THE MINING SHARES--CONCLUSION.
In less than half an hour Andy reached the garret room, and Matt told
his partner his story. Andy was introduced to Mr. Lincoln as a friend
who could be trusted in all things, and although the weak-minded man
was suspicious of all strangers, he made no demonstration against his
son's companion.
"I wish to take him to some quiet place, where he can have the best of
medical attention," said Matt to Andy. "Do you think you can find such
a place? I do not dare to leave him yet."
"I will do my best," returned Andy.
He went off in search of the right place, and in an hour came back,
accompanied by a pleasant man fifty or sixty years of age, whom he
introduced as Dr. Zabrinsky.
"The doctor will take your father into his own home," he said. "He has
two patients suffering from mental troubles and makes a specialty of
such things. He will do his best."
Matt was pleased by the medical man's appearance, and after some
little conversation, a carriage was called, and Mr. Lincoln was
removed, accompanied by Matt, to the doctor's private sanitarium. Andy
was left behind to go over Mr. Lincoln's meager effects and bring away
anything of value.
At the doctor's home the almost helpless man was made as comfortable
as possible. He was inclined to become excited over what had happened,
but the doctor administered an opiate, and he soon after sank into a
gentle slumber.
When Andy reached the house some time later his face betoken that he
had something of unusual interest to tell. He bore a package of papers
in his hand, and these he handed over to Matt.
"I found then stuck in the mattress," he said. "They are papers in
reference to the mining shares your father purchased from Randolph
Fenton. From what you have told me, I believe Fenton swindled your
father. As soon as your father is well enough to be left I would send
for that Mr. Gaston and have the matter looked up."
Matt examined the papers with keen interest. He became satisfied that
Andy was right, and determined to act upon his suggestions.
Dr. Zabrinsky was true to his word. He did all that was possible for
the sufferer, and between his medical skill and Matt's watchful care,
Mr. Lincoln recovered rapidly. Once in a great while his mind would
take on a flighty turn, but Matt was watchful and always calmed him
down, and at the end of six months the man whose mind had been so
strangely affected was as rational and well as ever.
Long before this time Matt made a trip to New York and called upon Ida
Bartlett at her new place of business. They had a long conversation
concerning Randolph Fenton and his methods of selling stocks and
shares.
At the end of this talk Matt made inquiries concerning Mr. Gaston's
whereabouts. He learned that the former clerk was in Bridgeport,
Connecticut, and telegraphed that he wished to see him without delay.
On the following Friday morning Mr. Gaston presented himself at the
hotel at which Matt was stopping.
The young auctioneer went over his entire story and produced the
papers which had been in his father's possession. He promised Gaston a
liberal reward should they succeed in forcing Randolph Fenton to make
proper restitution for a transaction that was undoubtedly criminal
upon its face.
The old book-keeper at once consented to do what he could. He called
in a lawyer of thorough experience, and several affidavits were made
out, and a search made for Mr. Lincoln's rightful shares, for the
ones Randolph Fenton had assigned to him had been some of a similar
name but of far less value. Then all hands marched down to the
broker's office.
Randolph Fenton was somewhat surprised to see Matt, and he turned
slightly pale when Gaston confronted him, accompanied by the lawyer
and another man he knew was a private detective.
Without preliminaries, the lawyer explained the object of the visit.
As he proceeded the broker grew paler and paler, and he clutched the
arms of his chair nervously.
"You--you are mistaken!" he finally gasped out. "That transaction was
perfectly legitimate. This is a plot on the part of that man and that
boy to ruin my reputation!"
"It is no plot, Mr. Fenton," put in Matt. "For my poor father's sake
as well as my own, I ask for justice; that is all. Your actions
unbalanced my father's mind, and if I wanted to be hard-hearted I
would not rest until you were behind the prison bars."
