Bound to Rise

H >> Horatio Alger >> Bound to Rise

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"I want to get some printing done," said Harry, looking toward the
journeymen.

"Go to Mr. Anderson," said one, pointing to the office.

Harry went in. The editor looked up as he entered.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"I want to get some printing done."

"For yourself?"

"No; for Professor Henderson."

"I've done jobs for him before. What does he want?"

Our hero explained.

"Very well, we will do it."

"Can you have it done before two o'clock?"

"Impossible. I am just bringing out my paper."

"When can you have the job finished?"

"To-morrow noon."

"I suppose that will do. We perform to-morrow at Berlin and they
can be sent over to the hotel there."

"You say 'we,'" answered Harry, amused. "I take tickets, and assist
him generally."

"How do you like the business?"

"Very well; but I should like your business better."

"What makes you think so?"

"I have been reading the 'Life of Benjamin Franklin.' He was a
printer."

"That's true; but I'm sorry to say Franklins are scarce in our
printing offices. I never met one yet."

"I shouldn't expect to turn out a Franklins; but I think one couldn't
help being improved by the business."

"True again, though, of course, it depends on the wish to improve.
How long have you been working for Professor Henderson?"

"Not long. Only two or three weeks."

"What did you do before?"

"I was pegger in a shoe shop."

"Didn't you like it?"

"Well enough, for I needed to earn money and it paid me; but I don't
think I should like to be a shoemaker all my life. It doesn't give
any chance to learn."

"Then you like learning?"

"Yes. 'Live and learn'--that is my motto."

"It is a good one. Do you mean to be a printer?"

"If I get a chance."

"You may come into my office on the first of April, if you like.
One of my men will leave me by the first of May. If you are a
smart boy, and really wish to learn the business, you can break in
so as to be useful in four weeks."

"I should like it," said Harry; "but," he added, with hesitation,
"I am poor, and could not afford to work for nothing while I was
learning."

"I'll tell you what I'll do, then," said the editor. "I'll give
you your board for the first month, on condition that you'll work
for six months afterwards for two dollars a week and board. That's
a fair offer. I wouldn't make it if I didn't feel assured that you
were smart, and would in time be valuable to me."

"I'll come if my father does not object."

"Quite tight. I should not like to have you act contrary to his
wishes. I suppose, for the present, you will remain with Professor
Henderson."

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. Let me hear from you when you have communicated with
your father."

Harry left the office plunged in thought. It came upon him with
surprise, that he had engaged himself to learn a new business,
and that the one which he had longed to follow ever since he had
become acquainted with Franklin's early life. He realized that he
was probably making immediate sacrifice. He could, undoubtedly,
make more money in the shoe shop than in the printing office, for
the present at least. By the first of April the shoe business obtain
employment. But then he was sure he should like printing better,
and if he was ever going to change, why, the sooner he made the
change the better.

When he returned to the hotel, he told the professor what he had
done.

"I am glad you are not going at once," said his employer, "for
I should be sorry to lose you. I generally give up traveling for
the season about the first of April, so that I shall be ready to
release you. I commend your choice of a trade. Many of our best
editors have been practical printers in their youth."

"I should like to be an editor, but I don't know enough."

"Not at present; but you can qualify yourself to become one--that
is, if you devote you spare time to reading and studying."

"I mean to do that."

"Then you will fair chance of becoming what you desire. To a certain
extent, a boy, or young man, holds the future in his own hands."

Harry wrote to father, at once, in regard to the plan which he
had in view. The answer did not reach him for nearly a week; but
we will so far anticipate matters as to insert that part which
related to it.

"If you desire to be a printer, Harry, I shall not object. It is
a good trade, and you can make yourself, through it, useful to the
community. I do not suppose it will ever make you rich. Still, I
should think it might, in time, give you a comfortable living--better,
I hope, than I have been able to earn as a farmer. If you determine
to win success, you probably will. If you should leave your present
place before the first of April, we shall be very glad to have you
come home, if only for a day or two. We all miss you very much--your
mother, particularly. Tom doesn't say much about it; but I know he
will be as glad to see you as the rest of us."

Harry read this letter with great pleasure, partly because
it brought him permission to do as he desired, and partly because
it was gratifying to him to feel that he was missed at home. He
determined, if it was a possible thing, to leave the professor a
week before his new engagement, and spend that time in Granton.

CHAPTER XXX

THE YOUNG TREASURER

On the morning after receiving the letter from his father, Harry
came down to breakfast, but looked in vain for the professor.
Supposing he would be down directly, he sat down to the breakfast
table. When he had nearly finished eating, a boy employed about
the hotel came to his side.

"That gentleman you're with is sick. He wants you to come to his
room as soon as you are through breakfast."

Harry did not wait to finish, but got up from the table at once,
and went up to his employer's room.

