Jr. Horatio Alger

“ Tony was now nearly dressed.
"You didn't get your clothing from a fashionable tailor, I should judge," said his new guardian.
"No," said Tony, "I haven't been to fashionable tailors much."
"After breakfast I must go with you and see you properly clothed. If you are to be my ward, I must have your appearance do me credit."
"How very kind you are to me, Mr. Spencer," said Tony, gratefully. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You've done something in that way already."
"It seems like a dream that a poor boy like me should be adopted by a rich gentleman." ”

“ What made you frighten me so?" complained Ben, angrily.
"I only told you the truth. Are you going to give me the money?"
"Perhaps you'll tell me where I am to get so much money?" said Ben, in the same tone.
"I will tell you if you want me to," answered Tony.
"Where?" asked Ben, eagerly.
"Under the floor," returned Tony, composedly.
"What!" screamed Ben, in consternation.
"Just where I said. There's plenty of money under that plank."
"Who told you?" groaned the old man, livid with terror. "Have—have you taken any?"
"Not a dollar. It's all there. You needn't be frightened." ”

“ Ben crept into the temporary shelter, glad that in his weakened condition he should not be obliged to go any farther. To be sure he tormented himself with the thought that even now the desperate tramp might be robbing him of his treasures. Still he had great confidence in what Tony had told him, and hope was mingled with his terror.
"He's a brave boy," he murmured. "I am glad he was with me, though he does eat a sight. Oh, how many wicked men there are in the world." ”

“ An instant and he would have fired, but Tony was on the alert. He sprang forward, seized the would-be murderer by the arm, and the pistol went off, but the bullet struck a brick wall on the opposite side of the street.
"Police!" shouted Tony, at the top of his lungs.
"Confusion!" exclaimed the villain. "I must be getting out of this."
He turned to fly, but Tony seized him by the coat, and he struggled fiercely, but in vain.
"Let go, you young scoundrel!" he shouted, "or I'll shoot you."
"With an unloaded pistol?" asked Tony. "That don't scare much." ”

“ Do not forget that I am a lady, and that you are—"
"We are equal, ma'am in this matter," said Rudolph, offended. "You needn't shrink from shaking hands with me."
"That is not in the agreement," said Mrs. Middleton, haughtily. "I shall do what I have agreed, but except so far as it is necessary in the way of business, I wish you to keep yourself away from me. We belong to different grades in society."
"Why didn't you say that the other day, ma'am?" said Rudolph, frowning. ”

“ Seized with their panic, Belcher instantly dropped Roger, and regardless of his terrified calls rushed from the hut in a twinkling.
The jar of the hurried departure of the boys over the rickety floor brought down the trap-door with a bang, and Roger was left a prisoner indeed.
Dirk Avery and Ben Trench were two bad characters who lived a sort of half-vagabond life, rarely doing any honest work, and whose savage looks and cruel natures made them the terror of all the children of the neighborhood. ”

“ When the landlord was told of Tony's good fortune, he was as much surprised as the rest. Our hero was at once changed to the handsomest room in the hotel, and was made quite a lion during the remainder of his stay.
There is something in success after all.
"Good-by, Tony," said Sam heartily, when our hero left the next day. "You're a gentleman, and I always said so."
"Thank you, Sam. Good luck to you!" responded Tony, smiling.
"I'm a much finer fellow than when I was a tramp," he said to himself. "Sam says so, and he ought to know. I suppose it's the way of the world. And now for Europe!" ”

“ What was the old man's feeble strength, more feeble still through disease, against this powerful man?
Tony felt the difficulties of the position. Not only would the gold be taken, but as soon as Rudolph discovered him, as he would, he too would fall into the power of the tramp.
Old Ben had not yet discovered the sinister face at the window. He was too busily occupied with his pleasant employment of counting over his gold for the hundredth time, it might be, to be aware of the dangerous witness at the window. ”

“ I will black boots in the street first."
"That will suit me just as well," said the tramp, laughing maliciously. "You have grown too proud. I want to lower your pride, young popinjay."
"I am not afraid of anything you can do to me, Rudolph," said Tony, bravely.
"Suppose I choose to kill you?"
"You won't dare do it. We are not in the woods now."
Tony had hit the truth. Rudolph did not dare to kill him, though he would have been glad to. But he knew that he would himself be arrested, and he had more to live for now than formerly. ”

“ Besides, I have had no dinner."
"That isn't my fault, is it?"
"I didn't say it was, but it makes me weak for all that."
"Well," said Rudolph, "perhaps you're right. I feel like eating something myself. We'll go to some house and ask for supper."
[Pg 9]
Tony looked dissatisfied.
"I wish we were not obliged to beg our meals," he said; "I don't like it."
"Oh, you're getting proud, are you?" sneered Rudolph. "If you've got money to pay for your supper, we won't beg, as you call it."
"Why can't we do as other people do?" asked Tony. ”

