Jr. Horatio Alger

“ If I make three or four thousand dollars in twelve months it will satisfy me."
"But a man would never get rich, at that rate," said Lawrence Peabody uneasily.
"I don't know about that. It depends as much on what a man does with his money, as on the amount he makes," said the prudent Scot.
"I am afraid I did wrong in leaving Boston," said Peabody gloomily. "If I am to travel many weeks through the mud, and get no more than that, I shall feel that I am poorly paid."
"You don't feel like my young friend Tom. He is full of hope, and enjoys everything." ”

“ Peabody is excused," said the leader.
"Thank you," said Peabody, looking relieved. "I would go, I am sure, if I could do any good; but I know I couldn't."
"Who will volunteer?" asked Fletcher.
"Let me go," said Tom eagerly.
"You are not afraid of losing your way, Tom?" said Miles.
"No; or if I do, I will find it again."
"That boy is more of a man now than Peabody will ever be," said Miles, in a low voice to Ferguson.
"That he is," said the Scotchman, who was a firm friend of our young hero. "There is the making of a noble man in him." ”

“ Now there are few men, with or without self-respect, who can calmly submit to an insult like this. Certainly Mr. Donald Ferguson was not one of them. The color mantled his high cheek-bones, and anger gained dominion over him. He sprang to his feet, grasped the bully in his strong arms, dashed him backward upon the floor of the barroom, and, turning to the companions of the fallen man, he said, "Now come on, if you want to fight. I'll take you one by one, and fight the whole of you, if you like."
Instead of being angry, they applauded his pluck. ”

“ Passing up the walk which led to the front door, Tom rang the bell. This was answered by a cross-looking servant. She glanced at the pail of berries, and said quickly: "We don't want any berries, and if we did you ought to go round to the side door."
"I haven't asked you to buy any berries, have I?" said Tom, rather provoked by the rudeness of the girl, when he had come to do the squire a favor.
"No, but that's what you're after. We have bought all we want." ”

“ He admitted that Glasgow was not as large a city as London, but that it was more attractive. As for New York, that city bore no comparison to the chief city of Scotland.
"You must go to Scotland some time, Tom," he said. "If you can't visit but one country in the Old World, go to Scotland."
Privately Tom was of opinion that he should prefer to visit England; but he did not venture to hurt the feelings of his fellow-traveler by saying so.
"I wonder, Mr. Ferguson," he could not help saying one day, "that you should have been willing to leave Scotland, since you so much prefer it to America." ”

“ Night came, and the Indian camp was hushed and still. It was long before Tom went to sleep. Generally he was a good sleeper, but his mind at present was too active for slumber. "How long is this strange life going to last?" he asked himself. "How long am I to be exiled from civilization?" This was more easily asked than answered.
When he slept, his sleep was troubled. He dreamed that Lawrence Peabody was a captive, and that the chief was about to scalp him, when suddenly he awoke. ”

“ Tom was at an age when adventure has a charm. His feet were often weary; but he never tired of the journey. Every morning found him active, alert, and ready for the toilsome walk. He was, indeed, impatient for the time to come when he could be earning something to pay up his debt to Squire Hudson, and so relieve his father from the additional burden assumed for his sake. Otherwise he was quite content to plod on, seeing something new every day.
"You're always cheerful, Tom, my lad," said Ferguson, one day.
"Yes," said Tom. "I am having a good time." [211]
"Youth is aye the time for enjoyment. ”

“ Graham spoke meditatively, as if he was not intending to pay a compliment, only mentioning a fact, and Tom did not feel called upon to thank him for this flattering remark.
"That is a great deal of money," he said.
"Yes, it is. All my relations are rich; that is, except one uncle, who probably is not worth over twenty thousand dollars."
Tom was impressed. A man who could talk of such a sum in such terms must certainly be very rich.
"Do you know, Mr. Graham," he inquired, "how soon the steamer will start after we reach Pittsburg?" ”

“ It was more likely to be a white man. Any white man would be a friend, and could guide him to safety, unless he were himself lost. At any rate, there seemed but one course to follow, and that to ride toward the stranger.
When Tom drew near his heart was filled with sudden joy, for, in the new arrival, he recognized John Miles. ”

