The Closing Scene.
The next day Tim Bolton, dressed in a jaunty style, walked up the
steps of the Linden mansion.
"Is Mr. Waring at home?" he asked.
"No, sir; he has gone downtown."
"I'll step in and wait for him. Please show me to the library."
Jane, who had been taken into confidence by the nurse, showed him at
once into the room mentioned.
Half an hour later Curtis entered.
"How long have you been here, Bolton?"
"But a short time. You sent for me?"
"I did."
"On business?"
"Well, yes."
"Is there anything new?"
"Yes, my uncle is failing fast."
"Is he likely to die soon?"
"I shouldn't be surprised if he died within a week."
"I suspect Curtis means to help him! Well, what has that to do with
me?" he asked. "You will step into the property, of course?"
"There is a little difficulty in the way which I can overcome with
your help."
"What is it?"
"I can't get him to give up the foolish notion that the boy he lost is
still alive."
"It happens to be true."
"Yes; but he must not know it. Before he dies I want him to make a new
will, revoking all others, leaving all the property to me."
"Will he do it?"
"I don't know. As long as he thinks the boy is living, I don't believe
he will. You see what a drawback that is."
"I see. What can I do to improve the situation?"
"I want you to sign a paper confessing that you abducted the boy----"
"At your instigation?"
"That must not be mentioned. You will go on to say that a year or two
later--the time is not material--he died of typhoid fever. You can say
that you did not dare to reveal this before, but do so now, impelled
by remorse."
"Have you got it written out? I can't remember all them words."
"Yes; here it is."
"All right," said Bolton, taking the paper and tucking it into an
inside pocket. "I'll copy it out in my own handwriting. How much are
you going to give me for doing this?"
"A thousand dollars."
"Cash?"
"I can't do that. I have met with losses at the gaming table, and I
don't dare ask money from my uncle at this time. He thinks I am
thoroughly steady."
"At how much do you value the estate?"
"At four hundred thousand dollars. I wormed it out of my uncle's
lawyer the other day."
"And you expect me to help you to that amount for only a thousand
dollars?"
"A thousand dollars is a good deal of money."
"And so is four hundred thousand. After all, your uncle may not die."
"He is sure to."
"You seem very confident."
"And with good reason. Leave that to me. I promise you, on my honor,
to pay you two thousand dollars when I get the estate."
"But what is going to happen to poor Dodger, the rightful heir?"
"Well, let it be three hundred dollars a year, then."
"Where is he now?"
"I don't mind telling you, as it can do no harm. He is in California."
"Whew! That was smart. How did you get him there?"
"I drugged him, and had him sent on board a ship bound for San
Francisco, around Cape Horn. The fact is, I was getting a little
suspicious of you, and I wanted to put you beyond the reach of
temptation."
"You are a clever rascal, Curtis. After all, suppose the prize should
slip through your fingers?"
"It won't. I have taken every precaution."
"When do you want this document?"
"Bring it back to me this afternoon, copied and signed. That is all
you have to do; I will attend to the rest."
While this conversation was going on there were unseen listeners.
Behind a portiere Mrs. Barnes, the nurse, and John Linden heard every
word that was said.
"And what do you think now, sir?" whispered Mrs. O'Keefe (to give her
real name).
"It is terrible. I would not have believed Curtis capable of such a
crime. But is it really true, Mrs. Barnes? Is my lost boy alive?"
"To be sure he is."
"Have you seen him?"
"I know him as well as I know you, sir, and better, too."
"Is he--tell me, is he a good boy? Curtis told me that he might be a
criminal."
"He might, but he isn't. He's as dacent and honest a boy as iver trod
shoe leather. You'll be proud of him, sir."
"But he's in California."
"He was; but he's got back. You shall see him to-day, and Florence,
too. Hark! I hear the door bell. They're here now. I think you had
better go in and confront Curtis."
"I feel weak, Mrs. Barnes. Let me lean on you."
"You can do that, and welcome, sir."
The nurse pushed aside the portiere, and the two entered the library--
Mrs. Barnes rotund and smiling, Mr. Linden gaunt and spectral looking,
like one risen from the grave.
Curtis eyed the pair with a startled look.
"Mrs. Barnes," he said, angrily, "what do you mean by taking my uncle
from his bed and bringing him down here? It is as much as his life is
worth. You seem unfit for your duties as nurse. You will leave the
house to-morrow, and I will engage a substitute."
"I shall lave whin I git ready, Mr. Curtis Waring," said the nurse,
her arms akimbo. "Maybe somebody else will lave the house. Me and Mr.
Linden have been behind the curtain for twenty minutes, and he has
heard every word you said."
Curtis turned livid, and his heart sank.
"It's true, Curtis," said John Linden's hollow voice. "I have heard
all. It was you who abducted my boy, and have made my life a lonely
one all these years. Oh, man! man! how could you have the heart to do
it?"
