GOOD NEWS--CONCLUSION
"Look! Look!" cried the crowd, again and again.
And there was no small cause for wonder; for, though the inventor was
falling to earth, he had hold of one of the immense bat-like wings. It
acted exactly as a parachute, the air catching under the curved surface.
Thus the inventor came down so slowly that he was not in the slightest
danger. It was a wonderful escape.
No sooner had he alighted than he hurried up to where Dick stood, his
face showing the sorrow he felt.
"Vell, my young friend," said Herr Doodlebrod, "ve haf made vun grand
mistake. But I know vat der trouble vas. I need a stronger propellor. Ve
vill make vun at vunce, und haf anodder test."
"I'm afraid it will be too late for me," remarked Dick, ruefully.
"Ach, dot iss so," assented the German. "But neffer mind. I shall yet
fly. I vill at once proceed to build a new machine. I vill make some
more shoes until I haf saved money enough, und den I try again," and he
smiled as though what had just happened was the thing he had always
desired.
The crowd gathered about the disabled airship, which was mostly consumed
by the flames before it had reached the earth. Herr Doodlebrod had the
men save what they could, and, not a bit discouraged, he set about
packing up the remnants to take away.
"Too bad," remarked Colonel Claflin, "but such accidents will happen.
He's a cool fellow, at any rate."
Dick and his father went home together in the runabout, the colonel
declining their invitation to pay them a visit. The German inventor went
away and that was the last seen of him.
Swiftly the days passed, and in sheer desperation Dick invested several
hundred dollars in three different schemes. But none of them paid. In
one he lost all his money and in the others he got his money back and
that was all.
"It's no use!" he groaned to himself. "I guess it takes a brighter
fellow than I to make money."
Mr. Hamilton did not say much, but he was almost as anxious as his son,
for he did not wish to see Dick fail.
One morning Mr. Hamilton went out with Dick in the youth's runabout.
"Well, my son, to-morrow is your birthday," remarked the parent, after
speaking of many things in general.
"I know it, dad," was the gloomy answer. And then Dick went on: "I
suppose there is no way of getting clear of the provisions of that
will?"
"I know of none. Your dear departed mother's wishes must be respected."
"Oh, dear!" Dick gave a long sigh. "Well, perhaps I can stand Uncle
Ezra, but it's going to be a--er--a stiff proposition."
"I'm sorry," commented Mr. Hamilton. "But perhaps it will be a good
thing for you. Your Uncle Ezra has excellent discipline, and he's a good
man of business."
"I don't doubt that, dad."
Father and son did not say much during the ride home, as each was busy
with his thoughts. As Dick went up the steps of the Hamilton mansion the
butler met him at the door.
"Your Uncle Ezra is here," he announced.
"Oh, dear!" commented Dick, with a groan.
"Ah, Nephew Richard," was Mr. Larabee's greeting when Dick found him in
the library. "I've come to pay _you_ a little visit, you see. I happened
to remember that to-morrow is your birthday, and, according to the--to
the provisions of your mother's will you may be going to pay _me_ a
visit. I can't say I altogether approve of that will, still we will not
discuss that now. The main thing is, Have you made the paying investment
called for?"
"No, I haven't, Uncle Ezra."
"Hum, well, I didn't think you would. Boys have no head for business
nowadays. I knew your money would do you little good. So you are to come
and live a year with me, eh?"
"I suppose so. Yes, of course, Uncle Ezra," and Dick tried to make his
voice sound cheerful, but it was hard work when he thought of the gloomy
house.
"Well, I told Samanthy I'd bring you back with me, and she's going to
have your room all ready. Then, too, I've arranged to send you to a good
boarding school. It is taught by a friend of mine; a man who doesn't
believe in nonsense."
Dick could see, in fancy, the kind of a school Uncle Ezra would pick
out, and he could also fancy the principal of it, a harsh, stern old
man. He sighed, but there was no help for it.
"So I will take you away with me to-morrow," went on Mr. Larabee,
rubbing his hands as if delighted at the prospect. "I shall--Gracious
goodness! What's that?" he exclaimed, jumping from his chair, as a loud
growl sounded from under the library table. "Have you a wild animal in
here, Nephew Richard?"
"I guess it's my bulldog, Grit," replied Dick. "Here, Gibbs," calling
the butler, "have Grit taken to the stable."
Grit was led away, growling out a protest.
"I can't bear dogs," said Uncle Ezra. "You'll not be allowed to have
one at The Firs, so you had better get rid of this one."
"Oh, I suppose I can leave Grit home," answered Dick, with a sigh. "Can
I get you something to eat, Uncle Ezra?" he asked, trying to be
hospitable.
"No, thank you, Nephew Richard. I never eat between meals, nor do I
allow it at my house. Three times a day is enough to eat."
