TOM NEWCOMBE'S PLAN.
When Bob arrived within sight of his home, he saw a boy standing on the
beach waiting for him. It was none other than our old acquaintance Tom
Newcombe, who, as it afterward proved, had found "another idea," and
had come down to reveal it to the fisher-boy, and to ask his assistance
in carrying it out.
Tom had remained at the military academy until the close of the term;
not because he wished to do so, but for the reason that he could not
help himself, and was not given another opportunity to take "French
leave." During these five months he had not improved in any particular.
On the contrary, he seemed to have gone down hill very rapidly in the
estimation of his companions, for, when he came out of the academy,
he found, to his astonishment and indignation, that every one of his
friends had deserted him; that the organization of which he had so
long been the honored chief had ceased to exist, and that another
society had been formed, with new signs and passwords. The office of
grand commander of the council had been abolished, and when Tom made
application to join the new society, he was rejected without ceremony.
The reason for this was, that when questioned during the court-martial
that had been held at the academy, the grand commander, forgetting all
the solemn promises he had made not to reveal any of the society's
secrets, had exposed every thing, and thus broken up the organization
of Night-hawks. This fact had come to the ears of the village boys, and
they were very angry about it.
"Why did you answer them, Tom?" asked Johnny Harding, indignantly. "You
have broken up the best society that ever existed in this village!"
"O, now, I couldn't help it," drawled Tom. (He still held to his old,
lazy way of talking.) "If I hadn't answered them, the colonel would
have shut me up in the guard-house, and fed me on bread and water."
"That makes no difference," said Johnny. "I would have stayed in the
guard-house until I was gray-headed, before I would have broken my
promises."
"Then some one else would have told him," whined Tom. "There were
thirteen other fellows up before the court-martial."
"That makes no difference either. Your business was to hold your
tongue, but you didn't do it. You can't be trusted, Newcombe, that's
easy enough to be seen, and for that reason, it would not be safe for
us to admit you into our new society. We don't want traitors among us."
Tom urged and plead in vain. The boys were firm in their determination
that the rules should not be suspended, even in the case of the son of
the richest man in Newport, and the grand commander finally left them
in disgust, mentally resolving that he would never speak to them again
as long as he lived.
"I'll study up a plan to fix them for that," said he, to himself. "The
first thing those fellows know, I'll start a society of my own; and
every time I catch one of them in my end of the village, I'll see that
he don't get off without a good beating."
Tom had so long been allowed to hold prominent positions among his
companions, that the idea that they could get along without him had
never once entered his head. He believed that in a few days the boys
would see how necessary he was to them, and that then they would think
better of their decision, receive him into their new society, and
bestow upon him an office equal in rank to the one he had held among
the Night-hawks.
"Suppose they should want to make 'Squire Thompson another present,"
soliloquized Tom, "who would pull the wagon out of the barn-yard, and
go into the pasture to catch the horse? Or, what if some of them should
take it into their heads to go to sea on their own hook! Is there one
among them who could manage affairs as nicely as I did, when we academy
fellows run away in the Swallow? I was the strongest and bravest boy in
that society, and we'll see how they will get along without me. They
will be after me in a few days."
But, contrary to his expectations, two weeks had passed away without
bringing any overtures from the boys, and during this time Tom had
been as miserable as can well be imagined. When he left the academy,
his father had taken him into the office, so that he might have him
always under his eye; and, at first, this arrangement had pleased Tom
exceedingly. He was free from the strict discipline of the military
school; there was no orderly sergeant to keep an eye on all his
movements; no boy officers to trouble him; no teacher to scold him
for inattention to his duties; and during his first day's experience
in the office, Tom thought it was just the place for him. He suddenly
took it into his head that he would like to be a commission merchant.
He resolved that he would pay strict attention to his work, so that
in a few weeks he would be promoted to book-keeper. Then his troubles
would all be over. He would have nothing to do but stand at his desk
all day, and that was the easiest work in the world. At the end of the
second day, however, Tom began to take less interest in his duties,
and before a week had passed away, he had become thoroughly disgusted
with his situation. He heartily wished himself at the military academy,
at sea, on a farm with Mr. Hayes and his big boys--in fact, anywhere
in the world, rather than in his father's office. He was obliged to
build fires and run errands--two things that he did not like to do.