"Stuff and nonsense! This is all a put-up job----"
"Don't get excited, Mr. Fenton," said the lawyer pointedly. "The boy
is letting you down very easily, to my way of thinking."
"Tut-tut! I won't listen to a word! I want you all to leave this
office and stop this farce!"
"If we have to leave without satisfaction you will go with Mr.
Briarly, the detective," cried Matt. "Now you can take your choice. I
am no longer your office boy, and you cannot twist me around your
finger."
These words filled Randolph Fenton with rage. He wanted to abuse
everybody within hearing, but both the lawyer and the detective cut
him short by threatening him with immediate arrest. Finally he asked
for time in which to consider the case.
This was granted, but after they left Matt instructed the detective to
keep a close watch on the man, fearful that Fenton, who, according to
Mr. Gaston's statement, was in bad favor in a number of places, would
convert what securities he held into cash and leave for parts
unknown.
It was well that Matt did this, for on the following night the
detective captured the broker just as the latter was boarding a train
at the Grand Central depot. He had a satchel full of money with him,
and in his card case was found a railroad ticket for Montreal, Canada.
Randolph Fenton was placed under arrest, and then all of his many
misdeeds were thoroughly investigated and exposed.
Out of the wreckage the swindling broker had left behind him Matt was
able to secure three-fourths of the rightful shares of mining stock
for his father. These shares had gone up in value and were found to be
worth close on to fifty-eight thousand dollars. To Matt, who, in his
wanderings around, had learned the true value of money, it seemed a
fortune.
"You won't want any more of the auction business," said Andy. "You
will have your hands full taking care of that money and your father."
"Yes, I guess my days as a young auctioneer are over," returned Matt.
"I want to get a better education if possible, and thus fit myself for
something higher in life."
"What about your share in the business? I can't buy it out just yet."
"I have talked it over with father, Andy, and I have decided to make
you a present of it. You deserve it, for ever since we met you have
been a real brother to me. Make what you can out of the business, and
if you ever get in a tight corner don't hesitate to come to me, and I
will do what I can for you."
Andy demurred at Matt's generosity, but was finally persuaded to
accept the gift. He settled in Middletown for the winter and did very
well. In the spring he started on his travels again, and by fall had
made enough to open a good-sized picture and art store in New York
City on Fourteenth street. He still runs the store and is making money
fast, much to the disgust of Caleb Gulligan, who grows poorer each
year.
After Matt left the auction business he settled down with his father
in a quiet home on the Hudson River, not many miles above the great
metropolis. He took care of his father until the next autumn, when Mr.
Lincoln felt sufficiently recovered to go into business, and purchased
the controlling interest in a large flour and feed establishment. The
business is very prosperous. Ida Bartlett is stenographer and
confidential clerk to the firm, and has a well-paying position, which
will remain open for her so long as the kind-hearted young woman cares
to occupy it. Matt did not fail to keep his former determination to
give her a handsome Christmas present, and the two are likely to be
life-long friends.
As for Matt himself, he has just finished a course at Columbia
College, and next month will become the junior partner in a promising
young law firm. Let us wish him every success, for the honest and
fearless lad who was once the Young Auctioneer deserves it.
THE END.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Note:
Illustrations have been moved closer to their relevant paragraphs.
Author's archaic and variable spelling and hyphenation is
preserved.
Author's punctuation style is preserved.
Passages in italics indicated by _underscores_.
Passages in bold indicated by =equal signs=.
Typographical problems have been changed and are listed below.
Transcriber's Changes:
Page 70: Was 'cabman' (several =cabmen= were busy getting out their
horses and cabs)
Page 168: Was 'auctioneeer' (This the young =auctioneer= did without
hesitation.)
Page 173: Was 'telergaph' (and he started for the =telegraph= office
without delay.)
Page 196: Was 'parter' (as Andy came in he grasped his =partner= by
the shoulder.)
Page 286: Was 'was was' (Matt was surprised at this statement, and
he =was= also alarmed.)