"  said  Tom,  "I  am  anxious 
to  go  out  to  the  gold-fields,  and  am  able  to  pay  my 
expenses  there,  but  I  haven't  any  friends  that  are  going. 
Would  you  mind  my  going  along  with  you?" 

"Oh,  come  and  welcome,  if  you'll  pay  your  own 
expenses/'  said  Gates.     "  What  do  you  say,  Morton?" 

"I  don't  mind,"  said  Morton.  "He  won't  trouble 
us." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Tom.  "  When  are  you  going  to 
start?" 

"  Day  after  to-morrow." 

"  I  will  be  ready.     Where  shall  I  join  you?** 

"  We  are  stopping  at  the  Hotel  of  California." 

"  I  will  come  round  there  to-morrow  night." 

"  All  right.     You  will  find  us." 

When  this  conversation  was  taking  place  Mr.  Burton 
was  out.     After  the  strangers  had  retired  he  entered. 

"Mr.  Burton,"  said  Tom,  "I  am  going  to  surprise 
vou." 


180  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"Not  unpleasantly,  I  hope/' 

''  I  leave  that  to  you  to  decide,  x  am  going  to  leave 
your  employment.'* 

''Going  to  leave  me!  Have  you  received  a  better 
offer?  If  you  have,  I  will  advance  your  wages  to  the 
same  point.     I  should  be  very  sorry  to  lose  you." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,  Mr.  Burton,  but  I 
have  received  no  better  offer,  nor  am  I  dissatisfied  with 
my  wages." 

"Then  why  do  you  wish  to  leave  me?"  demanded  his 
employer  in  surprise. 

"  I  am  going  to  the  mines." 

"  Better  think  twice  of  that,  Tom.  Here  you  have  a 
certainty  and  a  comfortable  living.  There  you  will 
encounter  hardship  and  privation,  while  the  prospect  of 
profitable  returns  for  your  labor  is  very  uncertain." 

"  I  know  all  that,  sir,  but  I  have  a  special  object." 

"What  is  it?" 

"  I  will  tell  you,  sir,  in  confidence.  I  came  to  Cali- 
fornia in  search  of  a  clerk  who  ran  away  from  New 
York  with  a  large  sum  of  money  and  securities." 

''You — a  boy  of  your  age?"  exclaimed  Mr.  Burton  in 
astonishment. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Who  would  employ  so  young  a  detective?" 

"  I  came  at  my  own  expense  and  on  my  own  account. 
You  will  understand  better  when  I  tell  you  that  this 
clerk  caused  the  failure  of  a  merchant  who  owed  me  ten 
thousand  dollars.  If  the  securities  can  be  recovered  he 
will  be  able  to  pay  me  dollar  for  dollar." 


THE  ABSCONDING  CLERK,  181 

'*  This  is  a  strange  story,  Tom." 

"It  is  perfectly  true,  sir.'* 

''What  made  you  think  the  clerk  was  in  California?^ 

''  I  was  not  certain,  but  there  were  rumors  that  he 
had  come  here/' 

"  Eumors  are  not  very  safe  to  rely  upon." 

''  I  know  that,  sir,  but  it  seemed  very  probable,  and  I 
was  willing  to  take  the  risk.'' 

"  I  infer  that  you  think  you  may  find  this  clerk  at 
the  mines." 

*'  Yes,  sir.     I  know  he  is  going  out  there." 

*'How  do  you  know  it?"  asked  Burton  in  fresh  sur- 
prise. 

"  Because  he  was  in  this  store  to-night,  and  said  so  in 
my  presence." 

"  The  absconding  clerk  was  here  to-night?" 

''  Yes,  sir.  I  recognized  him  at  once  from  the  descrip- 
tion, though  he  had  changed  his  name,  and  I  had  never 
met  him.  I  learned  that  he  was  going  to  the  mines 
with  a  companion,  and  I  asked  leave  to  join  the  party. " 

''Of  course  he  has  no  idea  who  you  are?"  said  Mr. 
Burton. 

"  No,  he  never  saw  me,  and  had  no  ground  of  sus- 
picion. But  he  might  recognize  my  name,  and  so  1 
am  going  to  change  it.  I  shall  call  myself  Tom  Lin' 
coin." 

"Why  Lincoln?" 

"  That  is  his  real  name." 

"  Won't  it  lead  him  to  suspect  you?" 

''  I  think  not.     There  are  a  good  many  Lincolns  at 


182  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

the  East.  But  I  presume  he  will  be  a  little  startled 
when  he  first  hears  the  name,  and  in  fact  that  is  the 
reason  why  I  adopt  it.  I  want  to  be  perfectly  sure  that 
he  is  the  man  I  am  after." 

"  Tom,  you  appear  to  me  to  be  shrewd  enough  to  be 
a  detective.  I  wish  you  success  with  all  my  heart.  I 
am  sorry  to  have  you  leave  me,  but  of  course  I  feel  that 
I  ought  not  to  wish  to  detain  you.  When  do  you  want 
to  go?" 

''\  shall  have  to  make  some  preparations,"  said  Tom. 
'^  I  should  like  to  leave  you  at  twelve  to-morrow.  I  hope 
you  won't  be  troubled  to  fill  my  place." 

'^There's  a  young  fellow — a  distant  relation  of  my 
wife — who  is  anxious  to  obtain  a  position.  I  would 
rather  have  you,  but  if  you  insist  upon  leaving  me,  I 
will  at  any  rate  give  him  a  trial.  I  will  send  for  him 
to-morrow  morning." 

'^  That's  all  right  then,"  said  Tom  with  satisfaction. 
*^  I  will  ask  you  to  give  me  a  recommendation  under  the 
name  of  Lincoln,  as  it  may  come  handy  some  day." 

"  I  will  do  that  with  pleasure,  Tom.  How  are  you 
provided  with  money?" 

**  I  have  nearly  two  hundred  dollars,  thanks  to  the 
hundred  you  gave  me." 

"  That  sum  you  richly  deserved.  I  may  as  well  say 
now  that  if  you  should  fail  in  your  project  and  return 
to  San  Francisco,  you  have  only  to  come  to  me  and  I 
will  find  something  for  you  to  do." 

*'  Thank  you,"  said  Tom  warmly.  ^'  I  will  remember 
that  and  your  constant  kindness  to  me/' 


THE  ABSCONDING  CLERK.  183 

^'  He's  a  fine  fellow/'  thought  Burton,  ''and  as  sharp 
as  a  steel-trap.     I'm  very  sorry  to  lose  him/' 

But  Tom  felt  less  regret.  He  had  a  boyish  love  of 
adventure,  and  he  was  about  to  play  for  a  high  stake. 
The  mission  which  he  had  undertaken  was  one  which 
required  all  his  shrewdness  to  carry  out  successfully. 
Tom  realized  this,  but  he  was  resolved  to  do  his  best. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE   EFFECT   OF   A   NAME. 

I^^^^O  YOU  haven't  changed  your  mind,  young 
l^^^m;]  man,"  said  Gates,  as  Tom  presented  himself 
{jN^^j^l  at  the  hotel  the  following  evening. 

''^o/'  said  Tom,  ^Tm  in  earnest.  When  do  you 
start?'' 

*' To-morrow  at  ten.'* 

*'  I  will  be  on  hand." 

*'  By  the  way,  what  is  your  name?    How  shall  we  call 

you?" 

The  time  had  come  for  Tom  to  test  the  correctness  of 
his  suspicions.  Fixing  his  eyes,  but  not  with  obstrusive 
attention,  on  the  man  he  suspected,  he  answered  care- 


*'  You  may  call  me  Tom  Lincoln." 

Morton  started  and  turned  swiftly  toward  our  hero. 

"  What  name  did  you  say?" 

'^Tom  Lincoln." 

*^I  once  knew  a  man  of  that  name,"  said  Morton  hes- 
itatingly.    '^  From  what  State  do  you  come.^^' 

'^Our  family  originated  in  Massachusetts,"  answered 
Tom,  not  appearing  to  notice  anything  in  the  other's 
manner.     '^  I  believe  the  name  is  a  common  one." 

*^  Very  likely,"  said  Morton,  recovering  himself,  con- 
vinced that  it  was  only  an  accidental  coincidence.     He 


THE  EFFECT  OF  A  NAME,  186 

was  naturally  suspicious,  not  knowing  what  steps  might 
have  been  taken  to  secure  him.  It  seemed  improbable, 
however,  that  a  mere  boy  like  Tom  should  know  any- 
thing of  his  crime  or  have  any  connection  with  the  ef- 
forts to  capture  him.  It  may  be  added  that  his  secret 
was  known  to  no  one  in  California  except  our  hero. 
Gates  was  an  acquaintance  he  had  picked  up  and  made 
a  companion  from  his  need  of  society,  but  this  chosen 
comrade  knew  nothing  of  him  save  what  he  had  chosen 
to  tell,  and  sincerely  believed  that  Morton  was  his  real 
name. 

They  did  not  occupy  the  same  room  at  the  hotel. 
Gates  had  proposed  it,  but  Morton  had  not  encouraged 
the  idea.  He  said  that  he  was  a  light  sleeper  and 
always  accustomed  to  room  alone,  and  Gates  acquiesced. 

When  Morton  was  alone  in  his  chamber,  after  disrob- 
ing himself,  he  unclasped  from  around  his  waist  a  belt 
which  had  been  made  expressly  for  his  use.  Opening 
it,  he  drew  forth  a  quantity  of  papers  and  carefully  ex- 
amined them.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  mystify  the 
reader.  These  were  the  papers  which  had  been  taken 
from  his  employer,  and  for  the  lack  of  which  that  em- 
ployer had  been  compelled  to  fail.  They  represented 
an  aggregate  value  of  eighty  thousand  dollars. 

Morton  looked  them  over  carefully,  as  I  have  said. 

'^Yes,  they  are  all  here,"  he  said  thoughtfully.  ''I 
wish  I  could  turn  them  into  cash;  at  present  they  do 
me  no  good.  I  wish  I  could  with  safety  dispose  of 
them,  but  no  doubt  an  accurate  list  has  been  furnished 
to  the  detectives.     Meanwhile  they  are  a  great  care  to 


186  JOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

me.  I  am  compelled  to  carry  them  round  with  me  all 
the  time.  I  don^t  dare  to  leave  them  on  deposit  at  any 
bank  lest  they  should  be  identified  as  stolen  property." 

Here  there  was  a  knock  at  the  door.  Morton  turned 
pale,  and  huddled  the  papers  into  the  bed  near  by. 
Then  with  a  perturbed  look  he  opened  the  door  to  Gates. 

''  What's  the  matter,  Morton?"  he  said.  ''  You  look 
startled.     Did  you  think  I  was  a  burglar?" 

Morton  responded  with  a  forced  laugh. 

''  I  was  plunged  in  thought,"  he  said,  '^  and  your  knock 
startled  me.     Will  you  come  in?" 

^^  A  minute,  if  you  don't  mind.  Have  you  any  matches? 
I  have  none  in  my  room.  I  rang  the  bell,  but  nobody 
came. " 

''Yes,  there  are  some.     Help  yourself." 

Gates,  not  suspecting  how  unwelcome  his  visit  was, 
sat  down  and  lighted  a  cigar. 

*'  Is  smoking  offensive  to  you?  he  asked. 

''Well,  yes,  in  a  bedroom." 

"  Out  it  goes  then.  I  suppose  you  were  thinking  of 
the  fortunes  we  are  going  to  make." 

"  Perhaps  so,"  said  Morton,  who  didn't  care  to  divulge 
his  real  thoughts. 

"  By  the  way,"  said  Gates,  "  I  hope  your  bed  is  better 
than  mine.     Mine  is  as  hard  as  a  brick." 

As  he  spoke  he  reached  out  his  hand  and  touched  the 
quilt,  directly  over  the  spot  where  the  papers  were 
concealed. 

"  Don't  do  that,"  said  Morton  nervously. 

"  Don't  do  what,"  asked  Gates  staring. 


THE  EFFECT  OF  A  ISTAME,  187 

"I  maybe  silly/' stammered  Morton,  '-but  i  can't 
bear  to  have  any  one  touch  my  bed." 

Gates  laughed. 

'*  Why,  man,  you're  as  nervoue  as  a  woman,"  he  said 

*'  I  snppose  I  am,"  said  Morton,  smiling  in  a  force/^ 
manner 

'*  Luckily  for  me  I  was  born  without  nerves/'*  said 
Gates.  "It's  a  great  blessing.  Nothing  disturbs  me 
except — well,  except  the  want  of  money." 

••'  It  is  uncomfortable,,    said  Morton. 

"  You  are  rich,  thongh*  You  don't  unaerstand  what 
it  is." 

"  No,  I  am  not.  Gates.  I've  got  a  thousand  dollars, 
anrl  little  else — except  some  stocks  that  are  well-nign 
worthless.'' 

"Well,  I  haven't  got  any  stocks — worthless  or  other 
wise— to  worry  me.     I  may  have,  by  and  by,  if  we  are 
lucky  it  the  gold-fields." 

''Just  so;  tha^  is  what  I  am  hoping.  A  thousand 
dollars  won't  go  far  here." 

''  I  should  think  not.  But  I  suppose  you  want  to  go 
to  bed.     So  good-night." 

*  I  am  glad  he's  gone,"  said  Morton  to  himself,  when 
his  companion  left  the  room.  '*  Have  I  done  right  to 
encourage  his  intimacy?  Is  there  nc  fear  that  through 
him  mj  secret  may  be  divulged?  Then,  there  is  that 
boy.  It's  strange,  by  the  way,  that  his  name  is  Lincoln — 
the  same  as  mine.  Perhaps  he  is  a  distant  relatioa. 
However,  he  is  only  a  boy.  There  can't  be  any  harm  in 
him" 


188  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

It  was  not  altogether  true  that  Morton  was  reduced  to 
a  thousand  dollars  in  gold.  He  had  about  four  times 
that  sum  remaining  of  the  cash  he  had  purloined  from 
his  former  employer.  But  in  California,  as  1  have  already 
said,  this  was  an  era  of  high  prices,  and  though  this  sum 
seemed  considerable,  it  would  soon  melt  away  if  Morton 
did  not  find  some  way  of  earning  more.  He  might  have 
gone  into  business  in  San  Francisco  with  what  money  he 
had,  but  there  was  always  danger  of  being  recognized  in 
a  city,  the  population  of  which  was  reinforced  every 
week  or  two  by  new  emigrants  from  the  States.  Under 
the  circumstances  the  most  feasible  plan  of  increasing 
his  fortunes  seemed  to  be  to  go  to  the  mines.  Could  he 
only  have  negotiated  the  valuable  securities  which  he  had 
brought  away  with  him,  he  would  have  made  his  way  to 
Europe,  settled  down  on  the  Continent,  and  lived  com- 
fortably, provided  with  ample  means.  But,  as  we  know, 
the  securities  thus  far  had  only  occasioned  him  anxiety 
and  apprehension.  He  CQuld  not  see  his  way  clear  to 
any  benefit  to  be  derived  from  them,  unless  to  negotiate 
for  their  return  in  consideration  of  a  liberal  reward.  He 
was  not  prepared,  as  yet,  to  hazard  the  danger  ot  such 
a  course. 

The  night  passed,  and  the  next  morning  rose  bright 
and  clear.  The  first  part  of  the  journey  was  to  be  per- 
formed in  a  stage-coach.  The  last  must  be  made  with 
such  aids  as  they  could  find. 

At  ten  they  started.  Tom  and  Gates  were  in  high 
spirits.  Morton  was  more  sober.  He  had  cares  and 
anxieties  from  which  they  were  exempt. 


THE  EFFECT  OF  A  NAME-  189 

Each  of  the  three  was  provided  with  a  revolver,  for 
the  country  was  unsettled,  and  they  were  liable  to  meet 
with  highwaymen.  Tom  had  no  weapon  of  his  own, 
but  Gates,  who  had  two,  lent  him  one  of  his.  Tom 
secretly  hoped  that  he  might  have  a  chance  to  use  it. 
He  was  of  an  age  when  adventure,  even  when  acconi' 
panied  by  peril,  hae  a  certain  charm. 


OHAPTBB  XXXL 

HEBR  SCHMIX>r. 

||P^||t  was  twilight  of  the  second  day.  They 
P^S^I  ^^^"  ®^^^^^§®^  *^Q  stage-coach  for  a  rude 
I^M^I  wagon,  which  jolted  uncomfortably  over  the 
rough  roads.  They  had  traveled  for  the  greater  part  oi 
two  days,  yet  were  less  than  eighty  miles  from  San  Fran- 
cisco. It  was  a  wearisomf^  mode  of  traveling,  and  they 
were  all  tired.  The  party  consisted  of  but  four.  Gates, 
Morton,  Tom,  and  a  stout  Dutchmen,  who  bewailed  his 
misericF  most  of  all. 

'*  I  don't  call  this  traveling  for  pleasure/'  said  Gates, 
as  he  was  jolted  off  his  seat. 

"  Noi  1/*  said  Morton.  **  1  wish  I  had  never  left  San 
Francisco." 

"  Oh,  well,''  said  Tom,  who,  being  younger,  was  more 
hopeful  than  the  rest,  "it  won't  last  forever.^ 

^*  What  is  dat  you  say?''  broke  in  the  German.  **  For- 
ever I  Gott  in  Himmel!  I  hope  not.  I  think  I  shall 
never  see  mein  frau  and  die  kinder  once  more  at  all." 

**  Oh,  yes,  you  will,  mein  herr,"  said  Tom.  *'  You 
wil]  go  back  with  a  big  lump  of  gold,  and  live  happy 
ever  after. " 

**  If  I  do  not  get  killed  first,"  said  the  German  dubi» 
ouely.     '*  Gott  in  Himmel,  where  am  I  going?" 

AS  he  spoke,  in  consequence  of  a  sudden  jolt  the 


HERR  SCHMIDT,  191 

unhappj  German  tumbled  over  backwardsupon  the  floor 
of  the  wagon,  there  being  no  back  to  the  seat,  and  lay 
on  his  back  incapable  of  sitting  np. 

*^Ich  bin  toldtl"  he  groaned,  "ich  denke  dat  my 
bones  are  broke  in  two.'* 

Oh,  no,  mein  herr,"  said  Tom.  '*  They  are  too 
well  covered  for  that.  Don't  yon  be  alarmed.  111  help 
you  up,"  and  he  sprung  to  the  side  of  his  prostrate  fel- 
low-traveler, and  tried  to  help  him  to  his  feet.  But  Herr 
Johann  Schmidt  weighed  two  hundred  and  sixty  pounds, 
and  though  Tom  succeeded  in  raising  his  head  about 
six  inches  from  the  floor  of  the  wagon,  he  could  do  no 
more.  In  fact,  as  bad  luck  would  have  it,  it  fell  back 
with  a  whack,  and  caused  the  poor  Dutchman  to  re- 
double his  gioans. 

"  You  he.ve  killed  me  once  more/'  he  said  dolefi  'y. 

"Excuse  me,  mein  herr,'  said  Tom.  "I  didn't 
know  you  were  so  heavy.  Mr,  Gates,  won't  you  iitlp 
me?" 

But  before  Gates  could  come  to  his  help  there  wa« 
another  fearful  jolt,  causing  the  prostrate  body  to  give 
an  upward  bound  and  fall  back  with  several  auauiona] 
bruises. 

"Stop  the  horse!"  roared  the  incumbent  Teuton, 
**  Stop  him  all  at  once,  or  I  shall  be  murdered." 

The  horse  was  stopped,  and  by  the  united  help  of  the 
other  three,  Herr  Johann  Schmidt  was  replaced  on  his 
seat. 

**\  wish  I  had  not  come  out  here,"  he  bewailed 
to  himself.     *'  Why  could  I  not  stay  zu  home   in    my 


192  TOM  TEMPLETS  CAREBMU 

lager  bier  saloon,  where  I  was  make  much  money.  \ 
shall  not  never  go  back  once  more,  and  what  will  mein 
frau  dor 

'^'  Oh,  don't  mind  about  her,"  said  Gates  mischiev 
ously.     **  She'll  marry  another  man,  and  heli  take  care 
of  the  children/* 

"  Was!"  roared  the  Teuton,  his  small  eyes  lighted  vl\ 
with  anger.  "  Mein  frau  marry  another  man  I  Den  I 
will  not  die  at  all!" 

'*  That's  where  your  head's  level,"  said  Tom,  who  had 
picked  up  the  phrase  in  San  Francisco.  **  I  wonldn't 
peg  out  it  I  were  you.^' 

"And  my  Katrine  be  another  man's  frau  I"  con- 
tinued the  German,  in  a  tone  of  disgust. 

'*  You  couldn't  blame  her,  you  know, '  said  Gates^  in 
a  mischievous  spirit.  *'  Of  course  she  couldn't  mana.sfc; 
the  children  alone.  I'm  not  married,  and  I  might  be 
willing  to  take  her  myself,  that  is,  if  anything  happened 
to  you." 

"  You  marry  my  Katrine!"  exclaimed  Herr  Schmidt, 
almost  speechless  with  indignation. 

*'  I  suppose  you  would  prefer  that  a  friend  like  me 
should  marry  her  to  a  stranger,  wouldn't  you,  Herr 
Schmidt?" 

**  But  I  am  not  dead!  I  will  not  dial"  roared  Johann. 
'*  You  shal!  not  have  her!" 

*'  Oh,  of  course  if  you  are  not  going  to  die,  that  makes 
a  difference.     You  said  you  were,  you  know." 

**  1  have  change  my  mind — I  will  go  home  to  mein 
Katrine  myself.     She  shall  have  no  other  husband." 


HERR   SCHMIDT,  l93 

"Good  for  you  i  1  like  your  pluck,"  said  Gateso 
''Give  me  your  hand/' 

But  Herr  Schmidt  was  offended. 

"  I  will  nichts  give  my  hand  to  der  man  who  will  wisn 
to  marry  mein  Katrine/*  he  said  obstinatelyo 

'*  Oh,  that  was  only  to  oblige  you,  Herr  Schmidt.  J 
tnought  you  might  like  to  have  your  wife  and  childreD 
taken  care  ol" 

"1  take  care  of  them  myself/' 

*'  To  be  sure  you  will,  if  you  don't  kick  the  bucket, 
I  see  you're  riled,  Herr  Schmidt.  My  advice  is  that  you 
smoke  a  pipe      It  will  make  you  feel  better.'' 

This  suggestion  appeared  to  strike  the  German  favor- 
ably, for  though  he  did  not  deign  an  articulate  reply,  he 
pulled  out  a  pipe,  which  appeared  to  have  seen  much 
service,  and  was  soon  smoking  placidly,  and  to  judge 
from  appearance,  much  more  comfortable  in  mind. 

Meanwhile  the  road  had  entered  the  forest  and  the 
trees  cut  off  what  scanty  daylight  yet  remained 

'*  How  long  are  these  woods?"  inquired  Gates  of  the 
driver. 

"Two  miles  or  thereabouts,  sir" 

*'It  is  a  lonely  place?" 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  that  isn't  the  worst  of  it,"  said  the 
driver,  with  a  certain  significance  in  his  tone. 

'*IsnH  the  worst  of  it  't    What  is,  then  V 

"Loneliness  is  better  than  bad  comnany' 

•'  What  are  you  driving  at?" 

"I'll  tell  you,  si*  There's  a  set  of  desperadoes 
who  invest  these   parts — ban'^jts.  t^s:  call  them— and 


194  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

these  woods  are  said  to  be  their  favorite  lurking- 
place." 

**  That's  pleasant  news,  Morton,"  said  Gates,  turning 
to  the  clerk. 

Evidently  Morton  thought  so,  for  he  looked  very 
much  disturbed  at  the  intelligence. 

"■  Why  didn't  you  tell  us  before  ?"  he  said  to  the 
driver. 

^'  I  didn't  want  to  make  you  uncomfortable." 

"  Then  why  did  you  bring  us  to  these  woods  ?'* 

'^  Because  there  is  no  other  way." 

"  What  is  dat  you  say  ?  "  interrupted  Herr  Schmidt  at 
this  point. 

*'  Oh,  nothing  very  particular,"  said  Gates.  **  I  hope 
your  life  is  insured." 

''  What  for  ?  " 

**  Because  there  is  a  gang  of  robbers  in  this  forest, 
the  driver  says.  If  we  meet  them,  they  may  take  a 
fancy  to  cut  our  throats  " 

"  Let  me  get  out  ! "  roared  the  frightened  Dutchman. 
"  I  will  nichts  stay  to  have  mein  throat  cut.  How  will 
I  get  home  to  mein  frau  ?  " 

*'  It  won't  do  any  good,  your  getting  out,"  said  the 
driver.  '*  The  robbers  are  just  as  likely  to  be  behind  as 
before.     The  best  thing  to  do  is  to  push  on." 

The  driver's  words  were  unexpectedly  verified.  Be- 
fore he  had  fairly  finished  speaking,  two  men  sprang 
out  from  the  covert  from  opposite  sides  of  the  road. 
One  seized  the  horse  by  the  bridle.  The  other  advanced, 
pistol  in  hand,  to  parley  with  the  passengers. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

CAPTUKED  BY  HIGHWAYMEN. 

6lS|B&S^  HAT  do  you  want  ?  "  demanded  Gates. 
^^»4g        "  Your  money,"  said  the  other  briefly. 
I^^yj^       Gates  was  a  man  of  courage,  and  he  an- 
swered coolly  : 

"  Your  answer  is  brief,  and  to  the  point/' 

**I  meant  it  to  he/'  said  the  highwayman. 

**  Suppose  we  object  to  complying  with  your  polite 
request,  what  then  ?" 

"  I  hold  the  answer  in  my  hand/' 

'*  Your  pistol,  I  suppose." 

'*  You  are  perfectly  correct.  Yon  must  surrender 
either  your  money  or  your  life." 

The  Dutchman,  who  had  been  staring  open-mouthed, 
began  to  understand  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  was 
panic-stricken. 

"  Give  him  de  money,"  he  said,  trembling.  "Take 
his  money,  good  gentleman,  and  spare  my  life.  I  want 
to  go  home  to  mein  Katrine." 

