"I hope I'm going in the right direction, but I don't know," he saidto himself.
He had been traveling with occasional rests for four hours whenfatigue overcame him. He lay down to take a slight nap, but when heawoke the sun was up.
"Good Heaven!" he exclaimed in alarm. "I must have slept for somehours. I will eat something to give me strength, and then I musthurry on."
He had taken the precaution to take some provisions with him, and hebegan to eat them as he hurried along.
"They have just discovered their loss," thought Hogan. "Will theyfollow me, I wonder? I must be a good twelve miles away, and this isa fair start. They will turn back before they have come as far asthis. Besides, they won't know in what direction I have come."
Hogan was mistaken in supposing himself to be twelve miles away. Inreality, he was not eight. During the night he had traveled atdisadvantage, and taken a round-about way without being aware of it.He was mistaken also in supposing that the pursuit would be easilyabandoned. Mining communities could not afford to condone theft, norwere they disposed to facilitate the escape of the thief. More thanonce the murderer had escaped, while the thief was pursuedrelentlessly. All this made Hogan's position a perilous one. If hehad been long enough in the country to understand the feeling of thepeople, he would not have ventured to steal the nugget.
About eleven o'clock Hogan sat down to rest. He reclined on thegreensward near the edge of a precipitous descent. He did not dreamthat danger was so close till he heard his name called and two mencame running toward him. Hogan, starting to his feet in dismay,recognized Crane and Peabody, two of his late comrades.
"What do you want?" he faltered, as they came within hearing.
"The nugget," said Crane sternly.
Hogan would have denied its possession if he could, but there it wasat his side.
"There it is," he said.
"What induced you to steal it?" demanded Crane.
"I was dead broke. Luck was against me. I couldn't help it."
"It was a bad day's work for you," said Peabody. "Didn't you knowthe penalty attached to theft in the mining-camps?"
"No," faltered Hogan, alarmed at the stem looks of his captors."What is it?"
"Death by hanging," was the terrible reply.
Hogan's face blanched, and he sank on his knees before them.
"Don't let me be hung!" he entreated. "You've got the nugget back.I've done no harm. No one has lost anything by me."
"Eight of us have lost our time in pursuing you. You gave up thenugget because you were forced to. You intended to carry it away."
"Mercy! mercy! I'm a very unlucky man. I'll go away and nevertrouble you again."
"We don't mean that you shall," said Crane sternly. "Peabody, tiehis hands; we must take him back with us."
"I won't go," said Hogan, lying down. "I am not going back to behung."
It would obviously be impossible to carry a struggling man backfifteen miles, or more.
"We must hang you on the spot then," said Crane, producing a cord."Say your prayers; your fate is sealed."
"But this is murder!" faltered Hogan, with pallid lips.
"We take the responsibility."
He advanced toward Hogan, who now felt the full horrors of hissituation. He sprang to his feet, rushed in frantic fear to the edgeof the precipice, threw up his arms, and plunged headlong. It wasdone so quickly that neither of his captors was able to prevent him.
They hurried to the precipice and looked over. A hundred feet below,on a rough rock, they saw a shapeless and motionless figure, crushedout of human semblance.
"Perhaps it is as well," said Crane gravely. "He has saved us anunwelcome task."
The nugget was restored to its owners, to whom Hogan's tragical fatewas told.
"Poor fellow!" said Joe soberly. "I would rather have lost thenugget."
"So would I," said Bickford. "He was a poor, shif'less critter; butI'm sorry for him."
CHAPTER XXXIX
HOW JOE'S BUSINESS PROSPERED
Joe and his friend Bickford arrived in San Francisco eight days laterwithout having met with any other misadventure or drawback. He hadbeen absent less than three months, yet he found changes. Aconsiderable number of buildings had gone up in different parts ofthe town during his absence.
"It is a wonderful place," said Joe to his companion.
"It is going to be a great city some day."
"It's ahead of Pumpkin Holler already," said Mr. Bickford, "thoughthe Holler has been goin' for over a hundred years."
Joe smiled at the comparison. He thought he could foresee the rapidprogress of the new city, but he was far from comprehending themagnificent future that lay before it. A short time since, thewriter of this story ascended to the roof of the Palace Hotel, andfrom this lofty elevation, a hundred and forty feet above thesidewalk, scanned with delighted eyes a handsome and substantialcity, apparently the growth of a century, and including within itsbroad limits a population of three hundred thousand souls. It willnot be many years before it reaches half-a-million, and may fairly beranked among the great cities of the world.
Of course Joe's first visit was to his old place of business. Hereceived a hearty greeting from Watson, his deputy.
"I am glad to see you, Joe," said he, grasping our hero's handcordially. "When did you arrive?"
"Ten minutes ago. I have made you the first call."
"Perhaps you thought I might have 'vamosed the ranch,'" said Watson,smiling, "and left you and the business in the lurch."
"I had no fears on that score," said Joe. "Has business been good?"
"Excellent. I have paid weekly your share of the profits to Mr.Morgan."
