Jr. Horatio Alger

“ Then Oscar felt the whip lash coiling around his legs.
"You quit that!" he howled in anger and dismay.
"One more will do you good. You're bigger than the kid and you can stand it better."
A second time the lash descended with even greater force, and Oscar jumped and danced as Philip had done before him, but somehow it didn't seem to impress him as so funny.
"You'd better give the old man more and then we'll let him go," said Joe.
"I'll have you arrested!" shrieked Nahum Sprague, but in spite of his threat he received another dose of the same medicine. ”

“ I'm a poor old woman."
"Mark would have paid you back. He always pays his debts."
"Yes; I think he is a good boy. If I thought he would pay me back, I—I think I would lend him the money. He offered to pay me interest."
"Yes; he would pay you for the favor."
"If—if he will pay me four dollars on Saturday night I will lend him what he wants."
"What!" ejaculated Mrs. Mason. "Do you propose to ask him a dollar for the use of three dollars for two or three days?"
"It's—it's a great risk!" mumbled Mrs. Mack.
"There is no risk at all. To ask such interest as that would be sheer robbery. ”

“ When I select an agent I prefer to employ a man."
"How is Edgar?"
"He is well. I am looking for a position for him. I have hopes of getting him into the office of a prominent broker on Wall Street."
"I shall be glad to hear that he is doing well. He is about the age of Mark."
"True, but their paths will lie apart. My, ahem! position will secure for Edgar an entrance into fashionable society, while your son, though doubtless a deserving boy, must necessarily associate with his equals."
"Mark has some excellent friends," said Mrs. Mason, nettled. ”

“ We are poor and we can't afford to pay it."
"I am a poor old woman."
"You are not poor at all. You are worth thousands of dollars."
"Who said so?" demanded Mrs. Mack in alarm.
"Everybody knows it."
"It's—it's a mistake, a great mistake. I—I can't earn anything. I'm too old to work. I don't want to die in a poorhouse."
"You would live a great deal better in a poorhouse than you live by yourself. I decline your offer, Mrs. Mack. I would rather pawn my wedding ring, as I proposed to Mark. That would only cost me nine cents in place of the dollar that you demand." ”

“ MR. HAMILTON SCHUYLER IS ASTONISHED.
The jeweler took from his case two diamond rings. They were large, brilliant, and showy.
"How do you like the appearance of these rings?" he asked.
"They are beautiful!" exclaimed Mark admiringly.
"Don't you think the lady would admire them?"
"I should think so, sir."
"What should you think they are worth?"
"A hundred dollars apiece," guessed Mark.
"If the diamonds were genuine, one would be worth three hundred and fifty dollars and the other four hundred."
"Are they not genuine?" asked Mark in surprise.
"Paste, my boy, paste. The gold, however, is real. ”

“ One day when I was traveling in the Adirondacks, I met a rich man—a millionaire—who was in trouble. 'I say, Schuyler,' he said to me, 'can you loan me a hundred dollars. I give you my word I am almost penniless, and no one knows me here.' Now I happened to have three hundred dollars in my pocketbook, and I at once produced it and lent him the money. You see even a millionaire can get into a money scrape."
"Who was the millionaire?" asked Edgar, who was not quite so credulous a believer of Schuyler's pictures as formerly. ”

“ Mark read it in amazement. It was a check for one thousand dollars, payable to the order of Mark Mason.
"A thousand dollars!" he ejaculated.
"Yes, does it seem to you a large amount? I assure you that I value my life a great deal higher than this sum, so I shall remain your debtor."
"It seems a fortune to me, Mr. Rockwell. How can I thank you for your generous gift?"
"My boy, generosity is a variable quality—I am blessed by fortune, and for me it is a small sum to bestow in return for the heroic act. Would you like to have Mr. Nichols go with you to identify you at the bank?" ”

“ It is just the kind of story that the majority of boys yearn for. From the moment that the Sea Queen dispenses with the services of the tug in lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the leeward, and feel her rise to the snow-capped waves which her sharp bow cuts into twin streaks of foam. ”

“ The next day Mark had a surprise. Walking past the Metropolitan Hotel, not far from Houston Street, he saw a boy just leaving the hotel whose face and figure were familiar.
"Edgar Talbot!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Edgar, turning at the call.
"Yes; how do you happen to visit New York again so soon?"
"We are going to move to New York," answered Edgar. "Father feels that Syracuse is too small a place for a man of his business ability," he added in a consequential tone.
"Are you going to live at the hotel?"
"No. We shall live in a nice flat up town, near the Park." ”