Serious  as  the  case  was,  Gates  could  not  help  laughing 
at  the  naivete  of  his  Teutonic  traveling  companion. 

*'  Mr.  Highwayman,"  he  said,  ''  I  assure  you  it  isn't 

worth  your  while  to  rob  me.     My  Dutch  friend  here  is 

a  great   capitalist — a  banker,  I  believe.      Be  content 

with  what  he  will  give  you." 

195 


196  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

Herr  Schmidt  was  exasperated. 

''  That  is  one  beeg  lie/'  he  said.  '^  I  am  only  a  poor 
saloon-keeper,  with  a  few  dollars  which  I  made  by  sell- 
ing lager.  Let  me  go,  and  I  will  go  home  to  mein 
Katrine." 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  the  highwayman,  '^  I  make  no 
exceptions.     You  mnsfc  all  empty  your  pockets." 

^'  Stop  a  minute  !  "  said  Gates,  and  he  suddenly  drew 
a  revolver  from  his  pocket  and  pointed  it  at  the  robber." 

The  latter  did  not  appear  disconcerted. 

'^  That  won't  avail  you,"  he  said. 

''Why  not  ?  "  asked  Gates.     ''We  are  four  to  two.'' 

"We  shall  see." 

The  robber  put  a  whistle  to  his  lips  and  blew  a  shrill 
blast. 

In  answer  to  this  summons  six  other  men  burst  from 
the  covert,  all  armed,  all  dangerous. 

"  You  see,"  said  the  first  speaker,  "  we  are  stronger 
than  you  thought.  Fire  at  me,  and  all  your  lives  are 
sacrificed.     Your  triumph  will  be  short." 

"  Don't  shoot,  Herr  Gates  "  said  the  Dutchman  in  an 
agony  of  apprehension.  "  I  don't  want  to  die.  What 
would  become  of  Katrine  and  the  kinder  ?  " 

"  Gates  was  a  sensible  man.  He  saw  that  to  fire 
would  only  be  to  throw  away  his  own  life  and  that  of 
his  companions.  This  he  felt  that  he  had  no  moral 
right  to  do. 

"  What  shall  I  do  ?"  he  asked,  turning  to  Morton. 

"It's  useless  to  resist,"  said  the  latter  nervously. 

"  And  what  do  you  say,  Tom  ?" 


CA  P  TUKED  B  Y  HIGH  WA  YMEN,  197 

*'  Since  these  gentlemen  are  so  very  pressing,  we 
shall  be  obliged  to  yield." 

*'  I  believe  yon  are  right." 

Then  turning  to  the  former  speaker,  who  appeared 
to  be  the  chief  of  the  robbers,  he  said: 

**  Will  you  let  us  go  if  we  surrender  our  money  ?  " 

**  Not  to-day.     You  must  follow  us." 

'*  Where  ?  " 

*'  Where  we  shall  lead  you.'^ 

"  What  is  that  for  ?  " 

*'  It  is  unnecessary  to  ask." 

/*  That  is  adding  insult  to  injury.     I  don't  like  that." 

**  Perhaps,"  suggested  Tom,  *'  these  gentlemen  mean 
to  give  us  some  supper  and  a  night's  lodging.  If  so,  I 
go  for  accepting  the  invitation.  There  isn't  any  hotel 
about  here  that  I  know  of.  I  take  their  invitation  as 
very  kind." 

"  They  mean  to  make  us  pay  dearly  for  their  accom- 
modation." 

'*  We  may  as  well  get  something  for  our  money,"  said 
Tom. 

'*  That's  so.  Well,  gentlemen,  for  reasons  which  it 
is  unnecessary  to  particularize,  we  accept  your  invita- 
tion." 

'•Very  good,"  said  the  chief.  *'  Put  up  your  revol- 
ver, then,  first  of  all,  or  rather  give  it  to  me." 

**  I  would  like  to  keep  it." 

**  Impossible.     Give  it  up." 

Gates  handed  over  the  weapon  unwillingly. 

"  Now  give  me  yours,"  said  the  chief  to  Morton. 


198  TOM  TEMPLE'S   CAREER. 

The  latter  with  trembling  hand  surrendered  it.  He 
was  deficient  in  courage,  and  had  sat  silent,  pale  with 
terror,  while  the  conference  had  gone  on. 

"  Now,  my  young  bantam,"  said  the  robber,  turning 
to  Tom,  ^'  have  you  any  ?" 

"  Yes,  but  I  should  like  to  keep  it.'* 

''  Hand  it  over." 

'^  It  doesn't  belong  to  me.*' 

'^  We'll  take  care  of  it  for  the  owner." 

'^  Here  it  is.  Be  careful  how  you  handle  it,  for  it's 
loaded.     It  might  hit  my  fat  friend  there." 

The  Dutchman  began  to  kick  at  this  suggestion. 

*'  Take  care,  Mr.  Bobber,"  he  exclaimed.  "  It  might 
go  off  all  at  once,  and  that  would  be  an  end  of  Johann 
Schmidt." 

*'  Oh,  never  mind,  mein  herr,"  said  Tom.  *'  There 
are  plenty  of  John  Schmidts  in  the  world.  One  more 
or  less  wouldn't  make  much  difference." 

*'  It  would  make  much  difference  to  me,"  said  Johann 
sensibly,  "  and  mein  Katrine  and  the  kinder." 

''  Well,  what  next  ?  "  asked  Gates.  "  Can  we  go  on?  " 

"  No,  you  must  go  with  us.  First,  get  down  from 
the  wagon." 

"  What  is  that  for?  " 

'^  Ask  no  questions,  but  obey,"  said  the  highwayman 
sternly. 

**  Very  good.  I  suppose,  under  the  circumstances, 
we  must  obey  orders." 

*'  Get  down,  Herr  Schmidt,"  said  Tom  to  the  Teuton. 

''  What  for?  What  will  he  do?"  asked  the  terrified 
Dutchman. 


CAP  TV  RED  B  Y  HIGH  WA  YMEN  19y 

*'I  don't  know/'  said  Tom  gravely;  **  but  111  tell  jou 
what  the^  do  sometimes.'' 

"Was?" 

"They  stand  travelers  up  in  a  line  and  shoot  them.*" 

**  Will  they  be  so  wicked?"  groaned  the  poor  Dutch- 
man, turning  as  pale  as  his  florid  complexion  would  ad 
mit.     *'  They  would  not  dare!" 

"They  dne  anything,  but  the  only  thing  we  can  do 
is  to  follow  directions," 

Tom  assisted  the  poor  man  from  the  wagon.  Gates 
and  Morton  were  already  out. 

"Now,"  said  the  chief  of  the  highwaymen,  turning  to 
the  driver,  "you  can  go.  But  take  heed/'  he  added 
fitemly,  "  that  you  say  nothing  of  this  adventure.  If 
you  do,  you  are  a  marked  man,  and  your  life  will  not 
be  worth  an  hour's  purchase." 

**  I  understand,"  said  the  man. 

Gates  turned  toward  the  driver  with  sudden  sus- 
picion. 

"  I  believe  you  are  in  league  with  these  men,"  he  said 
sternly.     *'  You  have  led  us  into  a  trap." 

"That  is  not  so,"  said  the  driver  earnestly.  "I 
•wear  it." 

"The  man  speaks  truth,"  said  the  captain.  "We 
have  never  had  anything  to  do  with  him/^ 

"Then  why  don't  you  keep  him  as  you  do  us?" 

"  We  don't  fly  at  such  game.  He  is  a  poor  laboring 
man.     We  don't  prey  on  such." 

"  I  am  a  poor  laboring  man,"  said  Herr  Schmidt  eag- 
erly. "  Let  me  go,  too,  good  Mr.  Eobber.  I  am  not 
rich  like  these  gentlemen/' 


200  r03f  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

The  chief  laughed. 

"We  can  tell  better  by  and  by/*  ho  said.  "Now, 
gentlemen,  I  must  trouble  you  to  follow  us.'* 

Escorted  by  the  eight  highwaymen,  our  foar  travelera 
walked  on  into  the  depths  of  the  forest. 


CHAPTET    XXXm 

MOBTOK'e    6fOEK^. 

|)%SRJJ||HEY  walked  for  about  a  mile^  threading  the 
IS^Sli  intricacies  of  the  forest.  Tom  did  not  par- 
tl!5l^j|-||  ticularly  min('  the  walk.  In  fact,  though  the 
idea  of  being  a  captive  in  th^  hands  oi  robbers  was  not 
particularly  agreeable,  there  was  a  spice  of  alventnre 
and  romance  about  it  which  he  liked.  Gates,  too,  was 
a  man  who  took  things  philosophically,  and  did  not 
allow  himself  to  be  disturbed  overmuch  by  any  contre- 
temps like  the  present.  But  the  other  two,  namely, 
Morton  and  our  Teutonic  friend,  took  it-  more  tt.  heart. 
Morton  had  a  great  deal  to  lose,  and  he  was  in  terror 
lest  the  papers  and  certificates  oi  stock  should  be  found 
upon  his  person.  For  them  he  had  staked  reputation 
and  liberty.  For  them  he  was  an  exile  and  a  fugitive, 
and  he  felt  that  if  they  were  lost  he  should  have  Utile 
left  to  live  for. 

As  for  Herr  Schmidt,  he  was  troubled  in  mot3  than 
one  way.  First,  with  his  portly  figure  anJ  superfiUou£ 
load  of  flesh,  he  found  locomotion,  esjevjiall}  in  me 
forest,  quite  difficult.  Then  again  he  bad  with  JLim 
three  hundred  dollars  in  gold,  which  he  was  very  reluct- 
ant to  part  with .  He  felt  that  they  would  all  be  taken  x  i  ohj 
him,  and  what  to  do  then  lie  did  not  know.  It  wouiu 
take  money  to  go  on*  it  would  take  money  to  go  back. 


203  TOM  TEMPLE  S  CARhBJ^. 

On  the  whole  the  prospect  of  his  seeing  again  the  fski 
Katrine,  who,  good  woman,  was  physically  a  very  good 
match  for  her  Johann,  was  indeed  email.     So  he  kept 
groaning  as  he  walked,  and  indulged,  from  time  to  time^ 
in  little  ejaculations  expressive  oi  his  unhappy  frame  of 
mind. 
Tom  and  Gates  walked  on  together. 
"I  wonder  if  it's  much  farther,**  said  Gates.     "Our 
German  friend  doesn't  look  happy/' 
Tom  laughed. 

"Perhaps  I  shonldn't  he,  if  I  had  such  a  load  to 
carry/' 
*'  And  if  yon  had  a  Katrine  and  kinder  at  home." 
"Just  so.    But  I  haven't.    How  is  it  with  youP* 
"Oh,  I'm  an    independent  bachelor,  roaming  the 
world  for  a  living.    I'm  like  a  cat.    However  I'm  tossed 
up,  I'm  sure  to  land  on  my  feet." 

"Then  I  hope  I  shall  be  like  a  cat,  too." 
**  You  doirt  seem  very  much  disturbed." 
"  No.    It's  my  first  adventure,  and  I  haven^'t  much  to 


**  So  with  me.  Well,  Morton,  how  goes  itP  You  look 
as  if  you  were  attending  u  funeral." 

"Will  there  be  a  funeral?"  interrupted  the  terrifiet 
Dutchman,  **  Oh,  Gott  in  Himmell  they  will  not  kill 
nsr 

**  No,  mein  herr,  I  think  not.  They*U  only  take  all 
our  money." 

Mr.  Schmidt  groaned  piteously,  and  for  the  fiftieth 
time  execrated  his  folly  in  selling  out  a  lager  bier  saloou. 


MOR  TON  S  SECRE  T.  203 

in  which  he  was  making  money,  to  start  in  quest  of  the 
mines.  Ah,  little  did  the  plump  Katrine  and  the  chil- 
dren, waiting  eagerly  to  hear  of  his  success,  dream  that  he 
was  even  now  in  the  clutches  of  robbers. 

But  the  longest  journey  has  an  ending,  and  this  was 
not  a  very  long  journey. 

They  reached  a  rude  wooden  building,  backed  by  a 
precipitous  elevation.  There  was  nothing  peculiar  in  its 
appearance,  except  that  it  had  no  windows.  In  fact,  the 
main  wonder  was,  that  in  this  lonely  place  there  should 
be  any  building  at  all. 

'^ Halt,  gentlemen,"  said  the  captain,  ''it  is  here  that 
we  stop." 

"  Is  this  our  hotel?"  asked  Tom  lightly. 

"Yes,"  said  the  captain,  relaxing  his  stern  features 
with  a  smile.  ''  Shall  I  announce  to  you  the  rules  of 
this  house?" 

''What  are  they?" 

"Pajrment  in  advance." 

Morton's  face  changed,  and  the  Dutchman  looked 
unhappy. 

"  I  hope  your  bill  won't  be  unreasonable,"  said  Gates. 

"  Not  at  all.     We  shall  not  ask  more  than  you  have.'' 

"Thank  you;  you  are  very  considerate." 

"We'll  begin  with  you,  then,"  said  the  captain, 
'jiddressing  Gates. 

"  Oh,  I'm  a  poor  devil.     I  haven't  much." 

"Produce  what  you  have." 

Gates  took  out  his  purse,  which  proved  to  contain  a 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  gold. 


204  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

''  Is  that  all?" 

"Every  cent." 

*'  Search  him." 

Two  members  of  the  band  advanced  and  searched  him, 
but  nothing  more  was  to  be  found. 

"  You  are  an  honest  fellow.  I  won't  take  all.  Here!*' 
and  the  robber  returned  twenty  dollars  of  the  sum 
taken. 

*•' Thank  you  I"  said  Gates,  with  a  little  surprise. 
''Really,  for  a  robber,  you  are  very  polite  and  honora- 
ble." 

"  Now  it's  your  turn,  young  bantam,"  was  addressed 
to  Tom. 

Our  hero  produced  all  his  money,  as  was  shown  by 
the  subsequent  search. 

''Good!"  said  the  captain.  "Here  are  twenty  for 
you.  It  will  take  you  to  the  mines.  Xow,  old  man, 
it's  your  turn." 

Herr  Schmidt  would  have  done  well  to  profit  by  the 
example  of  his  companions,  and  surrendered  what  he 
could  not  retain.  But  it  was  too  much  for  his  equa- 
nimity. He  brought  out  twenty-five  dollars,  and 
stoutly  asseverated  that  it  was  all  he  had.  But  the 
captain  was  too  sharp  for  him.  A  skillful  examination 
disclosed  eleven  times  as  much  more. 

"  You  were  richer  than  you  thought,"  said  the  cap- 
tain, in  a  sarcastic  tone. 

*  It  is  all  I  had.  I  am  mined!"  exclaimed  Johann 
piteously.     "  Good  robber,  give  me  back  half." 

"Not  one  penny!"  returned  the  chief  emphatically. 


MORTON'S  SECRET.  205 

**  You  tried  to  defraud  me,  and  you  merit  no  considera- 
tion at  my  hands.  You  were  not  like  these  gentlemen,'' 
and  he  nodded  approvingly  in  the  direction  of  Gates  and 
Tom. 

Herr  Schmidt  wrung  his  hands  and  protested  that  ne 
was  ruined,  and  that  his  Katrine  and  children  would 
all  starre. 

'*  Let  them  cook  you,  then,^^  said  the  captain.  '^  That 
will  keep  them  alive  for  a  month." 

But  even  this  suggestion  did  not  mitigate  the  grief  of 
the  unhappy  Teuton,  who  sunk  down  on  a  stump  near 
by  and  bewailed  his  fate. 

Morton  was  reserved  to  the  last.  He  was  wise  enough 
to  give  up  all  his  gold,  though  he  had  considerably  more 
than  either  of  his  companions.  But  he  also  was  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  a  search.  No  money  was  found,  but 
the  belt  was  discovered. 

"  What  is  that?"  demanded  the  captain, 

''A  belt,"  faltered  Morton. 

*'Whatisinit?" 

*' Papers — no  money,  I  assure  you,**  hurriedly  an- 
swered Morton. 

*'If  they  are  papers,  we  must  see'  them,"  said  the 
captain. 

'^  They  would  be  of  no  value  to  you,"  said  Morton 
quickly.     *'They  are  business  papers." 

'*'  I  must  see  them,"  said  the  captain  suspiciously. 

Tom  had  pricked  up  his  ears  when  he  first  heard  the 
papers  mentioned.  His  heart  beat  quick.  Were  these 
the  securities  of  which  he  was  in  search?    He  believed 


206  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

SO,  and  waited  anxiously  to  ascertain.  Yet,  even  if 
they  should  prove  to  be  so,  how  would  he  be  the  better 
off? 

He  bent  his  eyes  eagerly  upon  the  robber-captain  as 
he  opened  the  belt  and  revealed  the  contents. 


CHAPTEK  XXXIV. 

THE      ROBBERS^      DEN. 

Cj^^^  A!  WHAT  have  we  here?"  said  the  robber 
PmmB  chief,  as  he  drew  out  first  a  certificate  of 
P^i&!T.:jK;    stock  in  a  New  York  bank. 

Morton  changed  color. 

''It  is  the  property  of  a  friend/'  he  said  hurriedly. 

''  And  that  friend^s  name  is  Armstrong — is  it  not  so?'' 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  in  a  low  voice. 

When  Tom  heard  the  name  Armstrong,  all  his  doubts 
were  removed.  There  was  no  longer  a  doubt  that  he 
had  found  the  absconding  clerk.  But  that  was  not  his 
only  object.  He  desired  also  to  regain  possession  of  the 
stolen  securities,  and  they  were  in  the  hands  of  a  power- 
ful robber-chief,  of  whom  he  was  himself  the  prisoner. 
Still  he  was  not  without  hope. 

The  captain  proceeded  with  his  examination  of  the 
papers.  They  proved  all  to  represent  value,  and  could 
Mr.  Armstrong  have  used  them  as  collateral,  he  would 
have  been  able  to  avert  his  failure.  Morton  looked  on 
with  feverish  anxiety  while  this  examination  was  going 
on. 

"May  I  have  the  papers  back?"  he  asked  nervously. 

*'  Certainly  not,"  said  the  captain  with  emphasis. 

*'They  will  do  you  no  good." 


208  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

"  How  do  you  know  that?"  demanded  the  bandit,  fix- 
ing his  eyes  sternly  upon  his  prisoner. 

''You  cannot  negotiate  them/' 

"Can  you?" 

''No,"  said  Morton  hesitatingly. 

"How  comes  it  then  that  you  have  them  in  your  pos- 
session?" asked  the  captain  searchingly. 

"  I  hold  them  in  trust,"  answered  Morton  after  a 
pause. 

"And  where  is  this  Armstrong?" 

"In  New  York." 

Morton  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  brow.  He 
had  been  forced  to  make  admissions  that  might  prove 
damaging  to  him.  How  did  he  know  but  that  full  par- 
ticulars of  his  flight  might  have  been  printed,  and  fallen 
under  the  eyes  of  his  fellow-prisoners?  If  so,  he  risked 
his  freedom  by  what  he  had  confessed.  He  determined 
to  part  company  with  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

"I  shall  not  give  these  papers  back  to  you,"  said  the 
chief.     "  They  don't  belong  to  you,  it  appears." 

"  They  were  confided  to  me  by  Mr.  Armstrong." 

"They  are  safer  in  my  hands.  But  we  have  wasted 
time  enough  on  this  matter,  Alonzo,  conduct  the  pris- 
oners into  the  building." 

Now  was  Tom's  opportunity. 

He  walked  boldly  up  to  the  robber-chief  and  said: 

"  Captain,  when  you  are  at  leisure,  I  should  like  to 
speak  to  you  on  business  of  importance." 

The  captain,  regarding  his  youthful  appearance,  an- 
swered with  a  smile; 


THE  ROBBERS'  DEN.  209 

**  You  are  a  young  man  to  liave  business  of  import- 
ance. " 

"  It  may  be  so/'  said  Tom,  ''but  it  is  none  the  less 
true.  I  can  say,  also,  that  the  business  is  of  as  much 
importance  to  you  as  to  me." 

** Humph!"  said  the  other,  evidently  surprised.  ''I 
doubt  that.  However,  I  will  humor  your  whim,  young- 
ster. I  will  give  you  a  chance  to  show  whether  you 
have  spoken  the  truth.  But  take  heed  that  you  do  not 
waste  my  time." 

'  I  shall  not,"  said  Tom  confidently.  '*  What  I  have 
to  say  is  for  your  advantage." 

A  thought  occurred  to  the  captain. 

This  boy  might  have  wealthy  friends,  and  he  might 
be  intending  to  offer  a  ransom  in  return  for  his  liberty. 
His  words  favored  such  a  supposition,  and  the  chief  de- 
cided to  grant  his  request. 

'*  Alonzo,"  he  said,  ''conduct  the  other  prisoners  to 
the  place  of  secrecy.     This  boy  will  remain  with  me." 

Alonzo,  a  stalwart  member  of  the  band,  bowed  in 
token  of  obedience. 

*'  Come,"  he  said,  turning  to  Gates,  Morton,  and  the 
German;  "follow  me." 

''Thank  you,"  said  Gates  coolly.  "1  suppose  you 
are  about  to  show  us  our  rooms." 

Morton,  stupefied  at  his  loss,  said  nothing.  Every- 
thing had  gone  against  him.  The  proceeds  of  his  de- 
falcation had  melted  into  thin  air.  He  complied 
silently. 

But  the  Teuton  was  the  most  obstreperous. 


210  TOM  TEMPLE 'S  CAREER, 

"  Where  is  it  you  will  take  me?"  he  cried.  **I  will 
not  go." 

''Won't  you?"  asked  Alonzo  grimly,  drawing  a  for- 
midable-looking knife  from  his  girdle. 

'^Oh,  Gott  in  Himmel!  He  will  cut  mein  throat!" 
ejaculated  the  horror-stricken  Dutchman,  his  knees 
trembling  beneath  him. 

^^  Not  if  you  obey  orders,"  said  Alonzo,  inclined  to 
laugh. 

Herr  Schmidt  no  longer  resisted,  but  shambled  in 
with  what  haste  he  could.  Alonzo  threw  open  the  outer 
door  of  the  building,  disclosing  a  dark  interior.  But  he 
lighted  a  lantern,  and  then  advancing  to  one  side  of  the 
apartment,  touched  some  secret  spring,  and  instantly  a 
door  flew  open,  revealing  a  flight  of  steps  leading  down- 
ward into  a  subterranean  vault. 

Morton  recoiled  in  alarm. 

''  Are  we  going  down  there?"  he  asked  in  a  startled 
tone. 

Gates  took  it  more  philosophically. 

"Really,"  he  said,  ''considering  what  I  have  paid  at 
this  hotel — in  advance,  too — I  think  I  deserve  better 
accommodations. " 

"  It  is  the  best  we  have,"  said  Alonzo  briefly. 

"  Then,  my  friend,  I  advise  you  to  give  up  keeping  a 
hotel." 

"You  won't  find  it  uncomfortable,"  said  Alonzo. 
"  It's  rather  dark,  to  be  sure." 

"Must  I  go  down  in  de  cellar?"  asked  Herr  Schmidt, 
his  ample  countenance  bespeaking  his  discontent,  not  to 
say  alarm. 


THE  ROBBERS  DEN,  -JtW 

"Yes,  and  be  quick  about  it,"  said  the  robber,  losing 
patience. 

Gates  led  the  way,  Morton  followed,  and  the  Dutch- 
man brought  up  the  rear  of  the  captives.  But  the  stairs 
were  steep,  he  lost  his  footing,  and,  when  a  little  more 
than  half-way  down,  he  tumbled,  falling  helplessly  on 
the  earthen  floor.  Under  the  impression  that  he  was 
dangerously  wounded,  he  burst  into  a  series  of  cries  of 
a  stentorian  character  which  irritated  his  conductor. 

''Stop  that  ^.onsense,"  he  said  roughly,  "or  Til  stick 
this  knife  into  you,  you  overgrown  hog,  and  then  you'll 
have  some  reason  to  scream. '^ 

''  Hog!"  repeated  the  Teuton,  offended.  "  What  for 
do  you  call  me  a  hog,  I  like  to  know?" 

"  Because  you  are  one.  Pick  yourself  up,  or  1*11  step 
on  you." 

Thus  mildly  entreated,  Herr  Schmidt  made  shift  to 
stand,  and  on  ascertaining  that  he  had  really  met  with 
no  serious  injuries,  begun  to  feel  better. 

Alonzo  now  took  the  lead,  and  conducted  the  pris- 
oners into  an  inner  cave,  where  by  the  light  of  the  lan- 
tern several  pallets  were  seen  lying  upon  the  earth. 

''  Lie  down  there  if  you  like,"  he  said. 

''That's  all  very  well," said  Gates,  "but  allow  me  to 
remind  you  that  I  generally  sup  before  retiring." 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Herr  Schmidt.  "  Have  you  got  some 
good  beer  and  sausages?  And  I  think  I  would  like  some 
Schweitzer  kase,  too." 

"None  of  that  for  me,  please,"  said  Gates. 

"You  shall  have  some  suppei  shortly,"  said  the  rob- 
ber, turning  to  leave  them. 


212  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

They  hoped  he  would  leave  the  lantern,  but  he  evi- 
dently thought  they  had  no  need  of  it.  A  minute  later 
and  they  found  themselves  enveloped  in  darkness. 

''This  is  rather  lively/'  said  Gates.  ''I  can't  say  I 
like  the  arrangements  of  this  hotel.'' 

Morton  did  not  answer,  but  Herr  Schmidt  begun  to 
bewail  his  fate  and  express  his  conviction  that  he  should 
never  more  see  his  Katrine  and  the  kinder. 


CHAPTER  XXXV, 

THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  R0BBEE8. 

^^^  OM  WAITED  patiently  while  the  captain 
IjSSS^;  gs-ve  some  directions  to  his  subordinates.  At 
||^*^!|j;  length  the  robber  made  him  a  sign  to  draw 
neai". 

