He saw Ernest at the table soon after, and so did Stephen Ray. The latternoted with alarm the resemblance of the boy to his cousin Dudley Ray,whose estate he had usurped.
"I hope Bolton won't get hold of him," he said to himself. "It would bedangerous to me."
After supper Mr. Ray went out, leaving Clarence to himself.
He improved the opportunity. Seeing Ernest sitting alone, he went up tohim.
"Is your name Ray?" he asked.
"Yes, Ernest Ray."
"My name is Clarence Ray."
"So I thought. We are cousins."
"That's what I told pa, but he said it was not so--that Ernest Ray wasdead."
"Your father's name is Stephen Ray?"
"Yes."
"I have known of him and you since I was old enough to rememberanything."
"Then you are really my Cousin Ernest?"
"Yes."
"I wonder why pa said you were dead. I will tell pa he is mistaken."
"No, Clarence, I would rather you wouldn't. There are reasons why it isbetter not to say anything about it."
"All right. Are you well off?"
Ernest smiled.
"I am not rich," he said, "but I am comfortably fixed."
"Do you live in California?"
"I have lived there for the last few months."
"Why did you come East?"
"On a little business."
"I am glad you are well off. I think pa was afraid you were a poorrelation."
"Your father is rich?"
"Yes, ever so rich. We've got a fine place near Elmira. If pa wasn't socranky I would invite you there to visit me."
"Thank you all the same," said Ernest, smiling.
Later in the evening, when Stephen Ray came in, Ernest noticed that helooked at him critically. He, too, examined the man who, he had reason tobelieve, was enjoying the estates that should be his, and was notattracted toward him.
"What will he say," thought Ernest, "when I make a formal demand for theproperty?"
"What in the name of all that's unlucky can have brought that boy here atthis time?" Stephen Ray was saying to himself.
He never for an instant doubted Ernest's identity--in fact, he could notwell have done so, for he bore a strong resemblance to Dudley Ray.
Stephen Ray's curiosity was excited. Ernest did not appear like theaverage poor relation. He was quite as well dressed as Clarence. Besides,he had registered at a high-priced hotel, which showed that he was notcramped for means.
This gave him satisfaction, as it made it less likely that he would appealto him for assistance.
Stephen Ray was rather surprised that Clarence made no further referenceto Ernest. Had he known that the two had had a conversation he would havebeen seriously disturbed. He hoped that Bolton would not get hold of theboy.
CHAPTER XXXV
MR. BOLTON AND HIS CLIENT
Benjamin Bolton sat at his desk in the law office of Albert Norcross, onNassau Street. He was well, even handsomely dressed, and looked veryunlike the shabby tramp who had called months before at the house ofStephen Ray.
He was really a man of ability which his employer had found out. He hadraised Bolton's salary to a liberal figure, and felt that in securing hisservices he had made a real acquisition.
Bolton was absorbed in preparation for a case which had been assigned tohim, when a boy came to his desk with a card.
Bolton no sooner read the name, "Ernest Ray," than he became eager andexcited.
"Tell him to come in," he said.
Ernest, quiet and self-possessed, entered the office and approached thelawyer's desk.
"Are you Mr. Bolton?" he asked.
"Yes, and you----"
"I am Ernest Ray."
Benjamin Bolton looked keenly at the boy, admiring his handsome face andmanly bearing.
"I see your father's looks in you," he said.
"Then you knew my father?" said Ernest.
"Yes. We were young men together."
"I am glad to meet you, then."
"You come from California?"
"Yes."
"I judge from your appearance that you have not suffered from poverty."
"I have been fortunate at Oreville. At Oak Forks I lived very humbly withPeter Brant, an old servant of my father."
"Yes, I remember Peter. Is he alive still?"
"No, he died a little less than a year since. Till his death I thought himmy uncle and knew no other relatives. Before he died he told me who Iwas."
"How did he live?"
"On a small sum left by my father. When he died it was all exhaustedexcept a hundred dollars. I took that and went to California with a mannamed Luke Robbins, who has proved my faithful friend."
"What were you doing in California? Were you working at the mines?"
"No. I was keeping a store where I sold miners' supplies."
"Did it pay you well?"
"I was very well paid for a boy. When I left Oreville I was worth athousand dollars."
"That is well, but it is only a drop in the bucket compared with thefortune you are entitled to."
"Now held by Mr. Stephen Ray?"
"Yes; he will be surprised to see you in the East."
"He has seen me," said Ernest quickly.
"What!" exclaimed the lawyer. "You have not called upon him?"
"No. I met him on the train and afterwards at a Buffalo hotel. My CousinClarence was with him."
"Did you have any conference with them?"
"I talked with Clarence, not with his father."
"Did you think the father knew you?"
"Yes, but he did not speak to me."
"He told me when I called upon him some time ago that you were dead--thatyou died in Georgia."
"What could have been his object?"
