HARRY DECIDES TO LEAVE AUSTRALIA.
“I wish Harry were here,” said Maud Lindsay, discontentedly. “It’s so
lonesome since he went away.”
“Upon my word, that is complimentary,” said her father. “You don’t appear
to value my company.”
“Of course I do, papa; but then you know you are away a good deal of the
time. Besides, you are older than I am.”
“That is unfortunately true. I believe most fathers are older than their
daughters.”
“Have you heard from Harry yet?”
“Not since the letter of last week. He reported then that he had not
found much gold.”
“I wish he would make his fortune quick, so that he could come back.”
“I begin to think you’re in love with Harry, Maud.”
“I begin to think so too, papa. Would you object to him for a son-in-law?”
“Just at present I might. I don’t think you are old enough to be married.”
“Don’t be foolish, papa. Of course I don’t want to be married till I am
old enough.”
“I can’t promise so long beforehand. Besides, it is just possible that
Harry may have somebody else.”
“I hope he won’t,” said Maud. “We just suit each other.”
“You speak confidently, Maud. Perhaps you may change your mind.”
“No, I shan’t,” said Maud, positively. “If I don’t marry Harry Raymond,
I’ll be an old maid.”
This conversation took place on the morning of Harry’s return to
Melbourne. Indeed, Maud had hardly ceased speaking when a knock was heard
at the door. Maud rose to open it. She was overwhelmed with delight when,
in the visitor, in spite of his rough garb, she recognized our hero, the
loss of whose company she had been deploring.
“O Harry, how glad I am to see you!” she exclaimed, actually hugging
Harry in her delight.
Harry was rather embarrassed at the unexpected warmth of his reception,
but felt that it would be impolite not to kiss Maud in return, and
accordingly did so.
“I am glad to see you, Harry,” said Mr. Lindsay, advancing to meet him.
“Have you just arrived from the mines?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I hope no ill luck has hurried you back.”
“Partly ill luck, and partly good luck. Bush found a nugget of gold worth
at least five thousand dollars.”
“Then you had nothing to do with finding it?”
“We were partners, and he insisted that half of it belonged to me.”
“That was generous. So you have come back to dispose of it. Is Bush with
you?”
“No,” said Harry, soberly. “He is dead.”
“Dead! Why, that is sudden.”
“I will tell you about it.”
“Sit right down here, and tell me.”
Harry seated himself, and gave a brief account of the murderous attack
upon Bush, and his death, mentioning in the conclusion that he was the
heir of the miner’s property.
“Let me see the paper,” said Mr. Lindsay.
Harry exhibited the paper signed by Bush just before he died.
“Who are the witnesses whose names are written here?”
“The three men who came up at the time of the murder.”
“You will have to send for them to prove the validity of this document,
and satisfy the bankers that you are the Harry Raymond to whom the money
is bequeathed.”
“They are here in Melbourne. I brought them with me.”
“You are sharper than I thought. What made you think of this?”
“I thought their testimony might be needed. Besides, I was liable to be
attacked, and perhaps murdered on the way, if it were discovered that I
had the nugget; so I offered them a thousand dollars between them, if
they would come up with me.”
“It is a considerable sum, but I think you were wise to pay it. I know
these bankers with whom your friend’s money is deposited. If you desire
it, I will take the matter in hand, and present your claim at once.”
“That is what I wanted to ask, Mr. Lindsay. If you will be so kind, I
shall be very much obliged to you.”
“Then we had better lose no time. I have an hour to spare. Suppose you
come with me now.”
“But,” said Maud, “I want Harry to stay with me.
“Business first, pleasure afterwards, Maud,” said her father; “and this
business of Harry’s is of much importance.”
“Well, Harry, come back as soon as you can,” said Maud.
To this Harry readily agreed, and went out with Mr. Lindsay.
Messrs. Bird & Bolton were in their banking-office.
“Good-morning, Mr. Lindsay,” said Mr. Bird, as that gentleman entered.
“Is there anything I can do for you this morning?”
“Not for me, but for this young man,” said Mr. Lindsay, presenting Harry.
Mr. Bird looked at Harry in some surprise, for he was still clad in his
rough miner’s costume.
“You have fourteen hundred pounds left on deposit by John Bush, a miner,
if I am rightly informed.”
“Your information is correct, Mr. Lindsay.”
“John Bush is dead. This young man, whom I previously knew, was his
partner, and to him Bush bequeathed all of which he died possessed.”
“I suppose your young friend has proof to substantiate his claim,” said
Mr. Bird, cautiously.
“He has.”
