The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 20 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ARGOSY Hosmer Mr Ivers had always seen the advantage of carrying himself with as good a grace as possible. A change of manner was apparent as soon as Mr. Ivers took pos- session of the estate, and Dr. Hope found thorns growing rapidly along the path that hitherto had fairly bloomed with roses. He always bore himself, however, with that gentle dignity and sweetness of -man- ner which invariably characterized him, and that had much to do with winning the respect and affection of his pupils. As an instructor and asa disciplinarian he was equally successful. The whole welfare of the academy centered in him, while his universal popularity made itself apparent at all times. One glance around the reception room on this bright January morn- ing would have sufficed to verify Perry Landon's statement that the boys were always glad to pet back to the academy, At the head of the apartment stood Dr. Hope, the center of a gay group, his genial face beaming with smiles of welcome, and his hands extended in turn to the various new arrivals. In a few moments the preetings were over, and Dr. Hope for the first time noticed the young stranger standing alone in the middle of the room, his hat and valise in his hand, Dr. Hope’s face sobered a moment as he stepped forward and in- quired : ‘* Have you business with me, sir?” Inmediately the group grew silent, while all turned and stared curi- ously at the newcomer. Somewhat cdisconcerted, the latter answered, ‘* Yes, sir; at least I suppose so—I came to join the school —” ‘School !" echoed the aristocratic youth of the omnibus, in a con- temptuous undertone, This confused the stranger still more. ‘*T mean the—the academy—lI heard you had a vacancy and “What is your name, please 2?’ asked Dr. Hope, in atone which indicated that he was beyvinning to understand. ‘* Brad.” was the laconic answer. * Rrad 2?" said Dr. Hope, looking puzzled. Yes, sir, Brad—that’s what I’ve always been called. name is Brad Mattoon. [ havea letter here from Mr. Parker of New York. Vhat will explain everything.” Dropping his valise with a thump on the floor, he ran his hand into his hat, and, drawing a crumpled envelope from under the lining, stepped forward and presented it to Dr. Hope. At mention of the young stranger's name and sight of the letter, Dr. H ope’s face litup. Cordially extending his hand, he said : “Oh, [know you now, Mr. Parker wrote me about you last week. Tam heartily glad you've made up your mind to come, and we'll see if we can't make it so pleasant that you will want to stay with us.” Then, turning to the rest, Dr. Hope continued : ‘* Boys, this is our new student, Bradley Mattoon, at home at once. Samuel, send for Mrs. Hollis.” A small hall boy in: uniform) and brass buttons, and with bright, keen eves as sharp as a terrier’s, hurried out into the hall and returned na few minutes with Mrs. Hollis, the housekeeper. ‘Where is your baggage ?”’ she asked. Brad pointed to the valise on the floor, ‘Ts that all?” and Mrs. Hollis'’s eyes grew big. +B ] My whole Make him feel "Well, have a big box in New York, but it holds nothing but knickkuacks and curiosities, All my clothes are in the valise.” Mrs. Hollis looked at Brad for a moment with an expression of comical hopelessness. ‘Well, bring it along and V'll show you your room," she said, turn- ing to lead the way. | ‘* When you have disposed of your things, Bradley," said Dr. Hope, ‘*come to me and we'll have a chance to grow better acquainted. You wilt find me in the library, the left hand rear room on this floor." With a nod and a smile Dr. Hope left Brad, who immediately picked up his valise and followed the old lady. CHAPTER III. A DISAGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. WO boys stood just beside the doorway as Brad passed out into . the hall. They were engaged in a conversation of which it was quite evident from their glances that he was the subject. He did not notice this, however, and was passing on, when one of them said, in sneering tones that were plainly intended to be overheard : \ ‘ | ’ 1 ‘ to make in the last six years. 