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THE BOAT RACE.
Herpert Carrer’s Lecacy:
' OR,
THE INVENTOR’S SON.
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.,
AUTHOR OF “TATTERED TOM SERIES,†“LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES,â€
“BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES,†ETC., ETC.
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.,
PHILADELPHIA,
CHICAGO, TORONTO.
FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.
RAGGED DICK SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
RAGGED DICK. RouGH AND READY.
FAME AND FORTUNE. BEN THE LUGGAGE Boy.
MARK THE MATCH Boy. RUFUS AND ROSE.
TATTERED TOM SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
Cloth. FIRST SERIES.
TATTERED TOM. PHIL THE FIDDLER.
PAUL THE PEDDLER. SLOW AND SURE.
TATTERED TOM SERIES. 4vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES
JULIUS. SAM’S CHANCE.
THE YOUNG OUTLAW. THE TELEGRAPH Boy.
CAMPAIGN SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 3 vols.
FRANK’S CAMPAIGN. CHARLIE CODMAN’S CRUISE.
PAUL PRESCOTT’S CHARGE.
LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. By HoRATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
Cloth. FIRST SERIES.
LucK AND PLUCK. STRONG AND STEADY.
SINK OR SWIM. | STRIVE AND SUCCEED.
LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. 4vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES.
TRY AND TRUST. RISEN FROM THE RANKS,
Bound TO RISE. HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY.
BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. By HorATIOoO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
. oth.
BRAVE AND BOLD. SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF,
JACK’S WARD. WAIT AND HOPE,
PACIFIC SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
THE YOUNG ADVENTURER. THE YOUNG EXPLORERS.
THE YOUNG MINER. BEN’S NUGGET.
ATLANTIC SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 4 vols.
THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER. HECTOR’S INHERITANCE.
Do AND DARE. HELPING HIMSELF,
WAY ae, SUCCESS SERIES. By HoRATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols, 12mo.
oth.
Bos BURTON. LUKE WALTON.
THE STORE Boy. STRUGGLING UPWARD.
NEW WORLD SERIES. By Horatio ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
DIGGING FOR GOLD. FACING THE WORLD. In A NEW WORLD.
Other Volumes in Preparation.
CoPyRIGHT By A. K. LORING, 1875.
@ g
MY YOUNG FRIEND,
ALFRED LINCOLN SELIGMAN,
This Volume
1s
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
PREFACE,
——-oba4oo-—
‘* HERBERT CarTerR’s Lecacy†is the eighth and conclud-
ing volume of the, ‘‘Luck and Pluck†series. Those who
have read all the stories attentively cannot fail to have
discovered that there is one general idea pervading them
all. The heroes have been differently situated, and have
been led into different paths, but all have met life man-
fully, and overcome by pluck and patience the obstacles
which they found in their way. These stories have been
intended to illustrate the proverb that ‘‘God helps those
who are willing to help themselves.†Those who sit down,
and wait passively for fortune to shower her gifts upon
them, are likely to wait a long time.
During the years which have elapsed since the initial
volume of the series appeared, the author has re-
ceived many letters from boys in different parts of the
country, acknowledging the hope and encouragement which
they have derived from these records of experiences in
Vi PREFACE.
many cases resembling their own. Such letters are
always gratifying, and have in all cases been promptly
answered. It is the author’s ambition not only to enter-
tain his young readers, but, if possible, to assist them in
the struggle which lies before each and all.
New York, Oct. 1, 1875.
HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY:
THE INVENTOR’S SON,
sr POL, OO————
CHAPTER I.
MRS. CARTER RECEIVES A LETTER.
‘‘TIs that the latest style?†inquired James Leech,
with a sneer, pointing to a patch on the knee of
Herbert Carter’s pants.
Herbert’s face flushed. He was not ashamed of
the patch, for he knew that his mother’s poverty
made it a necessity. But he felt that it was mean
and dishonorable in James Leech, whose father was
one of the rich men of Wrayburn, to taunt him with
what he could not help. Some boys might have
slunk away abashed, but Herbert had pluck and
- gtood his ground.
10 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘Tt is my style,†he answered firmly, looking
James boldly in the face.
‘¢T admire your taste, then,†returned James, with
a smooth sneer.
‘¢'Then you had better imitate it,†retorted Her
bert.
‘¢'Thank you,†said James, in the same insulting
tone. ‘* Would you lend me your pants for a pat-
tern? Excuse me, though; perhaps you have no
other pair.â€
‘¢FKor shame, James!†exclaimed one or two boys
who had listened to the colloquy, stirred to indigna-
tion by this heartless insult on the part of James
Leech to a boy who was deservedly a favorite with
them all.
Herbert’s fist involuntary doubled, and James,
though he did not know it, ran a narrow chance of
getting a good whipping. But our young hero con-
trolled himself, not without some difficulty, and said,
‘¢T have one other pair, and these are at your service
whenever you require them.â€
Then turning to the other boys, he said in a
changed tone, ‘* Who’s in for a game of ball?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. |
**],†said one promptly.
‘¢ And I,†said another. |
Herbert walked away, accompanied by the other
boys, leaving James Leech alone.
James looked after him with a scowl. He was
sharp enough to see that Herbert, in spite of his
patched pants, was a better scholar and a greater
favorite than himself. He had intended to humiliate
him on the present occasion, but he was forced to
acknowledge that he had come off second best from
the encounter. He walked moodily away, and took
what comfort he could, in the thought that he was far
superior to a boy who owned but two pairs of pants,
and one of them patched. He was foolish enough to
feel that a boy or man derived importance from the
extent of his wardrobe; and exulted in the personal
possession of eight pairs of pants.
This scene occurred at recess.
After school was over, Herbert walked home. He
was a little thoughtful. There was no disgrace in a
patch, as he was sensible enough to be aware. Still
he would have a little preferred not to wear one.
That was only natural. In that point, 1 suppose, my
12 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
readers will fully agree with him. But he knew very
well that his mother, who had been left a widow, had
hard work enough to get along as it was, and he had
no idea of troubling her on the subject. Besides, he
had a better suit for Sundays, neat though plain, and
he felt that he ought not to be disturbed by James
Leech’s insolence.
So thinking, he neared the small house which he
called home. It was a small cottage, with perhaps
quarter of an acre of land attached, enough upon which
to raise a few vegetables. It belonged to his mother
nominally, but was mortgaged for half its value to
Squire Leech, the father of James. The amount of
the mortgage, precisely, was seven hundred and fifty
dollars. It had cost his father fifteen hundred.
When he built it, obtaining half this sum on mort-
gage, he hoped to pay it up by degrees; but it turned
out that, from sickness and other causes, this proved
impossible. When, five months before, he had died
suddenly, the house, which was all he left, was sub-
ject to this incumbrance. Upon this, interest was
payable semi-annually at the rate of six per cent.
Forty-five dollars a year is nota large sum, but it
THE tNVYENTOR’S SON. 13
seemed very large to Mrs. Carter, wien added to
their necessary expenses for food, clothing and fuel.
How it was to be paid she did not exactly see. The
same problem had perplexed Herbert, who, like a
good son as he was, shared his mother’s cares and
tried to lighten them. But in a small village like
Wrayburn there are not many ways of getting money,
at any rate for a boy. There were no manufactories,
as in some large villages, and money was a scarce
commodity.
Herbert had, however, one source of income. Half-
a-dozen families, living at some distance from the
post-office, employed him to bring any letters or
papers that might come for them, and for this service
he received a regular tariff of two cents for each
letter, and one cent for each paper. He was not
likely to grow rich on this income, but he felt that,
though small, it was welcome.
According to custom, Herbert called at the post-
office on his way home. He found a letter for Deacon
Crossleigh, one for Mr. Duncan, two for Dr. Waffit,
and papers for each of the two former.
‘Ten cents!†he thought with satisfaction.
14 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Well, that is better than nothing, though it won’t
buy me a new pair of pants.â€
He was about to leave the office, when the post-
master called after him, ‘“‘ Wait a minute, Herbert;
I believe there’s a letter for your mother.â€
Herbert returned, and received a letter bearing the
following superscription : —
‘¢ Mrs. ALMIRA CARTER,
Wrayburn,
New York.â€
‘*T hope it isn’t bad news,†said the postmaster.
‘*T see it’s edged with black.â€
‘¢T can’t make out where it’s from,†said Herbert,
scanning the postmark critically.
‘‘ Nor I,†said the postmaster, rubbing his glasses,
and taking another look. ‘‘ The postmark is very
indistinct.â€
‘¢'There’s an n and a p,†said Herbert, after a little
examination. ‘I think it must be Randolph.â€
‘‘ Randolph? So it is, I declare. Have you got
any friends or relatives living there? "’
‘¢ Yes, my mother’s uncle Herbert, for whom I wag
named, lives there.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 15
‘‘ Then he must be dead.â€
‘What makes you think so?â€
‘‘'The envelope is edged with black. You had
better carry it home before you go round with the
others.â€
‘* Perhaps I had,†said Herbert. ‘‘ Ill run, so as
not to keep the others waiting. Deacon Crossleigh
is always in a hurry for his paper.â€
**'Yes, the deacon’s always in a fidget to know
what’s going on, particularly when the Congress is in
session. He takes a wonderful interest in politics.â€
Herbert ran up the street with a quick step,
pausing a minute at his humble home.
‘¢ You are out of breath, Herbert. Have you been
running ?â€
‘s Yes, I’ve got a letter for you, and I wanted to
bring it before I went round with the rest.â€
‘¢ A letter! Where from?†asked the widow, with
curiosity, for she held very little intercourse with the
world outside of Wrayburn. |
‘¢ It’s postmarked Randolph, as well as I can make
out. While you are reading it, I'll run and leave my
letters, and ve back to hear the news.â€
16 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
In a hurry to do all his errands and get back,
Herbert ran all the way. While his eyes were fixed
on one of the envelopes, he ran full against James
Leech, who was walking up the street with a pompous
air.
In the encounter James’s hat came off, and he was
nearly thrown down.
‘¢ What made you run into me?†he demanded.
wrathfully.
‘¢ Excuse me, James,†said Herbert, recovering
himself.
‘¢’You did it on purpose,†said his enemy, glaring
at him angrily.
‘¢'That isn’t very likely,†said Herbert. ‘I got
hit as hard as you did.†|
‘¢'Your hat didn’t get knocked off. Pick it up,â€
said James, imperiously, pointing to it as it lay in
the path.
‘¢T will, because it is by my fault that it fell,†said
Herbert, stooping over and picking it up. ‘* You
needn’t have ordered me to do it.â€
‘‘The next time take care how you run against a
gentleman,†said James, arrogantly.
THE INVENTORS SON. 17
‘* Take care the next time to speak like a gentle-
man,†said Herbert. ‘‘ Good night! I must be off.â€
‘‘ Insolent beggar!†muttered James. ‘ He don’t
know his place. How dare he speak to me in that
way !â€
18 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER II.
WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED.
Har an hour later, Herbert re-entered the cottage
breathless with running.
‘¢ Well, mother, what is it?†he asked.
‘¢ Uncle Herbert is dead,†she answered.
‘¢ When did he die?â€
‘Yesterday morning. They wrote at once. The
funeral is to take place to-morrow afternoon, at three
o'clock.†| |
‘* Uncle Herbert was rich, wasn’t he, mother?â€
‘* Yes, he must have left nearly a hundred thousand
dollars.†|
‘What a pile of money!†said Herbert. ‘I
wonder how a man feels when he is so rich. He
ought to be happy.â€
‘¢ Riches don’t always bring happiness. Uncle
Herbert was disappointed in early life, and that
seemed to spoil his career. He gave himself up to
THE INVENTORS SON. 1S
money-making, and succeeded in it; but he hved by
timself and had few sources of happiness.â€
‘*’Then he had no family?â€
‘* No.â€
‘Do you think he has left us anything, mother?â€
asked Herbert, with something of hope in his tone.
‘*T am afraid not. If he had been disposed to do
that, he would have done something for us before.
He knew that we were poor, and that a little assist-
ance would have been very acceptable. But he never
offered it. Even when your father was sick for three
-months, and I wrote to him for a small loan, he re-
fused, saying that we ought to have laid up money to:
fall back upon at such a time.â€
‘¢¥ don’t see how a man canbe so unfeeling. If he
would only leave us a thousand dollars, how much good
it would do us! We could pay up the mortgage on
the house, and have something left over. It wouldn’t
have been much for him to do.â€
‘¢ Well, we won’t think too much about it,†said Mrs
Carter. ‘‘It will be wisest, as probably we should
be only preparing ourselves for disappointment.
29 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Uncle had a right to do what he pleased with his
own.â€
‘¢ Shall you go to the funeral, mother?â€
‘‘ T don’t see how I can,†said Mrs. Carter, slowiy.
‘*It is twenty miles off, and I am very busy just now.
Still one of us ought to go, if only to show respect to
so near a relation. People would talk if we didn’t.
I think, as you were named for your uncle Herbert, I
will let you go.†|
‘“*Tf you think best, mother. I will walk, and that
will save expense.â€
‘* Tt will be too much for you to take such a walk.
You had better ride.â€
‘‘ No, mother, I am young and strong. I can walk
well enough.â€
‘‘But it must be twenty miles,†objected his
mother.
‘The funeral loesn’t take place till three o’clock
in the afternoon. I will get up bright and early, say
at five o’clock. By nine I shall be half way there.â€
‘Tam afraid it will be too much for you, Herbert,â€
said Mrs. Carter, irresolutely.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 23
‘¢ You don’t know how strong I am,†said Herbert ;
**T sha’n’t get tired so easily as you think.â€
‘* But twenty miles is a long distance.â€
‘IT know that, but I shall take it easy. The stage-
fare is seventy-five cents, and it’s a good way to save
it. I wish somebody would offer me seventy-five
cents for every twenty miles I would walk. Id take
it up as a profession.â€
‘ST am afraid I could earn little that way. I never
was a good walker.â€
‘¢You’re a woman,†said Herbert, patronizingly.
-¢’ Women are not expected to be good walkers.â€
‘¢Some are. I remember my aunt Jane would take
walks of five and six miles, and think nothing of it.â€
‘¢T guess I could match her in walking,†said Her-
bert, confidently. ‘*Is she alive?â€
‘* No, she died three years since.â€
‘¢ Perhaps I take after her, then.â€
‘¢You don’t take after me, I am sure of that. I
think, Herbert, you had better take seventy-five cents
with you, so that if you get very tired with your walk
over, you can come back by stage.â€
22 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘ All right, mother; I’ll take the money, but I
shall be sure not to need it.â€
‘‘It is best to be prepared for emergencies, Her-
bert.â€
“Tf I am going to-morrow morning, I must split
up enough woud to last you while I am gone.â€
‘¢T am afraid you will tire yourself. I think I can
get along with what wood there is already split.â€
‘¢Qh, don’t be afraid for me. You'll see I’ll come
back as fresh as when I set out. I expect to have a
stunning appetite though.â€
‘Pll try to cook up enongh for you,†said his
mother, smiling.
Herbert went out into the wood-shed, and went to
work with great energy at the wood-pile. In the
course of an hour he had sawed and split several
large baskets full, which he brought in and piled up
behind the kitchen stove.
Mrs. Carter could not be expected to feel very deep
grief for the death of her uncle. It was now more
than six years since they had met. He was a selfish
man, wholly wrapped up in the pursuit of wealth. Had
he possessed benevolent instincts, he would have offered
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 23
to do something out of his abundance for his niece,
who he knew found it very hard to make both ends meet.
But he was a man who was very much averse to part-
ing with his money while he lived. He lived on a
tenth of his income, and saved up the rest, though for
what end he could not well have told. Since the
death of Mr. Carter, whose funeral he had not taken
trouble to attend, though invited, he had not even
written to his niece, and she had abstained from
making any advances, lest it might be thought that
she was seeking assistance. Under these circum-
stances she had little hope of a legacy, though she
could not help admitting the thought of how much a
few hundred dollars would help her, bridging over the
time till Herbert should be old enough to earn fair
wages in some employment. If he could study two or
three years longer, she would have been very glad,
for her son had already shown abilities of no common
order; but that was hardly to be thought of.
‘¢'There, mother, I guess ’ve sawed wood enough
to last you, unless you are very extravagant,†said
Herbert, re-entering the kitchen, and taking off his
cap. ‘‘ Now is there anything else] can do? You
24 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
know I shall be gone two days, or a day and a half
at any rate.â€
‘¢] think of nothing, Herbert. You had better go
to bed early, and get a good night’s rest, for you will
have a hard day before you.â€
‘So I will, but eight o’clock will be soon enough,
Just suppose we should get a legacy after all, mother.
— Wouldn’t it be jolly?â€
‘¢T wouldn’t think too much of it, Herbert. There
isn’t much chance of it. Besides, it doesn’t seem
right to be speculating about our own personal ad-
vantage when Uncle Herbert lies dead in his house. ’
There was justice in this suggestion, but Herbert
could hardly be expected to take a mournful view of
the death of a relative whom he hardly remembered,
and who had appeared scarcely to be aware of his
existence. It was natural that the thought of his
wealth should be uppermost in his young nephew’s
mind. The reader will hardly be surprised to hear
that Herbert, knowing only too well the disadvantages
of poverty, should have speculated a little about his
uncle’s property after he went to bed. Indecd, it did
not leave him even with his waking consciousness
THE INVENTGR’S SON. 25
He dreamed that his uncle “eft him a big lump of
gold, so big and heavy that he could not lift it. He
was considering anxiously how in the world he was
going to get it home, when all at once he awoke, and
heard the church clock strike five.
‘‘ Time I was on my way !†he thought, and, jump-
ing out of bed, he dressed himself as quickly as pos-
sible, and went downstairs. But, early as it was, his
mother was down before him. There was a fire in the
kitchen stove, and the cloth was laid for breakfast.
‘What made you get up so early, mother?†asked
Herbert.
‘¢T wouldn’t have you go away without breakfast,
Herbert, especially for such a long walk.â€
‘¢T meant to take something from the closet. That
sould have done well enough.â€
‘¢'You will be all the better for a good, warm cup
of tea. Sit right down. It is all ready.â€
Early as it was, the breakfast tasted good. Her-
bert ate hastily, for he was anxious to be on his way.
Knowing that he could not afford to buy lunch, he
put the remnants of the breakfast, including some
slices of bread and butter and meat, into his satchel,
and started on his long walk.
26 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER III.
HERBERT MEETS A RELATIVE.
HERBERT had never been to Randolph. In fact, he
had never been so far away from Wrayburn. He was
not afraid of losing his way, however. Here and
there along the road, guide-posts were conveniently
placed, and these removed any difficulty on that
score.
When he had gone about six miles, the coach
rattled by. It had started more than an hour later.
~ Herbert turned out for the lumbering vehicle, and
waited for it to pass. There was a boy on top, but
such was the cloud of dust that he could not at first
recognize him. It happened, however, that one of
the traces broke, so that the driver was compelled to
make a stop just as he overtook our hero. Then he
saw that the boy on top was James Leech.
With James curiosity overcame his disinclination
to speak to one so far beneath him.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 27
** Where are you going, Carter?†he inquired.
‘¢ To Randolph,†was the answer.
‘¢ Going to walk all the way?â€
“IT expect to,†said Herbert, not relishing the
cross-examination.
‘¢Why don’t you ride?â€
James did not ask for information. He knew well
enough already, but as there are purse-proud men, so
there are boys who are actuated by feelings equally
unworthy, and it delighted him to remind Herbert of
his poverty. Herbert divined this, but he was proud
in his way, and answered, ‘* Because I choose.â€
‘¢Well, you must like the dust, that’s all,†said
James, complacently tapping his well-polished boot
with a light cane which he had bought.
‘¢ Where are you going?†asked Herbert, thinking
it about time for him to commence questioning.
‘‘T’m going to Randolph, too,†answered James
with unwonted affability. ‘* I’m going to stop a few
days with a friend of mine, Tom Spencer. His
father’s a rich man — got a nice place there. Didn't
you ever hear of Mr. Spencer, the lawyer?â€
‘¢ T don’t think I have.â€
28 HERBERT CARTARS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ That’s his father. He makes a load of money by
his law business. J think I shall study law some
time. Perhaps I'll go into partnership with him.
What are you going to be?â€
‘¢ I don’t know yet,†said Herbert.
‘¢T suppose you'll be a mechanic of some kind, —
a carpenter, or mason, or bricklayer.â€
‘¢ Perhaps so,†said Herbert, quietly.
*¢' What are you going to Randolph for?†asked
James, with sudden curiosity.
‘¢’'To attend my uncle’s funeral.â€
‘¢ What’s your uncle’s name? â€
‘¢'T'he same as mine.â€
‘¢ T suppose he was poor.â€
‘¢ No, he was rich.â€
‘“Was he?†repeated James, tm some surprise.
*¢ What do you think he was worth? â€
‘¢ About a hundred thousand dollars.â€
‘*Sho! you don’t sey so. Perhaps,†continued
James, with new-born respect, ‘“‘he has left you
something in his will.
‘¢¥ don’t think so.â€
‘Why not?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 29
‘¢ He hasn’t shown any interest in us for six years,
and I don’t think he’ll remember us now.â€
James looked thoughtful. He had never before
heard of this relationship, or he would have treated
Herbert differently. The mere fact of having a
wealthy relative elevated our hero considerably in
his eyes. Then, too, there was a possibility that
Herbert would turn out a legatee.
‘¢ When is your uncle’s funeral?†he inquired, after
a pause.
‘¢ This afternoon.†|
‘¢ You won’t get there in time. You had better get
up and ride.â€
‘6 No, I guess not.â€
‘¢ Well, perhaps I shall meet you at Randolph.â€
By this time the harness was repaired, the driver
resumed his seat, and whipped up the horses to make
up for lost time.
‘‘T’m glad I don’t think as much of money as
James Leech,†thought Herbert. ‘‘I suppose if my
uncle would only leave us a good round sum, he
would forget that I once wore patched pants, and
accept m¢ as his intimate friend.â€
30 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
This was exactly what James would have done,
and Herbert showed that he was not wholly without
knowledge of the world in forming the conjecture.
Pausing occasionally to rest, Herbert at length
accomplished his journey, arriving at Randolph a
little after noon. He stopped just outside the village
and ate his frugal dinner, which by this time he was
prepared to relish. He then took off his jacket and
beat the dust out of it, dusted his shoes, and washed
his face in a little brook by the roadside. Having
thus effaced the marks of travel, he entered the vil-
lage and inquired the way to the residence of his late
uncle. He found out where it was, but did not go
there yet, knowing that there would be preparations
going on for the funeral. Neither did he go to the
tavern, for he knew that he would be expected to
dine there, and this was an expense which he did not
feel able to incur. He threw himself down in the
shade of a tree, and remained there until after he
heard the church clock strike two. He was still
lying there when a young man, smartly dressed,
sporting a showy watch-chain and locket and an im-
mense neck-tie, ;ame up the street and accosted him.
THE INVENTORS SON $1
‘fT say, boy, can you tell me where old man Care
ter’s house is?â€
‘*Yes,†said Herbert. ‘‘Do you want to go
there?†|
‘Qf course Ido. I’m one of the relatives. Tve
come all the way from New York to attend the
funeral.â€
‘‘T’m one of the relations, too,†said Herbert.
‘S We'll go along together.â€
‘¢ By Jove, that’s strange! How are you related
to the old chap?†drawled the young man.
‘¢ He was my mother’s uncle.â€
‘¢Was he? Well, ’m a second or third cousin, I
don’t know which. Never saw him to my knowledge.
In fact, I wouldn’t have come on to the funeral, if I
hadn’t heard that he was rich. Expect to be remem-
bered?â€
‘¢T don’t think so. He hasn’t taken any notice of
mother or myself for years.â€
‘¢ Indeed!†said the young man, who was rather
pleased to hear this intelligence. ‘‘ Are there many
relations, do you know?â€
‘>I don’t think there are.â€
82 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢That’s good. It makes our chance better, you
know. I say, what’s your name?â€
‘¢ Herbert Carter.â€
‘¢ Same as the old man’s?â€
‘6 Yes.â€
‘‘ Did he know you was named for him?â€
‘¢ Of course.â€
‘¢'Then he may leave you something for the name,â€
suggested the other, not very well pleased.
‘‘T don’t expect anything. What is your name?â€
‘¢Cornelius Dixon. I’m related to the old man on
my mother’s side.â€
‘¢ Are you in business in New York?†asked Her-
bert, who, in spite of the queer manners of his new
relative, felt considerable respect for one who hailed
from so important a city.
‘¢Yes, I’m a salesman in a New York store.
Where do you live?â€
In Wrayburn.â€
‘¢ Where’s that? â€
‘¢ About twenty miles from here.â€
‘¢Some one-horse country town, I suppose. Are
you in any business?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 33
‘* No,†said Herbert, ‘‘ but I’d like to be. Do you
think you could get me a place in New York?â€
‘¢ Well,†said Cornelius, flattered by the belief in
his influence which this inquiry implied, ‘‘ perhaps I
might. You can give me your name and address, so
I can write to you if I hear of anything. If the old
man only leaves me a few thousand dollars, I’ll ge
into business for myself, and then I’d have an open-
ing for you.â€
‘¢ T hope he will, then.â€
“So do I. That is where we both agree. But
perhaps it will be you that will get the cash.â€
‘¢T don’t think so.â€
‘*Tf you do, put it into my hands, and go into
partnership with me. Ive got business experience,
you know ; while you’re green, countrified, you know.
It would never do for you to start alone.â€
‘¢ No, I shouldn’t think of it.â€
‘‘Then it’s agreed, is it?†said Cornelius. ‘If I
get a legacy, Dll take you into my store. If you get
it, you will go into partnership with me.â€
‘‘T’m willing,†said Herbert, who really believed
that his companion had as valuable business qualifi-
8
34 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
cations as he claimed. How was he to know that
the pretentious Cornelius was only a salesman, at
twelve dollars a week, in a dry goods store on Eighth
avenue.
By this time they had reached the rather dingy-
looking house of their deceased relative. The front
door was open. They passed through the gate, and,
entering, took their places with the mourners.
THE INVENTORS SON. &S
CHAPTER IV.
READING THE WILL.
APPARENTLY the deceased had but few relatives
But six persons were in a small room appropriated ta
the mourners when our hero and his new acquaint-
ance entered. One of these, and far the most
imposing in appearance, was a stout lady, who quite
filled up the only arm-chair in the room. Ina plain
chair close by was a meek little man, three inches
shorter, and probably not more than half her weight.
_ A boy and girl, the children of the ill-matched pair,
the former resembling the father, the latter the
mother, were ranged alongside. Permit me to in-
troduce Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Pinkerton, of Castle-
ton, an adjoining town, Master Albert and Miss
Nancy Pinkerton.
Mrs. Pinkerton is a milliner, and her husband is
her clerk and errand-boy. She has_ considerable
business capacity, and makes enough to support the
06 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
family comfortably, besides adding something annu-
ally to the fund in the savings-bank. The relation-
ship to the deceased is on the side of the husband,
who is a cousin. This relationship has given rise to
great expectations on the part of Mrs. Pinkerton,
who fully expects to inherit half the estate of Mr.
Carter. |
‘‘If we get it, Josiah,†she has promised magnifi-
cently, ‘* I'll buy you a new suit of clothes.â€
‘But, Maria,†expostulated the meek husband,
** it will be left to me, not to you.â€
‘‘ Why so?†demanded she, frowning.
‘* Because he is my cousin, not yours.â€
‘* You indeed!†retorted the wife, angrily ; ** and
what do you know about the use of money? Who
supports the family, I should like to know?â€
‘*T help,†answered Josiah, meekly.
‘* And precious little you help,†returned his wife,
sarcastically. ‘‘So far as you are concerned, we
should all be in the poor-house long before this. N O,
Josiah, the money must come into my hands. T’ll
give you a good allowance, and hire an errand. boy,
THE INVENTORS SON. 37
so that you needn’t have to carry round bundles.
You ought to be contented with that.â€
As no legacy had yet been received, Mr. Pinkerton
thought it best not to continue the discussion. In-
deed, he was rather afraid of his imperious wife, why
held the reins of authority, and whom he did not dare
to dispute.
The two other relations were, first, a brown-faced
and brown-handed farmer, Alonzo Granger, and an
old lady, of seventy or thereabouts, ~ Miss Nancy
Carter, a sister of the deceased. For years she had
lived on a small pension from her brother, increased
somewhat by knitting stockings for the neighbors.
She, indeed, was the only real mourner. The rest.
were speculating about how far they were likely to be
benefited by the death of the deceased, of whom
they had seen but little in life. Even Herbert,
though impressed by the presence of death, could
hardly be expected to feel deep grief for a man who
had neglected his mother in his life.
Of the funeral rites it is unnecessary to speak.
We are interested in what came afterward.
The relations were quietly notified to meet at five
38 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
o’clock in the office of Mr. Spencer, the lawyer, to
whom had been intrusted the will of the late Mr.
Carter. Those who have even a slight knowledge of
human nature will not need to be told that the
attendance of all was punctual. There was an anx-
ious, expectant look on the faces of all— not even
excepting the old lady. She knew that if her brother
had made no provision for her, she must go to the
almshouse, and against this her honest pride
revolted. She was willing to live on anything, how-
ever little, if she might live independently, as she
had hitherto done. To feel herself dependent on
public charity would indeed have been a hard trial
for the poor old lady. Of all, probably Mrs. Pink-
erton was the most confident. She had come to feel
that her family was entitled to a large share of the
estate, and she had gone so far as to decide just how
she would invest it, and what new arrangements she
would make, for she had no idea of consulting her
husband on the subject.
The lawyer was a gentlemanly-looking man, whose
face inspired confidence in his integrity, —a remark
which, unhappily, cannot be made of all in his profes-
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 39
sion. He took his seat at a table, and produced the
will, which he considerately commenced reading at
once. After the usual introduction, the will pro-
ceeded thus :— ©
‘*’'To my sister Nancy I give the use of my house,
rent free, as long as she shall live. I leave her also
an income of two hundred dollars a-year, which, as
her wants are small, will be sufficient to maintain her
in comfort.â€
The old lady breathed a sigh of relief. Her fears
were removed. She could continue to live as she had
been accustomed to do, and need not be beholden to
private or public charity. Mrs. Pinkerton was not
so well pleased. She felt almost as if she had been
deprived of what belonged to her by right. She
frowned at Miss Nancy, but the old lady was uncon-
scious of the displeasure excited in the bosom of her
imposing-looking relative. _
The lawyer proceeded: ‘‘To my cousin Alonzo
Granger I leave one hundred dollars; not because
he needs it, for I understand that he is weli-to-do,
but as a mark of remembrance.â€
The farmer scowled slightly, and opened and
40 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
closed his brown hands in dissatisfaction. He was
well-to-do; but when was a man ever satisfied with
that? He hud counted upon a few thousands, with
which he proposed to buy an adjoining farm. Mrs.
Pinkerton, however, was pleased. There was so
much the more for her.
“To Cornelius Dixon†—here Herbert's morning
acquaintance began to feel excited —‘‘I bequeath
one hundred dollars, to buy a looking-glass and a new
suit of clothes.â€
The young man’s face lengthened very perceptibly
as he heard the small amount of his legacy, and he
glared savagely at Mrs. Pinkerton, who showed a
mirthful face at his discomfiture.
_ Her turn came next.
‘*To Josiah Pinkerton, his wife and children, I
leave one hundred dollars apiece ; also my best black
pantaloons, which he or his wife may appropriate, as
may be arranged between them.â€
_ All except the Pinkertons laughed at this sly hit,
and even the lawyer smiled; but the stout lady
flushed with rage and disappointment, and ejaculatea,
“* Abominable!†The eyes of all were now directed
THE INVENTORS SON. 41
&) Herbert, who was the only one remaining. Could
it be possible that the balance of the property was
left to him? The fear of this made him the focus of
unfriendly eyes, and he became restive and anxious.
‘‘'To my namesake, Herbert Carter, I leave a
black trunk which I keep in my room, with all that it
contains. To his mother I direct that the sum of
one hundred dollars be paid.â€
This was not much, but it was more than Herbert
had expected. He knew how welcome even one
hundred dollars would be to his mother, and he
looked satisfied, — the only one of the party, except
the old lady, who showed any pleasure at the con-
tents of the will.
The relatives looked bewildered. All had been
mentioned in turn, and yet but a small part—a
very small part — of the estate had been disposed of.
Mrs. Pinkerton bluntly expressed the general curi-
osity.
‘¢Who’s to have the rest, Mr. Spencer?†she
demanded. —
‘T’m coming to that,†answered the lawyer,
quietly.
42 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY: OR,
‘¢ All the rest and residue of my property, of what-
ever kind, I leave to the town of Randolph, to
establish a high school, directing that not more than
twenty thousand dollars be expended upon the build-
ing, which shall be of brick. I desire that the school
shall be known as the Carter School, to the end that
my name may be remembered in connection with
what I hope will prove a public blessing.â€
‘¢ That is all,†said the lawyer, and he laid down
the will upon the table.
THE INVENTORS SON. | 43
CHAPTER V.
WHAT CAME AFTERWARD.
THERE was silence for a minute after the will was
read. Mrs. Pinkerton fanned herself furiously, and
looked angry and excited.
At length she said, ‘‘I wish to say that that is a
very unjust will, Mr. Spencer.â€
‘*T am not responsible for it, Mrs. Pinkerton,â€
answered the lawyer, quietly.
‘¢T don’t know what the rest of you think,†said
the angry lady, with a general glance around the
office, ‘* but I think the will ought to be broken.â€
‘¢On what grounds?†asked Mr. Spencer.
‘¢He had no right to put off his own flesh and
blood with a beggarly pittance, and leave all his
money to the town.â€
‘¢Pardon me; whatever you may think of Mr.
Carter’s will, there is no doubt that he had a perfect
legal right to dispose of it as he did.â€
44 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘Then the laws ought to be altered,†said Mrs.
Pinkerton, angrily. ‘‘I don’t believe he was sane
when he made the will.â€
‘*If you can prove that,†said the lawyer, ‘* you
can. set aside the will; but not otherwise.â€
‘¢ My brother was in his right mind,†here inter
posed Miss Nancy. ‘‘He always meant to give the
town money for a school.â€
‘No doubt you think he was sane,†sneered Mrs.
Pinkerton, turning upon the old lady. ‘‘ You have
fared better than any of us.â€
‘* Miss Nancy was most nearly related to the
deceased,†said the lawyer, ‘‘and she needed help
most.â€
‘* It’s all very well to talk,†said the lady, tossing
her head, ‘‘ but me and mine have been badly used.
I have hard work enough to support the family, and
little help I get from him,†she added, pointing to
her unhappy husband.
‘¢ Pm workin’ all the time,†remonstrated Josiah,
‘¢-You are unkind, Maria.â€
— **¥ could hire a boy to do ali your work for three
dollars a week,†she retorted. ‘+ That’s all you help
THE INVENTORS SON. 45
me. I’ve worried along for years, expectin’ Mr.
Carter would do something handsome for us; and now
he’s put us off with four hundred dollars.â€
‘*T get only one hundred,†said the farmer.
“And I too. It’s a beastly shame,†remarkea
‘;ornelius.
‘‘ Really,†said the lawyer, ‘‘it appears to me un-
seemly to speak so bitterly so soon after the funeral.â€
‘¢T dare say you like it well enough,†said Mrs,
Pinkerton, sharply. ‘* You’ve got all our money to
build a school-house.â€
‘¢Tt will not benefit me any more than the towns-
people generally,†said the lawyer. ‘‘ For my part, I
should have been glad if my late friend had left a
larger sum to those connected with him by blood.â€
‘¢ Don’t you think we could break the will?†asked
Mrs. Pinkerton, persuasively. ‘*Couldn’t you help
us?â€
“You can attempt it, but I assure you in
advance you haven’t the ghost of a chance. You
would only lose your money, for the town would
strenuously oppose you.â€
46 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
The stout lady’s face fell. She felt that the last
hope was gone.
‘* All I can say is, that it’s a scandalous thing,â€
she concluded bitterly.
‘*T should like to know what’s in that trunk he left
you,†said Cornelius Dixon, turning to Herbert.
