ROBERT VISITS HOME--CONCLUSION.
"You have had lots of adventures since last we met in Chicago,"
remarked Dick Marden, while he and Robert were making the trip from
Timberville to Muskegon.
"That is true, and some adventures that I didn't care much about,"
returned our hero.
"It's the way of the world, lad--you can't get through without some
pretty hard knocks and dangerous brushes. But tell me frankly, what
would you like to do next?"
"I would like to obtain some good office situation. I like to keep
books, write business letters, and handle money--especially if the
business done is on a large scale."
"I understand." Dick Marden mused for a moment. "I was thinking of
offering you a place at Timberville, or in my mine in California; but I
reckon you had best remain in Chicago. But I shan't forget to keep my
eye on you, and you can be sure that my uncle won't forget you if he
comes out on top, as that lawyer says."
The run to Muskegon was without special incident, and once in the town
bordering the lake they found they had several hours to wait until a
steamer would leave for Chicago.
"The wait will just suit me," said the miner. "I want to call on a man
who deals in lumber and make an arrangement with him to handle some of
my uncle's output."
The office building in which the wholesale lumber dealer did business
was situated several blocks from the depot and thither the pair made
their way.
As they entered the wide hallway Robert suddenly clutched Dick Marden
by the arm.
"There he is at last!" he whispered.
"He? Who?"
"That rascal who robbed me--Jim Huskin!"
And our hero pointed to where Huskin stood, in conversation with an old
gentleman in black.
"You are certain he is the man?" asked the miner.
"Yes; I would never forget that smooth face and those wicked eyes."
"He seems to be playing some confidence game now," went on Dick Marden.
The miner was right. Jim Huskin had the old man in black in an out of
the way corner and was conversing with him in great earnestness.
"You cannot lose on the venture, Mr. Price," he said, as our hero and
Marden drew closer. "The shares will always be worth the money you put
into them. Better let me have the check now, and I will buy them inside
of the next hour."
"Yes, yes, but are you quite sure it is safe?" asked the old man, in
a trembling voice. "You see, I cannot afford to lose four hundred
dollars."
"You will not lose--I will guarantee the shares myself," answered the
confidence man earnestly.
"Very well, if you will guarantee them," said the old man, and drew out
his pocketbook, which held several bankbills, and a filled in check for
the amount Huskin desired.
At that moment Robert placed his hand upon the confidence man's
shoulder.
"So we meet again, Jim Huskin," he said coldly.
The rascal turned in amazement, and then his face fell.
"Why--er--what--who are you?" he stammered, hardly being able to speak.
"You know very well who I am," answered our hero. "I am the boy you
robbed in Chicago."
"Robbed!" gasped the old man in black. "Did you say robbed?"
"I did, sir. This man is a rascal and a thief."
"You are mistaken----" began Jim Huskin, but his manner showed how
uncomfortable he felt.
"A rascal and a thief!" murmured the old man, and looked as if he would
faint. It did not take him long to place his pocketbook in his pocket
again.
Jim Huskin was a man who made up his mind quickly. He saw that Robert
had the best of him, and that his only chance for safety lay in flight.
Turning swiftly, he started to run from the building.
But he had reckoned without Dick Marden, and he had scarcely taken two
steps when the miner put out his foot and sent him sprawling in the
hallway. At once a crowd began to collect.
"What's the row here?" demanded the janitor of the building, as he
rushed up.
"We've collared a thief," answered Marden. "Call a policeman."
"What! do you mean to have me arrested?" demanded Jim Huskin, as he
got up, to find himself in the grasp of both Robert and his friend.
"That's what," answered the miner coolly.
Jim Huskin began to expostulate, but all to no purpose. Soon an officer
came in, followed by another crowd.
"What has he done?" demanded the policeman.
"I charge him with robbing me," answered Robert. "His name is Jim
Huskin."
"My name isn't Huskin, it is Williams," put in the confidence man.
"Jim Huskin?" repeated the officer. "I've heard that before."
"He and another man named Andy Cross robbed me in Chicago. Cross was
caught, but this fellow came to Muskegon."
"Oh, yes, I remember the case now. So this is Huskin, eh? You were
lucky to land on him."
"This is all wrong," persisted Huskin. He turned to the old man in
black. "Mr. Price, won't you testify that my name is Williams?"
"I don't know as I will," was the slow answer. "You said it was, but I
have no further proof of it."
"He was going to get you to invest in some scheme, wasn't he?" asked
Robert.
"Yes, he wanted to sell me some unlisted mining shares. Said they were
a good investment."
"What were the shares?" asked Dick Marden. "I am an old miner and I
know the mines pretty well."
