Alger Horatio Jr.
Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck
CHAPTER XVII
RANDOLPH IS MYSTIFIED
In an hour, Luke, with the little girl under his charge, was on his way to the depot, accompanied by Mr. Reed, who paid for their tickets, and bade them good-bye, promising to communicate with Luke.
Rosa Reed was a bright little girl of about eight years of age. She made no opposition to going with Luke, but put her hand confidently in his, and expressed much pleasure at the prospect of living in the country. She had been under the care of two maiden ladies, the Misses Graham, who had no love for children, and had merely accepted the charge on account of the liberal terms paid them by the father. They seemed displeased at the withdrawal of Rosa, and clearly signified this by their cold, stiff reception of Mr. Reed and Luke.
"The old girls don't like to part with Rosa," he said, with a smile, as they emerged into the street.
"Are you sorry to leave them, Rosa?" he inquired.
"No; they ain't a bit pleasant," answered the little girl, decidedly.
"Were they strict with you?" asked Luke.
"Yes; they were always saying, 'Little girls should be seen and not heard!' They didn't want me to make a bit of noise, and wouldn't let me have any little girls in to play with me. Are there any little girls at your home?"
"No, but there are some living near by, and they will come to see you."
"That will be nice," said Rosa, with satisfaction.
Directions were left to have the little girl's trunk go to Groveton by express, and, therefore, Luke was encumbered only by a small satchel belonging to his new charge.
Of the details of the journey it is unnecessary to speak. The two young travelers arrived at Groveton, and, as it chanced, reached Luke's cottage without attracting much observation. The door was opened by the widow, whose kind manner at once won the favor of the child.
"I like you much better than Miss Graham," she said, with childish frankness.
"I am glad of that, my child," said Mrs. Larkin. "I will try to make this a pleasant home for you."
"I like Luke, too," said Rosa.
"Really, Rosa, you make me blush," said Luke. "I am not used to hearing young ladies say they like me."
"I think he is a good boy," said Rosa, reflectively. "Isn't he, Mrs. Larkin?"
"I think so, my dear," said the widow, smiling.
"Then I suppose I shall have to behave like one," said Luke.
"Do you think I have improved in appearance, mother?"
"I noticed your new suit at once, Luke."
"I have another in this bundle, mother; and that isn't all. Do you see this watch? I sha'n't mourn the loss of the Waterbury any longer."
"Mr. Reed is certainly proving a kind friend, Luke. We have much reason to be grateful."
"He has also provided me with employment for a time, mother."
And then Luke told his mother about the copying he had engaged to do.
It is hardy necessary to say that the heart of the widow was unfeignedly thankful for the favorable change in their fortunes, and she did not omit to give thanks to Providence for raising up so kind and serviceable a friend.
About the middle of the afternoon Luke made his appearance in the village street. Though I hope my readers will not suspect him of being a dude, he certainly did enjoy the consciousness of being well dressed. He hoped he should meet Randolph, anticipating the surprise and disappointment of the latter at the evidence of his prosperity.
When Luke was arrested, Randolph rejoiced as only a mean and spiteful boy would be capable of doing at the humiliation and anticipated disgrace of a boy whom he disliked. He had indulged in more than one expression of triumph, and sought every opportunity of discussing the subject, to the disgust of all fair-minded persons. Even Sam Noble protested, though a toady of Randolph.
"Look here, Randolph," he said, "I don't like Luke overmuch, and I know he doesn't like me, but I don't believe he's a thief, and I am sorry he is in trouble."
"Then you are no friend of mine," said Randolph, looking black.
"Oh, I say, Randolph, you know better than that. Haven't I always stood up for you, and done whatever you wanted me to?"
"If you were my friend you wouldn't stand up for Luke."
"I am not a friend of his, and I am a friend of yours, but I don't want him to go to prison."
"I do, if he deserves it."
"I don't believe he does deserve it."
"That is what I complain of in you."
"The fact is, Randolph, you expect too much. If you want to break friendship, all right."
