MRS. SAM ROVER--CONCLUSION
"Well, that's good news and I'm mighty glad to hear it."
It was Dick who spoke, three days after the incidents recorded in the
last chapter. Our friends had been staying at the farmhouse of Mr.
Barlow. Blackie Crowden had been turned over to the local authorities,
the oldest Rover making the charge against him. Crowden had pleaded for
mercy, but the boys, while sympathizing with him, had thought it best to
let the law take its course. Chester Waltham and his sister had also
remained at the farmhouse, which fortunately was a large one, so that
the whole party was not particularly crowded for room.
The rescue of the young millionaire from the river had worked wonders,
and he was now heartily ashamed of himself, not only for the way he had
treated Grace but also on account of the instructions he had sent to his
agents in Wall Street.
"You can rest assured, Mr. Rover, that my opposition to your plans in
New York will be withdrawn," he said to Dick. "I am going to telegraph
to my agents as soon as I get a chance. And I want you and your brothers
to understand that I appreciate thoroughly your goodness in coming to my
rescue. It was a splendid thing to do. I am not going to insult you by
offering you any reward--all I can say is that I thank you from the
bottom of my heart." And that evening Chester Waltham and his sister had
taken their departure, stating that the accident at the bridge had ended
their idea of touring farther, and that they were going to take the
first train they could get for the East.
The thing that Dick called "good news" was a long "Night Letter" sent
over the wires by Songbird. The former poet of Brill had received their
message concerning Blackie Crowden, and also Belright Fogg, and had at
once hurried to Ashton and to the hotel on the Cheesley turnpike. There,
in room twenty-two, as mentioned by Crowden, he had found the package
containing the thirty-five hundred dollars. Next he had called on
Belright Fogg and had scared the shyster lawyer so completely that Fogg
had returned the three hundred dollars received from Crowden with
scarcely a protest. Then the happy youth had driven over to the
Sanderson place. The Sandersons had been surprised to see him and
amazed to learn that he had recovered so large a portion of the stolen
money.
"As I had already paid Mr. Sanderson one hundred dollars,"
wrote Songbird, "it made a total of thirty-nine hundred
returned to him, and he told me that I need not bother about
the other hundred. But I paid it just the same, for I had just
been fortunate enough to sell six of my poems--two to a
magazine and four to a weekly paper--for one hundred and sixty
dollars.
"Of course we had a grand time, and Mr. Sanderson has forgiven
everything. He and Minnie think you are mighty smart fellows,
and I agree with them. Minnie and I have fixed matters all up
between us, and we are the happiest couple you ever saw. I
don't know how to thank you enough for what you have done for
me, and all I can add is, God bless you, every one!"
"Good old Songbird!" murmured Sam, as he read the communication a second
time. "I'll wager he feels a hundred per cent. better than he did."
"And to think he sold six of his poems!" commented Tom. "I shouldn't
wonder if he thinks more of that than he does of getting the money
back," he added, somewhat drily.
On the following day came another telegram, this time from Mr. Rover,
stating that the opposition of the Waltham interests in Wall Street had
been suddenly withdrawn. But he added that business matters in the
metropolis were becoming more and more arduous for him, and he asked
when Dick expected to get back.
"I'm afraid it's getting too much for dear, old dad," was Dick's
comment, on perusing this message. "I think the best thing I can do is
to get back and help him."
"Well, if you go back, I think I'll go back myself," said Tom. "Anyway,
this tour seems to have come to a standstill, with so much rain."
"I'm willing to go back if you fellows say so," put in Sam.
"I'll wager he and Grace want to get ready for their wedding," remarked
Tom, slily.
"That's just what we do," returned Sam, boldly. "We're going to be
married early this fall, aren't we, Grace?" and he gazed fondly at the
girl, who nodded, and then turned away to hide her blushes.
But the tour did not come to an end as quickly as might have been
expected. On the day following it was such fair weather that they left
the Barlow farm and started once more on their trip westward. Colorado
Springs was soon gained, and, passing on to Manitou, they left the
automobiles, and took the cog railway to the summit of Pike's Peak.
Then, on the day following, they motored up to Denver.
"We can ship our automobiles home by freight," said Dick, "and by
returning by train we can be back in New York in no time."
A week later found the entire party once more in the East. While Dick
and Tom settled down to help their father at the offices in Wall Street,
the others returned to Valley Brook and to Cedarville, to prepare for
the coming wedding.
"And where is it to be, Sam?" questioned Tom, when the brothers were on
the point of parting.
"Oh, it can only be in one place," was Sam's answer.
"And I guess I know where that is," returned Tom, with a grin.
Both Dick and Tom had been married in the Cedarville Union Church, a
little stone edifice covered with ivy, which was located not a great
distance from the homes of the Lanings and the Stanhopes, and also
Putnam Hall. As before, it was a question if the numerous guests who
were expected to the ceremony would be able to get into the building.