"They were shares of the Golden Bucket Mine, of California."
"The Golden Bucket! Why, that mine gave out six years ago. It never
paid back the money put into it. Why, it's dead, and so are the stocks.
You had a lucky escape."
"I believe you," returned the old man, and looked greatly relieved.
Inside of quarter of an hour Jim Huskin was transferred to the local
jail and his capture was telegraphed to Chicago. He was searched,
and on him were found about forty dollars belonging to Robert and a
pawn-ticket for the watch, showing that it had been pawned in Muskegon
for six dollars. Before he left the town Robert got the watch back.
Later on Jim Huskin was taken back to Chicago, and he and Andy Cross
were tried together, and each received a sentence of two years in
State's prison for his misdeeds.
On getting back to Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house Robert found a telegram
from his mother awaiting him. It read:
"Come home at once. Your step-father is very ill."
Without delay our hero started for Granville, arriving there late in
the evening. His mother met him at the front door, and it was plain to
see that she had been weeping.
"Oh, Robert!" she cried, and embraced him. It was several minutes
before she could say more.
"Mr. Talbot is very sick then?" asked the boy.
"Yes, very sick, and the doctor is afraid he will never get well,"
answered Mrs. Talbot.
James Talbot was suffering from a sudden stroke of paralysis, which had
affected his stomach and his left side. He was almost unconscious, and
remained in that state for several days. During that time Mrs. Talbot
was at his bedside constantly, and Robert did all he could for both.
At the end of two weeks the physician pronounced James Talbot out of
danger. The paralysis was gradually leaving him, and he could now take
a little nourishment.
His sickness seemed to have changed him wonderfully, and his harshness
appeared to be a thing of the past.
"I have had my eyes opened," he said to his wife and Robert. "I have
done wrong in the past, but from now on you will find me a different
man."
These words pleased Mrs. Talbot greatly and removed a heavy load from
her heart. Robert, however, said but little on the subject.
"I hope he does turn over a new leaf," he thought. "But I want to test
him for a while before I trust him."
"Your step-father will be all right now, Robert," said his mother,
hopefully.
"I sincerely trust so," he answered gravely. "For your sake even more
than for my own."
* * * * *
Here we will bring to a close the story of Robert Frost's adventures
while "Out for Business." He had succeeded in taking several forward
steps in life, and had brought to grief the enemies who had tried to
drag him down and overcome him.
As soon as Mr. Talbot was on the mend our hero returned to Chicago and
called upon Mr. Gray. The cut-rate ticket broker had already opened
both his Chicago and his New York offices, and he at once agreed to
give the boy his position back, with two dollars per week added to
his salary. The next day found Robert again working beside Livingston
Palmer.
"Right glad to see you!" cried Palmer. And he shook hands cordially. "I
reckon we have both had adventures enough for the present."
"I know I have," answered Robert. "I hope in the future I am left alone
to buckle down to business."
For the time being all went well. But there were still many adventures
in store for Robert, which will be related in a companion volume to
this, entitled: "Falling in with Fortune; or, The Experiences of a
Young Secretary." In this book we will meet all of our old friends and
some new ones, and also learn something more about James Talbot and his
schemes for getting possession of the Frost fortune.
And now, kind reader, good-by, in the hope that some day we will meet
again.
The Famous Rover Boys Series
By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD
Each volume is hailed with delight by boys and girls everywhere. 12mo.
Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated.
Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.
THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune
Old enemies try again to injure our friends.
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
Or, The Right Road and the Wrong
Brimming over with good nature and excitement.
THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht
A search for treasure; a particularly fascinating volume.
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
Or, The Last Days at Putnam Hall
The boys find a mysterious cave used by freight thieves.
THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
Or, The Deserted Steam Yacht
A trip to the coast of Florida.
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch
Relates adventures on the mighty Mississippi River.
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat
The Ohio River is the theme of this spirited story.
THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
Or, The Rivals of Pine Island
At the annual school encampment.
THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands
Full of strange and surprising adventures.
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Or, A Hunt for Fame and Fortune
The boys in the Adirondacks at a Winter camp.
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
Or, The Secret of the Island Cave
A story of a remarkable Summer outing; full of fun.
THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
Or, The Search for a Lost Mine
A graphic description of the mines of the great Rockies.
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa
The boys journey to the Dark Continent in search of their father.
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
Or, A Chase for a Fortune
From school to the Atlantic Ocean.
THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall
The doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover.
GROSSET & DUNLAP----NEW YORK
Transcribers Note:
Some apparent misspellings have been left unchanged
aint/ain't
dumfounded/dumbfounded
dumstruck/dumbstruck
in the believe they are as the author intended.