‘* May be it’s money, or bonds. If it is, don’t for-
get our agreement.â€
This drew attention to Herbert.
‘‘To be sure,†said Mrs. Pinkerton, whose
curiosity was aroused, ‘‘ Mr. Dixon may be right.
Suppose we all go over to the house and open it.â€
Herbert looked irresolutely toward the lawyer.
‘‘There is no objection, I suppose,†said Mr.
Spencer.
‘* I know what’s in the trunk,†said Miss Nancy.
Straightway all eyes were turned upon her.
‘* What is it?â€
‘< It’s clothes. My brother used to keep his clothes
in that trunk.â€
Cornelius Dixon burst into a rude laugh.
‘* I say, Herbert, I congratulate you,†he said, with
a chuckle. ‘The old fellow’s left you his wardrobe.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 47
You'll look like a peacock when you put’em on. If
you ever come to New York to see me, leave ’em at
home. I wouldn’t like to walk up Broadway with
such a gawk as you’d look.â€
‘*Young man,†said Miss Nancy, her voice
tremulous, ‘‘it don’t look well in you to ridicule my
poor departed brother. He didn’t forget you.â€
‘‘ He might as well,†muttered Cornelius.
‘** T hope you won’t laugh at my brother’s gift,†said
the old lady, turning to Herbert.
‘* No, ma’am,†said Herbert, respectfully. ‘*I am
glad to get it. I can’t afford to buy new clothes
often, and they can be made over for me.â€
‘You wouldn’t catch me wearing such .old
fashioned duds,†said Cornelius, scornfully.
‘* No one asked you to, young man,†said the old
lady, disturbed at the manner in which her brother
was spoken of. ‘* The boy’s worth a dozen of you.â€
‘¢Thauk you,†said Cornelius, bowing with mock
respect. ‘I should like to ask,†he continued, turn-
ing to the lawyer, ‘‘ when I can get my legacy. It
isn’t much, but I might as well take it.†:
‘¢ As the amount is small, I will send you a cheque
48 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
next week,†said Mr. Spencer, ‘‘ if you will leave me
your address.â€
‘¢ And can I have my money too?†demanded Mrs.
Pinkerton. ‘‘ It’s a miserable pittance, but I owe it
to my poor children to take it.â€
‘¢T will send your husband a cheque also, next
week, madam.â€
‘¢You needn’t send it to him. You may send it to
me,†said the lady.
‘Part of it is mine,†expostulated the husband in
meek deprecation.
‘¢T can give you your part,†said his wife. ‘* Mr.
Spencer, you may make the cheque payable to me.â€
‘“But Maria —â€
‘¢ Be silent, Josiah! Don’t make a fool of your-
self,†said his wife, in an imperious tone.
The poor man was fain to be silent, but the lawyer
was indignant, and said, ‘‘ Mr. Pinkerton, I will cer-
tainly not pay your legacy, nor your children’s, to any
one but yourself. I will send Mrs. Pinkerton a
_ cheque for her own share, — one hundred dollars, —
since she desires it.â€
‘*]T insist upon your sending me the children’s
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 49
money also,†said the lady angrily. ‘He aint fit to
take charge of it.â€
‘¢'You may insist as much as you like, Mrs. Pink-
erton,†said the lawyer, coolly, ‘* but it will be useless.
As the head of the family, I shall send, the money
designed for the children to your husband.â€
‘*Do you call him the head of the family?â€
demanded the angry Maria. ‘‘I would have you
to know, sir, that I am the head of the family.â€
‘‘'The law does not recognize you as such. As to
the pantaloons, which form a part of the legacy, I
will forward them to you, if you wish.â€
‘¢Do you mean to insult me, sir?†gasped Mrs.
Pinkerton, growing very red in the face.
‘¢ Not at all; but they were left either to you or
your husband, as you might jointly agree.â€
The lady was about to decline accepting them at
all, but it occurred to her that they might be made
over to suit her husband, and so save the expense of
a new pair, and she directed that they should be sent
to him.
Then, gathering her family about her, she strode
4
PE SO ON ST
Bs Nee
4
50 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
majestically from the office, shaking off, metaphor-
ically, the dust of her feet against it.
Next Mr. Granger, after a few words with the
lawyer, departed. Mr. Cornelius Dixon also an-
nounced that he must depart.
‘¢ Come and see me some time in the city,†he said
to Herbert, ‘‘ and if you ever get a windfall just put
it into my hands, and Yll go into business with
you.â€
‘+ Y’ll remember,†said Herbert, ‘* but I’m afraid it’ll
‘be a good while before that.â€
‘“T don’t know about that. You can open a
second-hand clothing store. The old man’s left you a
good stock in trade. Good joke, isn’t it? Good-
by.â€
Next Miss Nancy rose to go.
‘¢ Tell your mother to call and see me, my boy,â€
she said kindly to Herbert. ‘‘I wish my brother’d
left her more, for I know she needs it.â€
«Thank you, Miss Nancy, said Herbert, respecte
fully ; ‘* but we don’t complain. We are thankful for
what we have recetved.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 51
‘‘You’re the best of ’em,†said the old lady
earnestly. ‘‘ You're a good boy, and God will
prosper you.â€
She went out, and of the eight heirs Herbert alone
remained.
§2- HERBERT CARIER’S LEGACY: OR,
CHAPTER VI
THE LAWYER'S HOME.
Tue lawyer regarded Herbert with a smile.
‘¢’Your uncle’s will doesn’t seem to have given
general satisfaction,†he said.
‘¢No,†responded Herbert; ‘‘ but for my part I
have come out as well as I expected.â€
‘¢T suppose you know Mr. Carter was rich?â€
‘¢So my mother told me.â€
‘¢ How much do you think he was worth?â€
‘Herbert was rather surprised at this question.
Why should the lawyer ask it, when of course he knew
much more about the matter?
‘¢ About a hundred thousand dollars, I suppose,†he
answered.
‘* You are not far wrong. Now doesn’t your share,
and your mother’s, seem very small compared with
this large amount?â€
‘“*It is very small compared with that, but we had
THE INVENTORS SON. 53
no claim to anything. The clothes and the money
will be very useful to us.â€
‘¢ You are a model heir,†said Mr. Spencer, smiling.
‘You alone do not find fault, except of course Miss
Nancy, who has fared the best.â€
‘¢T would rather make a fortune for myself than in-
herit one from another,†said Herbert, sturdily.
‘‘T respect your independence, my boy,†said the
lawyer, who felt favorably disposed toward our hero.
“Still, a legacy isn’t to be despised. Now tell me
when you want to take your trunk.â€
‘¢T want to ask your advice about that,†said Her-
bert. ‘I walked over from Wrayburn. How shall I
carry the trunk back?†|
‘¢ You will have to return by the stage to-morrow
morning, that is, if you are ready to go back so
soon.â€
‘¢Do they charge much to stop over night at the
hotel?â€â€™ asked Herbert, anxiously, for he had but
seventy-five cents with him. It occurred to him how >
foolish he had been not to consider that it would be
necessary for him to spend the night in Randolph.
‘¢T don’t know exactly how much. I think they
54 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
charge fifty cents for a bed, and the same for each
meal.â€
Herbert’s face lengthened, and he became alarmed.
How was he going to manage, on his limited
resources ?
The lawyer penetrated his perplexity, and, being a
kind-hearted man, quickly came to his relief.
‘¢T think you would find it lonely at the hotel, my
boy,†he said, ‘and I shall therefore invite you to
pass the night at my house instead.â€
‘‘ You are very kind, sir,†said Herbert, gratefully,
finding his difficulty happily removed. ‘‘I accept
your invitation with pleasure.â€
‘* The boy has been well brought up, if he is poor,â€
thought Mr. Spencer. ‘‘ Well,†he said, ‘* that is set-
tled. I think our supper must be ready, so we will
go over to the house at once. By the way, there is
a boy from your town visiting my son. You must
know him.â€
‘Is it James Leech?†asked Herbert, remember-
ing what James had told him.
‘¢'Yes. Do you know him?â€
_ 6° We are school-mates.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. | 55
‘* Then it will be pleasant for you to meet.â€
Herbert was not quite sure about this, but forbore |
to say so.
He accompanied Mr. Spencer to his house, which
was just across the street from the office, and fol-
lowed the lawyer into an apartment handsomely
furnished. James Leech and Tom Spencer were
sitting at a small table, playing checkers.
‘* Halloo, Carter!†exclaimed James, in surprise,
‘* how came you here? â€
‘*Mr. Spencer invited me,†said Herbert, not
surprised at the mode of address.
‘‘Did your uncle leave you anything?†asked
James, with interest.
“Yes.â€
-* How much? â€
‘© F{e left my mother a hundred dollars.â€
“That isn’t much,†said James, contemptuously.
Was that all?â€
‘* No, he left me a trunk, and what is in it.â€
‘¢ What is in it?â€
‘¢ Clothes, I believe.†|
‘* A lot of old clothes!†commented James, turn- /
~
6
o6 HERBERY CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
ing up his nose. ‘* That’s a fine legacy, I must
gay.â€
‘¢T shall find them useful,†said Herbert, quietly.
‘¢Qh, no doubt. You can roll up the pants and
coat-sleeves. It will be fun to see you parading
round in your uncle’s tail-coats.â€
‘¢T don’t think you'll have that pleasure,†said
Herbert, flushing. “Tf I wear them I shall have
them made over for me.â€
‘¢T congratulate you on your new and extensive
wardrobe,†said James, mockingly. ‘‘ Won’t you
cut a dash, though, on the streets of Wrayburn ! â€
Herbert did not deign a reply to this rude speech.
Tom Spencer, who was much more of a gentleman
than James, was disgusted with his impertinence.
He rose, and took Herbert by the hand.
‘You must let me introduce myself,†he said.
** My name is Thomas Spencer, and I am glad to see
you here.â€
‘Thank you,†said Herbert, his heart opening at
‘the frank and cordial manner of the other. “ My
name is Herbert Carter, and I am very glad to make |
your acquaintance.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 57
“Are you going to finish this game, Tom?â€
drawled James, not relishing the idea of Herbert’s
receiving any attention from his friend.
Te you don’t mind, we'll have it another time,â€
said Tom. ‘‘ There goes the supper-bell, and I for
one am hungry.â€
At the supper-table James noticed, to his secret
disgust, that Herbert was treated with as much cousid-
eration as himself. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer appeared
to consider them social equals, which made James
very uncomfortable.
‘¢You boys are about of an age, I suppose,†said
Mr. Spencer.
‘¢T really don’t know,†said James, haughtily.
‘¢ You attend the same school?â€
‘6 Yes,†said James, ‘‘ but [ expect to go to some
select academy very soon. At a public school you
have to associate with all classes, you know.â€
Mr. Spencer arched his brows, and steadily
regarded the young aristocrat.
‘‘T don’t see any great distinction of classes in a
country village,†said he, dryly. ‘‘ Besides, we are
living in a republic.â€
58 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY, OR,
‘You wouldn’t like to associate on equal terms
with a day-laborer,†said James, pertly.
‘¢T am a laborer myself,†said the lawyer, smiling.
‘¢ I wish I could say I were a day-laborer exclusively,
but sometimes I have to work into the night.â€
‘¢ You are a professional man, and a gentleman,â€
said James. ‘* You don’t work with your hands.â€
‘ST hope you boys will all grow up gentlemen,â€
said Mr. Spencer.
‘*T shall, of course,†said James
‘¢ And you, Tom?â€
667 hope so.â€
‘¢ And you, Herbert?â€
*¢T hope so, too,†said Herbert; ‘ but if it is nec-
essary to be rich to be a gentleman, I am not sure
about it.â€
‘¢ What is your idea of a gentleman, James?â€
asked the lawyer.
‘¢ He must be of a good family, and wear good
clothes, and | live nicely.â€
Ts that all?â€
‘* He ought to be well educated.â€
‘“T see you name that last which I should name
THE INVENTORS SON. 59
first. So these consfitute a gentleman, in your
opinion?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
‘Not always. I have known men combining all
the qualifications you have mentioned, who were very
far from being gentlemen, in my opinion.â€
‘¢ How is that, sir?†asked James, puzzled.
‘¢ They were arrogant, puffed up with an idea of
their own importance, deficient in politeness.â€
‘“‘How well he has described James!†thought
Herbert, but he was too much of a gentleman to
Bay SO. |
James looked disconcerted, and dropped the sub-
ject. He thought the lawyer had some queer ideas.
Why need a gentleman be polite to his inferiors? he
thought, but he didn’t say so.
After supper the boys went out behind the house,
and feasted on peaches, which were just ripe. Her-
bert found Tom very social, but James took very
little notice of him. Our hero did not make himself
unhappy on this account. In fact, he was in unusual
good spirits, and enjoyed in anticipation the pleasure
60. HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
of going back to Wrayburn with the welccme news
of the two legacies.
About half-past seven Mr. Spencer came out into
the orchard.
‘CAs the stage starts early ‘a the morning, Her-
bert,†he said, ‘* we had better go over and get tne
trunk ready, so that you can take it home.â€
James Leech hoped to receive an invitation to
accompany the two; but no invitation was given, and
he was forced to content himself with staying behind.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 61
CHAPTER VII.
A WELCOME DISCOVERY. ~
‘Wk SPENCER entered the house so lately vacated
by “Se o:d man who had occupied it for forty years.
‘¢ The trunk is in your uncle’s room,†said the law-
yer, “Cor ought to be. I suppose it has not been
moved.â€
The two entered the chamber. It was a small,
poorly-furnishe@ spartment, covered with a carpet
which, cheap in the first place, was so worn with use
that the bare floor showed in spots. |
‘* Your uncle was not very luxurious in his taste,â€
said Mr. Spencer. ‘‘ There are plenty of day-labor-
ers in town who have as good rooms as this.â€
** T suppose he liked laying up money better than
spending it,†said Herbert. |
‘¢'You are right there. This must be the trunk.†—
It was a small, black hair trunk, studded with brass
nails. Mr. Spencer took a bunch of keys from his
62 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
pocket and unlocked it. Lifting the cover he ex.
posed to view a collection of woollen clothes, — coats,
vests and pants. |
‘‘ This is your legacy, Herbert,†said the lawyer.
‘*T am afraid you won't find it very valuable. What
is this?â€
He drew out, and held up to view, a blue cloak of
ample proportions.
‘¢ Will you try it on?†he said, smiling.
Herbert threw it over his shoulders, and looked at
himself in a small seven-by-nine looking-glass which
was suspended over the wash-stand. It came down
nearly to his feet. |
‘If should hardly dare to wear this without alter-
ation,†he said; ‘but there is a good deal of good
cloth in it. Mother can cut a coat and vest out of it
for me.â€
‘Here is a blue coat with brass buttons. I re
member your uncle used to wear it to church twenty
years ago. Of late years he has not attended, and
has had no occasion to wear it. Here is a pair of
pantaloons ; but they are pretty well worn.â€
8
WS
AC
SA WSS S
SV
\ . AC
x
x,
GAGE
~
4
4
TES 1S, YOUR ft
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 63
So they went through the list, finding little of
value. The last article was a vest.
‘¢ Jt seems heavy,†said Herbert.
The lawyer took it from him and examined it.
‘*' There seems to be an inside pocket,†he said.
“There must be something in it.†|
The pocket was confined by a button; Mr. Spencer
thrust his fingers inside, and drew out something
loosely enveloped in brown paper.
‘sWhat have we here?†he said, in a tone of curi
osity. |
The secret was speedily solved. When the paper
was opened, it was found ‘o contain five gold eagles,
and two dollars in silver coins.
Herbert’s eyes glistened with delight as he viewed
the treasure.
‘¢ Fifty-two dollars!†he exclaimed. ‘‘ And it is
mine.†|
‘Undoubtedly. The will expressly says you are to
have the trunk, and all it contains.†|
‘‘ I wonder whether Uncle Herbert remembered this
money.â€
64 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘We can’t tell as to that, but it doesn’t affect your
title to the money. I congratulate you, Herbert.â€
‘¢ It will do usa great deal of good. Then there
are the hundred dollars for mother. Why, we shall
be rich.â€
‘Then you are content with your legacy?†asked
Mr. Spencer.
‘‘Oh, yes; it was more than I expected, or mother,
either.â€
‘Yet it is but a mere drop of your uncle’s wealth,â€
said the lawyer, thoughtfully.
‘* That may be; but he needn’t have left us any-
thing.†|
‘¢T see you look upon it in the best way. You are
quite a model heir — very different from most of your
relatives — Mrs. Pinkerton, for instance.â€
‘¢T supposed she expected more than I did.â€
‘¢ She appeared to expect the bulk of the property.
I am afraid her husband will have a hard time of it
for a week to come,†said the lawyer, laughing. ‘* He
will have to bear the brunt of her disappointment.
Well, there seems no more for us to do here. We
have found out the value of your legacy, and may
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 65
lock the trunk again. If you will lend a hand, we
will take if across to my house, so that there may be
no delay when the stage calls in the morning.â€
“ All right, sir.â€
James Leech was looking out of the front window,
awaiting the return of Mr. Spencer and Herbert with
not a little curiosity. At length he spied them.
“Tom!†he exclaimed, “ your father and that
Carter boy are coming back.â€
‘Why do you call him that Carter boy? Why
don’t you call him Herbert? â€
‘‘T am not on intimate terms with him,†said
James.
‘¢'That is strange, as you both live in the same
village.â€
‘¢ You must remember that there is some difference
in our social positions,’ said James, haughtily.
‘¢That is something I never think of,†said Tom,
candidly. ‘‘I am a genuine republican.â€
‘‘T am not,†said James. ‘‘ I shou'd like to live in
England, where they have ncblemen.â€
‘¢ Not unless you could be a nobleman yourself, I
suppose?â€
5
56 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘* No; of course not.â€
By this time Mr. Spencer and Herbert were bring-
ing the trunk into the front entry.
‘“T shouldn’t think a professional gentleman like
your father would like to be seen carrying a trunk
across the street,†said James.
‘¢Qh, he don’t care for that; nor should I,†said
Tom.
Herbert entered the room.
‘Well, Herbert, what luck? †asked Tom.
‘* Better than I expected,†said Herbert, gayly.
‘‘ What do you say to that?†and he displayed the
gold and silver.
‘* How much is it?†asked James, his vanity melt-
ing under the influence of curiosity.
‘¢ Fifty-two dollars.â€
‘¢ Capital!†said Tom.
‘‘ It isn’t much,†said James, in a tone of deprecia-
tion. |
‘Pil bet Herbert is richer than you, James,†said
Tom, in a lively manner. ‘Can you show as much
money as that?â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 67
‘* I shall be a rich man some day,†said James, with
an air of importance.
‘¢ Your father may fail.â€
‘‘The moon may be made of green cheese,†re-
torted James, loftily. ‘‘ How about the clothes? Are
you going to show them?â€
‘¢T think not,†said Herbert.
‘¢ A parcel of rags, I suppose,†said James, with a
sneer.
‘¢ Not quite so bad as that,†responded Herbert,
good-naturedly. ‘‘ Still I think I shall hardly ven-
ture to wear any of them without alteration.â€
‘¢T wouldn’t wear second-hand clothes,†remarked
James Leech, in his usual amiable tone.
‘¢ Perhaps you would if you were poor,†said Her-
bert, quietly.
‘¢ But I am not poor.â€
‘+ Fortunately for you.â€
‘¢Then you won’t show the clothes’ I suppose
they look as if they were made in the year one.â€
‘‘For our forefather Adam?†suggested Tom,
laughing. ‘‘I am inclined to think the old gentleman
68 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
in question hadn’t clothes enough to fill a trunk as
large as that.â€
‘¢ Probably not,†said Herbert; ‘‘ he had no uncle,
you know, to leave any to him.â€
‘¢ What are you going to do with your money, Car-
ter?†asked James, whose curiosity got the better of
his dignity occasionally.
‘¢T haven’t made up my mind yet. I think I shall
find plenty of uses for it.â€
‘¢'What would you do with it if you had it,
James?†asked Tom.
‘¢T can have more if I want to. I have only to ask
father.â€
‘¢'Then you're better off than I. Say, father, will
you give me fifty-two dollars?â€
‘¢' When you are twenty-one I may do it.â€
“You see,†said Tom. ‘*But you haven’t an-
swered my question. What would you do with the
money if you had it?â€
‘‘T think I would buy a new row-boat; there’s a
pond near our house.â€
‘* When you get it send for me, and I'll help you
row.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 6°
‘* Very well,†said James; but he did not answer
very positively. In fact, he was by no ineans sure
that his father would comply with his request for
money, although it suited him to make this represen-
tation to his companions.
Herbert retired early. It had been a fatiguing day
for him, and it would be necessary to rise in good
season the next day, as the coach left Randolph for
Wrayburn at an early hour.
aa HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER VIII.
HERBERT'S RETURN.
Mrs. Carter awaited Herbert’s return with inter-
est. She felt lonely without him, for he had never
before been away from home to stay over night. But
there was a feeling of anticipation besides. Her
hopes of a legacy were not very strong, but of course
there was a possibility of her uncle’s having 1emem-
bered them in his will.
‘*Kven if it is only five dollars, it will be wel-
come,†she thought. ‘* Where people are so poor as
we are, every little helps.â€
She sat at her sewing when the stage stopped be.
fore the door.
‘* Pm glad he rode home,†thought the widow;
‘*the walk both ways would have been too fa-
tiguing.â€
‘* But why does not Herbert come in at once?â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 71
He had gone behind the coach, and the driver was
helping him take down a trunk.
‘‘ Where did he get it?†thought his mother, in
surprise.
‘¢ | guess you can get it into the house, yourself,â€
she heard the driver say.
‘Yes, Pll manage it; you needn’t wait,†said
Herbert.
The driver cracked his whip, and the lumbering
eld coach drove on.
‘¢ Oh, there you are, mother,†said Herbert, looking
toward the house for the first time. ‘*TIl be with
you in a minute.â€
And he began to draw the trunk in through the
front gate.
* Where did you get that trunk, Herbert?†asked
Mrs. Carter.
‘¢Oh, its my legacy,†said Herbert, laughing.
‘¢ Here it is;†and he lifted it up, and laid it down in
the front entry.
‘s What is inside?†asked his mother, with natural
curiosity.
‘6Tt sn’? toil of gold and silver, mother, so don’t
72 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
raise your expectations too high. It contains some
vlothes of Uncle Herbert, out of which you can get
some for me.â€
‘““T am glad of that, for you need some new
clothes. Well, we were not forgotten, after all.â€
‘‘ You don’t seem disappointed, mother.â€
“T might have wished for a little money besides,
Herbert ; but beggars_cannot be choosers.â€
‘‘ But sometimes they get what they wish for.
Uncle Herbert left you a legacy of a hundred
dollars.â€
‘¢ A hundred dollars!†said Mrs. Carter, brightly.
‘Why, that will be quite a help for us. Was it left
to me?â€
‘¢ Yes, to you.â€
“It was kind in your uncle. My legacy is more
than yours, Herbert.â€
‘CT don’t know about that, mother; look here! â€
And Herbert displayed his gold and silver.
‘¢ Here are fifty-two dollars that I found in the
pocket of a vest. It belongs to me, for the will says
expressly that I am to have the trunk and all it con-
(ains.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 73
‘ct am really glad,†said his mother, joyfully.
«« We are more fortunate than I expected. Sit down
and tell me all about it. Who got the bulk of the
property ?â€
‘¢None of the relations. It is bequeathed to the
town of Randolph, to found a high school, to be
called the Carter School.â€
‘Well, it will do good, at any rate. Didn’t the
other relations receive legacies? â€
‘¢ Small ones; but they didn’t seem very well sat-
isfied. Do you know Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Pinker-
ton?â€
‘¢ Slightly,†said Mrs. Carter, smiling. ‘* Were
they there?â€
‘¢ She was, and he was in attendance upon her.
She didn’t give him a chance to say much.â€
‘¢T have always heard she kept him in good subjec-
tion. How did they fare?â€
‘‘They and their two children received a hundred
dollars apiece. She was mad and wanted to break
the will. Then there was a Mr. Granger, a farmer,
who got the same; and Cornelius Dixon, also.â€
74 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘YT hope Aunt Nancy fared better. She is the best
of them all.â€
‘¢ She is allowed to occupy the house, rent free, and
is tv have an income of two hundred dollars a year
as long as she lives.â€
‘‘T am really glad to hear it,†said Mrs. Carter,
with emphasis. ‘She deserves all her good fortune.
One of the best things her brother did in life was to
allow her such an income as to keep her independent
of public charity; I feared he would forget to pro-
vide for her.â€
‘She seems a good old lady. She asked me to
invite you to call and see her.â€
‘*T should like to do so, and if I ever have oc-
casion to go to Randolph I will certainly do so.â€
‘* Now, mother,†said Herbert, when he had
answered his mother’s questions, ‘‘ I want you to take
this money, and use it as you need.â€
‘* But, Herbert, it was left to you.â€
‘* And if you use it, I shall receive my share of it.
By the way, your money will be sent you next week ;
so Mr. Spencer assured me.â€
** Who is Mr. Spencer? â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 75
‘The lawyer who read the will. He was very
kind to me. It was at his house I spent the night.
I got acquainted with his son Tom, a fine fellow. I
met also James Leech, whom I cannot compliment so
highly. He was visiting Tom.â€
‘¢T never thought him an agreeable boy.â€
‘¢ Nor any one else, I expect. He appears to think ©
he can put on airs, and expects everybody to bow
down to him because his father is a rich man.â€
‘*T hope you didn’t quarrel with him,†said Mrs.
Carter, apprehensively.
‘¢Qh, no; he sneered at me, as usual, and drew a
ridiculous picture of my appearance with my uncle’s
clothes on.â€
‘¢PDo you mind what he says?†asked his mother,
anxiously.
‘¢ A little,†said Herbert; ‘* but I can stand it if
he doesn’t go too far.â€
‘¢He has an unhappy nature. I taink his father
must have been some like him when he was young.â€
‘So do I. He feels just as important as James.
I like to see him strut round, as if he owned the
whole village.â€
76 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢He does own more of it than any one else
Among the rest, he owns our house, in part.â€
‘‘You mean he has a mortgage on it, mother?â€
*¢ Yes.â€
‘¢ Seven hundred and fifty dollars, isn’t it?â€
‘6 Yes, Herbert.â€
‘¢ How much do you consider the whole worth? â€
asked our hero, thoughtfully. |
‘¢ Tt cost your father fifteen hundred dollars. That
is, the land — nearly an acre— cost three hundred
dollars, and the house, to build, twelve hundred.â€
‘¢ Would it sell for that?â€
‘* Not if a sale were forced; but, if anybody wanted
it, fifteen hundred dollars would not be tco much to
pay.†|
‘¢T wish the mortgage were paid.â€
‘“So do I, my son; but we are not very likely to
be able to pay it.â€
‘‘ How fine it would have been if Uncle Herbert
had left us, say eight hundred dollars, so that we
migat have paid it up, and still have had a little left
for immediate use.â€
‘* Yes, Herbert, it would have made us feel quite
THE INVENTORS SON. V7
independeut, but it isn’t best speculating on what
might have been. It is better to do the best we can
with what we really have.†|
‘¢] suppose you are right, mother; but it is pleas-
ant to dream of good fortune, even if we know it is
out of reach.â€
‘¢'The trouble is, our dreaming often interferes
with our working.â€
‘It shan’t interfere with mine. I’ve got some-
thing to work for.â€
‘¢Do you refer to anything in particular, Herbert?â€
‘Yes. I want to pay off this mortgage,†an-
swered Herbert, manfully. .
‘*Some day, when you are a man, you may be
able; but the time is too far off to spend much time
upon it at present.â€
Herbert had moved to the window as the conversa-
tion went on. Suddenly he called to his mother,
‘¢Look, mother, there is Squire Leech riding up.
He is pointing out our house to the man that is
riding with him. Do you know who it is?â€
‘‘Yes, it is Mr. Banks, his new superintendent
He has just come into the village.â€
78 HERBERT CARTERS LEG&CY; OR,
‘*T wonder why he pointed at our house.â€
‘¢ Probably he was telling him that he had a mort-
gage on it.â€
‘‘When does the interest come due on the mort-
gage?â€
‘¢ Next week. I had only five dollars laid by to
meet it, but, thanks to my legacy, I shall have no
trouble in the matter.â€
‘‘Tf you couldn’t pay the interest, could the squire
foreclose?â€
‘¢ Yes, that’s the law, I believe.â€
‘‘And he would take advantage of it. But he
never shall, if I can prevent it.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 79
CHAPTER IX.
A BUSINESS CONFIDENCE.
SqurrE Lxrecs lived in a large, square, white house,
aituated on an eminence some way back from the
street. It had bay windows on either side of tLe
front door, a gravel walk, bordered with flowers,
leading to the gate, a small summer-house on the
jawn, and altogether was much the handsomest resi-
dence in the village. Three years before, the house,
or at all events, the principal rooms, had been newly
furnished from the city. No wonder the squire and
all the family held up their heads, and regarded them-
selves as belonging to the aristocracy.
In a back room, used partly as a sitting-room,
partly as an office, the great man and his new super-
intendent, Amos Banks, were sitting, the evening
previous to Herbert’s return home. It may be asked
why Squire Leech needed a superintendent. To this
I answer, that his property, beside the home farm,
60 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
included two outlying farms, which he preferred te
carry on himself rather than let to tenants. Besides,
he had stocks and bonds, to which he himself at-
tended. But the farms required more attention than
he individually was willing to bestow. Accordingly
he employed a competent man, who had the general
supervision of them. His former superintendent
having emigrated to the West, he had engaged Mr.
Banks, who had been recommended to him for the
charge. Banks came from a town thirty miles dis-
tant, and had never lived in Wrayburn before. He
had just entered upon his duties, and was talking
over business matters with the squire.
‘¢'You will occupy the house on the Ross farm,â€
said Squire Leech. ‘‘I think you will find it com-
fortable. I have always reserved it for my superin-
tendent.â€
‘¢’There is a house on the other farm, I suppose,â€
said Banks.
‘* Yes; but that is occupied by a family already.
I don’t rent the farm, that is, except about half an
acre of land for a kitchen-garden. That I have pre-
pared to cultivate myself.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. | 8}
‘* Precisely,†said the superintendent. ‘‘TI will tell
you why I inquired. You tell me there will be need
of another permanent farm workman. Now I know
an excellent man — in fact, he is a cousin of my own
— who would be glad to accept the place.â€
‘*Very well. Ihave no objection to your engaging
him, since you vouch for him.â€
‘¢Oh, yes; he is a faithful and industrious man,
and will be willing to do work for moderate wages.
Indeed, he cares more for a permanent place than
high pay. Where he is now, he is liable to be idle
for some months in the year.â€
‘Ts he a family man?â€
‘¢'Yes; he has two young children.â€
‘¢ Of course he will move to Wrayburn.â€
‘SYes; if he can get a suitable house. In fact,
that was what I was coming at. I thought of your
other house, but you say that is already occupied.â€
‘*Yes; and the family has occupied it for several
years. I should not like to dislodge them.â€
‘*Do you know any other small house my cousin
eould rent?†|
Squire Leech reflected.
6
82 HERBERT CARTERS wEGACY; OR,
‘¢ The fact is,†he said, after a pause, ‘‘ there has
not been much building going on in Wrayburn for
several years, and it is hard to find a vacant house.â€
‘©T am sorry for that. I am afraid it may interfere
with Brown’s coming.â€
‘¢There is one house I think that would just suit
your cousin,†said Squire Leech, slowly.
‘¢ Where is it?â€
‘¢It is now occupied by the widow Carter and her
son.â€
‘‘Ts she going to move?â€
‘¢ She wouldn’t like to.â€
‘‘Then how will that help us? Who owns the
house ? â€
‘* She does ; that is, nominally. I hold a mortgage
on the place for seven hundred and fifty dollars,
which is more than half the mark+t value.â€
‘Then it may eventually fall into your hands?â€
_** Very probably. Between ourselves, I think it
probable that she will fail to be ready with the semi-
annual interest, which comes due next week. She is —
quite poor,— has nothing but this property,—and has
THE INVENTORS SON. 83
to sew for a living, or braid straw, neither of which
pays well.†|
‘‘ Suppose she is not ready with the interest, do
you propose to foreclose?â€
‘I think I shall. I will allow her three or four
hundred dollars for her share of the property, and
that will be the best thing she can do, in my opinion.â€
Whether or not it would be the best thing for Mrs
Carter, it certainly wouldn’t be a bad speculation for
the squire, since the place, as already stated, was
worth fully fifteen hundred dollars. How a rich man
ean deliberately plot to defraud a poor woman of a
portion of her small property, you and I, my young
reader, may find it hard to understand. Unfortu-
nately there are too many cases in real life where just
such things happen, so that there really seems to be a
good deal of truth in the old adage that prosperity
hardens the heart.
If Mr. Banks had been a just or kind-hearted man,
he would not have encouraged his employer in the
plan he had just broached; but he was selfish, and
thought he saw in it an easy solution of the difficulty
which he had met with in securing a house for his
84 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
cousin. He did not know Mrs Carter, and felt no
particular interest in the question what was to be-
come of her if she was ejected from her house. No
doubt she would find a home somewhere. At any
rate, it was not his business.
‘‘Tt seems to me that will be an excellent plan,â€
he said, with satisfaction. ‘‘ How soon can we find
out about it?â€
‘¢ Next week Tuesday. It is then that the interest
comes due.â€
‘¢ Suppose she is ready to pay the interest, what
then?â€
‘¢'Then I will make her an offer for the place, and
represent to her that it will be the better plan for her
to part with it, and so escape the payment of interest.
She has to pay forty-five dollars a year, and that is
a great drain upon one who earns no more than she
does.â€
‘*f think you said she had a son, does he earn
anything? Or perhaps he isn’t old enough.â€
‘‘ Yes, he is thirteen or fourteen; still there isn’t
much in a small village like this for a boy todo. He
is attending school, I believe.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 85
‘Then, in one way or another, you think there is
a good chance of our obtaining the house,†said the
superintendent, with satisfaction.
‘¢ Yes, I think so.â€
‘¢ How would it do to go around and speak to the
widow about it beforehand? I could then write to
Brown.â€
‘¢ As to that, she may be very particular to retain
the house, and even if she is not provided with the
money, succeed in borrowing enough. Now, my idea
is, to say nothing about it till Tuesday. She may
depend upon my waiting a few days. That I shall
not do. If the money is not forthcoming, I will
foreclose at once, without giving her time to arrange
for the money.â€
The superintendent nodded.
‘© A very shrewd plan, Squire Leech,†he said.
‘¢ By the way, where is the house situated ? â€
‘‘QOnly a furlong up the road. It is on the
opposite side of the way.â€
‘© think I remember it. There is some land con-
nected with it, isn’t there?â€
‘¢ Nearly an acre. The house is small, but neat. Ip
86 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
fact, for a small place, I consider it quite desirable.
To-morrow we will ride by it, and you can take
more particular notice.†|
They did ride by, as we know, and Squire Leech
pointed it out to his superintendent. Herbert noticed
this, but he did not know that the two men had
formed a scheme for turning his mother and himself
out of their comfortable home, and defrauding his
mother of a considerable portion of the small prop-
erty which his father had left. Had he known this,
it would have filled him with indignation, and he
would have felt that even property is no absolute safe-
guard against the selfish schemes of the mercenary
and the rapacious.
THE INVENTORS SON. 87
CHAPTER X.
SQUIRE LEECH IS BAFFLED.
Turspay arrived, but as yet the check from Mr
Spencer had not been received.
‘* Never mind, mother,†said Herbert, ‘‘ you will
get it before the end of the week.â€
‘¢ But I shall need it to pay the interest to Squire
Leech. He will call for it to-day.â€
‘¢ How much is it?†|
‘¢ Twenty-two dollars and a half.â€
‘¢ You forget the gold I handed you last week.â€
‘¢T don’t like to use it, Herbert; I want you to use
it for yourself.â€
‘¢T am as much interested in paying the interest as
you, mother. Don’t I occupy the house?â€
Seeing that Herbert was in earnest, Mrs. Carter
overcame her scruples, and laid aside enough of the
money to make up the amount required.