But both Grace and Sam said they would have to make the best of it.
As soon as the wedding invitations were issued, the presents began to
come in, and they were fully as numerous and as costly as had been the
gifts bestowed upon Dora and upon Nellie. From Mr. Rover came, as was to
be expected, a bankbook containing an amount written therein which was
the duplicate of that he had bestowed upon Dick and Dora and likewise
upon Tom and Nellie.
"You can always depend on dad," was Sam's comment, his voice choking a
little. "The best dad anybody ever had!"
"Indeed you are right!" answered the bride-to-be. "And I'm going to love
him just as if he were my own father."
Sam's own present to his bride was a gold wrist-watch set in diamonds
and pearls--a beautiful affair over which the happy girl went wild with
delight.
At last came the eventful day, full of golden sunshine. All of the
Rovers had arrived in Cedarville and were quartered at the hotel. Many
other guests were at the Stanhope homestead and at the Laning farm, and
still others--former cadets--had come back not only to attend the
wedding but also to take another look at dear old Putnam Hall.
Among the old guard who had thus presented themselves were Fred
Garrison, Larry Colby, Bart Conners and Harry Blossom. Among those who
had attended Brill were Stanley Browne, Spud Jackson, Bob Grimes and, of
course, Songbird.
"I'm engaged to Minnie," whispered the latter to the Rovers at the first
opportunity. "We are going to be married just as soon as my income will
permit. And what do you think? I've sold four more poems--got eighty
dollars for them," and his face beamed as they had never seen it shine
before.
"I congratulate you, Songbird," returned Sam, heartily. "I certainly
hope you get to be the best-known poet in the United States."
"Oh, I don't know about that. I am going to buckle down to business. My
uncle thinks I am doing wonderfully well, and he says if I keep on he is
going to give me a substantial increase in salary after the first of the
year. I'm going to write verses just as a side issue."
As at the other weddings, the ceremony was set for high noon. Soon the
guests began to arrive, and before long the old church was crowded to
its capacity, with many standing up in the aisles and in the rear and
even at the side windows, which were wide open.
Captain Putnam, in full uniform and looking a little grayer than ever,
was there, and with him, George Strong, his head assistant, with whom
Sam had always been very friendly. There were also numerous girls there
who had formerly attended Hope Seminary, and of these one was a flower
girl and two were bridesmaids.
Sam's best man was his old Putnam Hall chum, Fred Garrison, while among
the ushers were Songbird, Stanley, Spud, Bob, and some others of his
former classmates.
Presently the organ pealed out and the minister appeared, followed a
moment later by Sam. Then up the aisle came Grace on the arm of Mr.
Laning, and daintily attired in white with a flowing veil beset with
orange blossoms.
"Oh, how pretty she looks!" said more than one; and they spoke the
truth, for Grace certainly made a beautiful bride.
The ceremony was a brief but solemn one, and then, as the organ pealed
out joyously, the happy pair walked forth from the church, to enter an
automobile which whirled them off to the Laning homestead. To that place
they were followed by a great number of invited guests. An elaborate
wedding dinner had been prepared, and an orchestra from the city had
been hired, and all sat down to a feast of good things with music.
"We'll have to give them a send-off--same as they gave me," said Tom to
his brother Dick, while the festivities were at their height. "They'll
be getting ready to go away soon."
"Sure! we'll give them a send-off," returned the oldest brother. "Come
on, let us get busy."
Down at the barns an automobile was in readiness to take Sam and his
bride away on their wedding trip. This car Dick and Tom and a number of
others lost no time in decorating with white streamers and a placard
which read: _We are on our wedding trip. Congratulate us._
"Aren't you going to stay to have a dance?" questioned Nellie of her
sister, a little later.
"Of course," answered Grace; and shortly after that she and Sam tripped
around to the tuneful measures of a two-step. All of the young folks
present joined in, the older folks looking on with much satisfaction.
"I can hardly believe it," declared old Aunt Martha, as she took off her
spectacles to wipe her eyes. "Why, it don't seem no time since Sam was
just a baby!"
The dancing continued for some time but then, of a sudden, came a cry
from Dora:
"Where are Sam and Grace? I don't see them anywhere."
"They are gone! They have given us the slip!"
"No, they've gone upstairs. Wait here, and we'll give them a shower."
The young folks gathered in the hallway and out on the piazza, and a few
minutes later Sam and Grace appeared, both ready for their tour. Then
came a grand shower of rice and confetti, mingled with two or three old
shoes, and in the midst of this the happy, laughing young couple escaped
to the automobile which was now drawn up before the door. The chauffeur
was ready for the start, and in an instant more the machine shot down
the lane and out into the roadway.
"Good-bye! Good-bye and good luck to you!" was the cry.
"Good-bye, everybody!" came back from the touring car, and Sam and Grace
stood up to wave their hands to those left behind. Then the touring car
disappeared around a turn of the road, and they were gone.