“ Were my father and mother rovers like yours?"
"Of course they were," answered Rudolph, but not without hesitation. "Ain't I your uncle?"
"I don't know. Are you?" returned Tony, searchingly.
"Haven't I told you so a hundred times?" demanded Rudolph, impatiently.
"Yes," said the boy, slowly, "but there's no likeness between us. You're dark and I am light."
[Pg 10]
"That proves nothing," said the elder tramp, hastily. "Brothers are often as unlike. Perhaps you don't want to look upon me as a relation?" ”

“ Such men sleep sound. No matter if they do move about, they won't wake up. If you had had a little more courage, we should have succeeded last night in capturing the money."
"I wish you'd give it up, Rudolph," said Tony, earnestly.
"You don't know what you're talking about," said the tramp, harshly. "You're a milksop. The world owes us a living, and we must call for it."
"I'd rather work than steal."
"There's no work to be had, and we must have money. More depends on it than you think. But we've got one more night to work in."
"What do you mean to do?" asked Tony, uneasily. ”

“ Abner's training had been different, and he wondered at the coolness with which Tony contemplated the future. But he was too sleepy to wonder long at anything, and with a yawn he lapsed into slumber.
Tony did not go to sleep immediately. He had need to be thoughtful. He had made up his mind to be his own master henceforth, but Rudolph, he knew, would have a word to say on that point. In getting away the next morning he must manage to give the tramp a wide berth. It would be better for him to go to some distant place, where, free from interference, he could make his own living. ”

“ Of course Rudolph's plan was manifest. When the hay was unloaded, of course Tony would have to get down. Then he would get hold of him.
"You can do just as you've a mind to," said Abner. "You'll be company to Tony and me, but you needn't put yourself out on our account, hey, Tony?"
There was a smothered laugh on top of the hay, which the tramp heard. His eyes snapped viciously, and he privately determined to give Tony a settlement in full for all his offenses just as soon as he got hold of him. ”

“ The long and short of it is that there is an English estate, bringing in two thousand pounds rental, that of right belongs to you."
"To me—an estate of two thousand pounds a year?" exclaimed Tony, in astonishment.
"Yes; the party who owns it pays me an income as hush money. I have only to say the word, and the estate will be yours, Tony."
"Say the word, Rudolph, and you shall have the same income," entreated Tony. "It isn't the money I so much care for, but I want to know who I am. [Pg 235] I want to be restored to my rightful place in society. Is my mother living?" ”

“ I can't live on you any longer."
"To be sure not," said Ben, hastily. "I am too poor to feed two persons, and you have a very large appetite."
"Yes," said Tony, laughing, "I believe I have a healthy appetite. I'm growing, you know."
"It must be that," said old Ben, with the air of one to whom a mystery had just been made clear. "What is your name?"
"Tony," answered our hero, in surprise at the question.
"No. I mean your full name."
"That is more than I know. I have always been called Tony, or Tony the Tramp. Rudolph's last name is Rugg, and he pretends that I am his son. ”

“ Do you know why I have sought you out?"
"I couldn't guess, ma'am," said Rudolph, cunningly.
He could guess, but he wanted to force her to speak out.
"Where is the boy? Is he living?" she demanded, eagerly.
"What boy?" asked Rudolph, vacantly.
"You know very well. Robert Middleton, my husband's cousin, whom you stole away when he was scarcely more than an infant."
"Can you prove what you say, Miss Vincent—I mean Mrs. Middleton?"
"Yes. It is idle to beat about the bush. My husband has told me all." ”

“ Warrigal hurried Sydney by the collar to the stable, while the other men mounted their horses, and unhooked Guardsman, to be ready for their captain.
Warrigal blew off the padlock with his pistol; but Venus was fractious, and wouldn't let him put on her halter. While he was dodging about the stable with her, Sydney heard hoofs in the distance. Nearer and nearer came the tan-ta-ta-tan-ta-ta-tan-ta-ta.
Four bluecoats galloped up to the slip-panels, three troopers and a sergeant; the sergeant with Harry on his saddlebow. ”

“ If you were a rich man it would be different."
"So it would," said old Hayden. "You're a good boy—an excellent boy. I'll trust you. You can stay."
"Then let us eat supper," said Tony.
He sat down on the door-step, and gave the old man half of his supply of food. He was interested to see the avidity with which he ate it.
"Is it good?" he asked.
"I haven't eaten anything so good for a long time. I couldn't afford to buy food."
"I am sorry for you."
"You haven't got any left for breakfast," said the old man.
"Oh, somebody will give me breakfast," said Tony. "I always get taken care of somehow." ”

“ I supposed that the Quaker had taken it, but James tells me Sam Payson found it and brought it back."
"Look here, boy," said the landlord, sternly, "do you expect me to believe this romance of yours?"
"I don't know whether you will or not, sir. All I can say is that it is the exact truth."
"I cannot keep you in my employ any longer. I have been deceived by you, and should no longer trust you. You certainly have mistaken your vocation. You are not fit to be a stable boy."
"I should like to know what I am fit for," said Tony, despondently. ”

