Jr. Horatio Alger

“ I am a poor man, and Albert Marlowe is rich. He will defy me, and perhaps swear that I was implicated in the robbery myself. So I was, alas! for I accepted a bribe of two hundred dollars for my part in the matter. I wish I could see poor Barton righted!
Bert read this letter with flushed face and beating heart. Here was proof positive that his father was innocent; and Albert Marlowe, the rich manufacturer, the magnate of Lakeville, was guilty not only of robbery, but, what was even more contemptible, had schemed successfully to throw the guilt upon an innocent man, the husband of his cousin. ”

“ Mrs. Barton looked an inquiry, and Bert exclaimed: "Uncle Jacob has secured a clerkship in New York at twelve dollars a week."
"I am really glad!" said Mrs. Barton, with beaming face.
"Come, Mary, did you too think, like Bert here, that I was headed for the poorhouse?"
"I felt a little anxious for you, Uncle Jacob, I admit."
"You see that your fears were idle."
"Will you have to work very hard?" asked Mrs. Barton.
"No; my employer is an intimate friend." ”

“ You say that Squire Marlowe was a common workman, like my father, and a poor man?"
"Yes, Bert."
"How is it that he is now a rich manufacturer? Where did he get the necessary capital?"
"Nobody knew. He took all his friends by surprise when he went into business for himself on a large scale. Whatever the amount of his capital, he has never been financially embarrassed, and has gone on prospering." ”

“ This rather surprised Bert.
"It was a rich find," continued Uncle Jacob, "and I have no hesitation in putting it on the New York market."
"There are so many wild-cat mines, you know, that a man needs to be very cautious."
"Quite true. In such mines it is only the men who capitalize them who make money. I would not lend myself to any such scheme of deception. I have a reputation to sustain, and I value that more than money. Our mine has found favor with some of the most conservative investors in the city." ”

“ Albert Marlowe asked himself in amazement. "How on earth can a clerk on twelve dollars a week salary afford to dine at a restaurant like this?"
As he had not yet given his order, he moved over to the table occupied by Uncle Jacob, and took a seat opposite him.
"Albert Marlowe!" exclaimed the old man, recognizing him with surprise.
"Yes, Uncle Jacob, it is I. But what on earth brings you here?"
"I should think it was pretty evident," said Jacob Marlowe with a smile, "I came in for my dinner." ”

“ Father says as he makes his bed he must lie on it. And I say, Bert Barton, it isn't very creditable to you and your mother to help the old man squander his money."
"I don't thank you for your advice, Percy Marlowe," retorted Bert, with spirit. "If ever Uncle Jacob does come to want, I'll work for him, and help him all I can."
"You! why you're as poor as poverty itself!" exclaimed Percy, with a mocking laugh. ”

“ I have no wish to be revenged, but I want reparation."282
"As I never took your bonds, I am not the person to apply to," replied Barton.
"Then perhaps you will have the kindness to tell me who did take the bonds," said Manning, incredulously.
"I will do that," responded Ralph Harding, coming forward. "There he stands!"
"It is a lie!" interposed the squire, hoarsely.
"It is true. You hired me to put a five-hundred dollar bond into John Barton's pocket while you appropriated the remainder. It was this that enabled you to go into business for yourself in Lakeville. ”

“ I am afraid I shall never want to be a farmer. I mustn't forget, though, that I am to receive sixteen cents and a little over per day, besides board—and such board! Yet this is the way Silas Wilson has lived all his life, and he must be sixty-five at least. How much more enjoyment Uncle Jacob has out of life, though he is a poor man compared to the farmer. ”

“ Marlowe," said the squire, not venturing upon the familiar name of Uncle Jacob, "instead of advancing money on my house, factory, and stock, are you willing to buy them outright?"
"At what sum do you value them?"
"Fifteen thousand dollars."
"It is a bargain," said Uncle Jacob promptly.
"You may feel disposed to run the business yourself."
"It is out of my line. I shall make a free gift of the whole to John Barton, who, I suppose, is quite capable of taking your place." ”

