Jr. Horatio Alger

“ CHAPTER XXXV. PROFESSOR PUFFER’S DECLINE AND FALL. “Bernard,” said Walter Cunningham, as they sat together in a handsome apartment at the Brevoort House, “I feel that I have not done as well by you as I should.”
“You have been a kind friend to me, Mr. Cunningham. I have lacked for nothing since I have been with you. I think you do yourself injustice.”
“That is true, but suppose anything should happen to me, how would you fare?”
“We won’t think of that, Walter. You are a young man. You are likely to live for many years.” ”

“ Bernard was not quite withered by the professor’s disdainful tone. Secure in the attachment of Walter Cunningham, all fear of his quondam guardian had disappeared.
“You forget, Professor Puffer, that I was your companion,” he said with a smile. “If I was fit to be your companion, I am certainly fit to be his.”
“You were not my companion. You were my ward. You are my ward still, and when I leave this place you must go too.”
“Would you take away Mr. Cunningham’s traveling companion?”
“He will have no trouble in obtaining a better one. But I don’t believe you have been engaged. ”

“ Barclay. “Great is the power of money!”
It is not necessary to follow Bernard further. He is at present connected with Princeton College, and I hear is the captain of the football team. When he has completed his education he will make a tour round the world with Mr. Cunningham. Even Professor Snowdon does not now call him a bad lot, but speaks of him with pride as “my distinguished and favorite pupil.”
“I wonder if the professor remembers when he chased me through the barn with a horsewhip,” Bernard says to himself, with a smile. “I wasn’t his favorite pupil then.” ”

“ He was as straight and honorable a man as ever lived.”
“I am proud to hear you say so,” said Bernard, flushing with pleasure.
“I may be a little hasty, but I can’t help feeling that in some way Mr. McCracken has wronged you.”
“In what way, sir?”
“I think he has not accounted to you for property your father placed in his hands.”
“The same thought came into my mind, Mr. Franklin, but I did not wish to suspect my guardian, with nothing to go upon.”
“He seems to be just the man to cheat an orphan. A man who is dishonest in one way is likely to be dishonest in another.” ”

“ Do you wish to put yourself under my charge? In that case I will send you to Professor Snowdon.”
“No, thank you. I can take care of myself.”
“I am willing. In that case I will bid you good morning. I am busy,” and Mr. McCracken made a motion to return to his writing.
“You asked me if I had any business with you. I have,” continued Bernard. “I wish you to give up the fortune my father left in your charge for me.”
“You lie! There was no such fortune. Some one has been deceiving you. Perhaps it is that arrant liar, Ezra Puffer.” ”

“ I know plenty of men in Omaha that wouldn’t be worth a hundred dollars if their debts were paid. As to my friend here being a rich milord, I don’t know but he is. I am not a milord at all, but only a plain American citizen.”
“I am not a milord,” said Walter Cunningham, smiling. “However, I am aware that in Italy every Englishman who has money enough to travel is supposed to be a lord, just as every American is called rich.”
“They don’t say anything about me,” said Bernard. “I wonder whether they take me to be rich or a milord?” ”

“ By this time James Roque had risen from his recumbent position.
“Dr. Brown and Dr. Jones,” he exclaimed in a passion, “are we to be worsted by a single man? Seize William Penrose.”
“Excuse me!” said Dr. Brown, rubbing his shins.
“And me, too!” added Dr. Jones, with an apprehensive look at Joshua Stackpole.
“Sir,” said James Roque, addressing Mr. Snowdon, “as I can get no help from these cowards, will you lend me your co-operation?”
“I wish you success, sir,” replied Snowdon hurriedly, “but I ought to return to Snowdon Institute, where my presence is imperatively required.” ”

“ CHAPTER XXXVIII. CONCLUSION. When Bernard left the cars and stepped on the platform of the Doncaster station, he saw Freedom Wentworth preparing to drive away on a store wagon. “Give me a ride, Freed?” said Bernard.
Freedom Wentworth turned quickly, and seemed at first in doubt. Then he said, as his face lighted up, “Why, it’s Bernard Brooks.”
“The same, Freed. Shall I have the ride?”
“Yes, jump up. Why, you’re looking fine. Where do you want to go?”
“To see my old friend, Professor Snowdon. How is he?”
“He isn’t flourishing. He has lost half his scholars, and looks awfully shabby. ”