307 ‘* Well, what are we coming to! He a new student in the Hosmer Select Academy ! I thought he was to be a janitor oz something of that sort.” ‘‘ No great mistake, to judge by his looks,” answered his companion, and both boys snickered. Krad turned like a flash and faced them. One of them he recognized as the flashily attired young man of the om- nibus ; the other was a fit mate for him in face and dress. ‘* See here, my hearties,” exclaimed Brad bluntly, ‘‘ I may not be so well rigged out as some others, but I have been in the habit of judging gentlemen by their language and manners, not their clothes, and——” ‘* What do you mean by that ?” interrupted one of the boys angrily. ‘*T mean this—that I’ve a great mind to make you play janitor and carry my valise up stairs, for your impertinence,” said Brad firmly, but with no great show of anger. There was something in his look and tone that checked their laughter and changed their expression of con- tempt into one of ill will, There was silence on both sides for a few seconds. ‘“Humph !” muttered Brad to himself, ‘this is a bad beginning, after promising Mr. Parker to try to behave myself. I won't make more trouble,” and he turned abruptly on his heel and followed Mrs. Hollis up stairs. She led him along the upper hallway to the door of one of the sleep- ing apartments, which stood open. There she paused. ‘This is your room,” she said. ‘* You are to share it with Mr. Landon, There are ten bedrooms in the Hall, and each room is occu- pied by two young men.” Brad stepped inside and !ooked around with considerable satisfaction at the cozy apartment, where everything was neat and clean. The sunshine poured in through two curtained windows and lit up the va- ridus articles of bric-a-brac and furniture that filled the room, the most prominent of the Jatter being two polished brass bedsteads that stood against the opposite wall. On the floor was a trunk half unpacked. ‘Mr. Landon has been here, and will probably be back in a few mo- ments. He will help to get vou settled,” said Mrs. Hollis. ‘That won't be much trouble,” answered Brad, as he put down his vailse. Mrs. Hollis surveyed him from head to foot. “And so that’s all the baggage yeu bring, Well, well, it’s plain you've never beea to school, as the doctor said. You'll have many things to gret.”’ ‘All right,” said Brad cheerfully. ‘* Pll send to Mr. Parker for some money tomorrow and get everything that is needed.” “Whois Mr. Parker 2?” asked the old lady. ‘An old, old friend who looks after my fortune for me,” answered Brad with a laugh. ‘* By that I mean all the savings [ have been able ] have always banked with him. It hasn’t been enough to make him uneasy.” ‘Mr. Mattoon, I like your looks,” said the old lady frankly; “but you are precious little like the run of young men we have here.” ‘Yes, Pm afraid I'm a strange fish in this tank,” rejoined Rrad, as he thonghe of his encounter in the lower hall. Oh, you will get over that feeling soon enough, and grow to like us all,” said Mrs. Hollis kindly. ‘Who were those young men at the door down stairs, as we came out of the reception room 2?" asked Brad. “One of them was Mr. Brayton Arkell. He comes from Philadel- phia, and belongs to a very wealthy family. The other was Mr. Sidney Ivers, the son of Mr. Gordon Ivers, who now owns the Hosmer estate. Why do you ask?” The tones of the old lady indicated that she half suspected what had occurred. “Well, [ don’t think it is likely I shall fall in love with either of them, that's all,” answered Brad. ‘Don't make enemies unnecessarily—they come fast enough,” said Mrs. Hollis sagely. ‘* Now I'll be off to look up Mr. Landon for you. If you ever want my help at any time, you will usually find mein the room at the head ot the hall on the next floor.” Picking up a crumpled towel from a chair near by, the old lady went out, and Brad was left alone in his new quarters. Well,” he saia to himself, as he walked to the window and looked out, ‘‘ I may like this place mighty well after all—nice house, nice, big grounds—a fair sized lake over there—probably good sailing in the spring. Plenty of company, and, I dare say, most of the lads are easy to get along with, in spite of the poor samples I started in with down Stairs. Yes, [ shouldn't wonder if | made up my mind to stay.” Brad was silent a moment; then he broke into a short laugh. comiclooolkks (CO