Here Mr. Lindsay produced the paper already referred to.
“This seems correct, but the witnesses ought to be produced. They might
be men of straw, you know.”
“Of course. In such a matter, you are right to be cautious. The
witnesses are all in Melbourne, and shall be produced,” said Mr. Lindsay.
“I have no doubt all will be satisfactory; but of course, as a man of
business, Mr. Lindsay, you will not be surprised that we require absolute
proof.”
“You are perfectly right in doing so. I should do the same in your place.
We propose to bring the witnesses here, that you may satisfy yourself
that all is genuine, and as it should be. If you will appoint an hour
that will suit your convenience they shall be on hand.”
“To-morrow at eleven, then.”
“Very well.”
After a little more conversation Mr. Lindsay and Harry withdrew.
“There is one thing more that I would like your advice about,” said Harry.
“What is that? Of course you shall have it.”
“I want to sell my nugget at the best advantage.”
“Where is it?”
“I will bring it to the hotel at any time. It is in charge of the three
miners.”
“You are rather careless to trust them.”
“I don’t know but I am,” said Harry; “but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“I will go around with you to the place where they are stopping, and then
will call with you upon a man who deals in gold. The matter may as well
be settled at once.”
The three miners had put up at an inferior inn in a narrow street running
out of the principal avenue in Melbourne. Luckily they were at home when
Harry called with Mr. Lindsay.
The latter found a certain reluctance on their part to give up the nugget.
“You see,” said one, “this young chap has promised us two hundred pounds
between us. Maybe he will forget all about that, and leave us to shift
for ourselves.”
“Do you think I would be so mean?” exclaimed Harry.
“The man is right,” said Mr. Lindsay. “He wants to have everything made
sure.”
“But I can’t pay them till the gold is sold.”
“That’s true; nor would it be advisable, for you want their testimony
before the bankers. But I think I see a way to arrange matters.”
“How is that?” asked Harry.
“I will advance one half the sum you promised at once, and guarantee the
payment of the balance to-morrow afternoon, after they have rendered in
their testimony at the banking-house.”
This suggestion was accepted by all parties as the best practical
solution of the difficulty arising from the conflicting interests of the
two parties, namely, the three miners on the one hand, and Harry on the
other. It must not be supposed that they had seen anything in him to
inspire distrust; but it is a good rule to keep friendship and business
apart, and appearances are sometimes deceptive.
It will not be necessary to follow out the business in all its details.
There were some unexpected delays; but at the end of a fortnight the
whole matter was settled, and Harry found himself, not indeed rich, but
richer than he ever anticipated.
The gold nugget was found to be worth five thousand four hundred and
fifty dollars. The money in the banker’s hands, with accruing interest,
amounted to seven thousand and seventy-five. The account was rendered in
English currency, but for convenience’ sake I have reduced it to Federal
money. This, then, was the final statement of Harry’s inheritance:—
On deposit with Bird & Bolton, $7,075.00
Sum realized from gold nugget, 5,450.00
----------
Total, $12,525.00
From this amount must be deducted the thousand dollars which Harry agreed
to pay to the three miners. When this was done, he was left with eleven
thousand five hundred and twenty-five dollars, which, for a boy of his
age, was certainly a very comfortable capital.
When this matter was settled, Harry began to bethink himself of home, and
told Mr. Lindsay that he felt it his duty to go back to America as soon
as possible, and gladden his mother’s heart with the news of his good
fortune.
“You are right, Harry,” said Mr. Lindsay, promptly. “Your first duty is
to your mother. I will not say a word to dissuade you from it.”
But if Mr. Lindsay forbore to dissuade Harry, Maud was not so forbearing.
She was exceedingly dissatisfied at the idea of losing the society of our
hero.
“Why can’t we all sail in the same steamer, papa?” she said.
“Because, Maud, I am not ready to go back yet. My business is not
finished.”
“Then I shall never see Harry again.”
“I think you will. I have invited Harry to visit us in England next
summer, and I think he will accept the invitation.”
“Will you, Harry?” asked Maud, eagerly.
“I will if I can, Maud,” said Harry; “and I think I can.”
“I am afraid you will forget me, Harry.”
“I certainly shall not, Maud. You have been too kind for that. As soon
as I get back to America I shall write to you, and let you know how I
arrived.”
Maud was forced to be satisfied with this promise. Harry made all needed
preparations for his return, and a week from the time when his affairs
were settled, he took cabin passage on a steamer bound from Melbourne to
New York. We must precede him, and inquire how matters have been going on
in Vernon during his absence.