WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED.
The letter, which was directed in a bold hand to Robert Rudd, care of
Dr. Grey, ran thus:
"ROBERT RUDD: I understand that you have left the circus on
account of the accident you met with recently, and I presume that
you have not yet found anything else to do. I chanced to be at
Crampton and saw you perform, and was favorably impressed by your
appearance. I am about to make a journey to the West, and need the
services of a boy or young man to assist me in writing and serve
me in other ways, and I feel disposed to employ you, if you would
like to accept the engagement. I cannot offer you as high pay as
you probably received at the circus, but am ready to pay your
travelling expenses and pay you five dollars per week.
"Be kind enough to let me know at once whether you will accept my
offer, or rather, if you are favorably disposed, come at once to
New York and call upon me at the St. Nicholas Hotel. You will find
me in room No. 35. I would suggest that the sooner you can come to
me the better.
"Yours truly,
"JOHN FITZGERALD."
Robert read this letter with mingled surprise and gratification. It
was pleasant to think he would soon be employed and earning his own
livelihood, and he could have thought of no engagement more likely to
suit him.
"What is your letter about, Robert?" asked Sidney.
"Read it for yourself, Sidney," said Robert, passing it to him. "What
do you think of it?" he asked, later.
"I think it is a splendid chance. I wouldn't mind having such an offer
myself."
"I think I am in luck," said Robert, complacently.
"Then you mean to accept it?"
"Certainly; I should be very foolish if I did not. I have been
wondering what I could get to do, and this comes just in the nick of
time."
"I am almost sorry the offer has come to you, Robert. I had been
expecting you would stay with me a considerable time."
"I should be sure to enjoy it if I was willing to be idle, but I have
an independent spirit, and I prefer to earn my own living. I will come
back and visit you some time if you will let me."
"Let you! I shall quarrel with you if you don't. Perhaps, however, you
would prefer to visit Ronald Percy."
"I will wait at any rate till I receive an invitation," answered
Robert, smiling, for he did not feel in the least sensitive about the
malicious contempt which Ronald professed to feel for him.
"When will you start, Robert?"
"To-morrow morning. Mr. Fitzgerald seems to be in a hurry, and there is
no good reason for delay. My foot is well enough for all ordinary use,
though it would give out if I should attempt riding."
When Dr. Grey was shown the letter Robert had received, he looked
puzzled.
"Certainly the chance seems to be a good one," he said, "and doubtless
it will be well to accept it. It is certainly a remarkable piece of
luck."
"So I consider it," said Robert.
"I mean, that it is like the events in a story that you should have
such a chance offer from an absolute stranger, just as you stand in
need of it. I should like to see this Mr. Fitzgerald," he continued,
thoughtfully.
"I think I heard that there was a man of that name staying at the hotel
about a week since," said Sidney.
"He says he was present when Robert met with his accident."
"Then it is probably the same one. Then you have decided to accept, my
boy?"
"Yes, sir; I shall go to New York to-morrow."
"It may be as well. But one thing I want to say: if the engagement
doesn't prove satisfactory, or you are ever again thrown upon your own
resources, come back to us and you will have a cordial welcome."
"Yes, Rob, you may be sure of that," said Sidney, eagerly.
"You are both very kind to me," returned Robert, gratefully, "and I
will take you at your word. By the way, Dr. Grey, I want to ask you a
favor."
"It is granted as soon as asked, my boy."
"It is only to keep the two hundred dollars I have saved up for the
present. It will be safer in your hands than mine, and I shan't need
it, as all my expenses are to be paid by my new employer, and five
dollars a week besides."
"I will keep it for you if you desire."
"Thank you; if I had it I might have it stolen from me, and besides it
would make me uncomfortable to feel that I had so much money about me."
"I see you are prudent. I have one good reason for keeping it, as you
will one day come back and reclaim it."
The next morning Robert started for New York.