''Now,  youngster,"  he  said,  ''you  may  say  what  you 
wish." 

Tom  looked  significantly  at  two  of  the  band  who  were 
within  hearing. 

"  I  should  like  to  speak  to  you  in  private,"  he  said. 

The  captain  frowned  slightly,  and  was  on  the  point 
of  refusing,  but  curiosity  overcame  him. 

"  Very  well,"  he  said.     "  Follow  me." 

They  went  a  few  rods  away. 

"Now,"  he  said,  "  speak." 

"  What  I  have  to  say,"  Tom  begun,  *'  is  about  those 
bonds." 

"You  wish  to  plead  for  your  friend?"  interrupted  the 
captain.  "If  that  is  all,  I  will  tell  you  to  begin  with, 
that  it  is  of  no  use.     I  shall  not  give  them  up." 

"You  have  made  a  mistake," said  Tom  quietly.  " In 
the  first  place,  that  man  is  not  my  friend." 

"  You  were  traveling  together." 

"  That  is  true,  but  I  only  met  him  in  San  Francisco. 
I  was  following  him  to  find  out  the  very  thing  you 
helped  me  to  discover  to-day." 


214 


do  ^-i   ^ 
licli*i  xn 

99 


_rtppro- 
tboasand 


i^a 


WlnigDc 
liad  the  ^ 

,9» 


thai,** 
tires  in 


THE  CAPTAiy  :F  7H1  ?  :33IJ^3,  ?15 


^  Xo^  I  am  sore  be  does  boL    Pertiar^  if  lie 
mr  real  name  be  v«dd.    B«t  ^  liiiz  reh- 

going  to  the  Minea  in  attUt  rf  fartibr 

*'  Yoa  did  not  knov  poatifdty  titan    Ir    ^i 


"Not-  :  - —         -       -     -  " 

Ther  i  r_  z- 

fixed  his 

"Xo^  -7:1t,  "whatotgecijv 

haTe  in  :r 

'Iraitv  riedmhooboldtf. 

Thee 


"  Yoa:     How  can  ^at  be:     I 
money,  exe^  tiie  few  doll       1 
leareyoa.     Qfwhatodt^: 

••'  I leyirjKnt  Mr.  Ajt!??- 
poitant  that  he  dboul 
aatiMNriKdtooAra! 

'^BntwhjdMMld  I 
their  whole  Tahie.'' 

'Ton  canX'*  aaii  Ton  boUIy. 

'•Whrnotr 


216  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

'*  For  the  same  reason  that  they  have  been  useless  to 
the  clerk  who  took  them.     They  cannot  be  negotiated/' 

''Are  you  sure  of  that?^' 

"  I  am.  The  authorities  have  an  accurate  list  of  them 
all.  Information  has  also  been  sent  to  the  different  in- 
stitutions and  corporations  represented.  Whoever  under- 
takes to  raise  money  on  them  is  liable  to  arrest. '^ 

"Are  you  sure  of  all  this?"  demanded  the  robber 
thoughtfully. 

'a  am.'' 

*'  You  may  be  right.  In  fact,  I  have  sufficient  knowl- 
edge of  business  to  believe  that  you  are.  I  was  not 
always  what  I  am  now.  Years  since  I  was  engaged  in 
business  in  St.  Louis.  I  was  unfortunate  as  so  many 
are.  I  got  into  difficulties  and  made  my  way  out  here. 
Finally,  getting  desperate,  I  organized  this  band,  and 
begun  to  prey  upon  the  commu-nity." 

He  spoke  slowly,  and  as  if  talking  to  himself.  Tom 
listened  with  surprise  and  interest.  He  saw  that  even 
robber-captains  have  a  human  side,  and  are  not  altogether 
bad. 

*'  Do  you  like  this  kind  of  life?"  asked  our  hero. 

The  robber  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  A  man  must  live,"  he  said.  "  I  would  rather  be  a 
prosperous  merchant,  but  I  must  be  satisfied  with  the 
mode  of  life  that  fortune  has  opened  to  me.  But  that  is 
not  to  the  point,"  he  said,  changing  his  tone.  ''  You 
said  you  had  something  for  my  advantage  to  propose. 
What  is  it?" 

''I  will  tell  you.     Give  me  up  those  bonds,  give  me 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  ROBBERS.  217 

the  means  of  returning  with  them  to  New  York,  and 
you  shall  have  ten  thousand  dollars  as  a  reward." 

*^  You  speak  confidently,  but  there  are  difficulties. 
How  do  I  know  that  you  will  keep  faith  with  me — a 
social  outlaw?  Once  out  of  my  clutches  you  will  play 
me  false." 

"  I  shall  keep  my  promise,"  said  Tom  proudly.  •'*  1 
pledge  you  my  word." 

'*  But  you  may  not  be  able  to  keep  it.  Show  me 
your  authority  to  make  this  bargain." 

Tom  drew  a  paper  from  his  pocket-book — a  paper  of 
which  we  have  not  hitherto  spoken — signed  by  Mr. 
Armstrong,  empowering  him  to  make  such  terms  as  he 
found  necessary  to  secure  the  papers. 

'^  I  should  have  made  this  offer  to  Morton,"  he  said 
in  conclusion,  ^'  but  the  papers  are  no  longer  in  his 
possession.     I  make  them  to  you." 

''  I  don't  see  how  I'm  to  receive  the  money,  even  if  I 
consent.     There  is  a  reward  offered  for  my  arrest." 

'^  I  wish  you  could  have  gone  to  New  York  with  me," 
said  Tom.  "'^You  could  retain  the  papers  until  you 
were  sure  of  the  reward.  I  suppose  that  would  be 
imj3ossible." 

The  captain  looked  thoughtful. 

'-This  a  matter  of  importance,"  he  said.  "I  will 
take  a  night  to  think  it  over.  We  will  speak  again  on 
the  subject  to-morro^-.  Meanwhile  keep  your  mouth 
shut." 

^a  will,"  said  Tom. 

He  walked  back  to  the  house  with  his  companion 


218  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

But  he  did  not  share  the  captivity  of  his  fellow  travelers. 
He  was  allowed  to  sleep  and  eat  with  the  robbers,  and  to 
have  his  freedom. 

''He's  only  a  boy/'  said    the   captain   by  way  of 
explanation.     "  No  need  to  shut  him  up/' 


CHAPTER  XXXYL 

TOM   AND  THE   ROBBERS. 

^^H^iOM  HAD  an  easy  way  of  adapting  himself  to 
IS^S^I  ^^®  company  he  was  in.  Moreover,  being  a 
I^B^I  boy,  he  was  regarded  with  less  distrust  than 
if  he  had  been  older.  He  sat  down  with  the  robbers  and 
took  part  in  their  conversation,  carefully  abstaining, 
however,  from  disclosing  the  mission  he  had  revealed  to 
the  captain.  He  had  the  luck  to  please  his  entertainers, 
if  we  may  give  them  that  name. 

After  supper  the  men  lit  their  pipes,  and  lay  down 
lazily  under  the  trees. 

"Fve  got  an  extra  pipe,  my  lad,  if  jou'd.  like  to 
smoke,  ^'  said  Alonzo,  who  ranked  next  to  the  captain. 
He  was,  in  fact,  the  lieutena.''t  of  the  band. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  ''  out  I  don't  smoke/' 

''  I  smoked  before  I  was  of  your  age,  boy.'* 

"Do  you  think  it  did  you  any  good?'* 

*'  I  can't  say  it  did,  but  it's  a  comfort,  and  a  merry 
life  is  my  motto,  even  if  it's  a  shorter  one." 

**I  may  smoke  sometime,"  said  Tom,  *'  but  I  don't 
believe  it  does  a  boy  any  good." 

"  You're  right  there,  most  likely.  What  brought  you 
out  here?" 

"  I  was  going  to  the  mines.*' 

*'  To  make  your  fortune?" 


220  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

**  Partly,  but  it  was  partly  the  love  of  adventure/' 

"  YouVe  had  your  adventure,"  said  Alonzo,  smiling 
grimly. 

"  Yes,"  said  Tom,  "  and  a  pretty  expensive  one.  I 
should  have  done  better  to  stay  in  the  city." 

*'Were  you  long  there?" 

'*  Yes,  I  was  a  clerk  in  a  store." 

'*  I'll  tell  you  what  you'd  better  do,  my  lad,'*  said 
Alonzo,  taking  his  pipe  from  his  mouth. 

"What's  that?" 

"Join  our  band." 

"  And  become  a^ " 

"  Robber,  bandit,  or  whatever  you  choose  to  call  it.*' 

Tom  laughed. 

"  I  don't  think  my  friends  would  approve  of  it,"  he 
said.     "  Shall  I  write  to  them  and  ask?" 

"I  am  not  joking,"  said  Alonzo.  "We  want  a  boy 
like  you  to  brighten  us  up.  You  might  be  useful  be- 
sides. We'll  give  him  a  fair  share  of  all  we  make, 
won't  we,  men?" 

"  I'm  agreed." 

**  And  so  am  I." 

"And  I,"  said  all. 

"Thank  you,  gentlemen,"  said  Tom.  ''It's  a  com- 
pliment, and  so  I  consider  it,  for  you  wouldn't  make  the 
offer  if  you  didn't  like  my  company,  but  to  be  frank  I 
don't  think  I  should  like  it." 

"He's  right." 

It  was  the  captain  who  spoke. 

"He's  right,  boys.     I'm  a  robber  myself^   and  ana 


TOM  AND   THE  ROBBERS,  221 

likely  to  be,  but  I  won't  ask  him  to  be.  His  life  is  be- 
fore liim — a  bright  and  prosperous  one  it  may  be,  and  I 
for  one  won't  ask  him  to  spoil  it  by  taking  to  the  road 
It's  well  enough  for  us,  for  there's  no  other  chance  foi 
us." 

"Captain,"  said  Alonzo,  "you  ain't  turning  pious, 
are  you?" 

He  spoke  lightly,  but  he  regarded  the  captain  attent- 
ively as  he  spoke. 

The  captain  laughed,  but  it  was  a  forced  laugh. 

"  That  isn't  in  my  line,"  he  said.  "  I  thought  you 
knew,  me  too  well  for  that,  Alonzo." 

"Of  course  I  do.  I  thought  mayhap  youM  got  the 
bines,  or  was  getting  sick  of  our  company." 

"  You  have  no  reason  to  think  that,  because  1  don't 
want  the  boy  to  follow  our  example.  If  you  had  a  son 
of  your  own,  Alonzo,  you  wouldn't  train  him  up  to  his 
father's  trade,  would  you  ?" 

"  Yes,  I  would,"  said  Alonzo  doggedly.  "  The  world 
owes  me  a  living;  the  rich  have  more  than  belongs  to 
them,  and  I  am  ready  to  relieve  them  of  what  belongs 
to  the  poor.     What  do  you  say,  men?" 

"  That's  the  way  to  talk,"  said  all  in  substance. 

They  were  social  outlaws — offenders  in  the  eye  of  the 
law,  but  Alonzo's  specious  reasoning  gave  an  air  of  re- 
spectability to  their  profession,  and  they  were  ready  to 
adopt  it  as  their  own. 

"  It  may  be  so,"  said  the  captain,  "  but  I  wouldn't 
ask  a  boy  to  join  us." 

He  got  up  from  the  grass  on  which  he  had  been  re- 
clining with  the  rest,  and  walked  thoughtfully  away. 


822  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CARrER, 

"  Something's  come  over  tlie  captain/'  said  Alonzo, 
looking  after  him. 

'*  I  don't  know  but  the  captain's  right  after  all,"  said 
another  of  the  men. 

''  What,  Jack,  are  you  going  to  turn  back  on  us." 

"  Not  I,  nor  the  captain  neither,  but  what  he  said 
about  a  boy's  taking  up  our  business  came  home  to  me. 
I've  got  a  boy  somewhere  about  the  age  of  that  young- 
ster. He  don't  know  what  his  father  is,  and  he  sha'n't 
know,  if  I  can  help  it.  I  ain't  good  for  much,  but  I 
want  that  boy  to  grow  up  respectable." 

"  Suppose  we  change  the  subject,"  said  Alonzo,  add- 
ing with  a  sneer,  '^  piety's  spreading.  I  sha'n't  be  sur- 
prised. Jack,  to  hear  that  you  and  the  captain  have 
turned  missionaries.  As  for  me,  1  ain't  partial  to  a 
black  suit  and  a  white  choker." 

"You'd  prefer  a  different  kind  of  a  choker,"  sug- 
gested Jack. 

''What  do  you  mean  by  that?"  demanded  Alonzo 
roughly. 

"No  offense,  lieutenant,"  said  Jack.  "Let  a  man 
have  his  joke.  We're  all  in  the  same  boat,  as  far  as 
that  goes." 

But  Alonzo  still  looked  moody,  and  did  not  seem  in- 
clined to  accept  the  apology. 

Upon  this  Jack,  to  restore  good  feelings,  brought  out 
his  violin,  for  he  was  a  little  of  a  musician,  and  begun 
to  play  a  lively  dancing  tune. 

"  Let's  have  a  dance,"  said  one. 

This  suggestion  was  well  received,  and  the  members 


TOM  AND  THE  ROBBERS.  223 

of  the  band  begun  to  leap  about  to  the  inspiring  airs  of 
the  fiddle. 

Then  it  was  that  a  bright  thought  entered  the  mind 
of  one  of  the  robbers — we  will  call  him  Bill. 

''  Have  out  the  Dutchman,"  he  said.  "  Let  us  make 
him  dance." 

This  proposal  was  received  with  a  shout  of  laughter, 
in  which  Alonzo  joined  as  heartily  as  the  rest.  Even 
Tom,  though  he  sympathized  with  his  fellow-captive, 
could  not  help  shouting  with  laughter  as  he  pictured  to 
himself  the  burly  form  prancing  up  and  down  in  the 
mazy,  dance. 

'^  Good!"  said  Alonzo.  ''Bill,  you  and  Dick  go  in 
and  bring  out  the  prisoners.     Well  have  some  sport." 

The  two  men,  nothing  loth,  jumped  up  and  disap- 
peared within  the  building.  After  some  delay  they  re- 
appeared, followed  by  Gates  and  Morton,  and  leading 
between  them,  bewildered  and  terrified,  the  massive 
figure  of  our  Teutonic  friend,  Herr  Schmidt.  He 
gazed  about  him  in  evident  affright,  and  ejaculated: 

''  What  will  you  do  mit  me?  Don't  kill  me,  goot  gen- 
tlemen.    I  am  only  one  poor  Dutchman." 

''  We  won't  hurt  you,  mynheer,"  said  Alonzo,  "that 
is  if  you  obey  our  commands.     You  must  dance  a  jig." 

''  I  cannot  dance  at  all,"  said  Herr  Schmidt  in  alarm. 
''Indeed  I  cannot,  gentlemen." 

"  Oh,  you  needn't  be  particular  about  the  steps,  but 
dance  you  must.  We  are  all  going  to  dance.  JacK, 
strike  up  a  tune,  and  let  the  fun  begin." 


CHAPTER  XXXVn. 

HERR  SCHMIDT   DANCES. 

^^HIhB  fiddler  struck  up  a  lively  polka.  The 
I^S^^fe:  members  of  the  band,  two  by  two,  begun  to 
lllil^M^lli:"!  dance.  Gates,  entering  into  the  spirit  of  the 
joke,  impressed  Tom  as  a  not  unwilling  partner,  and 
Morton  was  seized  by  one  of  his  captors  and  compelled 
to  join  in.  But  Herr  Schmidt  looked  on  stupidly,  and 
stood  motionless. 

Alonzo  gave  a  signal  for  the  music  to  cease. 

"  Why  don't  you  dance?"  he  demanded  sternly  of  the 
German. 

^'  Ich  kann  nicht.  I  have  never  learn,''  said  Johann, 
in  a  tone  of  apology. 

*'  Then  I  will  teach  you,"  and  the  lieutenant  seized 
the  unwilling  Teuton,  and  forced  him  to  jump  and 
caper  as  well  as  his  great  bulk  would  permit. 

Gradually  the  rest  stopped,  and  fixed  their  eyes  upon 
ihe  Dutchman's  unwilling  gambols.  The  lieutenant  had 
threatened  him  with  instant  death  if  he  did  not  do  his 
best,  and  the  distressed  Teuton,  fearing  to  be  shot, 
exerted  himself  to  please  his  captor. 

If  the  reader  will  imagine  a  frisky  elephant,  he  can 
form  some  idea  of  mynherr's  wonderful  feats,  as  in 
panic-stricken  resignation  he  hopped  and  jumped  at  the 
will  of  the  lieutenant.     But  he  was  short  of  breath  and 


226  TOM  TEMPLE* S  CAREER. 

yielded  at  last  to  fatigue,  sinking  in  a  heap  upon  the 
earth. 

''  I  can  no  more/*  he  said,  panting  heavily  "1  am 
ausgespielt!"' 

'^ He  looks  played  out,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "Dick, 
bring  him  a  drop  of  brandy." 

'*^Have  you  any  lager,"  asked  Herr  Schmidt  eagerly. 

*'  No;  don't  deal  in  that  article.    Brandy  is  better." 

*' Nothing  so  good  as  lager,"  murmured  Johann, 
closing  his  eyes  and  panting. 

Nevertheless  he  took  the  brandy,  and  was  mischiev- 
ously plied  with  more  till,  sad  as  I  am  to  record  it,  the 
worthy  Johann  got  decidedly  fuddled,  and  losing  sight 
of  his  unfortunate  position,  volunteered  a  German  song, 
which  convulsed  his  audience  with  mirth. 

*'  You're  a  jolly  old  boy,"  said  the  lieutenant,  slapping 
him  on  the  shoulder.  "  Won't  you  stay  with  us  and 
take  up  our  trade?" 

"What's  der  wages?"  asked  Johann  gravely. 

''  Fifty  dollars  a  month  and  found." 

''You  give  me  fifty  dollars  a  month,  and  then  you 
find  me,"  repeated  the  Dutchman  soberly. 

Probably  this  was  not  meant  as  a  joke,  but  it  was  so 
understood,  and  Herr  Schmidt  was  amazed  at  the  uni- 
versal merriment  which  followed.  But  he  bethought 
himself  of  a  condition. 

''  I  must  have  my  Katrine  and  my  kinder  here,  too.*' 

*'  What's  kindtr?"  asked  Jack. 

"  Children.  I  know  enough  German  for  that,"  said 
Tom. 


HERR  SCHMIDT  DANCES,  227 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,"  said  the  lieutenant  gravely. 
"Is  Katrine  beautiful?" 

*'  She  was  once,"  said  Johann.  "  She  is  now  one  fine 
woman." 

"  And  you  will  promise  to  help  us  in  all  our  under- 
takings?" 

''What  will  you  have  me  to  do?"  asked  the  Teuton 
with  returning  intelligence. 

''  Stop  travelers  on  the  highway — make  them  give  up 
their  money — and  if  they  won%  shoot  *em,"  said  the 
lieutenant. 

"  You  want  me  to  be  one  robber!"  exclaimed  Herr 
Schmidt  in  horror,  ''and  kill  de  people!  I  cannot  do 
it.     I  am  a  good  man.     I  am  not  a  robber." 

"  If  you  will  join  us,"  said  the  lieutenant  with  a  wink 
to  his  men,  "  we'll  make  you  our  captain — that  is,  if 
you  steal  a  good  deal  of  money." 

" Neiu,  nein I"  said  Herr  Schmidt  vehemently.  "I 
will  not  do  it — Katrine  would  leave  me.  She  would  not 
live  with  her  Johann  if  he  was  become  a  robber. " 

"Is  that  your  fixed,  unalterable  determination?" 
demanded  the  lieutenant,  assuming  a  fierce  look. 

"  Ich  verstehe  nicht — I  not  understand,"  stammered 
the  captive. 

"You  won't  accept  our  flattering  proposal,  then?" 

"  I  cannot  indeed,  my  good  friend,"  said  the  German 
piteously.     "  I  shall  make  one  very  poor  robber." 

"Fancy  him  at  the  head  of  the  band,"  said  Jack 
laughing. 

The  idea  was  ludicrous.     The  robbers  laughed  till  the 


228  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

tears  run  down  their  cheeks,  and  the  other  thvt,cJ  prf»» 
oners  joined  in. 

The  lieutenant  recovered  himself  first.  He  frowned, 
and  in  a  harsh  voice  said,  in  a  mock,  imperious  tone: 

'^Remove  him  at  once  to  the  dungeon.  He  has 
spurned  my  offer.  He  despises  our  companionship.  Let 
him  prepare  for  a  most  terrible  retribution." 

The  affrighted  Dutchman  was  borne  back  to  the  sub- 
terranean apartment,  groaning  piteously  under  the  im- 
pression that  he  was  to  be  killed  on  the  morrow.  But 
his  fatigue  was  great,  and  in  spite  of  his  mental  dis- 
tress, half  an  hour  had  not  passed  before  snoring  of  a 
particularly  boisterous  character  apprised  his  fellow- 
prisoners  that  he  was  asleep.  Happy  are  they  who  can 
-:^  rsadily  command  the  blissful  oblivion  of  slumber 


CHAPTER  XXXVIIL 

THE     captain's     RESOLVB. 


^^^  OM  WAS  up  and  about  early  tlie  next  mom- 

3BBI    i^ig-     B^t  there  was  one  who  was  earlier  than 

^SiSIl  he.  On  leaving  the  robbers  he  saw  the  cap. 
tain  pacing  to  and  fro,  apparently  engrossed  by  his  re- 
flections.    When  he  saw  Tom  he  beckoned  to  him. 

"  Take  a  walk  with  me/"*  he  said  abruptly.  "  I  want 
to  speak  to  you.^' 

Tom,  of  course,  joined  him  promptly. 

*'  Let  us  go  further  away,''  said  the  robber,  looking 
about  him  cautiously.  *'  What  I  have  to  say  is  for  your 
ears  alone.'' 

'*  I  shall  take  care  to  keep  it  secret,"  said  Tom  m  a 
low  voice. 

"  You  must,  for  I  am  about  to  say  what  will  com- 
promise my  safety.  But,  in  the  first  place,  can  you 
guarantee  that  I  shall  receive  ten  thousand  dollars  on 
the  delivery  of  these  papers?" 

"  I  can,"  said  Tom  promptly.  "  Mr.  Armstrong  has 
authorized  me  to  make  such  an  offer." 

*^  Is  he  a  man  to  be  relied  upon?  You  know  my  posi- 
tion. I  am  an  outlaw.  I  cannot  appeal  to  the  law  in 
my  own  behalf." 

"  I  understand  your  position  fully,"  said  Tom.  "  As 
to  your  being  an  outlaw,  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  that. 


230  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

nor  has  Mr.  Armstrong.  You  have  in  your  possession 
the  papers  which  we  need.  It  is  worth  our  while  to  pay 
ten  thousand  dollars.  You  may  be  sure  the  money  will 
be  paid,  and  that  no  trap  will  be  set  for  you.  Should 
you  be  recognized,  it  will  not  be  through  any  informa- 
tion  obtained  from  me  or  Mr.  Armstrong.^' 

''That  is  enough,  said  the  captain.  ''Though  you 
are  only  a  boy,  there  is  something  about  you  that  I  can 
trust.  You  understand  business.  You  have  gone  to 
the  root  of  the  matter  without  any  unnecessary  words. 
I  will  confide  in  you,  and  in  so  confiding  I  put  my  life 
in  your  hands.'' 

Tom  listened  with  surprise.  He  could  not  understand 
what  was  coming. 

The  captain  proceeded: 

"  You  know  me  as  the  captain  of  a  band  of  robbers, 
but  you  do  not  understand  that  I  have  in  a  manner  been 
forced  into  my  position.  I  don't  like  the  life  I  am  lead- 
ing. I  want  to  leave  it,  and  I  think  I  see  the  way. 
With  the  money  you  promise  me,  I  will  change  my 
name,  go  to  some  obscure  place,  and  lead  a  respectable 
life,  entering  upon  some  business  of  which  I  shall  not 
be  ashamed. " 

**  Do  so/'  said  Tom  earnestly.  "  I  am  glad  to  hear 
you  say  this,  and  I  will  do  what  I  can  to  help  you." 

The  captain  appeared  pleased  with  his  prompt  sym- 
pathy and  proceeded: 

'*  Of  course  my  plan  must  be  a  profound  secret.  If 
the  band  were  to  learn  what  I  propose  I  should  never 
live  to  leave  California.     They  would   regard  me  as  a 


THE  CAPTAIN'S  RESOLVE.  231 

traitor  and  a  renegade,  and  would  feel  that  they  were 
entitled  to  a  share  in  the  money  obtained  for  these 
bonds/' 

''How,  then,  will  you  manage  to  leave?"  asked  Tom, 
interested. 

'^\  will  tell  you.  I  shall  say  that  I  am  going  to  San 
Francisco  in  disguise  to  negotiate  these  securities,  and 
will  bring  back  the  proceeds.  I  hope  this  will  deceive 
them.     But  the  one  whom  I  dread  the  most  is  Alonzo.'* 

"The  lieutenant r 

''  Yes;  he  is  my  second  i^.  command.  Our  relations 
have  not  always  been  cordial.  He  is  in  the  habit  of 
exceeding  his  proper  authority,  and  more  than  once  I 
have  been  compelled  to  reprimand  him  publicly. 
Though  he  has  taken  it  quietly,  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  he  never  forgave  me — that,  in  fact,  he  cherishes  a 
secret  grudge  against  me,  and  that  he  would  willingly 
undermine  my  authority  with  the  band.  He  has  not  as 
yet  had  an  opportunity. '* 

''  I  should  think,  then,  that  he  would  be  glad  to  have 
you  leave,  in  order  that  he  might  succeed  to  your 
authority." 

*'  That  would  not  satisfy  him.  He  would  not  be  will- 
ing to  have  me  better  myself  in  so  doing.  He  would 
prefer  that  I  should  be  cast  adrift  in  disgrace." 

''  Have  you  decided  upon  your  plan?"  asked  our  hero. 