_ About five minutes of twelve Squire Leech was seen
88 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
advancing to the front door with slow, pompous
steps.
‘¢'There he comes, mother!†said Herbert. ‘“T’ll
open the door.â€
‘Is your mother at home, Herbert?†asked the
squire, in a dignified tone.
‘Yes, sir. Won’t you walk in?â€
‘* Ahem, yes! I think I will. I have a little mat-
ter of business with her.â€
Squire Leech entered the small sitting-room, which
seemed uncomfortably full when he was in it, — not
on account of his size, but because he seemed so
swollen with a sense of his own importance as to
convey the idea that he was cramped for space, — very
much like an owl in the cage of a canary.
‘** Good-morning, Squire Leech,†said the widow.
‘*Good-morning, ma’am. I apprehend you know
my errand.â€
‘‘I suppose you come for the interest, Squire
Leech.†|
‘‘'You are quite right. Of course you are prepared
{0 pay it.â€
Though the squire said ‘of course,†he by no
THE INVENTORS SON. 89
ineans expected that it would be ready, nor, for rea-
sons which we know, did he desire it. He was rather
discomfited, therefore, when Mrs. Carter said, ‘* Did
you bring a receipt with you, squire? â€
‘+ A receipt in full?†queried the great man.
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
‘* Are you prepared to pay the whole to-day ?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
This ought to have been gratifying intelligence, but
it was not. The squire looked quite chop-fallen.
‘* No, I didn’t bring a receipt,†he said, slowly.
‘Pll bring writing materials,†said Herbert,
Dromptly.
He left the room, but appeared almost instantly
with pen, ink, and paper.
The squire sat down to the table with a disap-
poiuted air, and slowly wrote the required document.
‘‘Hle seems sorry to receive the money,†thought
Herbert, who was quick in reading the faces of others.
‘¢T wonder why ;†and he gazed at the visitor in some
perplexity.
The squire received the money, and handed the
widow the receipt. Still he did not seem inclined to
90 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
go. He was thinking how to broach the subject of
selling the house.
‘¢ Mrs. Carter,†he began, ‘‘ forty-five dollars a year
seems a good deal for you to pay.â€
‘¢'Yes, it is considerable,†said the widow, sur-
prised. Could it be that he intended to reduce the
interest? That did not seem like him.
‘¢ For one in your circumstances, I mean, of course.
You’ve got to earn your own living, and your son’s.â€
‘¢ Herbert does his share,†said the mother. ‘* When
he is older, I shall feel quite easy.â€
‘¢ But that time is a good way off. I’ve been think-
ing of your case, Mrs. Carter, and as a man of busi-
ness I see my way clear to offer you a little advice.â€
‘*T shall be thankful for any advice, squire,†said
the widow, meekly. ‘‘ Of course your judgment in
business matters is much better than mine.â€
Herbert listened to this conversation with eager
interest. What could the squire mean to advise?
‘‘ Pve been thinking,†said the squire, deliberately,
‘*that it would be a good plan for you to sell this
house.â€â€™
THE INVENTORS SON. 91
**To sell it!†repeated Mrs. Carter, in surprise.
** But where could I live?â€
‘*You might hire a couple of rooms for yourself
and Herbert.â€
‘* J don’t see how mother would gain anything,†in-
terrupted Herbert. ‘‘ She would have to pay rent.â€
‘Very true, but she would get some money down
for the house, over and above the mortgage.â€
‘I don’t know as anybody would want to buy it,â€
said Mrs. Carter. . .
‘“*T would take it off your hands, simply to oblige
you,†said the squire, with an air of extraordinary
consideration. ‘I don’t know that it would be of any
particular use tome. I might not geta tenant. Still,
I am better able to take the risk than you are to keep
it.â€
-* How much would you be willing to pay for it?â€
asked Herbert, who somehow suspected that the
squire was more selfish than benevolent in the plan he
had broached.
‘‘ Why,†said Squire Leech, assuming a meditative
look, ‘‘ over and above the mortgage, I would be
willing to pay three hundred dollars cash.â€
92 HERBERT CARIER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘That would make the value of the place only ten
hundred and fifty dollars,†said Herbert.
‘¢ Well, you don’t consider it worth any more than.
that, do you?â€
‘¢ My husband considered it worth fifteen hundred.
dollars,†said the widow. ‘‘ It cost him that.â€
The squire laughed heartily. ‘Really, my deat
madam, that is utterly preposterous. Fifteen hundred
dollars! Why, that is ridiculous.â€
‘
‘¢T very much doubt it,†said the squire. ‘‘I don’t
believe it cost a cent over twelve hundred dollars.â€
‘¢T have my husband’s papers to show that it cost
fifteen hundred,†said the widow.
‘*Then all I have to say is, he was outrageously
cheated,†said the squire. ‘‘I believe I know as
much about real estate as any man in town,†he pro-
ceeded pompously. ‘+ Indeed, I own more than any
other man. I assure you, on my word, I have offered
you a very good price.â€
‘‘T would rather not sell,†said the widow, gently,
but decidedly.
‘*T will increase my offer to eleven hundred, in-
THE INVENTORS SON. 98
eluding the mortgage,†said the squire, who saw the
prize slipping through his fingers, and felt it necessary
to bid higher. ‘* Eleven hundred dollars. That’s
three hundred and fifty dollars cash!â€
‘¢ Mother, I am sure you won’t think of selling for
any such sum,†expostulated Herbert.
‘¢ No,†said his mother, ‘‘ I don’t want to sell.â€
‘¢ You stand very much in your own light, ma’am,â€
said the squire, impatiently, ‘‘ and you, Herbert, are
too young to offer any advice on such a subject.â€
‘*T don’t see why,†said Herbert, independently.
** T ought to feel interested in such a matter.â€
‘‘’'You are a boy and have no judgment. Boys of
your age should be seen and not heard,†said the
squire, sternly.
‘¢ T can see what is best for my mother’s interest,â€
said Herbert.
‘¢T decline to discuss the matter with you. I con-
sider your interference impertinent,†said the srjuire,
becoming angry.
‘¢O Herbert!†said his mother, who was a little in
awe of the great man of the village, ‘* be respectful to
Squire Leech.â€
94 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘TY mean to be,†said Herbert, ‘‘ but I’m sure he’s
wrong in thinking I have nothing to do with this
matter.â€
‘¢ Reflect again, Mrs. Carter,†persisted the squire,
‘of the advantages of my proposal. Think how
comfortable you would feel in knowing that you had
three hundred and fifty dollars on interest in the sav-
ings-bank. I admit that I may not offer you quite ag
much as the place cost, but houses never fetch their
first cost. I’ve made you a very fair offer, ma’am,
very fair.â€
‘*I won’t say anything as to that, Squire Leech,
but this house my poor husband built —in this house
J have passed many happy years — and while we can
keep it, Herbert and I, we will. There is no other
place in town that would seem so much like home.â€
‘‘ This is all very sentimental, ma’am, but, permit
me to say, very ridiculous,†said the impatient squire,
rising to go. ‘‘T’ll give you time to think over what
I have said, and I’ll call again.â€
- “PTI have that place yet,†he muttered to himself,
as he left the cottage ; ‘I won’t be balked by an ob
stinate woman and impertinent boy.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 95
CHAPTER XI.
SICKNESS.
Squire Lrecu was reluctant to give up his intended
purchase. He had an idea that Herbert stood in the
way, and contrived to call upon the widow in the
course of the following week, at a time when he knew
our hero was away from home.
But he failed again.
‘I’m very sorry to go contrary to your advice,
Squire Leech,†said Mrs. Carter, deprecatingly, ‘* but
I can’t give up my home. Herbert, too, would be
very much disappointed.â€
‘¢T hope you will not allow yourself to be guided
by the judgment of an inexperienced boy, ma’am,â€
said the squire, mortified.
‘‘T think I ought to consult my boy’s wishes,†said
the widow.
‘¢ He doesn’t know what is best for him.â€
96 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY: OR,
‘¢ Perhaps not; but I feel with him at present
I’m sorry to disappoint you, Squire Leech.â€
‘¢ As to that, ma’am, I have no interest in the
matter. I was only advising you for your good.â€
‘¢’m sure I’m much obliged to you.â€
‘¢In fact, as your means are limited, I will stretck
a point, and offer you fifty dollars:more. I shouldn’t
be at all sure of getting my money back.â€
‘¢Thank you; but I think we'll keep the house for
the present. If I should find we couldn’t afford it, I
will let you know.â€
‘* IT don’t agree to keep to my offer after this week.
_ ©Now or never’ is my motto. I can draw the papers
right out.â€
The widow shook her head, and reiterated in
gentle tones her refusal. Squire Leech was pro-
voked, and did not hide his feeling. As he only
proposed to take the house to oblige her, as he
represented, Mrs. Carter was surprised at his display
of feeling. She was not a shrewd woman, and it did
not occur to her that he had any selfish object in view
in his advice.
‘* I didn’t succeed, Mr. Banks,†said the squire to
THE INVENTOR’S SON. OF
his superintendent. ‘* That Carter woman is dread-
fully obstinate. Between ourselves, I judge it’s her
son that influences her.â€
‘*{ think I have seen him,—a boy of fourteen
or fifteen.â€
‘* Yes, he’s a very self-willed boy.â€
‘‘’You said you thought you would be able to
foreclose, on account of their failing to pay the
interest.â€
‘* They paid it. I was surprised at their prompt-
ness, till I learned from my son that they had
received a legacy of a hundred dollars or so from a
relative.â€
‘¢ That won’t last always.â€
‘¢ No, the time will come when I can get the place
on my own terms. I am determined to have it.â€
‘¢ Then Brown will have to find a different house.â€
‘6 Yes, I have heard of an old house that will do
temporarily, till I get the widow Carter’s. It’s a
little out of the village, and is in rather a dilapidated
condition, but it will do for a few months or a year,
and that will fetch round the Carters.â€
The house referred to was secured, and the super
7
98 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
intendent s coasin moved to Wrayburn. But neither
the squire nor Mr. Banks forgave Herbert for his
assumed instrumentality in thwarting their plans.
The next winter Mrs. Carter was unfortunate
enough to be laid up with severe sickness from Decem-
ber to March. Herbert devoted himself to her com-
fort, and performed nearly all his mother’s customary
work. Washing and ironing, however, he was obliged
to have done. When the sickness commenced, the
hundred dollars left by his uncle was unbroken,
but for three months neither he nor, of course, his
mother, was able to earn anything of any amount,
while their expenses were necessarily increased.
At the opening of April Herbert had the satisfac-
tion of seeing his mother, fully recovered, assume
her usual place in the little household. This was
pleasant, but there was a drawback to his satisfac- |
tion. The legacy had dwindled to twenty-five dollars.
He reported this to his mother.
‘* How unlucky that I should have been sick so
long,†said Mrs. Carter, sighing.
*¢ How lucky we had the legacy to fall back upon,â€
said Herbert.
THE INVENTORS SON. 99
‘*T don’t knaw how we could have gut along with-
out that, truly.â€
‘* Mother, I must look about for work. I ought to
be earning four or five dollars a week at my age.â€
‘¢ You are only fifteen.â€
‘* But I am stout and strong of my age. I shall
soon be a man. Don’t you see my mustache
coming, mother?†said Herbert, with a laugh.
‘‘ Not very distinctly; but perhaps my eyesight
is growing poor,†answered his mother, smiling.
“The trouble is,†said Herbert, thoughtfully,
** there is very little chance of work in this town.â€
‘¢T wonder whether Squire Leech wouldn’t hire
you through the spring and summer on one of his |
farms. I heard that he was going to hire a boy.â€
‘*T am not sure whether he would be willing to
hire me, however much ne wanted a boy.â€
‘6 Why not?â€
‘‘ He don’t seem to like me, nor does Mr. Banks
like me â€
‘¢ What can they have against you? I thonght
everybody liked you.â€
‘¢That’s because you are my mother, but the
100 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
squ.re doesn’t feel maternal so far as I am concerned.
1 didn’t understand it at first, but now I do.â€
‘¢ What is it?â€
‘‘'You remember the squire tried hard to get you
to sell this place.â€
‘¢ That was last year.â€
‘* And you wouldn’t sell. That is why he is angry
with both of us.â€
“* But I don’t understand why he should be,†said
the widow, innocently. ‘*‘ He said he would take it
only as a favor to me.â€
‘* That was all ‘gammon.’ Excuse the word, which
isn’t very elegant, I admit, but it’s the right word for
all that. ‘The squire wanted the place very much.â€
‘¢ What could he do with it? He couldn’t live in it
himself.â€
“Not much. I can imagine the look of disgust
James’ face would wear at the idea of such a thing.
fie wanted it for Nahum Brown, who lives in the old
house up the road. You know Brown, who is a
cousin of Mr. Banks, the superintendent, and he is
very anxious to get hold of our house.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 103
‘‘ How did you learn all this, Herbert? I never
Enew it before.â€
*¢’'Tom Banks let it out one day.â€
‘“T don’t see how the squire can dislike us for
wanting to stay in our old home.â€
‘¢’There are a good many things you don’t under-
stand — about selfish men— mother. That is why I
am afraid it won’t be much use to ask the squire for
employment.â€
‘You may be mistaken about his feelings,
Herbert.â€
‘¢ At any rate, I’ll go to him, if I can’t find employ-
ment anywhere else in the village.â€
‘‘T wish you would, that is, if you don’t think
farm work will be too hard for you.â€
‘+l risk that.â€
In pursuance of this promise, Herbert, after
ascertaining that there was no work to be had any-
where else in the village, called one fine morning at
the imposing residence of Squire Leech.
James was in the yard, at work on a kite.
~ 99
‘‘Have you come to see me?†said James,
superciliously.
102 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ No; I wanted to see your father.â€
‘¢ What about? â€â€™
Herbert was about to answer ‘‘ on business,†but it
occurred to him that it would be better policy ta keep
on friendly terms with James, and he said, ‘‘I am
looking for work, and I thought he might have some
for me.†|
‘* Perhaps so,†said James, patronizingly. ‘‘Of
course, one in your position must work for a living.â€
‘Don’t you expect to work?†asked Herbert, in
some curiosity.
‘* Not with my hands, of course,†said James. ‘I
may study some genteel profession, such as law.â€
‘‘J am too poor to be genteel,†said Herbert,
amused.
‘‘Qf course. You will probably be a day-laborer.â€
‘‘I hope to rise to something better in time,†said
Herbert. ‘‘ For the present I shall be glad to work
by the day, or the month, if your father will engage
me.â€
‘‘ I think my father is at home; you can ring and
see,†said James, who could be kind to one who was
willing to acknowledge his inferiority.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 103
Herbert rang the bell and was ushered into the
presence of Squire Leech, who was examining some
papers in the back parlor.
104 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XII.
“SpOOR AND PROUD.â€
‘* Goop-MoRNING, Squire Leech,†said Herbert,
politely.
‘‘ Good-morning,†said the squire, jumping to the
conclusion that the Carters had made up their minds
to sell their place. ‘‘ Do you wish to see me? â€
‘* Yes, sir; I hope I don’t interrupt you.â€
‘‘Go on,†said the squire, waving his hand. ‘1
am busy, to be sure, but I can give you a few
minutes.†|
He resolved to take advantage of Mrs. Carter’s
necessities, and make a smaller offer for the place.
In this way he would make her suffer for her former
obstinate refusal to entertain his proposition.
His face fell when Herbert said, ‘“‘I came to ask
you if you could give me employment on one of your
farms. My mother has been sick, and I feel that I
ought to be doing something to earn money.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 105
‘‘ Ahem!†said the squire, ‘‘I leave all such
matters to Mr. Banks. Was that all you wished to
say to me?â€
‘¢T believe so,†said Herbert. ‘* Will there be any
use in my applying to Mr. Banks?â€
‘¢T don’t know whether he has got help enough or
not. Your mother has been sick, hasn’t she?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir, all winter.â€
‘¢T heard of it. I suppose you found it expensive,
eh?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir. Neither of us could earn anything.â€
‘¢ You are in debt, then?â€
‘¢ No, sir. My uncle left us some money last year.
That kept us along.â€
‘¢ It’s pretty much used up now, I suppose? â€
‘* Not quite.â€
Herbert was inclined to be surprised at the squire’s
apparent interest in their affairs, but the motive soon
hecame apparent. |
‘¢ Well, you have made up your mind to sell the
house now, I suppose?†said the squire.
‘66 No, we hadn’t thought of it.â€
‘¢ But you’ll have to.â€
106 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
“Not if I can get employment,†said Herbert.
‘¢ Our expenses are very small, and we can live on a
little.â€
The great man frowned.
‘¢'That is all nonsense,†he said impatiently. ‘‘ It
is quite impossible for you to hold on to the house. I
am willing to give you cash down three hundred
dollars over and above the mortgage for it.â€
** That isn’t as much as you offered last year,†said
Herbert, shrewdly.
‘‘I believe I did offer three hundred and fifty
then.â€
‘* Your last offer was fifty dollars more than that.â€
‘It may be so, but I told your mother that it
wasn’t a standing offer. She must accept it then or
not at all.â€
‘¢'‘We don’t ask you to purchase,†said Herbert,
independently. ‘‘I had no idea of such a thing
when I came here.â€
‘‘That makes no difference. You will have to
sell, of course, and I have made up my mind to offer
you three hundred and fifty. If you had taken me
THE INVENTORS SON. 107
up at the time, I would have given you fifty more.
You can’t expect that now, however.â€
‘¢We don’t expect anything. The house is not
for sale.â€
‘¢’'Then why are you taking up my valuable time?â€
demanded the squire, frowning with displeasure.
‘¢T beg your pardon, sir. I only came in to ask
for employment.â€
‘‘ That I might have given you, if you hadn’t been
so unreasonable.â€
‘¢T don’t think we are unreasonable, Squire Leech.
Even if we were willing to sell, we should ask, at
least, fourteen hundred dollars for the place.â€
‘¢Fourteen hundred! Are you crazy? I never
heard of such a thing.â€
‘¢The place, land and all, cost my father fifteen
hundred.â€
‘ST don’t believe it.â€
‘‘ We’ve got his papers to show that it is so.â€
‘6 Tt isn’t worth near that now.â€
‘¢ It is certainly worth more than eleven hundred,
which is all you offer.â€
‘¢ Look here, Carter,†said the squire, ‘‘I don’t
108 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
mind telling you that I want the place for one of my
men,— Brown. That is my only object in making
you an Offer at all. He is the cousin of Mr. Banks,
my superintendent, and I rather think Banks will
find you something to do, if you will induce your
mother to sell the place.â€
‘¢T can’t do that,†said Herbert, slowly. ‘‘I can’t
consent to my mother making such a sacrifice. She
might as well give you three or four hundred dollars
as sell the place so much under price.â€
‘‘'You are a boy, and know nothing about busi-
ness. You think property must necessarily bring its
first cost, though, mind you, I don’t admit that yours
cost anything like fifteen hundred dollars.â€
‘¢T am inexperienced,†Herbert admitted, ‘‘ but ¥
am sure it would be foolish to sell for eleven hundred
dollars.â€
‘*’You may have to sell for less.â€
‘¢ Flow is that?â€
‘‘Tf you are not prepared with the interest when
the time comes, I shall foreclose.â€
“You wouldn’t be so hard on us as that, Syuire
Leech,†said Herbert, anxiously.
THE INVENTORS SON. 109
‘*T don’t call it hard, it is only just and legal.
When that time comes, I don’t promise to pay as
much as I offer to-day.â€
Herbert looked serious. He saw that the squire
meant just what he said; that, in fact, he was lying
in wait till their need should put them in his power.
‘‘ Well,†said the squire, triumphantly, ‘‘ you see
how the matter stands now?â€
‘¢T do,†said Herbert.
‘¢'Then you will cease your foolish opposition to
what is best for you.â€
‘¢ JT will speak to my mother about it,†said Her-
bert, rising. ‘‘ The place is hers, not mine, and she
must decide.â€
‘¢Without your offering any foolish advice, I
hope.â€
‘‘T can’t say as to that, Squire Leech. I wilt bid
you good-morning.â€
‘¢Good-morning. If you change your mind, call
again, and we will see about the employment.â€
-6¢ Well,†said James, as Herbert came out, ‘ did
you get work?â€
110 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘Wot yet; your father is not sure whether he will
have any for me.â€
‘‘ When I am a man,†said James, pompously,
‘‘T dare say I may be able to throw something in
your way.â€
‘‘'Thank you,†said Herbert, tempted to smile
in spite of his serious thoughts. |
‘‘T shall be richer than my father,†added James,
‘¢ as his property is increasing every year.â€
‘*You have an excellent prospect before you,â€
said Herbert, half enviously.
‘‘That’s so. Wouldn’t you like to change placea
with me?â€
‘*T am not sure about that.â€
‘* You are not sure about that?†repeated James,
incredulously.
*¢ No.â€
*¢ Why, I am a rich man’s son.â€
‘*T know that; but I have an excellent mother.â€
‘* She has got no money.â€
‘* T should not value her more if sue were worth a
million,†said Herbert, warmly.
THE INVENTORS SON. ont
é Oh, of course,†said James; ‘' but that won’t
save you from being a day-laborer.â€
‘‘It is my great ambition just at present to become
a day-laborer,†said Herbert, smiling.
‘“‘ Of course, there’s a great difference between us.
But I say, Carter, can you help me with this kite?
There’s something wrong about it. It won’t fly.â€
Herbert looked at it critically.
‘The trouble is with the frame,†he said. ‘It’s
too heavy.â€
‘¢T wish you’d help me about it.â€
Very good-naturedly our hero set to work, and in
the course of twenty minutes or so the difficulty was
obviated. The kite would fly.
‘S'You may stay and help me fly it,†said James,
condescendingly.
‘¢Thank you; I shall be needed at home.â€
‘¢Qh, I forgot. Your time is valuable. Here,
take this.â€
James, with extraordinary liberality, held out five
cents to Herbert.
‘¢ What is that for?†asked Herbert, puzzled, and
not offering to take the money.
112 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ For your help about the kite.â€
‘¢Oh, I wouldn’t think of charging anything for
that,†said Herbert, amused.
‘Why not? You are poor, and I am rich.â€
‘¢T know it, but I dont’t want money for a trifle
like that.â€
“Just as you say,†said James, returning the
money to his pocket, a little relieved, if the truth
must be told, that the coin was not accepted, for he
was naturally fond of money.
‘‘Good-morning,†said Herbert, turning to go.
‘‘If the kite gets out of order, you can call upon me
any time.†|
‘‘I wonder why he didn’t take the money,â€
thought James. ‘‘ He may be poor and proud; I’ve
heard of such cases; but of course it would be
absurd for a boy in his position to be proud.â€
Herbert kept on his way with a very serious face
It seemed as if they must lose their home, after all.
THE INVENTORS SON. 113
CHAPTER XIII.
MR. BANKS, THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Arrer his interview with Squire Leech, Herbert
walked home slowly and thoughtfully. He compre-
hended now all the danger of the situation. The
squire wanted their house, and was mean enough to
desire to get it at less than its value, though two or
three hundred dollars would have been of little
account to him, while to the poor widow whom he
wished to defraud it was a great sum.
‘¢ How can a rich man be so mean!†exclaimed
Herbert, indignantly.
That question has puzzled more than our hero. Is.
there something in riches that dwarfs the man, and
makes him mean and ignoble? In too many in-
stances such appears to be the effect.
‘¢ Well, mother,†said Herbert, when he returned
to the cottage, ‘‘ ’'ve been to see Squire Leech.â€
8
Te omer ety
' Sk Tey
114 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
What success did you meet with?†asked his
mother, anxiously.
‘¢ He will probably give me employment.â€
‘¢ You see, Herbert, you misjudged him, after all,â€
said the widow, her face brightening.
‘*Wait and see if I did. There is a condition
attached.â€
‘¢ What is that?â€
‘¢ That you will sell him the cottage.â€
‘Did he mention that?â€
‘* Yes; he offered three hundred dollars over and
above the mortgage.â€
‘* Why, he offered more than that last year.â€
‘I reminded him of that.â€
‘* What did he say?â€
‘* He said he would have given three hundred and
fifty if we hadn’t been so unreasonable as to refuse
then. Now, as you have been sick, he expects he
can get the place on his own terms.â€
‘I didn’t think Squire Leech would be so ungen-
erous.â€
‘He hinted, besides, that when the next interest
THE INVENTORS SON. 115
is due, he would foreclose, if the money were not
ready.â€
‘* It won’t be ready, I am afraid, Herbert,†said his
mother, depressed. ‘* What shall we do? I am
afraid we shall be forced to sell the place, though it
would be hard to leave it.â€
‘*'There’s a month before the interest comes due,
mother,†said Herbert, with energy. ‘‘ Something
may turn up.â€
But his mother was not so hopeful as he.
‘¢ What can turn up?†she said.
‘¢T may get employment.â€
‘‘Kven if you do, a boy can earn little in the
country.â€
‘‘'That is true, mother, but somehow I feel hope-
ful.â€
‘¢'That is because you are young, Herbert. It is
natural for youth to be hopeful.â€
‘¢Well, mother, isn’t it better to be hopeful than
despondent?â€â€™
‘¢ But it won’t alter wants.â€
6 Suppose the worst to happen —suppose we do
leave the house— we shall have three hundred or
116 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
three hundred and fifty dollars in cash, to keep us
from starving.†—
*¢ And when that is gone?â€
‘Before that is gone, I shall be earning good
wages somewhere. You see, mother, matters are not
as bad as they might be, after all.â€
In spite of her doubts Mrs. Carter was cheered by
her son’s hopeful tone.
‘¢ Perhaps you are right,†she said. ‘‘ Since God
orders all things, we ought not to be discouraged.â€
‘* Now you are sensible, mother. How much money
have you got left?â€
*¢ Twenty-five dollars.â€
‘‘ Why, that’s enough to pay the interest, and a
little over.â€
‘* But how are we to live for the next month? â€
‘**T ought to earn money enough for that.â€
‘* If there were any chance of finding work.â€
‘¢ Well, I will go out again to-morrow.â€
Herbert spoke with a confidence which he did not
feel. Wrayburn was not a large village, and, in
general, boys were to be found in families where a
boy’s work was required. In fact, the only one whe
THE INVENTORS SON. 117
seemed likely to have work for a boy was Mr. Banks,
the squire’s farm superintendent. His son Tom
might indeed have worked, had he been inclined ; but
he was naturally indolent, and his father was too
indulgent to compel him to work. He was an only
child, and bade fair to be spoiled. Though only
fifteen, he had already learned to smoke and drink,
and the only limit to either was his scanty pocket-
money.
As Herbert was walking up the street in per-
plexity, he fell in with Tom, who was smoking 4&
cheap cigar with the air of an old smoker.
‘¢ Where are you bound, Herbert?†he asked.
‘s Nowhere in particular. I wish I knew where to
go.â€
‘¢Come fishing with me.â€
‘¢T haven’t time.â€
‘‘-You said you were not going anywhere in par
ticular.†|
‘¢ Because I don’t know where to go.â€
‘¢ Then why not go with me?â€
‘¢T want to find work somewhere.â€
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
118 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘That's just what I am not anxious to find,†he
said. ‘*‘ My father keeps thinking every day that I
ought to be at work, but I don’t see it.â€
Tom winked here, and looked, or thought he
looked, uncommonly sly.
‘Then your father has work for a boy to do,†said
Herbert, getting interested.
‘¢Oh, yes, it is spring now, and the busy season is
beginning. But that sort of work don’t suit me. I
will never be a farmer. When I get a Lttle older, I
should like to go to the city, and enter a store. That
would be jolly.â€
‘¢ You might get tired of it.â€
‘*No, I wouldn’t; I’m sick of this stupid old town,
though. There’s nothing going on.â€
“T say, Tom, as you don’t want to work, do you
think your father would give me a chance?â€
“T don’t know,†said Tom. ‘T’ll speak to him if
you want me to.â€
*¢T wish you would.â€
‘““'There’ll be one advantage aout it. If he hires
you, he won’t be at me to work all the time. Ill do
it. Come along, and I'll speak to him now.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SQN. 119
‘Thank you, Tom.â€
‘¢Oh, you needn’t thank me. It’s for my own sake
I’m doing it as much as yours,†said Tom, who was
at least frank in his selfishness.
They went to the small house occupied, much
against his will, by Amos Banks. He was in the
field, with one of his men, when Tom and Herbert
came up, and, jumping over the stone wall,
approached him.
‘¢ Well, Tom,†said his father, ‘‘ you have come just
in time. I want you to ride the horse to plough.â€
‘¢T can’t, father ; I don’t feel well to-day.â€
‘¢ What’s the matter?â€
‘¢ Oh, I’ve got a head-ache.â€
‘¢ Riding will do you good.â€
‘sNo, it won’t,†said Tom, confidently; ‘‘ but if
you want a boy to help you, here he is.â€
Mr. Banks turned to Herbert.
‘>You are Herbert Carter,†he said.
‘¢Yes, sir. I would like very much to get @
chance to work.†|
‘‘ You’re the widow Carter’s son?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
120 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘ Has your mother decided to sell her cottage?â€
**T don’t think she has, Mr. Banks.â€
‘¢ Of course you know that Squire Leech wants to
buy it.â€
‘* Yes, sir. He told me that he wanted to pur-
chase it for your use.â€
‘‘Just so,†said the superintendent, stopping
work ; ‘‘ I’ve taken a fancy to that house, and so has
Mrs. Banks. You had better accept the squire’y
offer.â€
“That would be too much of a sacrifice, Mi
Banks. The squire wants to get the place consider
ably below its value.â€
‘** Very likely you overvalue it.â€
‘* Mother is attached to it. She would rather have
it than a nicer house. Father built it, and it was
here they lived for nearly fifteen years.â€
“No doubt—no doubt,†said Mr. Banks, im-
patiently ; ‘* but poor folks can’t afford to be senti-
mental. If it’s for your mother’s interest to sell,
~ then she’d ought to sell, that’s my opinion.â€
‘* We may have to sell some time, but as long as
we can hold on to the place, we mean to.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 121
>
‘““Y may as well say,†said the superintendent,
“‘that the squire has authorized me to hire you to
work, in case your mother consents to sell.â€
‘¢Ts that the condition?â€
‘ Yes.â€
‘¢'Then,†said Herbert, turning away, ‘“‘I am
afraid I must give up the chance.â€
‘¢'That’s an obstinate boy,†said Banks, looking
after him; ‘‘ but he’ll come around after a while.
The squire says he'll have to, or be turned out for
not paying the interest.â€
122 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XIV.
HERBERT'S NEW UNDERTAKING.
To be willing to work, and yet to be unable to find
an opportunity, was certainly a hardship. Herbert
was a boy of active temperament, and, even had he
not needed the wages of labor, he would still have
felt it necessary to his happiness to do something.
In the course of his walks about the village, he
stopped at the house of a carpenter, who bore the
rather peculiar name of Jeremiah Crane. Mr. Crane
owned about an acre and a half of land, which might
-have been cultivated, but at the time Herbert called,
early in April, there were no indications of this in-
tention. The carpenter was at work in a small shop
just beyond the house, and there Herbert found him.
‘Well, Herbert,†said Mr. Crane, in a friendly
manner, ‘‘ what are you up to nowadays?â€
‘* Nothing profitable, Mr. Crane; I am wandering
about in search of work.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 123
-— *©Can’t yoa find any?â€
** Not yet.†|
‘¢ Have you been to Squire Leech?â€
“Yes.â€
‘¢T should think he might find something for you
to do.â€
‘¢ There is a little difficulty in the way.â€
‘¢ What is that?â€
Then Herbert told Mr. Crane about the squire’s
wish to purchase their cottage, and his vexation
because they were not willing to sell.
‘¢ Seems to me that’s unreasonable in the squire.
He acts just as if it was your duty to oblige him.â€
‘¢T don’t know but we shall have to come to his
terms,†said Herbert, rather dejectedly. ‘‘ We cer-
tainly shall if I don’t find anything to do.â€
‘¢T wish I could help you, but if you were to learn
my trade, you wouldn’t »e worth any wages for nigh
a year, and you couldn’s afford to work so long with-
out pay.â€
- No, I couldn't.â€
‘‘ Besides, in a village iike this, there isn’t more
than enough work for one man. Why, there isn’t
124 HERBERT CALYERS LEGACY; OR,
more than one new house built a year. If the squire
wants to provide Mr. Banks with a house, why doesn’t
he build him one? He might just as well as not.â€
‘¢ It would cost him more than to buy our place at
the price he offers.â€
‘¢So it would. Your place must have cost fifteen
1undred dollars, land and all.â€
‘¢So it did, but the squire laughed at the idea. All
he offers is eleven hundred.â€
‘¢Don’t you sell at that price. It would be toe
much of a sacrifice.â€
‘¢We won’t unless we are obliged to.â€
‘*T hope you won't be obliged to. A man as rich
as Squire Leech ought not to try to get it under
price.â€
‘‘T suppose he wants to make a good bargain, no
matter if it is at our expense. I wish you had a
farm, Mr. Crane, so you could give me work on it.â€
‘“‘Pve got more farm now than I can take care of.â€
‘¢ Don’t you have a garden?â€
‘“‘Y’ve got the land, but no time to work on it.
My wife often wishes we had our own vegetables,
instead of having to buy, but you see, after working
Then INVENTOR’S SON. 125
in the shop, or outside, all day, I’m too tired to work
on land.â€
‘¢ How much land have you ?â€
‘¢ About an acre that I could cultivate, I suppose.â€
‘¢ Engage me to take care of it. Ill do all the
work, and your wife can have her own vegetables.â€
‘¢ Really, I never thought of that,†said the car-
penter. ‘I don’t know but it might be a good idea.
How much pay would you want?â€
‘sTll tell you,†said Herbert, who had a business
turn, and who had already matured the plan in his
own mind. “If you will pay for ploughing, and
provide seed, I will do the planting, and gather it
when harvest time comes, for one-third of the
erop.â€
‘You mean, you will take your pay in vege-
tables?â€
‘¢'Yes,†said Herbert, promptly. ‘‘If there is
more than you need, I can sell the surplus. What
do you say?â€
‘¢ It strikes me as a fair offer, Herbert. Just wait
a minute, and I'll go and ask my wife what she
thinks of it.â€
126 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
Mr. Crane went into the house, leaving Herbert in
the shop. He reappeared in five minutes. Herbert,
to whom the plan seemed every minute more de
sirable, awaited his report eagerly.
‘‘My wife is all for your plan,†he said. ‘‘She
says it is the only way she knows of likely to give
her the fresh vegetables she wants. Besides, she
thinks well of you. So, it’s a settled thing, if you
gay so.†|
‘*T do say so,†Herbert replied promptly.
Now, when will you have it ploughed?â€
‘‘T shall leave all that to you. I haven’t time te
make arrangements. You can engage anybody you
like to do the ploughing, and I will pay the bill.â€
‘¢Then as to the seed?â€
‘* There, again, I trust all to you. You can buy
what you find to be necessary, and the bill may
be sent tome. You may ask Mrs. Crane what vege-
tables she wants.â€
‘All right,†said Herbert.
‘¢ Please understand,†said the carpenter, “ that I
will do what I have said, but I don’t want to be wor-
ried about the details. You are a boy, but I shall
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 127
trust to your judgment, as you are interested in the
result.â€
‘;Thank you,†said Herbert, rather proud of the
confidence reposed in him. ‘* I will do what I can to
justify your confidence. Tll go right off and see
about the ploughing.â€
‘Very well.â€
Whatever Herbert did was done promptly. He
knew of a man named Kimball, a farmer on a small
scale, the owner of a yoke of oxen, who was accus
tomed to do work for neighbors, not having enough
work of his own to occupy his whole time. He went
to see him at once.
‘¢ Mr. Kimball,†he said, ‘‘ I want to know if I can
engage you to do some ploughing for me.â€
‘‘For you!†repeated the farmer, opening his
eyes. ‘* Why, you haven’t taken a farm, have you?â€
‘‘Not yet,†said Herbert, smiling; ‘‘ but I’ve
agreed to cultivate a little land on shares.â€
‘Sho! you don’t say so! What land is it?â€
‘¢ Tt’s the field behind Mr. Crane’s house.â€.