“ Luther Rockwell, the banker. I was in his office when a dynamite crank threatened to blow us all up."
"I heartily congratulate you, Mark. You deserved the gift for your coolness and courage, but it isn't every rich man who would make so generous an acknowledgment for your services."
"That's true, sir. Mr. Rockwell has been very kind."
"How do you like the position of telegraph boy?"
"I would like to give it up. It doesn't lead to anything. But I don't want to throw myself out of work. Six dollars a week is a small income, but it is better than nothing." ”

“ Buffington," he said resolutely, "I am a boy, but I know what I am about. You took the young lady's purse. Before you sat down beside her she had it in her pocket. When you left the car it was gone."
"If I ever get you alone," said Buffington in a low tone of concentrated rage.
"If you do, I hope you won't forget your sacred profession."
"I am a minister, but I am also a gentleman, and I shall resent an insult."
"Look here," said Mark, getting out of patience, "either you give me back that purse for the young lady or I will call the conductor and lay the matter before him." ”

“ Sprague's back was turned to the street, and he did not see the quick approach of the two miners. He was just about to bring down the whip again upon poor defenseless Philip when he thought he was struck by a cyclone.
Bill seized him by the collar, while Joe snatched the whip from his hand.
"Why, why, what's all this?" asked the astonished man in dismay.
"Two can play at your little game," answered Joe. "You can stand it better than the kid," and he lashed the unfortunate Nahum across the legs just as Philip had suffered a short time before. ”

“ PHILIP FINDS A FRIEND.
When the two unauthorized ministers of justice had departed Oscar and his father looked at each other in anger and stupefaction.
"It's an outrage!" exclaimed Nahum Sprague.
"I'd like to shoot them!" returned Oscar. "I'd like to see them flayed within an inch of their lives."
"So would I. They are the most audacious desperadoes I ever encountered."
"Do you know them, dad?"
"Yes; they are Bill Murphy and Joe Hastings. They are always hanging round the drinking saloon."
"We can lick Philip at any rate!" said Oscar, with a furious look at poor Phil. "He brought it on us." ”

“ Talbot," said Mrs. Mason coldly.
"How do you happen to be at home, Mark?" asked Solon, regarding Mark with a slight frown.
"I got excused for the afternoon. I have a headache."
"Perhaps you won't mind going out for a few minutes. I wish to speak to your mother on business."
"Do you wish me to go out, mother?" asked Mark.
"No. Whatever affects you affects me. Besides, I may want your advice."
"I don't ask Edgar for advice," returned Solon Talbot dryly.
"I suppose not. You are a business man, and can judge better than he. I am not a business man."
"You are older than Mark." ”

“ Rockwell, my banker."
"Your banker!" sneered Edgar. "How long has he been your banker, I should like to know."
"Only since this morning. I have just deposited some money with him."
"Indeed! How much?"
"A thousand dollars."
"You are too funny altogether. If you are ever worth a thousand cents you will be lucky."
"Do you think so?" returned Mark, smiling. "I shouldn't be satisfied with so small a fortune as that." ”

“ Loring.
"Don't you remember, mama, what I told you about being robbed by a man who sat next to me, and having my purse returned by a boy—a young gentleman."
"I don't mind being called a boy," said Mark. "I shall be one for some time yet."
"Well?"
"Mr. Mason is the one who recovered my purse. Before that he kindly offered to loan me some money. But what possible business can he have with you?"
"See what he has brought me from New York. He comes from Mr. Swan."
"Oh mama, how lovely! Is it a present for me? You know my birthday comes in eight months." ”

“ The messenger boy secured a seat a little nearer the door. He found the journey less interesting now that he was deprived of his fair companion's company.
As they were leaving the train at the Cleveland station, Florence said, "Gertie, this is Mr. Mason, who has been of great service to me during the journey."
Gertie surveyed Mark attentively. She was an irrepressible young lady, given to plain speaking.
"He ain't your beau, is he, Aunt Florence?" she asked.
Florence smiled and blushed.
"No," she answered. "Don't you see he is younger than I am. He is better suited to be your beau." ”

“ Tom reappeared in a very short time with his appearance greatly improved by the application of cold water and soap.
"Mr. Swan," said Mark, smiling, "this is Mr. Thomas Trotter, the young gentleman I spoke to you about."
"Oh, stow that, Mark!" expostulated Tom; "I ain't Mr. Trotter. I'm Tom."
"Mr. Trotter," said the jeweler, smiling, for he had a sense of humor, "I have a letter here which I wish you to take to the address named."
"And to walk, sir."
"No; I will give you ten cents for car fare, and when you return and make your report you shall be paid for doing the errand." ”