''Yes;  after  breakfast  I  will  dismiss  you  and  the 
other  prisoners.  They  will  go  on  to  the  mines,  I  sup- 
pose." 

"  Yes,  I  think  so." 


232  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

*•  You  will  not/^ 

*'  No;  I  shall  return  to  San  Francisco.*' 

''Good.  I  shall  follow  you.  It  would  create  sus- 
picion if  we  should  go  together.  You  shall  give  me  your 
address  there,  and  I  will  Join  you.  Then  we  will  take 
the  first  steamer  to  New  York.'' 

Tom  nodded.  He  felt  that  the  plan  was  good  one, 
and  that  he  was  now  in  a  fair  way  to  accomplish  suc- 
cessfully the  object  which  had  brought  him  so  far  from 
home„ 

"  Agreed/'  he  said,  '  Cr.ll  for  me  at  Burton's  cloth- 
ing store, Street,     Even  if  I  am  not  staying  there, 

you  will  learn  where  I  am." 

The  captain  repeated  the  name  two  or  three  times. 

''I  will  not  forget  it,"  he  said.  ''  Of  one  thing  I  will 
apprise  you.  You  must  not  expect  to  know  me  at  first 
meeting." 

''Why  not?" 

"  I  shall  be  cleverly  disguised.  It  is  necessary,  for 
unfortunately  I  am  not  altogether  unknown  to  the 
authorities.  Once  let  me  get  away  from  California,  and 
I  shall  feel  comparatively  safe.  I  may  as  well  tell  you 
by  what  name  I  prefer  to  be  known.  I  shall  call  my- 
self James  Davenport.  Under  that  name,  if  fortune 
favors  me,  I  hope  to  build  up  a  respectable  future,  far 
from  the  scene  of  my  lawless  proceedings." 

Tom  knew  little  of  the  man  who  was  walking  beside 
him,  except  what  he  had  chosen  to  communicate.  He 
knew  not  in  what  ways  he  had  violated  the  laws,  nor 
did  he  now  take  this  into  consideration.  He  pictured 
him  as  a  man  who  wanted  to  forsake  the  evil  of  his  ways. 


THE  CAPTAIN'S  RESOLVh,  833 

and  become  a  respectable  and  law-abiding  citizen,  and 
with  the  instinct  of  a  generous  nature,  he  felt  like  doing 
all  in  his  power  to  help  him,  apart  from  any  selfish  in- 
terest of  his  own.  Instinctively  he  held  out  his  hand, 
and  the  captain  grasped  it  in  his  own. 

'^  Whatever  may  happen,''  said  the  robber,  "I  shall 
have  full  confidence  in  your  word.  You  have  it  in 
your  power  to  denounce  me  to  the  authorities  in  San 
Francisco,  but  I  am  sure  you  will  not  do  it.'' 

"  You  only  do  me  justice,"  said  Tom. 

**  Or  you  could  reveal  my  purpose  to  these  men  under 
my  command,  and  this  would  insure  my  death,  provided 
they  had  confidence  in  your  word." 

^'You  are  not  afraid  of  that.''"  asked  Tom,  looking 
him  full  in  the  face. 

■'  No,"  said  the  captain.  ''As  I  said  in  the  first  place, 
there  is  something  about  you  that  enlists  my  confidence. 
I  would  trust  you  as  myself." 

''You  may,"  said  Tom. 

They  had  turned  back,  and  were  again  near  the  build- 
ing occupied  by  the  band.  Only  one  was  stirring. 
This  was  Alonzo,  who  watched  their  approach. 

"  You  are  up  early,  captain,"  he  said. 

*'  Yes,"  returned  the  captain  carelessly;  "  I  have  been 
taking  a  walk.     I  did  not  sleep  well." 

"  What  is  on  his  mind?"  thought  the  lieutenant. 
*'  Something  is  up.  I  can  see  it  in  his  manner.  I  mnst 
watch  him." 

"  I  don't  like  his  looks,"  thought  Tom.  "  He  is  a 
dangerous  man.  The  captain  does  right  in  suspecting 
him." 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

AN   AVENGER   ON  THE  TRACK. 

^Sj|S|Ra  BUETON  was  putting  back  some  goods 
i^^fjKjl  upon  the  shelves,  when  Tom  walked  quietly 
y^^^ljm  in.     This  was  four  days  later. 

*'  Tom  J"  he  exclaimed  in  amazement.  '*  What  brings 
you  here?^' 

''My  legs,"  answered  Tom  smilingly. 

'*  But  I  thought  you  were  at  the  mines ?^ 

"  I  got  part  way  there,  but  I  changed  my  mind  and 
came  back." 

Mr.  Burton  looked  a  little  perplexed. 

*'I  wish  I  had  known  in  time;  but  I  have  filled  your 
place,  and  though  I  would  much  rather  employ  you,  I 
don't  think  it  would  be  right  to  discharge  your  successor." 

''  Nor  I,"  said  Tom  promptly.  *'  You  have  made  a 
mistake,  Mr.  Burton.  I  am  not  going  to  stay  in  San 
Francisco.     I  am  going  back  to  New  York," 

"But  I  thought  you  were  after  some  papers .f^"  said 
his  employer. 

*'  I  expect  to  take  them  back  with  me." 

''You  have  indeed  been  fortunate.  How  did  you 
succeed?" 

"I  would  tell  you,  but  I  am  not  at  liberty,  as  it  would 
involve  another's  secret." 

"  At  all  events,  Tom,  you  have  shown  yourself  a  man 


AN  A  VENGER  ON  7 HE  TRACK  235 

of  judgment.  You  have  succeeded  where  many  a  man 
would  have  failed.*' 

''  Perhaps  I  have/'  said  Tom;  "and  perhaps  the  fact 
of  my  being  a  boy  has  been  in  my  favor.  I  can  see 
myself  how  it  has  helped  me." 

"  Where  are  you  stopping,  Tom?" 

''At  the  California  Hotel." 

"That  is  expensive.  You  may  stay  with  me,  and 
welcome." 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Burton,"  said  Tom  warmly.  "I 
will  accept  your  kind  invitation,  partly  becau  se  I  really 
cannot  afford  to  stay  at  an  expensive  hotel,  partly 
because  I  prefer  the  privacy  of  a  house  to  a  hotel." 

"All  right.  Settle  your  bill  at  the  hotel,  and  come 
at  once." 

"  Thank  you,  but  you  must  allow  me  in  return  to 
occupy  a  part  of  the  day  with  my  old  duties  in  the  shop." 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  you,  as  it  will  give  me  some 
relief.  As  your  successor  needs  breaking  in  to  his  duties, 
I  have  been  considerably  confined." 

This  arrangement  was  satisfactory  to  Tom,  as  he  felt 
that  the  obligation  now  would  not  be  wholly  on  his  side. 
He  had  an  independent  spirit,  and  he  did  not  like  to 
receive  favors  of  a  pecuniary  nature. 

He  was  behind  the  counter  in  the  afternoon,  when  a 
man  came  in,  who  was  by  no  means  a  specimen  of  manly 
beauty.  He  had  a  good  figure,  indeed,  but  his  hair  was 
bright  red,  and  he  had  whiskers  of  the  same  color,  while 
his  complexion  was  mottled.  In  addition  his  eyes  were 
obscured  by  an  enormous  pair  of  spectacles. 


236  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

"  An  odd-looking  specimen/'  thought  Tom. 

The  man  walked  up  to  the  counter,  and  leaning  over, 
said  in  a  low  voice: 

'^Can  I  speak  with  you  in  private?" 

Tom  started.  It  occurred  to  him  that  the  man  might 
be  crazy,  and  he  hesitated. 

''  What  can  you  wish  to  speak  to  me  about?"  he  said. 
''1  don't  know  you." 

^' About  a  matter  of  importance." 

Tom  was  more  and  more  surprised. 

^'Frederick,"  he  said  to  his  successor.  ''I  am  going 
out  a  few  minutes  with  this  gentleman,  I  shall  soon  be 
back." 

He  took  his  hat  and  went  out,  followed  by  the  red- 
haired  man. 

'^  Now,"  he  said,  turning  to  the  stranger,  ^'  you  may 
say  what  you  wish." 

''^  You  don't  appear  to  know  me,"  said  the  other. 

'^1  never  saw  you  before  in  my  life." 

'^  Don't  be  too  sure  of  that." 

*'I  should  remember  you." 

The  other  laughed. 

''  On  account  of  my  beauty,  I  suppose,"  he  remarked. 

''  If  you  choose  to  put  it  that  way — yes,"  said  Tom. 

"  Oh,  I  am  not  sensitive  as  to  my  looks.  By  the  way, 
you  haven't  inquired  my  name." 

"What  is  it?" 

"Davenport,"  said  the  other  significantly. 

"  Why,"  said  Tom  starting,  as  for  the  first  time  light 
flashed  upon  him,  "you  are " 


AN  AVENGER  ON  THE  TRACK.  237 

''Husli!"  said  the  other  impetuously.  *'  What  I  was 
is  not  to  be  breathed  in  this  city.  I  am  in  peril  till  I 
leave  it." 

'^  I  never  should  have  known  you/'  said  Tom  in  a 
low  voice.  ''Your  disguise  is  complete.  Even  now 
when  I  know  the  truth,  I  cannot  realize  that  it  is  to 
you  1  am  speaking." 

''  So  much  the  better,  for  sharp  eyes  may  be  upon  us. 
There  are  those  who  are  interested  in  ferreting  me  out. 
But  let  that  pass.  Come  with  me  to  some  place  where 
we  shall  be  safe  from  prying  eyes  and  curious  ears. " 

Ten  minutes  brought  them  to  such  a  place.  They 
threw  themselves  down  upon  a  grassy  spot,  and  the 
captain  proceeded. 

"The  next  steamer  starts  on  Saturday.  We  must 
take  passage." 

*'  There  is  only  one  difficulty  in  the  way,"  said  Tom. 
*'  I  have  no  money." 

"  There  will  be  no  difficulty  about  that.  I  will  secure 
two  passages,  one  for  myself  and  the  other  for  you." 

''Thank  you." 

"  We  will  meet  on  board,  for  it  is  best  that  we  should 
not  be  too  much  together.     Where  are  you  staying?" 

"At  the  place  where  you  found  me." 

"I  am  at  an  obscure  boarding-house.  I  avoid  the 
publicity  of  a  hotel." 

"  Tell  me  how  you  got  away  without  incurring  sus- 
picion. " 

"  I  am  afraid  I  have  incurred  suspicion.  I  came 
ostensibly  to  negotiate  these  bonds." 


238  "fOM  TEMPLETS  CAREER^ 

"  You  have  them  with  you?" 

^^Yes;  I  was  not  likely  to  forget  them.  The  band 
generally  accepted  my  reason  for  going,  but  I  could  see 
that  Alonzo  was  not  satisfied.  There  was  a  look  on  his 
face  that  said  so.  But  he  said  nothing  in  words.  I 
started,  promising  to  be  back  as  soori  as  possible.  I  hope 
never  while  I  live  to  look  upon  the  face  of  any  one  of 
them  again. '^ 

^'  You  have  managed  well,  it  seems  to  me,"  said  Tom. 
''I  don't  think  there  can  be  any  danger,  even  if  the 
lieutenant  does  suspect  you." 

"  I  will  tell  you  what  I  most  fear,"  said  the  other,  in 
a  low  voice. 

''What  is  that?" 

''  That  he  may  follow  me — that  even  now  he  may  be 
in  the  city." 

Tom  shook  his  head. 

''I  don't  believe  there  is  any  chance  of  it,"  he  said. 

''So  I  hope,"  said  the  captain.  "But  we  will  not 
stay  too  long  together      It  may  excite  suspicion." 

"When  shall  you  engage  passage?" 

"  This  very  day.  I  don't  know  why  it  is,  but  I  feel  a 
feverish  anxiety  to  get  away.  I  am  not  inclined  to  be 
nervous,  but  I  feel  as  if  danger  were  hovering  over  me 
like  a  cloud,  and  likely  at  any  time  to  burst  and  over- 
whelm me." 

"I  never  have  any  presentiments  of  evil,"  said  Tom, 
*'  I  am  always  hopeful.'* 

"You  are  fortunate,"  s?id  the  other  thoughtfully, 
"  but  you  are  a  boy,  and  it  is  natural  at  your  age  to  be 


AN  A  VENGER  ON  THE  TRACK,  23$ 

sanguine  and  hopeful.  I  was  so,  too,  when  at  your  ago 
of  life.  But  I  will  shake  off  this  feeling  and  do  what 
is  necessary.     Let  me  return.'' 

They  rose  from  their  grassy  seat  and  took  their  way 
back  to  Mr.  Burton's  shop. 

On  their  way  they  encountered  an  old  man  with 
snowy  beard,  half  bowed  over,  clad  in  rags,  and  appar- 
ently in  extreme  poverty. 

^'  A  few  pennies,  good  gentlemen, "he  whined.  '*  Only 
a  few  pennies  in  charity.     I  am  miserably  poor." 

The  captain  drew  out  a  silver  coin  and  put  it  into  the 
old  man's  hand.     Tom  did  the  same. 

*He  looks  wretched  enough,"  said  Tom. 

"Yes.'^ 

Scarcely  were  the  two  a  few  rods  away,  than  the  old 
beggar  lifted  his  eyes  and  looked  after  them. 

^*So,  Signer  Captain,"  he  muttered,  '*this  is  your 
game.  I  have  not  followed  you  for  nothing.  You  are 
intriguing  with  that  boy  to  leave  us  all  in  the  lurch,  are 
you?    We  shall  see." 

The  old  beggar  wae  AlcmaOb 


CHAPTER  XL. 

THE  captain's  FATE. 

^^^S^HE  CAPTAIN'S  presentiments  were  verified, 
|;^^^^|i|  The  suspicions  of  his  lieutenant  had  been 
p^jB^II  aroused  by  his  unusual  manner,  nor  had  they 
been  allayed  by  the  explanation  he  gave  of  his  intended 
journey.  Immediately  after  the  captain's  departure  he 
had  convened  the  members  of  the  band,  and  harangued 
them  thus; 

**  Boys,  I  have  something  to  say  to  you  that  affects 
our  common  interests.  The  captain  has  left  us  for  a 
visit  to  the  city,  and  he  has  explained  his  reasons  for 
going.  He  will  try  to  negotiate  the  bonds  taken  from 
one  of  our  late  prisoners.  Very  likely  he  has  told  us 
the  truth.  He  will  doubtless  get  what  he  can  for  them, 
but  will  he  come  hack  f* 

At  this  significant  question  the  robbers  started,  and 
their  faces  looked  dark  and  threatening. 

"What  makes  you  think  he  won't,  lieutenant?'* 
asked  one. 

"Human  nature,"  replied  Alonzo.  "If  he  gets  a 
good  round  sum,  say  ten  or  twenty  thousand  dollars,  he 
will  be  tempted  to  keep  it  all  himself,  and  leave  us  to 
our  fate.  Who  shall  say  there  is  no  danger?  What 
should  hinder  his  taking  the  next  steamer  for  New 
York?" 


THE  CAP  TAIN*  S  FATE,  241 

Alonzo  saw  by  the  fierce  looks  of  his  adherents 
that  his  suggestion  had  produced  its  effect.  He  con- 
tinued : 

'^I  noticed,  just  before  the  captain's  departure,  that 
he  acted  strangely;  he  took  walks  by  himself,  and  evi- 
dently had  some  plan  in  view.  I  noticed  also  that  he 
had  a  confidential  talk  with  the  boy,  Tom.  What  does 
all  this  mean?'' 

"  But  the  bonds  didn't  belong  to  the  boy." 

^^  No,  but  there  were  other  matters  in  which  he  might 
wish  to  obtain  information  from  the  boy.  Again,  this 
•oy  was  on  his  way  to  the  mines.  After  his  talk  with 
the  captain,  he  changed  his  plans  and  returned  to  the 
city.     Shall  I  tell  you  what  I  think?' 

''Yes,  yes." 

**  I  think,  then,  that  the  boy  and  he  were  old  ac- 
quaintances, that  he  brought  the  captain  a  message  from 
outside,  and  that  this  and  the  bonds  decided  him  to 
abandon  us." 

^'^  Let  us  pursue  him!  Let  us  kill  him!"  exclaimed 
the  exasperated  robbers. 

''  Hold!  not  so  fast.  Let  him  be  followed,  but  by  one 
only.  Remember,  he  may  be  innocent.  He  may  mean 
to  deal  fairly  and  squarely  with  us.  If  so,  let  him  still 
remain  our  honored  chief.  But  if  he  means  to  play  us 
false" — here  the  speaker's  face  grew  stern — "let  him 
die  the  death  of  a  traitor." 

**How  shall  we  find  out?"  asked  one. 

"Appoint  me  to  follow  and  watch  him.  I  will  go  in 
disguise.     I  will  see  for  myself  what  he  does.    I  will  dog 


243  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

his  steps,  and  if  it  be  true  that  he  would  desert  us,  I  will 
be  your  avenger.     Shall  it  be  so?" 

''Yes,  yes,  let  Alonzo  go!'*  was  the  unanimous  shout. 

*'  Be  it  so.  Boys,  I  go  as  your  messenger.  I  go  into 
ilanger,  but  I  go  to  serve  your  interests.  Whoever  may 
be  found  wanting,  you  shall  never  find  me  a  traitor.'' 

He  finished  his  harangue,  and  an  hour  later  he  was  on 
his  way  to  San  Francisco,  which  he  reached  nearly  as 
soon  as  the  captain. 

He  met  his  superior  in  command  for  the  first  time  on 
the  occasion  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter.  He  pene- 
trated his  disguise  at  once,  assisted  thereto  by  his  com- 
panion's presence.  As  we  know,  the  captain  was  not  so 
fortunate,  and  in  the  bowed  and  discrepit  beggar  who 
implored  aims,  he  failed  to  recognize  his  subordinate-— 
the  man  whom  he  had  the  greatest  cause  to  fear — nor 
did  he  observe  that  the  beggar  followed  him.  Had  he 
done  so,  his  suspicions  would  hardly  have  been  aroused. 

After  the  captain  left  Tom,  he  made  his  way  to  the 
office  of  the  steamship  company.  Alonzo's  keen  eyes 
lighted  up  when  he  saw  his  destination.  Now  his  sus- 
picions were  verified. 

''  It  is  as  I  thought,"  he  said  to  himself.  ''  The  cap- 
tain has  betrayed  us.  Arrived  in  New  York,  he  may 
make  his  peace  with  the  authorities  and  renounce  his 
old  comrades,  and  bring  us  to  capture  and  death.  He 
shall  never  do  it!    He  shall  never  live  to  do  it!" 

As  we  know,  he  did  the  captain  wrong  in  this  suspi- 
cion. Though  he  fully  intended  to  forsake  the  band 
and  hoped  never  to  meet  any  member  of  it  again,  it 


THE  CAPTAIN'S  FATE.  243 

never  once  occurred  to  him  to  denounce  them.  There 
is  honor  among  thieves — so  the  proverb  has  it — and  he 
would  have  shrunk  from  such  a  betrayal. 

The  captain  went  back  to  his  place  of  temporary  so- 
journ. Now  that  his  object  was  so  far  accomplished, 
and  ticket  secured  for  New  York,  he  deemed  it  discreet 
to  keep  himself  as  much  out  of  the  way  as  possible  till 
the  time  came  for  going  on  board  the  steamer. 

Every  evening  Tom  came  to  see  him.  He  handed 
our  hero  his  ticket,  and  the  evening  before  sailing  he 
handed  Tom  the  belt  containing  the  papers  and  securi- 
ties,, much  to  our  heroes  amazement.  The  captain  read 
his  wonder  in  his  eyes. 

**  You  are  surprised  that  I  give  you  them  so  soon/' 
he  said. 

Yes,''  said  Tom.  "  Of  course  I  am  glad  to  have  them 
in  charge,  but  I  did  not  suppose  you  would  trust  me 
with  them." 

"  I  will  tell  you  why,"  said  the  robber-chief.  '*  I  have 
a  presentiment  of  evil.  I  feel  that  some  one  of  my  old 
comrades  is  on  my  track.  Should  evil  befall  me,  I  do 
not  want  the  bonds  to  fall  into  their  hands.  I  prefer, 
if  they  cannot  benefit  me,  that  they  should  go  to  you." 

'^  Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  "  but  1  heartily  hope  that 
you  are  mistaken — that  you  will  leave  this  city  in  safety, 
and  far  away  have  a  chance  to  redeem  you^  past  life." 

'^  I  think  you  are  sincere,"  said  the  captain,  taking 
his  hand.  *'  I  trust  you  more  than  any  other  living  be- 
ing. For  that  reason,  whatever  comes  to  me,  I  wish 
that  you  may  prosper." 


244  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

The  day  of  sailing  came.  Tom  and  the  captain  went 
on  board  the  steamer.  As  they  stood  by  the  railing  and 
looked  over  the  side,  Tom  said  in  a  low  voice: 

''Where  are  your  presentiments  now?  Nothing  has 
happened." 

The  captain  shook  his  head. 

''  It  is  not  too  late  yet,"  he  said. 

He  had  scarcely  finished  the  sentence  than  a  report 
was  heard.  The  captain  pressed  his  hand  convulsively 
to  his  breast  and  dropped  upon  the  deck.  He  never 
uttered  another  word.  When  he  was  taken  up  he  was 
dead. 

Tom  looked  about  him  in  horror,  expecting  to  see  the 
assassin.  But  there  was  no  one  who  looked  likely  to 
commit  the  deed.  No  one  thought  of  suspecting  a  de- 
crepit and  infirm  old  beggar,  who  tottered  slowly  away 
from  the  wharf  with  head  bowed  down. 

'*  The  traitor  is  punished!  We  are  avenged!"  he  mut- 
tered.    ''Now  I  am  the  captain!" 

But  Alonzo's  triumph  was  premature.  He  had  been 
seen  in  the  act  of  firing  the  pistol.  He  was  arrested, 
and  identified  as  a  member  of  the  famous  band  that  had 
been  the  scourge  of  the  interior.  He  was  tried,  con- 
victed and  executed  within  the  space  of  one  month.  So 
the  captain  was  revenged,  and  the  band,  now  without  a 
head,  was  speedily  disbanded. 


CHAPTER  XU. 

TOM  ADOPTS  A   RICH  UNCLE. 

P^ESiOM  WAS  very  much  shocked  at  the  tragical 
ll^Sff?!  fate  of  his  companion.  Though  he  had  been 
P^^i^*^^^|  an  outlaw  and  a  chief  of  a  noted  gang  of 
robbers,  it  had  been  his  purpose  to  break  away  from  nis 
evil  life  and  his  companions  in  crime,  and  to  lead  hence- 
forth a  blameless  life. 

The  chance  had  been  taken  from  him.  His  presenti- 
ments of  evil  had  been  verified,  and  he  had  been  sum- 
moned without  other  warning  into  the  presence  of  his 
Maker. 

As  he  sunk  upon  the  deck,  he  was  surrounded  by  a 
crowd  of  passengers. 

"Who  did  this?"  exclaimed  the  captain,  naturally 
turning  to  Tom  for  information. 

''  I  don^t  know,  sir,"  said  Tom. 

'*  You  know  this  gentleman,  I  believe?*' 

"  Yes,  sir,  a  little.  I  made  his  acqnaintaiioe  while 
on  the  way  to  the  mines." 

'*  Do  you  know  his  name?^' 

*'He  called  himself  Davenport." 

'*  You  say,  called  himself?" 

"  It  was  not  his  real  name.  He  told  me  he  had  ene- 
mies from  whom  he  feared  injury.  Therefore  he  con- 
cealed his  real  name." 


246  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

''  Do  you  know  his  real  name?^' 

"Xo,  sir/'' 

' '  You  think  the  shot  was  fired  by  one  of  the  enemies 
of  whom  he  stood  in  fear?'' 

•^I  feel  sure  of  it." 

The  question  arose  what  disposition  to  make  of  the 
money  left  by  the  murdered  man.  Eight  hundred  dol- 
lars in  gold  were  found  in  his  possession,  but  this  ques- 
tion was  solved  by  a  paper  found  in  his  pocket-book. 

It  was  to  this  effect: 

''  Should  anything  happen  to  me,  which  is  quite  pos- 
sible, I  desire  that  whatever  property  I  leave  may  be 
given  to  my  young  friend  and  fellow- voyager,  known  as 
Thomas  Temple." 

'^  It  seems  you  are  his  heir,"  said  the  captain,  when 
the  examination  was  over. 

*'  I.^"  said  Tom,  in  surprise. 

''  Yes.  Probably  the  gentleman  had  few  friends  and 
took  a  fancy  to  you.  I  suppose  there  need  be  no  for- 
malities, except  to  give  you  the  property  at  once." 

This  decision  of  the  captain  was  approved  by  the 
passengers,  and  Tom  found  himself  unexpectedly  rich. 
But  he  felt  that  he  could  not  consent  to  retain  the 
money  for  his  own  use,  except,  indeed,  a  sum  equal  to 
that  of  which  he  had  been  robbed.  It  was  stolen  prop- 
erty, and  he  could  not  conscientiously  retain  it  He 
resolved  on  reaching  Xew  York  to  give  it  to  some  char- 
itable association,  where  it  might  be  a  public  benefit. 

A  new  surprise  awaited  him.  Among  the  passengers 
was  Mr.  Stoddard,  the  invalid  who  had  been  his  com- 
panion on  the  voyage  out. 


rOAf  ADOPTS  A  RICH  UNCLE,  247 

He  was  pleased  to  find  that  the  old  gentleman's 
health  had  been  materially  improved  by  his  brief  resi- 
dence in  California. 

"I  am  delighted  to  see  yon  again,  my  young  friend/* 
said  Mr.  Stoddard.  "  I  sought  for  yon  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, but  was  told  that  you  had  gone  to  the  mines. 
Then  I  gave  up  all  hopes  of  seeing  you,  but  I  left  direc- 
tions with  my  bankers  io  advance  you  any  sum  which 
you  might  require,  should  you  apply  to  them." 