Tom thought he could not live long if he was required to do such
work, and he straightway came to the determination to get out of the
office as soon as possible. In order to accomplish his object, it
was necessary that he should decide upon some other business; and he
finally resolved to try his hand at trading again. The question then
arose, How should he get a suitable vessel? He intended to go into
business on a grand scale this time, and he wanted a boat exactly like
the Swallow, which would cost him two or three hundred dollars. Then he
would want at least a hundred dollars more to invest in produce. Tom
knew that it would take him a long time to save so much money, for his
wages amounted to only five dollars a week, and the forty-eight dollars
he had earned by his voyage in the Savannah had slipped through his
fingers, one by one, until he had not a cent remaining. But he had
thought the matter over thoroughly, and he had come to the conclusion
that if he only "kept his eyes open," he could make money besides his
wages. Tom was busy for several days turning this matter over in his
mind, and so completely wrapped up was he in his financial schemes
that he had no time to waste in studying up a plan to revenge himself
on the Night-hawks, and but very little to devote to his duties in
the office. To the no small astonishment of his father, he spent the
greater portion of each day in poring over the columns of newspapers;
and so interested did he appear to be in them, that the merchant began
to be encouraged. But Tom was not looking for news; he was reading
the advertisements; and one day he was seen to cut out a piece of a
newspaper and put it carefully away in his pocket. What it was no one
knew or cared to ask; but all the clerks in the office noticed that,
from that day, Tom was one of the happiest fellows they had ever seen.
The secret was, he imagined that he had at last discovered the very
thing he had been looking for so long--the road to fortune. It was
something that has deceived more than one grown person, but still a
sensible boy of fifteen ought not to have paid any attention to it. But
then, Tom was different from almost any body else, and those who were
acquainted with him were not surprised at any thing he did. It gave him
something to think about, and when he had got his plans all matured he
paid a visit to Fishertown, for the purpose of laying the matter before
Bob Jennings.
"Now, then," he exclaimed, as the fisher-boy ran the bow of his scow
upon the beach, "come ashore, quick. I've got something to tell you
that will make you open your eyes."
"What is it?" asked Bob.
"Well, you come with me, and I'll tell you. It's too good for every
body to hear."
Bob made the Go Ahead fast to the wharf and followed Tom, who walked
down the beach until he was certain that there was no possible chance
of his being overheard, when he stopped, and said in a whisper:
"Bob Jennings, our fortune's made."
"Our fortune!" echoed the fisher-boy.
"Don't talk so loud! Yes, sir, _our_ fortune--yours and mine. I came
down here to-night to see if I could engage you to ship as first mate
of the Storm King."
"The Storm King!" repeated Bob. "What boat is that? I have never heard
of her before."
"I know you haven't," said Tom, mysteriously, "but you'll hear a great
deal about her before you are many weeks older: you'll hear that she is
the prettiest little vessel that ever sailed out of Newport harbor, and
that she can beat any thing in the shape of a sloop that was ever put
together. It is the name of a vessel I am going to build in less than a
month. She is to be exactly the size and model of the Swallow, only I
shall have her cabin fitted up more expensively. Can I engage you, Bob?
I'll give you a dollar a day."
The fisher-boy hardly knew what reply to make to this proposition, for
he was, at first, inclined to believe that Tom had got another wild
scheme into his head, which would end in smoke, like all the rest of
his bright ideas. But the latter seemed to understand his subject so
well, and spoke with such confidence, that, after reflecting a little,
Bob began to think that perhaps Mr. Newcombe had promised to assist his
son in carrying out his new plan.
"Are you sure that you are going to get this boat?" inquired the
fisher-boy.
"I am just as certain of it as I am that I am now standing on this
beach," replied Tom, emphatically. "I know as well as you do, Bob, that
a good many of my calculations have been knocked in the head, but this
one can't fail. I know I have hit the right thing at last; all I ask is
a little assistance from you."
