Events now began to move rapidly for our two heroes, thus left to their
own resources, and at an age when they were not very well fitted to
battle with the world. And they were all the more unfitted on account of
the life they had previously led.
They had always been well supplied with money, and they had never had to
worry about where the next meal was coming from, nor to consider what
they should wear. They gave orders to their tailor for suits, and their
uncle, as a generous father might have done, footed the bills. It was
the same way with their college expenses.
"But I guess this is the end of college," remarked Frank, as he and his
brother were each packing a small valise.
"It looks like it," Ned agreed. "Yet, maybe it will do us good to shift
for ourselves."
"I'm not worrying about it," was the response of the other. "We have the
best part of the summer before us and something will surely turn up
before then. Besides, we'll get work in New York, I'm sure of that."
"I guess so," asserted Ned, with the easy assurance of happy, healthy
youth.
The boys had carried out the plan so hastily decided on. They had
consulted with their friend, the lawyer, and he had advised it. They had
also written to their uncle and received a reply. He advised them not to
lose all hope of some day getting back their fortunes, but he admitted
that the outlook was not at all bright.
"Matters down in that South American republic are more and more
complicated," he wrote. "They are accusing me of all sorts of things,
such as stirring up revolutions, and supplying arms to the enemies of
the government. I tell you this so you will be able to discount any
stories you may read of me.
"I think your plan of going to New York, and trying for work is a good
one. Certainly there will be more opportunities than in Ipswhich. But
take good care of yourselves. I can do nothing for you, and I can only
say, over and over again, how much I regret investing your money as I
did, with my own. But at the time, it seemed perfectly safe, and it
would have been but for treachery. I was betrayed, and if I could get
the evidence I could prove it, and regain our money. But that is too
much to hope."
"Yes, I suppose so," sighed Frank.
Following the receipt of this letter the two boys sold their motor boat,
and with the money thus received, and with a small supply they had on
hand, they laid their plans.
The dear old house was closed, save for one room where the legal officer
in possession remained, "camping out," as he expressed it. He was to
stay until the property was sold for the benefit of those who claimed
damages from Mr. Arden. But the sale could not take place for some time,
as there were law technicalities to be observed.
The servants left, bidding good-bye to the lads. And there were tears in
the eyes of good Mrs. Brun, as well as in the eyes of Ned and Frank, as
she said farewell.
Their best possessions, which could not legally be included in the
seizure, the boys stored with friends in town. Then they selected the
most useful of their clothes, and packed them in valises for the trip to
New York.
"We've got enough to live on for a few weeks, while looking for work,"
said Frank, as he looked at the roll of bills which meant so much to
them now.
"That is if we don't try to live very high," agreed Ned, with a smile.
"No expensive hotels or taxicab rides for us."
"Not much!"
So one warm June morning Frank and Ned set out for the station of the
Long Island Railroad, and took a train for the metropolis.
"Some change in our prospects from what we looked forward to a couple of
weeks ago," remarked Ned, as he settled in his seat.
"That's right. I'm going to miss that motor boat a whole lot; aren't
you?" Frank asked.
"Don't speak of it," and Ned's voice was a trifle husky. "Remember how
we were out in that storm?"
"I should say so! That's the day uncle got the bad news."
"Yes. And that's the day we saw the battleship plowing along the big
waves, and had an idea we might get on one. Well, I guess that idea has
gone overboard and is in Davy Jones' locker by this time."
"Oh, I don't know," said Frank, with a somewhat mysterious air.
"What do you mean?" asked Ned, quickly, as the train gathered speed.
"Tell you later," his brother responded. "I've got an idea in my head,
that isn't altogether worked out."
"Well, don't crowd yourself too hard," and Ned laughed.
Really, they were in better spirits than they ever hoped to be after
they had heard the bad news. But youthful spirits are very elastic, and
easily bound back after being depressed. Which is a very good thing.
Ned and Frank were familiar with New York, as they spent a great part of
their time there when college was in session. So it was no novelty to
them to enter the metropolis. Their thoughts were busy with various
matters as the train speeded along over the flat and not very
interesting Long Island plains.
At Jamaica an electric locomotive replaced the steam one, and they were
soon shooting along through the East River tunnel, swallowing rapidly to
overcome the pressure on the ear drums caused by the low level and the
air compression in the big tube.
"Well, I'm glad that's over," Frank said, as they ran into the big
Pennsylvania Station at Seventh Avenue and Thirty-third Street.
"In little old New York once more!" remarked Ned. "What's the first
thing on the programme, captain? I'm going to let you lead this
expedition as long as you behave yourself."
"Oh, I'll do that," promised Frank. "I should say the first thing was to
look for a stopping place, and then get some dinner. It will soon be
noon."
"I'm with you. Oh, say, while we're at it, let's pay a visit to the
aquarium at Battery Park. I was reading about some new big fish from
Bermuda they've just put in the tanks, and I want to see them."
"We'll have plenty of time to see the sights of New York; don't fret
yourself about that," said his brother, with a laugh. "We aren't going
to get jobs right away, unless this turns out more of a fairy story than
any I've read."
"I'm not worrying," was the answer. "But come on, let's take in the
aquarium."
"All right. But first let's check our grips in the station. No use
carting them around with us," said Frank.
This done, they took an elevated train for lower New York, and soon were
at the entrance to the aquarium, which is located in old Castle Garden,
once the landing place of immigrants, before the Ellis Island station
was established.