Randolph was amazed at this unexpected independence on the part of one whom he regarded as his bond slave; but, being hardly prepared to part with him, especially as his other follower, Tom Harper, had partially thrown off his allegiance, thought it prudent to be satisfied with Sam's expressions of loyalty, even if they did not go as far as he wished.
Randolph missed Luke at school on the day after the trial. Of course, he had no idea that our hero was out of school, and hastily concluded that on account of his trial he was ashamed to show himself.
"I don't wonder he doesn't want to show himself," he remarked to Tom Harper.
"Why not? He has been acquitted."
"Never mind. He has been under arrest, and may yet be guilty in spite of his acquittal. Have you seen him to-day?"
"No."
"Probably he is hiding at home. Well, it shows some sort of shame."
On his way home from school Randolph was destined to be surprised. Not far from his own house he met Luke, arrayed in his new suit, with a chain that looked like gold crossing his waistcoat. Instead of looking confused and ashamed, Luke looked uncommonly bright and cheerful.
Randolph was amazed. What could it all mean? He had intended not to notice Luke, but to pass him with a scornful smile, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"Why were you not at school to-day?" he asked, abruptly.
Luke smiled.
"I didn't think you would miss me, Randolph."
"I didn't, but wondered at your absence."
"I was detained by business. I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you there to-morrow."
"Humph! You seem to have invested in a new suit."
"Yes; my old suit was getting decidedly shabby, as you kindly remarked at Florence Grant's party."
"Where did you get them?"
"In New York."
"In New York!" repeated Randolph, in surprise. "When did you go there?"
"This morning. It was that which detained me from school."
"I see you've got a new watch-chain, too."
Randolph emphasized the word "chain" satirically, being under the impression that no watch was attached.
"Yes; you may like to see my new watch." And Luke, with pardonable triumph, produced his new watch, which was a stem-winder, whereas Randolph's was only a key-winder.
Randolph condescended to take the watch in his hands and examine it.
"Where was this bought?" he asked.
"At Benedict's."
"You seem to have plenty of money," he said, with unpleasant significance.
"I should like more."
"Only you are rather imprudent in making such extensive purchases so soon after your trial."
"What do you mean?" demanded Luke quickly.
"What should I mean? It is evident that you robbed the bank, after all. I shall tell my father, and you may find your trouble is not over."
"Look here, Randolph Duncan!" said Luke sternly, "I look upon that as an insult, and I don't mean to be insulted. I am no more a thief than you are, and that you know."
"Do you mean to charge me with being a thief?" fumed Randolph.
"No; I only say you are as much a thief as I am. If you repeat your insult, I shall be obliged to knock you down."
"You impudent loafer!" screamed Randolph. "You'll be sorry for this.
I'll have you arrested over again."
"I have no doubt you would if you had the power. I sha'n't lie awake nights thinking of it. If you have nothing more to say I will leave you."
Randolph did not reply, probably because he was at a loss what to say, but went home angry and mystified. Where could Luke have got his watch and new suit? He asked himself this many times, but no possible explanation suggested itself.
Scarcely had Luke parted with Randolph when he met his friend Linton, who surveyed Luke's improved appearance with pleasure and surprise.
"I say, Luke, are you setting up for a dude?"
"I thought a little of it," answered Luke, with a smile—and then he explained the cause of his good fortune. "I have only one regret," he added, "Randolph seems to be grieved over it. He liked me better in my old suit. Besides, I have a new watch, and it turns out to be better than his."
Here he displayed his new silver watch. Linton felt a generous pleasure in Luke's luck, and it may truly be said rejoiced more at it than he would at any piece of good fortune to himself.
"By the way, Luke," he said, "I am going to give a party next Thursday evening, and I give you the very first invitation. It is my birthday, you know."
"I accept with pleasure, sir. I look upon you as my warmest friend, and as long as I retain your friendship I shall not care for Randolph's malice."
