THE RECKONING.
The news of the happening of the last few days flew rapidly, as news
good and bad usually does. The papers in Springfield devoted columns
with flaring headlines, to the developments of affairs which effected
so many.
“See!” cried pretty Eva Oglesby, running to her father and mother with
the paper in her hand, “Dean has found out the whole cause of the
trouble against him, and caught the wicked persons.
“Tim Downey has confessed to his wrongdoings and confirmed Dean’s
story. Rodney Darringford--only think of it!--was with him in his
crimes. And Colonel Darringford actually hired Tim to burn the _Spray_!
Can you realize that, papa? Tim hired two men to do his nasty work, and
Dean has captured them.”
“A wonderful boy indeed,” said Judge Oglesby, with a smile, for
secretly he felt as glad as his daughter that his favorite had proved
himself of sterling truth and worth.
A few days later the trial of Tim Downey and his associates came on
the docket at Springfield. That is, Daley and Spofford were tried, but
Colonel Darringford and his son had disappeared and they were never
seen in that vicinity again. So they escaped trial by the court, but we
feel certain they had learned a lesson which lasted them through life.
Tim was sent to the reform school and his confederates to the
penitentiary.
In the midst of this trial Marcus Ellison appeared, accompanied by the
woman who had been known as Crazy Meg. Manseur, who was wanted so much,
had been found by Marcus, but he was suffering from a fall and could
not come hither. In fact, he had but a few days to live.
Marcus had found Meg near to the river nearly dead and he had nursed
her back to life. Her reason had returned and her story of the murder
of James Conroyd, with the confession of the man who did it, Manseur,
vindicated Robert Ellison of all charges.
The details of this trial need not be given. It is sufficient to say
that Dean Mercer was shown to be innocent of any wrongdoing and all
charges against him were removed.
At a sale of the effects of the missing Colonel Darringford, Judge
Oglesby bought the steamer _Warrior_, which was then being repaired. He
caused the boat to be given a thorough overhauling and the result was
that Dean Mercer found himself in command of a steamer that did good
service.
Finding that at last they would be accommodated satisfactorily, the
people began to patronize the boat, and it wasn’t long before a second
was needed.
Judge Oglesby had prepared for this and the result was something
marvelous to the inhabitants of Millville. Business immediately
revived; summer tourists came there to spend their vacations, and
traffic of one kind and another immediately sprang up.
Marcus Ellison was given employment and he joined with Dean in the
upbuilding of the Lake Shore Line.
Of course Jack Carboy became the man at the wheel on the _Warrior_,
until he and Captain Mercer were transferred to the new _Spray_, which
is now in the midst of a splendid career.
THE END.
In No. 176 of the ALGER SERIES, entitled “The Young Steel Worker,” by
Frank H. Macdougal, the story of a young self-made man is told in such
an interesting way that all its readers will enjoy it.
The Dealer
who handles the STREET & SMITH NOVELS is a man worth patronizing. The
fact that he does handle our books proves that he has considered the
merits of paper-covered lines, and has decided that the STREET & SMITH
NOVELS are superior to all others.
He has looked into the question of the morality of the paper-covered
book, for instance, and feels that he is perfectly safe in handing one
of our novels to any one, because he has our assurance that nothing
except clean, wholesome literature finds its way into our lines.
Therefore, the STREET & SMITH NOVEL dealer is a careful and wise
tradesman, and it is fair to assume selects the other articles he
has for sale with the same degree of intelligence as he does his
paper-covered books.
Deal with the STREET & SMITH NOVEL dealer.
=STREET & SMITH CORPORATION=
=79 Seventh Avenue= =New York City=
Transcriber’s Notes:
Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Table of contents has been added and placed into the public domain by
the transcriber.