Jr. Horatio Alger

“ You might become a bookkeeper."
"Bookkeepers don't earn their salt!" he snapped.
"Some of them earn twenty to forty dollars per week," put in Robert.
"Twenty to forty dollars! Do you suppose I am going to live on a beggarly twenty dollars per week! Perhaps a low-bred boy like you can do it. I am used to something better."
"I am not a low-bred boy," retorted Robert, clenching his fists, at which Frederic Vernon fell back before him. "I consider my breeding as good as yours, perhaps better." ”

“ Arriving in Liverpool Frederic Vernon set about buying such things as he thought he would need on his long ocean trip.
"Will you go along to the shops?" he asked Robert.
"No, I will remain at the hotel," answered our hero.
So Frederic Vernon went off alone. He had no heart to buy what was needed, for the thought of going to Australia was very distasteful to him.
"It won't be like living in Chicago or New York," he thought. "It's beastly uncivilized out there. I wish I could put Frost in my place and stay behind myself." ”

“ Frederic Vernon conducted the examination.
He searched every other place first. Finally he opened a small drawer of the bureau, and uttered an exclamation.
"What is this?" he asked, as he drew out the ring and held it up. "Is this your ring, aunt?"
"Yes," she answered calmly.
"Mrs. Vernon," said Robert, in an agitated tone, "I hope you don't think I had anything to do with taking the ring."
"The case is plain," said Frederic Vernon severely. "You may as well confess, and I will ask my aunt to let you off. Of course she cannot retain you in her employ, but I will ask her not to prosecute you." ”

“ And as I just said, I will not argue the question."
"You--you cast me out?"
"I do."
"But if you do that, what shall I do?"
"Go to work and make a man of yourself. Do that, and perhaps in time I will do something for you."
Frederic Vernon shook his head slowly. Then he faced Robert, and his proud face became black with illy-suppressed rage.
"This is your work, you young rascal----" he began, when his aunt stopped him.
"I will hear no talk like that here, Frederic," she said. "Robert is my best and truest friend, and you must respect him as such." ”

“ Vernon said: "Robert, I will explain what probably mystifies you. I have placed to your credit with Baring Brothers the sum of four hundred pounds. It is at your own control."
Robert looked inexpressibly astonished. He knew that four hundred pounds represented about two thousand dollars in American money.
"What have I done to deserve such liberality?" he asked gratefully.
"You have become the friend that my nephew ought to have been. I am rich, as you are probably aware, and shall be unable to carry my money with me when I die. ”

“ But Sammy Gump remained silent, his face just as sour as before.
"I'm awfully thankful he pulled me out," said Bob Snipper, after Robert had left the vicinity of the dock. "If he hadn't I would have been drowned."
"That's right, Bob," said one of the others.
"Humph!" muttered Sammy. "You are trying to make a regular hero out of him, when he is nothing of the sort." ”

“ Robert's face flushed and his eyes blazed as he faced the bully.
"Do you mean to say that I was going to steal one?" he demanded.
"Never mind what I meant. You leave Jack Salter's boats alone."
"I believe I have as much right here as you."
"Hear him!" sneered several. "Don't the Yankee think he's big!"
"Jack Salter isn't going to let you have any more boats," put in Bob Snipper, who was Sammy Gump's particular toady.
"And why not?"
"Because we told Jack not to," answered Sammy Gump. "We haven't any boats for such fellows as you." ”

“ He was acquainted with Richard Anderson, the president of the Great Lakes Lumber Company, fairly well, and knew him to be a pillar of the church and in sound financial standing.
With proper delicacy the lawyer approached the subject at hand, and Richard Anderson listened in amazement.
"It is absurd to think there is anything wrong with our company, Mr. Farley," said the gentleman, with spirit. "If Mrs. Vernon thinks so all she has to do is to put her stocks on the market, and I will buy them up at two per cent. above par value. How did such a silly rumor ever reach her ears?" ”

“ Robert bowed and left the store. His heart was full of disappointment and bitterness, and he resented the cruel want of consideration shown by the woman who had interfered between him and employment.
In fact, he had but fifteen cents left in his pocketbook. It was time for dinner, and he felt that he must eat. But where his next meal, outside of his boarding house, was to come from, he could not tell.
He was on State Street, and must go to another part of the city to find a cheap restaurant. He chanced to be passing the same store where he had almost suffered arrest. ”