"Is your father going to give you the vessel?"
"Ah, that's the best part of the whole business! No, sir! he's not
going to give me the boat. I'm not going to him for a red cent. I know
right where I can get more money than I would dare ask him for. Just
look here!"
As Tom said this, he pulled out his pocket-book, and after glancing
up and down the beach, to make sure that no one was observing
his movements, he produced a piece of paper and handed it to the
fisher-boy. It proved to be a newspaper advertisement, and read as
follows:
"For a Fortune, write to
"E. H. HARRIS & CO.,
"_Baltimore, Md._"
Bob read these mysterious words over several times, but failed to
understand them. "I don't exactly see through it," said he.
"Don't you?" exclaimed Tom. "Well, I do. It's simple enough: it means
that if you want to make a rich man of yourself, all you have to
do is to write to those gentlemen in Baltimore. I answered their
advertisement, and see here what they sent me in reply."
Tom again looked up and down the beach--for he was very much afraid
that some one might approach them unobserved, and thus gain a knowledge
of his secret--and then produced a letter from his pocket-book. It
must have contained some very valuable information, for, as he slowly
unfolded it, he became so excited that he could scarcely stand still.
"Just think of it, Bob!" he exclaimed, in a suppressed whisper: "here
we are, two boys, only fifteen years' old, and rich already. We have
made it all ourselves, too."
"_We!_" repeated the fisher-boy, in surprise. "Am I rich?"
"Of course you are! You'll bear half the expenses, and I'll divide the
profits with you."
Bob shook his head. "If there are any expenses about it," said he,
"you might as well count me out. Fifteen dollars are all I have in the
world. I've worked hard for that, and I can't spend it foolishly."
"Now, just look here, Bob!" said Tom, placing his hands behind him, and
turning his head on one side, as he had often seen his father do when
arguing with a person, "who asked you to spend your money foolishly?
You'll never make a business man in the world, if you act this way.
You have never worked in a commission office, but I have, and I ought
to know something. If you were certain that, by investing five of your
fifteen dollars, you could make--make--let me see! A half of five
thousand is how much?"
"Twenty-five hundred," said Bob.
"Well, if you knew that, by risking five dollars, you could make two
thousand five hundred in less than two weeks, would you hesitate to do
it?"
"No, I wouldn't, if it was honest."
"O, it's perfectly honest! In this letter I am promised five thousand
dollars, if I will assist these men in Baltimore in extending their
business. Listen to this:" and Tom straightened himself up and read as
follows:
"'Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft would win,
By fearing to attempt.'"
"That means," he added, seeing that the fisher-boy did not quite
understand it, "that we ought not to pay any attention to our doubts;
that if we don't risk any thing, we certainly will never gain any
thing. I have often heard my father say so, and it's my opinion
exactly. Now here's what they say in the letter. Listen with all your
ears, Bob, for it will astonish you:"
[CONFIDENTIAL.]
BALTIMORE, MD., May 31, 18--.
DEAR SIR: Being desirous of increasing our business in your part of
the country, we have decided that you are a proper person to act as
our agent. We are the managers of the Maryland Lottery--an institution
known all over the United States and Europe as being the most reliable
one in existence. It is authorized by the State, and incorporated by
special act of Congress, and its patrons are to be found in every
civilized country on the globe. Of course, with such an immense
business, we require a multitude of agents, and, in order to secure
your services, we make you the following proposition:
On receipt of ten dollars, we will send you a package of tickets,
which we will guarantee to draw one of the capital prizes in our
splendid scheme. When you remit the money, please state whether or
not you are willing to act as our agent, and we will send you the
tickets by return mail. When you receive the prize, all we ask of you
is to show it to your friends and acquaintances, and tell them that
you drew it at our office. We will select the lucky package for you,
and we faithfully promise you that, if it does not draw a prize of
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, over and above all expenses, we will give you
a package of tickets in one of our magnificent special lotteries for
nothing.
We can afford to make you this generous offer, because we shall all
gain by it: you will be benefited by receiving a nice little fortune,
while our business will be greatly increased by the extra amount
of orders for tickets which we shall expect to receive from your
neighborhood.