CHAPTER XVIII
MR. DUNCAN'S SECRET
About two weeks later, Prince Duncan sat at his desk with a troubled look. Open before him were letters. One was post-marked London, and ran as follows:
"MY DEAR SIR: I have decided to shorten my visit, and shall leave Liverpool next Saturday en route for New York. You will see, therefore, that I shall arrive nearly as soon as the letter I am now writing. I have decided to withdraw the box of securities I deposited in your bank, and shall place it in a safe-deposit vault in New York. You may expect to see me shortly.
"Yours in haste,
"JOHN ARMSTRONG."
Drops of perspiration gathered on the brow of Prince Duncan as he read this letter. What would Mr. Armstrong say when he learned that the box had mysteriously disappeared? That he would be thoroughly indignant, and make it very unpleasant for the president of Groveton Bank, was certain. He would ask, among other things, why Mr. Duncan had not informed him of the loss by cable, and no satisfactory explanation could be given. He would ask, furthermore, why detectives had not been employed to ferret out the mystery, and here again no satisfactory explanation could be given. Prince Duncan knew very well that he had a reason, but it was not one that could be disclosed.
He next read the second letter, and his trouble was not diminished. It was from a Wall Street broker, informing him that the Erie shares bought for him on a margin had gone down two points, and it would be necessary for him to deposit additional margin, or be sold out.
"Why did I ever invest in Erie?" thought Duncan ruefully. "I was confidently assured that it would go up—that it must go up—and here it is falling, and Heaven knows how much lower it will go."
At this point the door opened, and Randolph entered. He had a special favor to ask. He had already given his father several hints that he would like a gold watch, being quite dissatisfied with his silver watch now that Luke Larkin possessed one superior to his. He had chosen a very unfavorable moment for his request, as he soon found out.
"Father," he said, "I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?" asked Prince Duncan, with a frown.
"I wish you would buy me a gold watch."
"Oh, you do!" sneered his father. "I was under the impression that you had two watches already."
"So I have, but one is a Waterbury, and the other a cheap silver one."
"Well, they keep time, don't they?"
"Yes."
"Then what more do you want?"
"Luke Larkin has a silver watch better than mine—a stem-winder."
"Suppose he has?"
"I don't want a working boy like him to outshine me."
"Where did he get his watch?"
"I don't know; he won't tell. Will you buy me a gold one, father?
Then I can look down upon him again."
"No, I can't. Money is very scarce with me just now."
"Then I don't want to wear a watch at all," said Randolph pettishly.
"Suit yourself," said his father coldly. "Now you may leave the room. I am busy."
Randolph left the room. He would have slammed the door behind him, but he knew his father's temper, and he did not dare to do so.
"What am I to do?" Prince Duncan asked himself anxiously. "I must send money to the brokers, or they will sell me out, and I shall meet with a heavy loss."
After a little thought he wrote a letter enclosing a check, but dated it two days ahead.
"They will think it a mistake," he thought, "and it will give me time to turn around. Now for money to meet the check when it arrives."
Prince Duncan went up-stairs, and, locking the door of his chamber, opened a large trunk in one corner of the room. From under a pile of clothing he took out a tin box, and with hands that trembled with excitement he extracted therefrom a dozen government bonds. One was for ten thousand dollars, one for five, and the remainder were for one thousand dollars each.
"If they were only sold, and the money deposited in the bank to my credit," he thought. "I am almost sorry I started in this thing. The risk is very great, but—but I must have money."
At this moment some one tried the door.
Prince Duncan turned pale, and the bonds nearly fell from his hands.
"Who's there?" he asked.
"It is I, papa," answered Randolph.
"Then you may go down-stairs again," answered his father angrily.
"I don't want to be disturbed."
"Won't you open the door a minute? I just want to ask a question."
"No, I won't. Clear out!" exclaimed the bank president angrily.
"What a frightful temper father has!" thought the discomfited Randolph.
There was nothing for it but to go down-stairs, and he did so in a very discontented frame of mind.
"It seems to me that something is going contrary," said Duncan to himself. "It is clear that it won't do to keep these bonds here any longer. I must take them to New York to-morrow—and raise money on them."
On second thought, to-morrow he decided only to take the five-thousand-dollar bond, and five of the one thousand, fearing that too large a sale at one time might excite suspicion.