"Am I a millionaire yet?" asked Joe.
"Not quite. I have paid Mr. Morgan on your account"--here Watsonconsulted a small account-book--"nine hundred and twenty-fivedollars."
"Is it possible?" said Joe, gratified. "That is splendid."
"Then you are satisfied?"
"More than satisfied."
"I am glad of it. I have made the same for myself and so have nearlyhalf made up the sum which I so foolishly squandered at thegaming-table."
"I am glad for you, Mr. Watson."
"How have you prospered at the mines?"
"I have had excellent luck."
"I don't believe you bring home as much money as I have made for youhere."
"Don't bet on that, Mr. Watson, for you would lose."
"You don't mean to say that you have made a thousand dollars?"exclaimed Watson, surprised.
"I have made five thousand dollars within a hundred or two."
"Is it possible!" ejaculated Watson. "You beat everything for luck,Joe."
"So he does," said Bickford, who felt that it was time for him tospeak. "It's lucky for me that I fell in with him. It brought meluck, too, for we went into partnership together."
"Have you brought home five thousand dollars, too?" asked Watson.
"I've got about the same as Joe, and now I'm going home to marrySusan Smith if she'll have me."
"She'll marry a rich miner, Mr. Bickford. You needn't be concernedabout that."
"I feel pretty easy in mind," said Joshua.
"How soon do you sail?"
"When does the next steamer go?"
"In six days."
"I guess it'll carry me."
Watson turned to Joe.
"I suppose you will now take charge of your own business?" said lie."I am ready to hand over my trust at any minute."
"Would you object to retaining charge for--say for four months tocome?" asked Joe.
"Object? I should be delighted to do it. I couldn't expect to makeas much money any other way."
"You see, Mr. Watson, I am thinking of going home myself on a visit.I feel that I can afford it, and I should like to see my old friendsand acquaintances under my new and improved circumstances."
Watson was evidently elated at the prospect of
continued employmentof so remunerative a character.
"You may depend upon it that your interests are safe in my hands,"said he. "I will carry on the business as if it were my own.Indeed, it will be for my interest to do so."
"I don't doubt it, Mr. Watson. I have perfect confidence In yourmanagement."
Joe's next call was on his friend Morgan, by whom also he wascordially welcomed.
"Have you called on Watson?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then he has probably given you an idea of how your business has goneon during your absence. He is a thoroughly reliable man, in myopinion. You were fortunate to secure his services."
"So I think."
"Have you done well at the mines?" asked Mr. Morgan doubtfully.
"You hope so, but you don't feel confident?" said Joe, smiling.
"You can read my thoughts exactly. I don't consider mining asreliable as a regular business."
"Nor I, in general, but there is one thing you don't take intoaccount."
"What is that?"
Mr. Bickford answered the question.
"Joe's luck."
"Then you have been lucky?"
"How much do you think I have brought home?"
"A thousand dollars?"
"Five times that sum."
"Are you in earnest?" asked Mr. Morgan, incredulous.
"Wholly so."
"Then let me congratulate you--on that and something else."
"What is that?"
"The lots you purchased, including the one on which your restaurantis situated, have more than doubled in value."
"Bully for you, Joe!" exclaimed Mr. Bickford enthusiastically.
"It never rains but it pours," said Joe, quoting an old proverb. "Ibegin to think I shall be rich some time, Mr. Morgan."
"It seems very much like it."
"What would you advise me to do, Mr. Morgan--sell out the lots at thepresent advance?"
"Hold on to them, Joe. Not only do that, but buy more. This isdestined some day to be a great city. It has a favorable location,is the great mining center, and the State, I feel convinced, has animmense territory fit for agricultural purposes. Lots here mayfluctuate, but they will go up a good deal higher than presentfigures."
"If you think so, Mr. Morgan, I will leave in your hands threethousand dollars for investment in other lots. This will leave me,including my profits from the business during my absence, nearlythree thousand dollars more, which I shall take East and investthere."
"I will follow your instructions, Joe, and predict that your realestate investments will make you rich sooner than you think."
"Joe," said Bickford, "I've a great mind to leave half of my moneywith Mr. Morgan to be invested in the same way."
"Do it, Mr. Bickford. That will leave you enough to use at home."
"Yes--I can buy a farm for two thousand dollars and stock it for fivehundred more. Besides, I needn't pay more than half down, if I don'twant to."
"A good plan," said Joe.
"Mr. Morgan, will you take my money and invest it for me just likeJoe's? Of course I want you to take a commission for doing it."
"With pleasure, Mr. Bickford, more especially as I have decided toopen a real estate office in addition to my regular business. Youand Joe will be my first customers. I shouldn't wonder if the two orthree thousand dollars you leave with me should amount in ten yearsto ten thousand."
"Ten thousand!" ejaculated Joshua, elated. "Won't I swell roundPumpkin Holler when I'm worth ten thousand dollars!"
Six days later, among the passengers by the steamer for Panama, wereJoseph Mason and Joshua Bickford.
