AN EXCURSION TO FORT HAMILTON.
Towards the close of May there was a general holiday, occasioned by
the arrival of a distinguished stranger in the city. All the stores
were to be closed, there was to be a turnout of the military, and a
long procession. Among those released from duty were our three friends,
Fosdick, Richard Hunter, and his ward Mark.
"Well, Dick, what are you going to do to-morrow?" inquired Fosdick, on
the evening previous.
"I was expecting an invitation to ride in a barouche with the mayor,"
said Richard; "but probably he forgot my address and couldn't send
it. On the whole I'm glad of it, being rather bashful and not used to
popular enthusiasm."
"Shall you go out and see the procession?" continued Fosdick.
"No," said Dick; "I have been thinking of another plan, which I think
will be pleasanter."
"What is it?"
"It's a good while since we took an excursion. Suppose we go to Fort
Hamilton to-morrow."
"I should like that," said Fosdick. "I was never there. How do we get
there?"
"Cross over Fulton Ferry to Brooklyn, and there we might take the cars
to Fort Hamilton. It's seven or eight miles out there."
"Why do you say 'might' take the cars?"
"Because the cars will be crowded with excursionists, and I have been
thinking we might hire a carriage on the Brooklyn side, and ride out
there in style. It'll cost more money, but we don't often take a
holiday, and we can afford it for once. What you do say, Mark?"
"Do you mean me to go?" asked Mark, eagerly.
"Of course I do. Do you think your guardian would trust you to remain
in the city alone?"
"I go in for your plan, Dick," said Fosdick. "What time do you want to
start?"
"About half-past nine o'clock. That will give us plenty of time to go.
Then, after exploring the fort, we can get dinner at the hotel, and
drive where we please afterwards. I suppose there is sea-bathing near
by."
Dick's idea was unanimously approved, and by no one more than by Mark.
Holidays had been few and far between with him, and he anticipated the
excursion with the most eager delight. He was only afraid that the
weather would prove unpropitious. He was up at four, looking out of the
window; but the skies were clear, and soon the sun came out with full
radiance, dissipating the night-shadows, and promising a glorious day.
Breakfast was later than usual, as people like to indulge themselves
in a little longer sleep on Sundays and holidays; but it was over by
half-past eight, and within a few minutes from that time the three had
taken the cars to Fulton Ferry.
In about half an hour the ferry was reached, and, passing through,
the party went on board the boat. They had scarcely done so, when an
exclamation of surprise was heard, proceeding from feminine lips, and
Dick heard himself called by name.
"Why, Mr. Hunter, this is an unexpected pleasure. I am _so_ glad to
have met you."
Turning his head, Dick recognized Mr. and Mrs. Clifton. Both had
been fellow-boarders with him in Bleecker Street. The latter will be
remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune" as Miss Peyton. When
close upon the verge of old-maidenhood she had been married, for the
sake of a few thousand dollars which she possessed, by Mr. Clifton,
a clerk on a small salary, in constant pecuniary difficulties. With
a portion of his wife's money he had purchased a partnership in a
dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue; but the remainder of her money Mrs.
Clifton had been prudent enough to have settled upon herself.
Mrs. Clifton still wore the same ringlets, and exhibited the same
youthful vivacity which had characterized her when an inmate of Mrs.
Browning's boarding-house, and only owned to being twenty-four, though
she looked full ten years older.
"How d'e do, Hunter?" drawled Mr. Clifton, upon whose arm his wife was
leaning.
"Very well, thank you," said Dick. "I see Mrs. Clifton is as
fascinating as ever."
"O you wicked flatterer!" said Mrs. Clifton, shaking her ringlets, and
tapping Dick on the shoulder with her fan. "And here is Mr. Fosdick
too, I declare. How do you do, Mr. Fosdick?"
"Quite well, thank you, Mrs. Clifton."
"I declare I've a great mind to scold you for not coming round to see
us. I should so much like to hear you sing again."
"My friend hasn't sung since your marriage, Mrs. Clifton," said Dick.
"He took it very much to heart. I don't think he has forgiven Clifton
yet for cutting him out."
"Mr. Hunter is speaking for himself," said Fosdick, smiling. "He has
sung as little as I have."
"Yes, but for another reason," said Dick. "I did not think it right
to run the risk of driving away the boarders; so, out of regard to my
landlady, I repressed my natural tendency to warble."
"I see you're just as bad as ever," said Mrs. Clifton, in excellent
spirits. "But really you must come round and see us. We are boarding in
West Sixteenth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues."
"If your husband will promise not to be jealous," said Dick.
"I'm not subject to that complaint," said Clifton, coolly. "Got a cigar
about you, Hunter?"
"No. I don't smoke."
"No, don't you though? I couldn't get along without it. It's my great
comfort."
"Yes, he's always smoking," said Mrs. Clifton, with some asperity. "Our
rooms are so full of tobacco smoke, that I don't know but some of my
friends will begin to think I smoke myself."
"A man must have some pleasure," said Clifton, not appearing to be much
discomposed by his wife's remarks.
It may be mentioned that although Mrs. Clifton was always gay and
vivacious in company, there were times when she could display
considerable ill-temper, as her husband frequently had occasion to
know. Among the sources of difficulty and disagreement was that portion
of Mrs. Clifton's fortune which had been settled upon herself, and
of which she was never willing to allow her husband the use of a
single dollar. In this, however, she had some justification, as he was
naturally a spendthrift, and, if placed in his hands, it would soon
have melted away.
"Where are you going, Mr. Hunter?" inquired Mrs. Clifton, after a pause.
