CHAPTER I
AN INTERRUPTED DREAM
Walter Upton pushed aside books and papers, yawned, stretched, yawnedagain, then settled back in his chair comfortably, his hands claspedbehind his head.
"I'm glad that vacation is only one week off," he murmured. "School isall right, and I know I'm going to be mighty sorry when school-days endfor good. Just the same, this infernal grind to get a scholarship doesget a fellow's goat sometimes. If I don't win it I don't see how I cango to college next year unless I can find some way to earn the money.Poor old Dad! That slump in stocks pretty nearly bowled him over. LuckyI thought of this scholarship when he tried to tell me that unlessbusiness picked up he couldn't send me to college next year. It suredid me good to see the shine in his eyes when I told him about this andthat I was going to win it. He's a great old scout, and I'm going to getit now if for nothing more than to see that shine in his eyes again. My,but it's a tough old grind! Wonder how it would seem to go to a prepschool like Hal Harrison and not have to think about money and where itis going to come from. I guess scholarships don't bother Hal any. Wonderif he is coming home for the Christmas winter vacation."
Idly Walter allowed his eyes to wander over the walls of his den. It wasa snug little room, simply furnished with a spring cot, which was a bedby night and a couch by day, a desk, a deep-cushioned Morris chair, arevolving desk chair, a foot-rest and two well filled bookcases. Thewalls were covered with photographs. Nearly all of them were of outdoorscenes, most of them of his own taking, for he was an expert with thecamera. A number were enlargements neatly framed. Among these was thefamous flashlight made during his first summer at Woodcraft Camp whichhad furnished the evidence to put Red Pete, the outlaw and poacher,behind the bars. There, too, were the splendid portraits (they werenothing less) of the bull moose of Swift River, a lasting tribute to thenerve of Plympton, the tenderfoot comrade of that memorable cruise.
There were studies of deer and other wild animals, views of WoodcraftCamp, of scenes along Swift River, and of the various camps and pointsof interest on Lost Trail, the relocating of which by Walter and hisfour fellow Scouts of the Lone Wolf Patrol had won for them thedistinction of a special letter of commendation from nationalheadquarters of the Boy Scouts of America.
Above the door hung a hard-used set of boxing gloves. Crossed above onewindow were a pair of snow-shoes, while above the other window were apair of fencing foils. In one corner, each in its case, were twofishing-rods, a rifle and a tennis racquet. In the opposite cornerleaned a Scout staff and a couple of canoe paddles. A great horned owlstared unblinkingly down from the top of one of the plain oak bookcases.On the wall just back and above it was fastened a small banner havingthe head of a wolf worked in black against a white background, andbearing the one word "Persistence." It was the Lone Wolf banner whichhad been carried on that never-to-be-forgotten search for Lost Trail. Byunanimous vote of the patrol, it had been presented to Upton at theconclusion of the trip in recognition of successful leadership.
Several small silver cups on the bookcases and half a dozen medalspinned to a little square of black velvet on one wall attested towell-won victories in various lines of sport. The books on the shelveswere what one might expect in such surroundings, well selected storiesof adventure and exploration, treatises on hunting, fishing and outdoorsports, a very complete nature library, handbooks on woodcraft, camping,first aid, forestry and surveying, a well-thumbed Scout manual and otherbooks which attested to the owner's love of the great outdoor world. Butthese were not all. A whole shelf was devoted to history, and another toselections from standard American and English authors, including severalof our best loved poets.
Altogether, it was a room such as a keen, red-blooded, broad-minded boymight well delight in. Upton did delight in it. Everything in it heldsome special significance or sentiment for him, and now as his eyes idlyroved from one object to another one memory after another was stirredwithin him. At last his eyes rested on the snow-shoes and remainedthere.
