BERT SECURES BOARD IN HARRISBURG.
Bert arrived in Harrisburg about four o'clock in the afternoon. He had
in his hand a gripsack purchased for him by Uncle Jacob, who also
provided him with a fuller supply of shirts, socks, and underclothing
than he had brought with him.
"You may be gone some time," he said.
Just as Bert got into the cars, Uncle Jacob handed him a wallet.
"This contains a sum of money for your immediate needs," he explained.
"When you are out, send to me."
After the cars started, Bert opened the wallet, and to his surprise
found that he had fifty dollars in his possession.
"Uncle Jacob's money won't last long at this rate," he said to himself.
"I must be very careful and economical. I should like to take back to
him a part of this sum."
Of course Bert enjoyed his trip. The sun shone brightly, the air was
cool and invigorating, and the scenes through which he was rapidly
speeding were new to him. In spite of the sense of responsibility which
rested upon him, he felt cheerful and exhilarated.
"If I can only succeed in my mission!" he thought. "If I can only find
Ralph Harding, and induce him to vindicate my father's reputation, I
shall feel happy!"
It so happened that he had seated himself in the smoking car, the car
behind, which he first entered, being full.
A tall, thin man, wearing a white hat, sat down beside him.
"Have a cigar, young man?" he asked, as he produced two of rather poor
quality, one of which he lighted and proceeded to smoke.
"No, thank you, sir."
"Better accept a good offer," urged the stranger.
"Thank you, but I don't smoke."
"Indeed! How old are you?"
"I am sixteen," replied Bert.
"Then you are a _rara avis_--that means a rare bird. Most boys of your
age smoke."
"They'd be better off without it."
"Perhaps so. I see you are a prudent young man. How far are you going?"
"To Harrisburg."
"So am I. Queer coincidence, isn't it?"
"I don't know," answered Bert, smiling. "I presume there are other
passengers on board who are also bound for that city."
"Very possibly. Ever been there before?"
"No, sir."
"I have often, and the long ride is rather tedious. What do you say to a
little game of cards to fill up the time?"
"Thank you, but I would rather look out of the window."
The stranger seemed disappointed, but a man in the seat just behind,
leaning over, said: "If you want a game, I'm your man."
"All right!" said Bert's companion, brightening up. "What game do you
play?"
"Anything."
"Poker?"
"All right."
The two took seats opposite, between which was a small table, and the
game began. Bert looked over now and then, and saw that they were
playing for money. He was startled, for he had been taught to regard
gambling with horror. It seemed evident after awhile that his late
seat-mate was losing. He became more and more excited and nervous, and
his face was overspread with gloom. At length he came over to Bert, and
said, eagerly: "My young friend, will you do me a favor?"
"What is it, sir?"
"Lend me five dollars."
This seemed to Bert an extraordinary request from a perfect stranger.
"You must excuse me, sir," he answered.
"Haven't you got as much about you? Say two dollars, then."
"The money I have with me is not my own," said Bert. "I cannot lend
anything."
"But, let me assure you, I will give it back to you before the train
reaches Harrisburg. I have had a streak of bad luck, and that man over
there has won all my money. But I've got on to his game, and I will soon
have it all back, if I get a start. You'll be doing me a great favor,
and there will be no risk."
"He must take me for a fool," thought Bert.
"You had better apply to some one else," he said coldly. "I can't
possibly help you."
"So young and so hard-hearted!" murmured the other, eying Bert
reproachfully. "'Twas ever thus from childhood's hour. I was born under
an unlucky star. Sir, I am afraid I must withdraw from our pleasant game
unless you will kindly lend me a dollar to continue."
His late antagonist shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't see how that would benefit me," he said. "We'll wait till
another time when you are in funds. Then I shall be happy to accommodate
you."
"Did you lose much?" asked Bert, as his companion resumed a seat at his
side.
"Fifteen dollars! 'Tis not much, but 'twas my all. If you would oblige
me with a dollar, I can win it all back."
Bert shook his head.
"I have no money of my own," he said.
"Never mind! Twenty times I have been on the threshold of fortune, and
failed to secure it by my funds giving out. Be it so! I will no longer
resist, but float downward to oblivion over the rapids of
disappointment."
"You are an actor, are you not?" said Bert.
"Yes; at least, so I sometimes flatter myself, though the critics do not
all concede it. If you are going to remain in Harrisburg long enough,
come and see me act."
He gave Bert his card, and then closing his eyes, passed the remainder
of the journey in dozing.
Arrived in Harrisburg, Bert found himself besieged by hackmen,
representing different hotels. But he did not think it right to waste
Uncle Jacob's money in unnecessary expense. He picked out a bootblack,
and showing him the address of Mrs. Stubbs, asked: "Is that near by?"
"'Bout quarter of a mile," answered the street boy.
"What'll you ask for showing me the way?"
"A dime."
"Go ahead, then!"
In five minutes Bert found himself standing in front of a rather shabby
three-story house, in a decent, but not fashionable, street. The name
Stubbs was on the door.
Bert rang the bell, and inquired for Mrs. Stubbs.
He was ushered into a small reception room on one side of the front
door, furnished in cheap, boarding-house style, and took a seat on a
stiff-backed cane chair.
Presently a thin lady, with cork-screw curls, and a pale, washed-out
complexion, entered the room.
"Did you wish to see me, sir?" she said.
"Yes," answered Bert. "You answered an advertisement about Ralph
Harding. I come from New York."
"Have you brought my money?" asked Mrs. Stubbs, with animation.
"What money do you refer to?"
"Mr. Harding's board bill. I sent it in the letter."
"We don't feel called upon to pay Mr. Harding's debts," returned Bert,
who had been instructed by Uncle Jacob to say this.
"Must I lose thirty-two dollars, then?" said the lady tragically. "It's
a shame."
"No doubt it is, but we don't even know Mr. Harding."
"Then why did you advertise for him?"
"Because we want his testimony in a law case."
"The advertisement said that it would be for Mr. Harding's advantage to
report to you."
"So it will, if we can find him. He will receive money enough to settle
your bill, and more, too. We will see that he does, if you help us find
him."
"I am sure I am willing to do all I can," said Mrs. Stubbs, considerably
mollified.
"Have you got a small room vacant?" asked Bert. "I may be detained in
Harrisburg for a while."
"Yes; you can have the one Mr. Harding used to occupy. If you occupy it
alone, it will be five dollars a week with board."
"I will take it," said Bert promptly. "Can I have possession at once?"
"Yes. Let me show you the way."
The room was on the third floor. It was a small one, but would answer
the purpose. Bert took out his clothes, and laid them away in the pine
bureau near the window.
"Well," he said, as he waited for the bell to summon him to supper, "I
have taken the first step toward finding Ralph Harding. I am occupying
the room which was once his. What shall be the next step?"
He little anticipated the singular experience that same evening had in
store for him.