Jr. Horatio Alger

“ When threatening the farmer he had covered him with his revolver, but as he was preparing to leave the buggy he carelessly lowered it. Luke, who was aching to attack him, noticed this.
While Fox, for it was one of the notorious brothers, was standing in careless security, the Quaker sprang upon him like a panther upon his prey. He knocked the revolver from his hand, with one powerful blow felled him to the ground, and placed his foot upon his prostrate form.
Never, perhaps, in a career crowded with exciting adventures had the outlaw been so thoroughly surprised. ”

“ Ernest, what shall I do with this fellow? Shall I shoot him?” and Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver, which he handled in a significant way.
“Don’t shoot! Spare my life, Mr. Robbins!” cried the tramp in great alarm.
“Humph! I don’t see the good. Your life is of no value to the world.”
“Let him go, Luke,” said Ernest, “but tell him to clear out of this neighborhood.”
“It is treating him too well. Still, I will do as you say. Hark, you fellow, what is your name?”
“Tom Burns.”
“You are a disgrace to the name of Burns. If I spare your life will you leave this neighborhood and never come back?” ”

“ I have been a bad man, but it is not too late to reform. If you’ll let me go I will leave Oreville to-night, and I will never trouble you again.”
“It isn’t me you have troubled. It is the boy. You robbed him, or tried to do it, at Oak Forks, and now you have turned up here.”
“I didn’t know he was here.”
“You didn’t know I was here, or I think you would have given the place a wide berth.”
“I am very sorry for what I did, and if you’ll only spare my life, I’ll promise to reform.”
“I haven’t much faith in your promises, but I’ll leave it to the boy. Ernest, what shall I do with this man?” ”

“ It stimulated his desire to indulge his craving for drink. As Ernest, with the bottle in his hand, prepared to leave, the tramp addressed him.
“Say, young feller, ain’t you goin’ to shout?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ain’t you goin’ to treat me and this gentleman?” indicating Luke Robbins.
“No,” answered Ernest shortly. “I don’t buy it as drink, but as medicine.”
“I need medicine,” urged the tramp, with a smile.
“I don’t,” said the hunter. “Don’t you bother about us, my boy. If we want whisky we can buy it ourselves.” ”

“ Stephen Ray’s countenance changed. He began to fear that Bolton had found Ernest.
“When I was here last year you told me that Dudley Ray’s son, Ernest, was dead.”
“Yes, he died in Alabama.”
“When I was here before you told me he died in Georgia.”
“I believe it was Georgia,” said Stephen Ray, disconcerted.
“You will be glad to hear that it is a mistake—about the death, I mean. He is as much alive as you are.”
“Mr. Bolton,” said Ray angrily, “you are trying to impose upon me. The boy is dead, I tell you.” ”

“ There was a brief struggle, but a boy, even a strong boy, was no match for a man taller and heavier than himself. The gold pieces were snatched from him, and the tramp, releasing his hold, was about to make off in triumph when he found himself seized in turn.
“Why, you contemptible thief!” exclaimed Luke Robbins—for it was he whose opportune coming had saved Ernest from being plundered. “Are you trying to rob the boy?” ”

“ He came to a cabin standing by itself, at a considerable distance from the homes of the other miners. Sitting in front of it was a man with grizzled beard whose appearance indicated advanced age. There were lines upon his face that betrayed ill health.
“I wonder if anything can be got out of him,” thought Tom Burns. “I’ll see.”
“Good-day, sir,” he said, affably.
The old man looked up.
“Good-day,” he replied. “Who may you be?”
“I’m an unfortunate man, in search of employment.”
“When people are unfortunate there is generally a reason for it. Are you intemperate?” ”

“ When breakfast was over there was the long day before them to be filled up in some way.
“Don’t you ever wish to go out of the cave, Frank?” asked Ernest.
“Where?” asked the little boy.
“Into the bright sunshine, out on the green grass and under the trees.”
“Yes, I think I should like it,” answered Frank thoughtfully. “But papa does not want me to go. I don’t know why. Do many little boys live in caves like me?” ”

