Harry Raymond

“ Get off from me, Harry Raymond.”
“I guess you’ll get over it,” said Harry, who knew that the hurt could not be very serious.
“Jim Turner!” shouted the fallen hero.
James, who had witnessed his friend’s discomfiture, paused at a little distance. He began to doubt whether it would be prudent to take an active part in the hostilities. His confederate was disabled, and he strongly suspected that Harry was more than a match for him. Still he was rather ashamed to hold aloof. ”

“ Harry interrupted Teddy just in time. The red-haired boy turned scarlet as a poppy and meekly subsided.
Mr. Marsh studied Harry’s clear, honest face for an instant. Moved by a sudden impulse he reached forth his hand to Harry. “Thank you, my boy,” he said. “My shoulders are broad enough to bear just censure. Still I appreciate your kindly spirit. Let me tell you something, boys. Occasions often arise when it is only fair and right for a boy to shield himself, even at the expense of someone else, provided that someone else is to blame. ”

“ Raymond’s flight of genius was over, and the result appalled him.
Indeed, it was rather remarkable, that transformation; and very curious is the power of a bit of clay, in willing fingers! That beautifully modelled countenance no longer suggested Madam Randolph of Highcourt; it had become the face of some Light-Horse Harry, some devil-may-care D’Arcy of the Guards. If that portrait had been scarce feminine enough before, what was it now, with those singular additions bristling from lips and chin? A warrior, no less. ”

“ Raymond, slowly, “but I do not think so.”
“At any rate,” said Harry, “it’s a splendid offer. Think of earning twelve dollars a week, to begin with, in New York!”
“Yes, it’s a good offer, but how can I spare you?” said his mother, sorrowfully. “It will be very lonely without you. Don’t you think you had better remain in Mr. Porter’s store?”
“That will only be for a few weeks, you know, mother. Alfred Harper will be getting well before long, and then I shall be out of a situation. I think we had better say yes.”
Harry’s ambition was fired by the prospect of a place in the city. ”

“ I am told he has gone to the city to seek his fortune.”
Mrs. Raymond was glad to have some one to whom she could impart her anxiety.
“I am feeling very anxious about him,” she said. “I received a letter from Harry four days ago, just after he reached New York, and I have heard nothing since.”
“No doubt he is very busy,” said the squire.
“He would not be too busy to write me a few lines. He would know that I should feel anxious,” said Mrs. Raymond.
“Don’t feel troubled, Mrs. Raymond. I know how it is with boys. They dislike writing letters. It was the way with me when I was a boy.” ”

“ Teddy had only time for a quick, backward nod as he followed Mr. Duffield down the aisle between rows of shining kitchen ware. Harry turned and accompanied his companion up a nearby stairway and down the main arcade. Just off the broad aisle his guide stopped and peered about him. “There he is.” He hustled Harry past a long row of glass cases filled with shining silver. A tall man was standing with his back to the boys. He was writing on a salesman’s book with a blue pencil. Then he said loudly, “You ought to be more careful.” The harsh tones chilled Harry through and through. ”

“ The realization that Harry was rapidly coming into man’s estate filled her with a curious sense of sadness. The curly-haired baby whose first tottering steps she had so patiently guided had little to do with this resolute, keen-eyed youth at her side. “You must do as your own conscience dictates. Above all things, Harry, I wish you to be a good man and true; the kind of man your father was. If you were to pick a fight with some boy merely because you didn’t like him, you’d only be wronging yourself. ”

“ Harry’s voice was purposely sharp. He had no time to argue the matter with Teddy. “I wouldn’t be a quitter until I’d tried things out. You may like this school as much as you hated the other. Come on. We can’t stand here talking all day.”
Teddy walked beside Harry to Mr. Marsh’s desk with the air of a martyr. As he passed the still-waiting row of boys he hunched his shoulders and stared at them with a cross-eyed glare, which was one of his accomplishments, and caused them to giggle audibly. ”

“ The squire flushed at this unexpected accusation. How in the world, he thought, could Mrs. Raymond have heard of his agency in the abduction of Harry?
“I don’t know what you mean,” he said; but his face belied his words. ”