‘¢So he’s engaged you, has he? Well, I’ve often
128 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
wondered why he didn’t cultivate it. Might as wel
as not.†|
‘* Tt’s my idea. I proposed it to him. Now when
can you come?â€
‘¢ Wait a minute,†said the farmer, cautiously,
*¢ who’s a-going to pay me?†|
‘‘ Mr. Crane. He told me to engage somebody,
and he would pay the bill.â€
‘¢ That’s all right then,†said the farmer, in a tone
of satisfaction, ‘‘ Crane’s a man that always pays
his bills.â€
‘*T hope I shall have the same reputation,†said:
Herbert.
‘*T hope you will, but you’re only a boy, you know,
and I couldn’t collect of a minor. That’s the law.
‘* T shouldn’t think anybody’d be dishonest enough:
to bring that as an excuse.â€
‘Plenty would do it, so I have to be careful.
What time do you want me to do the work for
you?†|
‘* As soon as you can.â€
‘‘Let me see, I guess I can come to-morrow,
THE INVENTORS SON. 129
There aint anything very pressing for me to do
then.â€
‘*That’s good,†said Herbert, with satisfaction.
‘¢ You'll find me there, and I can ride the horse to
plough if you want me to.â€
‘¢T should like to have you.â€
‘¢ Well,†thought Herbert, as he started for home
to tell his mother what he had done, ‘‘ ’ve made a
beginning.â€
‘¢T suppose you haven't found any work. yet, Her-
bert,†said his mother, in atone of resignation, as he
entered the little cottage.
‘6 Yes, I have, though I shall have to wait some
time for the pay.â€
‘¢ What is it, Herbert?â€
“Tm going to cultivate a garden on shares,
mother; so next fall and winter you can have all
the vegetables you want.â€
‘¢ How is that, Herbert? Tell me all about it.â€
When Herbert had detailed the contract he had
entered into, he was glad to find that his mother
approved of it. She declared that it would be very
satisfactory to her to have an abundant stock of
9
130 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
vegetables, but she said doubtfully, ‘‘Do you think
you know enough of farming to attend to all the
work?â€
‘Tf I don’t I can easily ask some farmer,†said
Herbert, confidently. ‘‘I am not in the least afraid
to undertake the job.â€
He went to bed that night, feeling that at last he
had obtained something to do.
The reader will perhaps recall the statement in our
first chapter that there was a little land connected
with the cottage, which was used for the growth of
vegetables. This, in fact, supplied nearly all that
was required by the widow and her son, and the
probability was that Herbert would be able to send to
market nearly all his share of vegetables obtained
under his new contract, and thus obtain payment
in money, of which they were so much in need.
THE INVENTORS SON. 131
CHAPTER XV.
THE CRISIS APPROACHES.
HERBERT went to work in earnest. It took only
part of one day to plough the field which he was to
cultivate. He decided, after consultation with Mrs.
Crane, to appropriate two-thirds of the land to
potatoes, and the remainder to different kinds of
vegetables. He was guided partly by the considera
tion of which would be most marketable.
On the third day, while at work, he heard his name
called. It must be explained that Mr. Crane’s house
and land were on the corner of two streets, so that he
was in full sight, while in the field, from the side
street. Looking up, he recognized James Leech,
who was surveying him with evident curiosity.
‘¢ Good-morning, James,†said Herbert, going on
with his work.
‘¢T gee you’ve got a job,†said James.
66 Yes.â€
182 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Has Mr. Crane hired you?â€
** Not exactly.â€
*¢'Then why are you at work in his field?â€
‘¢ Because I’ve agreed to work it on shares.â€
*¢ Flow is that?â€
‘*T am to have a third of the crops to pay me for
nly services.â€
‘* What can you do with it?â€
‘¢ Part of the vegetables we can use at home, and
the balance I shall sell.â€
‘¢T shouldn’t think you’d like that arrangement.â€
‘Why not?â€
‘* Because you have so long to wait for your pay.â€
‘¢ That is true, but it’s better than not working at
all, and [ve tried all over the village in vain to get.
employment.â€
‘* Do you think you’ll make much out of it?â€
‘Tf don’t think I shall make my fortune, but I
shall make something.â€
** Don’t it tire you to work?†asked James, with
some curiosity.
‘‘Of course, if I work all day; but I don’t mind
that.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 133
‘6 T should.â€
‘¢ You are not used to work.â€
‘¢T should say not,†returned James, with pride.
‘6 T never worked in my life.â€
It was a strange thing to be proud of, but there are
some who have nothing better to be proud of.
‘¢T like to work,†said Herbert.
‘¢ You do?â€
‘‘ Yes, only I like to get something for my labor.
You expect to work some time, don’t you?â€
‘‘Not: with my hands,†said James. ‘I shall
never be reduced to that.â€
‘¢Do you think it so very bad to work with your
hands. Isn’t it respectable?â€
‘‘ Oh, I suppose it’s respectable,†said James ; ‘* but
only the lower classes do it.â€
‘¢ Am I one of the lower classes?†asked Herbert,
amused.
‘Of course you are.â€
‘¢ But suppose 1 should get rich some day,†said
Herbert.
‘That isn’t very likely. You can’t get rich
raising vegetables.â€
134 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
** No, I don’t expect to. | Still, I may in some other
way. Didn’t you ever know anv poor boys that got
rich ?â€
‘‘I suppose there have been some,†admitted
James.
‘* Haven’t you ever heard of Vanderbilt?â€
‘Of course [have. Father says he’s worth forty
millions.â€
‘*¢ Don’t you consider him a gentleman?â€
‘¢Of course I do.â€
‘¢ Well, he was a poor boy once, and used to ferry
passengers across from Staten Island to New York.â€
‘Did he? I didn’t know that.â€
‘‘ Suppose my uncle had left me all his fortune,— a
hundred thousand dollars,— would I have been a
gentleman then?â€
‘¢'Yes, but it isn’t the same as if you had always
been rich.â€
‘* I don’t agree with your ideas, James. It seems
to me something besides money is needed to make a
gentleman ; still I hope to get on in the world, and I
shouldn’t object to being rich, though I don’t see any
prospect of it just at present.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 135
‘*No,†said James. ‘You will probably always
be poor.†|
‘* That’s very encouraging,†said Herbert, laugh-
ing. ‘* How about yourself?â€
‘¢ Qh, I shall be a rich man like father.â€
‘'That’s very encouraging for you. I hope when
you are a man you'll give me work if I need it.â€
‘¢T will bear it in mind,†said James, with an
important air. ‘*‘ Now I must be going.â€
That day, at dinner, James said to his father,
‘6 That Carter boy has got a job.â€
‘‘Has he?†asked the squire, not very well
pleased.
‘¢ Yes, he is working at Mr. Crane’s.â€
‘¢ What is he doing?â€
‘¢ Working in the garden.â€
‘¢ What wages does Crane pay him? â€
‘¢ None at all. He says he has agreed to work fon
the third of the crops.â€
‘Did he say that?†asked the squire, with satis
faction.
‘¢ Yes, he told me so this morning.â€
‘¢ You are sure he gets no money?â€
156 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Yes; he is paid wholly in vegetables. He said
he couldn’t find employment anywhere else in the
village, so he had to work that way.â€
‘‘'That boy stands very much in his own light,â€
said the squire. |
‘¢ How is that, father?â€
‘*T told him Mr. Banks would give him work if he
would agree to sell me his cottage.â€
‘¢ He doesn’t own it, does he?â€
‘‘ His mother, of course, I mean. It’s the boy
that keeps her from selling it.â€
‘¢ Why does he do that?â€
‘Qh, they’ve got a silly notion that no other place
would seem like home to them, and, besides, they
think I don’t offer them enough.â€
““ How much do you offer them?â€
*¢ Kleven hundred dollars; that is, I have a mort-
gage on the place for seven hundred and fifty. I offer
them three hundred and fifty dollars besides.â€
‘Is that all the money they are worth? â€
‘‘ Yes; they are very foolish to refuse, for they’l
have to come to it some time. In about a week the
THE INVENTORS SON. 137
{nterest comes due, and I’m very sure they won’t be
able to meet it.†|
‘¢ Suppose they don’t?â€
‘¢ Then,†said the squire, with a satisfied smile, ‘‘]
shall take possession, and they'll have to sell.â€
‘¢ Herbert says he hopes to be rich some time.â€
‘¢Y dare say,†said the squire, laughing heartily
“¢ Kverybody does, so far as I know.â€
‘¢Do you think there is any chance of it?â€
‘¢ About one in a thousand.â€
‘¢T shouldn’t want the lower classes to get rich,â€
gaid James, thoughtfully. ‘* They'd think they were
our equals.â€
‘¢ Yes, no doubt.â€
James was not aware that his grandfather had once
been a poor mechanic, or rather he ignored it. He
chose to consider that he had sprung from a long line
of wealthy ancestors. His father heard with pleasure
that Herbert was not likely to realize any money at
present for his services. Already he felt that the lit-
tle cottage was as good as his. It was only a week
now to the time of paying interest, and he was very
gure that Mrs. Carter would be unprepared to meet it.
138 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ In that case,†he decided, ‘‘ I will certainly fore
close. There will be no sense in granting them any
further indulgence. It will be for their interest to
sell the cottage, and get rid of the burden which the
interest imposes. Really they ought to consider it a
_ favor that I am willing to take it off their hands.â€
We are very apt to think it is for the interest of
others to do what we greatly desire, and I don’t.
suppose the squire was singular in this. I think,
however, that there are many who are less selfish and
more considerate of others.
Herbert, too, was thinking, and thinking seriously,
of the interest that was so soon coming due. In
spite of his own and his mother’s economy, when the
preceding day arrived, all they could raise toward the
payment was thirteen dollars, and the sum required
was twenty-two dollars and a half.
‘* Mother,†said Herbert, at dinner the day before,
‘*T see only one chance for us, and that is, to borrow
the money. If any one would lend us ten dollars we
could pay the interest, and then we should be free
from anxiety for six months.â€
‘*] am afraid you will find that difficult,†said his
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 139
mother. ‘* The squire is the only rich man in the
village, and of course we can’t apply to him.â€
‘* At any rate I can but try. Instead of going to
work this afternoon, I shall go about and try to bor-
row the money. If I can’t, then I suppose we mus‘
give up the house.â€
Certainly the prospect seemed far from cheerful.
140 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XVI.
AN UNEXPECTED OFFER.
Ir was with very little confidence in his ultimate
success that Herbert set out on his borrowing expe-
dition. The number of those who could be called
capitalists in a small village like Wrayburn was very
small, and it happened very remarkably that all of
them were short of funds. One man had just bought.
a yoke of oxen, and so spent all his available cash;
another had been shingling his barn ; and still another
confessed to having money, but it was in the savings
bank, and he didn’t like to disturb it.
So at supper-time Herbert came in depressed and
dispirited.
‘¢ Well, mother, it’s no use,†he said, as her anxious:
look met his.
‘‘T didn’t much think you could borrow the
money,†she answered, trying to look cheerfui,
THE INVENTORS SON. | 141
‘¢There’s only one thing remains to be done,â€
said Herbert.
‘What is that?â€
‘¢To try to induce the squire to give us more
time.†| :
‘*T don’t think he will do that.â€
‘Nor I. In that case we must come to his terms ;
but it’s a pity to sacrifice the property, mother.â€
‘‘Yes, Herbert, I shall be sorry to leave the old
place,†she sighed. ‘* You were born here, and your
father was always very much attached to it. But poor
folks can’t have everything as they wish, and it might
be worse.â€
‘¢Yes, it might be worse, and if the squire was
not so bent in getting the place into his hands,
it might be better.â€
‘sT suppose we ought not to blame him for
looking out for his own interest.â€
‘‘Yes, we ought, when it seems that he is ready
to injure his poorer neighbors.â€
Mrs. Carter did not reply. She did not wish fur-
ther to incense her son against the squire, yet in
her heart she could not help agreeing with him.
142 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
The next day Herbert did not go to work as
usual. He did not feel like it, while matters were
mm such uncertainty. He knew the squire would be
at the cottage a little before twelve o’clock, and
he wanted to be with his mother at that time, for
he felt that, if the place must be sold, he would
be more likely to get good terms for it than his
mother, who was of an easy and yielding dis-
position.
He took a little walk in the course of the fore-
noon, not with any particular object in view, but
in order to pass the time. As he was passing the
hotel, — for there was a small hotel in the village, —
he heard his name called. Turning round, he fcund
that it was the landlord who had called him.
‘‘Come here a minute, Herbert,†he said.
Herbert obeyed the summons.
‘‘ What are you doing nowadays?†he asked.
‘‘T have turned farmer,†said our hero.
‘¢*Whom are you working for?â€
‘For myself.â€
‘*How is that? I don’t understand.â€
‘6 I am cultivating Mr. Crane’s land on shares.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 143
‘*Does it take up all your time?â€
‘“No; I would only work part of the day if I
had anything else to do.â€
“ll tell you what I have been thinking of.
There’s a young man boarding with me from the
city, a Mr. Cameron. He was a college student,
but his eyes gave out, and the doctor sent him
out of the city to get well. He wants some one
to read to him part of the time, and go about with
him for company. He is from a rich family, — the
son of a wealthy manufacturer,—and he will be
willing to pay a fair price.â€
‘¢Do you think I would suit him?†asked Her-
bert, eagerly. |
‘¢Yes, I think you would. You are a good
scholar, and when I mentioned you to him, he
said he would like to see you. He said he would
prefer a boy, as he would be more ready to adapt
himself to his wishes.â€
_6¢When can I see Mr. Cameron?†asked our
hero.
‘¢Come in now. You will find him in hs room.
Here, John, show Herbert up to No. 6.â€
144 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
YWerbert was ushered into one of the hest rooms
the hotel afforded. A young man, of pleasant
appearance, was sitting at the window, with a green
shade over his eyes. He pushed up this, that he
might see Herbert.
‘¢This is Herbert Carter, Mr. Cameron,†said
John, unceremoniously.
‘‘T am glad to see you, Herbert,†said the young:
man, smiling as he extended his hand. He was.
secretly pleased with Herbert’s open and manly face.
‘Did the landlord say why I might need your
assistance ?â€
‘¢ He said your eyes were affected.â€
‘¢'Yes, they broke down a month since. I am a
student of Yale College, in the junior class. I
suppose I tasked my eyes too severely. At any
rate they gave out, and I am forbidden to use them
at all.â€
‘‘ That must be a great loss to you,†said Herbert,
with sympathy.
‘‘It is. I am very fond of reading and study,.
and the time passes very heavily in the absence of
my usual employment.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 145
‘
use my eyes.â€
‘*You would find it a great hardship. Now I]
must tell you why I came here. The doctor told me
I should be better off in the country than in the city.
He said that the sight of the green grass would be
good for me, and the fresh air, in improving my
general health, would help my eyes also. I hadn’t
much choice as to a place, but some one mentioned
Wrayburn, and so I came here. But I soon found
that, unless I got some pleasant company and some
one who could read to me, I should die of weariness.
That brings me to my object in asking you to call
upon me. How is your time occupied ?â€
‘ST have taken an acre of land to cultivate on
shares,†answered Herbert. ‘‘It was because I
could find nothing else to do, and must do some-
thing.â€
‘¢ Does that keep you pretty busy?â€
‘¢Tt is planting time now, but I could get along
with working there half the day.â€
‘¢ And could you place yourself at my disposal the
other half?â€
10
146 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘©T should be glad to do it,†answered Herbert.
‘¢ Suppose, then, that you work in the field in the
forenoon, and give me every afternoon.â€
** All right,†said Herbert, promptly.
‘¢ Now comes another question. Wht pay would
you expect for giving me so much of your time?â€
‘¢T shouldn’t know what to eharge, Mr. Cameron.
I leave that matter entirely with you.â€
‘¢Would you be satisfied with five dollars a
week?â€
Five dollars a week! Herbert could hardly be-
lieve his ears. Why, he would have been well paid
if this had been given him for the whole of his time,
but for half it seemed munificent.
‘“*T am afraid I can’t earn that much,†he an-
swered. ‘‘I would be willing to take less.â€
‘*You don’t know how hard I shall make you
work,†said the young man, smiling. ‘I insist upon
paying you five dollars a week.†|
‘**I don’t seriously object,†said Herbert, smiling ;
‘* but if you think, after the first week, that it is too
much, you can pay me less.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 147
‘*T see that we are not likely to quarrel on the
subject of salary, then. When can you begin?â€
‘¢ This afternoon, if you wish.â€
‘¢T do wish it, otherwise the afternoon would pass
very slowly to me.â€
‘¢ Then I will be here at one o’clock.â€
*¢ Half-past one will do.†|
“YT will be on hand. Till then I will bid you
good-morning, as I shall be wanted at home.â€
‘¢ Very well, Herbert.â€
Herbert left the room and hurried home, for it
was nearly twelve. On the way he stopped at the
post-office, and found a letter addressed to his
mother. He did not recognize the handwriting, nor,
such was his hurry, did he notice where it was post-
marked. He had no watch, but thought it must be
close upon twelve o’clock. So he thrust the letter
into his pocket, and continued his way homeward on a
half run. He was in time, for, just as he reached the
front gate from one direction, the squire reached
it from the other.
‘¢ Good-morning,†said the squire, a little stiffly.
‘¢Is your mother at home?â€
148 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘T presume she is. Won’t you come in?â€
‘‘T wonder if they’ve got the money ready,â€
thought the squire, as he followed Herbert into the —
modost sitting-room.
THE INVENTORS SON. 149
CHAPTER XVII.
WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED,
Leavine the squire in the sitting-room, Herbert
went in quest of his mother.
‘¢ Squire Leech is here,†he said.
‘¢ What shall we say to him?†asked his mother,
soberly.
‘¢ Wait a minute and I will tell you,†said Herbert,
his face brightening.
‘¢T’ve had a stroke of luck, mother. I’ve been
engaged to work afternoons, at five dollars a week.â€
‘¢ Who has engaged to pay you such high wages?â€
asked Mrs. Carter, astonished.
‘¢A young man staying at the hotel, whose eyes
are weak. I am to read to him, and do whatever
else he requires. I got the chance through the land-
lord.â€
‘‘You are certainly fortunate,†said his mother,
gratified.
150 HERBERT CARTERS LEGAUYT,; OR,
‘¢ Now, what I am going to propose to the squire is
tu wait two or three weeks for the balance of the
interest till I can make it up out of my wages.â€
‘*’ Perhaps he will.â€
‘‘Tf he weren’t so anxious to get possession of the
place, he would; but Iam afraid on that account he
will refuse. But we ought to go in.â€
Mrs. Carter removed the apron which she had worn
about her work, and entered the sitting-room, fol-
lowed by Herbert.
‘*T hope you will excuse my keeping you waiting,
Squire Leech,†she said.
‘¢Certainly, ma’am, though I am rather in a
hurry.â€
‘‘T suppose you have come about the interest.â€
‘Tt is due to-day, as, of course, you know.â€
*¢ Yes.â€
‘‘T suppose you have it ready,†said the squire,
eying her shrewdly.
‘IT can pay you fifteen dollars of it,†said the
widow, nervously.
Squire J.eech felt exultant, but he only frowned,
THE INVENTORS SON. 15}
‘‘It amounts to twenty-two dollars and a half,â€
se said, sharply.
‘‘] know that, and I shall be able to pay the
remainder if you will be kind enough to wait two
or three weeks.â€
Not knowing anything of Herbert’s good fortune,
Squire Leech utterly disbelieved this. He knew no
source from which the widow could get the money.
‘‘It is easy enough to make promises,†he said,
with a sneer, ‘‘ but that doesn’t satisfy me. I want
my money.â€
Now Herbert felt it time for him to take part
in the conversation.
‘‘My mother can keep her promise,†he said.
‘‘Can she? Perhaps you will explain where you
expect to get the money.â€
‘‘From my wages,†answered Herbert, proudly.
>
‘‘T wasn’t aware that you received any,†sneered
the squire.
“T have just made an engagement to work for fiv
dollars a week,†said our hero, enjoying the squire’s
look of surprise.
‘‘ Indeed! Who pays you that?â€
152 “HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘+A gentleman boarding at the hotel has engaged
me to read to him, as his eyes are weak and he
cannot use them.â€
‘*A fool and his money are soon parted,†said
‘Squire Leech, shrugging his shoulders. ‘‘ You may
retain the position a week.â€
‘‘T hope to keep it much longer. I feel sure
that I shall.â€
‘*T don’t,†said the squire, emphatically.
‘¢Then are you willing to wait—say two weeks
—for the rest of the interest?â€
‘*No, I am not, and you ought to have known I
shouldn’t be. There is a way of arranging the whole
matter, as I have already told your mother.â€
‘‘ By selling the place, you mean?â€
‘Yes; I mean just that. It is folly for you to
think of keeping the property, with such a heavy
mortgage upon it, on which you are unable to pay
the interest. Ifyou couldn’t sell the place, it would
alter the matter, but I have offered you a fair
price for it.â€
‘*You have offered us four huncred dollars less
than it cost.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. - 153
‘‘That is nonsense! It neve: cost fifteen hun-
dred dollars.â€
‘“‘T have my husband’s word for it,†said the
widow.
‘¢'Then he made some mistake about it, you may
be sure of that.â€
‘¢T am sure father was right,†said Herbert. ‘‘ Be-
sides, we have his bills to prove it.â€
‘‘That’s neither here nor there,†said Squire
Leech, impatiently. ‘‘ Even if it cost ten thousand
dollars, it’s only worth eleven hundred now, and
that I offer you; that is to say, three hundred
and fifty dollars over and above the mortgage.â€
‘You are hard upon me, Squire Leech,†said
Mrs. Carter, despondently.
‘You are a woman, ma’am, and women never
understand about business. Therefore, I make
allowance for you; but your son ought to know
better than to encourage you in your erroneous
ideas.â€
“T want my mother to be treated fairly and
justly.â€
‘“Do you mean to imply that I would treat her
154 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
otherwise, young man?†demanded the squire, angrily
‘‘T advise you not to make an enemy of one whe
might be >of service to you.â€
Herbert looked sober. The squire might not be
right, but certainly he had the power to carry his
point, and that power he was certain to exercise.
‘Will you give my mother and myself a little
time to consult what is to be done?†he asked.
‘¢ Yes,†said the squire, feeling that he had carried
his point. ‘‘I might refuse, of course, but I wish to
be easy with you, and therefore I will give you till
half-past twelve. Iam going to the post-office, and
will be back at that time.â€
He took his cane, and left the house.
His reference to the post-office reminded Herbert
of the letter he had in his pocket for his mother.
‘¢ Here’s a letter for you, mother,†he said.
‘A letter!†repeated Mrs. Carter, examining it
curiously. ‘* Who can it be from?â€
‘It’s post-marked at Randolph,†said Herbert,
looking over her shoulder.
‘* Perhaps it’s from Aunt Nancy,†suggested the
THE YNVENTOR’S SON. 155
widow. ‘‘T don’t know any one else in Randolph
that would be likely to write to me.â€
She opened the envelope, and uttered a cry of
surprise as two bills dropped out, and fluttered
downward to the floor. |
Herbert picked them up eagerly, and cried:
‘‘Why, mother, they are ten-dollar bills. Twenty
dollars in all!â€
‘¢ Twenty dollars!†repeated Mrs. Carter, in amaze-
ment.
‘‘Hurrah! now we can pay the interest!†ex-
claimed Herbert. ‘* Won’t the squire be mad!’’ and
he laughed joyously. ‘* Read the letter aloud, mother.â€
Mrs. Carter read as follows :—
‘¢ My pear Niece: —I have thought of you often,
and wish we were not so far distant from each other.
I should enjoy seeing you and that good son of yours
often. JI am afraid you have had a hard time getting
along. I wanted my brother to leave you a good
handsome sum; but he was peculiar, you know, and
not easily influenced. I feel grateful that he left me
so well off. My wants are few, and I have more
156 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
than enough to supply them. I enclose twenty dollars
in this letter, which I hope will help you aling, so
that you may be comfortable. I shall not need them,
for an old woman like me can live on very little.
‘¢T wish you would write to me sometimes, or ask
Herbert to. I feel lonely, and it would be a great
favor tome. If it were not so far, I would ask you
and Herbert to come over and spend a day or two
with me. Perhaps you can manage to do it some
time. Only don’t delay too long, for I am getting
old, and can’t expect to live much longer.
Your affectionate aunt,
Nancy CARTER.â€
‘‘How good of Aunt Nancy!†said Mrs. Carter,
folding up the letter. ‘‘If her brother had pos-
sessed her kind heart, we should be better off to-
day.â€
‘It came just in the nick of time, mother. How
lucky !â€
‘* Say, rather, how providential, my son. We owe
this good fortune to the kindness of God. He will
not see us want.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 157
‘* Of course you are right, mother; but I am think-
ing the squire won’t regard it in the same light. He
will be terribly disappointed, for he thinks he has got
us in his power.†|
‘¢T am thankful that this is to be our home for six
months more.â€
‘*Longer than that, mother. I am earning some-
thing now, you know, and before I do anything else
I will save up money to pay our next interest.â€
‘¢ Squire Leech is coming back,†said Mrs. Carter,
who had been looking out of the window.
‘¢See how briskly he walks!†said Herbert. ‘I
don’t think he’ll be so cheerful when he leaves the
house.â€
‘¢T don’t think we ought to exult in his disappoint-
ment, Herbert.â€
‘¢F can’t help it, mother,†said Herbert, laughing ;
‘Cand I’m not ashamed of it either. You are carry-
ing benevolence too far.†|
Here the squire’s knock was heard, and Herbert
went to admit him.
158 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XVIII.
HOW THE SQUIRE WAS CIRCUMVENTED.
THE squire was in very good spirits. All the way
back from the post-office he had been congratulating
himself on the elegant bargain he was about to make.
There was a feeling of satisfaction also at the per-
sonal triumph he had achieved. The widow and her
son had been obliged to yield up to him, notwith-
standing their unwillingness. Squire Leech thought
more of Herbert in the matter than of his mother, for
he was convinced that but for him he could have
talked over Mrs. Carter six months before.
‘*Serves the boy right,†he said to himself. ‘It
was preposterous in him to oppose my wishes. He
might have known I would advise what was best.â€
Probably the squire meant what was best for him.
- He had not given much thought what would be best
for Mrs. Carter.
‘Some men would take advantage of their situa.
THE INVENTORS SON. 159
{ion and reduce their offer,†thought the squire, vir-
tuously, ‘‘ but I won’t be hard on them. They shall
have the three hundred and fifty dollars.
This was the thought that was passing through his
mind as he knocked at the door for the second time.
‘¢ Well,†said he, cheerfully, as Herbert opened the
door, ‘‘ I have returned. I believe I have given you
the time I agreed upon.â€
‘¢ Yes, sir,†said Herbert. ‘‘ Please walk in.â€
The squire expected to find him sober and de-
pressed, but in spite of himself Herbert could not
help looking in good spirits. This puzzled the squire
a little, but he said to himself, ‘‘ Probably they have
decided that my offer wasn’t so bad a one, after all.â€
Squire Leech walked again into the little sitting-
room, where Mrs. Carter was awaiting him.
‘¢ Well,†said the village magnate, clearing his
throat; ‘‘ well, Mrs. Carter, now that you have had
time to think over my proposal, you have probably
seen its advantages.â€
‘*T should not be willing to give up the house, sir.
My husband built
160 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
The squire’s brows darkened. What a perverse,
obstinate woman she was!
‘¢ That aint the question,†he exclaimed, pounding
his cane on the floor in his excitement. ‘There are
many things we don’t want to do that we’ve got to
do. You stand in your own light, ma’am, but it’s of
nouse. I have my rights, let me observe.â€
‘¢'We don’t deny that, sir,†interposed Herbert,
who enjoyed the squire’s excitement, knowing how it
must end.
“TT am glad to hear it,†said the squire; ‘ but it
appears to me you think you and your mother are the
only persons to be considered in this matter.â€
‘*T think my mother is entitled to some considera-
tion.â€
‘* Haven’t I considered her? Haven’t I offered her
a most liberal price for the place? â€
‘¢ We don’t call it liberal.â€
‘*' Then you are unreasonable. Many men in my
position would offer less. Indeed, I don’t think I
ought to offer more than three hundred dollars, but
as a favor to your mother I keep to my old offer.â€
‘*We would thank you, Squire Leech, if we could
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 16}
see any favor in offering three or four hundred dollars
less than the house is worth.â€
‘¢ We have had enough of this nonsense,†said the
squire, angrily. It is not too late to withdraw my
offer.â€â€™ |
‘¢ You had better withdraw it,†said Herbert, com-
posedly, ‘‘ for mother and I have decided to refuse
it.â€
‘‘Refuse it!†gasped the squire, looking almost
apoplectic with surprise and rage. ‘‘ What do you
mean by such outrageous impudence?â€
‘¢T don’t see how it can be considered impudence
to refuse an offer. We are not obliged to accept every
offer made us.â€
‘¢You are obliged to accept this,†cried Squire
Leech, stamping his cane upon the floor again. ‘* You
know there is no help for it.â€
‘¢ How do you make that out, sir?†inquired our
hero, calmly.
‘¢ You can’t pay the interest.â€
‘‘T beg your pardon, sir; we are ready to pay the
interest.â€
‘¢] mean the whole of the interest.â€
ll
162 HERSERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢So doL.â€
*¢ Tt must be paid at once.â€
‘‘Tt shall be paid at once, Squire Leech. Please
make out a receipt.†|
Squire Leech was never more astonished in his life.
He was not convinced till Herbert produced what he
could distinguish as two ten-dollar bills and one
five.
‘* There will be two dollars and a half change,â€
said Herbert, in a business-like manner.
‘‘Where did you get this money?†gasped the
squire.
‘‘It belongs to us, sir. Don’t be afraid to take
it.â€
** Did you borrow it?â€
‘6 No, sir.â€
‘What did you mean by telling me you could not
pay the interest when I was here at twelve o’clock?â€
‘¢ We could not, then, or thought we could not.â€
‘Then how can you pay me now?â€
‘* ‘We received some money in a letter this morning
The letter had not been opened when you weve here.
so we didn’t knuw we could meet your claims.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 163
Squire Leech was very angry. He felt that he had
been defeated, and that triumph had slipped over to
the other side. But he resolved to make one more
attempt.
‘¢T have the right to refuse this money,†he said.
‘‘It comes too late. It should have been paid at
twelve.â€
‘¢T beg your pardon, Squire Leech; you yourself
gave us time to consult what to do.â€
‘¢ Because,†said the squire, unguardedly, ‘I
thought you could not pay the interest.â€
Herbert could not help smiling.
‘* We have nothing to do with what you thought,â€
he said. ‘* The fact is, you gave us a little time, and
we have decided to pay you the interest. Be kind
enough to sign the receipt.â€
The squire frowned and bit his lips with vexation.
He tried to think of some way of getting over. the
difficulty, but none presented itself. As he dashed
off the signature, and took the money, he said, an-
grily, ‘‘ You think you have got the better of me, but
the time will come when I will have this place yet.
164 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Your convenient letters won’t always come just in
the nick of time.â€
‘¢T hope to be prepared for you next time, without
having to depend on that.â€
Still the squire lingered. The fact was, that, though
very angry, he was anxious to know from whom Mrs.
Carter had received this opportune help.
‘* Who sent you this letter?†he asked.
‘*T don’t think we need to tell you that,†said Her-
bert.
‘‘T have no objection to tell,†said Mrs. Carter.
“It was my aunt, Nancy Carter, of Randolph, who
so kindly remembered us.â€
‘*T wish she’d kept back her letter a day or two,â€
thought the squire.
“Is she rich?†he asked abruptly.
‘*No; she has a very modest income left by her
brother; but her wants are few, and she thought we
might need help. She has a good heart.â€
‘‘ Confound her good heart!†thought the squire.
‘* Well, ma’am, as my business is over, I will leave
you,†said the squire, sulkily. “ As for that boy of
yours,†pointing his finger at Herbert, ‘* I advise you
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 165
to teach him better manners. He won’t gain any
thing by his impertinence. If he had acted differ-
ently, I would have given him employment, or got
my superintendent to do so. Now, of course, that
is out of the question.â€
‘*I should have been unable to accept it, Squire
Leech,†said Herbert. ‘I have made an engagement. _
already.â€
The squire had forgotten this, and it was morti-
fying to expect that his patronage was of no impor-
tance to the boy whom he detested.
‘¢Good-morning!†he said abruptly, and left the
room. |
‘TY am afraid, Herbert, you treated the squire
disrespectfully,†said Mrs. Carter, when the great
man had left the house.
‘‘T don’t think so, mother, unless to oppose his
wishes is to be disrespectful.â€
‘¢ He spoke as if he thought you did.â€
‘¢T know that, but he wouldn’t if he hadn’t been
unreasonable. But, mother, you know I’ve got to go
to the hotel in fifteen minutes. Just give me a bite,
for I’m awful hungry.â€
166 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
So the day which Herbert had so much dreaded in
advance was marked by two pieces of good luck.
No wonder Herbert’s heart was light, and the future
looked brighter to him than at any time since his
father’s death.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 167
CHAPTER XIX.
HERBERT BECOMES A PROFESSOR.
Wuen Herbert reached the hotel, he went up at
once to Mr. Cameron’s room.
“TIT believe I am a little late,†he said,
apologetically, ‘but I was detained at home by
a matter of business.â€
‘*You are young to have your time occupied by
matters of business,†said the young man, smiling.
‘‘Yes,†said Herbert; ‘‘if my father were alive
it would not devolve upon me, but my mother
generally consults with me.â€
‘‘Y hope your business was arranged satisfac-
corily.†|
‘* Yes, but it came near turning out otherwise.
If it were not intruding upon your time, I would
‘like to tell you about it.â€
“Do so,†said Mr. Cameron, kindly. ‘I shal
be interested in whatever affects you.â€
{68 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Herbert gave an account of Squire Leech’s attempts
to get possession of their cottage,—an account
which need not be repeated here.
‘‘But for that letter of aunt Nancy’s,†he con-
cluded, ‘‘ we should have been obliged to part with
our house.â€
‘‘And all for the paltry sum of twenty-two
dollars and a half?â€
‘““Tt wasn’t paltry to us.â€
‘No, to be sure. Why didn’t you tell me this
morning? I would have lent you the money.â€
“You would!†exclaimed Herbert.
‘¢ With pleasure.†— |
‘Thank you, Mr. Cameron,†said our hero,
gratefully ; ‘‘ but I shouldn’t have dared to ask such
a favor of a stranger.â€
‘Tt must tell you that this Squire Leech has
probably taken advantage of your ignorance of
business. I don’t know exactly how the law is in
this State, but I presume that, so far from the squire
being authorized to take immediate possession of
your place, he would be obliged to give legal notice
of sale, on foreclosure of mortgage, by advertisement
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 169
in some weekly paper. This would allow of sale
at auction, at which it would be sol’ to the
highest bidder.â€
‘ST didn’t know that,’ said Herbert. ‘I
supposed the squire could order us out immediately,
and take possession at his own price.â€
‘¢ Squire Leech certainly knew better than that,
but he evidently wanted to frighten your mother
into selling to him at a sacrifice.â€
‘That was mean,†said Herbert, indignantly,
‘Cand he a rich man, too.â€
‘¢T quite agree with you,†said Mr. Cameron.
‘Tf you have any further difficulty with this
grasping capitalist, come to me, and I will give
you the best advice I can.â€
‘¢T will, Mr. Cameron, and thank you for your
advice. You have relieved my mind. I will tell —
mother what you say. What would you like to
have me read first?â€
‘¢We will put off the reading for a short time.