“ I inclose two dollars, which Bernard tells me is considerably more than your horse hire cost you.
“Your obedient servant,
“Cornelius McCracken.”
Ezekiel Snowdon read this letter with a perturbed brow.
“Such is gratitude!” he exclaimed, raising his eyes to heaven in protest. “The mental anguish that that boy has cost me ought to count for something. Yet his guardian has sent me a paltry two-dollar bill. Truly the virtuous are persecuted in this world. They must seek their reward in a better sphere.” ”

“ As she was running away Septimus caught sight of her, and his cruel instincts were aroused. He seized a rock and flung it at her. Had it struck the kitten she would have been seriously hurt.
Bernard was fond of pets, and his soul revolted at cruelty in any form.
“I see you can’t be trusted, Septimus,” he said composedly. “Nat, come here and help secure him.”
“What shall I do?” asked Nat.
“Hold his hands.”
Nat Barclay complied with his request, and Bernard taking the cord which Septimus had used on Frank, quickly and securely tied the hands of the young tyrant. ”

“ About a mile beyond they were startled by the sudden appearance of three dark and swarthy Italians, who, darting from a clump of bushes at the wayside, seized one of the horses by the bridle, and pointing pistols at the party, called out in English in a menacing tone, “Money!”
“Well, I’ll be jiggered,” exclaimed the American, “here’s the banditti sure enough!”
Walter Cunningham looked troubled. It was a very disagreeable interruption.
“Look here, gentlemen bandits,” said Amos, “we haven’t any money to spare. We are only poor travelers. You have made a mistake. ”

“ CHAPTER XIII. PROFESSOR PUFFER. Three days later Mr. McCracken said to Bernard at the breakfast table: “Well, I have secured a position for you.”
“Indeed, sir, what is it?” inquired Bernard, with interest. “Is it in the city?”
“No; did you particularly wish to live in the city?”
“No, sir; as long as the position is a good one, and is likely to lead to something, I am not particular.”
“You are a sensible boy. Let me say, then, that my friend Professor Puffer—Ezra Puffer—perhaps you have heard of him—requires a boy of fair education as secretary and literary assistant. ”

“ The bandit did not understand, and merely looked at him gravely.
“It’s too bad,” went on the American, “to leave the world, when a man has made a fortune and is able to enjoy it. Why, I ought to live twenty-five years yet. I am only forty-seven.”
“And I am not yet seventeen,” said Bernard.
“Yes, it’s hard luck for us both. And to think Cunningham has doomed us to all this! I’d like to wring his neck. If I had gone it would have been different.”
Bernard felt too despondent to defend his friend. ”

“ On the first morning after breakfast Bernard asked, as his guardian was starting for his office, “Is there anything you wish me to do?”
“No; you can go about the city and make yourself familiar with it. If I should get you a place here it might be well for you to know your way about the streets.”
“I shall like that.”
“Oh, by the way, have you any money for car fare, or any small expenses?”
“Yes, sir, I have all I shall need for the present.”
Mr. McCracken looked relieved, for he was not a liberal man, and was glad to be freed from the expense of supplying his ward with pocket money. ”

“ Close behind him was Mr. Snowdon. That gentleman felt impelled by the impetus acquired in running to follow Bernard’s example. But the ditch was quite six feet across, and Mr. Snowdon, though not overburdened with flesh, was stiffer in his joints than he had been twenty years before, and this operated against him. Besides, it was slippery where he started to jump, and the result was that he landed in the middle of the ditch where he floundered in the miry water in a woeful condition.
Septimus came up directly, for he was third in the race. ”

“ Besides, they are too near. I will stand my ground. You can get away if you like.”
“No; I will stand by you, Mr. Penrose,” said Bernard firmly.
The two remained seated till the carriage halted in front of the hotel.
“Aha!” said the cousin triumphantly, “we have run our fugitive to earth.”
He jumped out of the carriage, and advanced to the piazza.
“So you are here?” he asked.
“Yes,” answered Penrose calmly.
“You escaped my vigilance, and fled from Buffalo.”
“Stop there, James Roque! You speak as if I were not a free agent.”
“You are not. You are insane, and you know it.” ”