“ Vernon remained for a short time silent and thoughtful. Robert watched her anxiously.
"I hope," he said, "you do not think there is cause for alarm."
"I do not know," she answered. "I am not so much alarmed as disgusted. That my own nephew should enter into such a plot is enough to destroy one's confidence in human nature."
"If my going away would lessen the danger----"
"No; I shall need you more than ever. I am not prepared to say just yet what I shall do, but I shall soon decide. We will stop work for this afternoon. I am going downtown to see my lawyer. I shall not need you till tea-time." ”

“ But I must do my duty to your aunt," concluded Robert, and a minute later bowed himself away.
When our hero was gone Frederic Vernon grated his teeth.
"He's a clever one," he muttered. "But he shan't get the best of me. He knows all of her business, but he intends to keep it to himself. I must watch my chances and see if I cannot overhear what they talk about from time to time. Hang me, if I don't follow him now!"
And putting on his hat, Frederic Vernon did so. He saw Robert enter the garden attached to Mrs. Cabe's place and join Mrs. Vernon in the summerhouse overlooking the broad river. ”

“ Two more days were spent in Oxford, and Robert visited many places of interest, including several famous colleges, the cathedral, and the great library. Then Mrs. Vernon and our hero returned to Chishing.
"I am feeling ever so much better," she declared. "I believe the excitement of the fire and the traveling to Oxford helped me."
"I am glad of it," answered Robert. "But to have a fire to help a sick person is rather costly medicine."
At this Mrs. Vernon laughed outright. "Quite true, Robert, and I want no more fires. But we can travel. How would you like to go to Paris?" ”

“ Vernon. You have given me enough--in fact, more than enough--already."
"You have been like a son to me, Robert. But about Frederic--if he really and truly reforms, I think I will leave him the bulk of my fortune."
"I would not be too hasty. You see, I haven't forgotten the plot he and the doctor hatched against you."
"I will be very careful. I shall watch him for a year, and if during that time he does not reform thoroughly, I shall cut him off with a very small allowance, say a thousand dollars."
"A thousand dollars wouldn't be bad for most young fellows. But to him it will be nothing. ”

“ She must not be allowed to make another.
"I must watch her closely," he told himself. "She frequently goes out driving, and along the cliff back of the town, too. What if some day her team took fright and went over the cliff? I don't believe she would ever live to tell the tale, and the fortune would be mine!"
If Frederic Vernon was bitter against his aunt, he was also bitter against Robert, for he now knew that our hero had exposed the plot to get Mrs. Vernon into an insane asylum.
"He goes driving with her," thought the desperate man. "They can both go over the cliff together!" ”

“ Robert bowed.
"Well, Remington," said Frederic when they emerged into the street. "What do you say?"
"I say that your aunt treated us both with scant courtesy."
"She reserves that for young Frost, her secretary. He is first favorite, and is working to make himself her heir."
"We will put a spoke in his wheel," said the physician. "I shall have no hesitation in giving you a certificate of your aunt's probable insanity." ”

“ Getting behind several other people, he drew close to the youth and saw him send the message and pay a good round price for it.
"That message is going to Chicago, and I know it," he told himself, after following Robert to the road once more. "Now what did it contain? Has my aunt got wind of that forged check already? If so, I must act quickly, or my cake will be dough. Whatever comes, she must never live to alter her will."
All that night he brooded over the way matters had turned. He felt that he would be made a beggar did his aunt discover the forgery. ”

“ As he passed to the dock where boats could be hired, he ran plump into a red-headed boy named Sammy Gump. Sammy was strong and heavy set, and had been the bully of Chishing for several years.
"Hullo, Yankee, where are you going?" he demanded, as he pushed Robert roughly.
"I am going to attend to my own business," replied our hero quietly. "Have you any objection?"
"Dreadful fine clothes you have got; oh, dear!" smirked Sammy. "We are dressed for the ball, we are!" ”

“ In the morning James Talbot was no better, physically, although able to talk a little. From his wife he learned what Robert had done for him.
"He's a good boy," he whispered huskily. "A better boy than I am a man." ”

“ Vernon had come to the door, and Frederic Vernon pushed his way into the room. Robert followed, and at the same time his hand went into his pocket to feel if the pistol Farmer Parsons had surrendered was still where he had placed it.
"Well, aunt, I've heard that you came close to losing your life this noon," began Frederic Vernon.
"It is true," answered Mrs. Vernon coldly.
"You ought not to let that boy drive you out. He might have lost all control and you would have been killed." ”

