A PARLEY WITH THE ENEMY.
It has already been stated that James Martin's motive in recovering Rose
was not a feeling of affection for her, for this he had never had, but
rather a desire to thwart Rufus in his plans. The newsboy's refusal to
work for his support had incensed his stepfather, and Martin was a man
who was willing to take considerable trouble to gratify his spite.
It was quite in accordance with this disposition of his, that, after
recovering Rose in the manner we have seen, he was not content, until he
had seen her brother, and exulted over him. On the day succeeding,
therefore, instead of going to work, he came over to New York, for the
express purpose of witnessing our hero's grief and chagrin at the loss
of his sister. He knew very well where to find him.
Rough and Ready surveyed the approach of his stepfather with mingled
anger and anxiety. He it was that held in his power the one whom the
newsboy loved best. Rufus guessed his motive in seeking him now, and,
knowing that he intended to speak to him, awaited his address in
silence.
"Well, Rufus," said Mr. Martin, with a malicious grin, "how are you this
morning?"
"I am well," said the newsboy, shortly.
"I am glad to hear it," said Martin; "I'd ought to feel glad of it,
you've been such a dootiful son."
"I am not your son," said Rough and Ready, in a tone which indicated
that he was very glad that no such relationship existed between them.
"That's lucky for me," said Martin; "I wouldn't own such a young cub.
When I have a son, I hope he'll be more dootiful, and treat me with more
gratitude."
"What should I be grateful for?" demanded the newsboy, quickly.
"Didn't I take care of you, and give you victuals and clothes for
years?"
"Not that I know of," said Rufus, coolly. "I've had to support myself,
and help support you, ever since we came to New York."
"So you complain of having to work, do you? 'Cause I was a poor man, and
couldn't support you in idleness, you think you're ill used."
"I never complained of having to work. I am willing to work hard for
myself—and Rose."
"How is Rose now? I hope she is well," said Martin, with a smile of
triumph.
"That's what I'd like to have you tell me," said Rufus, looking steadily
at Martin. "Where have you carried my sister?"
"What should I know of your sister?" said Martin. "The last I knew, you
kidnapped her from my care and protection."
"Your care and protection!" repeated Rough and Ready, disdainfully.
"What care did you ever take of her? You did nothing for her support,
but came home drunk about every day. You couldn't take care of yourself,
much less any one else."
"Do you want a licking?" asked Martin, angrily, approaching a little
nearer.
Rough and Ready didn't budge an inch, for he was not in the least afraid
of his stepfather.
"I wouldn't advise you to try it, Mr. Martin," he said, composedly. "I
am able to take care of myself."
"Are you? I am happy to hear it," sneered Martin, repressing his anger,
as he thought that, after all, he had it in his power to punish Rufus
more effectually and safely through his sister than by any attempt at
present violence. "I'm happy to hear it, for I've relieved you of any
other care. I will take care of Rose now."
"Where is she?" asked Rufus, anxiously.
"She's safe," said Martin.
"Is that all you are going to tell me?"
"It's all you need to know. Only, if you're very anxious to contribute
to your sister's support, you can hand me the money, and it shall go for
her board."
As he looked at Martin with his air of insolent triumph, the newsboy
felt that he hated him. It was not a Christian feeling, but it was a
very natural one. This was the man who had made his mother's life a
wretched one, and hastened her death; who in this and other ways had
brought grief and trouble upon Rose and himself, and who now seemed
determined to continue his persecutions, out of a spirit of miserable
spite and hatred. He would hardly have been able to control his temper,
but he knew that Martin would probably wreak vengeance upon his sister
for anything he might do to provoke him, and he resolved, poor as the
chance was, to try and see if he could not conciliate him, and induce
him, if possible, to give up Rose again to his own care.
"Mr. Martin," he said, "Rose will only be a trouble and expense to you.
Why won't you bring her back? You don't care for her; but she is my
sister, and I will willingly work for her support." "Rose must stay with
me," said Martin. "If you're so anxious to pay her expenses, you can pay
me."
"I want her to live with me."
"Sorry I couldn't accommodate you," said Martin, "but your influence was
bad on her. I can't allow you to be together. She's been growing a great
deal wus since she was with me. I carried her yesterday to a nice,
respectable boarding-place, and the fust thing she did was to get to
fighting with another little gal in the house."
"Where was that?"
"Maybe you'd like to have me tell you."
"Rose is a very sweet, peaceable little girl, and if she got into
trouble, the other girl was to blame."
"The other girl's a little angel, so her mother says, and she ought to
know. Rose has got a sullen, bad temper; but I'll break her of it, see
if I don't."
"If you ill-treat my sister, it'll be the worse for you," said Rough and
Ready, hotly.
"Hoity-toity, I guess I can punish my child, if I see fit, without
asking your leave."
"She isn't your child."