“ Of course, Bert carried the letter home and showed it to his mother.
"How kind Uncle Jacob is!" she murmured. "But I am afraid he is too generous. He is a poor man. He cannot afford to be giving us money all the time."
"He is earning a good salary, you know, mother."
"Only twelve dollars a week, Bert."
"But that is a good deal. If I were earning twelve dollars a week I should feel rich."
"It doesn't go very far in a large and expensive city like New York." ”

“ Be it so! I will no longer resist, but float downward to oblivion over the rapids of disappointment."
"You are an actor, are you not?" said Bert.
"Yes; at least, so I sometimes flatter myself, though the critics do not all concede it. If you are going to remain in Harrisburg long enough, come and see me act."
He gave Bert his card, and then closing his eyes, passed the remainder of the journey in dozing.
Arrived in Harrisburg, Bert found himself besieged by hackmen, representing different hotels. But he did not think it right to waste Uncle Jacob's money in unnecessary expense. ”

“ I like it a great deal better than working out in the field here."
"You mustn't get too high notions into your head, Bert. You know you are a working boy and mustn't expect to have things all your own way."
"I am not likely to forget that I am a working boy, especially with kind friends to remind me of it. But we live in the best country in the world, and there is many a working boy who grows up to be a distinguished man."
Percy laughed ironically. ”

“ When he first came on as a newsboy, Miss Stubbs said: "How much that newsboy looks like Mr. Barton, ma's new boarder."
"He does look some like him."
"But of course it isn't he. I wonder if he is here this evening."
"I don't see him anywhere," said the escort.
When Bert appeared in his own clothes in the fourth act, Angelica exclaimed: "Why, it is Mr. Barton, after all! Is it possible that I know a live actor? Why, I was talking to him at supper, and he was really quite attentive to me."
"He is put down on the bill as Bob Hazleton," said the young man, consulting the programme. ”

“ Bert read as follows:
My Dear Niece: As I know your income is small, and you are liable, in case of sickness or loss of employment to need help, I put a twenty-dollar bill into this envelope, which I wish you to use freely. Do not fear that it will inconvenience me to give it. My health is good, and I hope to earn my living for years to come.
Your affectionate uncle,
Jacob Marlowe.
"Dear Uncle Jacob," said the widow gratefully, "how good and kind he is. With his small savings I don't feel that he can afford to be so generous." ”

“ Conway.
"I do not consider that she has been insulted," said Squire Marlowe coldly. "The credibility of testimony is always a matter to be considered."
Mr. Jones eyed the young lawyer with a triumphant smile.
"Have you any further questions to put, Mr. Jones?" added Conway.
"No, sir, I am satisfied."
"Then the witness may step down. I call upon Mr. Jones to take the witness stand again."
"I have no objection, I am sure!" said the grocer jauntily. He saw that the judge was with him, and he confidently anticipated Bert's conviction. ”

“ Bert arrived in New York in due time, accompanied by Ralph Harding. They received a cordial welcome from Uncle Jacob.
"You shall not regret your testimony in behalf of John Barton," he said to Harding. "I will see that you are protected."
"Uncle Jacob," said Bert, "I have twenty dollars left of the amount you gave me for expenses. Here it is."
"Keep it, Bert. You will need it."
"But, Uncle Jacob, I have already put you to too great expense. If you were a rich man——"
Jacob Marlowe smiled.
"I can spare the money," he said. "Don't trouble yourself on that score. ”

“ The rest of the evening was spent in such conversation as Uncle Jacob suggested, and when he had occasion to look at his watch, he started in surprise.
"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "It is nearly ten o'clock. I ought to be getting back to Albert's."
"Then Bert shall accompany you as far as the house. It will be lonely to go alone."
Uncle Jacob reached Squire Marlowe's house as the church clock struck ten, and he bade Bert good-night. ”

“ Uncle Jacob never was a good financial manager. He was always too liberal, or he wouldn't be as poor as he is now. Why with five hundred dollars he probably feels as rich as a nabob."
"No doubt Bert Barton will help him spend it," said Percy. "It won't last long at any rate, if he drives out every evening."
"When his money is all gone he will probably throw himself on you for support, father."
"I wash my hands of him," said Squire Marlowe, in a hard tone. "If he squanders his money, he must take the consequences." ”

