Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 655 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

—.4 --- —~ | ee belong, but allin vain. If sucha person exists he is beyond the reach of the cautious inquiry which J have made. ‘* You will ask what these papers mean. I cannot tell you. ButIThavemysuspicions. Simon Slink has other business thanthat of note-broker and speculator. Heis Presidentofthe Royal Insurance and Trust Company. This company receives in trust the to rae | of orphans and others. It holds many unsettled estates. I have some reason to think that, as president, he has handled trust funds for hisownuse. He hasalways been lucky enough to be able to return the moneyin time. But here isa case where the heir seems to have disappeared, or where he has been disposed of, The trust re- mains in the hands of the company. ButSimon Slink holds nearly all the stock of the company, and it is my firm belief that he has stolen this un- claimed estate, and sought to destroy the papers. ‘*Sol judge his actions, If I could but find Ed- ward Homer, and put him on thetrack of his proper- ty, [would have revenge at last for the cruel way in which this man has treated me. If I die unure- venged, I leave it to you to keep up the search, The robper of the widow and orphan and the op- pressor of the poor, cannot forever triumph in his villainy. Providence will some day bring retribu- tion on his head. JACOB WILTON,’’ The mother and son sat looking atone another with distended eyes. ** Mercy on me!” exclaimed the good lady, ‘* He intended to give us this,” said Roger re- flectively. ‘*‘ He died suddenly, you know, and was long insensible.” ‘‘ That is true,” answered his mother, ‘* And think, Roger, the secret might never have been discovered if Simon Slink had not flung out this desk so hard as to split it open. It looks as if Providence was already at work.” ** In trying to oppress and insult the widow, he may have ruined himself,” rejoined Roger, solemuly. ‘‘I will take up the task in which father failed. I have now my father, my mother and myself to revenge on Simon Slink.” ‘* Beware, myson. Heis a dangerous foe.” ‘So am I, when I get started. And I reckon old Slink will find that out before I am done with him,” CHAPTER VI. A BARGAIN IN SHIRTS AND OYSTERS. ** SEE here, Wilton, you’re a chap that’s alive fora bargain. Now I’m going to give youa prime chance to make a‘stake.’ These words were yy by a prominent shirt manufacturer to Roger, who had stepped into his establishment to fill some orders. ‘‘T’m open for chances,” answered the boy speculator, briskly. ‘‘Say the word. If there ne cash init, anditis not too heavy, ’m your ad.” ** Look at that pile of goods. You know what they are,for you have sold them. I want to close out the lot. I am about to make a change in the collar, and want to get rid of my old stock. You can have them ata bargain.” Roger was already examining the shirts, with an experienced eye. ‘* How many are there?” ‘¢ A hundred dozen. Take the lot, and I will close them out for six dollars the dozen.” “Six hundred dollars!” cried Roger, with a loud whistle. ‘‘ You mustthink I am made of money. I'll take ten dozen at that figure.” **No you won’t. I won’t sell a shirt less than the lot at that price. It don’t more than pay me for the linen, but I want to get rid of them.” Roger looked at them with wistful eyes. He knew that he could retail them like hot cakes at a dollar apiece. He sighed as he turned away. : ‘Wish I could,” he remarked sadly, “But I haven’t the cash.” The manufacturer looked at him earnestly, ‘‘ Took here, Wilton,” heexclaimed. ‘* Yoy’re astraight and an honorable fellow, and I like you. Pay me one hundred dollars down and the goods are yours. You can leave them here as security for the balance, and pay as you sel] them. I wouldn’t do that for everybody, but I want to give you a show.” Roger stood reflecting. It was a big chance, but his total capital amounted to thirty dollars. His thoughts turned to Mr. Burnaud. Would he lend him the balance? “Tt is the bold that win,” he