Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
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[Illustration: "Mr. Polk," said Randy, "it was not my fault, and I shall
not stand for the damage done."--p. 223.]
RANDY OF THE RIVER
OR
_THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG DECKHAND_
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
AUTHOR OF "NELSON THE NEWSBOY," "OUT FOR BUSINESS,"
"THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT," "LOST AT SEA,"
"RAGGED DICK SERIES," ETC.
GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK
THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES
By Horatio Alger, Jr.
OUT FOR BUSINESS;
Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career.
FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE;
Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary
NELSON THE NEWSBOY,
Or, Afloat in New York.
JERRY THE BACKWOODS BOY,
Or, The Parkhurst Treasure.
FROM FARM TO FORTUNE,
Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience.
YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK,
Or, The Son of a Soldier.
THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT,
Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success.
LOST AT SEA,
Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise.
RANDY OF THE RIVER,
Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand.
_Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated Price, 60 cents per volume._
Copyright, 1906
BY
STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY
_Randy of the River._
PREFACE
The majority of stories for boys have their background laid either in
the city or the country, or possibly on the ocean, and we have read
much about the doings of lads both rich and poor in such locations.
In the present tale we have a youth of sturdy qualities who elects to
follow the calling of a deckhand on a Hudson River steamboat, doing his
duty faithfully day by day, and trying to help others as well as
himself. Like all other boys he is at times tempted to do wrong, but he
has a heart of gold even though it is hidden by a somewhat ragged outer
garment, and in the end proves the truth of that old saying that it
pays to be honest,--not only in regard to others but also regarding
one's self.
Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may
imagine. There is hard work and plenty of it, and the remuneration is
not of the best. But Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was
offered. His success in the end was well deserved, and perhaps the
lesson his doings teach will not be lost upon those who peruse these
pages. It is better to do what one finds to do than to fold your hands
and remain idle, and the idle boy is sure, sooner or later, to get into
serious mischief.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. SOMETHING ABOUT RANDY 7
II. AT THE FISHING HOLE 17
III. EXPOSING BOB BANGS 26
IV. RANDY AT HOME 36
V. THE RESULT OF A QUARREL 45
VI. THE IRON WORKS AFFAIR 54
VII. MORE TROUBLES FOR RANDY 62
VIII. RANDY AND HIS UNCLE PETER 70
IX. THE NEW HOME 80
X. SAMMY'S FOURTH OF JULY 88
XI. RANDY TO THE RESCUE 99
XII. A STEAMBOAT MAN 108
XIII. MR. SHALLEY MAKES AN OFFER 118
XIV. BOB BANGS AND HIS HORSE 127
XV. RANDY AS A DECKHAND 135
XVI. IN NEW YORK CITY 145
XVII. THE PURSER HAS HIS SAY 153
XVIII. A MEETING ON THE RIVER 161
XIX. AN UNLOOKED-FOR ENCOUNTER 169
XX. WHAT CAME OF A DEMAND 177
XXI. RANDY VISITS HIS HOME 186
XXII. MR. BARTLETT MAKES A MOVE 193
XXIII. THE PAPERS IN THE SAFE 201
XXIV. ANOTHER HIDING PLACE 208
XXV. A VICTORY FOR RANDY 215
XXVI. NEW TROUBLES 222
XXVII. RANDY MAKES A DISCOVERY 229
XXVIII.OUT OF A TIGHT CORNER 237
XXIX. GEORGE GAFFNEY'S STATEMENT 244
XXX. A SWIM FOR LIFE 252
XXXI. NEWS OF IMPORTANCE 259
XXXII. BROUGHT TO TERMS--CONCLUSION 265
RANDY OF THE RIVER
CHAPTER I
SOMETHING ABOUT RANDY
"I am going fishing, Randy. Do you want to go along?"
"With pleasure, Jack," answered Randy Thompson, a bright, manly youth
of fourteen. "Are you going on foot or in your boat?"
"I think we might as well take the boat," returned Jack Bartlett, a boy
who was but a few months older than Randy. "Have you your lines handy?"
