"But you were to go to college, Mr. Frank."
"I know it, Richard, but I am not sure whether it would be for the best.My tastes are for an active business life, and I don't care for aprofession."
"Do you think your stepfather will give you a start?"
"In the way of money?"
"Yes."
"I don't know. If he won't, I have still fifty dollars in the savingsbank, which I have saved from my pocket money. I will take that."
"Mr. Frank, will you promise not to be offended at what I'm going tosay?"
"I don't think you would say anything that ought to offend me, Richard."
"Then I want you to take the money that comes to me by the will--Mr.Manning is to pay it to me on Monday. I don't need it, and you may."
Frank shook his head.
"You are very kind, Richard, but I will get along with fifty dollars,unless Mr. Manning supplies me with more. If I really need money at anytime, I will think of your offer."
"That's something, at any rate," said Richard. partly reconciled. "Youwon't forget it now, Mr. Frank?"
"No, Richard, I promise you."
Frank left the stable and went thoughtfully into the house.
CHAPTER IX
THE NEW OWNER OF AJAX
Frank and Mark took supper alone, Mr. Manning having left word that hewould not return till later in the evening.
After supper, Frank decided to go over to call upon Col. Vincent, thenew owner of Ajax. His estate was distant about three-quarters of a milefrom the Cedars.
As Frank started, Mark inquired:
"Where are you going, Frank?"
"To see Ajax," answered our hero.
"Do you mean to make any fuss about him? I wouldn't advise you to."
"Thank you for your advice."
"I wonder what he is going to do?" thought Mark. "Of course he can't doanything now."
He did not venture to propose to accompany Frank, knowing that hiscompany would not be acceptable.
"Is Col. Vincent at home?" asked Frank, at the door of a handsome house.
"Yes, Mr. Courtney," replied the colored servant, pleasantly, for Frankwas a favorite among all classes in the neighborhood. "Come right in,sir. De colonel am smoking a cigar on de back piazza."
Frank followed the servant through the hall which intersected the house,and stepped out on the back piazza.
A stout, elderly gentleman was taking his ease in a large rusticrocking chair.
"Good-evening, Col. Vincent," our hero said.
"Good-evening, Frank, my boy," said the colonel, heartily. "Glad to seeyou. Haven't you gone back to school?"
"Yes, sir; but I came home to spend Sunday. It doesn't seem much likehome now," he added, as his lip quivered.
"You have suffered a great loss, my dear boy," said the colonel,feelingly.
"The greatest, sir. My mother was all I had."
"I suppose Mr. Manning will keep up the establishment?"
"I suppose so, sir; but it is no longer home to me."
"Don't take it too hard, Frank. I was sorry about the will."
"So was I, sir; because it makes me dependent on a man whom I dislike."
"Don't be too prejudiced, Frank. I never took any fancy to yourstepfather myself; but then we don't need to like everybody we associatewith."
"I hear you have bought my horse, Col. Vincent," said Frank, desiring tochange the subject.
"Was Ajax your horse?"
"Yes. It was given to me as a birthday present by my mother."
"I had some such idea, and expressly asked Mr. Manning whether the horsewas not yours."
"What did he answer?"
"That it was only nominally yours, and that he thought it best to sellit, as both you and Mark were absent at school, and had no time to useit."
"I am not surprised at anything Mr. Manning may say," said Frank.
"It's too bad! I'll tell you what I will do, Frank. I haven't paid forthe horse yet. I will return it to Mr. Manning, and tell him that Ibought it under a misapprehension of the ownership. I don't think hewill make any fuss."
"I would rather have you keep it, sir."
"You would!" exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.
"Yes, sir. If you should return Ajax, Mr. Manning would sell him to someone else, and you, I know, will treat him well."
"But you will lose the use of him. No, you won't, though. Come over tomy stable when you like, and, if he is not in use, you can take himout."
"Thank you, sir! You are very kind. While I am in the neighborhood, Iwon't forget your kind offer. But I mean to go away."
"You mean to go away! Where?"
"Out into the world. Anywhere, where I can find work and make a living."
"But surely this is not necessary. Your stepfather will provide for youwithout your working."
"I have no reason to doubt it, Col. Vincent; but I shall be happier inthe world outside."