said to himself. **] will try it.” He turned to the manufacturer with a reso- lute face. ‘“‘Make out the bill,” he said. ‘‘ Receipt it for one hundred on account, I will be back in an hour.” ‘*Tf you don’t come?” ‘‘Then the sale is off,” declared Roger. “JT will give you two,” rejoined the good- natured manufacturer, ‘‘ You have tbe refusal #¢ the goods tél] three e’cleck,” Plucky Pa ‘*Thank you.” Roger wasoff like aflash. There was no time now for words. Hecould double his money on the goods, and then sell them below the retail market price. With a strongly-beating heart and an excited brain he hurried at all speed to Mr. Burnaud’s | store. To his utter alarm he was told that that gentleman was out,and would not be in for two hours. Roger turned away with a face so fallen and woebegone that the confidential clerk, to whom he had been speaking, stopped him. ‘* What is the matter, my boy?’ he asked,.in akindly tone. ‘“‘Is anything wrong? Perhaps I can help you.” ‘* No, sir,”answered Roger. ‘‘The fact is, I wanted to borrow some money from Mr, Bur- naud. I will have to do without it.” ‘* But he may be back in two hours.” ‘* That will be too late.” His tone was so sorrowful that the clerk felt pity for him. ‘*Ts there nowhere else you can raise it?” he asked. ‘‘I am afraid Mr. Burnaud could not help you to-day. Money is very tight, and he is out on a collecting tour.” ‘It was only a little speculation,” answered Roger. ‘‘I will have to giveitup. Good-day, sir. I will stop in again.. He may be back in time.” He bowed himself out of the office, sadly dis- appointed. It was the first serious set-back he had yet had in his business career, But thetouch of the fresh out-door air brought back some of Roger’s old hopeful spirit. ‘*‘ A chap can’t lose what he never had,” he said to himself. ‘‘ It’s one chance gone, but there are plenty others. Guess I'll drop in somewhere and get my dinner. Mr. Burnaud aa be back by that time.” he restaurant in which he stopped was one that did a very large oyster business. It was noted, indeed, as keeping the best oysters in town, and was a favorite place of resort for lovers of the bivalves. He found the tables well filled on entering and pushed his way back, not being in the moo just then for company. He succeeded in finding a table without guests in an inconvenient corner of the saloon, close to a thin board partition that shut off the rear of- fices from the main body of the room. Calling for a simple dinner he devoted him- self to its enjoyment, and strove to drive from his mind all memory of his business disappoint- ment. As he sat there, he heard various sounds from behind the partition, to which he was so close as almost to touch it, A person seemed to be eating his dinner on the other side of the partition, not three feet dis- tant from Roger. After several minutes the boy heard another person enter, and seat himself. A conversation at once commenced,in a low tone, yet every word audible to the involuntary listener. ‘*The Mary Ann is in,” he heard. ‘‘ Jones has jist telephoned me, She is drawing into dock, and will be tied up tothe wharf in ten minutes. You had best strike down at once, Joe. It is the first load of Farmer's Bay primes ee in the market, and we must secure the whole ot, ** At what figure?” asked Joe, who seemed to be busily eating. ‘‘Six dollars may bring them, if you are wide-awake and take the whole cargo in a lump. But pay seven rather than lose them.” ‘¢ Seven is the limit?” ‘‘Yes, What we don’t need ourselves we can put on the market at seven-fifty.” ‘¢ And what is the limit in number?” ‘‘Take the whole cargo. Up to fifty thou- sand.” ‘Allright. Where is the boat?” — ‘‘ At Prince street wharf. Captain Collins. Hurry up, Joe. Every minute counts. You don’t want that dumpling.” ‘*Tt’s queer if | don't Never wind up’ my dinner without a dumpling. But that won't take me long. Cash is the word, I suppose.” ‘* Yes, If Le asksit.” ’ Not a word of this conversation had escaped Roger’s ears. As it went on he ceased eating, and devoted himself to listening. He grew more