Allen Chapman

“ Kenfield?" asked Mary.
"Yes, almost. I shall want a little help. I must go at once."
"Why—what—are you—I don't understand—" began Ned.
"Of course, just like women, to begin at the wrong end," said Mrs. Kenfield, and Ned's heart beat fast. He wondered if his aunt was going to reproach him for bringing disgrace on the family. He thought she would have to flee the city too, in order to avoid arrest. How he wished his uncle was at home to advise and help them.
"Do you have to go, aunt?" he asked. "Can't I let 'em take me? I don't mind."
"No, it's very good of you to offer, Ned. But I must go. ”

“ Wilding's embrace, while the tears, which he did not try to conceal, streamed down his face.
"Hurrah!" fairly yelled William. "We've found him!" and he began dancing around the room.
At the sound of William's cry Ned looked up and saw his chums.
"Why—why—where did you all come from?" he asked.
"We came after you," replied Bart, "and a fine chase you led us. Where in the world have you been, Ned? "
"Here! What's all this row about in my place?" asked Cassidy, hurrying up from the rear of the resort. "You people have no right in here."
"Easy, Cassidy," advised the detective. ”

“ He and the others were standing behind Bart, and could not get a fair aim at the turkeys, as the trail was a narrow one and Bart occupied the most of it.
The whisper, as it was, gave the alarm to the easily frightened birds. The gobbler raised its head and sounded one note of warning. But Bart shot at the instant. The flock scattered in all directions and the other boys fired wildly in the hope of getting a bird.
When the smoke had blown away the chums peered eagerly forward, expecting to see at least four turkeys lying on the snow-covered ground. ”

“ It was a crisp November day, with a suggestion of more cold to come, and the first few flakes had been followed by others while the boys waited until Bart, whose hand was almost well again, got the runners from the cellar.
"Looks as if we'd have quite a storm," remarked Jim Dodd, the driver of the express wagon, whom the boys had hired to take their stuff to a point about two miles inside the woods. The road, which was made by lumbermen, came to an end there. "Yes sir," Jim went on, "it's goin' t' be a good storm. You boys better stay home."
"Not much!" cried Ned. "A storm is what we want." ”

“ But the boys and girls who crowded into the school auditorium did not mind this. It only made their cheeks redder, and though the wind did toss and tumble the hair of the girls it only caused them to look all the prettier, at least so Fenn thought, and he ought to know.
"B-r-r-r! It's a regular hurricane!" exclaimed Bart as he and Alice entered the hall, where they found a number of their friends. The entertainment had not yet begun.
"It must be getting colder," observed Ned.
"What makes you thing so?" asked Bart.
"Your nose is as red as a beet."
"It feels half frozen," Bart answered. ”

“ Stumbling through the snow drifts the three chums bore the half-unconscious boy they had picked up in the snow bank. They went as quickly as they could, for they knew the need of haste in the case of a person who had been exposed to the cold and storm.
"I wonder who he is?" said Fenn.
"Whoever he is he's pretty nearly dead," replied Frank. "I hope we're not too late."
As they struggled into the lobby of the hotel with their burden, the night clerk gazed curiously at them.
"What the matter?" he asked.
"Boy almost frozen," replied Bart. "Send for a doctor!" ”

“ Then, as the gale resumed its furious blowing, the audience became fear-crazed and a mad rush ensued.
Women and girls were screaming at the tops of their voices. Men were shouting to one another to know what had happened. Boys were darting here and there seeking a means of escape from what they believed would prove a death-trap. The noise of bricks clattering to the floor could be heard and the school-house seemed, at least to the excited imaginations of some, to be on the point of toppling down.
The four chums, who were seated near each other, had jumped up at the first crash. ”

“ Sandy meant that. He was much softened by what the chums had done.
We'd made up our minds to get square with you," said Bart, as he fastened on his skates. "And I think we did, Sandy," and with that the four chums started off down the river, while Sandy drove the horses up into the road.
"Queer way to get square," murmured Ned. "I'd like to punch his face."
"This was the best way," Bart replied, and, somehow, though perhaps they didn't know just why, the chums agreed with him. ”

“ His three chums heard him as if in a dream, but they comprehended.
"One, two, three!" cried Frank.
Then, above the noise of the gale, above the shrieks of the women and girls, above the hoarse calls of frightened men, arose the yell, given with all the power of the lungs of the four boys:
"Ravabava—Havabava—Hick! Hick! He!
Dabavaba—Nabahaba—Snick! Snack! Snee!
⁠Why do we thus loudly yell? ”