"Are you sick, sir?" he inquired, anxiously.

The professor's face was flushed, and he was tossing about in bed.

"Yes," he answered. "I am afraid I am threatened with a fever."

"I hope not, sir."

"I am subject to fevers; but I hope I might not have another for
some time to come. I must have caught cold yesterday, and the result
is, that I am sick this morning."

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I should like to have you go for the doctor. Inquire of the landlord
who is the best in the village."

"I will go at once."

On inquiry, our hero was informed that Dr. Parker was the most
trusted physician in the neighborhood, and he proceeded to his house
at once. The doctor was, fortunately, still at home, and answered
the summons immediately. He felt the sick man's pulse, asked him
a variety of questions, and finally announced his opinion.

"You are about to have a fever," he said, "if, indeed, the fever
has not already set in."

"A serious fever, doctor?" asked the sick man, anxiously.

"I cannot yet determine."

"Do you think I shall be long sick?"

"That, also, is uncertain. I suppose you will be likely to be
detained here a fortnight, at least."

"I wish I could go home."

"It would not be safe for you to travel, under present circumstances."

"If I were at home, I could be under my wife's care."

"Can't she come here?"

"She has three young children. It would be difficult for her to
leave them."

"Who is the boy that called at my house?"

"Harry Walton. He is my assistant--takes money at the door, and
helps me other ways."

"Is he trustworthy?"

"I have always found him so."

"Why can't he, attend upon you?"

"I mean to retain him with me--that is, if he will stay. It will
be dull work for a boy of his age."

"You can obtain a nurse, besides, if needful."

"You had better engage one for me, as I cannot confine him here
all the time."

"I will do so. I know of one, skillful and experienced, who is just
now at leisure. I will send her round here this morning."

"What is her name?"

"Not a very romantic one--Betsy Chase."

"I suppose that doesn't prevent her being a good nurse," said the
professor, smiling.

"Not at all."

Here Harry entered the room.

"Harry," said the professor, "the doctor tells me I am going to be
sick."

"I am very sorry, sir," said our hero, with an air of concern.

"I shall probably be detained here at least a fortnight. Are you
willing to remain with me?"

"Certainly, sir. I should not think of leaving you, sick and alone,
if you desired me to stay. I hope I can make myself useful to
you."

"You can. I shall need you to do errands for me, and to sit with
me a part of the time."

"I shall be very willing to do so, sir."

"You will probably find it dull."

"Not so dull as you will find it, sir. The time must seem very long
to you, lying on that bed."

"I suppose it will; but that can't be helped."

"A nurse will be here this afternoon," said the doctor.

"Until she comes, you will be in attendance here."

"Yes, sir."

"I will direct you what to do, and how often to administer the
medicines. Can remember?"

"Yes, sir, I shall not forget."

Dr. Parker here gave Harry minute instructions, which need not be
repeated, since they were altogether of a professional nature.

After the doctor was gone, Professor Henderson said:

"As soon as the nurse comes, I shall want you to ride over to the
next town, Carmansville, and countermand the notices for an exhibition
to-night. I shall not be able to give entertainments for some time
to come. Indeed, I am not sure but I must wait till next season."

"How shall I go over?" asked Harry.

"You may get a horse and buggy at the stable, and drive over there.
If I remember rightly, it is between little seven and eight miles.
The road is a little winding, but I think you won't lose your way."

"Oh, I'll find it," said Harry, confidently.

It was not till three o'clock that the nurse made her appearance,
and it was past three before Harry started on his way.

"You need not hurry home," said the professor. "In fact, you had
better take supper at the hotel in Carmansville, as you probably
could not very well get back here till eight o'clock."

"Very well, sir," said Harry. "But shan't you need me?"

"No; Miss Chase will attend to me."

"Mrs. Chase, if you please," said the nurse. "I've been a widder
for twenty years."

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Chase," said the sick man smiling.

"When my husband was alive, I never expected to go out nursin';
but I've had come to it."

"The doctor says you are a very skillful and experienced nurse."

"I'd ought to be. I've nussed people in almost all sorts of diseases,
from measles to smallpox. You needn't be frightened, sir; I haven't
had any smallpox case lately. Isn't it most time to take your
medicine?"

Harry left the room, and was soon on his way to Carmansville. Once
he got off the road, which was rather a perplexing one, but he soon
found it again. However, it was half past five before he reached
the village, and nearly an hour later before he had done the
errand which brought him over. Finally, he came back to the tavern,
and being by this time hungry, went in at once to the tavern, and
being by this time hungry, went in at once to supper. He did full
justice to the meal which was set before him. The day was cold,
and his ride had stimulated his appetite.

