THE STORM.
That evening Matt and Andy were kept busy until nearly eleven o'clock
selling goods to people that came from the circus. They put up nearly
every kind of article on their shelves, and only about half the stock
remained unsold when they finally closed and locked the doors.
"That circus was a windfall to us!" exclaimed Andy. "We would not have
done half as well had it not been in town."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to follow up the circus," suggested
Matt. "That seems to draw out the people more than anything else I
know of."
"We will follow the circus as much as we can, Matt. But there is one
thing I must do first."
"And what is that?"
"Take the first train back to New York in the morning and buy more
goods. Some of our best sellers are entirely gone."
"Then go by all means," returned Matt quickly.
"But can you get along alone?"
"I guess so. If I can't I'll lock up till you get back."
"All right, then. Now let us go over the stock and I'll make out a
list of what's wanted."
"Let us figure up what we have made," returned Matt quickly, for he
was anxious to know what the exact amount would be.
"Very well; I would like to know myself."
On a sheet of paper they had kept a record of every article sold, with
the price. Opposite these, Andy, who was more familiar with their cost
than Matt, placed the amount of profit on each. Then with his partner
leaning over his shoulder, he added the column up.
"Thirty-one dollars and a quarter!" exclaimed Matt, as he surveyed the
result of Andy's calculations. "Did we really make as much as that?"
"We did. Of course we must take out our personal expenses and Billy's
keep. That amounts to four dollars and a quarter nearly."
"That still leaves twenty-seven dollars for one day's work. At this
rate we'll get rich fast."
"We must not expect such luck every day, Matt. Remember, to-day was
circus day. We will have rainy days, and days spent in traveling,
during which we will not take in anything, while our expenses go on
just the same."
"But it's a good thing we didn't have that kind of a start, Andy. We
would have been 'busted' otherwise."
"You are right there," returned Andy.
By seven o'clock on the following morning he was on the way to New
York, leaving Matt to open the store alone. This the young auctioneer
did, and as trade was very quiet, Matt spent the time in cleaning up
such goods as had been handled, and tidying up generally.
Compared with the day before, the street was almost deserted, but
during the noon hour, when people were going to and coming from
dinner, Matt managed to start up a sale which lasted until nearly two
o'clock, and by which he disposed of over three dollars' worth of
goods at a good profit.
It was nearly seven o'clock when Andy returned. He had rushed matters
in New York, but had bought several bargains, especially one in
imitation cut glassware, which, when it arrived the next day, made a
pretty showing in the window.
They remained in Plainfield two days longer, and then loaded their
wagon once more and started on the road. They made brief stops at
Bound Brook and Somerville, doing fairly well at both places, and
then, just ten days after leaving the city, struck Flemington.
At this latter place they again came across Menville's circus, and as
a consequence did a big day's business. They intended to leave
Flemington on the day following, but after talking the matter over
decided to remain until the following Monday.
"On Monday morning you can strike across the country for High Bridge
alone, if you will," said Andy. "I can take another trip to New York,
and buy more goods and have them shipped direct to that place, or else
on to Phillipsburg, which shall be our last stopping place in New
Jersey."
To this Matt agreed, and on Saturday night all was made ready for an
early morning start on Monday. Sunday was a quiet day for both,
although they attended divine services, and took a long walk among the
farms outside of the town proper.
"By creation! but it looks like a storm," exclaimed Andy, on Monday
morning, as he jumped out of bed and aroused Matt.
"Well, if it rains we will have to make the most of it, I suppose,"
returned the boy philosophically. "It's a pity we haven't any
umbrellas to sell!"
"There! I'll put them on the list at once!" cried Andy, with a laugh.
"I declare, Matt, you are getting to be more of a business man every
day."
"If I am it's because I have such a good partner for a teacher,
Andy."
"Oh, nonsense," returned the young man, but nevertheless considerably
pleased to learn that Matt appreciated his efforts. "You are as bright
as any one on the road."
When they went down to the dining-room of the hotel at which they were
stopping it certainly did look like rain. Yet there was a brisk breeze
blowing, and several expressed themselves as certain that it would
pass around to the north of them.
Less than half an hour later Andy was on his way to the depot to catch
a train, and Matt hurried to the stable where Billy and the wagon
were.
"I'll get to High Bridge just as soon as I can," he said to himself.
"I have no desire to be caught in a thunder-storm on a strange country
road."
"You may get a bit wet, but that's all," remarked the stable-keeper,
as he saw the boy glance at the heavy clouds scurrying across the sky.
"That there storm, if it comes, which is doubtful, won't last half an
hour."
With this reassurance, if such it could be called, Matt saw to it that
all was in good condition, and sprang upon the seat. He had made
careful inquiries concerning the road, so that he might not go
astray--a thing easy to do in most parts of the country--and in a
short space of time he was out of the town and on the turnpike.
Had it been a pleasant day the boy would have enjoyed that drive
thoroughly, for it was through a most beautiful section of the
country. On both sides of the road were broad fields, dotted here and
there with patches of woods and bushes. Several brooks were also
crossed, and at one of these he stopped for a few minutes to watch a
trio of boys fishing.
But then the sky seemed to grow darker suddenly, and somewhat alarmed,
Matt whipped up Billy. The wind died out utterly, and the air grew
close and sultry.
"That means a heavy thunder-storm and nothing less," thought Matt. "I
wish I was near the journey's end instead of only about half through
with it."
Presently came a sudden and quite unexpected rush of wind, and a
second later a heavy dash of rain, which drove almost into the boy's
face.
Matt at once stopped driving, and adjusted the rubber blanket in front
of his seat. This was no easy job, for the wind kept increasing in
violence. He had barely completed the work when there came a crash of
thunder, and then the rain came down harder than ever.
"I wish I could find some shelter," he muttered to himself. "I would
willingly pay to be allowed to drive into some barn until this was
over. I hope none of the stock gets wet."
Matt tried to peer about him, but he could not see far, owing to the
sheets of rain which fell all around.
"We'll have to stick to the road until something comes in sight,
Billy," he said, addressing the shivering horse. "Get up old boy, and
step lively."
Thus addressed, the animal started on once more. But the rain
prevented him going as fast as before. The ground was very heavy, and
the road in spots was covered with water which had not time to run
off, so heavy was the downpour.
Presently they came to where the road ran through a heavy bit of
timber. Here it was almost as dark as night, and the branches of the
trees, laden with water, hung down so low that many swept the wagon as
the turn-out went by.
"Ugh! I wish we were out of this!" muttered Matt, as he tried in vain
to pierce the gloom ahead. "You must find the road, Billy, for I can't
see it----"
[Illustration: A PERILOUS DRIVE. Y. A.]
A terrific crash of thunder drowned out the last words. Billy sprang
forward in alarm, and away went the wagon over rocks and decaying
tree trunks.
"Whoa!" shouted Matt. "Whoa, Billy, whoa! You have left the road, old
boy! Whoa!"
But now a blinding flash of lightning lit up the scene, and then came
another crash of thunder, even louder than before. Billy reared up,
and then came down with a leap. On the instant he was off, like a
rocket, over bushes, logs and rocks, dragging the swaying and creaking
wagon after him!