I want to ask you a few more questions about
yourself, not out of curiosity, but because I may,
170 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY, OR,
if I understand your circumstances, some tine
have it in my power to serve you.â€
‘¢Thank you, sir. I shall be very glad to tell
you anything. I was afraid you would not feel
interested in our affairs.â€
‘¢You are my privete secretary now, and that
insures my interest. Wow long since did your
father die?â€
‘CA little over a year.â€
‘¢What was his business?â€
‘‘ When he was a young man he was employed
in a manufactory near Providence, but the confine-
ment injured his health, and he learned the car-
penter’s trade. It was an out-of-door business
and much better for him.â€
- I gshouldn’t think there would be much for a
carpenter to do in a small village like this.â€
‘‘My father managed to make a comfortable
living, but that was all. At the time he died, he
considered that our house was mortgaged for only
half its value, but Squire Leech thinks otherwise.â€
‘Squire Leech wants to get possession of your
place, and that warps his judgment intentionally,
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 171
i presume. So that was all your father was able
to leave you?â€
‘Yes, sir; no, not quite ail,†said Herbert,
correcting himself, ‘‘there was something else
which father seemed to think was worth something,
but I am afraid it will never do us any good.â€
‘What is that?†asked Mr. Cameron, with
some interest.
‘* He was at work in his leisure for the last two
years of his life on an invention.â€
‘¢ An invention! Of what nature?â€
‘¢’'You know I told you he was employed in a
cotton manufactory when a young man. This made
him familiar with the process of spinning and weav-
ing. He thought he could make an improvement in
some of the machinery used, and he worked out his
idea in a wooden model. Hechad just completed it
oefore he died.â€
‘¢Have you the model?†asked Camerun, with
interest.
‘¢ Yes, sir, and also a written paper describing the
avention. A few days before he died father called
ine to his bedside, and told me that he wanted me
(72 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
some day to show his invention to a manufacturer,
and get his opinion of it. He said that he hoped
some time it would be a source of profit to mother
and myself.â€
‘‘Have you ever done as he advised?†asked
Cameron.
‘*T have never had opportunity,†said Herbert.
‘‘ There is no manufacturing town near here, and I
cannot afford to travel.â€
‘‘t am myself the son of a cotton manufacturer,â€
said Cameron, ‘‘and, though I have never been
employed in the business, I have from my boyhood
been accustomed to visit my father’s factory. My
opinion may be worth something, therefore. If you
are willing to show me your father’s model —â€
‘*T shall be very much obliged to you if you will
look at it,†said Herbert. ‘*I have been afraid that
father exaggerated its value, and that it might have
defects which would prevent its being adopted any-
where.†,
‘*T will give you my opinion when I have seen it.
And, now, Suppose we set to work. Here is a4
treatise on Logic. You may begin, and read it very
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 173
slowly, pausing at the end of every paragiaph till I
tell you to go on. I may need to have some para-
graphs read over two or three times.â€
Herbert began to read as he had been requested.
IT am obliged to say that for the first two or three
times he took very little interest in his subject, and
privately thought it very dry. In fact, it was not till
he began to read the earlier portions by way of
review, that he could comprehend much of it.
‘¢ Now,†said Cameron, after he had read half an
hour, ‘‘I have something else for youtodo. You
are not only my reader, but I must make you my
teacher, too.†|
Herbert laughed.
‘¢T think you'll have to get somebody that knows
more than I, then,†he said. ‘‘ I wouldn’t venture to
teach a college student.â€
‘‘T mean that you shall hear my lessons. I want
you to imagine yourself a college professor, and
ask me questions on what you have just read.â€
‘¢ Do you think I can?â€
‘You may bungle a little at first, but you'll
174 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
improve. If you do well, when I get through with
you I will try to get you a professor’s chair at some
college.†|
‘¢ T should like that, if professors get well paid.â€
“They generally get more than five dollars a
week; but that is all that I can afford to pay at
present.â€
‘Pm only an apprentice,†said Herbert, smiling,
‘‘ and am quite satisfied.â€
According to directions, Herbert began to question
Cameron on what he had been reading. He did not
find it altogether easy, partly from want of practice,
partly because the subject was one he knew nothing
about. But whenever blunders were made Cameron
laughed good-naturedly, and the young professor
joined in the merriment.
‘We'll take Political Economy next,†said the
student. ‘‘ You won’t find that so dry as Logic.â€
This proved to be so. Though Political Economy
is generally studied in the junior or senior year at
college, its principles, if familiarly illustrated, are
not beyond the comprehension of a boy of fifteen.
THE INVENTORS SON. 175
lic found himself reading with interest, and when he
came to act the role of professor, and question his
pupil, he acquitted himself more creditably than with
the Logic.
‘¢] think,†said Cameron, ‘‘I shall recommend
you for the chair of Political Economy. You seem
more familiar with it than with Logic.â€
‘¢T like it much better,†said Herbert.
“So do I. Still, Logic is important in its way.
To-morrow I must try you on Latin.â€
‘¢T am afraid it won’t be much use,†said our hero.
*¢T have studied it a little two winters, when
we had a college student keeping our winter school,
but I only translated through the Life of Joseph
in ‘ Andrews’ Latin Lessons.’ â€
‘* Tf you know as much as that you will answer my
purpose better than I anticipated. Now, if you don’t
object, we'll vary our programme, and take a walk.
You shall show me the houses of Wrayburn.â€
‘©The houses of Wrayburn are four in number,â€
said Herbert, — ‘‘ the two churches, the Town Hall,
and Squire Leech’s house.â€
176 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ There’s another walk which I prefer to either of
these four, I mean to Prospect Pond. Suppose we
walk over to it.â€
«TJ ghall be glad to,†said Herbert.
‘You are a very accommodating professor,†sain
Cameron. ‘‘ You are willing to let me off from study
when I feel lazy.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 177
CHAPTER XX.
PROSPECT POND.
Ir was a beautiful afternoon, and Herbert was very
well satisfied to lay books aside, and walk over to
Prospect Pond.
This pond was about a mile from the village, and
probably about a mile and a half in circuit. At the |
further end was a sical] hill crowned with forest
trees.
‘¢That would be a fine situation for a house,†said
Mr. Cameron, pointing to the hill opposite.
‘¢ Yes,†said Herbert, ‘‘ but it would be hard to
get at.â€
‘¢Oh, of course a road would have to be built
connecting with the highway. Perhaps you will
build a house there when you are a rich man.â€
‘¢Then I shall have to wait a few years,†said
Herbert, smiling.
‘¢You wouldn’t be the first poor boy that has
12
178 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
grown rich. I needn’t go far for an example. My
own father is accounted rich now, but when he was
of your age he was only a poor ‘bobbin boy,’
working at scanty pay in the factory of which he is
now owner.â€
‘¢T should like to be rich, for my mother’s sake,â€
said Herbert.
‘¢With money one can do a great deal of good,
though not all rich men choose to apply their riches
worthily. How smooth the water is to-day! Isn’t
there a boat somewhere that we can use?â€
‘* There’s one a few rods from here, but it belongs
to James Leech.†|
‘¢'You mean Squire Leech?â€
‘S No, I mean his son.â€
‘* Would it do to take it, do you think?â€
‘It might do for you, but not for me.â€
‘s 'Why not for you?â€
‘¢ James and I are not very good friends.â€
6 Why not?â€
** He looks down upon me, because I am poor.â€
‘¢ So he is inclined to put on airs, on account of his
father’s money?â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 17*
*¢ I should say he is.â€
‘* Let us go and see the boat, at any rate.â€
Herbert led the way through a meadow to a clump
of trees, where a small row-boat floated upon the
water, fastened by a rope to the trunk of one of the
trees.
‘¢ That’s the boat, is it?†said Cameron.
‘¢ Yes.â€
‘¢ Does Leech often go out in it?â€
‘¢ Two or three times a week.â€
‘It is just about large enough for two, though it
would easily accommodate one more.â€
‘¢'Yes.â€
‘Tf I thought your friend would not be round, I
should be tempted to try it for half an hour.â€
‘¢T think you might venture.â€
‘¢ Jump in, then, and we'll push out. Here are
the oars.â€
Herbert shook his head.
‘‘If the boat belonged to any one but James
Leech, I would go; but I don’t like him well enough
to take any liberty with anything of his.â€
‘s Perhaps you are right. Would you mind sitting
180 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
flown under the tree, and waiting for me twenty
‘minutes, or half an hour?â€
‘Oh, no; it will be pleasant.â€
‘¢'Then here goes.â€
Cameron jumped into the boat, pushed off, and
began to row in a style that showed he was ac-
customed to the exercise. The pond was so small
that it was not easy for him to get out of sight.
Herbert sat down under the trees, and looked after
him, not without a secret longing to be in the boat
also ; but he did not care to place himself under any
obligations to James, and was not sorry he had
declined to go.
Suddenly he heard a hasty step behind him. Look-
ing up, he saw the owner of the boat close at hand.
James Leech looked for his boat, and saw that it
was gone. ‘Then his gaze fell upon our hero.
‘* What have you done with my boat, Carter?†he
_ demanded, peremptorily.
‘‘ What makes you ask such a question, Leech?â€
answered Herbert.
‘* Why do you call me Leech?†said James,
angrily. |
THE INVENTORS SON. 18}
‘‘Ror the same reason you call me Carter, I
suppose.â€
‘¢'There’s a great difference between us,†said
James, haughtily.
‘¢ That’s true,†assented Herbert.
‘¢ And you ought to treat me with proper respect.â€
‘¢T treat you with all the respect you deserve,â€
said Herbert, not permitting himself to be overawed
by the young patrician.
‘¢ You haven’t answered my question,†said James,
finding that he had gained nothing in the discussion
of their relative positions.
‘What question?â€
‘¢ Where is my boat?â€
‘¢Out on the pond. Look in that direction, and
you will see it.â€
James looked where Herbert pointed, and dis-
covered the boat.
‘¢ Who is that in my boat?†he demanded, angrily
‘¢ Mr, Cameron.†|
‘¢ Who's he?â€
‘¢ A boarder at the hotel.â€
‘Ig it the young man from Yale College? My
182 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
father was speaking of him this morningâ€â€™ said
James, moderating his tone very considerably.
‘¢ Yes.â€
‘*Then I don’t mind. My father says he is very
rich. JI suppose I shall be introduced to him soon,â€
said James, complacently.
“Tf you will wait a few minutes till he comes
ashore, I will introduce you,†said Herbert.
‘‘You! What do you know of him?†sneered
James.
‘‘T passed the afternoon with him,†said Herbert,
‘* We came down here together.â€
‘* He must be hard up for company,†said James,
- with another sneer.
** Look here, James Leech,†said Herbert, his eyes
flashing ; ‘‘ I’ve had enough of that kind of talk. I
don’t intend to submit to your impudence. When
you speak to me, keep a civil tongue in your head.â€
uy never heard such impudence,†exclaimed
James, astonished. ‘‘ What do you mean by ad-
dressing me in that style?â€
‘What do I mean? T mean to warn you to be
civil.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 183
‘Look here, Carter! Ill tell my father of this,
and he’ll turn you out of house and home,†exclaimed
James, furiously.
‘¢ He hasn’t the power, fortunately,†said Herbert,
coolly.
‘¢ Hasn’t he got a mortgage on your place?â€
‘Yes; but the interest was paid to-day, and no
more will be due for six months.†|
‘¢ Where did you get the money to pay the inter-
est?†asked James, who had not seen his father since
morning. —
‘¢That is no business of yours. It is enough for
you to know that it is paid, and that your father has
no more control over us than we have over him.â€
James was disappointed. He had expected, from
what his father told him, that the interest would not
be paid, and that Mrs. Carter and Herbert would be
at his father’s mercy. It was certainly surprising
that they had raised the necessary money.
He decided to change the subject.
' “Are you waiting here for Mr. Cameron?†asked
James.
‘6 Yes.â€
184 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
“TI don’t think you need to. He probably is not
anxious to retain your company.â€
‘¢ As you don’t even know him, I don’t think your
opinions as to his wishes of much importance.â€
‘¢T wouldn’t thrust myself on him, if I were you.â€
‘¢'Thank you, I don’t intend to.â€
‘¢Didn’t you say you spent the afternoon with
him?â€
‘6 Yes, at his invitation.â€
‘¢T suppose you fell in with him by accident. He
probably don’t know who you are.â€
‘¢Oh, yes, he does. He knows all about me. I
am going to spend to-morrow afternoon with him
also,†said Herbert, delighting to mystify his com-
’ panion.
‘¢ He won’t care to have you eall much longer,†said
James. ‘‘My aunt knows him. She has written to
my father about him, and he will invite Mr. Cameron
to call at our house often.â€
**T have no objection,†said Herbert, ‘* but I don’t
think it will make any difference to me, as I am Mr.
Cameron’s private secretary.†|
‘“What?†exclaimed James, in surprise.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 185
Herbert repeated his assertion.
‘¢ Private secretary! What do you do?â€
‘*T read to him, as his eyes are poor, and I suppose
§ shall write for him when he needs it.â€
‘*' What does he pay you?â€
‘¢] don’t know as that concerns you particularly.
Still, I don’t mind telling you. He pays me five dol-
lars a week.â€
‘¢ 'That’s a good deal more than you’re worth,†said
James, bluntly.
‘‘T think so myself, especially as I only spend the
afternoon with him.â€
James was quite annoyed to find that the boy he
disliked was prospering so well. He was about to
make another unpleasant remark, when Herbert sud-
denly exclaimed : —
‘¢ He’s turned the boat and is rowing in. Doesn't
he row beautifully?â€
The young collegian was impelling the boat toward
*ts mooring-place with easy but vigorous strokes.
. The same thought sprang up in the minds of both
boys: ‘‘I wish I could row like that.â€
186 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXI.
ROWING.
TuE little boat touched its moorings and Cameron
jumped out.
‘¢ Mr. Cameron,†said Herbert, ‘‘ allow me to intro-
duce to you the owner of the boat, Mr. James Leech.â€
‘* Mr. Leech,†said Cameron, ‘‘ I have to apologize
for taking your boat without leave. I am very fond
of rowing, and there was no other to be had. I hope
I haven’t kept you waiting for it.â€
If the young collegian had not been the son of a
wealthy man, whose social position was higher than
his own, James would not so readily have accepted
the apology. As it was, he said graciously, ‘Oh,
it’s no matter. I’m glad you took the boat. How
beautifully you row!â€
‘* Thank you for the compliment. I have rowed a
good deal. Last year I belonged to the Sophomore
boat crew at Yale.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 187
‘*T wish I could row as well as you.â€
‘‘Jtis a matter of practice. If I can give you any
hints, I shall be glad to do so.â€
‘¢ Thank you,†said James, eagerly. ‘* Would you
have time this afternoon? â€
‘¢ Yes, I have an hour to spare. If you and my
friend Herbert will get into the boat, and row out a
little way, I shall get an idea of your style of rowing,
and will tell you how you can improve.â€
This did not suit James.
‘¢T would rather row out alone,†he said haughtily,
with a disparaging look at Herbert.
‘¢ Unfortunately that won’t do as well. You must |
learn to row with one oar first.â€
‘¢ Then suppose you get into the boat with me.â€
‘¢That won’t do as well. I am much heavier than
you. Now you and Herbert are, I should think,
about the same weight.â€
‘¢ Very well, then,†said James, and, turning to
Herbert, he said, ungraciously, ‘‘ Will you row with
me?â€
‘¢ Tf you desire it,†saic. Herdert
‘¢ Get in, then.â€
188 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
They both got into the boat, and took up the oars
Neither was a good rower, nor was there any par
ticular superiority on either side.
When they returned, Cameron made some criti
cisms upon their rowing, and gave them some
counsel. They started out again, but Herbert
profited better by the instructions he had received,
and the young collegian said so when they returned.
James was far from liking this, and when Cameron
asked him if he would try another row, he answered,
‘¢ No, I am tired of it.â€
‘‘Tf you get tired so soon,†said Cameron, ‘“‘I am
afraid you will have to strengthen your arms by
gymnastic exercises.â€
‘¢Oh, I am not tired in that way! I don’t feel like
' rowing any more.â€
‘‘'Then suppose we walk back to the village.
Does your way lie with ours?â€
‘¢ Nearly all the way,†said James, proceeding to
fasten the boat. |
He enjoyed the idea of walking with the collegian.
but it was rather a drawback that Herbert was to
share that pleasure with him. Still he could not very
THE INVENTORS SON. 189
well suggest that Herbert should leave them, and so
resigned himself to circumstances.
‘‘ Have you seen my father’s house?†asked
James.
‘¢ Perhaps I may have done so, without knowing
whose it was.â€
‘¢'You couldn’t help knowing it. Itis the best in
the village,†said James, pompously.
Cameron looked at him curiously.
‘¢ Tf he comes to Yale,†he thought, ‘“‘ and puts on
these airs, he’ll be taken down without ceremony.â€
‘¢Qh, indeed!†he said aloud dryly.
‘¢ Are you going to stay here long?†asked James.
‘*T can’t say how long. Iam here for my health.â€
‘¢'You must come and see us. My father will be
very glad to see you. His sister, my aunt, has writ-
ten us about you.†|
‘¢Indeed! May I ask your aunt’s name?â€
‘¢ Her name is Davenport, — Mrs. John Davenport.
She lives in New Haven.â€
‘¢ Oh, yes, I have met her.â€
Cameron smiled to himself. The lady referred to
was not unlike her brother and nephew, being pom-
190 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
pous and presuming, — one indeed whom he secretly
disliked.
‘¢T don’t know but my aunt will make us a visit
this summer,†said James, unconscious of his new
acquaintance’s thoughts.
‘¢No doubt she will find it pleasant,†said the
collegian, politely.
‘¢She wants me to prepare for Yale,†said James.
‘¢ Do you think of doing so?â€
‘¢ Yes, I think so.â€
‘¢T think you would like it. Of course we Yale
men are biased, but we think no student can do
better than to come to Yale.â€
‘¢ My father wants me to be a professional map —
a lawyer.â€
“A good profession. Do you think you sbeuld
like it?â€
‘“¢ Yes,†said James, complacently. ‘It’s a very
genteel profession. Besides, most of our public en
are lawyers. I might stand a chance to get inte
public life.â€
‘¢ Should you like it?â€
‘¢Yes, I should like to be a member of Congrese
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 191
My father has a good deal of influence, and I am his
only son, so I should have a very good chance; don’t
you think so?â€
‘* It would seem so,†said Cameron, with a quiet
smile. ‘+I think you had better come to Yale. You
would be improved in many ways.â€
He referred to the possibility of James having
some of the self-conceit taken out of him; but then
the squire’s son did not know that, and interpreted
the remark as a compliment to himself. It was only
natural that Cameron, so he thought, should desire to
secure a young man of his social position as an acces-
sion to his Alma Mater.
‘¢ Have you ever thought of going to college, Here
bert?†asked Cameron, turning to our hero.
‘*T always thought I should like to go,†answered
Herbert, ‘‘ but I never thought there was any chance
of it.â€
James laughed scornfully.
‘¢ No, I should think not,†he said.
‘““Why?†asked Cameron, meaning to draw him
out.
‘* He’s too poor,†said James.
192 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢'You, I suppose, have no trouble in that way?â€
‘¢ My father is the richest man in Wrayburn,†said
James, pompously. |
‘¢ That is lucky for you,†said the collegian.
‘¢T shouldn’t like to be as poor as Carter,†con-
tinued James, fancying that he had produced in
Cameron an idea of his personal consequence.
‘¢'That is where I agree with you,†said Herbert,
quietly. ‘‘It isn’t pleasant or convenient to be
poor. I don’t mean always to be poor.â€
‘* You probably will be,†said James.
*¢ How does that follow?â€
‘¢ You are a poor boy.â€
‘* Poor boys don’t always stay poor.â€
_ ** There isn’t much chance for you to rise.â€
*¢T don’t know why,†said Herbert.
‘¢ Then it seems, Herbert,†said Cameron, smiling,
‘¢ there is not much chance of my welcoming you at
Yale.â€
‘¢7 wish there was.â€
‘¢ So you will have to be content with serving as
my professor here.â€
James did not understand this allusion, but pri-
THE INVENTORS SON. 193
vately wondered how Cameron could talk so inti-
mately with a boy in Herbert’s low social position.
‘TY turn off here,†he said presently. ‘* That is
our house.â€
‘¢Ts it?†said Cameron, indifferently.
*¢T hope you will call on us.â€
‘¢'Thank you.â€
‘¢ Your friend seems to have a very vain idea of
his high position,†said Cameron, when James was
out of hearing.
‘¢ And a very low idea of mine,†added Herbert.
‘¢ Does that disturb you?â€
‘A little, sometimes. He carries it so far as to
be annoying.â€
‘¢ Circumstances may change with you both,†said
Cameron.
‘¢T hope they may with me,†said Herbert. ‘I
don’t want James to come down in the world, but I
hope to rise.â€
The next day Cameron was honored by a special
call from Squire Leech, who left an invitation for the
young collegian to take tea with him the following
afternoon. This invitation Cameron accepted.
8
194 HERBERT CARTERS LEGAL; OR,
CHAPTER XXII.
ANDREW TEMPLE.
Asoor half-past four o’clock one afternoon, a tall,
dark-complexioned man, wearing a white hat, in-
scribed his name in the register of the Wrayburn
hotel.
“ Can you tell me where Mr. Leech lives?†he
inquired of the landlord.
*¢ Squire Leech?â€
‘* I dare say he is the one I mean.â€
‘¢ He lives about a quarter of a mile from here.
I can send some one with you to show you the
house.â€
“*T wish you would.â€
Just then Herbert came downstairs from Mr.
~Cameron’s room.
‘* Herbert,†said the landlord, ‘here is a gentleman
wants to go to Squire Leech’s. Would you mind
showing him the way?â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 195
‘‘T will do so with pleasure,†said our hero,
politely. ‘* Are you ready to go now, sir?â€
‘¢ Yes,†said the stranger. ‘‘ Landlord, please
assign me a room, and have my bag carried up.â€
‘¢ All right, sir.â€
‘¢ Now, my lad, lamready. It isn’t far, is it?â€
‘* About five minutes’ walk, — that is all, sir.â€
‘¢T never was in Wrayburn before—— much going
on here?â€
‘¢ Not much, sir. It is a quiet town.â€
‘¢ Any manufacturers ?â€
‘¢No, sir; not of any account.â€
‘¢ Mr. Leech — Squire Leech, I think you call him
— was an old schoolmate of mine. We went to the
Brandon Academy together. It is many years since
we met. I suppose he is rich, eh?†and the stranger
looked inquiringly at Herbert.
‘¢He is the richest man in Wrayburn,†answered
Herbert.
‘‘T am glad to hear it,†said the other, in a tone
of satisfaction. ‘* What do you think he is worth?â€
‘‘Some say seventy-five, others a hundred thou
sand dollars â€
196 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY} OR,
‘“Very good!†commented Andrew Temple, for
this was the name he had inscribed in the hotel-
register, —‘‘ for the country, I mean. In the city
that wouldn’t make a rich man.â€
‘¢ Wouldn’t it?†asked Herbert, who had supposed
& man worth a hundred thousand dollars would be
rich anywhere.
‘* No, to be sure not. It costs a great deal more
to live. ‘*Why, I myself am worth something like
that; but in New York nobody regards me as rich.â€
‘*I should feel rich with ten thousand,†said Her-
bert.
‘‘ That would about pay my expenses for a year,â€
said Temple, condescendingly.
‘‘Squire Leech doesn’t spend anywhere near that.
I don’t believe it costs him two thousand dollars a
year.â€
‘“‘ Very likely. There’s a great deal of difference
between the country and the city.â€
‘“‘Is it easy to make money in the city?†asked
Herbert, interested. |
‘* Yes, if a man is sharp, and has some money to
start with. Do you think of going there?â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 197
*‘T am afraid it would be of no use. I have no
money to start with, and I am afraid IJ am not smart.â€
‘Wait a while, and I may give you a lift. Here’s
my card.â€
‘¢’'Thank you, sir,†said Herbert, as he read on the
bit of pasteboard : —
‘SANDREW TEMPLE,
No. Nassau Street,
Room 12.â€
‘¢That’s my office,†said the stranger. ‘‘ 1 specu-
late in stocks.â€
‘¢ Ts that a good business ? â€
‘¢Capital, if you know the ropes. If you ever
come to the city, call at my office.â€
‘¢ Thank you, sir. Here is Squire Leech’s house.â€
‘‘T am much obliged to you, Allow me to com-
pensate you for your trouble;†and Mr. Temple
thrust his thumb and forefinger into his vest-pocket.
‘©Qh, no, sir, I don’t want pay,†said Herbert.
’ hurriedly.
‘¢ But I have put you to trouble.â€
‘No, I was on my way home.â€
198 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Mr. Temple didn’t insist on payment. He had
made the offer as a matter of form, and was relieved
_ to find it declined. He said ‘‘ good-night,†gra-
ciously, and advanced to the front door.
‘CIs Squire Leech at home?†he inquired of the
servant.
‘Yes, sir; I believe so. Won’t you walk in?â€
‘Thank you. Please hand your master that card.â€
Squire Leech speedily presented himself. He did
not immediately recall Mr. Temple’s name, and
greeted him distantly. Not so Mr. Temple. He rose,
and shook the squire’s passive hand energetically.
‘¢ Why, Leech, it seems like old times seeing you
again,†he said.
‘* You have the advantage of me,†sad the squire,
in a puzzled tone.
‘¢'You don’t mean to say you’ve forgotten Temple
— Andrew Temple? Why we were at the Brandon
Academy together.â€
‘‘T suppose I ought to remember you,†said
Squire Leech.
‘‘To be sure you ought. We were very good
friends in the old days.â€.
THE INVENTORS SON. 199
One reason of the squire’s distant manner was,
that Mr. Temple, though a rich man according to
his own account, had a somewhat seedy look. In
fact, he looked in poor circumstances. ‘The squire
was afraid he intended to ask for help on the score
of old friendship. It was with a hesitating voice,
therefore, that he asked, ‘‘ How has the world
treated you?†|
‘‘T have nothing to complain of,†said Temple,
cheerfully. ‘‘I am not rich, to be sure. Probably
I am not worth more than a hundred thousand
dollars, at the outside ; but before five years roll over
my head, I see my way clear to half a million.â€
Squire Leech’s manner changed instantaneously.
His old schoolmate, instead of being an applicant
for help, was quite as rich as himself, and hoping to
be much richer.
‘¢T am glad to see you,†he said, cordially. ‘* How
long have you been in town?â€
‘‘Only just arrived. I inquired my way here as
scon as J heard that you were living here.â€
‘¢ Are you at the hotel?â€
“Yes. I left my luggage there.â€
200 HEKBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘* You must come and stop with me. We will talk
over old times.â€
‘¢ Thank you; it would be much pleasanter for me,
of course. In fact, I came to Wrayburn on account
of your being here. I happened to be in the neigh-
borhood on business, and, though time is precious, I
said, ‘I must see Leech, at any rate.’ So here I am.
But I haven’t asked after you. Fortune has smiled
on you, I hope?â€
‘¢ Yes,†said the squire, ‘‘ I am comfortable.â€
*¢'The boy that guided me here said that you were
the richest man in Wrayburn.â€
‘¢T believe I am,†said the squire, complacently.
‘¢T am worth somewhere about the same as you.â€
‘¢ That’s very fair; in fact, itis more for you than
for me. Why, it costs me ten thousand dollars a
year to live in the city.â€
‘‘Does it?†inquired Squire Leech, with consider-
able respect.
‘“Tve sometimes thought of going to the country,
where my expenses would be much less; but, after
all, you can make much more money in the city.â€
‘*You think there are opportunities of making
THE INVENTORS SON. 201
money rapidly there?†asked his companion, with
marked interest.
‘¢ No doubt of it.â€
‘*] should like to talk with you on that subject
after supper. Now, I will go and tell Mrs. Leech
you are here. We will send for your carpet-bag
after supper.â€
Squire Leech was a covetous man. He had a
passion for making money, and he had availed him-
self of all the opportunities which the country
afforded, and until this moment he had fancied
himself successful. But Temple’s talk about the
large amounts he had made in the city inflamed his
imagination. Why might not he, too, rise to half
a million in five years? He had about as much
property as his friend, and might avail himself of
the same means. He began to think he had been
plodding along in a very slow, unsatisfactory manner.
He would make careful inquiries, and perhaps
Temple would put him in the way of doubling his
money. Upon the whole, therefore, he was very
glad to see Mr. Temple, and introduced him to his
wife and son as an old schoolmate, with whom ha
202 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
had once been very intimate, though, in fact, the
intimacy was something which he could not recall,
and only accepted on the authority of Temple him-
self. However, it is safe to acknowledge intimacy
with a prosperous and successful man, and such
Temple appeared to be.
"HE INVENTOR’S SON. 203
CHAPTER XXIII.
TEMPLE THE TEMPTER.
‘‘Tuis is my son James, Mr. Temple,†said the
squire, as that young gentleman came in to supper a
little late.
“Indeed! He is quite a young man," said Temple.
‘¢ How old are you, James?â€
James took in at a glance the visitor’s appearance,
which did not give the impression of prosperity, and
answered, with haughty condescension, ‘‘ I am almost
sixteen.â€
‘IT congratulate you, Mr. Leech,†said Temple
‘“*T am not blessed with a son. I would gladly give
twenty thousand dollars could I have a son of your
boy’s age.â€
James pricked up his ears. Temple spoke as if
he had the twenty thousand dollars to give. He
must be a man of property, and so entitled to
respect.
204 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘What are you going to do with your boy?â€
asked Temple.
‘*J have not decided. Perhaps he may go to
college.’
‘¢Y think I shall be a lawyer,†said James, in a
tone of importance.
‘*A good profession. Some of our New York
lawyers make great incomes.â€
‘¢ Do you live in New York?†asked James.
‘¢ Yes; that is my residence. You must establish
yourself in the city when you are ready to practice.â€
‘““ That is just what I want to do,†said James,
eagerly. ‘‘I don’t want to bury myself in a one-
horse country town like this.â€
‘‘ And be a one-horse lawyer,†suggested Temple,
jJaughing. ‘‘ Quite right, my young friend. In the
city alone you will find a broad field of action. In
_ the city alone you can grow into professional emi-
nence.â€
‘¢ That's just the way I think,†said James, de-
ciding that Temple was a very desirable acquaint-
ance.
‘*T needn’t say, of course, that I would do all in
THE INVENTORS SON- 205
my power to push you,†said Temple; ‘‘ and I flatter
myself I have some influence.â€
“You are very kind, Mr. Temple,†said Mrs.
Leech ; ‘“‘ but I hoped that James could still continue
to live with us.â€
‘¢'You can’t expect me to live at home all my life,â€
said James, impatiently.
‘¢ Perhaps your husband may be persuaded himself
to remove to the city,†said Temple. ‘‘I really
think he stands in his own light in staying in a
small place like this.â€
‘Just so,†said James, who would have liked
nothing better than to live in New York. ‘‘ There
is no society here. I have no boys to associate with
in my own position. Why won’t you move to New
York, father?â€
‘¢ That is an important move, and requires consid-
eration,†said Squire Leech. ‘‘It costs much more
to live in New York than here. Of course if it were
for my advantage to go, I might consent.â€
_ 6T should like to talk with you on that subject
after supper,†said Temple. ‘‘ Mrs. Leech, may I
ask for another cup of tea?â€
206 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
When supper was over, Squire Leech led the way
into the sitting-room, and his guest followed. The
vista of future wealth which his visitor had opened to
him had not been without its effect, and he began to
make inquiries on the subject.
‘TI suppose,†he said, ‘‘ there are ways of invest-
ing money to good advantage in New York?â€
‘© Most certainly — many ways.â€
*¢ Real estate? â€
‘‘That may do sometimes, but it is too slow for
me. I once owned a house up-town, but I soon got
rid of it. I found I could use the value of it to
‘much better advantage. I sold for thirty thousand
dollars. I took the money, and in six weeks made
twenty thousand more out of it.â€
‘*Isit possible? †ejaculated the squire. ‘‘ Twenty
thousand, did you say?â€
‘*To be sure. Of course that was extra good luck.
You can’t expect to do as well often, but there are
always ways of turning over capital.â€
‘* May I ask in what way you made this large
sum?†asked the squire, fairly dazzled. |
‘To be sure. I speculated in Erie. It is all the
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 207
time fluctuating, you know. I made inquiries, and
became convinced that it was on the rise. I went
in, and the event justified my action.â€
Temple spoke quietly, as if it were no great matter
after all. His host was very much impressed, and >
felt like a man who has discovered a gold mine.
He had succeeded in saving up about two thousand
dollars a year for some years; but what was that
to twenty thousand dollars made in six weeks?
Still prudence led him to suggest, ‘‘ But isn’t there
danger of losing heavily?â€
‘Not if you are judicious,†said Temple, ** and
are acquainted with the stock market. It is the
ignoramuses that get bit.â€
‘¢T know very little of the stock market myself,â€
confessed Squire Leech. ‘* I own some bank stocks,
but that is all.â€
Temple shrugged his shoulders.
‘¢ No money to be made in bank stocks,†he said.
‘¢ They pay good dividends.â€
~ 6No doubt; but there is little or no variation in
value. It’s fluctuation that gives a man a chance.â€
208 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY, OR,
‘*T should he as likely to lose as gain, knowing as
- Little as I do of the market.â€
‘¢’T'rue; but I should be happy to place my knowl-
edge at your disposal. As an old friend and school-
mate, I naturally feel interested in your prosperity.â€
‘©'You are very kind,†said the squire; ‘‘ but
wouldn’t it be too much trouble?â€
‘“‘Not at all. In fact it’s my business, and
wouldn’t inconvenience me in the least. By the
way, how is your property invested?†asked Tem-
ple, carelessly.
‘¢ Mostly in real estate.â€
‘* Here in Wrayburn?’â€â€™
*¢ Yes, considerably.â€
‘¢ Tt must pay you very little.â€
‘‘'That is true. After deducting taxes and repairs,
there is very little left.
‘¢So I supposed. It would pay you to mortgage
your property, or sell it, and use the money in Wal}
Street.â€
‘‘T have about twenty thousand dollars in bank
stock,†said the squire.
‘¢ That could readily be sold.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 209
‘(Suppose I sell it, what investments would you
suggest?â€
‘¢T couldn’t tell you on the moment; but 1 think
favorably of a mining stock lately put om the market.
I have private advices that it is likely to develop ex-
traordinary richness, and if that is the case the stock
may double, or even treble, in three months.
‘‘' Where is the mine?†asked the squire, eagerly.
‘¢Qut in Nevada.
turned from there, and he has given me strictly confi-
dential information in regard to it. He has so much
faith in it that he has bought fifteen thousand dollars’
worth of shares.†|
‘¢ Could I get any?†asked Squire Leech.
‘¢T think you could if you go to work quietly. If
you went into the market openly, they would suspect
something, and raise the price on you.†|
‘¢Yes, I see. Do yeu think that is better than
Erie?†.
‘¢ At present, nothing is to be made in Erie. It is
likely to go down before it goes up. I have studied
into the matter, and know. The time may come
when you can buy to advantage, but not now.â€
14
210 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Temple spoke like an oracle, and Squire Leech
never thought of questioning the accuracy of his
knowledge or of his statements. He began to enter-
tain a high respect for his old schoolmate as a man
of extensive information, who had it in his power to
put money into his coffers.
‘¢T have a great mind to go up to the city with you,
and investigate the matter,†said the squire.
‘*Do so, by all means. I shall be delighted to
have your company, and will cheerfully render you
all the assistance in my power. But, my friend, let
me give you one piece of advice.â€
‘¢ What is that?â€
‘‘Say as little as possible to your wife on the sub-
ject. Women don’t understand business. They are
frightened at risks, and don’t understand specula-
tion.â€
‘¢T think you are correct,†said his host. -‘‘ Men
must judge for themselves. It is a weak man who
would be guided by his wife.â€
‘‘SolIsay. Why, my wife happened to learn that
I had gone into Erie on the occasion I mentioned.
She remonstrated in great alarm; but when I an-
THE INVENTORS SON. 213
nounced that I had cleared twenty thousand dollars,
she had no more to say.â€
This is only a sample of the conversation that took
place between Squire Leech and Temple. The next
day they went to New York together, and within s
week the squire had bought largely in the Nevada
mine. He subscribed to a financial paper, and was
fully embarked on the dangerous sea of speculation.
212 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXIV.
JAMES IS SNUBBED.
In accordance with the invitation which he had
accepted, Cameron walked over to take supper with
Squire Leech. His social position as the son of a
rich manufacturer insured him a cordial welcome, and
great attention from the whole family.