“ In answer to the summons a big man, evidently the night porter or watchman, came shuffling down the corridor.
"What's the trouble, boss?" he asked, and Ned began to believe the man had spoken the truth when he said he was the proprietor of the place.
"Why, here's a kid comes into my room when I'm asleep and takes my cash right from under my pillow. I wake up just in time to see him sneak back into his room and when I get him with the goods on him he has the impudence to deny it. There's part of the cash," and he showed Ned's money, "but I want the rest. Better call a policeman, Bill." ”

“ Perry, telling her of the unexpected finding of her wandering boy, the three chums told the waif their reason for being in New York.
"And you haven't been able to find a trace of Ned, eh?" asked William, musingly.
"Not a trace," replied Frank. "But don't let our troubles worry you. You must get strong and hurry home to your mother."
"Say, let me help you!" exclaimed William eagerly. "Maybe I can pay you back for your kindness. I know New York like a book. ”

“ Ain't any of you going to help a fellow out!" exclaimed Ned, clearing his throat with unnecessary violence. "What I mean is we've got a lot of things to eat, on our sled. We'd be glad to have you—Oh, here! Boys come on out and bring in some of the things!" and before the astonished woman knew what was happening Ned and his chums were out in the snow fairly tearing the things off the sled. In they trooped again, bearing turkeys, rabbits, and a lot of the camp food they had not eaten. ”

“ No sooner had the first cry resounded through the corridor than the hall was swarming with people. Ned found his way blocked, the more effectually when one woman ran to the front door and closed it.
"I've caught you!" she exclaimed. "I'll teach you to rob honest people, even if they are poor!"
"I haven't robbed anybody!" cried Ned, as he saw the throng in front of him, and heard the tramp of many feet in his rear. ”

“ You can go off hunting and enjoy yourself while other folks work. Then because you get lost in the woods you think every one you meet has got to give you a ride. Not much! You can walk to Darewell!" And whipping up his horses Sandy drove on, laughing loudly at the predicament of the chums.
"Might have known better than to ask him," murmured Ned. "Well, fellows, I guess we'll have to walk."
It was easier traveling in the road than through the woods and across the fields, but still it was hard work. However, they managed to get a lift from a farmer when they were within a mile of town. ”

“ Ned reasoned. "Twenty-five cents a night is cheaper than a dollar, and I've got to be saving. I wonder if it's clean? It seems like living in a tenement house, but I s'pose lots of men have to. I'll try it anyhow. If I don't like the looks of it I can leave."
He walked up the stairs. Certainly the place would not have taken a prize for cleanliness but then, Ned reflected, beggars must not be choosers. He emerged into a big room, lighted by several gas jets, and seemingly filled with men in chairs who were lolling about in all sorts of attitudes. ”

“ The snow was coming down faster now, and the wind had increased. It was not very cold, however, and they were warmly dressed so they did not mind it. They had a compass with them, to avoid getting lost, and, confident they would return laden with turkeys or rabbits, they tramped on through the woods.
"Say, fellows! Here's something!" cried Frank suddenly, pointing to some tracks in the snow. His companions ran to where he stood.
"Turkey tracks!" called Bart. "They're leading off into the woods, too! Come on! We'll get some birds now!" ”

“ I think you had better go back home, Ned. You and your friends can come and spend two months here next summer."
"Is Mary going too?" asked Ned.
"Mary is going to stay with some relatives in Long Island until I come back. I have sent a cablegram explaining matters to your uncle and it will be waiting for him when his ship arrives on the other side. Oh, poor dear Jane! I hope her case is not a severe one. It is lucky I know how to nurse. She never could get along without me. I am sorry for you, Ned."
Ned felt sorry for himself but he did not feel like inflicting his own troubles on his aunt. ”

“ Before the boys could say any more the horses had run out on the ice of the river, near the chums. Fortunately it was thick enough to bear the weight of the animals or it might have proved a disastrous runaway. As it was, Sandy, in trying to stop the horses, lost one rein. He pulled sharply on the other and the steeds, obeying it, turned quickly to the left. In an instant the sleigh, with its load of feed, in bags, was overturned on the ice and Sandy was spilled out.
"Quick! Grab the horses!" cried Bart, and the chums were soon at the bridles. ”

“ They looked so good they made Ned's mouth fairly water.
"I'm going to have some," he decided. "It will take fifteen cents, if I get coffee with them, but it's worth it. I'll make this meal do for dinner too. But supper—"
Ned did not dare carry his thoughts further. All he knew was that he was very hungry, and at least he had money enough to pay for a simple meal. Supper must take care of itself.
"Maybe I can get a night's lodging at some free place, and save the rest of my money for supper and breakfast to-morrow," Ned thought to himself as he entered the restaurant. ”