“ Ralph Harding then was in Chicago. If Bert had only known that, he would have remained there and prosecuted the search in the Lake City. Yet what chance would he have of finding a man whom he had never seen and would not know by sight in so large and populous a place? ”

“ Percy laughed.
"I should want fifty cents an hour, and then I wouldn't do it."
"I'd work all the year round at that price," said Bert.
"I never expect to work—with my hands," went on Percy.
"Have you decided what to do?" asked Bert curiously.
"My father wants me to be a manufacturer, but I think I shall be a lawyer."
"I am afraid I shan't have much choice. I must take what I can get."
"You might stay with Mr. Wilson and be a farmer."
"I don't think that will suit me at any rate, unless I can work for a different man."
"Perhaps father can take you back into the shop when you are older." ”

“ Wilson provided cheap grade of molasses. Still Bert enjoyed it better than any other article on the table.
"There's nothing like a good dinner to strengthen us for the labors of the field," said Silas Wilson complacently, as he rose from the table. "Come, Bert, now let us get to work to make up for lost time."
"So Mr. Wilson considers the time spent in eating as lost time," thought Bert. ”

“ I bitterly repent that I was induced to join in the plot against poor Barton. He—poor fellow—is in exile, afraid to return to his own country, while the man who committed the crime which has shadowed his life, is rich and prosperous, and holds up his head in society. ”

“ Take care, John Barton! Your silly tale is the last desperate expedient of a criminal. You ought to see the folly of attacking a man in my position. For years I have been the most prominent man in Lakeville, owner of the large shoe factory that gives employment to fifty hands. ”

“ He is a fine, manly youth, worth a dozen of such fellows as Percy Marlowe."
"Indeed, he is a good boy," said his mother proudly. "I don't see what I could do without him."
"So, Mary, if you'll show me where you are going to accommodate me, I'll go up and take possession."
"Will you mind my putting you in with Bert? I have but two chambers."
"Not a bit. It will be all the better. If I were going to stay here permanently I would build an extension to the house for you."
"But that would be expensive, Uncle Jacob."
"So it would. I'm always forgetting that I am not a rich man. ”

“ In one respect, however, Percy resembled Bert. He was always short of money. His father allowed him two dollars a week for spending money, more than any other boy in Lakeville received, but Percy felt that it was too little. He had formed an intimacy with Reginald Ward, a young man from New York, who was boarding at the hotel, and with him he used to play pool, which he found rather an expensive game; and still worse, he played poker with him in his own room, locking the door carefully, as this game was not looked upon with favor in Lakeville. ”

“ Why, you thought it was a close case."
"So I did, but it came out on the trial that there were two twenty-dollar bills, and the one which the Barton boy presented was left for him by Uncle Jacob."
"By that old man? Why, I thought he was poor."
"So he is—worth only five hundred dollars,118 and he is making ducks and drakes of that as fast as he can."
"And then he will fall back on you?"
"I suppose so."
"Then I hope you will let him go to the poor house," said Mrs. Marlowe with energy.
"I shall. I have no pity for a man who throws away his money."
Percy came home to dinner in lively spirits. ”

“ He had no fault to find with me."
"So you say," returned Jones, in evident skepticism. "Boys don't get discharged for nothing."
Bert felt inclined to be angry, but he controlled his temper.
"I am a pegger, and the squire has introduced a pegging machine, so he has discharged all the peggers."
"Oh, that's different. Well, I'm sorry for you, but I have no vacancy."
"If Herman should change his mind again, will you think of me?"
"Yes, I will. I think you are a good boy, and you look strong for your size." ”

“ Albert Marlowe, with the remainder of his money, went to Illinois, and has established a small shoe factory out there. He is a discontented and unhappy man, and his wife is peevish and discontented also. They can no longer afford the expensive establishment they maintained in Lakeville. Percy has not lost all hopes of being remembered in the will of his wealthy relative, but whether he will or not is Jacob Marlowe's Secret. ”