"I've got her in my charge, and I mean to keep her."
This was unfortunately true, and Rufus chafed inwardly that it was so.
To think that his darling little Rose should be in the power of such a
coarse brute was enough to fill him with anger and despair. But what
could he do? Was there any way in which he could get her back? If he
only knew where she was! But of this he was entirely ignorant. Indignant
as he was, he must use conciliating means as long as there was any
chance that these would avail anything. He thought of the money he had
laid aside, and it occurred to him that Mr. Martin might be accessible
to a bribe. He knew that his stepfather was very poorly provided with
money, unless he had greatly improved in his habits upon his former mode
of life. At all events, he could but fail, and he determined to make the
attempt.
"Mr. Martin," he said, "if you'll bring my sister back, and agree not to
take her away from me again, I'll give you ten dollars."
"Have you got so much money?" asked Martin, doubtfully.
"Yes."
"Where did you get it?"
"I earned it."
"Have you got any more?"
"A little."
The newsboy did not think it expedient to let his stepfather know
precisely how much he had, for he knew his demands would rise with the
knowledge.
"How much more?" persisted Martin.
"I can't exactly say."
"Have you got fifteen dollars?"
"I will try to raise it, if you will bring back my sister."
Martin hesitated. Fifteen dollars was not to be despised. This sum would
enable him to live in idleness for a time. Besides he would be relieved
of the expenses of Rose, and this would amount in time to considerable.
As he did not pretend to feel any attachment to his stepdaughter, and
didn't expect to receive any pleasure or comfort from her society, it
certainly seemed to be a desirable arrangement. But, on the other hand,
it was pleasant to a man like Martin to feel that he had some one in his
power over whom he could exercise control, and upon whom he might expend
his anger. Besides, he would keep Rufus in a constant state of trouble
and anxiety, and this, too, was something. Still he did not like to give
up wholly the chance of gaining the fifteen dollars. After a little
hesitation, he said, "Have you got the money with you?"
"No."
"Have you any of it with you?"
"Only a dollar or two."
"That won't do."
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I should want part or the whole of it in advance."
"I shouldn't be willing to pay you in advance," said the newsboy, whose
confidence in his stepfather's integrity was by no means large.
"Why not?"
"I'll pay you when you bring Rose. That's fair enough."
"Perhaps you wouldn't have the money."
"Then you could carry her back again."
"And have all my trouble for nothing!"
"You won't have all your trouble for nothing. I want Rose back, and I
shall be sure to have the money with me."
Mr. Martin reflected a moment. He knew that he could trust the newsboy's
word. Much as he disliked him, he knew that if he made a promise he
would keep it, if there was a possibility of his doing so. Fifteen
dollars was quite a sum to him, for it was a long time since he had had
so much, and such were his shiftless habits, that it would probably be a
long time before he would have it, especially if he had to pay for the
board of Rose. Again, it occurred to him that if he should surrender
Rose, and receive the money, he might steal her again, and thus lose
nothing But then it was probable that Rufus would guard against this by
removing to a different quarter of the city, and not permitting Rose to
go out unaccompanied.
So there was a little conflict in his mind, and finally he came to this
decision. He would not surrender Rose quite yet. He wanted to torment
both her and her brother a little longer. There was time enough to make
the arrangement a week hence. Perhaps by that time the newsboy would be
ready to increase his offer.
"Well," said Rough and Ready, "what do you say?"
"I'll think about it."
"You'd better decide now."
"No, I don't feel like it. Do you think I'm ready to give up my little
daughter's society, after having her with me only a day?" and he smiled
in a way that provoked Rufus, as he knew it would.
"Will you bring her to-morrow?" asked the news boy, who felt that he
must hold his anger in check.
"Maybe I'll bring her in the course of a week; that is, if she behaves
herself. I must break her of some of her faults. She needs trainin'."
"She's a good little girl."
"She's got to be better before I give her back. Hope you won't fret
about her;" and Martin walked away, with a half laugh, as he saw the
trouble which the newsboy couldn't help showing in his face.
A sudden idea came to Rufus.
"Ben," he said, beckoning to Ben Gibson, who had just got through with a
job, "do you see that man?"
"The one you've been talking with?"
"Yes."
"Well, what about him?"
"I'll give you a dollar if you'll follow him, and find out where he
lives. Of course he mustn't know that you are following him."
"Maybe he isn't going home."
"Never mind. Follow him if it takes you all day, and you shall have the
dollar."
"Maybe I'll get off the track."
"You're too sharp for that. You see, Ben, he's carried off my little
sister, and I want to find out where he has put her. Just find out for
me where she is, and we'll carry her off from him."
"That'll be bully fun," said Ben. "I'm your man. Just take care of my
box, and I'll see what I can do."
Mr. Martin had turned down Spruce Street. He kept on his way, not
suspecting that there was some one on his track.