“ You are a rascal, Vernon, but instead of having you locked up, I am, for your aunt's sake, going to take it out of your hide."
As Richard Anderson concluded he threw back his arm, and down came the lash of the horsewhip across Vernon's shoulder.
"Ouow!" yelled the young man. "Oh, murder! Stop! stop! I'll be cut to pieces!"
Swish! swish! swish! down came the horsewhip again and again, over Vernon's shoulders, his back, around his legs, and one cut took him around the neck and face. The lumber dealer was thoroughly in earnest, and though the young man tried to fight him off it was useless. ”

“ Amberton come out ahead on the deal, for I think he deserves it."
"I know you worked hard enough to get that map for him," said Livingston Palmer, laughing. "Have you ever heard anything more of those two rascals who tried to get the map away from you?"
"No--and I don't want to hear from them. All I want is to be left alone, to make my own way in the world," concluded Robert.
Robert Frost was a lad of sixteen, strongly built, and with a handsome, expressive face. ”

“ You might give him, say, a thousand dollars, with the understanding that he leave the country, and that he does not go back to the United States."
"But where would he go?"
"There are lots of places to go to--South Africa, South America, or Australia. With a thousand dollars and his passage money he might set himself up in some sort of business and get rich."
Mrs. Vernon's face brightened.
"If he would only do that I might be so glad! If he really made a man of himself I would not cut him out of my will."
"I would not allow him to be around where I was. He is too dangerous a young man. ”

“ Your aunt would never have discharged you had you done your work properly--she has told me that a number of times."
"I say it's a plot against me!" said Frederic Vernon, hardly knowing how to go on.
"Frederic, you are a very foolish young man," came from Mrs. Vernon gravely. "There was a time when I had unlimited confidence in you, and you could have retained that confidence had you chosen so to do. Instead, you became a spendthrift. Now you must go out into the world and earn your own living." ”

“ At once the spendthrift caught our hero by the arm.
"Come along, I want to talk to you," he said, with a dark look on his face.
Feeling well able to take care of himself, Robert followed the young man down a side street which was practically deserted.
"You think you are mighty smart, don't you?" began Vernon, as soon as he felt that they were out of hearing of outsiders.
"I think I am smart in some things, Mr. Vernon," replied Robert, as coolly as he could.
"You think it's a fine thing to have me shipped off to Australia." ”

“ You are doing well, Robert, but you deserve it. You have had no easy time of it, to defend Mrs. Vernon against that unscrupulous nephew of hers."
"I hardly think he will dare bother me again. He knows that I can have him locked up for the assault on me."
"What do you intend to do with your money?"
"I am going to let it rest in the bank for the present, until I see some good investment. I am adding a little to it every month from my salary."
"I am glad to see you haven't turned spendthrift, Robert," said Marden warmly. "Many a young fellow would have his head turned by so much good fortune." ”

“ He and the porter listened. The gentleman was not mistaken, for now a second groan sounded out, more loudly than the first.
"Your room-mate must be sick!" cried the porter. "Hi, there, sir, please open the door?" he called.
But Robert paid no attention, for he was not yet conscious. The porter dug away at the paper wad, and at last extricated it from the keyhole. Then he inserted the key and swung the door back.
Both men uttered exclamations of horror, for Robert lay across the lower berth unconscious, and with a small stream of blood running over his temple and cheek. ”

“ He knocked me senseless and robbed me of my watch, my pocketbook, and also that diamond scarfpin you gave me."
"And he has robbed me too," added the lady. "Robert, I am very sorry for you!" And she caught his hand.
"Robbed you!" he ejaculated. "You mean that check?"
"No, more than that. He took some of my jewelry the last time he visited me."
Again Robert had to tell his tale, and this time he related all of the details, for he felt that it would not do to hold back anything from the lady. She listened with her face growing whiter every instant. ”

“ Robert followed her with not a little curiosity, to a somewhat smaller room on the same floor.
It contained a large writing desk with numerous drawers, also several chairs and a bookcase.
Mrs. Vernon seated herself at the desk.
"Probably you wonder what a woman can want of a secretary?" she said inquiringly.
"No," answered Robert. "I know that there are women of business as well as men." ”

“ He gathered up the ticket and the money, and prepared to leave the stateroom. Then a sickly smile came over his face.
"Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb," he muttered, and going back he relieved Robert of his watch, his pocketbook, and the scarfpin Mrs. Vernon had given him.
"I reckon I'll be pretty well fixed for awhile," said the young rascal to himself. "And if the steamer carries him off to South Africa or Australia perhaps I'll be able to tell aunt a pretty good story and get back into her good graces." ”