"Maybe you would like some lemonade; it's quite warm to-day." Dick was
both hungry and thirsty.
"No, lemonade is bad for the liver, I have heard. You may get me some
plain water, if you please."
"And I've got to live a year with him," mused Dick as he went out to get
his uncle a drink. "Why, oh why, didn't some of my investments succeed?"
Dick spent a miserable evening with his uncle. Mr. Hamilton came home
from the bank, whither he had gone after the ride, and greeted his
brother-in-law.
"Well, I guess you'll have to take Dick back with you," said the
millionaire, with an attempt at cheerfulness.
"I intend to, and when he comes back from living with me he'll be a
different lad," said Mr. Larabee, grimly.
"I guess that's true enough," thought Dick.
He dreamed that night that he went to his uncle's house in an airship,
and when they got there it turned into a vault in a cemetery and he was
made a prisoner in it. He awoke with a start to find his uncle calling
to him from the hall outside his door.
"Come, Nephew Richard," said Mr. Larabee. "It's six o'clock, and you'll
have to get up early when you're at my house. Might as well begin now."
"Oh, this is a beautiful birthday," said Dick, with a groan, as he began
to dress. "Six o'clock! Ugh!"
It was arranged that they were to take an early train to Dankville, and,
soon after breakfast, Dick, having packed his suitcase, and arranged to
have his trunk forwarded to him at The Firs, went to the library where
his father and uncle were waiting for him.
"Well, Dick," remarked Mr. Hamilton, with a little catch in his voice,
for he hated to part with his son, though he knew the experience might
be good for him. "I guess it's time to say good-bye."
"I suppose so," replied Dick, trying to keep back the tears, which, in
spite of all he could do, would come to his eyes.
"Yes, we must be going," agreed Mr. Larabee. "I'll write to you,
Mortimer, and let you know how Dick gets along. I have no doubt but I'll
make a fine man of him. Too much wealth is bad for a young man. Come
along, Nephew Richard."
Dick started to leave the room. At that instant the doorbell rang and
Gibbs, answering it, came into the library and announced:
"Mr. Henry Darby and his son, to see Mr. Dick."
"I guess they have come to say good-bye," said the millionaire's son.
"Show them in, Gibbs."
"Hank" Darby did not need any "showing." He was in the library as Gibbs
turned to go back to the door.
"Excuse this intrusion," he began, "but I am in a hurry. I have a very
important scheme on and I must attend to it at once. But my son insisted
that we come and tell Mr. Dick what has happened, he being a partner in
our enterprise--The International and Consolidated Old Metal
Corporation."
"Yes, Dick!" cried Henry, unable to wait for his father to tell the news
in his slow, pompous way. "Things are in fine shape. In fact the old
metal business can now pay a dividend."
"A dividend?"
"Yes, you remember me telling you about a lot of old scrap-iron and
steel dad bought, thinking it had platinum in it?"
"Yes, and it didn't have any in."
"Merely an error in judgment," murmured Mr. Darby. "Any business man,
with large schemes on hand, is liable to make them."
"Well, while the metal didn't have any platinum in it, it had a peculiar
quality of steel. It is very valuable, and I--that is we"--turning
toward his father--"have just sold it to a large firm that wants it to
make some very fine springs with."
"Yes, the deal is just completed," broke in Mr. Darby. "My judgment in
that old metal is confirmed. I have accepted an offer of two thousand
dollars for it. Under the terms of the incorporation papers one-half of
that goes to Dick. I now take pleasure in handing you my check for that
amount, as president of The International and Consolidated Old Metal
Corporation," and with a grand air "Hank" handed Dick a slip of paper.
"Is this mine?" asked the millionaire's son, in some bewilderment.
"It is," replied Mr. Darby. "It is part of the return from your
investment of two hundred and fifty dollars which you put into the firm
of which I am president, you treasurer, and my son secretary and general
manager."
"That is, I collect the old iron and sell it," explained Henry, seeing
that Mr. Larabee looked puzzled. "Dick was kind enough to invest some
money with our company last year, and I am glad I can make a return for
him--or, rather, dad can, for he bought the metal that turned out so
valuable."
"Then--then--" began Dick, a light slowly breaking over him, "without
intending it, I have made a good, paying investment. A thousand dollars
for two hundred and fifty is good, isn't it, dad?"
"Fine, I would say," cried Mr. Hamilton, with a smile.
"And this is my birthday! The year is just up!" went on Dick. "I--I
won't have to go and live with Uncle----"
He stopped in some confusion.
"Do you mean to tell me that this is a bona-fide investment, Mortimer?"
asked Mr. Larabee, turning to his brother-in-law.
"Perfectly legal and legitimate," interrupted Mr. Darby. "Here is a copy
of the incorporation agreement."