Carefully selecting the bonds referred to, he put them away in a capacious pocket, and, locking the trunk, went down-stairs again.
"There is still time to take the eleven-o'clock train," he said, consulting his watch. "I must do it."
Seeking his wife, he informed her that he would take the next train for New York.
"Isn't this rather sudden?" she asked, in surprise.
"A little, perhaps, but I have a small matter of business to attend to. Besides, I think the trip will do me good. I am not feeling quite as well as usual."
"I believe I will go, too," said Mrs. Duncan unexpectedly. "I want to make some purchases at Stewart's."
This suggestion was very far from agreeable to her husband.
"Really—I am"—he said, "I must disappoint you. My time will be wholly taken up by matters of business, and I can't go with you."
"You don't need to. I can take care of myself, and we can meet at the depot at four o'clock."
"Besides, I can't supply you with any money for shopping."
"I have enough. I might have liked a little more, but I can make it do."
"Perhaps it will look better if we go in company," thought Prince Duncan. "She needn't be in my way, for we can part at the station."
"Very well, Jane," he said quietly. "If you won't expect me to dance attendance upon you, I withdraw my objections."
The eleven-o'clock train for New York had among its passengers Mr. and Mrs. Duncan.
There was another passenger whom neither of them noticed—a small, insignificant-looking man—who occasionally directed a quick glance at the portly bank president.
CHAPTER XIX
EFFECTING A LOAN
Prince Duncan was unusually taciturn during the railroad journey—so much so that his wife noticed it, and inquired the reason.
"Business, my dear," answered the bank president. "I am rather perplexed by a matter of business."
"Business connected with the bank, Mr. Duncan?" asked his wife.
"No, private business."
"Have you heard anything yet of the stolen bonds?"
"Not yet."
"Have you any suspicion?"
"None that I am at liberty to mention," answered Duncan, looking mysterious.
"I suppose you no longer suspect that boy Luke?"
"I don't know. The man who owns to having given him the tin box for safe-keeping is, in my opinion, a suspicious character. I shouldn't be at all surprised if he were a jailbird."
The small man already referred to, who occupied a seat just across the aisle, here smiled slightly, but whether at the president's remark, is not clear.
"What did he call himself?"
"Roland Reed—no doubt an alias."
"It seems to me you ought to follow him up, and see if you can't convict him of the theft."
"You may be sure, Jane, that the president and directors of the Groveton Bank will do their duty in this matter," said Mr. Duncan rather grandiloquently. "By the way, I have received this morning a letter from Mr. Armstrong, the owner of the stolen bonds, saying that he will be at home in a few days."
"Does he know of the loss?"
"Not yet."
"How will he take it?"
"Really, Jane, you are very inquisitive this morning. I presume he will be very much annoyed."
The car had become quite warm, and Mr. Duncan, who had hitherto kept on his overcoat, rose to take it off. Unfortunately for him he quite forgot the bonds he had in the inside pocket, and in his careless handling of the coat the package fell upon the floor of the car, one slipping out of the envelope a bond for one thousand dollars.
Prince Duncan turned pale, and stooped to pick up the package. But the small man opposite was too quick for him. He raised the package from the floor, and handing it to the bank president with a polite bow, said, with a smile: "You wouldn't like to lose this, sir."
"No," answered Duncan gruffly, angry with the other for anticipating him, "it was awkward of me."
Mrs. Duncan also saw the bond, and inquired with natural curiosity.
"Do they belong to the bank, Mr. Duncan?"
"No; they are my own."
"I am glad of that. What are you going to do with them?"
"Hush! It is dangerous to speak of them here. Some one might hear, and I might be followed. I am very much annoyed that they have been seen at all."
This closed Mrs. Duncan's mouth, but she resolved to make further inquiries when they were by themselves.
Prince Duncan looked askance at his opposite neighbor. He was a man who had come to Groveton recently, and had opened a billiard saloon and bar not far from the bank. He was not regarded as a very desirable citizen, and had already excited the anxiety of parents by luring into the saloon some of the boys and young men of the village. Among them, though Squire Duncan did not know it, was his own son Randolph, who had already developed quite a fondness for playing pool, and even occasionally patronized the bar. This, had he known it, would have explained Randolph's increased applications for money.