*'  How  have  I  deserved  so  much  kindness?"  said  Tom, 
surprised  and  grateful. 

"You  showed  me  attention  when  I  required  it,  Tom. 
You  gave  me  hours  of  your  society  when  the  compan- 
ionship of  younger  persons  would  have  been  more  io 
your  taste.  This  you  did  out  of  the  kindness  of  your 
heart,  and  I  shall  not  soon  forget  it." 

''  Mr.  Stoddard,  you  exaggerate  my  merits, "  said  Tom 
modestly. 

*•  I  don't  think  I  do.  At  all  events,  I  have  taken  a 
strong  liking  to  you.  I  am  without  near  relatives;  I 
am  rich  and  lonely.  Will  you  give  me  the  right  to 
provide  for  your  future?  Will  you  let  me  regard  you 
as  my  adopted  son?" 

Tom  was  surprised  at  this  unexpected  offer,  and  he 
felt  that  it  was  not  to  be  lightly  rejected.  But  it  is  due 
to  him  to  say  that  he  was  urged  quite  as  much  by  a  feel- 
ing of  sympathy  for  Mr.  Stoddard's  loneliness  as  by  his 
own  interest  to  decide  in  the  affirmative.  He  felt  that 
he  could  respect  and  like  him,  and  with  proper  acknowl- 
edgments of  his  kindness  he  gave  his  consent. 


248  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

Mr.  Stoddard^s  eyes  lighted  up  with  pleasure. 

"  Thank  you,  Tom/'  he  said  earnestly.  "  You  have 
given  me  something  to  live  for.  Now  I  shall  have  an 
interest  in  life  apart  from  the  care  of  my  health.  I  will 
pay  your  expenses,  and  make  you  an  allowance  of  a 
thousand  dollars  a  year,  if  you  think  that  will  be  suf- 
ficient for  the  present. " 

^^  You  overwhelm  me  with  kindness, '*  said  Tom.  ^'  I 
don't  know  what  to  say,  except  that  I  hope  jou  will 
never  have  cause  to  repent  your  kindness/' 

*'Iamsure  I  never  shall,"  said  the  old  gentleman. 
'*  When  we  reach  the  city  of  New  York  I  will  consult 
you  as  to  your  plans  in  life.  You  may  be  interested  to 
know  that  I  have  a  house  in  the  city  and  a  country  place 
on  the  Hudson.  I  hope  you  will  like  them  both,  as  each 
will  be  your  home." 

''  A  place  on  the  Hudson!"  exclaimed  Tom.  '*  I  am 
sure  I  shall  like  that.     Have  you  any  saddle-horses?" 

'^  Two;  though  I  fear  they  have  grown  lazy  from  dis- 
use.    You  must  give  them  some  exercise. " 

^'  Trust  me  for  that,"  said  Tom. 

'^  One  thing  more.  I  think  you  had  better  call  me 
uncle.  The  name  will  give  you  a  claim  upon  me  in  the 
eyes  of  the  world,  and  moreover,  I  shall  be  proud  of  such 
a  spirited  young  nephew." 

*^  All  right,  uncle,"  said  Tom,  smiling. 


CHAPTER   XLIL 

TOM^S   RETURN". 

^g||R.  ARMSTRONG  sat  in  his  counting-room 
^^ISSJ  deep  in  thought.  An  arrangement  had  been 
^|pSSL||  made  with  his  creditors  by  which  he  was 
allowed  to  go  on.  It  was  his  ambition  to  repay  them 
their  confidence  by  paying  all  claims  upon  him  dollar 
for.  dollar.  But  he  found  it  up-hill  work.  His  re- 
sources were  contracted,  and  success  was,  to  say  the 
least,  problematical.  This  was  the  reason  of  his  present 
abstraction.  He  was  anxiously  considering  what  meas- 
ures to  adopt  in  order  to  facilitate  the  attainment  of  the 
end  he  had  in  view. 

'^  If  I  only  had  the  eighty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
securities  that  scoundrelly  clerk  robbed  me  of,"  he  said 
to  himself,  ^'all  would  be  well.     I  could  clear  off  all 
liabilities  to-day,  and  start  afresh  with  the  most  encour- 
aging chances  of  success.     But  I  suppose  there  isn't 
one  chance  in  a  hundred  of  my  ever  recovering  a  cent 
from  that  source.'' 
Just  then  an  intimate  friend,  Hugh  Osborn,  entered. 
*'  You  seem  in  a  brown  study,  Armstrong,"  he  saidi 
"Yes;  I  was  thinking  about  my  affairs." 
*'  Your  creditors  have  allowed  you  to  go  on?" 
*'  Yes,  and  I  want  to  justify  their  confidence/' 
"Oh,  you'll  do  that." 


250  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREE* 

*'  I  hope  so,  but  business  is  dull,  and  it'b  hard  work 
getting  back  to  my  old  position.  If  I  only  had  the 
money  Lincoln  abstracted,  all  would  be  well/' 

^'  What  efforts  have  you  made  to  recover  it?'* 

''I  have  informed  the  police,  but  thus  far  I  have 
heard  nothing/' 

''  Have  you  done  nothing  further?** 

''Yes,'*  said  Mr.  Armstrong,  hesitating.  "I  have  sent 
a  special  messenger  to  California  to  hunt  up  the  de- 
faulter.'' 

'-Come,  that's  enterprising.  Who  is  your  special 
messenger?" 

'^  You  will  laugh  at  me  if  I  tell  you." 

-Why  should  I?" 

'^  Because  my  messenger  is  a  boy  of  sixteen/* 

*'  You  are  not  in  earnest,  surely?** 

''Yes,  lam.** 

''  What  could  induce  you  to  employ  a  mere  boy?** 

*'  He  is  one  of  my  creditors — Tom  Temple.  He  vol- 
unteered to  go,  and  asked  for  no  allowance  for  ex- 
penses.** 

''  Very  kind,  no  doubt,  but  you  might  as  well  have 
sent  nobody.'* 

"  You  may  be  right.  Still  Tom  is  a  bright,  smart 
lad.** 

''  I  hope  you  don*t  base  any  very  extravagant  hopes 
on  this  mission/* 

'*I  never  have  been  very  sanguine,  Hugh,  for  the 
mission  presents  difficulties  even  to  man.  Still  I  would 
rather  trust  Tom  than  some  men.** 


rOATS  RETURN, 


251 


*'My  old  friend,  you  are  foolish  to  expect  anything 
from  a  boy  of  sixteen.  Such  boys  are  confident,  no 
doubt;  it  is  a  characteristic  of  that  age,  but  what  could 
one  do  against  a  crafty  rogue?" 

''You  may  be  perfectly  right.  Still  you  wouldn't 
speak  of  Tom  with  such  contempt  if  you  knew  him. 
He  will  make  a  very  smart  man." 

''I  see  he  has  managed  to  impress  you  with  a  belief 
in  his  ability." 

''  It  is  true.  I  have  seldom  met  a  boy  who  seemed  so 
plucky  and  self-reliant." 

"  That  may  all  be,  but  he  will  fail  in  his  mission. 
Excuse  my  expressing  myself  so  positively,  but  it  isn't 
worth  while  to  deceive  yourself.  Face  all  the  difficul- 
ties  of  your  situation,  and  form  no  groundless  hopes." 

The  merchant  was  about  to  reply,  when  the  door  of 
the  counting-room  opened,  and  with  an  elastic  step  iu 
walks  our  hero. 

''  Tom  Temple!"  ejaculated  the  merchant  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Armstrong,  it  is  I,"  said  Tom.  '*  I  am 
glad  you  haven't  forgotten  me." 

''  So  this  is  the  young  man  you  sent  on  a  wild-goose 
ehase,  Armstrong?"  said  Hugh  Osbom,  smiling. 

Tom  turned  toward  the  speaker. 

'*  Perhaps  it  was  a  wild-goose  chase,"  he  said  quietly, 
*'but  it  is  possible  to  catch  wild  geese  sometimes." 

''  What  do  you  mean,  Tom?"  inquired  Mr.  Armstrong 
in  excitement. 

'^  I  wean  this,  that  I've  recovered  the  bonds,  and  hers 
they  are!'' 


25a  ^^^  TEMPLETS  CAREER, 

And  to  the  astonishment  of  both  merchants,  Tmn 
produced  the  belt  and  drew  ont  the  contents. 

''As  I  liye>  they  are  all  here!''  exclaimed  Mr.  Arm-^ 
strong. 

"  Imi>08siblel''  ejaculated  Hugh  Osbom^  arching  his 
brows. 

"Quite  possible,"  said  Tom.  "Dor't  you  oeliere 
your  eyes?** 

'♦  What  do  you  say  now,  Hugh,  to  the  absurdity  of 
employing  a  boy  of  sixteen  in  such  a  commission?  Very 
foolish,  no  doubt,  but  here  are  the  bonds!" 

**  Did  you  recover  those  bonds  yourself,  young  manP^ 
asked  Hugh  Osborn. 

"  I  rather  think  I  did,"  said  Tom;  *'  that  is,  with  the 
help  of  a  highwayman.  You  see  I  needed  a  little  aa^ 
gistance." 

*'  Give  us  the  story,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Armstrong. 

So  Tom  told  the  story,  which  was  listened  to  with  m 
tonishment  by  the  two  merchants. 

''  What  do  you  say  now,  Hugh?''  demanded  Mr.  Arm- 
strong in  triumph. 

"  Say?  I  say  that  if  thib  young  man  wants  a  situa- 
lion.  111  engage  him  this  very  day  to  enter  my  count* 
mg-room.'* 

"  I  think  he  ought  to  give  me  the  preference.  What 
do  you  say,  Tom?  Will  you  accept  a  clerkship  at  a 
hundred  dollars  a  month?" 

"  Thank  you,  gentlemen,  both,"  said  Tom,  bowing, 
**  but  the  fact  is,  I've  adopted  a  rich  uncle,  and  I  can't 
make  any  arrangements  without  consulting  him.' 


OHAPTBB  XT.nf 

OtBOITXSTAlirCES  ALT£B  OASB& 

ATHAN,"  asked  Mrs.  Middleton,  "  have  ywk 
ever  heard  anything  of  our  old  boarder,  Tom 
Templar 

"  No,  my  dear,  except  that  he  went  to  California  in 
the  steerage,  I  believe.    I  suspect  he  was  very  destitute.* 

**  I  am  glad  of  it/'  said  Mrs.  Middleton  emphatically. 
"  It  does  me  good  to  see  pride  have  a  fall,  and  that  boy 
was  the  proudest  upstart  I  ever  met/' 

"  He  certainly  had  a  great  appetite,  my  dear,  and  waa 
Veiy  particular  about  his  accommodations." 

"To  think  of  his  insisting  on  a  mattress  I  Really. 
Hathan,  we  were  fools  to  give  up  to  him." 

**  Well,  my  dear,  we  got  very  high  board  for  him.** 

**  Very  true;  I  wouldn't  have  stood  his  impudence 
otherwise.  Squire  Davenport's  family  got  disgusted  witk 
him.  He  put  on  his  airs  even  with  them.  So  he  went 
in  the  steerage,  did  he?" 

^^Solheard." 

"I  warrant  he  would  have  been  glad  to  get  back  to 
our  home,  much  as  he  turned  up  his  nose  at  it." 

Here  there  was  a  knock  at  the  door,  and  a  minate 
later  the  servant  entered,  ushering  in  our  hero. 

"Good  gracious!"  ejaculated  Mr.  Middleton.  "Jto  II 
you,  Thomas^ 


254  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

**  Yes,  sir,**  said  Tom;  "  here  I  am,  alive  and  kicking. 
I  didn't  think  you'd  remember  me.  How  do  you  do,  .idia, 
Middletonr 

"I  am  well,"  said  the  lady  stiffly. 

'*  I  thought  you  were  in  CaliloniiAy  Thomas^"  said 
Mr.  Middleton. 

"Sol  was." 

"  We  heaid  that  you  were  rednced  to  going  by  steer- 
age," remarked  Mrs.  iliddleton  with  spiteful  triumph. 

'*  You  were  misinformed,"  said  Tom  coolly,  "  I  went 
first-class,  and  returned  in  the  same  way." 

"  Oh,  indeed.  I  heard  that  you  had  a  few  hundred 
dollars  left.     You  must  have  spent  it  all  by  this  time." 

"  You  will  doubtless  be  glad  to  learn  that  I  have  got 
my  fortune  all  back,"  said  Tom,  glancing  mischievously 
at  the  faces  of  his  friends,  in  which  surprise  contended 
with  mortification. 

"  Is  that  so?"  ejaculated  Mr.  Middleton. 

*'  Quite  so.  The  ship  supposed  to  be  lost  has  returned; 
Mr.  Armstrong  has  recovered  sufficiently  to  pay  me  back 
my  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  the  mining  stock  turns 
^ut  to  be  good.  Besides  that  I  have  been  adopted  by  a 
rich  man,  who  has  made  me  his  heir." 

*'  My  dear  Tom,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Middieton,  whose 
opinion  of  our  hero  had  risen  a'tx>ut  a  hundred  degrees, 
**  permit  me  to  congratulate  you.  I  always  felt  a  deep, 
ft  paternal  interest  in  the  welfare  of  my  dear  friend's  son. 
I  am  truly  glad  to  hear  that  your  fortune  is  recovered. 
If  you  would  be  content  again  to  share  our  humble 
home,  we  would  gladlj  receive  you  back  on  the  same 


URCUMSTANCES  ALTER  CASES,  g55 

terms  as  before."    And  he  pressed  Tom's  hand  very 
cordially. 

"  Mr.  Temple,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  her  face  wreathed 
in  smiles,  "won't  you  stay  to  dinner  at  least?  I  shall 
be  truly  glad  to  have  you." 

*  Thank  you,"  said  Tom.  "  Since  you  are  so  pressing 
I  will;  but  I  am  afmd  I  can't  come  back  to  board,  a^ 
my  uncle  wishes  me  to  reside  with  him.  ** 

Before  Mr.  Middleton  could  express  his  disappoint- 
ment. Squire  Davenport  was  ushered  into  the  room.  He 
stopped  short  at  the  si^ht  of  Tom,  and  fro^vned  slightly, 
looking  to  Mr.  Middleton  for  an  explanation= 

"  Squire  Davenport,"  said  Xathan,  *'  you  will  be  glad 
to  hear  that  our  young  friend  has  recovered  his  fortune. 
Indeed  he  tells  me  that  he  is  richer  than  ever.  Isn't  it 
so,  Thomas?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  believe  so. " 

"AhemI"  said  the  squire,  pausing  long  enough  to 
change  his  voice  and  expression.  "  I  am  very  glad  to 
hear  it.  Master  Temple,  you  were  once  intimate  at  my 
house.     "Won't  you  come  to  tea  this  evening?" 

"Thank  you,"  said  Tom  demurely,  "  if  you  think  it 
rill  be  agreeable  te  your  family." 

"  They  will  all  be  delighted  to  see  you,"  said  the  squire 
hastily. 

"Thank  you.  111  come,"  said  Tom. 

To  judge  by  Tom's  reception,  all  the  Davenports  were 
very  fond  of  him.  And  yet  the  day  before  they  would 
have  vied  with  one  another  in  speaking  contemptuously 
of  him.     But  then  he  was  supposed  to  be  poor.     Now 


256  1^0 M  TEMPLE'S  CAREER, 

he  was  master  of  one  fortune,  and  heir  to  another.     Be 
is  only  the  way  of  the  world. 

There  was  one  of  the  family  whom  Tom  was  really 
glad  to  meet,  and  that  was  Mary  Somers,  to  whom  he 
paid  much  more  attention  than  to  Imogene,  greatly  to 
the  latter's  disgust.  Poor  Mary  had  to  submit  to  more 
than  one  covert  sneer,  but  Tom  paid  his  chief  attention 
to  her  for  all  that. 

Ten  years  have  passed  by.  Tom  is  a  young  merchant, 
bold,  enterprising  and  successful.  Mary  Somers  is  his 
wife,  and  Mr.  Stoddard,  happy  in  their  love  and  respect, 
lives  with  them.  The  Davenports  are  proud  of  their 
connection  with  their  once  despised  poor  relation,  and 
thankfully  accept  her  invitations.  Imogene  is  unmar- 
ried and  is  likely  to  become  a  sour  old  maid.  James 
Davenport  is  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  Tom,  through 
poverty  being  forced  to  work,  very  much  to  his  disgust. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton  still  live.  They  have  become 
more  penurious  than  ever,  but  their  opinion  of  Tom  has 
changed.  '^  My  dear  young  friend,  Tom  Temple,  once 
an  inmate  of  my  family,^'  says  Nathan,  and  his  wife 
echoes  it.  How  gold  reveals  the  virtues  of  those  about 
us!  As  for  Tom,  he  has  greatly  improved.  The  bold, 
aggressive  qualities  which  once  made  him  a  bully  have 
been  diverted  to  business,  and  have  made  him  energetic 
and  enterprising.  So  we  leave  him  better  than  we  found 
him,  and  with  every  prospect  of  a  happy  and  prosperous 
career. 


OVER  AND  UNDER. 


BY  CAPTAIN    R.    M.    HAWTHORNE. 


UD  JARVIS  attained  the  eighteenth  anni- 
versary of  his  birth  last  November,  and 
found  it  the  most  memorable  day  of  his  life. 
He  had  been  hunting  in  the  v^oods  along 
the  upper  Kanama  river,  had  eaten  his  lunch,  and  now, 
finding  himself  a  good  six  miles  from  home,  began  work- 
ing his  way  back,  hoping  to  gain  a  second  shot  at  the 
stag  that  had  dashed  off  at  such  speed  that  the  youthful 
hunter  was  quickly  left  behind.  Although  deer  were 
once  plentiful  in  that  section,  they  were  now  so  scarce 
that  it  was  quite  an  exploit  for  the  best  marksman  to 
bring  one  down.  Jud  took  his  dog  along,  but  just  before 
starting  the  game,  he  skurried  off  on  a  false  scent,  and 
had  not  been  heard  or  seen  since. 

The  weather  was  unusually  mild  for  the  season,  and 
Jud  stood  on  the  margin  of  the  swift  Kanama  that  was 
free  from  ice,  debating  whether  he  should  cross  in  the 
dugout  at  his  feet,  in  the  hope  of  finding  the  game  on 


258  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

the  other  shore,  or  whether  he  should  turn  about  and 
search  for  the  animal  on  the  same  side  of  the  stream. 

"  He  ran  straight  for  the  water,  and  most  likely  swam 
across;  I  think  he  was  hit  hard  and  will  not  go  far,  but 
it  is  so  late  that  I  may  not  come  up  with  him  before 
dark— helloa!^' 

A  crashing  of  the  undergrowth  on  his  left  was  followed 
by  a  bound  that  carried  the  stag  a  dozen  feet  into  the 
water.  Like  a  diver,  he  sank  out  of  sight,  even  his 
spreading  antlers  disappearing  from  view,  but  almost 
instantly  the  noble  head  came  up  over  a  rod  away;  the 
wealth  of  prongs  spreading  above  the  wet  snout  like  the 
disjointed  rigging  of  a  ship.  He  swam  with  such  power- 
ful strokes  that  a  deep  wave  opened  out  behind  him.  He 
was  fully  fifty  feet  from  shore,  before  Jud  rallied  from  his 
amazement. 

"  Tve  got  you  this  time,  my  fine  fellow/'  he  muttered, 
bringing  his  gun  to  his  shoulder. 

In  the  flurry  of  the  moment,  he  did  not  recognize  the 
meaning  of  a  humming  shriek  which  accompanied  the 
report  of  his  weapon.  But  the  cartridge  driven  from  his 
breech-loader  was  a  defective  one.  There  was  a  depres- 
sion in  one  side  of  the  lead  which  caused  it  to  give  out 
a  quick,  intense  noise  like  that  of  a  common  nail  when 
thrown  in  the  peculiar  manner  known  to  all  boys.  Not 
only  that,  but  the  defect  in  the  missile  caused  it  to 
deflect  just  enough  to  make  a  clean  miss. 

Quite  sure,  though,  that  he  had  inflicted  a  mortal 
hurt,  Jud  was  afraid  the  stag  would  reach  land  and  get 
too  far  away  to  be  overtaken  before  night.     He  shoved 


OVER  AXD  UNDER.  259 

the  dugout  into  the  water,  threw  his  gun  in,  followed 
it  himself,  caught  up  the  paddle  and  worked  with  might 
and  main  to  overtake  the  game. 

Swiftly  as  a  stag  can  swim,  he  is  no  match  for  a  man 
in  a  dugout.  Jud  gained  fast,  and,  before  the  middle 
of  the  stream  was  reached,  he  was  abreast  of  the  deer, 
but  a  dozen  yards  or  so  above.  He  curved  down  toward 
him,  and  had  passed  half  the  intervening  distance,  when 
the  fugitive  wheeled  about,  or  headed  toward  the  shore 
be  had  left  a  few  minutes  before. 

His  protruding  eyes,  and  the  whiffing  snort  which 
sent  a  fine  spray  from  his  nostrils,  proved  that  he  saw 
his  peril  and  was  desperately  swimming  away  from  it. 

Now  was  the  time  for  another  shot.  Jud  hastily 
pulled  the  lever  to  throw  out  the  old  shell  and  push  a 
new  cartridge  into  place;  but  every  one  knows  the 
^'  obduracy  of  inanimate  things  "  at  such  times.  Some- 
thing got  out  of  order,  and,  with  an  impatient  excla- 
mation, he  lowered  his  piece  to  adjust  it. 

Before  he  could  do  so,  the  angry  snort  that  he  had 
heard  before  sounded  so  close  at  his  elbow  that  he  looked 
around.  That  which  he  saw  was  startling  indeed.  The 
stag  was  plowing  like  a  steam-tug  through  the  water 
and  coming  straight  for  the  boat.  His  fierce  front  left 
no  doubt  of  his  earnestness,  and  Jud  Jarvis  awoke  to  the 
fact  that  while  he  was  hunting  the  stag,  the  stag  had 
turned  about  to  hunt  him. 

The  movement  was  so  unexpected  that  the  usually 
clear-headed  youth  was  thrown  into  a  panic.  His  gun 
could  not  be  fired  until  the  hitch  was  removed,  and 


260  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

believing  he  had  no  time  to  do  that,  he  plunged  over- 
board . 

In  that  trying  moment,  Jud  could  not  forget  the 
valuable  rifle  in  his  hand.  He  meant  to  hold  fast  to 
that,  come  wiiat  might.  He  was  a  strong  swimmer,  and 
he  went  down  until  one  foot  touched  the  pebbly  bottom. 
Immediately  he  gave  a  light  spring,  which  sent  him  up- 
ward like  a  cork.  Flirting  the  water  from  his  eyes  he 
looked  about  him. 

The  dugout  almost  touched  his  nose,  so  that  for  the 
moment  he  saw  nothing  of  the  stag.  If  the  latter  had 
struck  the  craft  with  his  antlers  he  had  failed  to  over- 
turn it. 

"  I  may  as  well  make  some  use  of  you,"  reflected  Jud, 
catching  hold  of  the  gunwale  with  one  hand,  and  placing 
his  rifle  within;  ^'1  think  the  gun  will  be  as  safe  there 
as  anywhere." 

He  swam  to  the  stern  with  the  intention  of  climbing 
into  the  rude  craft,  when  the  stag  came  into  view.  He 
was  moving  around  the  boat,  intently  looking  for  the 
youth  that  had  dared  to  shoot  at  him.  With  a  sagacity 
hardly  to  be  expected,  he  discerned  the  guilty  from  the 
innocent,  and,  instead  of  making  a  blind  assault  upon 
the  dugout,  he  waited  for  the  hunter  to  reappear. 
When  he  did  so,  he  gave  him  his  undivided  attention. 

Jud's  panic  was  gone.  His  hands  were  free  and  he 
was  afraid  of  no  animal  in  the  water.  The  current  was 
cold,  for  the  autumn  was  well  along,  but  he  cared  noth- 
ing for  that.  He  ^^trod  water  "  until  the  bouquet  of 
prongs  was  almost  upon  him.     He  did  not  fear  them, 


OVER  AND   UNDER.  261 

for,  Jis  is  well  known,  the  most  effectual  weapons  of  the 
(leer  species  at  certain  times  are  his  fore  feet.  Rearing 
on  his  hind  legs,  he  brings  his  forward  hoofs  close 
together,  the  fronts  turned  down  so  that  they  become  a 
couple  of  joined  knives,  capable  of  inflicting  a  frightful 
gash.  The  stag  of  course  appeals  to  his  antlers,  and 
they  are  formidable  in  the  way  of  defense,  but  when  his 
sharp  hoofs  will  serve  him  better,  he  is  quick  to  use 
them. 

It  was  these  hoofs  that  Jarvis  feared.  He  was  in 
front  of  them,  and  their  movement  while  swimming  was 
such  as  to  gouge  his  chest  if  he  should  be  struck. 
Therefore,  at  the  right  moment,  he  dived  under  the 
stag. 

Touching  bottom  as  before,  Jud  opened  his  eyes  and 
looked  toward  the  sky.  The  water  was  of  such  crystal- 
line clearness  that,  when  paddling  along,  he  could  see 
the  pebbly  bed,  except  in  the  very  deepest  portion.  He 
had  subjected  his  eyes,  however,  to  a  most  trying  ordeiil. 
The  contact  of  the  water  with  the  sensitive  organs  caused 
a  smarting  sensation,  and  the  former  assumed  a  yellow 
tinge  which  interfered  with  his  vision. 

But  he  was  blessed  with  unusually  strong  eyes,  and 
when  he  looked  up  he  saw  the  stag  over  his  head.  He 
seemed  to  be  a  huge,  grotesque  creature  walking  through 
the  translucent  atmosphere  on  his  hind  legs.  His  body 
was  almost  erect,  and  the  swiftly  moving  legs  churned 
the  water,  as  if  they  were  beating  the  air. 