“ He had ridden about two miles when he met an open carriage holding three gentlemen. They stopped their carriage and hailed Mr. Snowdon.
“Have you seen anything of a man about five feet eight inches in height, rather slender,” began one, and continued with an accurate description of Mr. Penrose.
“Is his name Penrose?” asked Ezekiel.
“Yes.”
“What do you want him for?”
“He is crazy. We want to take him to an asylum.”
“He is at the hotel in Poplar Plains,” answered Mr. Snowdon eagerly. “He has abducted a pupil of mine. I will go back with you. We shall get Bernard after all, Septimus.” ”

“ Professor Puffer disappeared rapidly round the corner of Houston Street, and Bernard and Walter Cunningham walked up town to their hotel.
“Things seem to be turning in your favor, Bernard,” said his companion. “The money left by your father will not be of so much consequence to you now, but it will be a satisfaction to wrest it from the hands of your faithless guardian. Professor Puffer will prove to be a good friend to you after all.” ”

“ Bridget was the kitchen drudge. She was rather a stupid girl, who stood in fear of her employer.
They went to the barn together. Mr. Snowdon went up the ladder, whip in hand, Bridget holding the ladder. He mounted the opposite scaffold, and prepared to cross to the other, when Bernard, who had been aroused by the sound of voices, made his appearance, cap in hand, and asked composedly: “What are you after, Mr. Snowdon?” ”

“ Are you employed?” asked the professor, without comment.
“I am, and I am not. I am nominally private secretary to my kind friend, Mr. Walter Cunningham,” said Bernard, with a look at that gentleman.
“The gentleman who advertised in London for a traveling companion?”
“The same.”
“I sought the position. I should have been much better qualified than you,” said the professor peevishly.
“You don’t appear to have prospered,” rejoined Bernard.
“No. Is it not disgraceful that a man of my attainments should fill this ignoble position?” said Professor Puffer bitterly. ”

“ Bridget had fled to the house, and Septimus, who was far from courageous, ran out behind the barn.
“I think the place is too hot to hold me,” thought Bernard, and he struck for the road on a half run.
He had managed to catch up his bundle of clothes when fleeing from the angry teacher, and there was nothing to prevent his bidding a final farewell to the Snowdon Institute.
Meanwhile Professor Snowdon found himself in a quandary. He was in the hay loft, unable to descend to the barn floor.
He could indeed walk across the plank to the opposite scaffold, but that would not help him. ”

“ The interpreter frowned slightly. He began to think Mr. Sanderson “too fresh.”
“You talk too much,” he said curtly. “They have fixed your ransom at five thousand scudi. That is certainly small for such wealthy and illustrious signors.”
“Look here, my friend, five thousand scudi is a great deal of money.”
“Not for millionaires.”
“Who said we were millionaires?”
“All English and American signors are rich.”
“How are we to get the money to pay you? You, or your friends, rather, have taken all we have.”
“You can get some from your bankers in Naples.” ”

“ Cunningham must be insane. Certain no man with his wits about him could make such a foolish selection. Listen to me! I am poor as well as you. I need a new suit of clothes, but I can’t buy it. I have been out of work for three months. Now I am going to ask a favor of you.”
Bernard concluded that the favor was a pecuniary one, and he felt disposed to assist his unfortunate fellow applicant; but he waited to have him explain himself.
“This is the favor I ask,” the young man proceeded. “You will not long retain your position. Mr. Cunningham will discover your incompetency. ”

“ The landlord looked bewildered.
“Is that true?” he repeated doubtfully.
“No, it is a lie. My poor cousin has no property. He is dependent upon me. I am willing to pay his expenses in an asylum, and this is his return.”
“Heaven give me patience!” ejaculated Penrose. “This black villain is lying in an infamous manner. He is himself a man of no means, and wants to get possession of my fortune.”
“Dr. Brown, is this true?” asked James Roque, turning to his subservient tool. ”

“ Bernard looked surprised.
“Surely you don’t think that will ever happen?”
“I am sure of it,” said Amos Sanderson, in a positive tone. “It’s the manifest destiny of the United States to annex the rest of the world. Within fifty years England will form a part of the great American republic.”
“I wonder what Mr. Cunningham would say to that?” ”