“ I have a cousin of my father’s living in New York State. He is a rich man. He inherited the property that ought to have gone to my father.”
“How did that happen?”
“He prejudiced my grandfather against my father, and so the estate was willed to him.”
“The mean scoundrel!” exclaimed Luke indignantly. “I’d like to have him in my hands for a few minutes; I’d give him a lesson.”
“I should pity him if ever you got hold of him, Luke,” said Joe Marks. “But we must consider what we can do for the boy.”
“I wish we could get hold of that thief of a tramp!” ”

“ Stephen Ray looked uneasy. The lawyer might suggest doubts as to the truth of his story concerning Ernest’s decease.
“That would be very foolish,” he said.
“Would it? Then perhaps you can suggest a better course.”
“You are a man of education and have been a lawyer yourself. Get a place in the office of some attorney and earn an honest living.”
“You see how I am dressed. Who would employ me in this garb?”
“There is something in what you say. I feel for you, Bolton. Changed as you are, you were once a friend. ”

“ Is that all that your uncle left?”
“I think so. He said nothing about having more.”
“It isn’t much to begin the world with. I wish for your sake, boy, that I had some to give you, but I never knew how to get together money.”
“I guess it will do, Luke. I have health and strength. I think I can make my way.”
“But you have no trade.”
“Have you?”
“No, Ernest. You’ve got me there. I am only a hunter, but I don’t make much of a living. I don’t recommend you to follow in my steps.”
“One thing is certain, Luke. I must get away from here. There is nothing I can do in Oak Forks.” ”

“ The money was paid him, and then he lingered a moment, ill at ease.
“I don’t like to have so much money about me,” he said in a tone that betrayed anxiety.
“No doubt you will find plenty who would be willing to relieve you of it,” rejoined the paying teller, with a smile.
“That’s what I am afraid of. They do say that the Fox brothers have been seen not far away.”
“Is it absolutely necessary that you should have the money in your possession? You could leave it in the bank, or most of it.”
“I shall want to use some of it to-morrow, and I live ten miles away—in Claremont.” ”

“ You shall lie there forever for your cowardice in attacking a woman!”
“I would rather it had been you!” said John Fox bitterly. 59
“You are safe in attacking a woman,” said the detective in scornful sarcasm.
The outlaw was stung by his assailant’s scorn.
“I have attacked many better men than you,” he replied, “and some have not lived to tell the tale!”
“So you own up to being a murderer? I am ready to believe you. I have a great mind to shoot you where you lie!” and Luke pointed his revolver at the prostrate outlaw. ”

“ Nothing could have pleased Ernest better than to travel with Luke Robbins. He felt that he should be safe with the sturdy hunter, who was strong, resolute and reliable.
True he was not a man who had succeeded as man reckons success. ”

“ In the room used by the outlaw as a sitting-room he might be able to find what he needed. But he could not remove anything without being detected, and should he return there he would possibly find Frank awake, which would spoil all.
It looked as if he would have to give up the chance that had come to him. In thoughtful mood he walked slowly back. All at once an idea struck him. In the room where the trunks and boxes were stored he had seen a long rope. Could he do anything with it?
Looking up at the aperture he noticed a jagged projection on one side. ”

“ You hadn’t no objections, I reckon?”
“I hadn’t the money,” said the tramp sadly. “I’ve never had much money. I ain’t lucky.”
“If you had more money, you might not be living now. You’d have drunk yourself to death.”
“If I ever do commit suicide, that’s the way I’d like to die,” said the tramp.
Joe filled the bottle from a keg behind the counter and handed it to Ernest. The aroma of the whisky was diffused about the store, and the tramp sniffed it eagerly. ”

“ I cannot refuse the request of a dying man.” Ernest brought Frank to the bedside of his dying uncle. It was a sad interview. Frank was moved, but John Fox, seeing him strong, handsome, robust, felt comforted.
“He at least has profited by the fate that overtook his father and myself. I shall die content, for I leave him in good hands. Don’t let him think too hardly of us!”
“I will not. So far as I can compass it, his future life shall be happy.”
The dying outlaw reached out his hand and pressed Ernest’s gratefully. ”