‘* You must find our village very dull, Mr. Cam-
eron,†said his host.
‘Qh, no, sir,†he replied; ‘‘I think I shall enjoy it
very well.â€
_ We have very little good society, I am sorry to
say.â€
‘* That’s so, father,†broke in James. ‘I wish you
would move to the city.â€
‘‘ That may come some day,†said his father, think
ing of Mr. Temple and his operations.
‘There aint any boys I care to associate with,’
said his son.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 213
** How do you occupy your time, Mr. Cameron?â€
asked Mr. Leech.
**T walk about in the forenoon. In the afternoon
I am occupied with my professor,†answered the
young man.
‘‘ Your professor!†repeated the lady, in suprise.
‘*Is one of your college professors staying here?â€
‘No; they are too busy to leave New Haven. f£
refer to my young reader, Herbert Carter.â€
‘¢ Herbert Carter!†repeated James, scornfully.
‘¢ Yes,†said Cameron, ignoring the scorn; ‘he
reads my lessons to me, and then questions me upon
them. That is why I call him my professor.â€
‘¢T should hardly think you would find him compe-
tent,†said the squire.
‘¢He don’t know much,†said James, contemptu-
ously. |
‘¢ On the contrary, I find him very intelligent. He
reads clearly and distinctly, and I congratulate my-
self.on obtaining so satisfactory an assistant.â€
Squire Leech shrugged his shoulders, and had too
much wisdom to continue detracting from Herbert’s
214 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY, OR,
merits, seeing that his guest seemed determined to
think well of him. Not so James.
‘¢ He is from a low family,†he said, spitefully.
‘¢Low?†interrogated Cameron, significantly.
‘¢ His mother is very poor.â€
‘¢ That’s a very different thing,†observed Cameron,
quietly.
‘¢Mrs. Carter is a very respectable person,†said
the squire, condescendingly. ‘*I feel for her, as she
must have a hard time to get along. Indeed, I have
offered to relieve her by taking her house at a high
valuation ; but, under a mistaken idea of her own
interest, she refuses to sell.â€
‘But you'll get it finally, father, won’t you?â€
asked James.
‘*T shall probably have to take it in the end, as I
have a mortgage on it for nearly its value.â€
Cameron looked down upon his plate, and said
nothing. He did not care to express an opinion on
this subject.
_** My son will be happy to accompany you about
the neighborhood, Mr. Cameron,†said Squire Leechs
with the air of one conferring a favor.
THE INVENTORS SON. 215
‘I can go round with you ’most any time,†said
James.
‘Thank you both. You are very kind,†said
Cameron, politely, but without expressing any
pleasure at the proposal.
“TI think I may send James to Yale,†observed
his host. ‘I have a high idea of your college, Mr.
Cameron.â€
‘¢’Thank you. I think your son could hardly fail
of deriving benefit from a residence at Yale,†re-
turned the young collegian.
‘‘ James is my only child, and I intend him to enjoy
the greatest educational advantages. I should like
to have him become a professional man.â€
“TY should like to be a lawyer; that’s a very gen-
jlemanly profession,†said James.
‘¢ You might rise to be a judge,†said Cameron,
with a smile. |
9
‘© Very likely,†said James, in a matter-of-course
way, that amused the young man exceedingly.
‘¢ What an odious young cub!†he said to himself,
as he wended his way back to the hotel at ten
216 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
o’clock. ‘*I never met such a combination of pride
and self-conceit.â€
James, meanwhile, had thought that Cameron had
taken a fancy to him.
‘‘ He must get awfully tired of that low-bred Her-
bert Carter,†he said to himself. “I guess Pll go
round to-morrow morning, and take a walk with
him.â€
He met Cameron on the steps of the hotel.
‘‘T thought I’d come and walk with you,†he
said.
‘* Very wall,†said Cameron. ‘'Do you know the
way to Mr. Crane’s?â€
‘s The carpenter’s?â€
‘¢ Yes.â€
‘¢ There’s nothing to see there,†said James.
‘‘T beg your pardon. I want to see Herbert at his
work.â€
‘Oh, well, I'll show you the way,†said James,
privately wondering at his companion’s poor taste.
Herbert was hard at work when the two came up.
‘‘How are you getting along, professor?†asked
Cameron.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 217
“Very well, Mr. Cameron. How are you,
James?â€
‘¢?’m well enough,†answered James, who always
found it hard to be decently civil to our hero.
‘‘Don’t you get tired working?â€
‘¢T haven’t worked long enough this morning for
that. I dare say I shall be tired before noon.â€
‘¢ Then your other work will begin,†said Cameron.
‘¢That kind of work will be a rest to me, it’s so
different.â€
‘Tf you had an extra hoe I would help you a
little,†said the young collegian. ‘‘It would be as
good as exercise in the gymnasium.â€
4 Perhaps I could borrow two, and so employ both
of you,†remarked Herbert with a glance at James,
who was sprucely dressed, and wore a flower in his
button-hole.
‘‘ None for me, thank you,†said James with a look
of disgust. ‘I don’t intend to become a laborer.â€
‘‘You’ll have to labor if you study law,†said
Cameron.
«That's genteel, besides I don’t call it labor.
Shall we go on, Mr. Cameron?â€
218 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGAC); OR,
“Not just yet. I want to watch Herbert a little
longer.â€
So he lingered for half an hour, much to the dis-
satisfaction of James, who wondered what interest
he could feel in watching a farm laborer.â€
‘“*Won’t you go out rowing?†he asked, when they
were walking away.
‘““T have no objection,†said Cameron; and they
spent an hour on the pond.
The young ecollegian undertook to give some in-
struction to his companion in the art of rowing, but
there was a difficulty in the way, since James already
regarded himself as a good rower, and was reluctant
to admit faults.
‘*¢ Do you think I can get into the boat crew if I go
to Yale?†he asked, complacently.
‘“‘T should say not, unless you improve in rowing.â€
‘Don’t I row well?â€
‘‘There is considerable room for improvement.
However, you have time enough for that.â€
They were cruising near the shore when a boy of
ten came down to the bank, and called out te
them.
THE INVENTORS SON. 219
‘¢ James,†he said, ‘‘ will you let me go across in
the boat with you?â€
‘‘ Why should I?†demanded James, not very
amicably, for the boy belonged to what he termed the
lower classes.
‘‘ Do let me,†urged the boy. ‘I left mother very
sick, and went for the doctor. She was all alone,
and I want to get back as soon as I can.â€
By the road the boy would have to walk akout a
mile and a quarter, while he could be rowed across
the pond in six or seven minutes.
‘‘Y can’t take anybody and everybody in my boat,â€
said James, disagreeably. ‘Go ahead and walk.â€
‘¢How can you refuse the boy when he wants to
get home to his sick mother?†said Cameron, indig
nantly. “Jump in, my boy, and we’ll take you over.â€
‘¢T don’t know about that,†said James, sullenly.
‘‘Took here!†said Cameron, shortly. ‘* You
can take your choice. Refuse this boy, and I shall
get out of the boat immediately, and refuse hereafter
to be seen in your company.â€
James was disagreeably surprised at being ad-
dressed in this style, but he was inwardly conscious
220 HERBERT C4SRTER’S LEGACY; OR,
of Cameron’s superiority, and didn’t want to break
with him, so he gave a reluctant assent.
“Jump in, my boy,†said Cameron, kindly.
‘¢ We'll set you across in five minutes.â€
‘‘Thank you, sir,†said the boy, gratefully.
James was not a little mortified at the snubbing he
had received, but he did not venture to expostulate.
Cameron was fond of boating, but did not care to
be indebted to James for the loan of his boat.
‘‘Yll have a boat sent on to me,’ he secretly
determined, ‘‘ and when I leave Wrayburn J’ll give
it to Herbert.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 22)
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NEW BOAT.
Herspert worked steadily every forenoon on his
farm, as he styled it, and then had a chance to rest.
Cameron then proposed that they should take the
forenoon for their studies, and walk out or exercise
in some other way in the afternoon. To this Herbert
very willingly agreed.
One afternoon, about the time this new arrange-
ment commenced, Cameron said, ‘‘ Let us take a
walk to Prospect Pond; I think I should enjoy a
little rowing.â€
‘ST will accompany you with pleasure, Mr. Cam-
eron,†said Herbert, ‘‘ but don’t ask me to go out in
the boat with you.â€
‘‘Why not?†asked the young man. ‘‘ Are you
afraid I will upset you?â€
«“ No,†answered Herbert; ‘‘I have confidence tn
your skill. Besides, I can swim.â€
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THE INVENTURS SON. 223
An easy walk brought them to the edge of the
pond. Herbert naturally looked for James Leech’s
boat. He thought at first something was the matter
with his eyes, for where there should be but one boat, |
there were now two.
‘¢ Why, there’s another boat!†he exclaimed.
‘‘Ts there?†asked Cameron, indifferently.
‘‘ Yes, don’t you see it?â€
‘¢ Well, it does look like a boat, I admit. I should
say it was nicer than the other.â€
‘‘T should sayit was. Isn’t she a regular beauty?â€
exclaimed Herbert, enthusiastically. ‘‘I wonder
whose itis? James wouldn’t want two.â€
There was a smile on Cameron’s face that at-
tracted Herbert’s attention.
‘Ts it yours?†he asked.
‘¢No,†answered the collegian; ‘‘I know who
owns it, though.â€
‘¢ It isn’t the landlord, is it?â€
‘¢ No.†|
Then I can’t imagine whose it is,†said Herbert,
puzzled.
‘¢Can’t you?â€
224 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ No,†said Herbert, puzzled by the young man’s
peculiar manner. ‘* Will you tell me?â€
‘¢ It is yours!â€
‘¢ Mine!†exclaimed our hero, in the utmost sur
prise.
‘Yes; I bought it, and haditsent here. Iintended
at first not to give it to you till I went away; but, on
the whole, I may as well give it now, on one condi-
tion — that you let me use it whenever I please.â€
‘¢ How kind you are!†said Herbert, gratefully.
‘¢T never received such a splendid present in my life.
I have done nothing to deserve it.â€
‘‘ Let me be the judge of that. Now, with your
consent, we will try her.â€
With the utmost alacrity Herbert followed Cam-
eron aboard the new craft, and, after pushing off,
took the oars. Smoothly and easily the boat glided
off on the surface of the pond.
‘¢T like it much better than James’s,†said Her-
bert, radiant with pleasure.
‘‘Tt’s a better model. His is rather clumsy. Be
sides, this is new, and he must have had his for
some time.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 225
‘* He has had it three years.â€
‘¢ Tt needs painting.â€
‘¢Even if it were painted, it wouldn’t come up to
this.â€
‘¢T agree with you,†said Cameron. ‘I am really
afraid James will be stirred with envy when he sees
your boat and compares it with his own.â€
‘¢T am afraid so, too. He won’t believe it is mine
at first.â€
‘It may be your duty, out of a delicate regard to
his feelings, to give it up, or exchange,†suggested
Cameron.
‘‘That’s a little further than I carry my delicate
regard to his feelings,†responded Herbert.
After half an hour’s rowing, Cameron said, sud-
denly, ‘‘I must go back to the hotel. 1 near
forgetting an important letter, which must be sent
off by this afternoon’s mail.â€
Herbert was a little disappointed, for he wanted to
remain out longer, still he said, cheerfully, ‘‘ All
right, Mr. Cameron; we'll put up the boat.â€
«Don't you cease your rowing,†said the collegian.
‘‘ There’s no occasion for you to leave off.â€
15
226 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘T thought you might not like to walk back
alone.â€
*““T don’t mind that. I shall hurry back, and
should be poor company. We will meet to-morrow
morning as usual.â€
Cameron set out on his return home. He had
gone less than quarter of a mile, when he met James
Leech.
‘‘ Good-afternoon, Mr. Cameron,†said James,
who was always polite to the young collegian, the
rich manufacturer’s son.
‘‘ Good-afternoon, James.â€
‘*Won’t you turn back and go out in my boat,
Mr. Cameron?â€
‘‘ Thank you, I have just returned from the pond.
I am obliged to go back to the hotel to write a
letter.†|
‘IT should have been glad of your company,’
said James, politely.
“ You won’t be alone,†said Cameron, mischiev:
ously. ‘I left Herbert Carter at the pond.â€
‘‘ ‘Was he out in the boat?†asked James, hastily.
‘6 Yes.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 227
Without a word, James walked abrupidy away.
He was very angry with Herbert, who, he naturally
concluded, was out in his boat.
‘¢ He’s the most impudent and cheeky boy I ever
met!†he said to himself. ‘‘ Last evening, I pos-
itively forbade his getting into my boat, and he
don’t take the slightest notice of it. He needn’t
think he can take such liberties. It'll be the last
time he meddles with anything of mine.â€
Cameron smiled, as read James’ feelings in hig
face.
‘¢T should like to hear James reprimand Herbert
for the liberty he thinks he has taken, but I must.
| hurry on.â€
Just before reaching the pond there was a rising
ground, from which James could take a general sur-
vey of the miniature lake. He did not have long to
look before he discovered the object of his indigna-
tion. Herbert was cruising about only a few rods
from the shore, and had not yet seen James.
‘¢He don’t think I’m so near,†thought James,
with indignant exultation. ‘‘He thinks I won't
228 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
know anything about his impudence. Ill soon make
him draw in his horns and apologize.â€
In his excitement, James did not notice the boat
particularly. If he had done so, he would have
seen that he was mistaken, and that it was not his
boat. But, so far as he knew, there was no other
boat on the pond. Indeed there was no boy whose
father could afford to buy him one, and James had
come to think himself sole proprietor of the pond,
as well as of the only craft that plied on its surface.
_ He stood still a minute and watched Herbert pre-
vious to his attack, somewhat as a cat stays her
paw when she knows the mouse is in her power.
‘*T wonder,†he thought, ‘* whether I couldn’t have
Herbert fined for taking my property without leave,
‘especially after I have expressly forbidden him to do
it. I must ask my father this evening. It would
bring down his pride a little to be taken before a
justice.†|
It was rather singular that James should think so
much of Herbert’s pride, when it was his own most
prominent fault. However, he felt that he was
THE INVENTORS SON. 229
justified by his position in being proud, while in
Herbert it was simply ridiculous.
Herbert had got tired of cruising, and made a
vigorous stroke, as if to cross the pond. James
thought it time to interfere. Accordingly he put up
his hand to his mouth, and shouted at the top of his
voice, ‘‘ Come right back, Herbert Carter!â€
230 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE RIVAL BOATMEN.
Hersert, bending over his oars, heard the per-
emptory order of James to come back, and smile? to
himself as he instantly comprehended the mistake
which the latterhad made. From James’s standpoint
his own boat was not visible, and it was not sur-
prising that he should suspect our hero of having
appropriated his boat.
‘“‘T won’t undeceive him,†he thought. ‘‘I’ll par-
ley with him, and find out what he thinks of me.â€
‘* What do you want?†he asked, resting on his
oars, and looking back at James.
‘¢ You know what I want,†said James, provoked.
‘*¢ How should I know?â€
‘*T want you to come right back, at once,†said
James with emphasis.
‘* What’s happened? What am I wanted for?â€
asked Herbert, coolly. |
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 232
‘Youll be wanted by the constable,†retorted
James, furiously.
‘*I don’t understand you,†said Herbert, shrug-
ging his shoulders. ‘* You appear to be mad about
something.â€
‘So I am, and I have a right to be.â€
‘* Well, I’m sure I have no objection, if you like
jt.â€
James had never been so openly defied, and he
was pale with rage.
‘* Bring that boat right back here,†he said.
‘If you'll give me a good reason, perhaps I will;
but I don’t think it necessary to obey you without.â€
‘¢ You are a thief.â€
‘‘Say that again,†said Herbert, sternly, ‘‘ and
lt will come ashore and give you a whipping.â€
‘6 You can’t do it.â€
‘*T can try.â€
‘¢Don’t you know I can have you arrested for
etealing my boat, you loafer?â€
‘¢'Who’s been stealing your boat, you loafer?â€
retorted Herbert.
‘6 You have.â€
232 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
“ Are you sure of it?â€
‘Am I sure of it? Why, you are in my boat this
| very minute.â€
‘“‘] think you are mistaken,†said Herbert, quietly.
*¢ Don’t you call that a boat you are in?â€
‘‘'Yes, [ do; but there’s more than one boat in the
world, and this isn’t your boat.â€
He rowed near the shore as he spoke, and James,
his attention drawn to the boat, saw that it wasn’t
his. At the same time, walking nearer the edge of
the pond, he caught sight of his own boat moored at
its usual place.
‘*T guess I made a mistake,†said James, rather
_ confused.
‘‘J think you have,†returned Herbert, quietly.
**Â¥ wouldn’t be in such a hurry next time.â€
‘‘ Where did that boat come from?†demanded
James.
“I don’t know.â€
‘You don’t? Then you’ve taken it without
39
leave,†said James, returning to the charge.
‘* Oh, the owner won’t object to my using it,†said
Herbert, with a queer smile.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 233
‘s How do you know?â€
“* He’s an intimate friend of mine.â€
*¢'The owner ? â€
“Yes.â€
‘“T suppose it belongs to Mr. Cameron, then?â€
‘* He bought it.â€
‘*Do you call him your intimate friend? He’d be
proud if he heard it,†said James, with a sneer.
‘‘ Would he?†said Herbert, with the air of one
seeking for information.
‘*T should think he would, ceasidering your high
position in society.â€
‘* T think he’s a pretty good friend of mine, but I
have never called him an intimate friend.â€
‘‘ Yes you have. You said the owner of that boat
was an intimate friend of yours.â€
‘¢‘So he is. DT’m with him all the time.â€
‘¢ Then why do you deny that you called Mr. Cam:
eron your intimate friend?â€
‘¢ Because Mr. Cameron doesn’t own the boat.â€
‘¢ Just now you said he bought it.â€
‘¢ So he did, but he doesn’t own it.â€
*¢ Then who does?â€
234 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘6 T do,†was the unexpected.reply.
‘6 You — own — that — boat?†ejaculated James
in astonishment.
‘¢'Yes.â€
‘¢ Did Mr. Cameron give it to you?â€
‘¢ Yes.â€
‘TY don’t believe it. That boat must have cost
sixty or seventy dollars. I don’t believe he would
give you such a present as that.â€
‘¢T don’t know as it makes much difference what
you think, as long as the boat is mine.â€
‘‘ When did he give it to you?†James conde-
scended to inquire.
_ “This afternoon. JT’llrow in. Perhaps you would
like to examine it.â€
He rowed ashore, and jumped out.
James surveyed with envious eyes the neat,
graceful boat, for he saw at a glance that his own
‘poat, even when new, was by no means its equal.
‘¢ How do you like it?†asked Herbert, not without
pride. ‘‘Isn’t it a beauty?â€
‘‘ Very fair,†answered James, condescendingly.
‘‘ Did you ask Mr. Cameron to give it to you?â€
_ THE INVENTOR’S SON. 235
‘‘T never ask for gifts,†said Herbert, with empha-
sis. ‘‘What makes you ask such a question as
that?â€
‘* I thought it queer that he should have given you
such a handsome present.â€
‘‘ It was certainly very generous in him,†said
Herbert. |
** T shouldn’t think you’d want to accept it, though.â€
‘Why not?â€
‘*¢ Because you are a poor boy, and it don’t corre-
spond with your position.â€
‘* Perhaps not; but that don’t trouble me,†said
Herbert, laughing.
‘¢ A less expensive boat would have been more
appropriate.â€
‘Perhaps it would; but you wouldn’t have me re-
fuse it on that account?â€
James did not answer, and Herbert asked, ** Are
you going out in your boat this afternoon?â€
‘*Y should like to try yours,†said James, more
graciously, for he was asking a favor.
‘‘ I shall be glad to have you,†said Herbert, po
‘itely.
236 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘ And you may take mine,†said James, with ua-
wonted politeness.
‘¢ All right.â€
The two boys got into the boats, and pulled out
from the shore. James was charmed with the new
boat. He could not help seeing that in every way it
was superior to his own boat, apart from its being
newer. It was certainly very provoking to think that
a boy like Herbert Carter, poor almost to beggary,
should own such a beautiful little boat, while he, a
rich man’s son, had to put up with an inferior one.
Until to-day he had felt satisfied with his own boat:
now he felt very discontented.
‘‘T say, Herbert,†he began, when they returned
from their short trip, ‘* don’t you want to exchange
your boat for mine?â€
‘*Not much,†answered Herbert; ‘‘I should bea
fool to do that.â€
‘‘I don’t mean even, for I know your boat is bet-
ter. I'll give you five dollars to boot.â€
‘‘No, thank you; there’s a good deal more than
five dollars difference between your boat and mine.â€
‘* Five dollars would come handy to a poor boy
THE INVENTORS SOX. 237
like you,†said James, in his usual tone of insolent
condescension.
‘“*T don’t want it enough to exchange boats.â€
‘Well, Pll give you ten dollars,†said James.
**That’s an offer worth thinking about.â€
‘‘T shan’t need to think about it,†said Herbert.
**T say no.â€
‘Youve got an extravagant idea of your boat.
Mine is nearly as good, but [ve taken a fancy to
yours. How will you trade, anyway?â€
‘¢T don’t feel at liberty to trade at all. Mr. Cam-
eron gave me the boat, but he is to have the use of it
while he is here. He wouldn’t be willing to have me
exchange.â€
‘s He can have the use of it all the same if it is
mine.â€
‘sTt won’t do, James,†said Herbert, shaking his
head. ‘* The boat is mine, and I would rather keep
it than take any other in exchange.â€
‘¢You are very foolish, then,†said James, disap-
pointed. |
‘‘T may be, but that is my answer. Would you
like to go out in it again?â€
238 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘*No; Pm tired of boating for this afternoon.â€
James walked away. He made up his mind, since |
he could not have Herbert’s boat, to tease his father
to buy him a new one that would, if possible, exceed
in elegance Herbert Carter’s. As to rowing in an
inferior one his pride would not perzit it.
THE INVENTORS SON. 239
CHAPTER XXVIL
THE RACE.
James broached the subject which was uppermost
in his mind as soon as he got home.
‘*T wish you'd buy me a new boat, father,†he
said.
‘¢ What’s the matter with the boat you have now?â€
asked his father.
‘¢ It’s getting old.â€
“*Isn’t it perfectly sound? â€
‘¢ Ye-es,†James admitted, reluctantly.
‘Then what do you want of a new one?â€
‘¢T don’t want to be outdone by a boy like Herbert
Carter.†|
** T don’t see how that can be.â€
‘¢He’s got a beautiful new boat, twice as hand
some as mine ever was.â€
‘SHe has!†exclaimed the squire, in amazement.
«+ How can he have, without any money?â€
240 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘* Mr. Cameron gave it to him.â€
‘*I don’t believe it. Probably the boat belongs to
Mr. Cameron, and he has only let Herbert use it.â€
James shook his head.
‘CNo,†he said, ‘*Mr. Cameron gave it to him.
Herbert told me so.â€
‘* Perhaps he has not told the truth,†suggested
the squire.
‘‘He wouldn’t tell a lie, that is, about that,†said
James, modifying his first assertion, lest it might be a
compliment to Herbert. In reality he had implicit
confidence in Herbert’s word, much as he disliked him.
‘¢ You wouldn’t want me to be rowing around in a
oor boat, while that beggar has a new one,†said
James, artfully appealing to his father’s pride.
‘‘Well, the fact is, my son,†said the squire,
rather embarrassed, ‘‘ it would not be convenient for
me to buy you a new boat just now.â€
‘* Why not, father? I thought you had plenty of
money.â€
‘SSo I have; but I have made some investments
under the advice of Mr. Temple, and so my funds
are locked up.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 243
James looked disappointed.
‘‘ Tf you can arrange to exchange boats by paying
a little boot, you may do so.â€
‘‘T have proposed it, but Herbert is very stiff
about it. He wants the pleasure of outshining me.â€
‘‘ Humph!†said the squire, clearing his throat ;
‘¢] think you will have to wait a while.â€
‘‘ How long?†asked James, dissatisfied.
‘¢ Pll tell you what Vl do,†said his father. ‘‘If
things go well, I expect to make a good deal of
money within twelve months. Instead of a row-
boat, PU buy you a beautiful little sail-boat next
season.â€
‘¢ Will you?†exclaimed James, delighted.
‘¢ Yes; won't that be much better than a row-boat,.
which, after all, would only put you on a level with
young Carter?†| |
‘¢ You are right, father; I wish I could have it this
year.â€
‘CT can’t promise it so soon. Next spring I hope
to get it for you.â€
This promise restored James’s good spirits. Cer-
tainly a sail-boat would be far better than a row-boat,
16
242 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
and there was very little chance of Herbert’s having
one given him. So he went out rowing contentedly
the next afternoon, although Herbert was out also in
the new boat.
‘¢ Your boat is better than mine,†said James, con-
descendingly. ‘*‘ However, it’s hardly worth while
for me to get a new one, as I am to have an elegant
yacht next year.â€
‘¢ Are you?†said Herbert, interested.
‘¢ Father has promised to get me one. He would
get me one this season, but it would be some time
before it could be got ready, and I can have it the
first thing next spring.â€
‘*T congratulate you,†said Herbert. ‘‘I should
like a sail-boat myself.â€
‘“‘{ dare say you would,†said James, pompously, —
** but of course you cannot expect to have one.â€
“7 don’t think there is much chance myself, unless
somebody leaves me a fortune,†said Herbert, good-
fumoredly. ‘‘ Iam satisfied with this boat.â€
‘‘Of course it is more than a boy in your circum
stances could expect.â€
Herbert smiled. He was used to references to his
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 243
circumstances. James never allowed him tv forget
that he was apoor boy. He thought it hardly worth
noticing, and changed the subject.
‘< Shall we have a race?†he asked.
‘* Just as you say,†said James.
Privately, James Leech thought himself the better
rower of the two, or he would not have consented.
It was arranged to row across the pond.
‘¢ Are you ready?†asked Herbert.
‘¢ Yes.â€
‘‘ Give way, then.â€
Both bent to their oars and rowed their best. But
it was not long before Herbert began to draw away
from his antagonist. He had not had as much prac-
tice as James, but he was stronger in the arms, and
had paid more attention to Cameron’s instructions.
He came in more than a dozen lengths ahead of his
competitor.
‘¢ T’ve won the race, James,†he said, with a smile.
‘¢ You ought to,†said James, in a surly tone.
*¢ T haven’t had as much practice as you.â€
‘¢ What if you haven’t? You’ve got a new boat,
while mine is old and clumsy.â€
244 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘
back with you, changing boats.â€
‘¢ Aoreed,†said James, who really believed that —
it was the difference in the boats that led to the
result.
The change was soon effected, and they started
back. But the result was about the same; James
brought up the rear, at about the same distance.
‘¢ Beaten again,†said Herbert, pleased with his
SUCCESS.
‘¢'There’s nothing to crow about,†said James,
erossly. ‘* Your boat is a good one, but I’m not
used to it, that’s all.â€
‘‘T am not much used to it myself. I only rowed
in it yesterday for the first time.â€
‘¢ That’s long enough to get the hang of it. After
all, there isn’t much fun in rowing. ‘‘I’d a good
deal rather sail.â€
‘J like both. There’s more exercise in rowing.â€
‘¢ Don’t you get exercise enough in hoeing pota-
toes?†asked James, with a sneer. “I shouldn’t think
laborers would need any extra exercise.â€
‘‘There’s some advantage in varying your exer:
THE INVENTOR’S SON. Q45
cise,†answered Herbert, with good temper. ‘* There
isn’t much fun in hoeing.â€
** No, I should think not.â€
*¢ Are you going in?†asked Herbert, noticing that
James was proceeding to fasten his boat.
‘¢ Yes. [ve got tired of the water.â€
Herbert was not to be alone, however, for just
then Mr. Cameron appeared on the bank.
‘CT think Pll go out with you,†he said.
‘All right,†said Herbert, with alacrity, as he
rowed the boat to shore.
‘Mr. “Cameron,†said our hero, ‘*mother has
asked me to invite you to take tea with us this
evening, if you have no better engagement.â€
‘‘} shall be very glad to come,†said the young
collegian, promptly.
‘We live in humble style, you know,†said Her-
bert, ‘*‘ but I told mother you wouldn’t mind that.â€
‘‘ Thank you for saying so. I shall be very gtad
to meet your mother, and expect to enjoy myself
better than at Squire Leech’s table. It isn’t the
style, but the company that gives pleasure.â€
Herbert was pleased at the maaner in which the
246 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
invitation was accepted, and decided that Mr.
Cameron was a real gentleman, while the squire and
his son were only poor imitations.
‘‘ Why is James going away so soon?†asked
Cameron.
‘““T have beaten him in two races,†said Herbert.
‘* Very likely that doesn’t suit him.â€
**Y am not surprised to hear of your success.
You are really gaining very fast.â€
‘‘T am glad of it. I want to be a good rower.â€
“Tt is a good thing to do well anything you
undertake, whether it be rowing or anything else.â€
‘¢ James thinks I don’t need to row for exercise.â€
‘¢ Why not?â€
‘* He thinks I shall get enough exercise in hoeing
potatoes,†answered Herbert, with a smile.
‘* It wouldn’t do him any Larm to get exercise in
the same way.â€
‘¢ The very idea would shock him.â€
They rowed about for an hour, and then Cameron
went back to the hotel, promising to reach the
widow’s cottage at five o’clock.
THE INVENTORS SON. : 247
CHAPTER XXVIII.
MRS. CARTER’S GUEST.
A‘ ave o'clock Mr. Cameron knocked at the door
of M.s. Carter’s cottage. It was opened by Herbert
himself.
** Walk in, Mr. Cameron,†he said, cordially.
‘¢ My mother is in the next room.â€
Mrs. Carter was already prepossessed in favor of
Cameron from what her son had told her of him, and
this feeling was strengthened by the easy yet deferen-
tial manner in which the young collegian greeted her.
In worldly advantages he was her superior, yet with
the instinct of a true gentleman he seemed wholly un-—
conscious of any such difference, and did not exhibit
the least trace of condescension, as many well-mean
ing but really ill-bred persons would have done.
‘‘T have wanted to see you for some time, Mrs.
Carter,†he said. ‘‘ As the mother of my professor,
the desire was only natural.â€
248 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘s Herbert tells me he has learned a good deal since
he has been reading to you. He has often spoken of
his good fortune in meeting you.â€
‘¢ I feel equally fortunate in meeting him,†said the
collegian. ‘‘ Not every boy of his age would adapt
himself to the duties of his position as readily and
intelligently as he has done.â€
‘“T am very glad if you find Herbert of service to
you,†said Mrs. Carter. ‘‘In all ways the engage-
ment has been of advantage to him.â€
‘¢ Squire Leech was kind enough to offer me the
services of his son James,†said Cameron, smiling,
**but I fancy the arrangement would have suited
neither of us.†|
‘¢ James would hardly have been willing to sacrifice
so much of his time,†said Herbert, “though he
might be willing to try it for a day or two to super-
sede me.â€
“¥ think I shall have to worry along with my
present professor,†said Cameron, ‘‘ and allow James
to devote his superior talents to some other busi-
ness.â€
The table was already spread, and they sat down
THE INVENTOR’S SON. | 249
fo supper. In honor of the guest there was provided
a greater variety than usual, and both Herbert and
Mrs. Carter were gratified to find that the young col-
legian did ample justice to the meal. |
‘““] feel almost ashamed of my appetite,†said
Cameron ; ‘‘ but the change from the stereotyped bill
of fare at the hotel is pleasant, and gives the food an
increased relish.â€
‘‘T am glad to bear you say so, Mr. Cameron,â€
said the widow. ‘I could hardly*expect to compete
with the hotel in point of vaniefy, but the change no
doubt helps to make up my deficiencies. Let me
give you another cup of tea.†|
‘‘Thank you. I don’t often venture on a third
cup, but I think I will make an exception to-night.â€
‘Dr. Johnson sometimes got up to a dozen, I
believe,†said Herbert.
‘¢ He exceeded that number at times; but we must
remember that the cups in his day barely contained a
third as much as ours, so he was rot so immoderate
after all. His excesses in eating were less pardon:
able.â€
‘Was he a very large eater?†asked the widow.
250 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢He actually gorged himself, if we are to believe
the accounts that have come down to us,†said Cam-
eron. ‘I am afraid, Mrs. Carter, you would have
found him a very unprofitable boarder.â€
““ T read somewhere the other day that Victor Hugo
is an enormous eater,†said Herbert.
‘¢T saw the paragraph you refer to. He is a very
hard worker, and his intellectual labors, no doubt,
are a heavy draft on his physical system.â€
*¢ Perhaps it was so with Dr. Johnson.â€
‘¢T suppose it was. On second thought, therefore,
we will pardon him for his appetite, and hope that
_ ours may have as good an excuse.†|
« You mean that we may emulate Dr. Johnson and
Victor Hugo?â€
‘‘Yes; or, rather, I will limit myself to Victor
Hugo, and you may model yourself upon the author
of The Rambler.â€
‘¢ Thank you,†said Herbert; ‘* but there is one of
Dr. Johnson’s labors I shall not seek to imitate. J]
shall never attempt to write a dictionary.â€
‘Tt must be a monotowous and wearisome labor.
THE INVENTORS SON. 251
Besides I don’t think we could either of us improve
upon Webster or Worcester.â€
They rose from the table, and Mrs. Carter, who
could not afford to keep a servant, herself cleared
away the tea-table.
‘* Herbert,†said the young collegian, ‘‘ you men-
tioned one day that your father was an inventor.â€
‘‘He made one j¢vention, but whether it will
amount to anythisg, I don’t know. He had high
hopes of it, but u.e¢. Sefore he had any opportunity of
testing its value.â€
‘¢ Will yor souw it to me?â€
‘¢ With essure.â€
Herbert ted Cameron upstairs into his own cham-
ber, where, since his father’s death, the work which
had evat his father so many toilsome hours had been
kept I do not propose to give a detailed account of
the invention. It would not prove interesting to my
young readers, who wili only care to know how far
it value was likely to help the fortunes of our hero.
Cameron examined it carefully, and in silence.
Herbert waited anxiously for his verdict. At length
he spoke.
252 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘As far as I am qualified to judge,†he said,
‘your father’s invention seems to embody an im
provement upon that which it is intended to super-
sede. But you must not rely too much upon my
opinion. My knowledge of the details of manufac-
turing is superficial. I should like to show it to my
father.â€
‘* There is nothing that I would like better,†said
Herbert, ‘if you think he would be willing to ex-
amine it.†|
‘‘ He would be glad to do so. It is for his interest
to examine anything which will facilitate the details
of his business. I am intending to go home next
Friday afternoon, and, with your permission, will
carry this with me.â€
‘‘T shall feel very much obliged to you if you
will,†said Herbert. ‘It may be worth nothing,
but it will be a relief to know that, at least. I know
it would have been my father’s wish to have it ex-
amined by one who is qualified to judge of it.â€
‘* It is a pity your father could not have lived to
enjoy the benefit of his invention, if it succeeds.â€
‘‘He was a great loss to us,†said Herbert.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 253
“There were but three of us, and he was at an age
when we might hope to have him with us for a good -
many years yet. If I had been a few years older, I
should have been better able to make up his loss to
my mother.â€
‘¢ She is fortunate in having a son who is so will-
ing to do his best for her,†said Cameron, kindly.
‘S We don’t know what the future may have in store
for us, Herbert; but you may rely upon my continued
friendship. I hope to have many chances of serving
you.†—
Herbert pressed the hand of the young collegian
warmly, for he knew that the offer of service was no
empty compliment, but made in earnest sincerity.
The evening passed pleasantly, and at nine o’clock
Cameron took his leave. Herbert took his hat, and
proposed to accompany him as far as the hotel. He
was walking leisurely back, when he heard his name
called, and, turning, saw that it was James Leech
who had accosted him.
‘¢ Where have you been, Carter?†inquired James,
in his usual unceremonious manner.
204 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘*T am returning from the hotel.â€
‘Been to see Mr. Cameron, I suppose? Doesn’s
he get enough of your company in the day-time?â€
‘* You must ask him that. He has been taking tea
at our house, and I accompanied him home.â€
‘¢ He took supper at your house!â€
“Yes.â€
*¢ Did you invite him?â€
‘Of course. What makes you ask?â€
‘* He seems very fond of keeping low company.†__
‘‘ What do you mean?†demanded Herbert, his
- eyes flashing with indignation at this insolence.