"Wonder if I'll get a chance to use those things this winter," hemuttered. "Little old New York doesn't know much about that kind offoot-gear. I suppose Pat has worn out two or three pairs since he gaveme those, and here I haven't had 'em on but once in three years, andthen there was hardly snow enough for an excuse. I guess I'd be sometenderfoot all right, all right, on those things up in the woods. Goodold Pat! Wonder what he's doing. It's a long time since I've heard fromhim. Well, I ought not to kick over a little extra grind! He's trying toget an education and support himself and help his folks at the sametime. Wish he could come down here for the vacation. What fun it wouldbe to show him around and listen to his remarks on the big city. Itwould be almost as much fun as going into the big woods in the winter.Fact is, I envy him right now, and I'll bet he doesn't envy me a penny'sworth."
Swiftly his thoughts reverted to his first meeting with Pat Malone,chore boy and bully of a sawmill village in the North Woods, and of thethrashing he had given the young woodsman in spite of the latter'sadvantage in weight and strength.
"It was all in the know how. Imagine me trying to do it now," hechuckled. "Why, Pat could take me across his knee just as he did theyoungster who mistook him for a deer and put a bullet through his hatlast fall. I've never seen anybody take to an idea as Pat did toscouting. He just soaked it up. It was the principle of the thing thatgot him right from the start, and not just the fun that goes with it.And just see what it's done for him! I don't know of any one it's doneso much for, unless----"
Almost unconsciously Walter turned to stare through the gathering duskat a photograph on the nearer of the two bookcases. A pair of frankeyes, kindly but keen, looked down at him from a face good to see, theface of a boy of about his own age. It was a handsome face and thebeauty lay, not in regularity of features, but in the strength ofcharacter and purpose written in every line. It was the face of HalHarrison, son of a multi-millionaire, and comrade and fellow Scout inthe fun and adventures of the last three summers. It was the suddenremembrance of Hal that had caused the abrupt break in the trend of histhought. Not even for the poor, rough, tough young bully of the woodshad scouting done more than it had for this other lad, brought up in thelap of luxury, his every whim gratified, toadied to, petted, spoiled.From opposite extremes of the social strata it had brought these twotogether on the common ground of true brotherhood--the brotherhood ofdemocracy. It had discovered to the young savage, for Pat was littlemore than that, his own manhood. It had stripped from Hal, the cad, theveneer of false social rank based on wealth and found there also a man.And now these two--the one whom he had fought and the one whom he haddespised--Upton regarded not only as comrades and brother Scouts, butalmost as chums.
Some such thoughts as these were floating through his mind as he satthere in the soft dusk of winter twilight. It was just the hour fordreaming the dreams which every boy loves to dream, half thought, halfidle fancy. He tried to picture what the future might hold for himselfand for these two comrades. Hal would be a captain of industry. It couldhardly be otherwise. He would inherit vast wealth. He would in time takecharge of the great enterprises which his father had built up. Would heapply to their management the principles of which as a Scout he was nowso earnest a champion? Pat dared to dream of some day becoming anaturalist. Would he succeed? Remembering what Pat had been and what henow was Walter somehow felt that he would. As for himself he could notsee his own career with a like clearness. He would like--
Ting-aling-ling! It was the telephone in the hall. With a start Waltercame back to earth and the present. He went to answer the call. Pickingup the receiver he called, "Hello." For a moment there was no response,but he caught a sound as of voices and something that sounded like alaugh. Then over the wire came a rich brogue that caused Walter tonearly drop the 'phone.
"Hello, Misther Leader. I have to reporrt the discovery av the city avNoo Yor-r-k and the losing av mesilf entoirely."
"Pat! You big red headed son of Erin! Are you really in New York? W
hendid you get in? Where are you? Are you----"
"Aisy, aisy now. Have ye not learned thot ye can make but wan bull's-eyeat a shot? Shure I be in Noo Yor-r-k, an' 'tis proud the city ought tobe av the honor I be doin' ut."
"Quit your kidding, Pat, and tell me where you are and when you came andall about it," interrupted Walter.
"Shure, wasn't I afther telling ye thot I be in Noo Yor-r-k?" protestedPat in a grieved tone. "'Tis at the illigant home av an illigantgintleman thot I be, but begorra I forgot entoirely to blaze the trailand I don't know how I got here at all, at all."