* * * * *
And now let me add a few words more and thus bring to a close this long
series of adventures in which the three Rover boys, Dick, Tom, and Sam,
have played such an important part.
A number of years have passed and many changes of importance have
occurred. Mr. Anderson Rover has retired from active participation in
The Rover Company, and Dick is now the president, with Tom secretary and
Sam treasurer. The concern is doing remarkably well and all of the
Rovers are reported to be wealthy. The father has returned to the farm
at Valley Brook, where he lives in peace and comfort with Uncle Randolph
and Aunt Martha, who, despite their years, are still in the best of
health.
A year after Sam's marriage to Grace, Songbird Powell married Minnie
Sanderson. The would-be poet has made quite a business man of himself
and, what perhaps is of even greater pleasure to himself, has had many
of his poems accepted by our leading periodicals.
When Sam was first married he went to live in an apartment close to
those occupied by Dick and Tom, but two years later the three brothers
had a chance to buy a beautiful plot of ground on Riverside Drive,
facing the noble Hudson River, and on this they built three beautiful
houses adjoining one another.
"I guess we are in New York to stay," was the way the oldest brother had
expressed himself, "and if that is so we may as well make ourselves as
comfortable here as possible."
Before the young folks moved into the new homes Dick and Dora were
blessed with a little son, who later on was named John after Mr. John
Laning. Little Jack, as he was always called by the others, was a
wonderfully bright and clever lad and a great source of comfort to his
parents. Later still the young couple had a daughter, whom they named
Martha after Dick's aunt.
Tom and Nellie had twin boys that were speedily christened Andy after
Mr. Anderson Rover, and Randy after Tom's Uncle Randolph. Then Sam came
along with a daughter, who was called Mary after Mrs. Laning and with a
son, whom he called Fred after his old school chum, Fred Garrison.
The young Rover boys had a great many qualities similar to those
displayed by their fathers. Little Jack was as strong and sturdy as Dick
had ever been, and young Fred had many of the peculiarities of Sam,
while Andy and Randy, the twins, were the equal of their father, Tom,
for creating fun.
"I don't know what we're ever going to do with those kids," remarked
Tom, one day, after Andy and Randy had played a big joke on Jack and
Fred. "Some day they'll pull the house down over our ears."
"Well, Andy and Randy are simply chips of the old block," laughed Dick
Rover. "I suppose we'll all have to do as our folks did with us--send
the lads off to some strict boarding school."
"If I ever do send them off, I know where it will be," answered Tom
Rover. "Our old Putnam Hall chum, Larry Colby, has opened a first-class
military academy which he calls Colby Hall. If I ever send them away I
think I'll send them to Larry."
"That wouldn't be a half bad idea," put in Sam Rover. "Larry was always
a first-class fellow and I don't doubt but what he is running a
first-class school."
"Well, those boys are too young yet to leave home," was Dick Rover's
comment. "If they are to go to boarding school that must come later."
A few years after that Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred were sent to Colby
Hall, and it is possible that some day I may tell you of what happened
there to this younger generation of Rovers.
Dick, Tom, and Sam were happy, and with good reason. They had the best
of wives, and children that they dearly loved, and though they worked
hard they were surrounded with every comfort. Every summer, and at
Christmas time, they left New York either for Valley Brook or for
Cedarville, there to receive the warmest of welcomes. Life looked rosy
to all of them, and here we will leave them and say good-bye.
THE END
_This Isn't All!_
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have
made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing their
adventures and experiences, or other books quite as
entertaining by the same author?
On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this
book, you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can
buy at the same store where you got this book.
_Don't throw away the Wrapper_
_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to
have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for
a complete catalog._
THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(EDWARD STRATEMEYER)
Beautiful Wrappers in Full Color
[Illustration]
No stories for boys ever published have attained the tremendous
popularity of this famous series. Since the publication of the first
volume, The Rover Boys at School, some years ago, over three million
copies of these books have been sold. They are well written stories
dealing with the Rover boys in a great many different kinds of
activities and adventures. Each volume holds something of interest to
every adventure loving boy.
A complete list of titles is printed on the opposite page.
FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(Edward Stratemeyer)
OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES.
Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE
THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED
THE ROVER BOYS ON SUNSET TRAIL
THE ROVER BOYS WINNING A FORTUNE
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS
By JAMES CODY FERRIS
Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by
WALTER S. ROGERS
Each Volume Complete in Itself.
Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which
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the great open spaces.
The Manly Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the
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how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all
circumstances.
The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when
required but full of fun and daring--a bunch any reader will be
delighted to know.
THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH
THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON
THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER
THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL
THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS
THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
Transcriber's Notes:
--Handful of punctuation and printer inaccuracies were silently
corrected.
--Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
--The author's long dash style has been preserved.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys on a Tour, by Arthur M. Winfield