‘‘T mean what I say,†answered James, doggedly.
‘* Then I advise you hereafter to keep your impu-
dence to yourself,†retorted Herbert; ‘‘ and for fear
you may forget it, I give you this as a reminder.â€
An instant later James Leech found himself lying
on his back on the sidewalk, with Herbert bending
over him.
He got upon his feet, pale with rage and mortifi-
cation.
“Pll be revenged upon you yet, you brute!†he
THE INVENTOR’S SON. | (255
shrieked, mn his fury, and walked off, leaving our
hero victor of the field.
‘* I wouldn’t have touched him if he hadn’t spoken
against my mother,†said Herbert, as he watched the
receding form of his young enemy.
296 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXIX.
A BITTER PILL.
JaMES Lexcw was furious at the humiliation he
had suffered. What! he, a gentleman’s son, to be
knocked down and triumphed over by a boy whe
was compelled to work for a living! Why, it was
almost a sacrilege, and no punishment could be too
severe for such a flagrant outrage.
_ How should he be revenged? First of all, he
would get Herbert discharged from his present em-
ployment. Surely, Mr. Cameron would not continue
to avail himself of the services of a common bully.
To attain this, he decided to reveal the matter to his:
father, and get him to speak to the young collegian.
Such a powerful appeal could hardly be withstood.
‘That boy actually knocked you down!†ex-
claimed the squire, when James had told his story.
‘* Bat why did you permit him to do it?â€
‘* He took me by surprise,†said James.
| THE INVENTOR’S son. 257
‘And what did you do on getting up? Did you
knock him over?†_ |
“I would,†said James, ‘‘ but he went off, and I |
didn’t care to pursue him. I thought I would wait
and tell you.â€
‘¢ And what do you want me to do?â€
‘To get Mr. Cameron to turn him off. I want
him to starve,†said James, bitterly.
‘* You express yourself too strongly, James; but,
under the circumstances, I can’t blame you much.
The boy is evidently a ruffian.â€
‘6 Yes, he is a ruffian and a brute, and I don’t see
what Mr. Cameron sees about him to like, I am
sure.†|
‘He don’t know him. Probably the boy makes
him think he is a model of excellence. Such boys
are apt to be deceitful.†|
‘“‘Hfe’s deceitful enough. You’d think butter
wouldn’t melt in his mouth.â€
‘* Well, my son, you have done right to speak to
me on the subject,†said the squire, pompously. ‘I
shall make such representations to Mr. Cameron as,
I flatter myself, will dispose of the case of this young
17
298 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
rascal, and make him repent his brutal and unpro-«
voked assault. Tl go over to-morrow forenoon to
the hotel and speak to him on the subject.â€
‘¢'Thank you, father. Put the case as strong as
you can.â€
‘¢ T will, you may be assured of that.â€
‘“‘If I can only get him turned off, I won’t mind
his hitting me,†thought James. ‘‘I hope to see him
in the penitentiary some day. It would do him
good.†With this charitable wish, he awaited his
father’s return.
It so happened that Cameron had met Herbert in a
walk he took before breakfast, and had been informed
of the occurrence of the evening previous.
‘‘T don’t know whether I ought to have struck
James,†said Herbert, in conclusion; ‘‘ but when he
called my mother and myself low, I couldn’t help it.â€
‘*T am glad you did it,†said the young collegian.
‘*The boy is a disagreeable cub, and deserves more
than one lesson of that sort. Didn’t he offer to hit
you back?†|
‘6 No.â€
‘*So I supposed. I don’t approve of fighting; but
THE INVENTOR’S SCN. — 253
if he had shown a little courage to back his ins¢~
lence, I should have despised hin less. What do
you think he will do about it?â€
‘* He will injure me, if he can,†said Herbert. * J
don’t know how, but I know his disposition well
enough to anticipate some retaliation.â€
‘¢ We will see what comes of it. Meanwhile, in
this matter, you may count upon my support.â€
Herbert thanked his friend, not realizing how
likely he was to be called upon to redeem his
promise.
Shortly after breakfast, Cameron was told that
Squire Leech wished to see him. |
He met him in the parlor of the inn.
‘* Good-morning, Mr. Cameron,†said the squire.
‘‘’This is an early call.â€
“Not too early, sir,†said the young collegian,
courteously.
‘¢The fact is, I have called on unpleasant busi-
ness.†|
‘* Really, sir, I am sorry to hear it.’
‘‘It is about the Carter boy who 1s in your em-
ploy.â€
260 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘By the Carter boy, you mean my young friend,
Herbert Carter, I suppose,†said Cameron, with
significant emphasis.
‘‘Of course, he is the one, if you choose to regard
him as a friend.â€
-¢6T certainly do.â€
“¢T don’t think you will look upon him in that
light when you hear that last evening he brutally
assaulted my son James, without provocation, in the
village street, taking him by surprise, and knocking
him over.â€
Cameron did not seem as much surprised or
shocked as the squire anticipated. Indeed he took
the revelation very coolly.
‘“You say he did this without provocation?†he
inquired.
‘6 Yes, Mr. Cameron.†*
“ Did James tell you this?â€
‘* He did, and he is a boy of truth.â€
“Tt may be so; but perhaps he did not look upon
it as a provocation when he called Herbert and his
mother low.â€
‘* He didn’t say anything about that.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SUN. - 261
“*Y dare say not.â€
‘¢ And even if he did use the word, it would not
justify Carter in brutally assaulting him.â€
‘“‘T confess I don’t agree with you there, Squire
Leech. I hate brutality as much as any one, and an
_ unprovoked assault I certainly look upon as brutal.
But for a boy to resent an insult directed against
his mother, is quite a different matter; and if Her-
bert had not acted as he did, I should have been
ashamed of him.â€
Squire Leech flushed all over his face. This
certainly was plain speaking.
‘¢ You have probably been misled by Carter’s state-
ments,†he said. ‘‘I don’t believe my boy did
anything, or said anything, that he had a right to
complain of.â€
‘‘ From what I have observed of your son, I regret
to differ with you.†|
‘‘You are prejudiced against James,†said the
Squire, who unexpectedly found James the defendant
instead of the plaintiff.
‘¢T was not, to begin with; but what I have seen
of him, certainly, has not prepossessed me in his
262 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY, OR,
favor. He seems disposed to be insolent to those
whom he fancies beneath him in social position.â€
‘“‘Tf you refer to the Carter boy,†said the squire,
pompously, ‘‘I should say that James is right in
regarding him as a social inferior.â€
‘‘T won’t argue that point, or consider how far
the possession of money, which is certainly the only
point in which Herbert is inferior, justifies your son
in looking down upon him. I will only say that he
nas no right to insult his social inferiors.â€â€™
The discussion had assumed such a different char-
acter from what the squire anticipated, that he found
it difficult to come to the request he had in view.
But he did it.
‘¢T am certainly astonished, Mr. Cameron, to find
you so prejudiced against my son. If you should
find you had done him an injustice, and that the
Carter boy was really the aggressor last evening,
will you be willing to discharge him from your em-
ployment?â€
‘“‘T thought you were coming to that,†said Came
eron to himself.
He said aloud, —
THE INVENTOR'S SON. 263
‘If I find Herbert justifies your denunciations,
and that his assault was unprovoked, I will then dis-
charge him.â€
‘* Then you can do it at once. You have-my son’s
word for it.â€
And [ have Herbert’s word for the contrary.â€
*¢ Between the two, I believe James.â€
‘Does James deny that he called Herbert and his
mother low?â€
‘¢T have not asked him.â€
‘*If you will do so, and bring me his assurance
that he said nothing of the kind, I will examine Her-
bert again, and try to get at the truth.â€
‘¢ Very well; I will put the question to him.â€
Squire Leech did so on his return home.
**T don’t know but I called him something of the
kind,†James admitted; ‘* but it’s true, isn’t it?â€
‘‘ As to that, the boy certainly acted in a very low
manner. But you shouldn’t have called him so.â€
‘¢T couldn’t help it, when I heard him boasting of
Mr. Cameron’s having taken supper at his house.
Won’t Cameron discharge him?â€
264 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘SNo,†said the squire, shortly. ‘‘He is infaty
ated about that boy.â€
‘¢ Suppose we cut both of them? â€
‘Tt won’t do, James. Mr. Cameron’s father is a
wealthy manufacturer, much richer than I am. We
must keep on good terms with him, but we needn’t
notice the Carter boy. Some day he and his mother
will be in my power.â€
‘¢T hope so, father. I want to bring him to his
knees, the proud beggar!â€
It was a bitter pill for James to swallow, seeing
his rival high in the favor of the young collegian ;
but there was no help for it.
THE INVENTORS SON. | 265
CHAPTER XXX.
OUT OF WORK AGAIN.
Mr. CamMERON went home on Friday afternoon, as
he proposed. _
“T shall be back Monday night,†he said to Her-
bert at parting.
But Monday night did not bring him. Herbert
didn’t think much of it, however, as it was easy to
imagine that some engagement had delayed the
young collegian. Tuesday morning, however, he
received a letter from Cameron, which contained un-
expected and unwelcome intelligence. It ran thus: —
‘*My pear Herpert:—When I left you, I fully
expected to return on Monday, but an unexpected
proposal has been made to me, which I think it ex
pedient to accept. The physician whom I consulted
about my eyes recommends a sea-voyage as likely to
benefit me, and advises me to start at once.
266 HERBERT CARTER'S LEGACY; OR,
low student is intending to sail on Saturday next for
Rio Janeiro, and I have decided to go with him.
While I hope to reap advantage from the voyage, I
regret that our pleasant intimacy should terminate
so suddenly. I ought not to use the word ‘termi-
nate,’ however, as I fully intend to keep track of
you, if I can, in your future plans. I may be gone
some months, perhaps a year, but when I return I
shall manage to meet you.
‘‘T have submitted your father’s invention to my
father, who will examine it when he has leisure, and
communicate with you. There may be some delay,
as he is obliged to go to Europe for three months on
business.
“Tam owing you five dollars, but inclose fifteen,
which I beg you to accept, witn my thanks for your
services, and my best wishes for your happiness and
prosperity.â€
This was the letter which Herbert read with feelings
of regret, almost bordering upon dismay. He missed
the daily companionship of Cameron, for whom he
had formed an attachment almost brotherly, and,
THE INVENTORS SON. 267
besides, he was forced to regard the departure of
his friend in its bearing upon his material interests.
The income upon which he chiefly depended was
suddenly withdrawn, and, look where he might, he
could not see where he was to supply the defi-
ciency. The fifteen dollars which Cameron had so
considerately sent him would, indeed, last some
time; but when that was spent, what was he to
do? This was a question which cost him anxious
thought.
It was not till the day afterwards that James
Leech heard of Cameron’s departure. It is needless
to say that he took a malicious satisfaction in the
thought that his enemy would now be deprived of his
main income. He hastened to inform his father.
‘“ What! Cameron gone away! That is unex-
pected,†said the squire.
‘¢ Yes, it is sudden.â€
‘¢ Where is he gone?â€
‘They told me at the hotel that he was going to
sail to South America. His eyes are weak, you
know, and the doctor thinks the voyage will do him
good.†|
268 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ J wonder he didn’t take the Carter boy with him
He seemed infatuated with him.â€
‘*He don’t care anything about Carter. At any
rate, he will forget all about him, now he is away.
The beggarly upstart will have to draw in his horns
now. He won’t put on so many airs, I’m thinking.â€
‘* How much did Cameron pay him for reading to
him ? â€
‘¢ Five dollars a week.â€
‘* A perfectly preposterous price.â€
‘Sol think. But he won’t get it now.â€
They’ll find it hard to get along.â€
‘‘ Of course they will. They can’t pay you inter-
- est on the mortgage now.â€
‘* I don’t see how they can.â€
‘* And you can take possession of the house, can’t
you?â€
“I certainly shall if the interest isn’t paid
promptly.â€
‘‘ Perhaps Carter would sell his bcat now. He
was pretty stiff about it before.â€
“JT wouldn’t make him an offer.â€
‘* Why not?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 269
‘* If he succeeded in selling the boat, he might be
able to pay the interest, and delay my getting posses-
sion of the property.â€
‘¢That is true,†said James. ‘I didn’t think of
that. Besides, you have promised me a gail-boat
next spring.â€
“Tf business is good, as I hope it may be, you
shall have one. At present I am rather short of
money.â€
‘‘T thought you always had plenty of money,
father,†said James, in surprise.
‘“T have been buying stocks in the city, James,
and that has tied up my money. However, I shall
probably make a very handsome profit when I sell
out. My friend assures me that I stand a chance of
making twenty thousand dollars,†concluded the
squire, complacently.
‘¢ That's a big pile of money,†said James. ‘* Are
you pretty sure of making it?â€
‘‘'The chances are greatly in my favor. Of course
it depends on the turn of the market.â€
“Tf you succeed, will you move to New York,
father? â€â€™
270 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
*¢ Very probably.â€
‘‘Y hope you will. This village is awfully slow.
New York is the place to see life.â€
‘¢ There are some kinds of life it is not profitable
to see,†said the squire, shrewdly.
‘* IT don’t want to be cooped up in a little country
village all my life,†grumbled James.
‘¢'You won't be. Don’t trouble yourself on that
score.â€
‘* Tt will do well enough for Carter. He isn’t fit for
anything but a country bumpkin, but it don’t suit me.â€
‘‘ Well, James, you must be patient, and things
may turn out as you desire.â€
At the same time Herbert was holding a consulta-
tion with his mother.
‘* My prospects are not very bright here, mother,â€
he said, rather despondently. ‘‘I am ready enough
to work, but there is no work to be had, so far as I
can see.â€
‘¢ You forget your garden, Herbert.â€
‘¢ Yes; that will help us a little; but I can’t ex-
pect to clear more than twenty dollars out of it, and
twenty dollars won’t go a great way.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 271
*‘ It is something, Herbert.â€
**Tt isn’t enough to pay our next interest bill.â€
Mrs. Carter looked troubled.
‘*If I could sell the property for what it cost your
father, I should be tempted to do it.â€
*¢ You mean for fifteen hundred dollars?â€
‘‘ Yes; that would give us seven hundred and fifty
dollars over the mortgage.â€
‘I should be in favor of selling, too, in that case,
but Squire Leech only offers eleven hundred at the
outside.â€
‘* He ought to be more considerate.â€
‘“‘He wants to make a bargain at your expense,
mother. That isn’t all. He is provoked to think
you haven’t accepted his offer before, and, of course,
that won’t incline him to be any more liberal.â€
‘“T am afraid we shall have to part with our
home,†said the widow, with a sigh. |
‘¢ There is one hope, mother. I don’t like to think
of it too much, for fear it won’t amount to anything,
but father’s invention may prove valuable. You
know Mr. Cameron’s father has agreed to examine
it.†|
272 § HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
‘““If we could only get two or three hundred
dollars for it, it would be a great help.â€
‘‘If we get anything at all we shall get more. I
am afraid we shall have to wait, though, for Mr.
Cameron writes me his father is going to Europe for
a few months.â€
‘‘ Everything seems against us, Herbert,†said his
mother, in a despondent tone.
But Herbert was more hopeful.
‘Tf we can only manage to keep along and pay
the next interest, I think we'll be all right, mother,â€
he said. ‘*I mean to try, anyway. If there’s any
work to be had anywhere within five miles, I’ll try to
obtain it. How much money have you got left,
mother?â€
‘¢’Ten dollars and a half.â€
‘* And here are fifteen that Mr. Cameron sent me.
No chance of the poor-house for a month, mother.
Before that has gone by, something may turn up.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 273
CHAPTER XXXI.
A NEW START.
Harvest came, and for the time Herbert was busy.
He could not afford to hire assistance, and was
obliged to do all the work himself. When all was
finished, and his share of the vegetables sold, he sat
down to count up his profits. |
‘* Well, mother,†he asked, ‘*how much money do
you think I have made by farming?â€
*¢ You expected to make twenty dollars.â€
‘“] have cleared twenty-one dollars and a half,
besides the vegetables I have brought home and
stored in the cellar.â€
‘¢ That is doing very well,†said Mrs. Carter.
‘¢T have had to work very hard for it,†said Her-
bert, thoughtfully, ‘‘and for a good many days.
After all, it isn’t quite enough to pay our interest.â€
‘‘The interest doesn’t come due for six weeks
yet.â€
18
274 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢That is true, mother; but six weeks hence we
shall be poorer than we are now. We shall have to
use some of this money for current expenses, and I
know of no way to replace it.â€
‘* You may earn some more.â€
‘¢T don’t see any chance —that is, here. There is
nothing doing in Wrayburn. If there were any fac-
tories or workshops, I might stand a chance of getting
something to do.â€
Mrs. Carter did not reply. She knew that Her-
bert was right, and she had nothing to suggest.
““T have thought of something,†said Herbert,
‘¢but you may not like it at first.â€
‘¢ What is it?†asked his mother, with interest.
‘¢'Would you have any objection to my going to
New York, and trying my fortune there?â€
Mrs. Carter uttered a little cry of dismay.
‘“You go to New York —a boy of your age!†she
exclaimed.
‘““J am old enough to take care of myself,†said
Herbert, sturdily.
‘‘A great city is a dangerous place.â€
‘¢Tt won’t be dangerous for me. I shall be too busy
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 275
-—that is, if I get work —to fall into temptat.on if
that is what you mean.â€
‘** should miss you so much, Herbert, even if I
knew you were doing well,†said his mother, patheti-
cally.
‘‘T know you would, mother, and I should miss
you too; but I can’t live here always. If I do well
in the city you can come and join me there.â€
This was the first time Herbert broached the sub-
ject of going to New York. He resumed the attack
the next day, and the next, and finally won his
mother’s consent to go for a week, and see whether
he could find anything to do.
His mother’s consent obtained, Herbert took but a
day to make his preparations. The next day, after
an early breakfast, he started for the great city,
excited with the idea of going, but hardly able to
repress the tears as he saw the lonely look upon his
mother’s face.
He was her only son, and she was a widow.
‘¢T must send her good news as soon as possible,â€
he thought. ‘‘ That will cheer her up.â€
About noon Herbert reached the city. He had
276 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
forincd no particular plans, except to find Cornelius
Dixon, who would doubtless be able to advise him
about getting a place, perhaps would have influence
enough to procure him one. He did not know where
to look for Cornelius, but concluded that his name
would be in the City Directory. He entered a small
liquor-store, which he happened to pass, and walked
up to the counter.
‘¢Good-morning,†said he, politely, addressing a
young man behind the bar.
This young man had coarse red hair, and 4
mottled complexion, and looked as if he patronized
freely the liquors he sold. He turned hjs glance
upon Herbert, who stood before him with his fresh,
inquiring face, holding under his arm a small bundle
of clothing tied up in a paper.
‘* Hallo, yourself,†he answered. ‘* Want some
bitters?â€
‘Thank you,†said Herbert, innocently, ‘I don’t
require any medicine.â€
‘* Medicine!†repeated the other with a frown
**Do you mean to compare my drinks to medicine?â€
‘¢ You said bitters,†returned Herbert.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 247
‘‘ You’re from the country, aint you?†asked the
bar-tender.
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
**So I thought. You haven’t cut your eye-teeth
yet. When a gentleman takes a drink, he takes his
bitters. Now what’ll you have?â€
‘¢ Nothing, thank you.â€
‘Oh, you needn’t thank me. I didn’t offer to
give you a drink. What do you want anyhow?â€
‘* Have you got a directory?â€
‘*No; we don’t keep one. We don’t care where
our customers live. All we want is their money.â€
Herbert did not fancy the bar-tender’s tone or
manner; but felt that it would be foolish to get
angry. So he explained: ‘‘I have a cousin living in
the city ; I thought I could find out where he lived, in
the directory.â€
‘¢ What’s your cousin’s name?â€
‘¢ Cornelius Dixon.â€
‘¢ Never heard of him. He don’t buy his bitters
at this shop.â€
It was clear that no satisfaction was to be found
here, and Herbert looked farther. Finally, at a
278 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
druggist’s, he found a directory, and hopefully
looked for the name. But another disappointment
awaited him. There were severa: Dixons, but
Cornelius was not among them.
‘
myself,†thought Herbert. ‘‘I wish I could come
across him.â€
It seemed strange to him that one who was so
prominent as Cornelius claimed to be, and who had
been living for years in the city, should have been
overlooked by the compilers of the directory. He
was not discouraged, however; he expected to
encounter difficulties, and this was the first one.
He kept on his way, attracting some attention as
he walked. The city Arab knows a stranger by
instinct.
‘‘Carry your bundle, mister?†asked a ragged
urchin. |
** No, thank you. I can carry it myself.â€
‘fT won’t charge you much. Take you to any
hotel in the city.â€
‘*] don’t think I shall go to any hotel. I can’t
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 279
afford it. Can you show me a cheap boarding-
house?â€
** Yes,†said the boy. ‘* What’ll you give?â€
‘¢'Ten cents.â€
‘*That aint enough. It wouldn’t keep me in
cigars an hour.â€
‘* Do you smoke?†asked Herbert, surprised.
‘*In course I do. I’ve smoked for four or five
years.â€
*¢ How old are you? â€
‘‘The old woman says I’m ten. She ought to
know.â€
‘It isn’t good for boys to smoke,†said Herbert,
gravely.
‘Oh, bosh! Dry up! Allus boys smoke.â€
Herbert felt that his advice was not called for, and
he came to business.
‘ll give you fifteen cents,†he said, ‘‘if you'll
show me a good, cheap boarding-house.â€
‘* Well,†said the Arab, ‘‘ business is poor, and I'll
do it for once. Come along.â€
Herbert concluded from the boy’s appearance that
he would be more likely to know of cheap than of
280 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
fashionable boarding-houses ; but it did not occur to
him that there was such a thing as being too cheap.
He realized it when the boy brought him to the door
of a squalid dwelling in a filthy street, and, pointing
to it, complacently remarked, ‘‘ That’s the place you
want — that’s Rafferty’s.â€
Herbert stared at it in dismay. Accustomed to
the utmost neatness, he was appalled at the idea of
lodging in such a place.
‘‘ Gim-me them fifteen cents, mister,†said the boy,
impatiently.
‘But I don’t like the place. I wouldn’t stay
here.â€
‘* It’s cheap,†said the young Arab. ‘‘ Rafferty I
give you a lodging for ten cents, meals fifteen.
You can’t complain of that, now.â€
‘I don’t complain of the price. It’s dirty. I
wouldn’t stay in such a dirty place.â€
‘Oh, you’re a fine gentleman, you are!†said the
boy, sarcastically. ‘‘ You’d better go to the Fifth
Avenoo Hotel, you had.â€
‘I won’t stop here. I want some decent place.â€
Meanwhile, Mrs. Rafferty herself had come to the
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 281
door, anl caught the meaning of tke conference.
She took instant umbrage at Herbert’s last words.
‘* Dacent, do ye say?†she repeated, with flaming
eyes, and arms akimbo. ‘‘ Who dares to say that
Bridget Rafferty doesn’t keep a dacent house? â€
‘‘ He does,†said the Arab, indicating Herbert, with
& grin.
‘* And who are you, I’d like to know?†demanded
Mrs. Rafferty, turning upon Herbert angrily. ‘‘Who
are you, that talks agin’ a poor widder that’s tryin’
to earn an honest living?â€
‘‘] beg your pardon, madam,†said Herbert,
anxious to get out of the scrape. ‘‘I meant no
offence.â€
‘¢ Lucky for you, thin!†said Mrs. Rafferty, in a
belligerent tone. ‘Be off wid you both, thin, or Pll
call a cop.†| a
Herbert turned to go, nothing loath, but his guide
followed him. :
‘sGim-me them fifteen cents,†he demanded.
‘¢ You haven’t shown me a good boarding-place.â€
“Yes, I did.â€
282 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘*'You don’t seem to know what I want. I'll give
you five cents, and look out for myself.â€
The young Arab tried for ten; but Herbert was
firm. He felt that he had no money to waste, and
that he had selected a poor guide. It was wiser to
rely upon himself.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 283
CHAPTER XXXII.
OPENING THE CAMPAIGN. ©
Nor knowing his way, but wandering wherever
the fancy seized him, Herbert finally came to Wash-
ington Square, and took a seat on one of the benches
provided for the public. He looked around him with
interest, surveying the groups that passed him,
though without the expectation of recognizing any
one. But, as good fortune would have it, the very
person he most desired to see strolled by.
Mr. Cornelius Dixon looked like a cheap swell.
In his dress, he caricatured the fashion, and exhibited
a sort of pretentious gentility, which betrayed his
innate vulgarity. He stared in wonder when a boy
with a bundle under his arm started from his seat,
and hurried towards him with the greeting, ‘* How da
you do, Mr. Dixon?â€
‘* Really,†drawled Cornelius, ‘‘you have the ad
vantage of me.â€
284 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; UR,
‘Don’t you remember me? I am your cousin,
Herbert Carter.â€
‘¢' What! the boy the old fellow left his old clothes
to?’ asked Cornelius.
‘¢ The same one,†answered Herbert, smiling.
‘You haven’t got any of ’em on, have you?â€
asked Mr. Dixon, surveying him with curiosity.
‘*Yes; this coat was made from my uncle’s
cloak.â€
‘‘Shouldn’t have thought it. It looks quite re
spectable, *pon my honor. When did you come to
the city?â€
‘¢ Only this morning.â€
*¢On a visit?â€
‘* No; I want to find a place.â€
‘‘Humph!†muttered Cornelius, thoughtfully
‘* Places don’t grow on every bush. Where are you
hanging out?â€
‘*T haven’t found a place yet. I want to find a
cheap boarding-house.â€
‘* You might come to mine.â€
'* Perhaps you pay more than I could afford,†sug
gested Herbert, who was not aware that Cornelius
THE INVENTORS SON. 285
lad a very limited income, and occupied a room on
the fourth floor of a Bleecker Street boarding-house,
at the weekly expense of five dollars.
‘*You can come into my room for a day or two, .
and. then we'll see what arrangement we can make.
I’m going there now. Will you come along?â€
Herbert gladly accepted the invitation. He was
tired of wandering about the great city, not knowing
where to lay his head; accordingly he joined his gen-
teel cousin, and they walked towards Bleecker Street.
‘‘Have you got any money?†queried Cornelius,
cautiously.
‘¢Not much. If I don’t find something to doina
week, I must go back to the country.â€
‘‘ A week’s a short time to find a place. But hold
on! We want a boy in our store. I guess I could
get you in.â€
‘¢ What wages would I get?â€
‘¢ Two dollars a week, to begin with.â€
‘CT couldn’t live on that, could I?â€
‘‘T guess not. Four dollars a week would be the
least you could get boarded for.â€
286 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Then it will be better for me to go home than to
stay here, and get into debt.â€
‘‘Perhaps it would,†said Cornelius, who was
afraid Herbert might want to borrow of him.
‘Can't I get something better? How much | pay
do you get?â€
‘* Ahem! only twenty dollars a week,†answered
Mr. Dixon, who really got about half that.
‘¢ Why, that’s splendid,†said Herbert.
‘¢So it would be if I only got it,†thought Cor-
nelius. ‘‘I can’t save anything,†he answered. ‘I
have to dress in the fashion, you know, on account of
my position in society.â€
Herbert privately thought, from an inspection of
his cousin’s wardrobe, that the fashion was a queer
one, but he did not say so.
‘* It’s a shame the old man didn’t leave us more,â€
_ said Mr. Dixon, in an aggrieved tone.
‘‘It would have been convenient,†Herbert ad-
mitted.
‘‘ He ought to have left us ten thousand dollars
apiece.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 287
4
“What would you have done with so much
money?â€
‘¢Gone into business on my own account. If J
had a store of my own, I might have offered you a
place.â€
‘¢ But suppose I had ten thousand dollars too?â€
_ ** Then I would have taken you into partnership.
It would be a grand thing for you to be junior partner
in a New York firm.â€
Herbert thought so too, though it is doubtful
whether a firm of which Mr. Dixon was the head
would have occupied so proud a position as some
others.
‘¢T suppose you have spent all your legacy?†said
Herbert. | |
‘‘T should say so. What’s a hundred dollars? I
bought a new suit of clothes, a dozen pair of kids,
and a box of cigars, and that took up about all of it.
You don’t smoke, do you?â€
‘¢Qh, no,†answered Herbert, surprised at the
question.
‘¢ Better not. It’s expensive. Wait a minute. I
want to buy a cigar.â€
288 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
Mr. Dixon dove into a cigar-store, and emerged
with one in his mouth.
Soon they reached the boarding-house. It was a
five-story brick building, rather shabby outwardly.
Cornelius opened the door with a night-key, and _
bade Herbert follow. So he did, up to the fifth
floor, where his guide opend a door and admitted
him into a room about ten feet square, in a bad state
of disorder. In the corner was a bed, not very
inviting in appearance. It looked very different
from the neat little bed which Herbert slept in at
home. The furniture was of hair, and had evidently
seen better days. There were two chairs, both of
them covered with portions of Mr. Dixon’s ward-
robe. Cornelius cleared off one, and invited Herbert
to be seated.
‘¢’'This is my den,†he said.
‘* Den†seemed to be the right word, though Her-
bert did not say so. He wondered why a man with
so large an income did not live better.
‘‘’'You can brush your hair if you want to,†said
Cornelius. ‘‘'The supper-bell will ring right off. Yl
take you down with me.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 289
** Will there be room?†asked Herbert.
‘‘Oh, yes; Pll arrange about that. If you like
you can room with me, and I guess I can fix it so
you needn’t pay more than four dollars a week,
getting your lunch outside.â€
‘¢} wish you would,†said Herbert, who felt that,
dirty as the room was, it would be more like home to
him than where he was wholly unacquainted.
At the table below, Herbert found a seat next to
Cornelius. There were other clerks at the table
whom Mr. Dixon knew, also two or three married
couples, and two extra ladies. |
‘‘That lady is an actress,†whispered Cornelius,
pointing to a rather faded woman, of about thirty, on
the opposite side of the table.
‘Ts she?†returned Herbert, examining her with
considerable curiosity. ‘* Where does she play?â€
‘¢At the Olympic,†said Mr. Dixon. ‘She is
Rosalie Vernon.â€
‘¢ That’s a pretty name.†|
‘‘Tt’s only her stage-name. Her real name is
Brown.â€
‘s What makes her change her name?â€
19
290 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘It sounds better. There’s nothing like a high
sounding name, you know.â€
‘* Did you ever see her play?â€
‘*Often ; she’s good.â€
‘** She looks very quiet.â€
‘¢She don’t say much here; but on the stage she
has enough to say for herself. Do you see that man
with gray hair and spectacles?â€
‘* Yes.â€
‘‘He’s an Italian count. He lost his property
somehow, and is obliged to give lessons in French
and Italian. Quite a come-down, isn’t it?â€
Herbert was interested. In Wrayburn he saw the
- same faces from one year’s end to the other. There
were no actresses or members of the nobility to be
seen there. He had no idea of the variety of people
to be met with in the great world. His ideas were
enlarged, and he found a great deal to think of. He
resolved to write a letter to his mother that very
night. Though he had been but a few hours in the
city, there would be plenty to write about.
The dinner was quite a fair one for a cheap
boarding-house. Of course those who occupied the
THE INVENTORS SON. 291
best rooms paid much more than Cornelius, — some
three times as much, — and the landlady felt obligeé
to provide fare that would satisfy all. Herbert wag
very hungry, and did full justice to the meal.
In the evening he discussed his plans with Cor-
nelius.
‘‘Can’t I get more than two dollars a week in a
store?†he asked.
‘‘T am afraid not; though you might be fortunate
enough to stumble on a place where they would give
three.â€
‘‘ Even that would not be enough to live upon.
I must make that, at any rate, and I hoped to be able
to save something.â€
‘*There are some newsboys who make a dollar
a day,†suggested Cornelius.
‘‘A dollar a day! That’s six dollars a week,â€
said Herbert, hopefully.
“ Exactly.â€
*¢ Do you think I could go into that?â€
‘“Of course you can, if you’ve got money enough
to bay a stock of papers to start with. You'll be
292 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY, OR,
your own boss. Then there’s bootblacking ; but that
aint genteel.†|
‘‘I should prefer selling papers.â€
‘‘ Then you’d better try it. I’ve spoken to the
landlady, and she’ll take you for four dollars a
week.â€
Herbert closed the day in good spirits. He
thought he saw his way clear to supporting himsetf
in the city. Before he went to bed he wrote a
cheerful letter to his mother, and deposited it in
a post-office box at the corner of a street.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 293
CHAPTER XXXIII.
HERBERT AS A NEWSBOY.
Tue next morning, by advice of his room-mate,
Herbert got up early, and made his way down town
and obtained a supply of morning papers.
The first day was not a success, chiefly on account
of his inexperience. He was ‘‘ stuck†on nearly half
his papers, and the profits were less than nothing.
But Herbert was quick to learn. The second day,
though he still had some papers left, he cleared
twenty-five cents. The third day he netted seventy-
five. He felt now that he had passed the period of
experiment, and that he would at any rate be able to
pay his board. Of course he hoped for something .
better, and indeed fe.t confident of it.
Three weeks later, about eleven o’clock in the
forenoon, as he stood in front of the Astor House,
with his Jast paper in his hand, he heard his name
called in a familiar voice.
294 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
*¢ Hallo, Carter! are you here?â€
He did not need to turn around to recognize James
Leech.
‘*¢ Good-morning, James,†he said politely.
‘So you’re a newsboy,†said James.
‘Yes; any way to make a living.â€
‘¢Do you make much?†inguired his old foe,
curiously. : |
‘*T haven’t made enough to retire upon yet, but I
can manage to pay my board.â€
‘¢ How much do you pay for your board?â€
Herbert hesitated about gratifying his curiosity, but
finally did so.
‘* Four dollars,†repeated James, scornfully. ‘It
can’t be much of a boarding-house.â€
6 An Italian count boards there,†said Herbert,
knowing James’s respect for rank.
‘*You don’t say so!†returned James, rather im-
pressed. ‘‘ Did he ever speak to you?â€
‘* He spoke to me this morning.â€
‘* What did he say?â€
‘¢ Will you pass ze butter?â€
“T mean, cid you have any conversation with him?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 295
** No; he can’t speak English very well.â€
‘* Do you save up any money?†inquired James.
Herbert penetrated his motive in asking the ques
tion, and did not mean to give too definite informa-
tion. But James was bent on learning all he
could.
‘* How much do you make a day?†he asked.
‘Sometimes more, sometimes less, just as it
happens.â€
“YT can’t tell anything from that.†©
‘* Why do you want to know?†asked Herbert,
pointedly. |
‘¢ Curiosity, I suppose.â€
‘*So I thought. If it was from interest in me, I
would tell you, but I don’t care to gratify your
curiosity.†|
‘¢' You don’t expect me to feel any interest in a
common newsboy, do you?â€
‘* No, I don’t; I know you too well for that.â€
‘*T don’t see what object you have in refusing to
answer my questions.â€
‘‘ If you are thinking of going into the business
yourself, Ill tell you.â€
(296 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
“*T a rewsboy! I sell papers in the street! You
must be crazy!†returned James, haughtily.
‘¢*T suppose you feel above it,†said Herbert
smiling.
‘¢To be sure I do. Haven’t I a right to?â€
‘Qh, you must settle that question for yourself
Papers, sir?â€
The gentleman addressed purchased the last re-
maining paper, and Herbert was free till afternoon.
*¢ How do you like the city?†asked James.
‘Very much. [ should like to have my mother
here ; then I would be contented.â€
‘¢ We may come to live here,†said James. ‘Of
course we shall live in a brown-stone front, up
town.â€
‘I live in a brick house,†said Herbert, smiling.
‘Fashionable people live in brown-stone fronts,â€
vaid James.
