AN UNPLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE.
Robert felt curious to learn what was in the letter, but faithfully
carried out the wishes of Miss Stafford, and did not open it till he
was more than a mile away.
On opening it, to his surprise he found inclosed two $10 bills, with
the following words written in pencil:
"MY YOUNG FRIEND ROBERT: I desire you to accept the inclosed and
hope you will find it of use. You needn't hesitate, for it comes
from a crusty old maid who has more than her share of this world's
goods, and likes to do a little good as she goes along in life,
instead of saving up thousands for heirs who might squander it.
Accept my good wishes and thanks beside for the service you have
done me in taming a perverse brute, and when you are again in this
vicinity be sure to call on your friend,
"LOUISA STAFFORD."
"The old lady's a trump!" exclaimed Robert warmly. "There isn't one in
a thousand that would be so generous. This is a regular windfall to me
as I am situated now. Now I shan't be obliged to send to Dr. Grey for
part of my savings."
Robert continued on his way with a light heart, for it is wonderfully
cheering to think that one has money enough to pay for rest and food at
the close of the day. Our young hero decided that he would not walk all
the way to the East, but would on the day following take the cars at
any convenient station.
Pursuing his journey, he came to a portion of the road which ran
through the primeval forests, he felt it to be rather a relief, for the
morning was well advanced, and the sun began to make him uncomfortably
warm. He soon had occasion to learn that to be warm is not the most
undesirable thing that can happen to a traveller.
Half a mile from the entrance of the wood he saw sitting on the fallen
trunk of a tree a rough-looking fellow, whose face looked even more
repulsive than usual from a short black beard which appeared to be of
a week's growth. He looked like what he was—a tramp, who was so from
choice, even more than from necessity.
"What an ill-looking fellow!" thought Robert.
The man looked up, and scanned the boy curiously.
"Hallo, young chap!" he said.
"Hallo!" returned Robert.
"Have you got any tobacco about you?" inquired the tramp.
"No, I never use it."
"Then have you a cigar? That will do just as well."
"No; I don't smoke at all."
"Oh, you are an innocent baby!" said the man, with a sneer of
disappointment.
Robert did not think it necessary to reply, but was moving on, being
anxious to get away from so undesirable a companion as soon as possible.
"Stop a minute, boy—don't be in such a hurry," said the man.
"If you have anything to say to me I will listen," said Robert, coldly.
"You will, will you? You're mighty accommodatin'! Where are you goin'?"
"Straight ahead!"
[Illustration: ROBERT AND THE TRAMP.]
"Any fool would know that. That isn't an answer."
"Why do you wish to know?" retorted Robert.
"That's my business!" said the tramp, his repulsive features assuming
an ugly expression. "You'd better answer my question."
Robert thought on the whole it would be prudent to avoid trouble by
keeping on as good terms as possible with the man.
"I can't tell you," he said, "for I don't know myself. I expect to keep
on till I get to New York."
"That's where I'm goin'! Suppose we keep company," said the man with a
grin.
"We can keep company for the present, if you wish," answered Robert,
trying to repress his disgust.
"Look here, young fellow! Have you got any money?" asked the tramp with
a sidelong glance.
Robert was not surprised at this inquiry, for he had expected it, but
in spite of his courage it alarmed him, for he could see that he was no
match in physical strength for this ill-looking man.
"A little!" he answered.
"How much?"
"That's my business," answered Robert, provoked. "I don't ask how much
money you've got."
"I haven't a cent," said the tramp, "but," he added, significantly,
"I'm going to have some soon."
The look which accompanied this declaration made it evident what he
meant, and Robert looked about to see what chance he had of escape
if the worst came to the worst. As to surrendering the $20 for which
he had been indebted to the generosity of Miss Stratton, he had no
intention of doing it, unless it should be absolutely necessary.
"I have nothing to do with your affairs," said Robert. "If you'll let
me know which way you are going, I'll go the other way."
"Will you so? No, boy, you don't get rid of me so easily. We're goin'
the same way. If you want to leave you can, but you must hand over your
money first."
"Are you a thief, then?" demanded Robert, quickly.
"No; and you'd better not call me so. I'm only goin' to borrer your
money; I'll give you my note for it," returned the tramp with a cunning
grin.
"I decline to lend," said Robert stoutly.
"Look here, my young chicken!" said the man in a menacing tone. Ain't
you crowin' rather too loud for a bantem? Do you know who I am?"
"No, but I can guess."
"Guess, then?"
"You're a man whose company I do not like."
The tramp laughed. Instead of offending, the reply appeared to amuse
him.
"That's true enough, I reckon. Well, I'm a man that don't stand no
nonsense. I want your money."
He advanced towards Robert in a menacing manner, and our hero, who had
been looking about him, jumped aside nimbly, and seizing the branch of
a tree swung himself up into the branches, before his companion clearly
understood his intention.
"Oh, that's your game, is it?" he said, angrily. "It won't do!"
He darted forward, but Robert bad been too quick for him, and was
already out of reach. He was light and agile by nature, and his
training in the ring had helped to make him more so.
"So you think you've escaped me, do you?" he demanded with an oath.
Robert did not answer, but looked calmly down upon him from the tree.
"Come down at once!"
"Thank you; I'd rather stay here," said our hero calmly.
Without a word the tramp made an effort to follow Robert up the tree.