CHAPTER XXXV.
WHAT CARL LEARNED IN CHICAGO.
As Carl walked back from the falls he met Mr. Atwood, who was surprisedto find his young acquaintance on such intimate terms with LordBedford. He was about to pass with a bow, when Carl, who wasgood-natured, said: "Won't you join us, Mr. Atwood? If Lord Bedford willpermit, I should like to introduce you."
"Glad to know any friend of yours, Mr. Crawford," said the Englishman,affably.
"I feel honored by the introduction," said Atwood, bowing profoundly.
"I hope you are not a friend of Mr.--ah, Mr. Stuyvesant," said thenobleman, "the person I was talking with this morning. Mr. Crawfordtells me he is a--what do you call it?--a confidence man."
"I have no acquaintance with him, my lord. I saw him just now leavingthe hotel."
"I am afraid he has gone away with my valise and money," said Carl.
"If you should be inconvenienced, Mr. Crawford," said the nobleman, "mypurse is at your disposal."
"Thank you very much, Lord Bedford," said Carl, gratefully. "I am gladto say I am still fairly well provided with money."
"I was about to make you the same offer, Mr. Crawford," said Atwood.
"Thank you! I appreciate your kindness, even if I'm not obliged to availmyself of it."
Returning to the hotel, Lord Bedford ordered a carriage, and invitedAtwood and Carl to accompany him on a drive. Mr. Atwood was in anecstasy, and anticipated with proud satisfaction telling his family ofhis intimate friend, Lord Bedford, of England. The peer, though ratheran ordinary-looking man, seemed to him a model of aristocratic beauty.It was a weakness on the part of Mr. Atwood, but an amiable one, and isshared by many who live under republican institutions.
After dinner Carl felt obliged to resume his journey. He had foundhis visit to Niagara very agreeable, but his was a business and not apleasure trip, and loyalty to his employer required him to cut it short.Lord Bedford shook his hand heartily at parting.
"I hope we shall meet again, Mr. Crawford," he said. "I expect, myself,to reach Chicago on Saturday, and shall be glad to have you call on meat the Palmer House."
"Thank you, my lord; I will certainly inquire for you there."
"He is a very good fellow, even if he is a lord," thought Carl.
Our young hero was a thorough American, and was disposed to think withRobert Burns, that
"The rank is but the guinea, stamp; The man's the gold for a' that!"
No incident worth recording befell Carl on his trip to Chicago. As asalesman he met with excellent success, and surprised Mr. Jennings bythe size of his orders. He was led, on reaching Chicago, to register atthe Sherman House, on Clark Street, one of the most reliable among themany houses for travelers offered by the great Western metropolis.
On the second day he made it a point to find out the store of JohnFrench, hoping to acquire the information desired by Miss Norris.
It was a store of good size, and apparently well stocked. Feeling theneed of new footgear, Carl entered and asked to be shown some shoes. Hewas waited upon by a young clerk named Gray, with whom he struck up apleasant acquaintance.
"Do you live in Chicago?" asked Gray? sociably.
"No; I am from New York State. I am here on business."
"Staying at a hotel?"
"Yes, at the Sherman. If you are at leisure this evening I shall be gladto have you call on me. I am a stranger here, and likely to find thetime hang heavy on my hands."
"I shall be free at six o'clock."
"Then come to supper with me."
"Thank you, I shall be glad to do so," answered Gray, with alacrity.Living as he did at a cheap boarding house, the prospect of a supper ata first-class hotel was very attractive. He was a pleasant-faced youngman of twenty, who had drifted to Chicago from his country home inIndiana, and found it hard to make both ends meet on a salary of ninedollars a week. His habits were good, his manner was attractive andwon him popularity with customer's, and with patience he was likely tosucceed in the end.
"I wish I could live like this every day," he said, as he rose from aluxurious supper. "At present my finances won't allow me to board at theSherman."