“ Stackpole what to do,” thought Bernard. “It is certainly a queer position to be in. I may find it necessary to open the portmanteau, and ascertain the contents.”
He looked around the boat in search of Mr. Stackpole; but the steamer was large and quite crowded. Then there were so many divisions to it that somehow he missed seeing his mining friend. There was nothing now to interfere with his going where he liked, as there was no chance of the young man in the ulster looking for him. ”

“ Wilson,” exclaimed Penrose, “will you stand by and allow such an outrage to be enacted under your own roof?”
“I think you had better go with your cousin,” said the landlord soothingly. “As you are crazy, it will be better for you.”
“But I am not crazy.”
“Undoubtedly the man is crazy,” broke in Mr. Snowdon. “I have had an interview with him in which he claimed to be a former pupil of mine, and told an absurd story of my being ridden on a rail.”
“I see you are a sensible man,” said James Roque. “I might have known as much from your intelligent appearance.” ”

“ Penrose?”
“Not often, but I have been subject occasionally to fits since I was a boy. My cousin cunningly waited till I was suffering an attack, when he hastily summoned two quacks, and got them to certify that I was insane. I got over the fit before the certificate was made out, but I realized my danger, and I fled from Buffalo, fearing that I might be taken to an asylum during the next seizure.”
“What a scoundrel your cousin must be! He must be worse than Mr. Snowdon.” ”

“ However, he was a consul—that is, one of the two rulers or presidents of Rome.”
“I’ll bet he couldn’t talk as well as Joseph L. Higgins, of Omaha. Why, that man can get up in a meeting and talk you deaf, dumb, and blind. The words will flow like a cataract.”
“I don’t think Cicero could talk like that,” said Bernard, smiling, “but I have read some of his orations, and they were very eloquent.”
“I’d like to match Joseph L. Higgins against him. I’d like to hear a specimen of Cicero’s speeches and judge for myself.” ”

“ WANTED—By a young man about to make a voyage for his health, a pleasant traveling companion. Apply, between three and four o’clock this afternoon at Morley’s Hotel, Trafalgar Square.
Walter Cunningham.
“How would that suit you, Bernard?” asked Miss Smith.
“Very well indeed.”
“Then you are not afraid of seasickness?”
“No; in my voyage across the Atlantic I had no trouble in that way. Do you think I shall have any chance of success?”
“I think your appearance would recommend you. The chief obstacle would be your youth. If you were as old as I am—” and she smiled and paused. ”

“ Sanderson. “That’s true, and I’m afraid it’s cheeky in me to ask you to take me, but I feel sort of drawn to you both, particularly to my young countryman, Bernard.”
“Say no more, Mr. Sanderson. We’ll take you with us as far as Capua, at any rate. There, as it is a large and well known place, you will have no difficulty in making other arrangements.”
“Thank you, squire. You’re a gentleman. You’ll find Amos Sanderson a true friend, that’ll stand by you through thick and thin. If we are attacked by bandits, he won’t run away and leave you in the lurch.” ”

“ We have given you seven days to get the money for your ransom, and it is not here. We have no time to waste. What is to be done must be done quickly.”
“There seems no help for it, Bernard,” said the Englishman.
Within five minutes the three captives, with hands tied, were bound to trees, and with blanched faces awaited the fatal volley from the three bandits, who stationed themselves at the distance of twenty paces fronting them. ”

“ Under the circumstances they have no choice but to doom you all to death.”
It was a terrible sentence, and the hearts of the three captives quailed.
“At least spare the boy—spare Bernard,” said Walter Cunningham.
“We can make no exception,” replied the interpreter, after a brief conference with the bandits. “All we can do is to give you the choice of the knife or the pistol.”
“I choose the pistol,” said the Englishman.
“Look here, you are making fools of yourselves,” cried Amos Sanderson. “Send me to Naples, and I will bring back the money. ”

“ They might remember that we are gentlemen.”
Bernard was not as much disturbed by the scanty fare as his companion. True, he would have liked more abundant meals, but he had patience and reflected that the present inconvenience would probably last only a short time. Nevertheless, he and Amos Sanderson counted the days, and every morning said to each other: “One more day is past. It won’t be long before Mr. Cunningham returns, and we are released.” ”