"Fosdick and I have planned to take a carriage and ride to Fort
Hamilton."
"Delightful!" said Mrs. Clifton. "Why can't we go too, Mr. Clifton?"
"Why, to tell the plain truth," said her husband, "I haven't got money
enough with me. If you'll pay for the carriage, I'm willing to go."
Mrs. Clifton hesitated. She had money enough with her, but was not
inclined to spend it. Still the prospect of making a joint excursion
with Richard Hunter and Fosdick was attractive, and she inquired:--
"How much will it cost?"
"About five dollars probably."
"Then I think we'll go," she said, "that is, if our company would not
be disagreeable to Mr. Hunter."
"On the contrary," said Dick. "We will get separate carriages, but I
will invite you both to dine with us after visiting the fort."
Mr. Clifton brightened up at this, and straightway became more social
and cheerful.
"Mrs. Clifton," said Richard Hunter, "I believe I haven't yet
introduced you to my ward."
"Is that your ward?" inquired the lady, looking towards Mark. "What is
his name?"
"Mark Manton."
"How do you like your guardian?" inquired Mrs. Clifton.
"Very much," said Mark, smiling.
"Then I won't expose him," said Mrs. Clifton. "We used to be great
friends before I married."
"Since that sad event I have never recovered my spirits," said Dick.
"Mark will tell you what a poor appetite I have."
"Is that true, Mark?" asked the lady.
"I don't think it's _very_ poor," said Mark, with a smile.
Probably my readers will not consider this conversation very brilliant;
but Mrs. Clifton was a silly woman, who was fond of attention, and was
incapable of talking sensibly. Richard would have preferred not to have
her husband or herself in the company, but, finding it inevitable,
submitted to it with as good a grace as possible.
Carriage were secured at a neighboring stable, and the two parties
started. The drive was found to be very pleasant, particularly
the latter portion, when a fresh breeze from the sea made the air
delightfully cool. As they drove up beside the fort, they heard the
band within, playing a march, and, giving their horses in charge, they
were soon exploring the interior. The view from the ramparts proved to
be fine, commanding a good view of the harbor and the city of New York,
nearly eight miles distant to the north.
"It is a charming view," said Mrs. Clifton, with girlish enthusiasm.
"I know what will be more charming," said her husband.
"What is it?"
"A prospect of the dinner-table. I feel awfully hungry."
"Mr. Clifton never thinks of anything but eating," said his wife.
"By Jove! you can do your share at that," retorted her husband not very
gallantly. "You'd ought to see her eat, Hunter."
"I don't eat more than a little bird," said Mrs. Clifton, affectedly.
"I appeal to Mr. Hunter."
"If any little bird ate as much as you, he'd be sure to die of
_dyspepsy_," said her husband. If the word in italics is incorrectly
spelled, I am not responsible, as that is the way Mr. Clifton
pronounced it.
"I confess the ride has given me an appetite also," said Dick. "Suppose
we go round to the hotel, and order dinner."
They were soon seated round a bountifully spread dinner-table, to which
the whole party, not excepting Mrs. Clifton, did excellent justice. It
will not be necessary or profitable to repeat the conversation which
seasoned the repast, as, out of deference to Mrs. Clifton's taste, none
of the party ventured upon any sensible remarks.
After dinner they extended their drive, and then parted, as Mr. and
Mrs. Clifton decided to make a call upon some friends living in the
neighborhood.
About four o'clock Richard Hunter and his friends started on their
return home. They had about reached the Brooklyn city line, when
Fosdick suddenly exclaimed:--
"Dick, there's a carriage overturned a little ways ahead of us. Do you
see it?"
Looking in the direction indicated, Dick saw that Fosdick was correct.
"Let us hurry on," he said. "Perhaps we may be able to render some
assistance."
Coming up, they found that a wheel had come off, and a gentleman of
middle age was leaning against a tree with an expression of pain upon
his features, while a boy of about seventeen was holding the horse.
"Frank Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, in joyful recognition.
To Frank Whitney Dick was indebted for the original impulse which led
him to resolve upon gaining a respectable position in society, as will
be remembered by the readers of "Ragged Dick;" and for this he had
always felt grateful.
"Dick!" exclaimed Frank, in equal surprise. "I am really glad to see
you. You are a friend in need."
"Tell me what has happened."
"The wheel of our carriage came off, as you see and my uncle was
pitched out with considerable violence, and has sprained his ankle
badly. I was wondering what to do, when luckily you came up."
"Tell me how I can help you," said Dick, promptly, "and I will do so."
"We are stopping at the house of a friend in Brooklyn. If you will give
my uncle a seat in your carryall, for he is unable to walk, and carry
him there, it will be a great favor. I will remain and attend to the
horse and carriage."
"With pleasure, Frank. Are you going to remain in this neighborhood
long?"
"I shall try to gain admission to the sophomore class of Columbia
College this summer, and shall then live in New York, where I hope
to see you often. I intended to enter last year, but decided for
some reasons to delay a year. However, if I am admitted to advanced
standing, I shall lose nothing. Give me your address, and I will call
on you very soon."
"I am afraid I shall inconvenience you," said Mr. Whitney.
"Not at all," said Dick, promptly. "We have plenty of room, and I shall
be glad to have an opportunity of obliging one to whom I am indebted
for past kindness."
Mr. Whitney was assisted into the carriage, and they resumed their
drive, deviating from their course somewhat, in order to leave him at
the house of the friend with whom he was stopping.
"I am very glad to have met Frank again," thought Dick: "I always liked
him."