“ Tom found that Mr. Ferguson, though his manner was dry and unattractive, was a religious man, and he respected and esteemed him for his excellent traits. He was not a man to inspire warm affection, but no one could fail to respect him. He felt that he was fortunate in having such a man for his companion, and he was glad that Mr. Ferguson appeared to like him in turn.
He also found that the Scotchman, though a man of peace, and very much averse to quarreling, was by no means deficient in the trait of personal courage.
One evening they arrived at a small tavern in a Missouri town. ”

“ Notwithstanding there had been such a turn in his favor, Tom felt humiliated to feel that he was under restraint, and his cheeks burned [138] with shame as he walked beside the officer. Vincent, upon the other side, gnashed his teeth with rage, as he thought of his unexpected detention. Just as revenge was in his grasp, he had been caught in the same trap which he had so willingly set for Tom.
"That Alderman Morris is a fool!" he said. "He isn't fit to be in office."
"Don't you say nothin' against him!" said the policeman. "It won't be best for you. ”

“ I am so afraid Tom would get sick in California. What would become of the poor boy in that case?"
"That is a mother's thought. I think Tom would find friends, who would not let him suffer. He is a manly, attractive boy, though he is ours, and I think he is well calculated to make his way."
"That he is," said his mother proudly. "No one can help liking Tom."
"Then you see he is likely to find friends. Were he such a boy as Sinclair Hudson, I should feel afraid that he would fare badly, if he stood in need of help from others. ”

“ Tom, will you pass me the potatoes?"
Dinner was soon over, and the passengers went upon deck. Graham lit a cigar.
"Have a cigar, Tom?" he said.
"No, thank you; I don't smoke."
"You'll soon learn. I'll see you again soon."
"Tom," said Jennie, "tell me about this Mr. Graham. What do you know about him?" [89]
"I don't like to tell what I know," said Tom, hesitating.
"But I want you to. You introduced me, you know."
"What I know is not to his advantage. I don't like to talk against a man." ”

“ I shall be sixteen next week, and it is time I did something."
"You are doing something—working on the farm now, Tom."
"That don't count. Father advises me not to be a farmer, and I agree with him. I think I am capable of making my way in the world in some other way, where I can earn more money. There is Walter, who likes the country, to stay with you."
Walter, the third child, was now twelve years of age, with decided country tastes.
"I would like to be a farmer as well as anything," said Walter. "I like the fresh air. I shouldn't like to be cooped up in a store, or to live in the city. ”

“ Peabody," said Ferguson dryly.
"I'd give something for a good cigar myself," said John Miles.
"I prefer riding," said Tom. "I never smoked a cigar in my life."
"You are just as well off without it, my lad," said the Scotchman. "It don't do men any good, and always harms boys."
Peabody never again mounted Solomon. One trial was sufficient, and, footsore and lame as he was, he decidedly preferred to walk. ”

“ I am satisfied of that."
"Then about the wisdom of sending out a boy like Tom, alone; do you think it best?"
"It depends altogether on the boy," responded the squire. "If he is honest, industrious, and energetic, he will make his way. You know your own boy better than I do."
"He is all you say, Squire Hudson. I have a great deal of confidence in Tom."
Tom looked at his father gratefully. Sometimes it does a boy good to learn that the older people have confidence in him.
"Then let him go," said the squire. "I stand ready to furnish the money. I think you said you needed two hundred dollars." ”

“ I am probably worth fifty thousand dollars, and am just fifty years of age."
"That seems to me very rich," said Tom.
"I should have said the same thing at your age. Our views change as we get older. Still, I regard myself as very well off, and, with prudent management, I need not fear reverses."
"I should think not," said Tom.
"You don't know how easy it is to lose [75] money, my boy. I am not referring to robbery, but to mismanagement."
"Your success encourages me, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom. "I am willing to work hard."
"I think you will succeed. You look like a boy of good habits. ”

“ Hudson is sour and ill-tempered, and Sinclair—the only child—is a second edition of his mother. He is the most unpopular boy in the village."
"Still," said the farmer, not quite convinced, "money is an important element of happiness, and a farmer stands a very poor chance of acquiring it. Tom, I advise you not to be a farmer."
"I don't mean to be if I can help it," said Tom. "I am ready for any opening that offers. I hope some day to pay off the mortgage on the farm, and make you a free man, father."
"Thank you for your good intentions, Tom; but two thousand dollars is a large sum of money." ”