and more excited. A host of thoughts crowded into his mind. “Tl do it,” he said, resolutely, ‘ Boldness wins. A man can’t make a fortune if he is afraid of a risk.” In a moment he was up and making his way to the counter, where he paid for his frugal dinner. While doing so he kept an eye on the | | j ul, the Boy Speculator. | 7 ge rear end of the saloon, He wads hoping that Joe would take his time in swallowing that dumpling. Just as he was turning away two men came through a door in the partition. One of them was hatless. The other, a red-whiskered and red-faced man, was wiping his mouth with his hand, and putting on his hat, ‘*That’s Joe,” said Roger to himself. ‘‘ Glad | saw him. But every minute counts now. Joe’s death on putting down dumplings, Pll vouch for that.” He hurried from the saloon. It had been his intention to hasten to the Elevated Railroad: but the sight of a passing cab changed his ideas. He hailed the cabman. ‘*'Take me to Prince street wharf at double speed,” he said. ‘‘Make the distance in ten minutes, and I’ll pay you a dollar.” ‘*Say fifteen,” answered the cabman, ‘‘ It can’t be done in less.” ‘‘Allright. But do your prettiest.” The next minute the carriage was driving rapidly forward. It was the first time in his life that Roger had been in a private vehicle, and he lay back against the cushions with great satisfaction. But he was too anxious to fully enjoy his ride, A minute more or less might spoil all the brilliant plans which were running through his active young mind. ‘*Stir up,” he cried to the driver. ‘* You’ve got to earn that dollar, or you wan’t get It.” The cab went on at a mad pace, dashing around corners, and whirling through cross streets. Yet the promised fifteen minutes seem- ed to the eager boy to stretch out to an hour. Finally it drew up with a sudden jerk. ‘* Here you are,” cried the cabman. ** You are behind time,” answered Roger sour- ly, as he jumped out, ‘Not muchI am, I am two minutes ahead of time.” He consulted his watch. ** Here’s your money, then, You needn’t wait. I'l) foot it back.” Roger hurried on to the wharf. ‘**T’ve got to earn that dollar back, anyhow,” he said to himself. There were a number cf vessels moored to the wharf, but to these he paid no attention, his eyes being directed vo a small, sloop-rigged craft, that apparently had just drawn in, for one of its crew was lazily taking an extra turn of a hawser around a wharf post. Without an instant’s hesitation Roger leaped to the deck of the vessel. His feet slipped on the soiled and slimy boards, but he quickly re- covered his footing. ' ‘*Ts this the Mary Ann, Captain Collins?’ he asked of one of the crew. ‘6 Vos, ” “Where is the captain?” ‘*Abaft there. hat man with the sou’- wester,” Roger hastened to the man thus pointed out. le was a rough-faced, weather-beaten speci- men. He looked up inquiringly as Roger ap- proached. ‘*Got a full cargo, Cap?” asked the boy,in a business-like tone. ‘‘Yes. Farmer’s Bays. Prime stock, too. Don’t know you. Are you in the oyster line?’ ‘You bet! I’m on the buy, dead sure. How many have you?” ‘** Bout fifty thousand, I reckon.” ** What do you want for them?” ** What will you give?” “* Six dollars.” ‘You can’t have them.” ‘That settles it. If you can get more, tell me, ’ Roger sprung to the wharf. ‘*Don’t be in such a confounded hurry,” growled the captain. ‘‘I tell you they’re worth more,” ‘*Maybe. Tell you what, Cap, I'll take the whole cargo, and pay cash, That’s not a bad offer, and you know it. You can unload and be off again for the beds by night, Say the word, yes or no.” The captain looked at the boy and then at the deck. He took off his tarpaulinand scratch- ed his head reflectively. He was evidently ina deep quandary. ‘Yes or no. Sharp,” cried Roger, briskly. ‘You've got my best offer. And time’s mighty short with me just now.” It was short indeed, for he had caught a glimpse of a red-whiskered man advancing from ‘the next wharf. Calm as the boy seemed he was devoured by anxiety. is You are rascalfy Spry,” grumbled the Cp: tain. * aa: 5, pose—” Wha » tea