"Nor would mine," said Carl; "but I am allowed to spend money morefreely when I am traveling."
"Are you acquainted in New York?" asked Gray.
"I have little or no acquaintance in the city," answered Carl.
"I should be glad to get a position there."
"Are you not satisfied with your present place?"
"I am afraid I shall not long keep it."
"Why not? Do you think you are in any danger of being discharged?"
"It is not that. I am afraid Mr. French will be obliged to give upbusiness."
"Why?" asked Carl, with keen interest.
"I have reason to think he is embarrassed. I know that he has a goodmany bills out, some of which have been running a long time. If anypressure is brought to bear upon him, he may have to suspend."
Carl felt that he was obtaining important information. If Mr. Frenchwere in such a condition Miss Norris would be pretty sure to lose hermoney if she advanced it.
"To what do you attribute Mr. French's embarrassment?" he asked.
"He lives expensively in a handsome house near Lincoln Park, and drawsheavily upon the business for his living expenses. I think that explainsit. I only wonder that he has been able to hold out so long."
"Perhaps if he were assisted he would be able to keep his head abovewater."
"He would need a good deal of assistance. You see that my place isn'tvery secure, and I shall soon need to be looking up another."
"I don't think I shall need to inquire any farther," thought Carl. "Itseems to me Miss Norris had better keep her money."
Before he retired he indited the following letter to his Albanyemployer:
Miss Rachel Norris.
"Dear Madam:--I have attended to your commission, and have to reportthat Mr. French appears to be involved in business embarrassments, andin great danger to bankruptcy. The loan he asks of you would no doubt beof service, but probably would not long delay the crash. If you wish toassist him, it would be better to allow him to fail, and then advancehim the money to put him on his feet. I am told that his troubles comefrom living beyond his means.
"Yours respectfully,
"Carl Crawford."
By return mail Carl received the following note:
"My Dear Young Friend:--Your report confirms the confidence I reposed inyou. It is just the information I desired. I shall take your advice andrefuse the loan. What other action I may take hereafter I cannot tell.When you return, should you stop in Albany, please call on me. If unableto do this, write me from Milford.
"Your friend,
"Rachel Norris."
Carl was detained for several days in Chicago. He chanced to meet hisEnglish friend, Lord Bedford, upon his arrival, and the nobleman, onlearning where he was staying, also registered at the Sherman House. Inhis company Carl took a drive over the magnificent boulevard which isthe pride of Chicago, and rose several degrees in the opinion of thoseguests who noticed his intimacy with the English guest.
Carl had just completed his Chicago business when, on entering thehotel, he was surprised to see a neighbor of his father's--CyrusRobinson--a prominent business man of Edgewood Center. Carl wasdelighted, for he had not been home, or seen any home friends for over ayear.
"I am glad to see you, Mr. Robinson," he said, offering his hand.
"What! Carl Crawford!" exclaimed Robinson, in amazement. "How came youin Chicago? Your father did not tell me you were here."
"He does not know it. I am only here on a business visit. Tell me, Mr.Robinson, how is my father?"
"I think, Carl, that he is not at all well. I am quite sure he missesyou, and I don't believe your stepmother's influence over him isbeneficial. Just before I came away I heard a rumor that troubled me. Itis believed in Edgewood that she is trying to induce your father to makea will leaving all,
or nearly all his property to her and her son."
"I don't care so much for that, Mr. Robinson, as for my father'shealth."
"Carl," said Robinson, significantly, "if such a will is made I don'tbelieve your father will live long after it."
"You don't mean that?" said Carl, horror-struck.
"I think Mrs. Crawford, by artful means will worry your father to death.He is of a nervous temperament, and an unscrupulous woman can shortenhis life without laying herself open to the law."
Carl's face grew stern.
"I will save my father," he said, "and defeat my stepmother's wickedschemes."
"I pray Heaven you can. There is no time to be lost."
"I shall lose no time, you may be sure. I shall be at Edgewood within aweek."