There was a sound of a scuffle and a smothered laugh, then another voicebroke in:
"Hello, old Scout!"
There was no mistaking that voice, and Upton grinned more broadly thanbefore as he replied:
"Hello, Hal. It sure does me good to hear your voice. I might have knownwhose illigant home Pat is honoring. Where did you find him, and whydidn't you tell me? Didn't expect you home until the end of next week.Funny thing, but I was thinking of you two fellows when the 'phone rang.Same old Pat, isn't he? Gee, but it's good to hear the voices of you twofellows! Now when do I see you and where?"
"Right after dinner. We'll drive around and pick you up and then givePat a glimpse of the Great White Way," replied Hal, answering the lastquestions first. "I've had this all planned for a month by way of asurprise. I have a week more vacation than you do, and I got in just intime to meet Pat's train. Had hard work to persuade him to come, but Igot him at last. Say, got any plans made for your vacation?"
"Nary a plan. Been waiting to hear from you," replied Walter.
"Good! I've got the greatest little stunt you ever heard of to tell youabout to-night. Pat suggested it, and I had to promise to try to put itthrough before he would agree to come down here. We've got to go cleanup for dinner now, but we'll be around about eight o'clock. So longuntil then."
"So long," replied Walter, and hanging up the receiver he whoopedjoyously and proceeded to execute a war dance that ended with a crash asa rug slipped under his feet and he came down in a heap. It happenedthat at that very instant his father, just home from the office, openedthe hall door briskly and a second later landed on Walter with a forcethat brought a grunt from each. He had tripped over one of the boy'ssprawling legs. As quickly as he could disentangle himself Walterscrambled to his feet. Concern was written in every line of his face ashe extended a helping hand to Mr. Upton.
"Oh, Dad, are you hurt?" he cried anxiously.
Mr. Upton's eyes twinkled good-humoredly as he replied: "Only in mydignity. But tell me, son, why all this hilarity that led to the utterdownfall of the house of Upton? I heard you break loose, and washurrying to share in it."
"It's a shame," declared Walter contritely as he brushed off hisfather's coat. "I ought to know better than to be acting like a wildIndian in the house. Fact is, I had just got some mighty good news overthe 'phone. Guess what."
"Hal is coming home for the vacation," hazarded Mr. Upton promptly, forthese two, father and son, were chums, and he knew just how eagerlyWalter had hoped for Hal's homecoming.
"Right and wrong, both!" whooped Walter. "You're a good little guesser,Dad, but you didn't guess enough this time. He's home already, and Pat'swith him!"
"Pat! Pat who?" A puzzled frown wrinkled Mr. Upton's forehead.
"Pat Malone, of course! As if there was more than one Pat! They got inhalf an hour ago, and they're coming around here after dinner to getme."
Mr. Upton's face lighted with a smile of pleasure. "That's splendid," hedeclared. "It's news worth getting upset for. How ever did Hal lurethat young giant out of his beloved woods?"
"I don't know," replied Walter. "All I know is that he is here, and therest we'll find out when they get here. Hope he's going to stay throughvacation. It'll be no end of fun showing Pat around. Wish you could bewith us."
"I wish I could," replied Mr. Upton, smiling. "Suppose we eat dinner nowso that you will be ready for them when they arrive."
Promptly at eight o'clock a big touring car drew up in front of thehouse, and Walter was down the steps before the two figures in thetonneau could disentangle themselves from the robes. Three voicesmingled in a joyous shout, there was a swift clasping of hands in theScout grip, and then the three boys started up the steps to the opendoor, where Mr. Upton stood waiting with outstretched hand.
"Welcome to our city, Pat!" he cried heartily.
"Thank you, sir. If everybody receives such a welcome as I have had itis no wonder that we cannot keep people in the woods."