“ As there was space for but two sets of dancers, Edgar was obliged to sit still and see the others dance. He felt very much dissatisfied especially as Mark seemed to be enjoying himself thoroughly.
"Society in New York seems to be very much mixed," he said to himself, "when telegraph boys can push in and make themselves so conspicuous in rich men's houses."
Edgar got a chance to dance once later on, but the girl he danced with was very small and insignificant in appearance.
"Well, what kind of a time did you have?" asked Solon Talbot when his son returned home. ”

“ Nahum Sprague was much pleased when the two boys brought home this intelligence. He had prepared a bill for expenses amounting to a hundred dollars, on which his profit would be considerable. Money with him was all powerful, and though he would have been glad to give Philip a good thrashing, he cared still more for money.
When Philip made his appearance, accompanied by Albert and Arthur Burks, Mr. Sprague greeted him with a genial smile.
"I am almost tempted to call you a bad boy," he said. "You have made me feel quite anxious. This young gentleman has come here to take you to New York. ”

“ Mason, as she clasped hands warmly with her sister. "This is a delightful surprise."
"To me also; I thought I should never see you again."
"It is not my fault, Lucy."
"No, no. I know it," answered Mrs. Talbot. "Mr. Talbot is peculiar, as you know. He thinks everything of social rank. Now tell me, how are you getting on?"
"Very poorly till lately, but now better."
"You are not in want? Solon doesn't allow me much money, but——"
"No, Lucy. I want for nothing. Mark is a good boy, and he has been fortunate. You see I have just bought two dress patterns, one for Edith, the other for myself." ”

“ Mark did not propose to facilitate his flight. He sprang from the bed and called out in a loud tone, "Help! Thieves!"
Now it so happened that the watchman attached to the hotel was just making his rounds and was not far off. He ran to the spot, caught sight of the flying figure of the departing burglar, and caught him by the shoulder.
Buffington was a strong man, and could have got away from a man of ordinary muscles. But the watchman was a man of more than average strength, having served as porter before he had been transferred to the post of watchman and detective. ”

“ Neither he nor Mark had noticed each other particularly till the train had left the depot. Then the gentleman exclaimed in surprise, "Mark Mason?"
"Uncle Solon?" exclaimed the messenger in equal surprise.
"What brings you here?"
"A ticket," answered Mark briefly.
"You are in the wrong car. Didn't you know that this is the Limited Western Express?"
"Yes. I know it."
"Where are you going then?"
"I shall stop at Buffalo," answered Mark, not caring to mention his further destination.
Solon Talbot looked amazed.
"What on earth carries you out there?" he asked.
"This train," answered Mark demurely. ”

“ Do you see this bottle?"
"Yes."
"Take it to the saloon and get it full of whisky."
"Papa didn't want me to go into a liquor saloon."
"Well, your papa ain't got nothing to do with you now. See? You just do as I tell you."
Philip took the bottle unwillingly and started for the saloon.
"Mind you don't drink any of it on the way home," called out Oscar.
"As if I would," said Philip indignantly. "I don't drink whisky and I never will."
"Oh, you're an angel!" sneered Oscar. "You're too good for this world. Ain't you afraid you'll die young, as they say good boys do?" ”

“ Mack, you must make yourself comfortable. Old people live longer if they live in comfort. Will you have the tea?"
"I don't mind," answered Mrs. Mack, brightening up at the prospect of this unwonted luxury.
She did not allow herself tea every day, on account of its cost. There are many foolish people in the world, but among the most foolish are those who deny themselves ordinary comforts in order to save money for their heirs.
The tea was prepared, and the old woman drank it with evident enjoyment.
"Your boy came up yesterday to borrow three dollars," she began then, coming to business. ”

“ Mason.
"I suppose you heard that I was in town."
"Yes; Mark told me."
"I was not sure whether I could call, as I am here on a hurried business errand."
"I am glad you have called. I wished to ask you about father's estate."
"Just so! It is very surprising—I assure you that it amazed me very much—to find that he left so little."
"I can't understand it at all, Solon. Only a year before he died he told me that he considered himself worth fifteen thousand dollars."
"People are often deluded as to the amount of their possessions. I have known many such cases." ”

“ The barkeeper opened a door leading to an inner room. On a settee lay Jack Minton breathing heavily. His eyes were closed and he was quite unconscious of his position.
"I don't believe you can stir him," said the barkeeper.
"I will call a friend then."
Mark went to the door and beckoned to the two officers.
When they came in the barkeeper looked dismayed.
"Am I in trouble?" he asked.
"No, but we want the man."
"What has he done?"
"Committed a murderous assault on a party in New York."
"Well, he looks as if he were capable of it. You can take him. I shall offer no resistance." ”