"No, but I can get them in less than ten minutes."
"All right. Meet me at the dock in quarter of an hour. I was thinking
of going up the river to Landy's Hole. That's a good spot, isn't it?"
"I think so. Last season I was up there and caught fourteen good-sized
fish."
"They tell me you are one of the best fishermen in Riverport, Randy,"
went on Jack Bartlett, admiringly. "What is the secret of your
success?"
"I don't know unless it is patience," answered Randy, with a broad
smile. "To catch fish you must be patient. Now when I caught my mess of
fourteen two other boys were up to the Hole. But just because the fish
did not bite right away they moved away, further up the river. But by
doing that they got only about half as many as myself."
"Well, I am willing to be patient if I know I am going to catch
something."
At this Randy laughed outright.
"You can't be sure of anything--in fishing. But I always reckon it's a
good thing to hold on and give a thing a fair trial."
"I reckon you're right, Randy, and I'll give the fishing a fair trial
to-day," answered Jack Bartlett. "Remember, the dock in quarter of an
hour," he added, as he moved away.
"I'll be on hand--unless mother wants me to do something for her before
I go away," returned Randy.
Randy, or rather Randolph, Thompson, to use his right name, was the
only son of Louis Thompson, a carpenter of Riverport, a thriving town
in one of our eastern states. Randy had no brothers or sisters, and
lived with his father and mother in a modest cottage on one of the side
roads leading to the hills back of the town. Randy was a scholar in the
local school, standing close to the head of his class. It was now
summer time and the institution of learning was closed, so the boy had
most of his time to himself.
He had wanted to go to work, to help his father, who had some heavy
doctors' bills to pay, but his parents had told him to take at least
two weeks' vacation before looking for employment.
"He needs it," Mrs. Thompson had said to her husband. "He has applied
himself very closely to his studies ever since last fall."
"Well, let him take the vacation and welcome," answered Louis Thompson.
"I know when I was a boy I loved a vacation." He was a kind-hearted man
and thought a good deal of his offspring and also of his wife, who was
devoted to him.
The cottage stood back in the center of a well-kept garden, where Mrs.
Thompson had spent much time over her flowers, of which she was
passionately fond. It was a two-story affair, containing but five
rooms, yet it was large enough for the family, and Randy, who had never
known anything better, considered it a very good home. There was a
small white fence in front, with a gate, and the path to the front
stoop was lined with geraniums. Over the porch was trained a
honeysuckle which filled the air with its delicate fragrance.
"Mother, I'm going fishing with Jack Bartlett!" cried Randy, running
around to the kitchen, where his mother was busy finishing up the
week's ironing.
"Very well, Randy," she answered, setting down her flatiron and giving
him a smile. "I suppose you won't be back until supper time."
"It's not likely. Can I do anything for you before I go?"
"You might get a bucket of water and another armful of wood."
"I'll do that," answered Randy, and caught up the water bucket.
"Anything else?"
"No. Take care of yourself while you are on the river."
"Don't worry about me, mother. Remember, I can swim like a fish."
"Yes, I know. But you must be careful anyway," answered Mrs. Thompson,
fondly.
The water and wood were quickly brought into the cottage, Randy
whistling merrily while he performed these chores. Then the youth ran
for his fishing outfit, after which he took the spade, went down to the
end of the garden, and turned up some worms, which he placed in a
pasteboard box.
"Now I am off, mother!" he called out.
"Good-by, Randy," she said, and waved him a pleasant adieu from the
open kitchen window.
"She's the best mother a boy ever had," thought Randy, as he walked
away to join Jack at the dock.
"What a good boy!" murmured Mrs. Thompson. "Oh, I hope he grows up to
be a good man!"
When Randy arrived at the dock he found himself alone. He brought out
the boat and cleaned it up and got the oars. He was all ready for the
start when a boy somewhat older than himself slouched up.
The newcomer was loudly dressed in a checked suit and wore a heavy
watchchain, a big seal ring, and a diamond shirt stud. He might have
been good-looking had it not been for the supercilious scowl of
independence upon his face.