"Of course you will let Mr. Manning know of your intention to leavehome?"
"I shall ask his permission to go at the end of my school term. Thatcomes in a couple of weeks."
"Where will you go?"
"A cousin of my father is at Newark, New Jersey. I think I shall go tohim first, and ask his advice about getting a place either there or inNew York."
"You will need some money to start with. Do you think Mr. Manning willgive you any?"
"I don't know, sir! That won't prevent my going. I have fifty dollars ina savings bank, saved up from my allowance, and that will be all I shallneed."
"If you have any difficulty on that score, Frank, remember that I wasyour father's friend, and mean to be yours. Apply to me at any time whenyou are in a strait."
"I will, sir, and thank you heartily."
"That was a strange will, Frank. I don't want to put any ideas into yourhead to disturb you, but had your mother ever led you to suspect thatshe intended to leave you dependent on your stepfather?"
"Never, sir!"
"Don't you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan inview?"
"I do," said Frank, quickly.
The colonel's eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.
"There is nothing for me to do at present, sir," said Frank. "If Mr.Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him."
"I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you."
"I wish you would, sir."
"Come and see me again, Frank," said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.
"I certainly will, sir."
"Your father's son will always be welcome at my house. When did you sayyour school term closes?"
"In a fortnight."
"I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank,wouldn't you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?"
"Yes, sir; I should enjoy it."
"Come out to the stable with me, then."
Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his youngmaster, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.
"Sam," said Col. Vincent, "Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you."
"That I will, sir" answered Sam. "Often and often I've seen Mr. Frank onhis back. Doesn't he ride well, though?"
"Don't flatter me, Sam," said Frank, laughing.
Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, gallopingdown the road.
"I hope I shall meet Mark," thought Frank. "I would like to give him asensation."
Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frankmay be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.
Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long afterFrank's departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard thesound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back ofAjax.
His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent's stable andbrought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning's will.H
e resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposelyslackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance hesought.
"Why are you riding Ajax?" asked Mark.
"It is a pleasant evening," answered Frank, "and I thought I shouldenjoy it."
"Where did you get him?"
"From Col. Vincent's stable, where he never ought to have been carried,"answered Frank, with spirit.
"You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney," saidMark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.
"Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?" demandedFrank.
"You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing," said Mark."It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested andtried."
"I don't think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark."
"Just wait and see what my father has to say to you."
"I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can't stop todispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!"
As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left lookingafter him in a disturbed frame of mind.
"I'll tell my father as soon as he gets home," he decided; and he kepthis word.
In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.Manning's presence.
"What is this I hear?" he began. "Did you ride Ajax this evening?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where did you find him?"
"In Col. Vincent's stable."
"This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuseto offer?"
"None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride himwhenever I please."
"It appears to me, Mark," said Mr. Manning, sharply, "that you have madea fool of yourself."
"How should I know?" replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of hissensation. "Frank didn't tell me he had leave to use the horse."
And he left the room, looking foolish.
CHAPTER X
MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION
There are some boys, as well as men, who cannot stand prosperity.
It appeared that Mark Manning was one of these.
While his stepmother was living and his father's prospects--andconsequently his own--were uncertain, he had been circumspect in hisbehavior and indulged in nothing that could be considered seriouslywrong.
When his father came into possession of a large fortune, and his pocketmoney was doubled, Mark began to throw off some of the restraint which,from motives of prudence, he had put upon himself.
About the middle of the week, as Frank was taking a walk after schoolhours, he was considerably surprised to see Mark come out of awell-known liquor saloon frequented by men and boys of intemperatehabits.
The students of Bridgeville Academy were strictly forbidden this or anyother saloon, and I am sure that my boy readers will agree with mo thatthis rule was a very proper one.
Mark Manning appeared to have been drinking. His face was flushed, andhis breath, if one came near enough to him, was redolent of the fumes ofalcohol. With him was James Carson, one of the poorest scholars and mostunprincipled boys in the academy. It was rather surprising that he hadmanaged for so long to retain his position in the institution, but hewas crafty and took good care not to be caught.
To go back a little, it was chiefly owing to James Carson's influencethat Mark had entered the saloon.