The  fact  that  he  hardly  shifted  his  position  showed 
that  he  was  holding  himself  almost  stationary  until  his 


^62  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

foe  slionld  reappear.  He  had  turned  upon  his  persecutor, 
and  was  waiting  to  destroy  him. 

The  latter  now  did  a  clever  thing.  He  came  up  so 
noiselessly  that  the  brute  did  not  hear  him.  He  had  to 
blink  pretty  hard  to  clear  the  moisture  from  his  smart- 
ing eyes,  but  when  he  did  so,  it  was  as  he  expected;  he 
was  within  six  feet  of  the  game,  but  directly  behind  him. 
The  dugout  was  fifty  feet  down  stream. 

One  long  stroke  carried  Jud  across  the  space.  The 
stag  heard  the  soft  swash,  and  possibly  caught  sight  of 
the  figure  stealing  upon  him,  but,  before  he  could  turn 
his  head,  each  hand  grasped  an  antler  with  iron  grip. 

"  Now,  swim,  old  fellow,  but  you've  got  to  take  me 
along.'' 

It  was  the  turn  of  the  stag  to  fall  into  a  panic.  He 
flirted  his  head  and  whirled  round  and  round  in  his 
effort  to  dislodge  the  incubus,  but  he  could  not  do  so. 
Jud  laughed  at  the  discomforture  of  the  animal. 

''You're  doing  quite  well,  but  not  so  well  as  you 
think  you  can  do." 

Jud's  expectation  was  that  the  stag  would  tire  him^ 
self  out,  and  then,  finding  he  could  not  free  himself  of 
his  load,  would  make  for  shore  again.  The  youth  meant 
to  let  go  as  soon  as  land  was  reached.  Ko  doubt  by  tliat 
time  the  animal  would  be  glad  enough  to  make  off.  He 
would  be  likely  to  escape  altogether,  for  he  certainly 
showed  no  signs  of  being  badly  wounded,  if  indeed  he 
had  been  hit  at  all.  If  he  should  turn  to  assail  Jud, 
after  the  latter  let  go  his  horns,  he  could  easily  avoid 
him  in  the  water. 


OVER  A2TD  UNDKR.  263 

It  looked  as  if  Jiul*s  theory  was  to  be  verified,  for, 
after  a  few  blind  circlings,  the  stag,  witli  a  disgusted 
sniff,  made  for  the  bank  toward  which  he  had  headed  on 
entering  the  river. 

Peering  tli rough  the  little  forest  of  antlers  in  front, 
the  lad  noticed  that  the  trees  along  the  shore  were  sweep- 
ing backward  with  amazing  velocity;  then  he  caught  a 
roar,  rapidly  swelling  into  a  deep  boom,  and  gazing  to 
the  left,  he  saw  the  dugout  bowing,  dancing  and  turning 
on  its  own  center  in  a  cloud  of  rising  mist.  It  was  on 
the  very  point  of  plunging  over  the  falls. 
.  Jud  thought  no  more  of  the  stag.  Unless  he  could 
reach  shore  within  a  few  seconds,  he  must  follow  the 
dugout  or  be  drowned.  Eeleasing  the  antlers,  he 
dropped  to  the  bottom  of  the  river,  impelled  to  do  so  by 
a  curious  hope  that  he  would  thus  gain  a  chance  to  help 
himself  along. 

The  depth  was  nearly  as  great  as  in  the  middle  of  the 
stream.  He  tried  to  catch  hold  of  the  stony  bottom,  but  it 
glided  so  swiftly  from  bis  grasp  that  he  felt  the  pain  of  the 
friction.  The  slight  reaction  sent  him  upward  again, 
and  he  struggled  fiercely  to  reach  shore.  He  had  about 
the  same  distance  to  travel  as  the  stag,  but  the  latter 
was  a  rod  further  down  stream. 

The  youth  strove  as  only  one  can  who  is  striving  for 
his  life,  but  he  was  closer  to  the  falls  than  he  was  to 
land,  and  he  quickly  saw  that  nothing  could  save  him 
from  going  over.  To  struggle  longer  could  only  exhaust 
his  strength  without  giving  him  any  advantage.  With 
ereat  coolness,  he  turned  to  the  left,  so  as  to  face  the 
falls,  and  braced  himself  for  the  ordeal. 


264  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CA  REER. 

''  I  have  never  heard  whether  any  one  can  go  over 
them  and  live  to  tell  of  it,  but  the  question  will  be 
settled  in  the  next  two  minutes." 

The  river  where  it  poured  over  the  rocks  was  com- 
pressed into  a  volume  less  than  a  hundred  feet  in  width. 
The  mass  of  water  was  ten  feet  in  depth,  and  the 
descent  was  three  times  as  great.  The  narrowing  of  the 
stream  gave  it  great  velocity,  and  the  churning  of  the 
enormous  mass  at  the  base  sent  up  continual  clouds  of 
mist,  which,  when  penetrated  by  the  sun's  rays,  showed 
a  beautiful  rainbow. 

At  the  point  where  Jud  put  out  in  a  boat,  it  was  safe 
to  paddle  across,  but  he  had  been  so  absorbed  in  his 
hunt  for  the  stag,  that  he  forgot  all  about  the  falls  until 
5t  was  too  late  to  extricate  himself. 

Curious  thoughts  often  come  to  a  person  when  in  such 
extremity.  Jud  saw  the  dugout  bobbing  up  and  down 
like  the  cork  of  a  fishing  line,  until  it  vanished  from 
sight.  He  wondered  how  many  times  it  would  turn 
over,  and  whether  it  was  possible  for  it  to  keep  upright, 
and  in  case  it  was  not  capsized  what  would  become  of 
his  fine  rifle?  If  that  were  saved,  into  whose  hands 
would  it  fall?  What  did  the  stag  think  of  the  situation, 
and  did  he  appreciate  what  zanies  he  and  Jud  had  made 
of  themselves  in  their  eagerness  to  destroy  each  other? 
How  delicately  beautiful  was  the  faint  rainbow  spanning 
the  mist!  Would  his  father  and  mother  understand  the 
means  by  which  he  had  lost  his  life?  He  was  their  only 
child,  and  the  pang  of  sorrow  which  pierced  his  heart 
was  because  he  knew  they  would  never  recover  from 
their  grief  over  his  loss. 


OVER  AND  UNDER.  26g 

Other  singular  fancies  were  crowding  upon  him,  but 
he  was  now  so  close  to  the  falls  that  they  occupied  all 
his  thoughts.  He  saw  that  the  stag  was  struggling  with 
that  blind  instinct  which  all  animals  show  in  the 
extremity  of  peril.  His  savage  efforts  had  carried  him 
a  little  closer  to  shore,  but  it  availed  nothing,  and  he 
swept  toward  the  falls  broadside  on.  By  some  mischance 
that  can  hardly  be  understood,  the  animal,  on  the  very 
rim  of  the  overflow,  turned  on  his  back,  after  the  manner 
of  a  horse  when  he  lies  down  to  roll.  The  legs  were 
seen  for  an  instant  sawing  the  air,  and  then  hoofs,  body, 
and  antlers,  were  mixed  in  one  general  swirl  and  over 
they  went. 

Jud.  Jarvis  was  thrilled,  as  he  shot  with  arrowy  swift- 
ness toward  the  battle  of  the  waters.  He  uttered  the 
same  prayer  that  he  had  uttered  night  and  morning 
since  his  infancy,  and  compressing  his  lips,  and  drawing 
a  deep  inspiration,  bravely  awaited  the  issue. 

Just  then  it  seemed  to  him  that  the  vast  bulk  of 
water,  in  which  he  hung  suspended,  had  become  motion- 
less, and  the  rocky  wall  below  was  fighting  its  way  up 
current  with  a  vicious  fury  that  caused  all  the  turmoil; 
then  the  rushing  Kanama,  accepting  the  challenge, 
leaped  at  the  rocks  to  beat  them  back.  But  the  lad 
was  borne  forward  with  a  dizzying  sweep,  as  if  hauled 
through  mid-air,  and  then  he  shot  downward,  into  the 
smothering  foam  and  shivering  water,  amid  a  war  like 
that  of  thousands  of  cannon. 

Through  it  all  Jud  never  lost  consciousness,  nor  his 
presence  of  mind.     He  held  his  breath  until  it  seemed 


266  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

his  lungs  must  burst.  He  kuew  tliat  the  continual 
hammering  of  the  waters  at  the  base  of  the  falls  had  worn 
a  cavity  of  great  depth,  to  the  bottom  of  which  he  had 
been  carried  by  the  mountainous  mass  above.  But  this 
had  to  hurry  out  to  make  room  for  that  which  was  for- 
ever rushing  after  it,  and  he  went  with  it. 

He  felt  faint  and  strange,  and  there  was  one  moment 
when  a  singular  ringing  in  his  ears  and  a  strangling  sen- 
sation warned  him  that  ^e  was  ''  on  the  line/'  and  that 
one  step  more  meant  unconsciousness,  to  be  quickly 
followed  by  death.  By  a  mighty  effort,  however,  he 
rallied,  and  retained  command  of  himself. 

''  A  man  can  go  over  these  falls  and  live  to  tell  of  it," 
he  thought;  ^'  and  that's  what  I  am  going  to  do.'' 

The  gasp  which  he  gave  brought  the  cool,  life-giving 
air  to  his  lungs,  and  the  staring  eyes  saw  that  though 
the  water  was  still  agitated,  the  yeasty  foam  was  so 
small  a  portion  that  he  could  support  himself.  It  was 
becoming  clearer  every  minute,  and  the  falls  were 
rapidly  receding  behind  him. 

After  drifting  several  rods,  Jud  caught  sight  of  the 
dugout,  almost  within  reach. 

''And  it  is  right  side  upl "  he  exclaimed,  with  de- 
light; ''  can  it  be — I  shall  soon  know." 

A  few  strokes  carried  him  to  the  hollowed  out  log, 
which  was  not  riding  so  high  as  when  he  saw  it  above 
the  falls.  Peeping  over  the  gunwales  he  observed  that 
it  was  so  nearly  full  of  water  that  it  was  floating  because 
of  the  buoyancy  of  the  log  itself.  A  shout  of  delight 
escaped  him  when  he  saw  his  rifle  lying  in  the  water  at 


OVER  AND  UyUEll  357 

the  bottom.  By  a  run  of  good  foiiune  that  could  hardly 
happen  again,  it  was  saved  to  him. 

Holding  the  stern  with  one  liand,  Jud  began  working 
the  boat  toward  shore.  The  water  rapidly  beciime 
calmer,  and  the  task  was  not  difficult. 

"  I  wonder  how  the  stag  made  out,"  he  said,  as  the 
nose  of  the  dugout  struck  land;  *'he  went  over  in  a 
style  of  his  own,  and  I  am  afraid —  "Well,  if  that 
doesn't  beat  everything!" 

At  that  very  moment  the  body  of  the  stag  heaved  up 
from  the  water,  and  he  walked  out  not  more  than 
twenty  feet  away.  As  soon  as  he  was  clear  oi  the  river 
he  stopped,  lowered  hie  head,  and  a  sort  of  earthquake 
shook  his  whole  system,  the  drops  of  water  flying  in  a 
shower  from  every  part  of  his  body.  Having  flirted  off 
most  of  the  moisture,  he  slowly  turned  halfway  round, 
and  surveyed  the  dripping  biped,  as  if  seeking  to  find  out 
whether  he  was  the  young  man  who  was  responsible  for 
this  wholesale  overturning  of  things. 

Meanwhile,  Jud  was  doing  his  utmost  to  get  his  rifle 
in  shape  for  service.  He  gave  as  much  attention  to  the 
stag  as  to  his  weapon.  In  case  the  brute  charged  before 
the  youth  was  ready,  he  meant  to  take  to  tlie  stream 
again,  for  he  had  already  proven  that  he  was  safe  there. 

The  cartridges  had  kept  dry  in  their  waterproof 
chamber,  and  the  slight  disarrangement  was  quickly 
made  right.  The  barrel  was  freed  from  most  of  the 
moisture,  and  the  weapon  was  again  ready  for  service. 
Jud  had  missed  his  two  previous  shots,  but  he  was  con- 
fident it  could  not  happen  again.  The  game  was  now 
his  own. 


26S  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

Possibly  the  stag  could  not  satisfy  himself  as  to  the 
identity  of  the  youth,  for  after  a  prolonged  stare  he 
swung  back  his  head  and  slouched  off  toward  the  woods. 
Jud  raised  his  breech-loader  and  took  careful  aim  at  the 
head  held  so  proudly  aloft.  The  finger  was  pressing  the 
trigger,  when  the  rifle  was  lowered  again. 

'^  We'll  call  it  square;  you've  saved  your  life;  you 
in  ay  go;  good-by!'' 


A  STRANGE  CRAFT. 


BY   GEOFFREY    RANDOLPH. 


^^WY  young  friends  Jim  and  Joe  Allison  ar© 
lySj^  emphatic  in  declaring  that  they  will  never, 
^l^i^  never  forget  their  adventure  in  Florida  last 
summer.  When  you  come  to  learn  the  par- 
ticulars, I  am  sure  you  will  take  the  same  view  of  it  that 
they  do. 

Jim  and  Joe  are  brothers,  the  first  sixteen  and  the 
second  fourteen  years  old.  Last  autumn  they  came  to 
the  north  to  attend  school,  and  perhaps  some  of  the 
readers  of  boys'  papers  have  made  their  acquaintance. 
If  so,  you  will  agree  with  me  that  they  are  bright, 
manly  fellows,  who,  if  their  lives  are  spared,  will  become 
useful  and  popular  citizens. 

The  father  of  the  Allison  boys  was  an  oflicer  of  the 
Confederacy.  With  the  wreck  of  a  once  handsome 
fortune,  he  went  back  to  his  old  home  in  Florida,  after 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  *vas  still  a  young  man,  and 
had  been   fortunate  enough   to  go  througli   the  whole 


270  tom  temple'o  career, 

'^  unpleasantness*' without  a  scratch.  He  married  an 
estimable  Jady  from  the  north,  who,  in  addition  to  her 
many  fine  qualities,  had  the  not  objectionable  one  of 
considerable  wealth.  So  it  came  about  that  Colonel 
Allison  bought  a  fine  orange  plantation  in  the  land  of 
flowers,  and  it  was  there  that  his  daughter  and  two  sons 
were  born. 

Like  the  boys  of  the  south  and  west,  Jim  and  Joe 
were  accustomed  to  horses,  guns  and  roughing  it  from 
earliest  boyhood,  though  rather  curiously  neither  of 
them  could  swim  a  stroke.  They  spent  many  an  hour  in 
the  pulseless  pine  forests,  in  the  oozy  swamps  and  the 
dry  barrens,  finding  enjoyment  and  sport  where  you  and 
I  would  see  nothing  but  wretchedness. 

Only  a  few  weeks  before  they  went  to  the  north  they 
engaged  in  the  memorable  hunt  of  which  I  am  going  to 
tell  you.  Suspecting  that  it  would  be  the  last  one  they 
would  be  able  to  have  together  for  a  long  time  (for  they 
were  busy  with  their  preparations  for  leaving  home), 
they  agreed  to  make  it  a  thorough  one  so  far  as  it  was 
in  their  power  to  do  so. 

They  told  their  parents  not  to  be  anxious  if  they  saw 
nothing  of  them  for  two  or  three  days,  for  they  meant 
to  go  a  long  distance  up  the  St.  John's  and  had  resolved 
not  to  come  back  until  they  had  obtained  some  expe- 
rience worth  the  telling. 

An  hour  later  the  boys  had  entered  their  dugout,  in 
which  they  put  up  a  sail,  and  with  a  mild  but  favoring 
breeze  they  moved  at  a  fair  rate  up  the  river,  which  is 
probably   the   most  widely  known  of  any  in  Florida- 


A  STRANGE  CRAFT.  271 

They  were  provided  with  a  substantial  lunch,  for  though 
professional  ^sportsmen  might  have  scorned  to  make  a 
provision  that  implied  their  own  luck  of  skill,  the 
brothers  had  no  compunctions  in  the  matter. 

There  was  nothing  in  the  woods  that  could  take  the 
place  of  Dinah's  corn  cake,  nor  was  there  any  game 
which  the  boys  could  prepare  by  the  camp  fire  to  be 
compared  to  the  cold  roast  chicken  which  the  same 
skillful  cook  took  such  pains  to  make  ready  for  them. 
.So,  in  going  this  long  hunt,  the  boys  did  not  mean  to 
place  any  dependence  on  their  guns  for  food. 

It  was  quite  early  in  the  morning  when  they  started. 
The  St.  John's,  with  its  shores  sometimes  wooded,  and 
often  low  and  marshy,  wound  in  and  out  through  the 
forest,  but  the  current  was  sluggish,  and  it  was  not  a 
difficult  task  to  paddle  the  light  dugout. 

Now  and  than  the  youths  took  a  shot  at  some  of  the 
game  of  which  they  caught  a  glimpse  along  the  shore. 
It  was  not  yet  noon  when  they  met  a  steamer,  whose 
sputtering  wheel  at  the  stern  churned  the  water  into 
muddy  foam,  and  whose  deck  was  filled  with  excursion- 
ists. Many  of  these  waved  their  handkerchiefs  at  the 
boys,  who  returned  the  salute. 

By  and  by  Jim  remarked  that  if  they  meant  to  have  a 
genuine  old-fashioned  hunt,  they  would  have  to  leave 
the  main  river,  where  they  met  too  many  people.  So 
they  turned  up  the  next  tributary  they  saw. 

Jim  used  the  paddle  until  tired,  and  then  Joe  did  the 
same.  By  this  time  it  was  high  noon,  and  observing  a 
small  island  ahead  they  agreed  to  make  a  landing  there 


272  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

and  take  lunch.  They  could  have  done  this  just  as 
well  in  the  boat,  but  they  had  been  in  their  cramped 
posture  so  long  that  they  wanted  to  ''stretch  their 
legs." 

The  island  on  which  they  landed  was  a  small  one, 
being  no  more  than  a  hundred  feet  in  length,  and  its 
widest  portion  was  less  than  half  of  that.  The  middle 
was  perhaps  three  or  four  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
water,  so  that  the  patch  of  land  resembled  one  of  those 
patent  door  mats,  which,  being  raised  in  the  center,  shed 
ail  the  water  that  falls  upon  them. 

There  was  not  a  particle  of  vegetation  on  the  island — 
not  so  much  even  as  a  spear  of  grass.  There  were  a  few 
twigs  and  bits  of  limbs  that  had  floated  down  and  lodged 
against  the  upper  point,  but  altogether  there  was  not  an 
armful. 

It  was  of  no  concern  to  the  boys  that  they  found  this 
strip  of  sand  so  uninviting,  for  they  did  not  mean  to 
stay  there  more  than  an  hour  or  two  at  the  most.  The 
sun  was  hot,  and  they  would  have  enjoyed  the  luxury 
of  stretching  beneath  some  shady  tree;  but  since  that 
was  out  of  the  question  they  did  not  bemoan  it.  The 
umbrella  which  they  had  brought  answered  very  well 
as  a  substitute.  Its  long  handle  was  jammed  into  the 
sand  near  the  middle  of  the  island,  and  its  shade  almost 
sheltered  their  bodies. 

Protected  in  this  fashion,  they  brought  forth  their 
big  lunch  basket,  and  fell  to  with  an  appetite  such  as  I 
trust  all  of  you  possess. 

In  making  their  way  to  the  camping  site,  as  it  may 


A  STRANGE  CRAFT.  273 

be  called,  Jim  Allison  carried  the  umbrella  and  lunch 
basket.  More  from  habit  than  anything  else  Joe  brought 
the  rifles  with  him.  He  did  not  dream  that  any  neces- 
sity would  arise  for  their  use,  but  had  some  idea  that  he 
might  lie  under  the  shade  of  his  umbrella,  and  pick  off 
something  in  the  river  or  along  shore. 

The  division  of  the  stream,  produced  originally  by 
the  sandy  bar  or  island,  caused  the  curving  water  to 
wear  away  the  main  shores  on  either  side,  until  the  river 
at  that  portion  took  upon  itself  the  character  of  a  lake 
or  lagoon.  From  the  island  to  either  bank  was  a  dis- 
Unce  of  fully  two  hundred  yards,  so  that  it  would  have 
taken  good  marksmanship  on  the  part  of  the  boys  to 
bring  down  anything  on  the  main  laud. 

One  peculiarity  bad  been  noted  by  both.  The  region 
seemed  to  be  a  favorite  one  with  alligators.  Tliey  could 
be  seen  basking  in  the  sun  along  the  banks,  with  here 
and  there  a  snout  moving  lazily  over  the  water  in  quest 
of  prey.  They  were  not  liable  to  disturb  the  boys  so 
long  as  they  remained  in  the  dugout,  but  if  by  some 
chance  they  should  be  capsized  among  a  school  of  them, 
it  might  have  gone  ill  with  our  young  friends. 

*'  I  think,"  remarked  Jim,  speaking  as  well  as  he 
could  with  his  mouth  full  of  corn  cake,  "that  after 
ascending  a  few  miles  further  we'll  land  and  take  to 
the  woods." 

"  Not  a  bad  idea,"  spluttered  Joe,  from  behind  the 
cold  chicken  that  threatened  to  suffocate  him;  "  we  can 
build  a  fire  and  sleep  in  the  woods  to-night;  then  we'll 
have  all  day  to-morrow  for  the  hunt,  and  can  go  home 
the  next  day." 


274  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

''Yes;  there  isn't  much  in  this  sort  of  business;  we 
must  liave  a  time  that  we  can  tell  the  boys  about  when 
we  go  up  north." 

Just  then  the  speaker  happened  to  look  down  stream, 
and  noticed  a  boat  that  appeared  to  be  approaching. 

"Who  can  that  be?"  he  asked  in  astonishment. 

"My  gracious!  "  gasped  Joe,  leaping  to  his  feet,  "t^ 
is  our  dugout !  " 

Such  was  the  fact.  They  had  left  it  drawn  up  so 
slightly  on  the  shingle,  that  it  had  swung  loose,  and  was 
already  a  hundred  feet  below  the  island. 

The  astounded  lads  looked  in  each  other's  face, 
speechless  for  a  full  minute.  Well  might  they  ask 
ihemselves  what  should  be  done,  for  you  will  bear  in 
mind  that  neither  of  them  knew  how  to  swim,  that  they 
were  in  a  lonely  region  where  they  could  not  be  certain 
of  any  person  passing  for  days  or  weeks,  and  that  there 
was  nothing  on  the  island  from  which  anything  in  the 
nature  of  a  raft  or  float  could  be  constructed. 

The  boys  were  plucky,  ?.nd  had  either  one  of  them 
known  how  to  swim,  he  could  have  helped  the  other  to 
the  main  land,  and  they  would  have  considered  the 
adventure  of  a  nature  that  need  cause  little  misgiving. 
They  concluded  that  the  only  thing  to  be  done  was  to 
fire  their  guns  and  shout,  in  the  faint  hope  of  attracting 
the  attention  of  some  one  within  call. 

Accordingly,  they  discharged  their  rifles,  and  yelled 
and  whistled  until  the  sun  sank  in  the  west,  but  without 
the  slightest  evidence  of  success. 

As  the  day  advanced,  the  alligators  showed  more  signs 


A  STRANG K  CRAFT.  275 

of  life.  They  swam  back  and  forth  in  the  river,  and  at 
one  or  two  points  a  number  engaged  in  a  fierce  fight, 
causing  no  little  splashing  and  turmoil  in  tlie  water. 
Occasionally  one  of  them  would  run  his  hideous  snout 
•vgainst  the  island,  but  they  did  nothing  more  than  stare 
»tc  the  youngsters,  when  they  whirled  about  and  swam 
into  deep  water  again. 

While  the  brothers  had  no  special  fear  of  these  huge 
reptiles,  they  were  not  without  misgiving,  for  they  well 
knew  that  they  occasionally  attacked  persons.  They 
kept  close  watch,  therefore,  and  it  was  well  that  they 
did. 

Just  as  the  sun  was  sinking,  and  while  the  river 
glowed  with  the  yellow,  horizontal  rays,  they  were 
startled  by  the  approach  of  the  largest  alligator  on  which 
they  had  ever  looked.  They  did  not  see  him  until  he 
was  close  to  the  island,  and  indeed  in  the  act  of  leaving 
the  water  and  coming  toward  them.  He  was  fully 
eighteen  feet  long,  and  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  he 
meant  to  attack  the  boys.  His  size,  age,  and  appetite, 
would  not  permit  him  to  stop  at  trifles. 

'*  ril  take  the  right  eye,"  said  Jim. 

"  And  I  the  left,"  said  Joe  in  an  undertone. 

The  boys  had  cast  aside  their  umbrella,  and  kneeling 
on  one  knee  they  took  careful  aim  at  the  monster. 
Like  the  patriots  at  Bunker  Hill,  they  waited  until  they 
saw  the  whites  of  the  enemy's  eyes,  and  then  they  fired 
together. 

The  distance  was  short,  and  the  aim  so  true,  that 
either  bullet  would  have  proved  fatal.     As  it  was,  the 


276  TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER. 

alligator,  with  a  horrible  whiffing  snort,  swuDg  spasmod- 
ically about,  clawed  the  sand  into  showers,  and  then 
died,  as  any  creature  must  whose  brain  has  been  bored 
through  by  two  leaden  pellets. 

That  was  a  dismal  night  to  Jim  and  Joe.  They 
feared  that  the  other  reptiles  would  come  upon  the 
island  to  attack  the  slain  monarch,  in  which  case  they 
were  likely  to  give  some  unpleasant  attention  to  the  boys. 
But  fortunately  the  saurians  did  not  do  so,  and  when 
the  sun  rose  in  the  morning,  matters  may  be  said  to  have 
been  in  statu  quo. 

The  main  suffering  of  the  boys  was  for  water.  They 
had  brought  a  bottle  with  them,  but  that  was  exhausted 
on  the  first  day,  and  they  waited  until  tluey  were  ex- 
tremely thirsty  before  drinking  from  the  muddy  current 
that  swept  sluggishly  by. 

