A Surprising Discovery
"I suppose I have done all I can," said Ben to himself. "There will
be no object in remaining in Montreal any longer."
He immediately purchased a ticket, and took the next train
homeward. He arrived in Boston at mid-day.
He went at once to the store, and was cordially welcomed by the
bookkeeper.
"I am glad to see you, Ben," said the young man. "My uncle is
well pleased with the orders you have sent home."
"Then he is satisfied with me?"
"I leave him to tell you that. You can go at once into the
countingroom."
Ben reported himself as directed.
"Welcome back, Ben," said the old gentleman. "Have you just
arrived?"
"I reached the station twenty minuets ago, sir."
"And came directly to the store; I like that. How do you like
drumming?"
"It requires patience, sir; but I like it. I hope you are satisfied
with me."
"You have exceeded my anticipations. To be candid with you,
I doubted the expedience of sending so young a representative."
"I know that, sir, and it made me work harder."
"I should have no hesitation in sending you again. In fact, I shall
probably send you next month to New York and Philadelphia."
"I should like that very much, sir," said Ben, his eyes sparkling.
"I shall try to satisfy you."
"I think you will," said his employer kindly. "I never doubted your
fidelity. Now I feel assured of your capacity and tact. Have you
any orders not yet reported?"
"Two or three small ones, sir."
"Give them to me."
This done, Mr. Porter dismissed Ben for the day. "You need
not report for work till to-morrow morning."
Ben was glad to go to his boarding-house. On arriving there
he received another cordial greeting, this time from Mr.
Benton. The old gentleman seemed really delighted to see him,
and eager to learn what he had accomplished. Ben began to
speak of the orders he had received; but Mr. Benton interrupted
him.
"I don't mean that," he said. "I want to hear about your own
affairs. Did you see Mr. Brief the lawyer?"
"Yes, sir."
"How did you like him?"
"Not at all, at first, but better before we parted."
"How was that?" asked Mr. Benton, showing some curiosity.
At first he insisted strongly on the claim the estate has against
my aunt; but after awhile he said he should not press the matter
at present, and recommended us to look for Uncle Matthew's
letter.
"You have searched for it, have you not?" asked Mr. Benton.
"Yes, sir; but so far without success. Still I haven't given up all
hope of finding it. My motto is, 'Wait and Hope.'"
"I think it will all come out right," said the old man. "Did you
see John Tremlett?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell me about him," said the old man eagerly. "Ho does he look?"
"He looks like a fast young man," answered Ben. "I did not like
him at all."
"Do you think he is spending money fast?"
"I know he is. How much money do you think he has drawn in a
month?"
"Two hundred dollars?" suggested Mr. Benton.
"He had drawn eight hundred and spent it all, for he came into the
office to ask for more."
"The young scoundrel!" exclaimed Marcus Benton, with an
excitement which Ben could not understand. "Why he is making
ducks and drakes of my old friend's fortune."
"Did you know Uncle Matthew?" asked Ben quickly.
"Yes," answered the old man. "I told you so, didn't I?"
"No, sir, you never told me that. Do you know John Tremlett?"
"Yes, I have seen him. He was a sober, steady young man
apparently, who ingratiated himself with Mr. Baldwin, whom he
deceived as to his real character."
"What relation was he to Uncle Matthew?"
"Very distant, but he seemed near, having been in his employ for
several years. He collected rents and attended to other necessary
matters."
"If he was ever sober and steady, he has changed a good deal."
"Did Mr. Brief give him the money he asked for?"
"Not all he wanted. He gave him one hundred dollars, and reminded
him that he was only at liberty to pay over to him the income of the
estate--that is, for the first twelve months."
"Quite right!" murmured Mr. Benton.
"He lectured him upon his extravagance and fast life, and warned him
that he must check himself."
"He did right."
"What I dislike most about this John Tremlett was the way in which
he spoke of Uncle Matthew," said Ben.
"How did he speak of him?" demanded Marcus Benton quickly.
"As a tight-fisted old curmudgeon."
"He did--the young viper!" exclaimed the old man indignantly.
"Spoke so of the man who left him his fortune!"
"Yes, sir. I couldn't help telling him I thought it not very becoming to
speak in that way of his benefactor; and he told me to mind my own
business."
"I wouldn't have believed John Tremlett would act so," said Mr.
Benton slowly; "I trusted him so, and always treated him kindly."
"You trusted him!" repeated Ben, astonished.
"My boy," said Mr. Benton, "the time has come for me to throw off
the mask. I am not Marcus Benton, as you suppose. I am Matthew
Baldwin."
"But I thought Mr. Baldwin was dead--committed suicide,"
exclaimed Ben, in wild amazement.
"The world thinks so; but the world is mistaken. I will tell you the
whole story. I found myself getting old. In all probability I had
but a few years to live. By industry and economy I had
accumulated a fortune, which I must leave behind me. I was
anxious that it should not be squandered. I selected John Tremlett
as my heir. So far as I knew he was devoted to my interests, and
he seemed steady in his habits. But it occurred to me to try him.
Accordingly I sent a letter to my lawyer, Solomon Brief, who had
my will in his possession, announcing my intention to commit
suicide, and directing him to open the will and carry out the
provisions. Then I left Montreal secretly, staying a short time in
northern Vermont. Later I came on to Boston and managed to
throw myself in your way. Not knowing me, you treated me with
kindness and consideration. I became interested in you, and
regretted that I had made no provision for you and your aunt.
Through you I have learned how unwisely I disposed of my fortune.
Thank Heaven it is not too late to remedy that.
"This seems like a romance, Mr. Benton--I mean, Uncle Matthew."
"Yes; call me uncle. I like to feel that I have somebody to live for."
"Come out to Milltown with me, Uncle Matthew. Aunt Jane will be
delighted to see you," said Ben.
"I have work to do first," said the old man firmly. "I must go to
Montreal, and you must go with me."
"I am not sure that Jones & Porter will allow me."
"Then throw up your situation. You shall lose nothing by it."
"When do you wish to start?"
"To-night," said Mr. Baldwin resolutely.
"Then I must go to the store, at once, and give notice of my absence."
Ben lost no time in going to the store. He explained matters fully,
and obtained a week's leave of absence. Then he bought tickets
for his uncle and himself, and they set out on their long journey.