CHAPTER XXII.
DICK RALSTON'S FATHER.
When Chester followed Mr. Perkins into the great dining room of theFifth Avenue he was rather dazzled by its size and the glisteningappearance of the tables.
"I hope you have brought your appetite with you, Chester," said hisWestern friend. "The Fifth Avenue sets a good table."
"My appetite is sure to be good. I was kept so busy to-day that I hadhardly time to buy a sandwich for lunch."
"All the better! You'll enjoy your meal. As for me, I don't have theappetite I do at home. There's nothing like a tramp on the open prairieto make a man feel peckish."
"Have you ever been in New York before, Mr. Perkins?"
"Not since I was a boy. I was born up Albany way, and came here when Iwas about your age. But, Lord, the New York of that day wasn't acircumstance to what it is now. There was no Elevated railroad then,nor horse cars either, for that matter, and where this hotel standsthere was a riding school or something of that sort."
"Are you going to stay here long?"
"I go to Washington to-morrow, stopping at Philadelphia and Baltimoreon the way. No. I have no business in Washington, but I think by thetime a man is fifty odd he ought to see the capital of his country. Ishall shake hands with the President, too, if I find him at home."
"Have you ever been further West than Minneapolis?"
"Yes, I have been clear out to the Pacific. I've seen the town ofTacoma, where you've got five lots. I shall write out to a friend inPortland to buy me as many. Then we shall both have an interest there."
"You think the lots are worth something?"
"I know it. When the Northern Pacific Railroad is finished, everydollar your friend spent for his lots will be worth thirty or forty."
"I hope your predictions will come true, Mr. Perkins."
"Did I hear you speaking of Tacoma?" asked a gentleman on Chester'sleft hand.
"Yes, sir."
"I can tell you something about it. I live at Seattle."
"Am I right about there being a future for the place?" asked PaulPerkins.
"You are. I may say that lots there are already worth twice what theywere last week."
"How's that?"
"Because work on the railroad has been resumed, and there is no doubtnow that it will be pushed to completion."
"That settles it. I must own property there. I won't wait to write, butwill telegraph my friend in Portland to go there at once at my expense,and buy five--no, ten lots. I got that idea from you, Chester, and if Imake a profit I shall feel indebted to you."
"I shall be glad if it helps fill your pockets, Mr. Perkins."
"Come up to my room for a while, Chester," went on the other, "and wewill consider what to do. We might go to the theater, but I think Iwould rather walk about here and there using my eyes. There is plentyto see in New York."
"That will suit me, Mr. Perkins."
About eight o'clock the two went downstairs. Near the entrance, justinside the hotel, Chester heard himself called by name.
Looking up, he recognized Felix Gordon.
"Are you going to the theater, Chester?" asked Felix.
"No, I think not."
"Won't you introduce me to your friend?"
"Mr. Perkins, this is Felix Gordon, nephew of our bookkeeper," saidChester, unwillingly.
"Hope you are well, Mr. Gordon," said Paul. "Are you fond of thetheater?"
"Yes, sir," answered Felix, eagerly. "There's a good play at Palmer's.I think you'd like it."
"No doubt, but I'd rather see the streets of New York. As you are afriend of Chester, do me the favor to buy yourself a ticket," and Mr.Perkins drew a two-dollar bill from his pocket and tendered it toFelix.
"I am ever so much obliged," said Felix, effusively. "As it is time forthe performance to commence, I'll go at once, if you'll excuse me."
"Certainly. You don't want to lose the beginning of the play."
As Felix started off on a half run, Mr. Perkins said: "Do you know whyI was so polite to Felix, who by all accounts isn't your friend atall?"
"No, I was rather puzzled."
"I wanted to get rid of him. He was probably sent here by his uncle asa spy upon us. Now he is disposed of."
"I see you are shrewd," said Chester, laughing.
"Yes, I'm a little foxy when there's occasion," rejoined Mr. Perkins."Now, where shall we go?"
I will not undertake to describe the route followed by the two. Thecity was pretty much all new to the stranger from Minneapolis, and itmattered little where he went.
About ten o'clock the two witnessed from a distance a scene between aman of forty and an old, infirm man, apparently seventy years of age.
"The younger man is Ralston, the gambler," said Chester, in excitement,when they were near enough to recognize the figures of the two.
"Halt a minute, and let us hear what it is all about," returned Mr.Perkins.
"I am hungry," said the old man, pitifully, "and I have no money for abed. Have pity on me, Dick, and give me something."
"You ought not to have come here," returned Ralston, roughly. "Whydidn't you stay in the country, where you had a comfortable home?"
"In the poorhouse," murmured the old man, sadly.
"Well, it's no worse for being a poorhouse, is it?"
"But is it right for me to live there when you are rich andprosperous?"
"How do you know I am rich and prosperous?"
"By your dress. And there's a diamond in your shirt bosom. That must bevaluable."
"It's about all I own that is valuable. It was a fool's errand thatbrought you here. You had better go back," and Ralston prepared to goon.
"Won't you give me a trifle, Dick?"
"Well, take that."
"A quarter?"
"Yes; it will give you some supper."
"But what shall I do for a bed?"
"Go to the station house. They'll take in an old man like you."
Before the aged man could renew his application the younger one haddisappeared round the corner of the next street.
"Follow me, Chester," said Paul Perkins. "I'm going to speak to the oldman."
He touched him on the shoulder.
"Are you in trouble, my friend?" he asked.
The old man, looking the picture of despondency in his ragged suit, andwith his long, gray locks floating over his shoulders, turned at thewords.
"Yes, sir," he said, "I am poor and in trouble, and my heart is sore."
"Is the man who has just left you related to you?"
"He is my only son."
"He doesn't seem kind to you."
"No; he cares nothing for his old father."
"How did you become so poor?"
"He is the cause. When he was turned twenty-one I was worth tenthousand dollars. He forged my name, more than once, and to save him Ipaid the forged notes. So it happened that I was turned out in my oldage from the farm and the home that had been mine for twenty-fiveyears, and in the end I was sent to the poorhouse."
"Then he brought all this upon you?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what he is now?"
"He tells me he is in business."
"His business is carried on at the gambling house, so my young friendhere assures me. You will get no help from him."
"I begin to think so. Perhaps I was foolish to leave my home, poor asit was, and come here to ask help."
"How much money will take you home?"
"Two dollars."
"Here is a ten-dollar bill. Take it, get a meal and a night's lodgingand in the morning start for home. It is the best thing you can do. Asfor your son, you can only leave him to his own devices. A man who willtreat his old father as he has treated you will never prosper."
"Thank you, sir. I will follow your advice."
"I would rather be in your position, old and poor as you are, than inhis."
"Chester," added Mr. Perkins, as they walked on, "this Ralston is amore contemptible r
ascal than I thought. If my old father were living,I would give half the money I possess. While I had a dollar in mypocket he should share it."
"I say the same, Mr. Perkins."
When they reached the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Paul Perkins shook hands withChester.
"Good-night," he said. "You won't see me for two weeks, perhaps, butI'll be sure to find you out when I return to the city. I hope youwon't have any trouble with that scoundrel in the office."
"Thank you, Mr. Perkins, but I am afraid I shall."
"Don't mind it if you do. Remember that you will always have a friendin Paul Perkins."