“ She was still wondering what the mysterious message she had delivered to Toby Carey might be held to mean.
When Captain Raymond had exhausted himself she went away to her own room and sat for a long while gazing towards the great mountains, thinking, thinking.
Her sister presently joined her. Mrs. Raymond was a dark-eyed, merry-hearted little woman, the gay originator of many a frolic, and an immense favourite with men and women alike.
"Poor darling! I declare Harry has made you look quite miserable!" was her exclamation, as she ran lightly in and seated herself on the arm of Averil's chair. ”

“ Harry Harding was positively thrilling with excitement, as he hurried to the assembly room to form in line for the triumphal march to Martin Hall. The hour had come when he was to witness his chum’s triumph. A number of rows of seats had been reserved for the store messengers, and as Harry marched into the hall with his work-a-day comrades to the inspiring strains of Sousa’s “Salute to the Colors,” played by the store orchestra, he was wrought up to a high pitch of pleasurable emotion. ”

“ Raymond,” he said, removing his hat, and taking the chair which the widow brought forward.
“I am well in health, Squire Turner,” was the reply, “but, I am very unhappy. I sometimes feel as if my sorrows are greater than I can bear.”
“You have Katy left.”
“Yes, Katy is a dear little girl. But for her I should not care to live. But for her and the hope that Harry may come back some time—”
“While there is life there is hope,” said the squire. “I mean while we are not certain of death, there is ground for hope.” ”

“ Harry regarded the red-haired boy smilingly. “Still, you couldn’t blame him very much. You’d better be careful about calling people pet names, though, Ted.” Harry grew serious. “You got me into trouble by calling Mr. Barton a crank, then you called that fat boy an elephant. I must say, the name suits him, only it’s rather hard on the elephant. Now you’ve named another man a giraffe. First thing you know, you’ll have a zoo, and when they hear you calling their names the whole menagerie will come at you and gobble you up.”
“You talk like a fairy story,” grinned Teddy. ”

“ Can you drive a horse?”
“Oh, yes, sir. I have done that a good many times.”
“I don’t know,” said the store-keeper, hesitating a little. “You couldn’t do as much as Alfred; still, you could help a good deal. I have always heard good accounts of you. Mr. Gaylord, how will it do to engage Harry Raymond a few weeks while Alfred is away?”
“I think it would be a good plan, sir,” said John Gaylord, who was familiar with Harry’s good reputation, and had a very favorable opinion of him. “It would lighten your labors a good deal.”
“Very true; and I am really not able to be in the store. ”

“ Harry regarded Teddy with affection and appreciation. It didn’t much matter, he thought, if Teddy couldn’t keep out of mischief. He was truthful and honest, and that was what counted in a fellow who was one’s best chum. “What did that Howard Randall say? I suppose he didn’t say, ‘thank you?’”
“Well, he didn’t exactly say that, but—he—I—he isn’t such a mean kid, after all. He said he was sorry he tried to stick me for a nickel, and I’m not going to call him the elephant any more. We kind of made up.” ”

“ Teddy, however, was already on the way to answer that jubilant, insistent ring. “I guess it’s the laundry man,” he muttered. “I’ll tell him we’re not deaf.” Opening the door to confront the clamorous purveyor of laundry, Teddy’s black eyes grew saucer-like. “Harry Harding!” he shouted. “Are you fired, too?”
Harry’s gay laugh held a note of exaltation that Teddy instantly caught. His freckles stood out darkly under his suddenly paling skin. “Is it—is it——”
“It is,” caroled Harry. “Read this.” He thrust a square envelope into his chum’s hand. ”

“ Harry refused to be thus checked. “Ever since I came back from my vacation things have gone wrong for me. Neither of you will ever know what I’ve had to put up with, because I’m not going to tell you. But I’m not to blame for this. I’m going to leave the store as soon as you’re through with me. There are some things a fellow can’t and won’t stand.”
“You are not going to leave the store,” put in Mr. Rexford firmly. “I believe you, Harry.”
“I don’t,” contested Mr. Brady stubbornly. “I’ve told you again and again that this boy’s a sneak. ”