“ Tom, who, at the moment, had the watch in his hand, examining it.
"As you are to rough it, I thought it best to get you a hunting-case watch, because it will be less liable to injury. When you become a man I hope you will be prosperous enough to buy a gold watch and chain, if you prefer them. While you are a boy silver will be good enough." ”

“ They seemed to be blindly following their leader.
"Good heavens!" ejaculated Tom, in great excitement; "the Indians are in their path. If the herd does not stop, they will be destroyed." [251]
The Indians were fully aware of their great danger. They knew the plains well, and the terrible, resistless power of these wild herds when once on the march. They no longer thought of Tom, but of their own safety. But the buffaloes were close at hand. They were sweeping on like a whirlwind. The Indians could only ride on, and trust to clear them. ”

“ He had proved that he was an admirable rider. If he should join them he would grow up into a warrior who would do credit to their tribe.
So the matter was settled. The only thing that remained was to acquaint the prisoner with the decision.
The interpreter approached Tom, and said, "White boy, you are our captive. Why should we not kill you?"
"You can if you wish," answered Tom; "but why should you kill me? I have done you no harm."
"Our brother is killed. He lies dead upon the plain." ”

“ Mr. Donald Ferguson, a middle-aged Scotchman, is my companion. A younger and livelier companion might prove more agreeable, but perhaps not so safe. Mr. Ferguson is old enough to be my father, and I shall be guided by his judgment where my own is at fault. He is very frugal, as I believe his countrymen generally are, and that, of course, just suits me. I don't know how long I shall be in reaching St. Joseph, but I shall write you once or twice on the way. Give my love to father, Sarah, Walter, and Harry, and keep a great deal for yourself.
"Your loving son,
"Tom." ”

“ In the arrangements made for the common safety it is your duty to bear your part."
"I am willing to provide a substitute," said Peabody eagerly.
"Where will you find a substitute?" [186]
"I have been talking with Tom Nelson. He says he is willing to serve in my turn."
"He will serve when his own turn comes; that will be all we can expect of him."
"But he is only a boy. Why should he be expected to take his turn?"
"If he is old enough to be a substitute, he is old enough to stand watch for himself."
"But, Mr. Fletcher, I am very delicate," protested Lawrence Peabody. ”

“ Indians are not lawyers, but they understand the familiar saying, that "possession is nine points of the law." That the horse was a valuable one they understood; and they had no intention of parting with him. Still more, they looked with covetous eyes at the horses ridden by Scott and the boy, and they had already made up their minds to seize them also. [228]
"The white man is a magician," said the interpreter. "He has bewitched the horse. The horse is ours. He has always belonged to us."
"It's no use, Tom," said Scott. "They are bound to keep Dan, and I don't see how we can help it. ”

“ Even if he alone were to overtake Tom, our hero would of course be no match for a strong, full-grown warrior, more especially as he had no weapon with him. By some mischance he had left it in the camp. ”

“ There doesn't seem to be much chance for me here. There's nothing to do but to work on the farm, and father and Walter can do all there is to be done there."
"How is your father getting along?" asked the rich man, with an interest which rather surprised Tom.
"Poorly," said Tom. "He makes both ends meet; but we all have to do without a great many things that we need."
The squire looked thoughtful. He took half a dollar from his wallet and tendered it to Tom.
"You've done me a service," he said. "Take that."
Tom drew back.
"I would rather not take money for being honest," he said. ”

“ Peabody wrung the hand of his young companion.
Tom was as good as his word. He spoke to Fletcher on the subject; but the leader of the expedition was obdurate.
"Can't consent, my boy," he said. "It is enough for you to take your turn. That young dandy from Boston needs some discipline to make a man of him. He will never do anything in a country like California unless he [192] has more grit than he shows at present. I shall do him a favor by not excusing him."
Tom reported the answer to Peabody, who groaned in spirit, and nervously waited for the night when he was to stand watch. ”

“ I am an unworthy member of the church of Scotland."
"I don't think your countrymen generally refuse whisky."
"So much the worse for them. They are only too fond of it. My own brother died a miserable death, brought on by his love of liquor."
"Then I won't press you; but I say, strangers, you won't find many of your way of thinking in the country you're going to."
"I don't doubt he's right, Tom," said Ferguson to Tom, as they entered the chamber assigned to them. "We may not be together always. I hope you won't be led away by them that offer you strong drink. ”