Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune, Jr. Horatio Alger [free ebook reader .txt] 📗
- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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“What is your price?”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars for the whole mine!”
“That is twelve thousand five hundred for mine,” said Herbert, his cheek flushing with the excitement he felt.
“You've figured it out right, my lad,” said his partner.
“That would leave me twelve thousand after I have paid up Mr. Melville for the sum I paid in the beginning.”
“Right again, my lad.”
“Why, Jack!” exclaimed Herbert. “Do you know what that means? It means that I should be rich—that my mother could move into a nicer house, that we could live at ease for the rest of our lives.”
“Would twelve thousand dollars do all that?”
“No; but it would give me a fund that would establish me in business, and relieve me of all anxiety. Jack, it's too bright to be real.”
“We may not be able to sell the mine at that figure, Herbert. Don't let us count our chickens before they are hatched, or we may be disappointed. I'm as willin' to keep the mine as to sell it.”
“Jack, here is Mr. Compton coming,” said Herbert.
The capitalist paused, and addressing Herbert, said:
“Have you anything to do with the mine, my lad?”
“I am half owner,” answered Herbert, promptly, and not without pride.
“Who is the other half owner?”
“Mr. Holden,” answered Herbert, pointing out Jack.
“May I examine the mine?”
“You are quite welcome to, sir.”
Possibly the fact that this mine alone had not been pressed upon him for purchase, predisposed Mr. Compton to regard it with favor. Every facility was offered him, and Jack Holden, who thoroughly understood his business, gave him the necessary explanations.
After an hour spent in the examination, Mr. Compton came to business.
“Is the mine for sale?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“What is your price?”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”
“Is that your lowest price?”
“It is.”
Jack Holden wasted no words in praising the mine, and this produced a favorable impression on the capitalist with whom he was dealing.
“I'll take it,” he answered.
“Then it's a bargain.”
Herbert found it difficult to realize that these few words had made him a rich boy. He remained silent, but in his heart he was deeply thankful, not so much for himself, as because he knew that he was now able to rejoice his mother's heart, and relieve her from all pecuniary cares or anxieties.
“You've made a good bargain, sir, if I do say it,” said Jack Holden. “For my own part, I wasn't so particular about selling the mine, but my young partner here is differently placed, and the money will come handy to him.”
“You are rather young for a mine owner,” said Mr. Compton, regarding Herbert with some curiosity.
“Yes, sir; I believe I am the youngest mine owner here.”
“Are you a resident of this State?”
“Only temporarily, sir. I came here with a friend whose lungs are weak.”
“You expect to return to the East soon?”
“Yes, sir.”
“When you do, come to see me. I am a commission merchant in Boston. If it is your intention to follow a business life, I may be able to find you a place.”
“Thank you, sir; I should like nothing better.”
“To-morrow,” said Mr. Compton, “I will come here and complete the purchase.”
“Jack,” said Herbert, when the new purchaser of the mine had left them, “there is no work for us here. Come with me, and let us together tell Mr. Melville the good news.”
“A good thought, my lad!”
So the two mounted their horses, and left Deer Creek behind them. They little suspected how sorely they were needed.
CHAPTER XXXVII. TO THE RESCUE.
Herbert and his companion drew near the forest cabin, which had been the home of the former, without a suspicion that George Melville was in such dire peril. The boy was, indeed, thinking of him, but it was rather of the satisfaction his employer would feel at his good fortune.
“Somehow I feel in a great hurry to get there, Jack,” said Herbert. “I shall enjoy telling Mr. Melville of my good luck.”
“He's a fine chap, that Melville,” said Jack Holden, meaning no disrespect by this unceremonious fashion of speech.
“That he is! He's the best friend I ever had, Jack,” returned Herbert, warmly.
“It's a pity he's ailing.”
“Oh, he's much stronger than he was when he came out here. All the unfavorable symptoms have disappeared.”
“Maybe he'll outgrow it. I had an uncle that was given up to die of consumption, when he was about Melville's age, and he died only last year at the age of seventy-five.”
“That must have been slow consumption, Jack,” said Herbert, smiling. “If Mr. Melville can live as long as that, I think neither he nor his friends will have reason to complain.”
“Is he so rich, lad?”
“I don't know how rich, but I know he has plenty of money. How much power a rich man has,” said Herbert, musingly. “Now, Mr. Melville has changed my whole life for me. When I first met him I was working for three dollars a week. Now I am worth twelve thousand dollars!”
Herbert repeated this with a beaming face. The good news had not lost the freshness of novelty. There was so much that he could do now that he was comparatively rich. To do Herbert justice, it was not of himself principally that he thought. It was sweet to reflect that he could bring peace, and joy, and independence to his mother. After all, it is the happiness we confer that brings us the truest enjoyment. The selfish man who eats and drinks and lodges like a prince, but is unwilling to share his abundance with others, knows not what he loses. Even boys and girls may try the experiment for themselves, for one
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