CHAPTER XXXV. PROFESSOR PUFFER'S DECLINE AND FALL.
|Bernard," said Walter Cunningham, as they sat together in a handsomeapartment at the Brevoort House, "I feel that I have not done as well byyou as I should."
"You have been a kind friend to me, Mr. Cunningham. I have lacked fornothing since I have been with you. I think you do yourself injustice."
"That is true, but suppose anything should happen to me, how would youfare?"
"We won't think of that, Walter. You are a young man. You are likely tolive for many years."
"So I hope," said the young Englishman, smiling. "Life is sweet to me,and I have something to live for, especially now that I have you. But Ifeel that I ought to make a provision for you, to place your futurebeyond a contingency."
Bernard did not reply. He waited for Mr. Cunningham to finish what hehad to say.
"I shall therefore go to my banker's this morning, and turn over to youthe sum of fifteen thousand dollars. It is not all I intend to do foryou, but it will prevent your experiencing inconvenience in the event ofany sudden accident to me."
"Fifteen thousand dollars!" repeated Bernard, in astonishment. "Why,that will make me rich. How can I thank you for your great kindness?"
"I look upon you as a brother, Bernard. With the affection I feel foryou I could not allow you to run the risk of poverty and destitution. Tobe sure, you are young and a boy of capacity, but for a time you mightbe in trouble."
That very morning Mr. Cunningham took Bernard to the office of hisbanker in Wall Street, and transferred the sum he had mentioned toBernard's account.
"I advise you to keep your money for the present in the hands of my goodfriends here, unless you should prefer to deposit it with your oldguardian, Mr. McCracken."
"I would not trust Mr. McCracken," said Bernard, "but I should likebefore I leave the city to pay him a visit."
Walking down Broadway in the afternoon Bernard was treated to asurprise. Marching in front of him with a slow and weary step was athick-set man of over fifty, sandwiched between two advertising boards,bearing in large capitals these words:
"USE SWEETLAND'S PILLS."
There was something familiar in the figure, but from a rear view Bernardcould not immediately place it. However, the man presently turned partlyround, showing his side face, and Bernard was startled by a suddenrecognition.
It was Professor Puffer!
Yes, the celebrated professor, author (by his own account) of severallarge and elaborate works on the antiquities of the old world, hadactually sunk so low as to become a sandwich man, earning the miserablepittance of fifty cents a day.
Bernard at once in some excitement imparted his astonishing discovery tohis companion.
"What! Is that your Professor Puffer?" asked Cunningham in wonder. "Howhave the mighty fallen!"
"He was never so mighty as I supposed," said Bernard. "I feel quite surethat he was a humbug and no professor at all."
"I am inclined to agree with you. I don't think any real professor wouldever be reduced to such shifts as this. What are you going to do? Shallyou make yourself known to your old companion?"
"I think I would like to do so," said Bernard thoughtfully. "He may beable to give me some information, concerning my guardian, for instancethat may be of service to me."
"Perhaps you are right. At any rate, it will do no harm, unless you areafraid that the professor will try to get you into his power again."
Bernard smiled as he regarded with complacency his own well knitfigure--he was three inches taller than when he had been a fellowpassenger of the professor on the ship Vesta.
"If he should try to get me into his power, will you stand by me, Mr.Cunningham?" he said.
"Yes; but I fancy that you are quite able to fight your own battles."
Bernard stepped forward until he was in a line with Professor Puffer.Then in a clear, distinct voice, he said, "Professor Puffer!"
The sandwich man turned quickly, and regarded Bernard with surprise. Thelatter had not only grown, but he was much better dressed than when theprofessor parted with him.
"Who are you?" he demanded, looking bewildered.
"Don't you remember your old companion on the Vesta?"
"Bernard Brooks!" ejaculated Professor Puffer in deep amazement.