"He did not wish me to find you, for I had the proof that the estate wasrightfully yours."
"What led you to think I was alive?"
"I cross-examined Clarence, who did not know his father's desire to keepus apart."
"Is the estate a large one?"
"Quarter of a million, at least."
Ernest's eyes opened wide with amazement.
"But I will introduce you to Mr. Norcross, my principal, and we will talkover our plan of operations. You must assert your rights, and demand thatyour grandfather's will be carried out. Are you content to place yourselfin our hands?"
"Entirely so. But I am sorry for Cousin Stephen. It will be a great blowfor him."
"Don't waste any pity upon him. He defrauded your father, and meant todefraud you."
CHAPTER XXXVI
STEPHEN RAY ALARMED
"A gentleman to see you, sir."
This was the message brought to Stephen Ray by the servant one morning.
"Did he give his name?"
"No, sir."
"Very well; bring him up."
Mr. Ray was sitting at the desk in his library. He was looking over someplans for the improvement of his handsome residence.
He proposed to enlarge a lower room by a bay window and to carry thepiazza round on each side. It would cost something, but his income wasample--at least four times his expenditure.
He looked up as a handsomely dressed gentleman entered the room.
"What is your business, sir?" asked Stephen Ray formally.
The visitor smiled.
"You don't recognize me, Stephen Ray?" he said.
"Benjamin Bolton!" exclaimed the other, his countenance changing.
"The same."
"I judge from your appearance that your circumstances have improved," saidMr. Ray coldly.
"Fortunately, yes."
"I congratulate you."
"Thank you. The money you kindly loaned me when I was last here did me agreat deal of good."
"I presume you have come to repay it," said Ray, with a sneer.
"You are right," and Bolton drew from his pocket two fifty-dollar bills,which he tendered to his host.
>
Stephen Ray was fond of money, and he received the notes withsatisfaction.
"You have acted honorably," he said more graciously. "Are you located inthe neighborhood?"
"No, in New York City. I am in a law office there."
"I am pleased with your success. I would ask you to remain, but I am quitebusy this morning."
"Excuse me, Mr. Ray, but the repayment of the loan was not my only errand.I am here on more important business."
Stephen Ray's countenance changed. He began to fear that Bolton had foundErnest.
"When I was here last year you told me that Dudley Ray's son, Ernest, wasdead."
"Yes, he died in Alabama."
"When I was here before you told me he died in Georgia."
"I believe it was Georgia," said Stephen Ray, disconcerted.
"You will be glad to hear that it is a mistake--about the death, I mean.He is as much alive as you are."
"Mr. Bolton," said Ray angrily, "you are trying to impose upon me. The boyis dead, I tell you."
"And I tell you he is not dead. I saw him only yesterday."
"You may have seen some one who pretended to be Ernest Ray."
"I should not be easily deceived. He is the image of his father."
"I don't believe the boy is alive."
"Shall I bring him here?"
"You need not trouble yourself. I can have nothing to say to him, whetherhe is really Ernest Ray, or an impostor."
"I beg your pardon. If he is Ernest Ray, under the will which I have in mypossession, he is the owner of this property."
Bolton spoke firmly, and looked Ray resolutely in the eye.
Stephen Ray flushed and paled. There was a great fear in his heart, but heresolved to brave it out.
"This is a base conspiracy. Your share in it ought to land you in State'sprison."
"I am willing to take my chance of it," said the lawyer. "Didn't yourecognize the boy when you saw him?"
"What do you mean?"
"You saw him in the hotel at Buffalo. He recognized you, and had aconversation with your son."
"Had a conversation with Clarence? That is a lie. Clarence never spoke tome about it."
"You had better question him. But there is no need of sparring. I tell youconfidently that Ernest Ray is alive, and demands the estate under hisgrandfather's will, which you hold."
"This is ridiculous. There is but one answer to such a proposal."
"What is that?"
"I refuse absolutely to make any concession to an impostor."
"That is your final answer?"
"It is."
"Then I give you notice that the boy will at once bring suit for therestoration of the estate and the vindication of his rights."
"I suppose you are his lawyer?" sneered Ray.
"The firm with which I am connected has undertaken the case."
"What is the firm?" asked Stephen Ray with an anxiety which he could notconceal.
"Norcross & Co.," answered Bolton.
Great drops of perspiration appeared on the brows of Stephen Ray. He knewwell the high reputation and uniform success of the firm in question.
He did not immediately answer, but began to pace the room in agitation.Finally he spoke.
"This has come upon me as a surprise. I thought the boy dead. I may bewilling to make some arrangement. Bring him here next week--sayTuesday--and we will talk the matter over."
"You must do more than talk the matter over, Stephen Ray. A greatinjustice has been done, the wrong must be righted."
"Come here next Tuesday," was the only answer.
The lawyer bowed and withdrew.