By  noon,  they  began  to  feel  serious  alarm.  They 
had  used  up  nearly  all  their  ammunition,  and  had 
shouted  and  yelled  till  their  heads  ached  and  their  voices 
were  husky.  There  were  no  more  signs  of  any  one  else 
being  in  the  solitude  than  there  would  have  been  in  the 
middle  of  Sahara. 

Disconsolate  Joe  was  leaning  on  his  elbow  under  the 
shade  of  the  umbrella,  wondering  how  many  days  it 
would  be  before  their  parents  would  miss  them,  how 
many  weeks  before  the  party  of  search  would  set  out, 
and  how  many  months  before  their  remains  would  be 
found  bleaching  upon  the  sandy  island — that  is,  provided 
the  alligators  did  not  make  a  feast  upon  them. 

He  happened  to  be  looking  at  the  huge  carcass  of  the 


A  STRANGE  CRAFT.  277 

reptile,  when  he  noticed  that  beneath  the  flaming  heat 
it  was  distended  to  double  its  natural  size.  It  was  a 
frightful  looking  sight  indeed. 

''Jim,"  said  he,  turning  to  his  brother,  ''  that  carcass 
is  swollen  enough  to  float  like  a  cork." 

'*  Let's  try  it  then,"  said  he,  brightening  up;  "  the 
other  alligators  are  asleep,  and  it's  the  best  hour  out  of 
the  twenty-four." 

Inspired  by  the  new  thought,  they  ran  to  the  bloated 
mass  and  made  the  attempt  to  get  it  into  the  water.  It 
was  an  exhausting  task,  and  they  could  not  have  moved 
it  far,  but  by  great  labor  they  succeeded  in  swinging  it 
into  the  current.  It  proved  to  be  wonderfully  buoyant, 
and  when  the  boys  perched  themselves  upon  the  back 
their  combined  weight  did  not  sink  it  more  than  half 
under  water. 

Their  hearts  throbbed  fast  when  they  found  them- 
selves at  last  floating  with  the  current.  They  were  not 
without  dread  that  the  scent  of  the  carcass  would  bring 
others  to  the  spot,  but  the  voyage  of  the  singular  boat 
was  so  quiet  that  the  siesta  of  the  other  alligators  was 
not  disturbed.  They  floated  down  stream  until,  at  a 
bend  in  the  river,  they  swung  so  close  to  land  that  they 
saw  the  water  was  shallow;  and  springing  off  they  waded 
ashore. 

Jim  and  Joe  discovered  nothing  of  their  dugout,  and 
were  obliged  to  make  their  way  down  to  cne  St.  John's, 
where  they  were  fortunate  enough  to  hail  a  passing 
steamer,  which  landed  ^liem  near  their  home. 


A.  L«  Burt's  Catalogue  of  Books  for 
Young  People  by  Popular  Writers,  52- 
58  Duane  Street,  New  York    ^    ^    ^ 


BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Joe's  Luck:    A  Boy's  Adventures  in  California.     By 

Horatio  Algkr,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  Sl.Ou. 

The  story  1b  chock  fall  of  stirring  incidents,  while  the  amusine  situ- 
atlons  are  fnmished  by  Joshua  Bickford,  from  Pumpkin  Hollow,  and  the 
fellow  who  modestly  styles  himself  the  "Rip-tail  Roa-rer,  from  Pike  Co., 
Uissoarl."  Mr.  Alger  never  writes  a  poor  book,  and  "Joe's  Luck"  is  cer« 
tainly  one  of  his  best. 

Tom  the  Bootblack;  or,   The   Koad   to   Success.     By 

HoR.iTio  AliOER,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

A  bright,  enterprising  lad  was  Tom  the  Bootblack.  He  was  not  at  all 
ashamed  of  his  bumble  calling,  though  always  on  the  lookout  to  better 
himself.  The  lad  started  for  Cincinnati  to  look  up  his  heritage.  Mr. 
Grey,  the  uncle,  did  not  hesitate  to  employ  a  rutfian  to  kill  the  lad.  The 
plan  failed,  and  Gilbert  Grey,  once  Tom  the  bootblack,  came  into  a  com- 
fortable fortune.     This   is   one   of   Mr.    Alger's   best   stories. 

Dan  the  Newsboy.    By   Horatio   Alger,   Jr.    12mo, 

cloth,  iHustrated,  price  |1.00. 

Dan  Mordaunt  and  his  mother  live  in  a  poor  tenement,  and  the  lad  Is 
plucklly  trying  to  make  ends  meet  by  selling  papers  in  the  streets  of  New 
York.  A  little  heiress  of  six  years  is  confided  to  the  care  of  the  Mor- 
daunts.  The  child  is  kidnapped  and  Dan  tracks  the  child  to  the  house 
where  she  Is  hidden,  and  rescues  her.  The  wealthy  aunt  of  the  little 
heiress  is  so  delighted  with  Dan's  courage  and  many  good  qualities 
that   she    adopts   him    as   her   heir. 

Tony  the  Hero:     A    Brave    Boy's    Adventure  with  a 

Tramp.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tony,  a  sturdy  bright-eyed  boy  of  fourteen,  is  under  the  control  of 
Rudolph  Rug?,  a  thorough  rascal.  After  much  abuse  Tony  runs  away 
and  gets  a  job  as  stable  boy  iu  a  country  hotel.  Tony  is  heir  to  a 
large  estate.  Rudolph  for  a  consideration  hunts  up  Tony  and  throws 
him  down  a  deep  ueil.  Of  course  Touy  escapes  from  the  fate  provided 
for  him,  and  by  a  brave  act,  a  rich  friend  secures  his  rights  and  Tony 
la    prosperous.     A    very    entertaining    book. 

The  Errand  Boy;  or.  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success. 

By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    12ino,  cloth  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

The  career  of  "The  Errand  Boy"  embraces  the  city  adventures  of  a 
■mart  country  lad.  Philip  was  brought  up  by  a  kind-hearted  innkeeper 
named  Brent.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brent  paved  the  way  for  the  hero's 
subsequent  troubles.  A  retired  merchant  iu  New  York  secures  him  the 
situation   of   errand    boy,    and   thereafter   stands   as   his   friend. 

Tom  Temple's  Career.    By  Horatio  Alger^  Jr.     12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  «1.00. 

Tom  Temple  is  a  bright,  self-reliant  lad.  He  leaves  Plympton  village 
to  seek  work  in  New  York,  whence  he  undertakes  an  important  mission 
to  California.  Some  of  his  adventures  in  the  far  west  are  so  startling  that 
the  reader  will  scarcely  close  the  book  until  the  last  page  shell  have  been 
teached.     The  tale  is  written  in  Mr.  Alger's  most  fascinating  style. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
ooblisber.  A.  L.  BT7BT,   62-58  Duane  Street,   New  York. 


2  A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  TOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS.  ~ 

Prank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Frank  Fowler,  a  poor  boy,  bravely  determines  to  make  a  living  for 
himself  and  his  foster-sister  Grace.  Going  to  New  York  he  obtains  a 
situation  as  cash  boy  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  renders  a  service  to  a 
wealthy  old  gentleman  who  takes  a  fancy  to  the  lad,  and  thereafter 
fae^ps    the    lad    to    gain    success    and    fortune. 

Tom  Thatcher's    Fortune.     By    Horatio    Alger,  Jr. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tom  Thatcher  is  a  brave,  ambitious,  unselfish  boy.  He  supports  hia 
mother  and  sister  on  meagre  wages  earned  as  a  shoe-pegger  in  John 
Simpson's  factory.  Tom  is  discharged  from  the  factory  and  starts  over- 
land for  California,  He  meets  with  many  adventures.  The  story  is  told 
In  a  way  which  has  made  Mr.  Alger's  name  a  household  word  in  so  many 
homes. 

The  Train    Boy.     By    Horatio    Alger,    Jr.     12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Paul  Palmer  was  a  wide-awake  boy  of  sixteen  who  supported  his  mother 
and  sister  by  selling  books  and  papers  on  the  Chicago  and  Milwaukee 
Railroad.  He  detects  a  young  man  in  the  act  of  picking  the  pocket  of  a 
young  lady.  In  a  railway  accident  many  passengers  are  killed,  but  Paul 
is  fortunate  enough  to  assist  a  Chicago  merchant,  who  out  of  gratitude 
takes  him  into  his  employ.  Paul  succeeds  with  tact  and  judgment  and 
is  well  started  on   the   road   to   business  prominence. 

Mark  Mason's  Victory.     The  Trials  and  Triumphs  of 

a  Tele^aph  Boy.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    ISmo,  cloth.  Illustrated,  price 

$1.00, 

Mark  Mason,  the  telegraph  boy,  was  a  sturdy,  honest  lad,  who  plucklly 
won  his  way  to  success  by  his  honest  manly  efforts  under  many  diffi- 
culties. This  story  will  please  the  very  large  class  of  boys  who  regard 
Mr.    Alger  as   a    favorite   author. 

^  Deht  of  Honor.     The  Story  of  Gerald  Lane's  Success 

in  the  Far  West.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price 

?1.00. 

The  story  of  Gerald  Lane  and  the  account  of  the  many  trials  and  dis- 
appointments which  he  passed  through  befoi  he  attained  success,  will 
Interest  all  boys  who  have  read  the  previous  stories  of  this  delightful 
author. 

Ben  Bruce.     Scenes  in  the  Life  of  a  Bowery  Xewsboy. 

By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    12ino,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.0*3. 

Ben  Bruce  was  a  brave,  manly,  generous  boy.  The  story  of  his  efforts, 
and  many  seeming  failures  and  disappointments,  and  his  final  success,  are 
most  interesting  to  all  readers.  The  tale  is  written  in  Mr.  Alger'8 
most  fascinating  style. 

The  Castaways;  or,  On  the  Florida  Eeefs.     By  James 

Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  tale  smacks  of  the  salt  sea.  From  the  moment  that  the  Sea 
Queen  leaves  lower,  _New  York  bay  till  the  breeze  leaves  her  becalmed  off 
±e  coast  of  Florida,  one  can  almost  hear  the  whistle  of  the  wind 
.brough  her  rigging,  the  creak  of  her  straining  cordage  as  she  heels  to 
the  leeward.  The  adventures  of  Ben  Clark,  the  hero  of  the  story  and 
Jake  the  cook,  cannot  fail  to  charm  the  reader.  As  a  writer  for  young 
people    Mr.    Otis   is   a    prime    favorite.  

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUBT,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York.  / 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  3 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Wrecked  on  Spider  Island;  or,  How  Ned  Eogers  Found 

the  Treasuie.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Ned  Rogers,  a  "down-east"  plucky  lad  ships  as  cabin  boy  to  earn 
a  livelihood.  Ned  is  marooned  on  Spider  Island,  and  while  there  dis- 
coyers  a  wreck  submerged  in  the  sand,  and  finds  a  considerable  amount 
of  treasure.  The  capture  of  the  treasure  and  the  incidents  of  the 
'f'oyage  serve  to  make  as  entertaining  a  story  of  sea-life  as  the  most 
captious    boy    could    desire. 

The  Search  for  the  Silver  City:  A  Tale  of  Adventure  in 

Yucatan.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SI  00. 

Two  lads,  Teddy  Wright  and  Neal  Emery,  embark  on  the  steam 
yacht  Day  Dream  for  a  cruise  to  the  tropics.  The  yacht  is  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  then  the  boat  is  cast  upon  the  coast  of  Yucatan.  They 
hear  of  the  wonderful  Silver  City,  of  the  Chan  Santa  Cruz  Indians, 
and  with  the  help  of  a  faithful  Indian  ally  carry  oH  a  number  of  the 
golden  images  from  the  temples.  Pursued  with  relentless  vigor  at  last 
their  escape  is  effected  in  an  astonishing  manner.  The  story  is  so 
full  of  exciting  incidents  that  the  reader  is  quite  carried  away  with 
the   novelty    and    realism   of   the   narrative. 

A    Runaway    Brig;  or,    An    Accidental    Cruise.     By 

James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tills  is  a  sea  tale,  and  the  reader  can  look  out  upon  the  wide  shimmer- 
ing sea  as  it  flashes  back  the  sunlight,  and  imagine  himself  afloat  with 
Harry  Vandyne,  Walter  Morse,  Jim  Libby  and  that  old  shell-back.  Bob 
3race,  on  the  brig  Bonita.  The  beys  discover  a  mysterious  document 
jrhich  enables  them  to  find  a  buried  treasure.  They  are  stranded  on 
an  island  and  at  last  are  rescued  with  the  treasure.  The  boys  are  sure 
to  be  fascinated  with  this  entertaining  story. 

The    Treasure    Finders:     A    Boy's    Adyen* f  ^l^^^^'  ^ 

Nicaragua.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $"   detect      ^S      j^ 
Boy   and   Dean   Coloney,    with   their  guide  Tongla.    leave   t     ^^^  I,'}/- 
indigo   plantation   to   visit   the   wonderful   ruins   of   an   ancien  ^FJ^Jf^"".  father'a 
boys   eagerly    explore   the   temples   of   an   extinct   race   and   di   *^°°T;„  ^^tjf.     Tho 
golden    images   cunningly    hidden    away.     They    escape    with  hh^^''  thrp2 

difficulty.  Eventually  they  reach  safety  with  their  golden  x.  f^f,  ^'"^atefit 
doubt  if  there  ever  was  written  a  more  entertaining  story  ^^  »  th^^-  Wq 
Treasure    Finders."  •  S*    ^^^q    "jyj^^ 

Jack,  the  Hunchback.    A  Story  of  the  Coast  ;yof  u  • 

By  James  Otis.    Price  Sl.OO.  's  ¥        ■^^iQe. 

This  is  the  story  of  a  little  hunchback   who  lived  on  Ca  '^i     p, 
oa   the   coast   of   Maine.     His   trials   and    successes   are   mes.    N/^   iJ;^^^betb 
From  first  to  last  nothing  stays  the  interest  of  the  narrative  ^   f     It  fS^^^iog' 
along  as  on  a  stream  whose  current  varies  in  direction,   biQ.fat  npr,    ^'^  ug 
Its   force.  r         ^^^  •'OSes 

With  Washington  at  Monmouth:   A   Story    I  of  rn, 

Philadelphia   Boys.     By  James  Otis.     12mo,   ornamental   J  cloth      f?"^^^ 
edges,  illustrated,  price  $1.50.  4  o«Wn€ 

Three    Philadelphia    lads   assist   the    American   spies   and 
and    frequent    visits    to    Valley    Forge    in    the    Winter    whily 
occupied    the    city.     The    story    abounds    with    pictures    of/ 
skillfully    drawn,    and    the    glimpses   of   Washington's   sold. ers   '^^k^^/    «fe 
given  shown   that  the   work   has  not   been   hastily   done,   cc  \rithnL^     ^^e 
Biderable    study.     The   story   is   wholesome    and   patriotic  to    tone  ^°^- 

all   of    Mr.    Otis'    works.  '    ^s  a-^ 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receir  ''^  pr^^^~T — 

publisher.  A.  L.   BTJET.  62-58  Duane  Street,   New  Yor'  ^"^  ^r  x'- , 


4:  A.  L.  BUBT^S  BOOKS  ^OR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  boys! 

With  Lafayette  at  Yorktown:  A  Story  of  How  Two 

Boys  Joined  the  Continental  Army.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  ornamental 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  illustrated,  price  $1,50. 

Two  lads  from  Portm«uth,  N.  H.,  attempt  to  enlist  In  the  Colonial 
Army,  aud  are  given  employment  as  spies.  There  Is  no  lack  of  exciting 
Incidents  which  the  youthful  reader  craves,  but  it  is  healthful  excite- 
ment brimming  with  facts  which  every  boy  should  be  familiar  with, 
and  while  the  reader  is  following  the  adventures  of  Ben  JaCfrays  and 
Ned  Allen  he  Is  acquiring  a  fund  of  historical  lore  which  will  remain 
In  his  memory  long  after  that  which  he  has  memorized  from  text- 
books  has    been    forgotten. 

iAt  the  Siege  of  Havana.    Being  the  Experiences  of 

Three  Boys  Serving  under  Israel  Putnam  in  1762.    By  James  Otis.    12mo, 

ornamental  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illustrated,  price  $1.50. 

**At    the    Siege    of    Havana"    deals    with    that    portion   of    the    Island's 

history    when    the    English    king    captured    the    capital,    thanks    to    the 

assistance  given   by   the  troops  from  New  England,   led  in  part  by  Col. 

Israel    Putnam. 

The  principal  characters  are  Darius  Lunt,  the  lad  who,  represented  as 
telling  the  story,  and  his  comrades,  Robert  Clement  and  Nicholas 
Vallet.  Colonel  Putnam  also  figures  to  considerable  extent,  necessarily. 
In  the  tale,  and  the  whole  forms  one  of  the  most  readable  stories  founded  on 
historical    facts. 

The  Defense  of  Fort  Henry.       A  Story  of  Wheeling 

Creek  in  1777.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine  edges, 
illustrated,  price  $1-50. 

Nowhere  in  the  history  of  our  country  can  be  found  more  heroic  or 
a  Teiegraincidents  than  in  the  story  of  those  brave  men  and  women 
ng  ^1-00.  led  the  settlement  of  Wheeling  in  the  Colony  of  Virginia.  The 
ibtiJ^^^Q^tiC  ^ark  Mas^'hat  Elizabeth  Zane  did  is  in  itself  as  heroic  a  story  as  can 
who^  Q^  jjjg  wi«ed.  The  wondrous  bravery  displayed  by  Major  McCulloch 
^®  vioag^'^  es.  Thllant  comrades,  the  sufferings  of  the  colonists  and  their  sacrifice 
^®a  his  g^  Aiger  id  life,  stir  the  blood  of  old  as  well  as  young  readers. 

ot  to^o^*  ^'  ebt  oture  of  the  Laughing  Mary.     A  Story  of  Three 

r^Q  \j^\  ^Q  Pa.rk  Boys  in  1776.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine 
-K^evf^^    '.      >rice$1.50. 

eA.?^^''^     ^tory  the  British  occupancy  of  New  York,   at  the  outbreak  of  the 

..■r)ur\T<S    Tient.  a  Yankee  lad  hears  of  the  plot  to  take  General  Washington's 

Jl^vitloOt.  all  I   calls   in   two  companions  to   assist   the  patriot  cause.     They 

^  r^oti.   ^^^  .         stonishing    things,    and.     Incidentally,     lay    the    way    for    an 

1^    socae    ''^  ^.-.avy    later,    by    the    exploit    which    gives    its    name    to    the 

kTYiericati  "  UC  otls'    books    are    too    well    known    to    require    any    particular 

^ot\5-    "^^ati^TK^n  to  the  young."— Evening  Post. 

c«^?!r-yiy.^«^rren  at  Bunker  Hill.    A  Story  of  the  Siege  of 

■^itw-        -t-isfiy  James  Otis.     12mo,  ornametnal  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illus- 
Bo8to^-pric^te$1.50. 
trate^i  t*    ^.  |.g^jg  Qf  ^Yie  siege  of  Boston,  which  opens  on  the  day  after 

tirp\ii9  1^   ,   it   Lexington    and   Concord,    with   a   description   of   home   life 

+\\e   doi^^s   v>,jtroduces    the    reader   to   the    British    camp   at    Charlestown, 

<n   Bos^^^'      MVarren   at  home,    describes     what     a     boy     thought     of     the 

ftYioVJS  Geu-      ^j^^r   jjill.    and    closes   with   the   raising   of  the   siege.     The 

VNatt^e       roes,    George    Wentworth,    Ben    Scarlett    and    an    old    ropemakcr, 

+Yircc   ^^^   enc 'tty   ^t   a   young   Tory,    who   causes   them   many   adventures 

\nc«^       %rUl  ^^^  to  read." — Detroit  Free  Press. 

the  hoys 


'  ^0  A^T  ^^  hooksellers,  or  sent  postpaid,  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
For  ^S"i^  ^^  I..  vjST,   52-58  Duane  Street,   New  York. 


puhli 


shet, 


\ 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOE  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  5 


BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

With  the  Swamp  Fox.    The  Story  of  General  Marion's 

Spies.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  deals  with  General  Francis  Marion's  heroic  struggle  in  the 
Carolinas.  General  Marion's  arrival  to  take  command  of  these  brave 
men  and  rough  riders  is  pictured  as  a  boy  might  have  seen  it.  and 
although  the  story  is  devoted  to  what  the  lads  did,  the  Swamp  Fox 
is  ever   present    in    the   mind    of    the   reader. 

On  the  Kentucky  Frontier.     A  Story  of  the  Fighting 

Pioneers  of  the  West.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

In  the  history  of  our  country  there  is  no  more  thrilling  story  than 
that  of  the  work  done  on  the  Mississippi  river  by  a  handful  of  frontiers- 
men. Mr.  Otis  takes  the  reader  on  that  famous  expedition  from  the 
arrival  of  Major  Clarke's  force  at  Corn  Island,  until  Kaskaskia  was 
captured.  He  relates  that  part  of  Simon  Kenton's  life  history  which 
is  not  usually  touched  apon  either  by  the  historian  or  the  story  teller. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  entertaining  books  for  young  people  which  has 
been    published. 

Sarah  Dillard's  Ride.      A   Story  of  South  Carolina  in 

in  1780.    By  James  Otis.    l2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  Si. 00. 

"This  book  deals  with  the  Carolinas  in  1780,  giving  a  wealth  of  detail  of 
the  Mountain  Men  who  struggled  so  valiantly  against  the  king's  troops. 
Major  Ferguson  is  the  prominent  British  oflScer  of  the  story,  which  ia 
told  as  though  coming  from  a  youth  who  experienced  these  adventures. 
In  this  way  the  famous  ride  of  Sarah  Dillard  is  brought  out  as  aa 
incident  of  the  plot." — Boston  Toiimal. 

A  Tory  Plot.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Kill  General 

Washington.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  pi  ice  Si. 00. 

"  'A  Tory  Plot'  is  the  story  of  two  lads  who  overhear  something 
of  the  plot  originated  during  the  Revolution  by  Gov.  Tryon  to  capture 
or  murder  Washington.  They  communicate  their  knowledge  to  Gen. 
Putnam  and  are  commissioned  by  him  to  play  the  role  of  detectives 
in  the  matter.  They  do  so,  and  meet  with  many  adventures  and  hair- 
breadth escapes.  The  boys  are,  of  course,  mythical,  but  they  serve  to  en- 
a*»le  the  author  to  put  Into  very  attractive  shape  much  valuable  knowledge 
concerning  one  phase  of  the  Revolution." — Pittsburgh  Times. 

A  Traitor's  Escape.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Seize 

Benedict  Arnold,    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  is  a  tale  with  stirring  scenes  depicted  in  each  chapter,  bringing 
-'rs—y  before  the  mind  the  glorious  deeds  of  the  early  settlers  in  this 
country.  In  an  historical  work  dealing  with  this  country's  past,  no 
plot  can  hold  the  attention  closer  than  this  one,  which  describes  the 
attempt  and  partial  success  of  Benedict  Arnold's  escape  to  New  York, 
where  he  remained  as  the  guest  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  All  those  who 
actually  figured  in  the  arrest  of  the  traitor,  as  well  as  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, are  Included  as  characters." — Albany  Union. 

A  Cruise  with  Paul  Jones.     A  Story  of  Naval  Warfare 

in  1776.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SI  00. 

"This  story  takes  up  that  portion  of  Paul  Jones'  adventurous  life 
when  he  was  hovering  off  the  British  coast,  watching  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  strike  the  enemy  a  blow.  It  deals  more  particularly  with 
bis  descent  upon  Whitehaven,  the  seizure  of  Lady  Selkirk's  plate,  and 
the  famous  battle  with  the  Drake.  The  boy  who  figures  in  the  tale 
Is  one  who  was  taken  from  a  derelict  by  Paul  Jones  shortly  after  thia, 
particular  cruise  was  begun." — Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  prTce  By  th* 
publisher,  A.  L.   BURT.   62-58  Duane  Street,   New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Corporal  Lige's  Recruit.    A  Story  of  Crown  Point  and 

Ticonderoga.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  ^1,00. 

"In  'Corporal  Lige's  Recruit,'  Mr.  Otis  tells  the  amusing  story  of  an 
old  soldier,  proud  of  his  record,  who  had  served  the  king  in  '58,  and  who 
takes  the  lad,  Isaac  Rice,  as  his  'personal  recruit.'  The  lad  acquits 
himself  superbly.  Col.  Ethan  Allen  'in  the  name  of  God  and  the  con- 
tinental congress,'  infuses  much  martial  spirit  into  the  narrative,  which 
will  arouse  the  keenest  interest  as  it  proceeds.  Crown  Point.  Ticon- 
deroga,  Benedict  Arnold  and  numerous  other  famous  historical  names 
appear  in  this  dramatic  tale." — Boston  Globe. 

Morgan,  tlie  Jersey  Spy.  A  Story  of  the  Siege  of  York- 
town  in  1781.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
"The  two  lads  who  are  utilized  by  the  author  to  emphasize  the  details 
of  the  work  done  during  that  memorable  time  were  real  boys  who  lived 
on  the  banks  of  tbe  York  river,  and  who  aided  the  Jersey  spy  in  his 
dangerous  occupation.  In  the  guise  of  fishermen  the  lads  visit  York- 
town,  are  suspected  of  being  spies,  and  put  under  arrest.  Morgan  risks 
his  life  to  save  them.  The  final  escape,  the  thrilling  encounter  with  a 
squad  of  red  coats,  when  they  are  exposed  equally  to  the  bullets  of 
friends  and  foes,  told  in  a  masterly  fashion,  makes  of  this  volume  one 
of  the  most  entertaining  books  of  the  year." — Inter-Ocean. 