We venture the assertion that this is the best offer you ever
received, and that you will never have another like it as long as you
live. Remember that
"There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, if taken at the flood,
Leads on to fortune."
We have made it a rule never to take notice of any communications,
unless the necessary amount is inclosed; so send on the ten dollars,
and we will forward you the tickets at once.
Bear in mind that this offer is made to you confidentially.
Your friends and well-wishers,
E. H. HARRIS & CO.
"There!" exclaimed Tom, when he had finished reading this precious
document, "isn't that a splendid offer?"
Now, Bob had never heard of a lottery before, and he did not know that
there are men in the world who, being too lazy to work for a living,
find employment in sending letters of this description all over the
country, without the least intention of answering any they receive in
reply. He did not know that this "honest business" was a swindle, and
that his friend Tom was not the first, and probably will not be the
last, who has been deceived by just such "generous offers!" He had not
yet learned that Tom carried bad luck with him wherever he went, and
that any one who listened to his propositions was certain to get into
trouble sooner or later. If he had known all these things, and had
been able to look far enough into the future to see what would be the
result of Tom's new idea, he would not have been long in deciding what
answer to give him. To tell the truth, he was greatly interested in
this splendid scheme; but he was quick-witted, and, after thinking the
matter over for a moment, he exclaimed:
"I'll tell you what to do! Suppose you write to those men, telling them
to select the lucky package for you, and that if it draws a prize,
they can keep their ten dollars out of it, and send you the remainder.
In that way you will stand just as good a chance of drawing the five
thousand dollars as you do now; and besides, you will not risk any of
your own money."
"O, now, that's no way to do business!" drawled Tom. "Don't you see
that they have made it a rule never to take notice of any letters
unless they contain money?"
"They will not run any risk," replied Bob, "for the cash is in their
own hands."
"It's against their rules," said Tom, emphatically; "and even if it
wasn't I would not ask them to do that, for it would look as though I
was afraid to trust them. Don't you see what they say about 'our doubts
being traitors?' Now, Bob, I want to know if you will go into this
business with me? I've got just five dollars of my own, and if you will
advance the rest I'll divide the profits with you. Besides, I'll give
you a dollar a day to ship as mate of the Storm King."
"I wouldn't want that job if I had twenty-five hundred dollars," said
the fisher-boy; "I would go to sea in less than a week."
"Well, that's another reason why you ought to give me five dollars to
send on with mine. It will make a rich man of you, and you can begin
the life of a sailor at once."
"But if I use any of my money I want to buy a skiff with it. I need one
badly."
"O, go in debt for it," said Tom. "Go to Mr. Graves, the boat-builder,
tell him that you want a nice little skiff, the finest one he has on
hand, and that you will pay him for it in one month. You may safely do
that, for in less than a week you will be rich enough to buy out his
whole ship-yard."
This was something entirely new to the fisher-boy. He had never thought
of such a thing before, and, perhaps, the reason was because he had
never dreamed that there was a single person in the village who would
be willing to trust him. He saw in an instant--or rather, _imagined_
he saw--that if he could induce Mr. Graves to give him one of his
fine skiffs on his promise to pay for it in one month, it would be an
immense advantage to him.
"There's no harm in it," said Tom, seeing that the fisher-boy
hesitated. "It is done every day, right here in Newport, by our best
business men. My father does it, so it can't be wrong."
Bob thought so too. Mr. Newcombe was a great man in his estimation,
and he might safely follow in his lead.
The conversation continued for half an hour longer, Tom laboring
faithfully to convince the fisher-boy that, if he assisted him in his
grand scheme, he would be rich in a very short space of time, and he
finally carried his point; for Bob was deeply impressed, more by Tom's
eloquence than by any thing else, and he promised to think the matter
over, and to be ready with his answer on the following evening. Tom,
as usual, was impatient to begin operations at once; but he was afraid
to urge the matter, and he finally took leave of the fisher-boy, after
obliging him to promise, over and over again, that he would keep all
that had passed between them a profound secret.