‘¢T suppose I am not fashionable then.â€
‘*¥ should say not,†said James. ‘‘ The idea of a
fashionable newsboy! It’s ridiculous!â€
‘¢T may be rich some time.â€
‘Then you'll have to go into some other business.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 297
Bat there isn’t much hope for you. You'll be a poor
man.â€
** You seem very confident of it.â€
«You've got no chance, you know. But I must
be going.†|
‘* Good-morning, James.â€
‘* Morning.â€
‘‘ Who do you think I met this morning, father?â€
asked James, later in the day.
‘¢T don’t know.â€
‘*¢ The Carter boy.â€
‘* Where did you meet him?â€
‘‘He was selling papers in front of the Astor
House.â€
‘‘He won’t get rich very fast in that business.
What did he have to say for himself?â€
‘* He wouldn’t tell me how much money he was
making. He pays four dollars a week for board.â€
‘‘ He probably finds it hard to pay that. It isn’t
likely he lays up anything. He would do better to
stay in Wrayburn.â€
‘* Do you think so?â€
‘¢ T have no doubt of it.â€
298 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Then you think he can’t send any money to his
mo ther?â€
‘*No; he will find it hard to pay his own ex-
penses.â€
_* Then she won’t be able to pay the interest on
the mortgage?â€
‘¢ T don’t see how she can.â€
*¢ And you will seize the house?â€
*¢T fully intend to do so.â€
‘*Good! That'll bring down Carter’s pride. He’s
ai cheeky as ever.â€
“He hasn’t much to be proud of.â€
‘* That don’t seem to make any difference with him
He talks as if he were my equal.â€
‘¢’'That don’t make him so.â€
‘‘When sre you going to move to the city,
father?â€
‘I don’t know,†said the squire, shortly.
‘¢ ve got tired of Wrayburn.â€
“You'll have to stay there till my business wil}
allow me to move.â€
The fact was, Squire Leech had just had an un-
satisfactory interview with Mr. Andrew Temple.
THE INVENTORS SON. 299
Unde the advice of that gentleman he had invested
& very considerable sum of money in some mining
shares, in the assurance that he would be able in a
very short time to sell at a large profit. But from
the time he bought, they began to drop. He asked
an explanation of Mr. Temple. |
‘* My dear sir,†said the financier, ‘*there’s no
being sure of the market. So many trivial circum-
stances affect it, that the wisest of us cannot abso-
lutely predict anything. We can only calculate
probabilities.â€â€™
‘¢ You told me there was no doubt about the stock
rising,†grumbled the squire. |
‘‘Nor is there any, if you only have patience to
wait. Rome was not built in a day, you know.â€
‘‘It seems to me there is a good deal of uncer-
tainty and risk in these stock operations,†objected
the squire, very sensibly.
‘¢ Not under discreet guidance; if you only have
pluck and patience, you are morally sure of a for-
tune in the end. Fortunes are made every day.
Why, these’s old Jenkins, a grocer on Sixth avenue,
—you eard of his luck, haven’t yon?â€
$00 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
— §* No.â€
‘* Made fifty thousand dollars in six months from
an original investment of ten thousand. At first,
things went against him, but he was bound to see the
thing through, and he did, and he’s forty thousand
better off for it.â€
‘‘What did he invest in?†asked the squire,
eagerly. |
Mr. Temple told him, but I regret to say that the
whole thing was a fiction, intended to encourage his
dupe. He succeeded in influencing the squire to put
another large sum into his hands, and sent him away
hopeful. To raise this sum Squire Leech was obliged
to sell or mortgage most of his real estate to parties
whom Mr. Temple found for him. The prices real-
ized were less than his valuation of the property, but
Temple told him this was not so important, as he
was sure to double his money in twelve months by
investments in Wall Street.
So Squire Leech gave himself up to dreams of
sudden wealth. He subscribed for two financial
papers, and spent many hours in studying their col-
umns. He was soon able to talk glibly of stocks and
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 301
bonds, and the Wrayburn people thought he was on
the high road to becoming a millionnaire.
‘‘ Depend upon it, the squire’s a long-headed man,â€
said old Tom Cooper, in the village-tavern. «It
wouldn’t surprise me a mite if he died worth a
million.â€
Such, indeed, was the general talk, but we who
know Andrew Temple better than the villagers may
seriously doubt whether it was a lucky day for Squire
Leech when he put his property into his hands.
About this time Herbert met a gentleman who was
destined to exert an influence upon his fortunes,
802 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HERBERT'S LEGACY.
THe weeks slipped rapidly away. Herbert sue-
ceeded in maintaining himself at his new business,
and never failed to have ready the four dollars which
he had agreed to pay for board. It was lucky he
did, for he soon found that there would be no chance
of borrowing from his room-mate. Cornelius was
always hard up. As he only paid a dollar more
board than Herbert, the latter wondered what he
| did with his twenty dollars a week. But the fact
was, Mr. Dixon at present received but half that
sum, though pride induced him to represent other-
wise. And what, I ask, are ten dollars a week to a
young man of fashionable tastes? No wonder he
was always short of funds. How could it be other-
wise? |
Of course it was satisfactory to Herbert to feel
that he was paying his way. But still he had a
THE INVENTORS SON. 303
aource of anxiety. He felt that he ought — indeed
it was absolutely necessary —to contribute to his
mother’s support. Moreover the dreaded day on
which the semi-annual interest came due was now
close at hand. So far as he could judge, his mother
would have nothing to meet it. It seemed inevitable
that she should submit to the squire’s demand, and
sacrifice the house. It was a sad thing to think of,
yet there was this consolation: the three or four
huntred dollars cash which the squire would pay
would tide over the next year or two, until Herbert
was older and could earn more. |
But, after all, was it certain that he would earn
more? Could he sell more papers two years hence
than now? That was hardly likely. If he wanted
to advance his income, it must be in some other busi-
mess. Yet, to a boy situated as he was, there was
little chance of getting any employment that would
make as good immediate returns as selling papers.
So, thinking over these things, our hero was muck
perp’exed, and could see no way out of the difficulty,
He had never read ‘‘ David Copperfield,†and had
mot accustomed himself to expecting something to
804 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
turn up. He was sensible enough, indeed, to know
that it is idle to wait for such chances. Yet, when
one does his duty faithfully, things will occasionally
turn up, and this was precisely what happened to
Herbert.
He was standing at his accustomed post one day,
wher a pleasant-looking gentleman of fifty, or per-
haps a little more, accosted him, inquiring for a
particular morning paper.
‘*T haven’t got it, sir; but I will get you one,â€
said Herbert.
*¢ Will you be long?â€
‘* No, sir; I know where I can get one at once.â€
‘‘ Very well, then. I will wait here till you re-
turn.†a
Herbert was as good as his word. As the gentle-
man paid him, he asked, pleasantly, ‘* How is busi-
ness, my young friend?â€
‘¢ Pretty good, sir.â€
‘Can you make money enough to support your
self?†|
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
‘s Then I suppose you are contented?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 305
‘*T should be, sir, if I had only myself to look
after.†|
‘¢'You haven’t a wife and family, I presume,†said
the gentleman, smiling.
Herbert laughed.
‘¢T hope not yet, sir,†he answered. ‘‘ But I have
a mother whom I ought to assist.â€
‘6 And you cannot?â€
‘*T have not been able to yet. It takes all I can
earn to pay my own expenses.â€
‘¢ Does your mother live in the city?â€
‘¢ No, sir; in the town of Wrayburn, fifty or sixty
miles from here.â€
‘¢Wrayburn!†repeated the gentleman, in sur-
prise.
‘¢ Yes, sir; it is a small village. I dare say you
never heard of it.†|
‘¢But I have heard of it. My son passed a few
weeks there during the last summer.â€
It was Herbert’s turn to be surprised. He ex-
amined the gentleman’s face attentively, and it
dawned upon him who he was.
‘¢ Are you Mr. Cameron?†he asked.
20
306 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘‘How is it that you know me?†inquired the
other.
‘¢ My name is Herbert Carter. I was employed to
read to your son. Have you heard from him?â€
‘‘ We are expecting a letter daily, but the distance
is considerable, and we may have to wait for some
time yet. So you are Herbert Carter? â€
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
‘* My son was very much interested in you. He
has spoken often of you.â€
‘¢ He was very kind to me.â€
‘¢ Your father was an inventor.â€
‘‘That was not his business, but he devoted his
- Ieisure to invention.â€
‘** My son placed in my hands, for examination, a
model of his, just before he went away.â€
‘‘ Have you examined it? What do you think
of it, sir?†asked Herbert, eagerly.
‘
not thoroughly examined it. So faras I have done
so, I am inclined to think favorably of it.â€
Herbert’s heart bounded with hope.
THE INVENTORS SON. 807
‘*Do you think we can get anything for it?’ he
asked.
‘*{ think you can. Indeed, if further examination
bears out my first favorable impressions, I will my-
self make you an offer for it.â€
‘*T should be so glad, for mother’s sake,†exclaimed
Herbert.
‘¢ My young friend,†said Mr. Cameron, ‘‘I like
your feeling towards your mother. I sincerely hope
I may be able to make you a satisfactory offer. By
the way, how are you situated? Can you leave the
city this afternoon?â€
‘¢ Yes, sir.â€
‘¢’Then come home with me. You shall be my
guest for a week. During that time we will examine
and decide about the model.â€
‘¢'Thank you, sir; you are very kind,†said Her
bert, hesitating.
‘¢ What makes you hesitate?â€
‘¢T am afraid I don’t look fit to visit a gentleman’s
family.â€
‘¢ Oh, never mind that,†said Mr. Cameron, heartily.
‘< We are plain people, and don’t value fine dress.â€
308 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Will there be time for me to go home first?â€
‘¢'Yes; you can meet me two hours hence, at the
St. Nicholas Hotel. I occupy Room 121. On |
second thoughts you may as well wait for nie in the
reading-room.â€
‘¢ All right, sir.â€
Herbert hurried home, arrayed himself in clean
clothes, put up a small bundle of necessary articles,
and in an hour and a half was at the hotel awaiting
Mr. Cameron. He left a note for Cornelius Dixon,
explaining that he was called out of the city for
a few days, but would write soon. He did not
enter into details, for he was not at all certain
that things would turn out as he hoped.
Mr. Cameron lived in a substantial country-house,
with a fine garden attached. Nothing was wanting
to comfort in his hospitable home, but he avoided
show and ostentation. To Herbert was assigned a
large, well-furnished chamber, the best he had ever
occupied, and he was made to feel at home. The
next day he accompanied Mr. Cameron to the
‘manufactory, which he found to be a scene of busy
industry, employing three hundred hands.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 309
‘*Y shall be busy to-day; but to-night I will look
at your father’s model,†said the manufacturer.
‘*¢ Probably it will be three or four days before I can |
come to any decision.†|
Herbert passed his time pleasantly for the next
three or four days. Yet he could not avoid feeling
anxious. Interest day was close at hand, and his
hopes might end in failure.
On the fourth day Mr. Cameron said to him,
‘* Well, Herbert, I have made up my mind about
your father’s invention.â€
Herbert’s suspense was great. His heart almost
stopped beating.
The manufacturer went on.
‘I consider it practicable, and am disposed to
make you an offer for it. Are you authorized to
conclude terms?â€
‘¢ My mother will agree to anything I propose, sir.â€
‘*Then this is my offer. The model must be
patented at once. I will see to that. Then make
over to me half the invention, and I will agree to
pay you and your mother one thousand dollars a
year for the next ten years.â€
310 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Are you in earnest?†gasped Herbert.
‘¢Entirely so,†said Mr. Cameron. ‘‘ Will that
satisfy you?â€
‘¢T would have accepted a quarter of the sum you
offer, sir.â€
‘‘ Better not tell me that,†said Mr. Cameron,
smiling. ‘i might take advantage of it. We will
consider it a bargain, then.â€
‘‘Qh, how happy my mother will be!†said Her.
bert.
‘¢ Don’t you want to go home, and carry the
mews?â€
‘¢T should like to, very much.â€
Then his countenance changed. Two days hence,
as he reflected, the interest would be payable. Must
they lose the house, after all? If only he had a
small part of the money, it would make matters all
right.
‘** Does anything trouble you?†asked the manufac-
turer, noticing the sudden change in his countenance.
Upon this, Herbert told him exactly how they were
situated in regard to the house, and in what danger
they were of losing it.
THE INVENTORS SON. 31}
‘Tf it’s nothing worse than that,†said Mr. Cam-
eron, cheerfully, ‘‘ you needn’t feel anxious. I will
advance you a hundred dollars, on account of the
contract, and you shall give me a receipt for it.â€
Herbert’s face cleared instantly, and he was warm
in his gratitude.
The next morning he started for home. -
After all, the little model which his father left
behind had proved to be his most valuable legacy.
312 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXXV.
HERBERTS RETURN.
Mrs. Carter was setting the table for her solitary
supper. She had been very lonely since Herbert
went away. The days seemed doubly long. Most
of all she missed him at meal-time. He kept her
informed of all that was going on in the village,
and when there was no news to tell he talked over
their plans for the future. Life seemed very dull
and monotonous without him. Yet the poor mother
always wrote cheerfully, for she did not want to damp
his courage, or interfere with the plan of life he had
formed. She felt that there was nothing for him to
do in Wrayburn, and, since she could not go to him,
they must be content to live apart for the present.
“IT wish I could see my boy,†she sighed, as she
poured out her solitary cup of tea, and tried to force
down a few mouthfuls of toast. ‘Shall we ever be
able to live together again?â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 313
There was a noise at the outer door, a quick step
was heard, and Herbert rushed in, nearly upsetting
the table in his impetuosity, as he embraced his
mother,
‘¢ Are you glad to see me, mother?†he asked.
‘* You don’t know how I have longed to see you!â€
was the heartfelt reply. |
She did not ask what brought him home, nor care
to ask just yet. She was too happy in having him
back.
‘You don’t ask for my news, mother,†said Her-
bert, after a pause.
‘* Is it good news?†she asked, wistfully. |
‘¢ Suppose I should tell you that Mr. Cameron’s
father has agreed to pay two hundred dollars for
father’s model!†|
** Has he, really?†asked Mrs. Carter, her face
lighting up. |
‘‘He has bought it, that is, half of it; but he is
to pay more than that.â€
** More than two hundred dollars, Herbert!â€
‘‘More than three hundred. What do you think
of that?†|
$14 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢ Are you in earnest, Herbert? â€
‘Quite in earnest, mother, only it is better than
you dream. You mustn’t be too much excited,
mother, when you hear the whole. I will only say
that we shan’t have to pinch any more, or lie awake
thinking how to ward off starvation.â€
© And can we be together again, Herbert? You
don’t know how lonely it is without you.â€
‘* Poor mother! How lonesome it must have
been! Yes, we can be together again, if you think
a thousand dollars a year will pay our expenses.â€
‘‘A thousand dollars a year!†exclaimed Mrs.
Carter, thinking that Herbert was bereft of his
senses. ‘‘It can’t be that your father’s invention is
worth as much as that!†|
‘‘ Mr. Cameron has offered that for half the inven-
tion, and I have agreed to sell to him. I supposed
you would not object.â€
‘Object! I did not dream of getting one-tenth as
much. It seems to me like a dream.â€
‘‘It is a happy dream, mother, and a true one.
Father little thought what a handsome legacy he was
leaving us when he left us that model.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 3815
““Hfow happy it would have made him had he
Known it before he died! Tell me how itall hap-
pened.â€
So Herbert had to tell his mother ahout his for-
tunate meeting with Mr. Cameron, and what re-
sulted from it.
‘*Mr. Cameron is a very honorable man,†he
concluded, « for he might easily have offered one-
quarter as much, and I should have agreed to it.
Now, mother, let me tell you my plans for the
future. In the first place, are you willing to leave
Wrayburn?â€
‘‘T am willing to live anywhere if we are to-
gether.†|
‘¢Mr. Cameron proposed te me to accept a clerk-
ship in his office, but for the present, I told him, I
wished to make up the deficiencies in my education.
In the town where he lives there is a flourishing
academy. I propose that we move there, and I
spend the next two years in study. We shall have
@ competent income, more than enough to support
us, and so I can afford the time.â€
‘I fully approve of your proposal, Herbert. We
816 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
_ may some time lose our money, but a good education
never.â€
‘‘T was sure you would agree with me.â€
‘* Shall we have any difficulty in finding a house of
suitable size?â€
‘*T inquired about that. There is a very pretty
cottage just vacated, not far from the academy. I
find we can have it at a moderate rent. I have
already got the refusal of it, and will write at once
that we will hire it.â€
‘* And what shall we do with this house?â€
‘‘ We won’t sell it to Squire Leech at a sacrifice.
That is one thing certain. By the way, day after to-
morrow is the day for paying the interest.â€
‘* Yes; I have been troubling myself about it.â€
“ There is no occasion, I have a hundred dollars in
my pocket, given me on account by Mr. Cameron.
So the squire is check-mated. But, mother, I have a
favor to ask of you.â€
‘¢ What is that?â€
‘* For two days keep secret our good fortune.â€
‘* Why, Herbert?â€
‘“‘T want the Squire te be deceived —to think the
TNE INVENTORS SON. 317
place is in his grasp,and realize that there is many a
slip between the cup and the lip.â€
*‘ What shall I say to the neighbors if they ask why
you have got home?â€
‘¢Say that I am not going back to New York—
that I couldn’t earn enough there to save anything.â€
‘¢7 will do as you think best, Herbert: but I am
afraid that my joy at the good news you have brought
will betray me.†|
‘‘It will be attributed to your joy in having me
back. We’ll keep things secret for a day or two,—
that’s all.â€
After sapper Herbert walked out. He was popular
in the village, and received many cordial greetings.
To the inevitable inquiries he replied as he had
suggested to his mother.
Presently he met James Leech. He smiled to
himself as he saw James advancing to meet him, but
assumed a sober, downcast look.
‘Hallo, Carter! Have you got back?†said
James.
“Yes.â€
$18 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
*¢ Got tired of New York?â€
‘¢T should like New York well enough, if I could
make enough money there.â€
‘¢Then you're not going back?†asked James, in a
tone of satisfaction.
‘¢ Not at present.â€
‘¢T thought you’d be coming back,†said James, in
a tone of triumph.
«What made you think so?â€
‘*T knew you couldn’t get along there.â€
‘¢T supported myself while I was there.â€
‘* But you didn’t make anything over.â€
‘¢ No.â€
‘¢’'Then you might as well be back.â€
‘*T don’t know. I am not sure of doing that in
Wrayburn.â€
‘**I don’t think I shall stay in Wrayburn long
Father talks of moving to New York,†said James
in a burst of confidence. ‘‘ What do you expect te
do here?†|
‘* Do you think your father would give me work?’
asked Herbert, demurely.
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 619
‘‘] don’t know. He might, if you agreed to sell
the house.â€
‘‘ We may, if we can get enough for it.â€
‘‘You’ll have to anyway. You must be very
poor.â€
“We've got a little money.â€
‘Well, Pll mention your case to father. I’m sorry
for you, but I knew beforehand you wouldn’t succeed
in New York.â€
Herbert smiled quietly as James walked away.
‘¢He’ll be astonished when he hears the truth,â€
thought he. |
320 HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY; OR,
CHAPTER XXXVI.
CONCLUSION.
JAMES repeated to his father what Herbert had
fold him, and the squire jumped to the conclusion
that Herbert and his mother were in his power, ana
must accede to his demand. He decided to take
advantage of their necessities, and allow only three
hundred dollars for the house. |
He entered the little house with the air of a
proprietor.
‘‘I suppose you know my errand, Mrs. Carter,â€
he said, pompously.
“I believe this is interest day,†returned the
widow.
6s ‘Yes. I presume you have by this time seen the
folly of holding on to the place. You can’t afford it,
and it is best to accept my offer.â€
ce My mother and I have thought it over, and
) decided to sell,†said Herbert.
MD
wo
N \
VL OOUTPORIRASUMMLUL TL RE LRLELLTLLRE GIT
“T SUPPOSE YOU KNOW MY ERRAND, Mrs. Carter.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 321
‘*] am giad you are so sensible,†observed Squire
Leech, in a tone of satisfaction. ‘I will give you
three hundred dollars over and above the morte
gage.â€
‘¢ You offered us fifty dollars more before.â€
‘*Then is not now. You should have accepted
my offer when I made it.â€
‘* We have no idea of selling at that price,†said
Herbert. ‘Our lowest price is six hundred and
fifty dollars over and above the mortgage.â€
‘* Are you crazy?†ejaculated the squire, angrily,
‘No; we have fixed upon that as a fair price,â€
said Herbert, coolly.
‘¢ You know you can’t get it.â€
‘¢’Then we won't sell.â€
‘¢ Young man, I apprehend you do not understanc
how the matter stands. You will have to sell.â€
‘; Why must we?â€
‘¢’You can’t live on nothing.â€
‘¢ Of course not.â€
‘You have made a failure in New York.â€
‘¢ T made my expenses while I was there.â€
‘¢ Then why didn’t you stay?â€
21
322 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘¢] wanted to do something for mother’s sup-
port.†|
‘* You have altogether too high an idea of your
own abilities.â€
‘¢ T hope not, sir.â€
*¢ You influence your mother to her harm.â€
‘¢T don’t think so, Squire Leech.â€
‘‘But in this case you must yield. You can’t
expect me to wait for my money.â€
‘¢ Do you mean the interest? â€
‘¢Of course I do.â€
‘* We shall not ask you to wait. I am ready to
pay it.â€
The squire stared in discomfiture while Herbert
drew out the precise sum needed to pay the interest.
‘‘ Where did you get that money?†he inquired,
chopfallen.
‘* Honestly, Squire Leech. Will you give me a
receipt? â€
The squire did so mechanically.
‘‘T will give you the three hundred and fifty
dollars,†he said, ‘‘ but you must accept it to-day, or
it is withirawn.â€
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 323
‘‘ Neither to-day nor any other day will it be
accepted, Squire Leech,†said Herbert, firmly. ‘If
you choose to pay six hundred and fifty, we will
sell.â€
‘* You must think I am crazy.â€
‘*No, sir; it is a fair offer. If you don’t want to
buy, we will make another offer. We will rent the
house for ninety dollars a year. That is the interest
on fifteen hundred dollars, at six per cent. I believe
a@ man in your employ wishes to live here.â€
‘¢Where do you propose to live?†asked Squire
Leech, in surprise. | |
‘¢ We are going to leave town.â€
‘¢ Have you got a chance to work outside?â€
‘¢Yes; but I have declined to. I am going to
school for two years — to an academy.â€
‘¢But how are you going to live all this time?â€
inquired the squire, in amazement.
‘¢T ghall live on my income,†answered Herbert,
smiling.
‘¢Income! Have you had a legacy?â€
‘6 Yes.â€
324 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
‘*“From whom? I thought you only got a trunk
of old clothes from your uncle.â€
‘* My legacy comes from my father.â€
*¢ But he died poor.â€
‘* He left behind him an invention, half of which
we have sold for an income of a thousand dollars a
year.â€
‘¢ A thousand a year!†ejaculated the squire.
‘¢'Yes. I have sold it to the father of Mr. Cam-
eron who employed me last summer. You see
there is no occasion for our selling the house.â€
a You have been very fortunate,†said Squire
Leech, soberly. ‘I congratulate you both.â€
‘¢ Thank you,†said Herbert, who privately thought
their visitor looked excessively annoyed at their
good fortune.
‘*T will see you about the house,†he said, as he
rose to go.
‘Well, the squire congratulated us,†said Herbert,
after he went away; ‘‘but he didn’t look happy
when he did so. I shouldn’t wonder if he ae.
cepted our terms now that he knows we needn’t
sell.â€
THE INVENTORS SON. 325
Herbert proved to be right. Two days later the
squire offered six hundred dollars over the mortgage
for the place, and it was accepted.
‘‘The place is worth more, mother,†he said;
‘* but it will relieve us from care to sell it.â€
James was even more annoyed than his father
when he heard of Herbert’s good fortune ; but after
his first annoyance he showed a disposition to be
friendly. It is the way of the world. Nothing
makes us sought after like a little good fortune.
James felt that, now Herbert was in a position to
live without work, he was a gentleman, and to be
treated accordingly. Herbert received his overtures
politely, but rated them at their real value.
Two years slipped away.
Herbert has finished his course at the academy,
and is about to enter the manufactory as an office
clerk. Mr. Cameron means to promote him as he
merits, and I should not be at all surprised if our
young friend eventually became junior partner. He
and his mother have bought the house into which
they moved, and have done not a little to convert it
326 HERBERT CARTERS LEGACY; OR,
into a tasteful home. The invention has proved all
that Mr. Cameron hoped forit. It has been widely
introduced, and Herbert realizes as much from his
own half as Mr. Cameron agreed to pay for that
which he purchased. So his father’s invention has
proved to be Herbert Carter’s most valuable legacy.
Squire Leech has been unfortunate. Too late
he found that Andrew Temple had deceived and
defrauded him. All his large property, except a
few thousand dollars, has been swept away, and
James, disappointed in his lofty hopes, last week
applied to Herbert to use his influence to obtain him
a situation in Mr. Cameron’s establishment. There
was no vacancy there, but our hero has found him a
place in a dry goods store in the same town.
Whether he will keep it remains to be seen. Times
have changed since James looked upon Herbert as
far beneath him. Now he is glad to be acknowl-
edged as his companion. If James profits by his
altered circumstances, the loss of his father’s prop-
erty may not prove so much of a misfortune after
all, for wealth is far from being the greatest earthly
good. For our young friend Herbert we may
THE INVENTOR’S SON. 827
confidently indulge in cheerful anticipations. He
has undergone the discipline of poverty and priva-
tion, and prosperity is not likely to spoil him. He
has done his duty under difficult circumstances, and
now he reaps the reward.
THY JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’$ POPULAR JUVENILES,
EDWARD S. ELLIS.
EDWARD S. ELLs, the popular writer of boys’ books, is
a native of Ohio, where he was born somewhat more than a
half-century ago. His father was a famous hunter and rifle
shot, and it was doubtless his exploits and those of his asso-
ciates, with their tales of adventure which gave the son his
taste for the breezy backwoods and for depicting the stirring
life of the early settlers on the frontier.
Mr. Ellis began writing at an early ageand his work was
acceptable from the first. His parents removed to New
Jersey while he was a boy and he was graduated from the
State Normal School and became a member of the faculty
while still in his teens. He was afterward principal of the
Trenton High School, a trustee and then superintendent of
schools. By that time his services as a writer had become
so pronounced that he gave his entire attention to literature.
He was an exceptionally successful teacher and wrote a num-
ber of text-books for schools, all of which met with high
favor. For these and his historical productions, Princeton
College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
The high moral character, the clean, manly tendencies
and the admirable literary style of Mr. Ellis’ steries have
made him as popular on the other side of the Atlantic as in
this country. A leading paper remarked some time since,
that no mother need hesitate to place in the hands of her boy
any book written by Mr. Ellis. They are found in the lead-
ing Sunday-school libraries, where, as may well be believed,
they are in wide demand and do much good by their sound,
wholesome lessons which render them as acceptable to parents
as to their children. All of his books published by Henry
T. Coates & Co. are re-issued in London, and many have
been translated into other languages. Mr. Ellis is a writer
of varied accomplishments, and, in addition to his stories, is
the author of historical works, of a number of pieces of pop-
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’S POPULAR JUVENILES.
ular music and has made several valuable inventions. Mr.
Ellis is in the prime of his mental and physical powers, and
great as have been the merits of his past achievements, there
is reason to look for more brilliant productions from his pen
in the near future.
DEERFOOT SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLs. $3.00
Hunters of the Ozark. The Last War Trail.
Camp in the Mountains.
LOG CABIN SERIES.
3 vols. By Epwarp S. ELLis. $3.00
Lost Trail, Footprints in the Forest.
Camp-Fire and Wigwam.
BOY PIONEER SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00
Ned in the Block-House. Ned on the River,
Ned in the Woods.
THE NORTHWEST SERIES.
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A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage.
BOONE AND KENTON SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00
Shod with Silence. In the Days of the Pioneers,
Phantom of the River.
IRON HEART, WAR CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS.
I vol, By EDWARD §S. ELLs. $1.00:
| THE NEW DEERFOOT SERIES,
3 vols. By Epwarp §. Eis. $3.00
Deerfoot in the Forest. Deerfoot on the Prairie.
Deerfoot in the Mountains.
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO’S POPULAR JUVENILES.
x COLONIAL SERIES,
3 vols. By E.S. Ettis.
r2mo. Cloth... . $3 00
x An American King.
x The Cromwell of Virginia.
x The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion,
WAR CHIEF SERIES.
3 vols, By E. S. Exuis.
ramo. Cloth... .............. 2 06
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Blazing Arrow,
Red Eagle,
TRUE GRIT SERIES,
3 vols. By E.S. Ex.is.
ramo. Cloth. ............84846 3 00
Jim and Joe.
Dorsey, the Young Inventor.
secret of Coffin Island.
UP AND DOING SERIES,
3 vols. By .S. Ettis.
r2mo. Cloth, ... ........., eee 2 25
Limber Lew. A Hunt on Snowshoes.
The Cruise of the Fire fly.
FOREIGN ADVENTURE SERIES,
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r2mo. Cloth... ...........4.. 3 00
Lost in the Forbidden Land.
River and Jungle.
The Hunt of the White Elephant.
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’§ POPULAR JUVENILES.
HARRY CASTLEMON.
HOW I CAME TO WRITE MY FIRST BOOK,
WHEN I was sixteen years old I belonged to a composi«
tion class. It was our custom to go on the recitation seat
every day with clean slates, and we were allowed ten min-
utes to write seventy words on any subject the teacher
thought suited to our capacity. One day he gave out ‘‘What
a Man Would See if He Went to Greenland.’’? My heart was
in the matter, and before the ten minutes were up I had one
side of my slate filled. The teacher listened to the reading
of our compositions, and when they were all over he simply
said: “Some of you will make your living by writing one
of these days.†That gave me something to ponder upon.
I did not say so out loud, but I knew that my composition
was as good as the best of them. By the way, there was
another thing that came in my way just then. I was read-
ing at that time one of Mayne Reid’s works which I had
drawn from the library, and I pondered upon it as much as
I did upon what the teacher said to me. In introducing
Swartboy to his readers he made use of this expression :
“No visible change was observable in Swartboy’s counte-
nance.†Now, it occurred to me that if a man of his educa-
tion could make such a blunder as that and still write a
book, I ought to be able to do it, too. I went home that very
day and began a story, ‘‘The Old Guide’s Narrative,†which
was sent to the Mew York Weekly, and came back, respect-
iully declined. It was written on both sides of the sheets
but I didn’t know that this was against the rules, Nothing
abashed, I began another, and receiving some instruction,
from a friend of mine who was aclerk in a book store, I
“wrote it on only one side of the paper. But mind you, he
didn’t know what I was doing. Nobody knew it: but one
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’s POPULAR JUVENILES,
day, after a hard Saturday’s work—the other boys had been
out skating on the brick-pond—I shyly broached the subject
to my mother. I felt the need of some sympathy. She
listened in amazement, and then said: “Why, do you think
you could write a book like that?’ That settled the matter,
and from that day no one knew what I was up to until I sent
the first four volumes of Gunboat Series to my father. Was
it work? Well, yes; it was hard work, but each week I had
the satisfaction of seeing the manuscript grow until the
“Young Naturalist†was all complete.
| —fHarry Castlemon in the Writer,
GUNBOAT SERIES.
6 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON, $6.00
Frank the Young Naturalist. Frank before Vicksburg.
Frank on a Gunboat. Frank on the Lower Mississippi.
Frank in the Woods. Frank on the Prairie.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.
3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00
Frank Among the Rancheros.. Frank in the Mountains,
Frank at Don Carlos’ Rancho.
SPORTSMAN’S CLUB SERIES.
3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. £3.75
The Sportsman’s Club in the Saddle. The Sportsman’s Club
The Sportsman’s Club Afloat. Among the Trappers.
FRANK NELSON SERIES.
3 vols. By HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.75
‘Snowed up. Frank in the Forecastle. The Boy Traders.
BOY TRAPPER SERIES.
3 vols. By Harry CASTLEMON. $3.00
The Buried Treasure. The Boy Trapper. The Mail Carrier,
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO0.’8 POPULAR JUVENILES,
ROUGHING IF SERIES.
3 vols, By Harry CastLEMon. $3.00
George in Camp. George at the Fort.
George at the Wheel.
ROD AND GUN SERIES.
3 vols, By Harry CASTLEMON, £3.00
Don Gordon’s Shooting Box. The Young Wild Fowlers.
Rod and Gun Club.
GO-AHEAD SERIES.
3 vols, By Harry CASTLEMON. , _ $3.00
Tom Newcombe. Go-Ahead. No Moss,
WAR SERIES.
6 vols. By Harry CASTLEMON, $6.00
True to His Colors. Marcy the Blockade-Runner,
Rodney the Partisan. | Marcy the Refugee.
Rodney the Overseer, Sailor Jack the Trader,
HOUSEBOAT SERIES.
_ 3 vols. By Harry CASsTLEMON, $3.00
The Houseboat Boys. The Mystery of Lost River Cafion,
The Young Game Warden.
AFLOAT AND ASHORE SERIES.
3 vols, By HaRgry CASTLEMON. £3.00
Rebellion in Dixie. A Sailor in Spite of Himself,
The Ten-Ton Cutter.
THE PONY EXPRESS SERIES.
3 vols, By Harry CASTLEMON. $3.00
The Pony Express Rider. The White Beaver.
Carl, the Trailer.
THY JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’S POPULAR JUVENILES.
EDWARD S. ELLIS.
EDWARD S. ELLs, the popular writer of boys’ books, is
a native of Ohio, where he was born somewhat more than a
half-century ago. His father was a famous hunter and rifle
shot, and it was doubtless his exploits and those of his asso-
ciates, with their tales of adventure which gave the son his
taste for the breezy backwoods and for depicting the stirring
life of the early settlers on the frontier. |
Mr. Ellis began writing at an early ageand his work was
-acceptable from the first. His parents removed to New
Jersey while he was a boy and he was graduated from the
State Normal School and became a member of the faculty
while still in his teens. He was afterward principal of the
‘Trenton High School, a trustee and then superintendent of
schools. By that time his services as a writer had become
so pronounced that he gave his entire attention to literature.
He was an exceptionally successful teacher and wrote a num-
ber of text-books for schools, all of which met with high
favor. For these and his historical productions, Princeton
College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
} The high moral character, the clean, manly tendencies
and the admirable literary style of Mr. Ellis’ stories have
made him as popular on the other side of the Atlantic as in
this country. A leading paper remarked some time since,
that no mother need hesitate to place in the hands of her boy
any book written by Mr. Ellis. They are found in the lead-
ing Sunday-school libraries, where, as may well be believed,
they are in wide demand and do much good by their sound,
wholesome lessons which render them as acceptable to parents
as to their children. Allof his books published by Henry
T. Coates & Co. are re-issued in London, and many have
been translated into other languages. Mr. Ellis is a writer
of varied accomplishments, and, in addition to his stories, is
the author of historical works, of a number of pieces of pop-
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’S POPULAR JUVENILES.
ular music and has made several valuable inventions. Mr.
Ellis is in the prime of his mental and physical powers, and
great as have been the merits of his past achievements, there
is reason to look for more brilliant productions from his pen
in the near future,
DEERFOOT SERIES.
3 vols. By Epwarp S. ELuis. $3.00
Hunters of the Ozark. The Last War Trail.
Camp in the Mountains.
LOG CABIN SERIES.
3, vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00
Lost Trail. Footprints in the Forest.
Camp-Fire and Wigwam.
BOY PIONEER SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. £3.00
Ned in the Block-House. Ned on the River,
Ned in the Woods.
THE NORTHWEST SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIs. $3.00
Two Boys in Wyoming. Cowmen and Rustlers.
A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage.
BOONE AND KENTON SERIES.
3 vols. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. £3.00
Shod with Silence. In the Days of the Pioneers,
Phantom of the River.
IRON HEART, WAR CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS.
I vol, By EDWARD S. ELLis. $1.00
THE NEW DEERFOOT SERIES.
3 vols. — By Epwarp S. ELLs. $3.00
Deerfoot in the Forest. Deerfoot on the Prairie,
Deerfoot in the Mountains.
Te ee A ee eae a
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