"Well," remarked Uncle Ezra, with a disappointed air, "I suppose you
have fulfilled the conditions of your mother's will, Nephew Richard. I
congratulate you," and he shook hands rather stiffly.
"Well, who would have thought it?" gasped Dick, hardly able to believe
his good fortune. "I never gave that investment a thought--in fact, I
never considered it an investment, Henry."
"It was, all the same, and I'm glad I am able to do you a favor, for you
did me a mighty good turn. The old metal business is in fine shape, and
I have more than I can attend to."
"Yes, we must be going, I have a big scheme on hand," put in Mr. Darby.
"A very big scheme, there are enormous possibilities in it. _Enormous_,
sir!"
"If they only come out," said Henry, with a laugh, as he and his father
withdrew.
"Well, if you are not to come back with me, I suppose I may as well be
going," remarked Uncle Ezra, after a pause. "Samanthy will be looking
for me. I'll say good-bye."
He turned to go, and at that instant an ominous growl came from under
the library table.
"What's that?" asked Mr. Larabee in alarm.
"I--I think it's Grit," replied Dick, trying not to laugh.
"That bulldog again!" exclaimed Mr. Larabee. "I hate dogs! I wish----"
But what he wished he never said, for Grit, seeming to know that an
enemy of his master was present, rushed from under the table, and, with
opened mouth, though he probably would not have bitten him, rushed at
Uncle Ezra.
"Here, Grit!" cried Dick. "Come back here this instant!"
But, with a wild yell, Mr. Larabee ran from the room, followed by the
dog. Out through the hall and down the steps Dick's uncle ran, the dog
growling behind him. But Gibbs captured Grit at the front door and held
him.
"Grit! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" asked Dick, trying not to laugh.
But Grit growled in a way that seemed to say he was not in the least
ashamed.
Mr. Larabee hurried off down the street, not once looking back.
"Well, that was a narrow escape," murmured Dick. "Eh, dad?"
"I suppose so. Still a visit to your uncle's house might have done you
good," added the millionaire, with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Now, dad," went on Dick, "I suppose that as I have fulfilled all the
conditions of the will I may do pretty nearly as I please."
"Not altogether," and the millionaire spoke rather gravely. "It is true
you will have a certain control of your money left you by your mother,
but you remember I told you, a year ago, there were certain other
provisions of the will. One of them is that you attend a good military
school."
"A military school!" exclaimed Dick, his eyes sparkling. "That will be
fine."
"Yes, but wait. The conditions are that you attend there and become
popular with the students in spite of your wealth. In short, that you
make your own way up without the aid of your millions, and become one of
the upper classmen through your own efforts. It is not going to be as
easy as you think, but I trust you can do it. There is no great hurry
about it. I will give you a few months of leisure and then you must get
ready for a new life."
"Oh, dad, I think it will be fine!" exclaimed Dick; "I've always wanted
to go to a military academy!" But he little knew of what was in store
for him. Those who wish to follow the further adventures of the young
millionaire will find them set forth in the second volume of this
series, entitled "Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days; or the Handicap of a
Millionaire's Son."
"Well, Grit, you certainly routed Uncle Ezra," said Dick, as he patted
the ugly head of his pet. "I don't know as I blame you. But it's all
over now, though I had some stirring times while it lasted." And,
whistling gaily, Dick went out to deposit in the bank his
thousand-dollar check, the profits of his one paying investment.
THE END
THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES
BY HOWARD R. GARIS
A NEW LINE OF CLEVER TALES FOR BOYS
DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE
Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son
Dick, the son of a millionaire, has a fortune left to him by his mother.
But before he can touch the bulk of this money it is stipulated in his
mother's will that he must do certain things, in order to prove that he
is worthy of possessing such a fortune. The doings of Dick and his chums
make the liveliest kind of reading.
DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS
Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son
The hero, a very rich young man, is sent to a military academy to make
his way without the use of money. A fine picture of life at an
up-to-date military academy is given, with target shooting, broad-sword
exercise, trick riding, sham battles, and all. Dick proves himself a
hero in the best sense of the word.
DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT
Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers
A series of adventures while yachting in which our hero's wealth plays a
part. Dick is marooned on an island, recovers his yacht and foils the
kidnappers. The wrong young man is spirited away, Dick gives chase and
there is a surprising rescue at sea.
DICK HAMILTON'S AIRSHIP
Or A Young Millionaire in the Clouds
This new book is just brimming over with hair-raising adventures of Dick
Hamilton in his new airship.
DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR
Or A Young Millionaire's Race for Fortune
A series of thrilling adventures. Dick and his friends see the country
in a huge touring car. Their exciting trip across the country, how they
saved a young man's fortune and other exciting incidents are very
cleverly told.
Price 50 cents each
The Goldsmith Publishing Co. Cleveland, O.
End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Fortune, by Howard R. Garis