"Hullo there, Randy Thompson!" he called out. "What are you doing in
Jack Bartlett's boat?"
His manner was decidedly offensive and did not suit Randy at all.
"I don't know as that is any of your business, Bob Bangs," he answered
coldly.
"Humph! Jack won't thank you for getting out his boat," went on Bob
Bangs. "If you want a boat why don't you hire one?"
"I don't have to hire one," answered Randy.
"You wouldn't dare to touch my boat," continued Bob, who was known as
the town bully. His father was rich and for that reason he thought he
could ride over all the other boys.
"I shouldn't care to touch it," said Randy.
"Don't you know you haven't any right to touch Jack's boat without his
permission?" went on the big youth.
"Bob Bangs, this is none of your business."
"Humph! I'll make it my business."
"If you do, you may get into trouble."
"I'll risk that. If you don't get out of that boat I'll tell Jack."
"I am not going to get out of the boat."
"Maybe I'll make you get out," and Bob Bangs came a step closer, and
put his hand on the gunwale of the rowboat.
"You leave me and the boat alone," said Randy, sharply.
"You get out of that boat."
"Not for you."
Bob Bangs looked ugly. He was on the point of catching Randy by the
collar when an interruption came from behind.
"So you got here ahead of me, eh?" came in Jack's voice, as he
approached on a swift walk. "I had to do an errand for father and that
kept me."
As Jack came up Bob Bangs fell back in disgust.
"Humph! Why didn't you say you were waiting for Jack?" he said to
Randy, with a sour look on his face.
"You didn't ask me, that's why," returned Randy.
"What's the trouble?" questioned Jack, quickly.
"Bob wanted me to leave the boat alone."
"I thought he was trying to sneak it on the sly," explained the big
boy. "I didn't know you cared to go out with him," he added, to Jack,
with a toss of his head.
"Why shouldn't I go out with Randy?" asked Jack, quickly.
"Oh, I shouldn't care to go out with the son of a poor carpenter."
"See here, Bob Bangs, I consider myself as good as you," said Randy,
quickly.
"Humph!"
"Randy is all right, even if his father is a carpenter," said Jack.
"It's mean of you, Bob, to talk that way."
"Choose your own company and I'll choose mine," answered Bob Bangs,
loftily, and stalked away, his nose tilted high in the air.
Angry words arose to Randy's lips but he repressed them and said
nothing. In a moment more some goods on the dock hid the big boy from
view.
"Don't you care for what he says," said Jack, quickly. "He thinks a few
dollars are everything in this world."
"I didn't mind him--much, Jack."
"Wanted you to get out of my boat, didn't he?"
"Yes. He didn't know I was waiting for you."
"That was a good joke on him."
"I can't understand why he is so disagreeable."
"It was born in him," said Jack, as he leaped into the rowboat and
stowed away his fishing outfit. "His father is the same way and so is
his mother. They think that just because they have money everybody
else, especially a poor person, is dirt under their feet."
"Why, Jack, I guess your father is as rich as Mr. Bangs."
"Maybe he is."
"And you don't put on such airs."
"And I don't intend to. Money is a good thing to have, but it isn't
everything--that is what my father and mother say."
"Bob wouldn't want me out in his boat with him."
"Maybe you wouldn't like to go out with him either."
"You are right there. I am getting so I hate to speak to him."
"Well, I am getting that way, too. Every time we meet he tries to
impress it upon me that he is a superior person,--and I don't see it."
"Your father and his father have some business dealings, haven't they?"
"Yes, they are interested in the same iron company,--and from what
father says, I think they are going to have trouble before long."
"I hope your father comes out ahead."
"It is this way: Father has a controlling interest and Mr. Bangs is
doing his best to get it away from him. If Mr. Bangs can get control he
will, so father says, join the company of a larger concern, and then
father will be about wiped out and he won't get more than half of what
is really coming to him."
"But wouldn't that be fraud?"
"Yes, morally, but not legally--so father says," answered Jack, and
heaved a sigh. "I hope it all comes out right."
"And so do I--for your sake as well as for your folks," added Randy,
heartily.