The  Young  Scout:  The  Story  of  a  West  Point  Lieu- 
tenant. By  Edward  S.  Ellis.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
The  crafty  Apache  chief  Geronimo  but  a  few  >ears  ago  was  the 
most  terrible  scourge  of  the  southwest  border.  The  author  has  woven. 
In  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  incidents  of  Geronimo' s  last  raid. 
The  hero  is  Lieutenant  James  Decker,  a  recent  graduate  of  West  Point. 
Ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  the  young  man  takes  many  a  desperatf 
chance  against  the  enemy  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  narrowlj 
escapes  with  his  life.  In  our  opinion  Mr.  Ellis  is  the  best  writer  of 
Indian    stories   now    before    the    public. 

Adrift  in  the  Wilds:  The  Adventures  of  Two  Ship- 
wrecked Boys.  By  Edward  S.  Ellis.  12ino,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
Elwood  Brandon  and  Howard  Lawrence  are  en  route  for  San  Fran- 
cisco. Off  the  coast  of  California  the  steamer  takes  fire.  The  two  boys 
reach  the  shore  with  several  of  the  passengers.  Young  Brandon  be- 
comes separated  from  his  party  and  is  captured  by  hostile  Indians, 
but  is  afterwards  rescued.  This  is  a  very  entertaining  narrative  of 
Southern    California. 

A  Young  Hero;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.     By  Edward  S. 

Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  §1.00. 

This  story  tells  how  a  valuable  solid  silver  service  was  stolen  from 
the  Misses  Perkinpine,  two  very  old  and  simple  minded  ladies.  Fred 
Sheldon,  the  hero  of  this  story,  undertakes  to  discover  the  thieves  and 
have  them  arrested.  After  much  time  spent  in  detective  work,  he 
succeeds  in  discovering  the  silver  plate  and  winning  the  reward.  The 
story  is  told  in  Mr.  Ellis'  most  fascinating  style.  Every  boy  will  be 
glad   to  read  this  delightful   book. 

Lost  in  the  Rockies.     A  Story  of  Adventure  in  the 

Rocky  Mountains.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis.     12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

Incident  succeeds  incident,  and  adventare  is  piled  upon  adventure, 
and  at  the  end  the  reader,  be  he  boy  or  man,  will  have  experienced 
breathless  enjoyment  in  this  romantic  story  describing  many  adventures  iU 

the  Rockies  and  among  tlie   Ii'.dip.ns. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  tbtt 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUST,  52-58  Puane  Street,  New  York- 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  T^ 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS^ 

A  Jaant  Through  Java:     The  Story  of  a  Journey  to 

the  Sacred  Mountain.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 

price  Sl.OO. 

The  interest  of  this  story  is  found  in  the  thrilling  adventures  of 
two  cousins,  Hermon  and  Eustace  Hadley,  on  their  trip  acrosss  the  island 
of  Java,  from  Samarang  to  the  Sacred  Mountain.  In  a  land  where  the 
Boyal  Bengal  tiger,  the  rhinoceros,  and  other  fierce  beasts  are  to  be 
met  with,  it  is  but  natural  that  the  heroes  of  this  book  should  have  a 
lively  experience.     There  is  not  a  dull  page  in  the  book. 

The  Boy  Patriot.     A  Story  of  Jack,  the  Young  Friend 

of  Washington.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illus- 
trated, price  $1.50. 

"There  are  adventures  of  all  kinds  for  the  hero  and  his  friends,  whose 
pluck  and  ingenuity  in  extricating  themselves  from  awkward  fixes  are 
alv/ays  equal  to  the  occasion.  It  is  an  excellent  story  full  of  honest, 
manly,  patriotic  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  hero.  A  very  vivid  description 
of  the  battle  of  Trenton  is  also  found  in  this  story." — Journal  of 
Education. 

A  Yankee  Lad's  Pluck.     How  Bert  Larkin  Saved  his 

Father's  Ranch  in  Porto  Rico.    By  Wm.  P.  Chipman.    12mo,  cloth,  illus- 

tr»  <ed,  price  $1.00. 

"Bert  Larkin,  the  hero  of  the  story,  early  excites  our  admiration, 
and  is  altogether  a  fine  character  such  as  boys  will  delight  in,  whilst 
the  story  of  his  numerous  adventures  is  very  graphically  told.  This 
will,  we  think,  prove  one  of  the  most  popular  boys'  books  this  season." — 
Gazette. 

A  Brave  Defense.     A   Story  of  the  Massacre  at  Fort 

Griswold  in  1781.    By  Willl^m  P.  Chipman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price 

$1.00. 

Perhaps  no  more  gallant  fight  against  fearful  odds  took  place  during 
the  Revolutionary  War  than  that  at  Fort  Griswold,  Groton  Heights,  Conn., 
in  1781.  The  boys  are  real  boys  who  were  actually  on  the  muster  rolls, 
either  at  Fort  Trumbull  on  the  New  London  side,  or  of  Fort  Griswold  on 
the  Groton  side  of  the  Thames.  The  youthful  reader  who  follows  Halsey 
Sanford  and  Levi  Dart  and  Tom  Malleson,  and  their  equally  brave  com- 
rades, through  their  thrilling  adventures  will  be  learning  something  more 
than  historical  facts;  they  will  be  imbibing  lessons  of  fidelity,  of  bravery, 
of  heroism,  and  of  manliness,  which  must  prove  serviceable  in  the  arena 
of  life. 

The  Young  Minuteman.     A  Storj^  of  the  Capture  of 

Gteneral  Prescott  in  1777.    By  William  P.  Chepman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 

price  $1.00. 

This  story  is  based  upon  actual  events  which  occurred  during  the  British 
occupation  of  the  waters  of  Narragansett  Bay.  Darius  Wale  and  William 
Northrop  belong  to  "the  coast  patrol."  The  story  is  a  strong  one,  dealing 
only  with  actual  events.  There  is,  however,  no  lack  of  thrilling  adventure, 
and  every  lad  who  is  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  the  book  will  find  not 
only  that  his  historical  knowledge  is  increased,  but  that  his  own  patriotism 
and  Love  of  country  are  deepened. 

For  the  Temple:     A  Tale  of  the  Fall  of  Jerusalem. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  illustrations  by  S.  J.  Solomon.  12mo,  cloth,  oliArine 
edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Henty 's  graphic  prose  picture  of  the  hopeless  Jewish  resistance 
to  Roman  sway  adds  another  leaf  to  his  record  of  the  famous  wars  of 
the  world.     The  book  is  one  of  Mr.   Henty 's  cleverest  efforts." — Graphic. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,   A.   L.   BURT,   52-58  Duane  Street,   New  York. 


8  A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Boy  Gilbert's  Search:    A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.    By 

Wm.  p.  Chipman.    12ino,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

A  deep  mystery  hangs  over  the  parentage  of  Roy  Gilbert.  He  arranges 
with  two  schoolmates  to  make  a  tour  of  the  Great  Lakes  on  a  steam 
launch.  The  three  boys  visit  many  points  of  interest  on  the  lakes. 
Afterwards  the  lads  rescue  an  elderly  gentleman  and  a  lady  from  a  sink- 
ing yacht.  Later  on  the  boys  narrowly  escape  with  their  lives.  Th© 
hero  is  a  manly,  self-reliant  boy,  whose  adventures  will  be  followed 
with    interest. 

The  Slate  Picker:     The  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the 

Coal  Mines.    By  Harry  Prenticb.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  Is  a  story  of  a  boy's  life  in  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania. 
Ben  Burton,  the  hero,  had  a  hard  road  to  travel,  but  by  grit  and  energy 
he  advanced  step  by  step  until  he  found  himself  called  upon  to  fill  tb« 
position  of  tliief  engineer  of  the  Kohinoor  Coal  Company.  This  is  a 
book  of  extreme  interest  to  every  boy  reader. 

The  Boy  Cruisers;  or,  Paddling  in  Florida.    By  St. 

George  Rathborne.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00 
Andrew  George  and  Rowland  Carter  start  on  a  canoe  trip  along  the 
Gulf  coast,  from  Key  West  to  Tampa,  Florida.  Their  first  adventure 
is  with  a  pair  of  rascals  who  steal  their  boats.  Next  they  run  into 
a  gale  in  the  Gulf.  After  that  they  have  a  lively  time  with  alli- 
gators and  Andrew  gets  into  trouble  with  a  band  of  Seminole  Indians. 
Mr.  Rathborne  knows  just  how  to  interest  the  boys,  and  lads  who  are 
in  search  of  a  rare  treat  will  do  well  to  read  this  entertaining  story. 

Captured  by  Zulus:    A  Story  of  Trapping  in  Africa. 

By  Harry  Prentice.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  details  the  adventures  of  two  lads,  Dick  Elsworth  and  Bob 
Harvc'y,  in  the  wilds  of  South  Africa.  By  stratagem  the  Zulus  capture 
Dick  and  Bob  and  take  them  to  their  principal  kraal  or  village.  The 
lads  escape  death  by  dig  ring  their  way  out  of  the  prison  hut  by  night. 
They  are  pursued,  but  the  Zulus  finally  give  up  pursuit.  Mr.  Prentice 
tells  exactly  how  wild-beast  collectors  secure  specimens  on  their  native 
stamping  grounds,  and  these  descriptions  make  very  entertaining  rending. 

Tom  the  Ready;  or,  Up  from  the  Lowest.     By  Ean* 

DOLFH  Hill.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

TMs  is  a  dramatic  narrative  of  the  unaided  rise  of  a  fearless,  ambi- 
tious boy  from  the  lowest  round  of  fortune's  ladder  to  wealth  and  the 
governorship  of  his  native  State.  Tom  Seacomb  begins  life  with  a  pur^ 
pose,  and  eventually  overcomes  those  who  oppose  him.  How  he  manages 
to  win  the  battle  is  told  by  Mr.  Hill  in  a  masterfrl  way  that  thrills 
the  reader  and  holds  his  attention  and  sympathy  to  the  end. 

Captain  Kidd's  Gold:  The  True  Story  of  an  Adven- 
turous Sailor  Boy.  By  James  Franklin  Fitts.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 
price  $1.00. 

There  is  something  fascinating  to  the  average  youth  in  the  very  idea 
•)f  buried  treasure.  A  vision  arises  before  his  eyes  of  swarthy  Portu- 
guese and  Spanish  rascals,  with  black  beards  and  gleaming  eyes.  There 
P'oro  many  famous  sea  rovers,  but  none  more  celebrated  than  Capt.  Kidd. 
Paul  Jones  Garry  inherits  a  document  which  locates  a  considerable 
■reasure  buried  by  two  of  Kidd's  crew.  The  hero  of  this  book  is  an 
ambitious,  persevering  lad,  of  salt-water  New  England  ancestry,  and  his 
e^orts  to  -eaffh  the  island  and  secure  the  money  form  one  of  the  most 
abrf^rbing    talco    for    our   youth    that    Las    come    from    the    press.  

Fo^  sale  by  aI\  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
i|>nbli8h„r,  A.  X.  WfiT,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  Yorli. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  books  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  9 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

The  Boy  Explorers:     The ■  xVdventures  of  Two  Boys  in 

Alaska.    By  Harry  Prentice.    l2nio,  cloth,  Ulustrated,  price  §1.00. 

Two  boys,  Rayiiiond  and  &;!onctr  Manning,  travf  I  to  Alaska  to  join 
their  father  in  search  of  their  uncle.  On  their  arrival  at  Sitka  the  boys 
with  an  Indian  guide  sot  off  across  the  mountains.  The  trip  is  frau:.;ht 
with  perils  that  test  the  lads'  courar  •  to  the  utmost.  All  through  tlieir 
exciting  adventures  the  lads  denions'.-ate  wliat  can  be  accomplished  by 
pluck  and  resolution,  and  their  eiLperieuce  makes  one  of  the  most  in- 
teresting   tales    ever    written. 

The    Island    Treasure;    or,    Harry    DarreFs    Fortune. 

By  FRA^•K  H.  Converse.    12nio,  cluth,  illustrr.ted,  price  Si -00. 

Harry  Darrel,  having  received  a  nautical  training  on  a  school-ship,  is 
bent  on  going  to  sea.  A  runaway  horse  changes  his  prospects.  Harry 
saves  Dr.  Gregg  from  drowning  and  afterward  becomes  sailing-master 
of  a  ^3loop  yacht.  Mr.  Convers.'a  stories  possess  a  cbarm  of  their  own 
which  is  appreciated  by  lads  who  delight  iu  good  healthy  tales  that 
smack   of  salt   water. 

Guy  Harris:     The  Eunaway.     By  Harry  Castlemon. 

l^iino,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  gl-CO. 

Guy  Harris  lived  in  a  small  city  on  the  shore  of  one  of  the  Great 
Lakes.  He  is  persuaded  to  go  to  sea,  and  gets  a  glimpse  of  the  rough 
side  of  life  in  a  sailor's  boarding  house.  He  ships  on  a  vessel  and  for 
five  months  loads  a  hard  life.  The  book  will  interest  boys  generally 
on  account  of  its  graphic  style.  This  is  one  of  Castlemon's  most  attract- 
ive  stories. 

Julian  Mortimer:     A  Brave  Boy's  Struggle  for  Home 

and  Fortune.    By  Harry  Castlemon.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  ^,1. 

The  scene  of  the  story  lies  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in  the  days 
when  emigrants  made  their  perilous  way  across  the  great  plains  to  the 
land  of  gold.  There  is  an  attack  upon  the  wagon  train  by  a  large  party 
of  Indians.  Our  hero  is  a  'ad  of  uncommon  nerve  and  pluck.  Befriended 
by  a  stalwart  trapper,  a  real  rough  diamond,  our  hero  achieves  the  most 
happy  results. 

By  Pike  and  Dyke:     A  Tale  of  the  Eise  of  the  Dutch 

Republic.    By  G.  A.   Henty.    "With   illustrations   by   Matnard   Bkown. 

12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  SI. 00. 

"Boys  with  a  turn  for  historical  research  will  be  enchanted  with  the 
book,  while  the  rest  who  only  care  for  adventure  will  be  students  in  spite 
of  themselves." — St.    James's  Gazette. 

St.  George  for  England:     A  Tale  of  Cressy  and  Poi- 
tiers.   By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Brownb.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edgres,  price  S^.OO. 

"A  Story  of  very  great  interest  for  boys.  In  his  own  forcible  style 
the  author  has  endeavored  to  show  that  determination  and  enthusiasm 
can  accomplish  marvellous  results;  and  that  courage  is  generally  accom- 
oanled  by  magnanimity  and  gentleness." — Pall  Mall  Gazette. 

OAptain  Bayley's  Heir:     A  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of 

Clifcmia.    By  G.  A.  Kkntt.    Wi  h  illustrations  by  H.  31.  Paget.    12mo» 

clo^h,  olivine  edges,  price  Sl-OO. 

"Ml  Henty  is  careful  to  miigle  instruction  with  entertainment;  and 
the  hui»»orous"  touches,  especially  in  the  sketch  of  John  Holl,  the  West- 
Tuir.ster  lustman,  Dickens  himself  could  hardly  have  eyiell^^d." — Chris- 
tian Leader. ^^ 

For  sale  I's-  f'i\  bi'-kg^ilr-s,  o"  si!  pr-xtr^'i  ^n  \  ceJp*"  <.^f  pnci  by  the 
publisher,   A.   L.   ^UKT.  B2^h  D>MiD-  Stn»«»t,  .V»w  V-rk. 


10        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS^ 

Biidd  Boyd's  Triumph;  or,  The  Bo}^  Firm  of  Fox  Island. 

By  William  P.  Chipman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

The  scene  of  this  story  is  laid  on  tho  unpcr  part  of  Narragansett  Bar, 
and  the  leading  incidents  have  a  strong  salt-water  flavor.  The  two 
toys,  Budd  Boyd  and  Judd  Floyd,  hoi!i<?  aml>itious  and  clear  sight^'d, 
form  a  partnership  to  catch  and  sell  iiah.  Budd's  pluck  and  good  sense 
carry  him  through  many  troubles.  In  following  the  career  of  the  boy 
firm  <-,:  Boyd  &  Floyd,  the  youthful  reader  will  find  a  useful  lesson — 
that  industry  and  perseverance  are  bound  to  lead  to  ultimate  success. 

Lo^t  in  the  Canyon:     Sam  Willett's  Adventures  on  the 

Great  C'olon\do.  By  Alfred  R.  Calhoun.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1, 
This  5-tory  hinges  on  a  fortune  left  to  Sam  Willett.  the  hero,  and  the 
fact  that  it  will  pass  to  a  disreputable  relative  if  the  lad  dies  before 
be  shall  have  reaohed  his  majority.  The  story  of  his  father's  peril  and 
of  Sam's  desperate  trip  down  the  great  canyon  on  a  raft,  and  how  the 
party  finally  escape  from  their  perils  is  described  in  a  graphic  style 
that  stamps  Mr.  Calhoun  as  a  master  of  his  art. 

Captured  by  Apes :      The  Wonderful  Adventures  of  a 

Young  Animal  Trainer.    By  Harry  Prentice.    ISino,  cloth,  illustrated- 

price  $1.00. 

Philip  Garland,  a  young  animal  collector  and  trainer,  sets  sail  for 
Eastern  seas  in  quest  of  a  new  stock  of  living  curiosities.  The  vessel 
is  wrecked  off  the  coast  of  Borneo,  and  young  Garland  is  cast  ashore 
on  a  small  island,  and  cantured  by  the  apes  that  overrun  the  place. 
Very  novel  indeed  is  the  way  by  which  the  young  man  escapes  death. 
Mr.  Prentice  is  a  writer  of  undoubted  skill. 

Under  Brake's  Flag:     A  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main. 

By  G.  A.  Hknty.     With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.     12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"There  is  not  a  dull  chapter,  nor,  indeed,  a  dull  page  in  the  book;  but 
the  author  has  so  carefully  worked  up  his  subject  that  the  exciting 
deeds  of  his  heroes  are  never  incongruous  nor  absurd." — Observer. 

By  Sheer  Pluck:     A  Tale  of  the  Ashanti  War.    By 

G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.00. 

The  author  has  woven,  in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  details 
of  the  Ashanti  campaign,  of  which  he  was  himself  a  witness. 

"Mr.  Henty  keeps  up  his  reputation  as  a  writer  of  boys'  stories.  *By 
Sheer  Pluck'   will  be  eagerly  read." — Athenaeum. 

With  Lee  in  Virginia :     A  Story  of  the  American  Civil 

War.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"One  of  the  best  stories  for  lads  which  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  written. 
The  picture  is  full  of  life  and  color,  and  the  stirring  and  romantic  inci- 
dents are  skillfully  blended  with  the  personal  interest  and  charm  of  the 
story." — Standard. 

By  England's  Aid;  or,  The  Freeing  of  the  Netherlands 

(1585-1604).    ByG.  A.  Henty.   With  illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse.   12mo, 

cloth,  ohvine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"It  Is  an  admirable  book  for  youngsters.  It  overflows  with  stirrinrr 
incident  and  exciting  adventure,  and  the  color  of  the  era  and  of  tL.> 
scene  are  finely  reproduced.  The  illustrations  add  to  its  attractiveness." — 
Boston  Gazette. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BITRT,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURIN'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        H 


BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

By  Right  of  Conquest;  or.    With    Cortez  in    Mexico. 

By  G.    A.    Henty.    "With   illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stagey.    12mo.  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  81.50. 
•'The  conrjuest  of  Mexico  by  a  small  band  of  resolute  men  under  the 
uiaguuiceut  ieaaeiimp  ot  Coi  tez  is  always  lightfully  ranked  among  the  most 
••omantiu  and  daring  exploits  in  history.  'By  Right  of  Conquest*  is  the 
iieaiest  approach  to  a  perfe-.-tly  successful  historical  tale  that  Mr.  Henty 
has  yet  published."— Academy. 

For  K'ame  and  Fame;   or,   Through  Afghan  Passes. 

By  G.  A   Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  eages,  price  $1 .00. 

"Not  only  a  roisiag  story,  replete  with  all  the  varied  forms  of  excite- 
ment of  a  campaign,  but,  what  is  still  more  useful,  an  account  of  a 
territory  and  its  inhabUants  wh^ch  must  for  a  long  time  possess  a  supreme 
interest  fur  Englishmen,  as  being  the  key  to  our  inUiau  Lmpire."'— 
Glasgow  Herald. 

The  Bravest  of  the  Brave;  or.  With  Peterborough  in 

Spain.    By  G.  A.   Henty.    With  illustrations  by  H.  M.    Paget.    j2mo 

cloth,  oUvine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Hcntr  never  loses  sight  of  the  moral  purpose  of  his  work — to 
enforce  the  doctrine  of  courage  and  truth,  mercy  and  loving  ki  idnesa, 
aa  indispensable  to  the  making  of  a  gentleman.  Boys  will  rea.  'The 
Bravest  ol"  the  Brave'  with  pleasure  and  profit;  of  that  we  are  quite 
sure." — Daily    Telegraph. 

The  Cat  of  Bubastes :  A  Story  of  Ancient  Egypt.     By 

G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  ^1.00. 

"The  story,  from  the  critical  moment  of  the  killing  of  the  sacred  cat 
to  the  perilous  exodus  into  Asia  with  which  it  closes,  is  very  skillfully 
constructed  &n'\  fuU  of  exciting  adventures.  It  is  admirably  illustrated." 
— Saturday  Review. 

iSonnie  Prince  Charlie :    A  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  Cui- 

loden.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Bro'^e.    12mo, 

cloth,  oliWne  edges,  price  Si. 00. 

"Ronald,  the  hero,  is  very  like  the  hero  of  'Quentln  Durward.*  The 
lad's  journey  across  France,  and  his  hairbreadth  escapes,  maLes  up  as 
good  a  narrative  of  the  kind  as  we  have  ever  read.  For  freshness  of 
treatment  and  variety  of  incident  Mr.  Henty  has  surpassed  himself."— 
Spectator. 

With  Clive  in  India;  or,  The  Beginnings  of  an  Empire. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"He  has  taken  a  period  of  Indian  history  of  the  most  vital  impor- 
tance, and  he  has  embroidered  on  the  historical  facts  a  story  which  of 
Itself  is  deeply  interesting.  Young  people  assuredly  will  be  delighted 
with   the   volumt." — Scotsman. 

In  the  Reign  of  Terror:    The  Adventures  of  a  West- 
minster Boy.    By  G.   A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  J.  Schonbero. 
12rao,  cloth,  oUvine  edges,  price  $1.00. 
"Harry  Sandwith,  the  Westminster  boy,   may  fairly    be    said    to    beat 

Mr.    Henty's   record.     His   adventures  will   delight   boys  by   the   audacity 

and  peril  they  depict.     The  story  Is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  best." — Saturday 

Review. 

For  tale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  prlCd  by  the 
publisher.  A.  L.  BUBT,  62-58  DuAne  Street,  New  York. 


12       A.  L.  BURT'S  BOOKS  FOE  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

The  Lion  of  the  North:    A  Tale  of  Gustavus  Adolphns 

and  the  Wars  of  Religion.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  John 

ScHONBERG.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"A  praiseworthy  attempt  to  interest  British  youth  in  the  great  deeds 
of  the  Scotch  Brigade  in  the  wars  of  Gustavus  Adolphus.  Mackey,  Hep- 
burn, and  Munro  live  again  In  Mr.  Henty's  pages,  as  those  deserve  to 
live  whose  disciplined  bands  formed  really  the  germ  of  the  modem 
British  army." — ^Athenaeum. 

The  Dragon  and  the  Raven;    or,   The   Days  of  King 

Alfred.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  C.  J.  Staniland-    12mo. 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  gives  an  account  of  the  fierce  struggle  be- 
tween Saxon  and  Dane  for  supremacy  in  England,  and  presents  a  vivid 
picture  of  the  misery  and  ruin  to  which  the  country  was  reduced  by  the 
ravages  of  the  sea-wolves.  The  story  is  treated  in  a  manner  most  at- 
tractive to  the  boyish  reader." — ^Athenaeum. 

The  Young  Carthaginian:     A  Story  of  the  Times  of 

Hannibal.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  C.  J.  Staniland.  12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Well  constructed  and  vividly  told.  From  first  to  last  nothing  stayg 
the  interest  of  the  narrative.  It  bears  us  along  as  on  a  stream  whose 
current  varies  in  direction,  but  never  loses  its  force.** — Saturday  Review. 

In  Freedom's  Cause:     A  Story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Bkowne.    13mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"It  is  written  in  the  author's  best  style.  Full  of  the  wildest  and  most 
remarkable  achievements,  it  is  a  tale  of  great  interest,  which  a  boy,  once 
he  has  begun  it,  will  not  willingly  put  one  side." — The  Schoolmaster. 

With  Wolfe  in  Canada;  or,  The  Winning  of  a  Con- 
tinent. By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  illustrations  by  GtORDOn  Browne.  12mo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"A  model  of  what  a  boys'  story-book  should  be.  Mr.  Henty  has  a 
great  power  of  infusing  into  the  dead  facts  of  history  new  life,  and  as 
no  pains  are  spared  by  him  to  ensure  accuracy  In  historic  details,  Us 
books  supply  useful  aids  to  study  as  well  as  amusement." — School  Guard- 
ian. 

True  to  the  Old  Flag :    A  Tale  of  the  American  War  of 

Independence.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne, 

12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Does  justice  to  the  pluck  and  determination  of  the  British  soUders 
during  the  unfortunate  struggle  against  American  emancipation.  The  son 
of  an  American  loyalist,  who  remains  true  to  our  flag,  falls  among  the 
hostile  red-skins  in  that  very  Huron  country  which  has  been  endeared 
to  us  by   the   exploits  of  Hawkeye   and  Chingachgook." — The  Times. 

A  Final  Reckoning:     A    Tale  of  Bush   Life  in  Aus- 
tralia.   By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  W.  B.  Wollen.    12mo 
cloti,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00 
"All  boys  will  read  this  story  with  eager  and  unflagging  interest.    The 

episodes  are  in   Mr.    Henty's  very   best  vein— graphic,    exciting,   realistic; 

and,  as  in  all  Mr.  Henty's  books,  the  tendency  is  to  the  formation  of  an 

honorable,    manly,    and    even    heroic    character." — Birmingham   Post. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  ths 
publisher,  A.  L.  BURT,  62-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


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