CHAPTER XL
JOE'S WELCOME HOME
On arriving in New York both Joe and Mr. Bickford bought new suits ofclothes. Mr. Bickford purchased a blue dress suit, resplendent withbrass buttons, and a gold watch and chain, which made a good deal ofshow for the money. His tastes were still barbaric, and a quiet suitof black would not have come up to his idea of what was befitting asuccessful California miner.
He surveyed himself before the tailor's glass with abundantsatisfaction.
"I guess that'll strike 'em at home, eh, Joe?" he said.
"You look splendid, Mr. Bickford."
"Kinder scrumptious, don't I?"
"Decidedly so."
"I say, Joe, you'd better have a suit made just like this."
Joe shuddered at the thought. In refinement of taste he wasdecidedly ahead of his friend and partner.
"I'm going to buy a second-hand suit," he said.
"What!" ejaculated Joshua.
Joe smiled.
"I knew you'd be surprised, but I'll explain. I want people to thinkat first that I have been unlucky."
"Oh, I see," said Joshua, nodding; "kinder take 'em in."
"Just so, Mr. Bickford."
"Well, there is something in that."
"Then I shall find out who my true friends are."
"Just so."
* * * * *
It is not my purpose to describe Mr. Bickford's arrival in PumpkinHollow, resplendent in his new suit. Joshua wouldn't have changedplaces with the President of the United States on that day. His oldfriends gathered about him, and listened open-mouthed to his storiesof mining life in California and his own wonderful exploits, whichlost nothing in the telling. He found his faithful Susan unmarried,and lost no time in renewing his suit. He came, he saw, he conquered!
In four weeks Susan became Mrs. Bickford, her husband became theowner of the farm he coveted, and he at once took his place among theprominent men of Pumpkin Hollow. In a few years he was appointedjustice of the peace, and became known as Squire Bickford. It may beas well to state here, before taking leave of him, that his realestate investments in San Francisco proved fortunate, and in tenyears he found himself worth ten thousand dollars. This to Joshuawas a fortune, and he is looked upon as a solid man in the town wherehe resides.
We now turn to Joe.
Since his departure nothing definite had been heard of him. Anotherboy had taken his place on Major Norton's farm, but he was lessreliable than Joe.
"I am out of patience with that boy. I wish I had Joe back again."
"Have you heard anything of Joe since he went away?" inquired Oscar.
"Not a word."
"I don't believe he went to California at all."
"In that case we should have heard from him."
"No, Joe's proud--poor and proud!" said Oscar. "I guess he's wishedhimself back many a time, but he's too proud to own it."
"Joe was good to work," said the major.
"He was too conceited. He didn't know his place. He thought himselfas good as me," said Oscar arrogantly.
"Most people seemed to like Joe," said the major candidly.
"I didn't," said Oscar, tossing his head. "If he'd kept in his placeand realized that he was a hired boy, I could have got along wellenough with him."
"I wish he would come back," said the major. "I would take him back."
"I dare say he's had a hard time and would be humbler now," saidOscar.
At this moment a knock was heard at the door, and just afterward Joeentered.
He wore a mixed suit considerably the worse for wear and patched intwo or three places. There was a rip under the arm, and his hat, asoft felt one, had become shapeless from long and apparently hardusage. He stood in the doorway, waiting for recognition.
"How do you do, Joe?" said Major Norton cordially. "I am glad to seeyou."
Joe's face lighted up.
"Thank you, sir," he said.
"Shake hands, Joe."
Major Norton was mean in money matters, but he had something of thegentleman about him.
Oscar held aloof.
"How do you do, Oscar?"
"I'm well," said Oscar. "Have you been to California?"
"Yes."
"You don't seem to have made your fortune," said Oscarsuperciliously, eyin
g Joe's shabby clothing.
"I haven't starved," said Joe.
"Where did you get that suit of clothes?" asked Oscar.
"I hope you'll excuse my appearance," said Joe.
"Well, Joe, do you want to come back to your old place?" asked MajorNorton. "I've got a boy, but he doesn't suit me."
"How much would you be willing to pay me, Major Norton?"
The major coughed.
"Well," said he, "I gave you your board and clothes before. That'spretty good pay for a boy."
"I'm older now."
"I'll do the same by you, Joe, and give you fifty cents a weekbesides."
"Thank you for the offer, Major Norton. I'll take till to-morrow tothink of it."
"You'd better accept it now," said Oscar. "Beggars shouldn't bechoosers."
"I am not a beggar, Oscar," said Joe mildly.
"You look like one, anyway," said Oscar bluntly.
"Oscar," said Major Norton, "if Joe has been unlucky, you shouldn'tthrow it in his teeth."
"He went off expecting to make his fortune," said Oscar, in anexulting tone. "He looks as if he had made it. Where are you going?"
"I am going to look about the village a little. I will call again."
After Joe went out Oscar said:
"It does me good to see Joe come in rags. Serves him right forputting on airs."
On the main street Joe met Annie Raymond.