“ He glanced sharply at our hero, and said something in a low tone to Mr. Fairchild which Harry did not understand. He little dreamed that the new-comer was to be intimately connected with his fortunes. Still less did he dream that he was an agent of Squire Turner, and that all the profitable business transactions of Mr. Lemuel Fairchild were merely fictitious, and got up solely to deceive him. Harry was a smart boy, but even smart boys are likely to be taken in, in matters of which they have no previous experience. But Harry’s eyes were to be opened very soon. ”

“ On several occasions he had encountered the man with whom he had collided on that first, disastrous school morning. By this time he knew him to be Mr. Rexford, the buyer of the books. Miss Welch had given him that information. Mr. Rexford had invariably smiled at him in a kindly fashion that quite won the boy to him. Harry never saw him without wishing secretly that he had been placed in the book department. It would be the height of happiness to work for such a man as Mr. Rexford. ”

“ Marsh’s glance traveled down the line until it rested upon Harry Harding. A deep flush rose to Harry’s face, but he met the quizzical glance with steady eyes.
“Well, Burke, I’m glad to know you are a manly boy, at least,” asserted Mr. Marsh, “but I must know who the other boy is. Someone else in this room is more at fault than you. Still, if he won’t own up to his part of this affair, and you won’t give me his name, then you will have to bear your punishment and his too.” Mr. Marsh spoke with a decision that made Teddy’s heart sink. ”

“ There was nothing left for Harry to do but pass them. Mr. Farley cast a sleepy glance at the boy, but did not speak. He invariably treated the lad as though he were a part of the department furnishings. The slender, dark man paid no attention to him whatever. ”

“ Fairchild himself. He certainly did not look by any means like a prosperous city merchant, doing an extensive business.
“Have you just reached New York, Raymond?” asked the merchant, picking his teeth with the small blade of his pocket-knife.
“Yes, sir,” said Harry. “I came right here.”
“All right. I was expecting you. So you want me to make a business man of you, eh?”
“Yes, sir,” said Harry, wondering if he should dress as shabbily when he became a commission merchant. ”

“ Harry expressed emphatic disapproval of such a change. “I shouldn’t like to be a detective in the least. I just happened to get into both those affairs.”
Mr. Martin smiled whimsically. “You’re rather different from the average youngster. Most boys would jump at a chance to become a sleuth. What would you like to become?” he questioned, staring hard at Harry.
“A business man, sir. I’d like to learn a lot about a big store like this; about the way things are done here. Then if ever I had a chance to go into business for myself, I know just what to do and how to do it.” ”

“ For an instant Harry was seized with a wild desire to laugh. No one could view Teddy’s fanciful handiwork unmoved. With an effort Harry kept his features sober. Amazement quickly conquered his inclination for mirth. “How could I possibly know anything about it?” His reply contained a note of wonder.
“There, Brady. I hope you are satisfied.” Mr. Rexford’s comment was tinged with cool reserve. He had given small credence to the tale the assistant had brought him.
“I’m not satisfied. I wouldn’t take the word of any of these boys. They are all alike when it comes to mischief. ”

“ Harry returned in crisp, business-like tones.
“I’m the stock boy. Who you whistlin’ for? What’s missin’ downstairs? A fellow can’t more’n get up here until somebody’s after him.”
“The stock boy!” Harry’s tone registered incredulity. “How long have you been stock boy? Where is Fred Alden?”
“How do I know where he is? I’m no direct’ry. I’ve been here a week, but that’s none of your business. If you’re talkin’ about the kid that had this job before me, he’s left.” ”

“ Harry Harding was also making rapid strides along the line of his work. The only drawback to his satisfaction lay in the thought that he could not do more for the man who had done so much for him. Over and over again he said to Teddy, “I wish I could do something splendid for Mr. Rexford and for Martin Brothers, too, just to show them that I appreciate working for them.” ”

“ Keene and tell him a pack of lies,” sneered the aisle manager, “rather than do me a little personal favor now and then.”
“I’m not a telltale, and I’ll gladly do any errand you wish me to do on my lunch hour, or after the store closes. You are welcome to my time, but I can’t give away what doesn’t belong to me.”
“You’ll do as I say,” ordered the aisle manager grimly, as though he had not heard Harry’s firm refusal. Then he turned on his heel and walked rapidly away, leaving Harry to stare after him, a bitter smile on his youthful face. He was learning the ways of men all too rapidly. ”