Walter actually gaped open mouthed at Pat. There was not a trace ofaccent. Pat caught the look and his blue eyes twinkled. Suddenly hewhirled and hit Upton a resounding whack between the shoulders with hisopen palm. "Did I not tell ye thot whin I got the leaves out av me hairand the Irish out av me shpach I would come? And here I be. Tell me now,do ye want to foight? 'Twas the reception I was afther giving ye whin yefirst came to the woods, and 'tis no more than roight thot ye shouldtrate me the same whin I land in Noo Yor-r-k."
Walter ran a calculating eye over the brawny young woodsman, six feet inhis stockings and broad in proportion, and backed away. "I waive theprivilege--out of politeness," said he with a low bow.
"'Tis loike Noo Yor-r-k to be gentle with the helpless. Shure 'tis afoine settlemint and foine people in ut," retorted Pat.
"I am interested to learn how Hal induced you to come here, Pat," saidMr. Upton as he ushered them into the library.
Hal chuckled. "I trapped him," said he. "I set a trap and baited it andhe walked right into it. Don't you think I'm some little trapper?"
"You certainly are," declared Mr. Upton, while Pat grinned. "Let's hearall about it."
"Well, first I made sure that I could get passes from Dad. You know hecontrols the railroad to Upper Chain. Dad was tickled to death with theidea. Even offered to send up his private car. You know he's a greatadmirer of Pat. Then for a bait I arranged through a friend to get anintroduction for Pat to some of the head people out at Bronx Park and atthe American Museum of Natural History. I knew that he just couldn'tpass that chance up, but to make sure I wrote to Doctor Merriam atWoodcraft Camp, and of course he joined the conspiracy right away. For aclincher I promised Pat that Walt and I would spend Walt's vacation withhim up in the woods."
Walter came out of his chair with a bound. "What's that?" he cried. "Sayit again!"
"I said that to get Pat down here I promised him that we--you andI--would spend a week in the woods with him this winter. Is thatperfectly clear?" Hal spoke slowly and with emphasis.
"It sounds clear, but it isn't," replied Walter, glancing at his fatherwith a rueful smile. He was thinking of the expense and that as thingsthen were he could not afford the trip.
Hal intercepted the glance and understood. "Oh, yes, it is," said he."It is perfectly clear. We leave here next week Friday night and you andPat are my guests until we reach Upper Chain the next morning. Then thethree of us become the guests of Doctor Merriam at Woodcraft Camp for aday or two, and after that you and I will be the guests of--guess who?"
Walter shook his head. He was a trifle dazed by the way in which Haltook everything for granted.
"Pat and his partner!" cried Hal, while Pat grinned broadly. "Pat'strapping this winter instead of lumbering, and we're going to spend aweek in a real trapper's camp, and snow-shoe and have no end of fun.Won't it be great? Walt may go, mayn't he, Mr. Upton?"
Mr. Upton laughed aloud. "I wouldn't dare say no in the face of suchcompletely organized plans," he confessed. "Of course he may go. It's asplendid idea, and I suspect that when he comes back for the next termof the school year he will be feeling so fine that nothing can stop himfrom winning that scholarship he has set his heart on, and has beenworking so hard for."
"Then it's all settled!" cried Hal. "Pat is going to stay and go backwith us, and while he is here it is up to us to show him what New Yorkis like. We'll begin by showing him the Great White Way to-night. Getyour coat and hat,
Walt. The car is waiting. Won't you go with us, Mr.Upton?"
"Not this time, thank you, Hal," replied Mr. Upton. "I have anengagement for this evening, though I would much rather join youyoungsters than keep it. I feel that I am to lose something really worthwhile--a rare pleasure."
"And the loss is equally ours, sir," said Pat as they rose to don theircoats.
Once more Walter eyed Pat quizzically. It was clear that the youngIrishman had been pursuing his studies under Doctor Merriam to goodadvantage. Without the rich brogue it was a new and wholly differentPat. But he forbore to make any comment, and in a few minutes they wereoff to show Pat one of the most wonderful scenes in the world, NewYork's famous Broadway by night.