FRANK MORDAUNT.
Before leaving New York for his return to his old home, Ben took a
brief trip over to Brooklyn to see his friend Frank Mordaunt. He found
the family in a cheerful and happy mood.
Frank welcomed him heartily.
“It seems good to see you back, Ben,” he said.
“I suppose you have given up selling papers, Frank,” returned Ben,
smiling.
“Yes, ever since the wonderful news you sent, and the letter from Mr.
Wentworth inclosing one hundred dollars. It came just in the nick of
time. We were on the point of being ejected for not being able to pay
our rent.”
“You will never have any such trouble again, Frank. Mr. Wentworth has
sent me over to bring you to his office.”
“Is it really true that we have come into five thousand dollars a year
income?”
“There is no doubt about it, Frank. You ought to have come into it a year
ago. I am owing you five thousand dollars back income.”
“You!” exclaimed Frank in great surprise.
“Yes. I am the heir of Mrs. Harcourt, and I am pledged to pay back the
money which she wrongfully received.”
“I hope you inherited a good sum, Ben.”
“Forty thousand dollars; but out of it I am to pay your back income. It
will leave me thirty-five thousand dollars, as Mr. Basil Wentworth has
kindly refused to accept his share.”
“And we will do the same,” said Frank warmly. “We ought to make some
return for your kindness.”
“But, Frank, it is only fair that I should pay it.”
“We can afford to give it up. Why, with five thousand dollars a year we
shall feel like millionaires.”
“And with forty thousand dollars I shall be very rich for a Bowery
newsboy.”
“It will only yield an income of two thousand dollars a year, and we
shall have five thousand. Say no more, Ben; I will speak to my mother
and we will arrange matters with Mr. Basil Wentworth. We can afford to
be as generous as he is.”
To anticipate a little, Mrs. Mordaunt cordially agreed to Frank’s
proposal and Ben received the entire fortune of his benefactress
without incumbrance.
On the Fulton ferryboat Frank called attention to a boy sitting near,
who was dudishly dressed, and appeared to have a very high opinion of
himself.
“Do you see that boy, Ben?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I know him well. He lives only a block from us, but in a much better
house. He looks down upon me as a poor newsboy, and when he speaks to
me it is in a tone of lofty condescension.”
“What is his name?”
“Herman Brooks.”
“I suppose he belongs to a rich family.”
“His father earns an income of two thousand dollars a year in the New
York Custom House, but as he is an only son they are able to give him a
good supply of pocket money.”
“Probably he will change his opinion of you when he hears of your good
fortune.”
“No doubt. I think I will speak to him, so that you may have a specimen
of his manners.”
Frank moved up to the seat next to Herman.
“Good morning, Herman,” he said.
“Oh, it’s you, is it?” said Herman Brooks coldly. “How is the paper
business nowadays?”
“About the same as usual, I presume, but I am out of it.”
“Oh! I suppose you are looking for a position in some office?”
“I may by and by. By the way, Herman, I see you have a new bicycle?”
“Yes,” answered Herman with some interest, for he felt quite proud of
his new purchase.
“Do you mind telling me where you bought it?”
“Perhaps you are thinking of buying one,” said Herman, smiling in
evident amusement.
“I may do so. I always thought I should like a bicycle.”
“You can get one like mine for a hundred and thirty-five dollars.”
“I wouldn’t mind paying that for a good wheel.”
“You must be crazy!” ejaculated Herman, half amused, half angry. “It
is nonsense for you, a poor newsboy, to talk of buying a bicycle like
mine.”
“I don’t know why it is, as long as I can pay for it.”
“But you can’t pay for it. You must be crazy, Frank Mordaunt.”
Frank smiled in evident enjoyment of the surprise he was going to give
his scornful companion.
“Probably you didn’t know of the change in our circumstances,” he said
quietly.
“What change?”
“By the death of a relative we have come into an income of five
thousand dollars a year.”
“Is this true?” asked Herman in amazement.
“Entirely so.”
Herman’s face underwent an instant change. If there was anything for
which he felt respect it was money, and he realized that this hitherto
despised newsboy was much better off than himself.
“Accept my congratulations,” he said, with suavity. “You are remarkably
fortunate. If you want to buy a bicycle I will go over to New York any
time and help you select one. Why won’t you come and spend the evening
with me soon.”
“Thank you, but I didn’t suppose you would care to entertain a newsboy.”
“You are not a newsboy now. You are a gentleman.”
“Thank you.”
“Who is the young fellow with you?”
“Ben Bruce. He has just returned from spending a year in Europe.”
“I should like to be introduced.”
Smiling inwardly at the sudden change in Herman’s manner, Frank called
Ben and introduced him to Herman.
“I am glad to meet you, Mr. Bruce,” said Herman. “How did you enjoy
traveling in Europe?”
“Very much.”
“My father has promised to take me there some time.”
“Probably Frank and I will go together in a year or two.”
This was a sudden thought of Ben, but it will not be surprising if it
is some time carried into effect.
By this time the boat had reached the New York dock, and the boys
separated.
“Herman’s opinion of you has changed materially in a short time,” said
Ben, smiling.
“Yes,” answered Frank, “and it would change back again if I should lose
my fortune.”