“ The telegram from Ned's father, which the three chums received that Wednesday evening, telling them their friend was not at his home in Darewell, was a great shock to them.
"Why," remarked Bart, as he picked up the message he had dropped, "it hardly seems possible. I wonder where in the world he can be. He starts for home but he never arrives."
"Are we sure he started for home?" asked Frank.
"Why of course," Fenn answered. "Didn't the telegram from Mrs. Kenfield say so?"
"She would hardly know," Frank went on. "Ned's train for Darewell wouldn't leave until four o'clock. ”

“ Something about the lad attracted William's attention.
"I wonder if that's Ned?" he said to himself. "He looks just like the boys told me he would and like that photograph Mr. Wilding had. Still I wouldn't like to make a mistake. I must get closer."
He pretended to be searching for a number on the building, and so approached near to the boy helping unload the crates.
"I'll bet it is Ned," William said to himself with conviction. "I'm going to ask him. He can't any more than say no." ”

“ Too bad!"
"Why need we go back?" asked Frank. "We're here in New York. It may be many years before we have another chance like this. We have enough money to last us a week or more, even if we have to stay at a hotel."
"What do you mean?" asked Fenn.
"Why not spend a week in New York anyhow?" Frank went on. "It's too bad Ned has gone home. He'd stay with us if he was here. We can go to a cheap hotel and have almost as much fun as if we were at Ned's uncle's house. What's the use going right back home?" ”

“ New Yorkers have formed the habit of not taking much interest in affairs that do not concern them directly.
As they were crossing a narrow street in one of the thickly settled tenement districts a horse, attached to a wagon, and rapidly driven, bore down on them. Ned, with the instinct of a quick runner, started to dash ahead. Cassidy, who moved slower, pulled back toward the curb, to let the steed pass. The movement separated Ned from his captor, for Cassidy's hold on the boy's sleeve was broken. Ned was free! ”

“ The day of the Y. M. C. A. entertainment proved to be one of the coldest of the winter. It dawned with a dull leaden sky, filled with lowering clouds, and there was a nip to the air that made thick wraps a necessity. The wind, which had been blowing strongly in the morning, increased in violence as the day advanced until by evening it was blowing half a gale. ”

“ They did not see it again until they were within ten feet of it, and then made out a lonely cabin in the midst of a clearing in the woods. The snow was half way up to the first floor window sills.
"There's some one inside!" shouted Bart, as he saw smoke curling from the chimney. "Knock on the door! I'm half frozen!"
But there was no need to knock. The door was opened and a little girl peered out.
"Can we come in and get warm?" asked Ned. "We're lost in the storm." ”

“ The new-fallen snow deadened their footsteps or they would have frightened all the game within a mile, the way they rushed through the forest. They had never hunted wild turkeys, and did not know what shy birds they are. ”

“ He turned suddenly away so the man could not observe his face. The inspector was talking to a policeman, and Ned overheard the bluecoat ask:
"Have you sent the telegram?"
"Yes, they'll be on the watch for him if he goes back home," was the reply. "They'll nab him as soon as he gets off the train. If he calls for his baggage the agent here will hold him and notify me."
Ned hurried from the depot and ran up the street as if the officer was after him. The last way of escape seemed closed. ”

“ But New York seemed to be overflowing with men and boys on the same errand. Every place where Ned applied, either from seeing a sign "Boy Wanted," or by getting the address from a newspaper he bought, had been taken or else he would not fill the bill. All day long he tramped, spending a few cents for some buns and coffee at a lunch stand. At night, tired and discouraged, he went back to the lodging house where he had last stayed, and again got a fifteen cent bed. ”

“ He finished dressing and went to the window to look out. It was anything but a pleasant day on which to look for work. The wind had blown the snow into big drifts, and the white flakes were still falling. ”

“ His aunt came downstairs at that moment and he decided to make an attempt to gain an idea of how to proceed.
"Do you know anything about stocks, aunt?" asked Ned.
"Stocks? Mercy, no! I leave all that to your uncle. I have trouble enough—"
The door bell rang and Mrs. Kenfield opened it. A boy handed her a telegram. Her hands shook as she opened it.
"Jane is worse," she said as she read the second brief dispatch. "I must hurry off soon. Now Ned, I can't tell you how sorry I am, but you had better arrange to go home at once. I will take the noon train for Chicago. ”

“ Then he went on with his manicuring.
"I must sign my name," thought Ned. "No I can't do that! They might trace me!" He felt the rustle of the stock certificate in his pocket as he took the pen. What was he to do?
"Is it necessary to register?" he asked.
"Course it is," replied the clerk looking at him curiously. "That's the law. Everybody who stops at a hotel has to put their name on the book. What's the matter? You ain't afraid to register, are you? Don't look as though you'd committed a murder or had robbed some one," and the clerk grinned at his joke. ”