Whether Tony Denton—his full name was Anthony Denton—had any special object in visiting New York, I am unable to state. At all events it appeared that his business lay in the same direction as that of Prince Duncan, for on the arrival of the train at the New York depot, he followed the bank president at a safe distance, and was clearly bent upon keeping him in view.
Mr. Duncan walked slowly, and appeared to be plunged in anxious thought. His difficulties were by no means over. He had the bonds to dispose of, and he feared the large amount might occasion suspicion. They were coupon bonds, and bore no name or other evidence of ownership. Yet the mere fact of having such a large amount might occasion awkward inquiries.
"Here's yer mornin' papers!" called a negro newsboy, thrusting his bundle in front of the country banker.
"Give me a Herald," said Mr. Duncan. Opening the paper, his eye ran hastily over the columns. It lighted up as he saw a particular advertisement.
"The very thing," he said to himself.
This was the advertisement:
"LOAN OFFICE—We are prepared to loan sums to suit, on first-class security, at a fair rate of interest. Call or address Sharp & Ketchum, No. – Wall Street. Third floor."
"I will go there," Prince Duncan suddenly decided. "I will borrow what I can on these bonds, and being merely held on collateral, they will be kept out of the market. At the end of six months, say, I will redeem them, or order them sold, and collect the balance, minus the interest."
Having arrived at this conclusion, he quickened his pace, his expression became more cheerful, and he turned his steps toward Wall Street.
"What did the old fellow see in the paper?" thought Tony. Denton, who, still undiscovered, followed Mr. Duncan closely. "It is something that pleased him, evidently."
He beckoned the same newsboy, bought a Herald also, and turning to that part of the paper on which the banker's eyes had been resting, discovered Sharp & Ketchum's advertisement.
"That's it, I'll bet a hat," he decided. "He is going to raise money on the bonds. I'll follow him."
When Duncan turned into Wall Street, Tony Denton felt that he had guessed correctly. He was convinced when the bank president paused before the number indicated in the advertisement.
"It won't do for me to follow him in," he said to himself, "nor will it be necessary—I can remember the place and turn it to my own account by and by."
Prince Duncan went up-stairs, and paused before a door on which was inscribed:
SHARP & KETCHUM
BANKERS
LOANS NEGOTIATED
He opened the door, and found the room furnished in the style of a private banking-office.
"Is Mr. Sharp or Mr. Ketchum in?" he inquired of a sharp-faced young clerk, the son, as it turned out, of the senior partner.
"Yes, sir, Mr. Sharp is in."
"Is he at leisure? I wish to see him on business."
"Go in there, sir," said the clerk, pointing to a small private room in the corner of the office. Following the directions, Mr. Duncan found himself in the presence of a man of about fifty, with a hatchet face, much puckered with wrinkles, and a very foxy expression.
"I am Mr. Sharp," he said, in answer to an inquiry.
Prince Duncan unfolded his business. He wished to borrow eight or nine thousand dollars on ten thousand dollars' worth of United States Government bonds.
"Why don't you sell at once?" asked Sharp keenly.
"Because I wish, for special reasons, to redeem these identical bonds, say six months hence."
"They are your own?" asked Mr. Sharp.
"They are a part of my wife's estate, of which I have control. I do not, however, wish her to know that I have raised money on them," answered Duncan, with a smooth falsehood.
"Of course, that makes a difference. However, I will loan you seven thousand dollars, and you will give me your note for seven thousand five hundred, at the usual interest, with permission to sell the bonds at the end of six months if the note remains unpaid then, I to hand you the balance."
Prince Duncan protested against these terms as exorbitant, but was finally obliged to accede to them. On the whole, he was fairly satisfied. The check would relieve him from all his embarrassments and give him a large surplus.
"So far so good!" said Tony Denton, as he saw Mr. Duncan emerge into the street. "If I am not greatly mistaken this will prove a lucky morning for me."
