Try and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy, Jr. Horatio Alger [me reader .TXT] 📗
- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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David Marston obeyed, and in a few words as possible unfolded the story. It is not necessary to repeat it here. Enough that it fully substantiated the charge which Ralph had brought against his early guardian.
When he had finished, Ralph said, “You can judge what weight Marston's testimony would have before a court of justice, and whether it would help your commercial standing to have his story made public.”
“What is it you want of me?” said Mr. Stanton, sullenly.
“I want restitution, dollar for dollar, of my lost money. I will waive interest, though I might justly claim it. But, were it all paid, interest and principal, the wrong would not be redressed. You cannot restore the bride who would have been mine but for your villainy.”
“How much time will you give me to pay this money?” asked the merchant, moodily.
“Ten days.”
“It is a short time.”
“It must suffice. Do you agree?”
“I must.”
“Bind yourself to that, and for ten days I leave you free.”
Satisfactory security was given that the engagement would be met, and Ralph Pendleton left the counting-room. But his countenance was scarcely more cheerful than that of the man he had conquered.
“I am rich,” he said to himself; “but of what avail is it? Whom can I benefit with my wealth?”
This thought had scarcely crossed his mind when he came face to face with Herbert, walking with a sad and downcast face in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER XXXIII A FRIEND IN NEED
Herbert left Mr. Godfrey's counting-room very much depressed in spirits. But an hour before he had rejoiced in his excellent prospects, and, depending on the favor of his employer and his own fidelity, had looked forward to a bright future. Now all was changed. He was dismissed from his situation in disgrace, suspected of a mean theft. He had, to be sure, the consciousness of innocence, and that was a great deal. He was not weighed down by the feeling of guilt, at least. Still his prospects were dark. Suppose the matter should not be cleared up, and he should still remain under suspicion? How could he hope to obtain another place without a recommendation from his late employer? No; he must resign all hope of a position and adopt some street occupation, such as selling papers or vending small articles in a basket, as he had seen boys of his own age doing. He did not doubt but that in some way he could get a living, but still he would be under suspicion, and that was hard to bear.
While these things were passing through his mind he walked down Broadway, with his eyes fixed upon the sidewalk. All at once he started to hear his name called, and, looking up, to his unbounded astonishment he saw before him Ralph the Ranger, whom he had supposed a thousand miles away in his cabin in the Ohio woods.
The sight of a friendly face was most welcome to him at such a time, and Ralph's face was friendly.
“Ralph!” he exclaimed, seizing the Ranger's hand. “How did you come here? When did you arrive? You are the last person I expected to see.”
“And you are the one I most wanted to see,” said Ralph, his tone unconsciously softened by his friendly interest in the boy before him.
“I can say the same, Ralph,” said Herbert, soberly, “for I am in trouble.”
“In trouble, boy? I am sorry for that. Is it money? I can get you out of that trouble.”
“It is not that exactly, Ralph. If you will come into the City Hall Park and sit down on a bench with me I will tell you all about it.”
“Instead of that, let us go into the Astor House,” said Ralph. “It is where I am stopping.”
“You are stopping at the Astor House?” said Herbert, in momentary surprise. “Perhaps you do not know that there are cheaper hotels. Shall I direct you to one?”
“No, Herbert, I am not poor, as you perhaps think. I suppose I should be called rich; but that I can explain afterwards. For the present your affairs require attention. Come in.”
They went up the steps of the Astor House, and Ralph led the way to his room, an apartment of good size and handsomely furnished.
“Now, Herbert, take a chair and tell me all,” he said.
To repeat Herbert's story here is unnecessary. Ralph listened with attention, and when it was concluded he said: “The main thing is to account for the money in your possession. Do you think you should remember the policeman who aided you in recovering your money?”
“I am sure I should.”
“Did he know how much money you recovered?”
“Yes, for he saw me count the bills.”
“Then we must seek him out and induce him to go with us to Mr. Godfrey's counting-room and give his testimony.”
“I never thought of that,” said Herbert, his face brightening. “When shall we go?”
“Now. I have nothing else to occupy me, and the sooner you are righted the better.”
They went out together, and made their way at once to the spot where Herbert had encountered Greenleaf. They had to wait but a brief time when the policeman came up.
“Do you remember me?” asked Herbert, going up to him.
“Yes,” he replied; “you are the boy that overhauled a thief the other day, and got back his money.”
“You see, he remembers,” said Herbert, with satisfaction.
“My friend,” said Ralph, “when will you be off duty?”
“In half an hour,” said the policeman, in surprise.
“In half an hour, then, I want you to go with me to this boys employer and repeat your story. The possession of the money has caused him to be suspected, and your evidence, confirming his own, will clear him of having obtained it improperly.”
“I will go,” said the officer, “and shall be glad to get him out of a scrape. It was all fair and above-board, and I'll say so cheerfully.”
At the end of the half hour the three made their way to Mr. Godfrey's place of business and entered together.
Mr. Godfrey marked their entrance with surprise, and looked inquiringly at Herbert.
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