“ JOE MARKS,
Groceries and Family Supplies.
Joe stood behind the counter; there were two other men in the store, one tall, gaunt, of the average Western type, with a broad-brimmed soft felt hat on his head and the costume of a hunter; he looked rough, but honest and reliable, that was more than could be said of the other. He may best be described as a tramp, a man who looked averse to labor of any kind, a man without a settled business or home, who cared less for food than drink, and whose mottled face indicated frequent potations of whisky.
Ernest looked at this man as he entered. ”

“ Whatever befalls me I want him cared for. You are scarcely more than a stranger to me, but when you were in the cave you seemed to love Frank. Poor boy, he will stand in need of some friend who loves him. So far as you can, will you be his friend and guardian? He has some property—a few thousand dollars—which you will hold in trust for him. It is not stolen property. It was left him by his mother.
Call upon Mr. Samuel Hardy, a lawyer in Lee’s Falls, and he will make over to you the custody of the money, and look upon you as the authorized guardian of Frank. ”

“ Luke Robbins eyed them thoughtfully.
“I have an idea,” he said. “Let the outlaw lie there and one of us can occupy the bed. Then he won’t be able to try any of his tricks.”
“I would rather not sleep there,” observed the farmer nervously. “I couldn’t sleep in the same room with one of the Fox brothers.”
“Then if you couldn’t sleep there you are just the man we want. You will always be on the watch and can frustrate any attempt to escape.”
“No, no,” said Ezekiel Mason hurriedly. “Kate could not close her eyes if she thought I were alone with John Fox.” ”

“ It isn’t so lonely for me. Before I had only Juba.”
“Wouldn’t she play with you?” asked Ernest with a smile.
“Juba is too old to play. I hope you will stay with me a good while.”
Ernest could not echo this wish, so he answered evasively:
“I can’t tell yet how long I shall stay. But the time will come when you will leave the cave and live like other little boys in a house.”
“Did papa tell you that?”
“He told me that he should send you to school before long.”
“What is a school like?” asked the little boy anxiously.
“There will be a good many boys, some older, some younger than yourself. ”

“ Stephen Ray looked at the register, and started violently as he read the entry:
“Ernest Ray, Oreville, California.”
“What’s the matter, pa?” asked Clarence, noticing his father’s agitation.
“Oh, nothing, nothing,” answered his father with an effort.
“Haven’t we a cousin named Ernest Ray?”
“We had, but he is dead.”
“It is strange that there should be another person of the name.”
“Not at all. The world is large, and there are a good many persons of one name.” ”

“ ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S RESIDENCE AT SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
54
“I regret to learn that you have resolved not to return to Illinois. I shall be very lonesome without you. How miserably things seem to be arranged in this world! If we have no friends we have no pleasure; and if we have them, we are sure to lose them, and be doubly pained by the loss. ”

“ Ernest took from his pocket a five-dollar gold piece, and offered it to the tramp.
“That is more than I would do for him,” said Luke.
“It is more than I deserve,” replied Burns, “but you won’t be sorry for your kindness. If ever you see me again, I shall be a different man.”
He passed out of the window, and they saw him no more.
Luke and Ernest said very little of their night’s adventure, but the gold watch and the Mexican dollar were returned to the man from whom they had been taken. ”

“ Next he looked at the tramp, to note if he were armed. To his relief, Burns did not appear to have any weapon with him.
“I won’t give up the money to a thief!” he said boldly. 28
As he spoke he turned and ran as fast as he was able.
Winged with fear of losing his gold, Ernest flew rather than ran, not heeding the direction he was taking. The tramp accepted the challenge and put forth his utmost speed in the hope of overtaking him.
“You’ll pay for this, boy!” he growled.
But Ernest did not mean to be caught. Being a fast runner for a boy of his size, he bade fair to outdistance his pursuer. ”

“ He never thought of the ill-looking tramp he had met in Joe Marks’s store.
Ten dollars was a considerable loss to him, for he had estimated that it would defray the expenses of old Peter’s interment. It was not so bad as it might have been, for the hundred dollars of which Peter had told him were still safe.
“When I get that I must be careful,” he said to himself.
Though his rest had been disturbed, he felt ready to get up. There was work for him to do. He must arrange for the burial of the old man with whom he had lived so long, the only friend he felt he could claim. ”