When he learned that Mark's worldly prospects had improved, and that hehad a large supply of pocket money, he determined to cultivate hisacquaintance--though privately he thought Mark a disagreeable boy--withthe intention of obtaining for himself a portion of Mark's surplusmeans.
At the first of the term he had made similar advances to Frank, but theywere coldly received, so much so that he did not think it worth while topersevere in courting our hero's intimacy.
He succeeded better with Mark, his crafty nature teaching him how toapproach him.
"Mark," he said, with a great show of cordiality, "I am delighted tohear of your good fortune. I always liked you, and I think you deserveto be rich."
"Thank you!" said Mark, much gratified, for he liked flattery. "I amsure I am very much obliged to you."
"Oh, not at all! I only say what I think. Shall I tell you why I amparticularly glad?"
"Yes, if you like," returned Mark, in some curiosity.
"Because I like you better than that young muff, your stepbrother. Ihope you won't be offended at my plain speaking," he added, artfully.
"Certainly not!" said Mark.
"I suppose," said James, "you will see a little life now that you areyour own master and have plenty of money."
"I don't know exactly what you mean, James. There isn't much life to beseen in Bridgeville."
"That is true; but still there is some. Suppose now"--by this time theywere in front of the saloon, which, besides a bar, contained a billiardand pool table--"suppose now we go in and have a game of billiards."
"It's against the rules, isn't it?" asked Mark.
"What do you care for the rules?" said James, contemptuously.
"If the old man hears of it, we shall get into hot water."
By the "old man" Mark meant the Rev. Dr. Brush, the venerable andrespected principal of the Bridgeville Academy, but such boys as he havevery little respect for the constituted authorities.
"Why need he know it? We will slip in when no one is looking. Did youever play a game of billiards?"
"I never played over half a dozen games in my life."
"Yon ought to know how to play. It is a splendid game. Come in."
Mark did not make very strong opposition, and the two boys, firstlooking cautiously in different directions, entered the saloon.
Toward the entrance was a bar, and in the roar of the saloon were twotables.
"Won't you have a drink, Mark?" asked James.
Mark hesitated.
"Oh, come now, it won't hurt. Two glasses of whisky, John."
"All right, Mr. Carson," said the barkeeper, to whom James was wellknown.
James tossed off his glass with the air of an old drinker, but Markdrank his more slowly.
"There, I know you feel better, Mark."
"Now, John, give me the balls. We'll play a game of billiards."
"All right, sir."
"I'll discount you, Mark," said James, "to give you a fair chance. It isabout the same thing as giving you half the game. Or, if you like, Iwill give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will onlyhave seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four."
"I like that best."
"Now shall we play for the drinks?"
"We have just had a drink?"
"We'll have another."
"Won't that be too much? I don't want to get drunk."
"Two drinks won't do you any harm. Very well. Now let us string for thelead."
There is no need of describing the game in detail. Mark was only anovice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.
"You did splendidly, Mark," he said. "Considering how little you haveplayed, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three."
"Yes, I did pretty well," said Mark, flattered by his companion'spraises.
"I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you camewithin two points of beating. Don't you like the game?"
"Very much."
"I thought you would. Shall we have another game?"
"I don't mind," answered Mark.
He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to bedelivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, andhe did not hesitate long.
That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was onlybeaten by one point.
"You see, you are improving," said James. "I played a better game thattime than before, and still you came within one of beating me."
"I
think I shall become a good player in time," said Mark, complacently.
"Yes, and in a very short time. Now," said James, "I have a proposal tomake to you."
"What is it?"
"We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interestto it."
Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form ofgambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered,cautiously:
"I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games."
"That's true; but you play better now than you did at first."
"That may be so."
"What are twenty-five cents, anyway? I expect to lose it, but it willincrease the interest of the game."
So Mark was persuaded, and the game was played.
James Carson managed to let Mark beat him by five shots, and the latterwas correspondingly elated.
"You beat me after all," said James, pretending to be much disappointed,"and by five points. I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the sameodds, and bet a dollar on the game. I suppose it's foolish, but I'llrisk it!"
"Done!" said Mark, eagerly.
His cupidity was excited, and he felt sure of winning the dollar, as hehad the twenty-five cents. But James had no idea of playing off now, andhe played a better game, as he was well able to do. The result was thatMark was beaten by three points.