CHAPTER XXXVII
ERNEST COMES INTO HIS OWN
On Tuesday Bolton returned with Ernest. Two hours were spent in conferencewith Stephen Ray. The latter fought hard, but yielded at last. Heunderstood the strength of his opponent's case.
Ernest consented to receive the estate as it was bequeathed to his father,without any demand for back revenues. Whatever Stephen Ray had accumulatedbesides, he was allowed to retain.
As this amounted to a hundred thousand dollars, Ray felt that it mighthave been worse. Had he not been dissuaded by Bolton, Ernest would haveconsented to share the estate with the usurper, but the lawyer representedthat this would be condoning the wrong done to his father.
In a month the whole matter was settled, and Stephen Ray removed toChicago, where he had business interests.
"But what shall I do with this large house?" asked Ernest. "I don't wantto live here."
"I know a gentleman who would like to hire it for a term of years,"responded Bolton. "He will pay a rental of five thousand dollars a year.The bonds which you inherit will yield an income equally large."
"So that my income will be ten thousand dollars a year?" said Ernest,dazzled.
"Yes."
"What shall I do with it all?"
Bolton smiled.
"You are but seventeen," he said. "A few years hence you will probablymarry. Then you can occupy the house yourself. Meanwhile----"
"I will go back to California. Luke will expect me. While I am away Iappoint you my man of business. I wish you to have charge of my propertyat a proper commission."
"I will undertake the charge with pleasure."
Bolton knew how much this would increase his importance in the eyes of thefirm by which he was employed. Ernest could not have made a better choice.Bolton was no longer intemperate. He was shrewd and keen, and loyal to hisyoung employer.
Ernest returned to California, but he had lost his old zest for business,now that his fortune was secure. He soon came East again, and entered upona plan of study, ending with a college course. He brought with him FrankFox, the son of the dead outlaw, who regarded him with devoted affection.They lived together, and he placed Frank at a well-known school, justlynoted for the success of its pupils.
Of the many boys with whom Frank associated not one suspected that theattractive lad, who was a favorite with all, was a son of the desperadowhose deeds were a matter of common knowledge in the West. Ernest hadcautioned the boy to say as little as possible of his past history.
Years have gone, what Bolton predicted has come to pass. Ernest is acollege graduate, and will soon marry a young lady of high position in thecity of New York. He will go abroad for a year, and on his return willmake his home on his ancestral estate.
Last week he received a letter from a patient in a New York City hospital.It was signed John Franklin, a name with which he was not familiar.
In some wonder he answered the call, and was led to a bed on which lay agaunt, spectral man, evidently in the last stage of existence.
"Is this John Franklin?" asked Ernest doubtfully.
"That is the name I go by now," answered the dying man.
"Do I know you? Have I ever met you?"
"Yes."
"I don't remember you."
"If I tell you my real name, will you keep it secret?"
"Yes."
"Then I am John Fox. You will not betray me?"
"No; certainly not. Can I do anything for you?"
"Yes; you are the guardian of my brother's child."
"Yes."
"Is he alive? Is he well?"
"Yes."
"Will you bring him here before I die?"
"I will. I cannot refuse the request of a dying man." Ernest brought Frankto the bedside of his dying uncle. It was a sad interview. Frank wasmoved, but John Fox, seeing him strong, handsome, robust, felt comforted.
"He at least has profited by the fate that overtook his father and myself.I shall die content, for I leave him in good hands. Don't let him thinktoo hardly of us!"
"I will not. So far as I can compass it, his future life shall be happy."
The dying outlaw reached out his hand and pressed Ernest's gratefully. Aday later he was dead.
THE END
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Transcribe
r's Note: Bound with the preceeding book is an excerpt from"Lincoln's Stories and Speeches," specifically from the chapter"Early Life." As originally published, that material is included here.
How Lincoln Became a Captain.
In the threatening aspect of affairs at the time of the Black Hawk War,Governor Reynolds issued a call for volunteers, and among the companiesthat immediately responded was one from Menard County, Illinois. Many ofthe volunteers were from New Salem and Clarey's Grove, and Lincoln, beingout of business, was first to enlist. The company being full, they held ameeting at Richland for the election of officers. Lincoln had won manyhearts and they told him that he must be their captain. It was an officethat he did not aspire to, and one for which he felt that he had nospecial fitness; but he consented to be a candidate. There was but oneother candidate for the office (a Mr. Kirkpatrick), and he was one of themost influential men in the county. Previously, Kirkpatrick had been anemployer of Lincoln, and was so overbearing in his treatment of the youngman that the latter left him.
The simple mode of electing their captain, adopted by the company, was byplacing the candidates apart, and telling the men to go and stand with theone they preferred. Lincoln and his competitor took their positions, andthen the word was given. At least three out of every four went to Lincolnat once. When it was seen by those who had ranged themselves with theother candidate that Lincoln was the choice of the majority of thecompany, they left their places, one by one, and came over to thesuccessful side, until Lincoln's opponent in the friendly strife was leftstanding almost alone.