Curtis stared at him with parched lips, unable to speak.
"Not content with this, you drove from the house my dear niece,
Florence. You made me act cruelly toward her. I fear she will not
forgive me."
But just then the door opened, and Florence, rushing into the room,
sank at her uncle's feet.
"Oh, uncle," she said, "will you take me back?"
"Yes, Florence, never again to leave me. And who is this?" he asked,
fixing his eyes on Dodger, who stood shyly in the doorway.
"I'll tell you, sir," said Tim Bolton. "That is your own son, whom I
stole away from you when he was a kid, being hired to do it by Curtis
Waring."
"It's a lie," said Curtis, hoarsely.
"Come to me, my boy," said Mr. Linden, with a glad light in his eyes.
"At last Heaven has heard my prayers," he ejaculated. "We will never
be separated. I was ready to die, but now I hope to live for many
years. I feel that I have a new lease of life."
With a baffled growl Curtis Waring darted a furious look at the three.
"That boy is an impostor," he said. "They are deceiving you."
"He is my son. I see his mother's look in his face. As for you, Curtis
Waring, my eyes are open at last to your villainy. You deserve nothing
at my hands; but I will make some provision for you."
There was another surprise.
Curtis Waring's deserted wife, brought from California by Dodger,
entered the room, leading by the hand a young child.
"Oh, Curtis," she said, reproachfully. "How could you leave me? I have
come to you, my husband, with our little child."
"Begone! woman!" said Curtis, furiously. "I will never receive or
recognize you!"
"Oh, sir!" she said, turning to Mr. Linden, "what shall I do?"
"Curtis Waring," said Mr. Linden, sternly, "unless you receive this
woman and treat her properly, you shall receive nothing from me."
"And if I do?"
"You will receive an income of two thousand dollars a year, payable
quarterly. Mrs. Waring, you will remain here with your child till your
husband provides another home for you."
Curtis slunk out of the room, but he was too wise to refuse his
uncle's offer.
He and his wife are living in Chicago, and he treats her fairly well,
fearing that, otherwise, he will lose his income.
Mr. Linden looks ten years younger than he did at the opening of the
story.
Florence and Dodger--now known as Harvey Linden--live with him.
Dodger, under a competent private tutor, is making up the deficiencies
in his education.
It is early yet to speak of marriage, but it is possible that Florence
may marry a cousin, after all.
Tim Bolton has turned over a new leaf, given up his saloon, and is
carrying on a country hotel within fifty miles of New York.
He has five thousand dollars in the bank, presented by Dodger, with
his father's sanction, and is considered quite a reputable citizen.
As for Mrs. O'Keefe, she still keeps the apple-stand, being unwilling
to give it up; but she, too, has a handsome sum in the bank, and calls
often upon her two children, as she calls them.
In the midst of their prosperity Florence and Dodger will never forget
the time when they were adrift in New York.
The end.
* * * * *
A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers,
52-58 Duane Street, New York
BOOKS FOR BOYS.
Joe's Luck: A Boy's Adventures in California. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
The story is chock full of stirring incidents, while the amusing
situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and
the fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike
Co., Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck"
is certainly one of his best.
Tom the Bootblack; or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all
ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better
himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr.
Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad.
The plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a
comfortable fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories.
Dan the Newsboy. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is
pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of
New York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the
Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the
house where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the
little heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good
qualities that she adopts him as her heir.
Tony the Hero: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By Horatio
Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of
Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and
gets a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large
estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down
a deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him,
and by a brave act, a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is
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The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart
country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper, named
Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent
troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of
errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend.
Tom Temple's Career. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village
to seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to
California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling
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style.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
BOOKS FOR BOYS.
Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for
himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a
situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a
wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter
helps the lad to gain success and fortune.
Tom Thatcher's Fortune. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his
mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John
Simpson's factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts
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told in a way which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so
many homes.
The Train Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother
and sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee
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young lady. In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul
is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude
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well started on the road to business prominence.
Mark Mason's Victory. The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By
Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily
won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many
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A Debt of Honor. The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West.
By Horatio Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and
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Ben Bruce. Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By Horatio
Alger, Jr.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts,
and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success,
are most interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr.
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The Castaways; or, On the Florida Reefs. By James Otis.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen
leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the
coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through
her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the
leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake
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* * * * * * * * * * * *
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Transcriber's Notes
Typographical errors have been left as found, including:
"I do not love him," ending with a comma in chapter 4.
"siezed" and "doubtfullly" in chapter 5.
"soliloqized" in chapter 16.
"Eactly" in chapter 18.
"ascertainel" in chapter 22.
"San Farncisco" in chapter 23.
"Stauss" in chapter 29.
"thas" in chapter 33.
"utmust" in chapter 35.
Dialect has been left as printed, even where inconsistent.
Accented letters and ligatures have been removed in the plain
text version.