CHAPTER XVI
ONE WINTER SATURDAY
Marshallton is a village with nothing more than two general storessufficient to cater to the needs of the near neighborhood and the Techstudents. Guilford, nine miles away, is the railroad town and, now andthen, for extra supplies the Tech boys may spend a dull half hour eachway on the trolley to visit the quiet place which holds no otherattraction than the stores.
Bill, Gus and Tony, eager to get some radio supplies that might as wellhave been ordered from the city, obtained leave to run over to Guilfordand back. To show his appreciation of their friendship, Tony decided totreat Bill and Gus to a taxi ride; so he 'phoned to the town for one. Itcame and the three piled in, much elated over the prospect of a pleasantshopping trip, though the weather was a little stormy.
The purchasing took all that was left of the morning. The boys gatheredtheir things into bundles and, at Tony's command, made straightway for arestaurant. Being a senior, he claimed entire charge of these freshmen.
"You not respon--no; it is that you are irresponsible," he said as hedemanded the privilege of paying all expenses. "We will get," helaughed, "some spaghetti and I show you to eat. You like eet?"
They did. The clean tables and pleasant interior were attractive. Theboys stamped the newly fallen snow from their feet, and opened theircoats to the genial warmth. Then they turned to meet the waiter andglanced up with something of a shock. Luigi Malatesta stood before themand addressed them collectively:
"I am proprietor of this. We serve only gentlemen. You will goto--to--to--elsewhere."
Gus leaped up, forgetting the fright after his last fisticuffs. Hewanted to punch this villain again.
"Listen, you confounded nuisance! This is a public place and wedemand--" He got no further, for Tony's hand was on his arm.
"Attendate, _mio amico_--wait! Would you eat eats in a such place? Wemight all getta the poison here. Mucho better we go of our selves."
Malatesta beat a hasty retreat. The lads went out and along the streetto another place equally attractive and there they ate unsparingly, thewhile discussing their latest experience, though Tony was silent onthat. Finally Bill and Gus fell into his mood. They came out of therestaurant after an hour, to find that the storm had increased, a stiff,knife-edged wind driving the snow horizontally and making drifts. Thetaxi driver at the garage looked dubious, but agreed to try forMarshallton. The worst that could happen would be a night spent at somefarmhouse.
The storm increased rapidly, the snow turning partly to sleet piled upin long windrows across all half-sheltered places, leaving open spotsbare, so that the road resembled the storm waves of a white and foamingocean. The car skidded along on icy ground one minute, and the next itswheels were buried in caked drifts.
The boys were peering out, watching the strange effects of the storm,but noting with greater concern the slowing up of the taxi. Then theystopped.
"Reckon we can't make it," said the jolly, round-faced taxi driver. Theycould not stay there in the road. It was imperative that they shouldfind a shelter somewhere. Not half a mile ahead there was a farmhouse inwhich they might all be made welcome and comfortable.
Again the man had proved to be correct. The boys agreed that forecastingthe weather and the social geography of that region were in his line. Hetried to run on again, but the starter refused to boost the engine andthe battery nearly gave out. Bill insisted that they crank up and notexhaust the battery, else they would come to a dead stop. Gus and Tonylent a hand in turning the engine over and soon they were again buckingthe drifts, stalling the engine two or three times within the next threehundred yards. A drift faced them that was altogether beyond hope, andbefore they drove into it, Bill insisted that they back over the thinnersnow to the side of the road so that they would not be hit by anothercar if one should pull through such roads.
"Now then, you fellows!" said Bill, as usual assuming command whereanything important was at stake. "Go on to the farmhouse and bunk, ifthey'll have you. I'll wrap up in these robes and be as warm as toasthere in the car." It was an enclosed tonneau, the window sashes fittedtightly and two big robes promised a little comfort.
"Yes, _you will_," said Gus sarcastically.
"_Not!_" declared Tony. "We can easy carry you. You say it--pig-on-back?"
The taxi driver joined in and helped the two boys in this, also.
"Did you say there's a farmhouse just on ahead, Mr.----?" asked Gus.
"Merritt is my name," answered the driver.
"And a roadside is your station. You're fast in the snow and you cannotgo and you're mad at all creation," said Bill.
"You're right, son, about bein' stuck, but I ain't mad. Reckon I standto lose on this trip, but----"
"No, my friend; you will not lose one cent," exclaimed Tony. "More, youshall make well. We are not the unappreciatives, ever. Show us thisfarmer estate and entitle us to be his guests and you shall want fornothing--eh, my friends Bill and Gus?"
"You've said it, Tony, and you are the cheese."
"Ah, no; I am but the macaroni. Do you think this farmer will cook thespaghetti?"