“ Tony smiled to himself, remembering the hoard of gold under the floor, but he would not refer to it, at least not at present.
"Are you sure you haven't got a little money?" he asked. "If you want to get well, you must be made comfortable."
"It's hard to be poor," whined Ben.
"I guess you've got some money," said Tony. "You'd better let me go to the store, and buy some tea and a fresh roll for you."
"How much will it cost?" asked Ben.
"I can get some bread, and tea, and sugar for thirty or forty cents," answered Tony. ”

“ Middleton, I can't see my old friends."
"You can make new ones. A man with money can always find friends."
"That's true, ma'am," said Rudolph, brightening up. "Then you'd recommend me to stay in London?"
"In London, or anywhere else that you like better. Only don't come within twenty miles of Middleton Hall."
"Well, ma'am, you're wiser than I am, and you know better what it's best to do."
"Of course I do. You are safe in being guided by me."
"But about the money, ma'am. How am I to get that if I don't see you?"
"Once a quarter I will pay in forty pounds to your account at any bank you choose. ”

“ Middleton said, with slow significance:
"This boy is in my way. Don't you think he might manage to get sick and die?"
"Perhaps he might," said Rudolph, who did not appear to be shocked at the suggestion.
"Couldn't you manage it?" she asked, her eyes fixed upon the tramp.
"I might," he answered, shrewdly, "if it was going to do me any good."
"Then the only question is as to pay," she continued.
"That's about it ma'am. It's a big risk, you know. I might get caught, and then money wouldn't do me much good."
"Nothing venture, nothing have. You don't want to be a pauper all your life?" ”

“ There can be no danger. I will wait awhile and think over what Rudolph has told me. Can it be true that I am heir to a large estate in England, and that he can restore me to it if he will? He can have no motive for deceiving me. It must be true."
Tony felt that he would give a great deal to know more. Where was this estate, and who now held it? It occurred to him that some where about the room he might find some clew to the mystery. He immediately began to explore it.
Rudolph was not a literary man. He had neither books nor papers whose tell-tale testimony might convict him. ”

“ On this occasion they were out on a fishing tramp, and the contents of a bottle of cheap rum that each of them carried had made them more wicked than usual.
Accordingly, they were in just the mood to take all possible advantage of the fright they had caused, and when the boys fled so precipitately from the ruined house they pursued them with horrible threats and shouts of hoarse laughter.
Frank and Phil ran toward the lot where they had hidden their baskets, the loud voice of Dirk crying, "Skin the rascals! Wring their necks!" ”

“ He was taking them out and counting them, apparently quite unconscious of Tony's presence.
Tony raised himself on his elbow, and looked at him. It occurred to him that for a man so suspicious it was strange that he should expose his hoard before a stranger. Something, however, in the old man's look led him to think that he was in a sleepwalking fit.
"Ninety-five, ninety-six, ninety-seven," Tony heard him count; "that makes nine hundred and seventy dollars, all gold, good, beautiful gold. Nobody knows the old man is so rich. ”

“ Bickford," said the landlord, with a glance of recognition. "Well, that's enough. I'll take you. James, take this boy to the kitchen, and give him some supper. Then tell him what's to be done. What's your name, boy?"
"Tony Rugg."
"Very well, Tony, I'll give you three dollars a week and your board as long as we suit each other."
"I've got into business sooner than I expected," thought Tony.
The hostler set him to work in the barn, and though he was new to the work, he quickly understood what was wanted, and did it.
"You work twice as fast as Sam," said the hostler, approvingly. ”

“ He was right there. Tony did remain for breakfast. The farmer—Mr. Coleman—had already been informed of Rudolph's attempted burglary, and he did Tony the justice to exonerate him from any share in it.
"What are you going to do, my boy?" he asked at the breakfast table.
"I am going to set up for myself," answered Tony, cheerfully.
"That's right. Have nothing more to do with that man. He can only do you harm. Have you got any money?"
"I've got five cents."
"That isn't enough to buy a farm."
"Not a very large one," said Tony, smiling.
Abner nearly choked with laughter. ”

“ I really don't know exactly how much."
"Four or five dollars a day!" exclaimed Tony, opening his eyes in amazement. "How much I shall cost you!"
"I expect you will cost me a good deal, Tony," [Pg 188] said the young man. "Do you know, I have a great mind to adopt you!"
"Do you really mean it, Mr. Spencer?"
"Yes; why shouldn't I. I like what I have seen of you, and I have plenty of money."
"It must be a nice thing to have plenty of money," said Tony, thoughtfully.
"There is danger in it, too, Tony. I am ashamed to tell you how much I have spent in gambling and dissipation." ”

“ It was half-a-dozen years before the war that Godfrey Brooks made a visit to his Cousin Sydney in Virginia. It was his first glimpse of plantation life, and he was not sparing of his questions or comments. Boys in a strange place find it hard to carry about with them the politeness or reticence which are such easy fitting garments at home.
The two boys were standing on the piazza one sunny morning looking down to the distant swamp.
"You mean to tell me," said Godfrey hotly, "that gentlemen hunted their runaway slaves out of the swamp with bloodhounds? Bloodhounds?" ”