"Not likely, but Farrell sits down to a good table, I reckon," Merrittventured. "Well, young fellers, let's mosey on. It'll be stiff goin',though 'tain't more'n a quarter of a mile now."
It was stiff going. Bill managed to get through the thin places and theyhelped him through fast increasing drifts, Gus at last getting him onhis back for a "gain," as he expressed it, of fifty yards. Then Tonytook a turn for a like distance, and Gus and Mr. Merritt crossed handsto "carry a lady to London"; so they would have got Bill along for aconsiderable distance had they not come opposite the end of a lane, withthe dim outline of a house standing back.
Up the lane they went, hearing the muffled barking of a dog. The sidedoor of the house opened, a big farmer with a huge voice greeted themcheerily. He was in his shirt sleeves, which argued for comfort insidethe dwelling, and there was an air of comfort in the broad hallway thatwas gratifying. The three were received like young princes and usheredinto a large sitting-room. From their chairs before a big stove, apleasant woman and two young girls rose to welcome the wayfarers.
Merritt they knew by name, and he began an apologetic effort to accountfor their coming, but Bill took the matter in hand.
"Mr. Farrell, aren't you? And I suppose this is Mrs. Farrell. My name isBrown and these are my friends, Mr. Sabaste and Mr. Grier; we are allstudents at Marshallton. Went in to Guilford to the stores and couldn'tmake it going back, though Mr. Merritt put up a good fight with hislittle car. And now we are going to ask you if you can keep us for thenight,--table and spare room? Anything that is handy, for we don't wantto give you trouble and we'll pay----"
"Ah, the best. As if you are one fine hotel, because no such could giveto us more of comfort." This from Tony, who was always most liberal andeager to please. So saying, he pulled out ten one-dollar bills andgallantly tendered it to the lady, with a nod and smile at the farmer.
"That's right. The wife has all the trouble. You boys are welcome; eh,Sarah?"
"But John, this is too much. I could not accept such a large amount forso little."
"Mother," said one of the girls, coming forward, "you should not acceptanything at all."
"Well, now, Mary, I guess you're right. This is our daughter, younggentlemen, and she always has her way."
"But she has not consider the way to justice," said Tony, his black eyesflashing conviction. "We give that, or we not remain; even it is toolittle."
"Yes, considering the storm, our predicament and our coming in on youthis way, unasked, we can't consent to less," Bill added.
"Mabel, come here, girl," said the housewife, laughing. "This is myniece. She's making her home with us. Now, all you young folks and Mr.Merritt enjoy yourselves while I get supper and father does the barnwork."
The boys never forgot that long, yet all too short winter evening; thewholesome food; the
dish of home-made candy; the fireside game of"twenty questions"; the music played by Mabel on the old-fashionedsquare piano, while Mary and Tony danced; the lively conversation andBill's exhibition of so-called mind reading--really muscle reading,during which, with Mrs. Farrell and Mabel holding his wrists, he found,blindfolded, a hidden pocket knife.
Merritt had slipped out early to open the radiator of his car, which hehad foolishly forgotten to do. He had come back and called Bill asidefor a moment.
"There's another car down the road, just beyond mine; a big one andnobody about. I went along apiece to look at it and I think I know whoit belongs to--that there new Eyetalian hash-house feller in Guilford.Only one car there like it and that's his'n. You was askin' about himbein' in Guilford."
"Yes. We know him and he knows us. He could have found out you weretaking us home and then have seen your car here and waited."
"You mean follered you? What'd he want to do----?"
"Is he still in his car?" interrupted Bill.
"I reckon so; think I saw four fellers in it. They can keep warm thereand every now and then run their engine a bit to keep her from freezin'up."
"They'll be drifted in, won't they?"
"Reckon not, with a big car like that; and the storm's goin' to quit."
"But that won't let us go on to-night. And what is that Italian up to?"Bill dismissed the subject with Merritt, but resolved to tell Gus,though not Tony, as it would put a damper on their friend's peace ofmind. What harm could come of Malatesta's being here? He could notapproach the house without alarming the Farrell dog and that wasassurance enough. And Bill could not help being doubtful as to theSicilian's being really dangerous. There might be such a thing ascarrying this grudge business to extremes, but hardly here and in thisstorm.
Bill and Gus spent the night in the best spare room, under the heavycovers of an immense fourposter. They slept through the cold night likeinanimate objects. Tony, alone, occupied a room which had evidently beenthat of an only son who had gone away to the Great War to remain awayforever. There was crape hanging over the frame of a picture showing asturdy, manly looking fellow in khaki. From the appearance of things,Tony, also, should have passed a comfortable night. Merritt was tuckedaway to his entire satisfaction.