When he sat down to the table he was alone; but a minute afterward
a small, dark-complexioned man, with heavy black whiskers, came
in, and sat down beside him. He had a heavy look, and a forbidding
expression; but our hero was too busy to take particular notice of
him till the latter commenced a conversation.

"It's a pretty cold day," he remarked.

"Very cold," said Harry. "I am dreading my ride back to Pentland."

"Are you going to Pentland to-night?" asked the stranger, with
interest.

"Yes, sir."

"Do you live over there?"

"No; I am there for a short time only," Harry replied.

"Business?"

"Yes."

"You seem rather young to be in business," said the stranger.

"Oh," said Harry, smiling, "I am in the employ of Professor Henderson,
the ventriloquist. I suppose it is hardly proper to say that I am
in business."

"Professor Henderson! Why, he is going to give an entertainment
here to-night, isn't he?"

"He was; but I have come over to countermand the notice."

"What is that for?"

"He is taken sick at Pentland, and won't be able to come."

"Oh, that's it. Well, I'm sorry, for I should like to have gone to
hear him. So you are his assistant, are you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Can you perform tricks, too?"

"I don't assist him in that way. I take money at the door, and help
him with his apparatus."

"Have you been with him long?"

"Only a few weeks."

"So you are his treasurer, are you?" asked the stranger smiling.

"Ye--es," said Harry, slowly, for it brought to his mind that he
had one hundred and fifty dollars of the professor's money in his
pocket, besides the pocketbook containing his own. He intended to
have left it with his employer, but in the hurry of leaving he had
forgotten to do so. Now he was about to take a long ride in the
evening with this large sum of money about him.

"However," he said, reassuring himself, "there is nothing to be
afraid of. Country people are not robbers. Burglars stay in the
cities. I have nothing to fear."

Still he prudently resolved, if compelled to be out late again, to
leave his money at home.

He rose from table, followed by the stranger.

"Well," said the latter, "I must be going. How soon do you start?"

"In a few minutes."

"Well, good night."

"Good night."

"He seems inclined to be social," thought Harry, "but I don't fancy
him much."

CHAPTER XXXI

Harry was soon on his way home. It was already getting dark, and
he felt a little anxious lest he should lose his way. He was rather
sorry that he had not started earlier, though he had lost no time.

He had gone about two miles, when he came to a place where two
roads met. There was no guideboard, and he could not remember by
which road he had come. Luckily, as he thought, he described a man
a little ahead. He stopped the horse, and hailed him.

"Can you tell me which road to take to Pentland?" he asked.

The man addressed turned his head, and, to his surprise, our hero
recognized his table companion at the inn.

"Oh, it's you, my young friend!" he said.

"Yes, sir. Can you tell me the right road to Pentland? I have never
been this way before to-day, and I have forgotten how I came."

"I am thinking of going to Pentland myself," said the other.

"My sister lives there. If you don't mind giving me a lift, I will
jump in with you, and guide you."

Now, though Harry did not fancy the man's appearance, he had no
reason to doubt him, nor any ground for refusing his request.

"Jump in, sir," he said. "There is plenty of room."

The stranger was speedily seated at his side.

"Take the left-hand road," he said.

Harry turned to his left.

"It's rather a blind road," observed the stranger.

"I think I could remember in the daytime," said Harry; "but it is
so dark now, that I am in doubt."

"So I suppose."

The road on which they had entered was very lonely. Scarcely a
house was passed, and the neighborhood seemed quite uninhabited.

"I don't remember this road," said Harry, anxiously.

"Are you sure we are right?"

"Yes, yes, we are right. Don't trouble yourself."

"It's a lonely road."

"So it is. I don't suppose there's anybody lives within half a
mile."

"The road didn't seem so lonely when I came over it this afternoon."

"Oh, that's the effect of sunshine. Nothing seems lonely in the
daytime. Turn down that lane."

"What for?" asked Harry, in surprise. "That can't be the road to
Pentland."

"Never mind that. Turn, I tell you."

His companion spoke fiercely, and Harry's mind began to conceive
alarming suspicions as to his character. But he was brave, and not
easily daunted.

"The horse and carriage are mine, or, at least, are under my
direction," he said, firmly, "and you have no control over them.
I shall not turn."

"Won't you?" retorted the stranger, with an oath, and drew from
his pocket a pistol. "Won't you?"

"What do you mean? Who are you?" demanded Harry.

"You will find out before I get through with you. Now turn into
the lane."

"I will not," said Harry, pale, but determined.

"Then I will save you the trouble," and his companion snatched the
reins from him, and turned the horse himself. Resistance was, of
course, useless, and our hero was compelled to submit.

"There, that suits me better. Now to business."

"To business. Produce your pocketbook."

"Would you rob me?" asked Harry, who was in a measure prepared for
the demand.

"Oh, of course not," said the other. "Gentlemen never do such
things. I want to burrow your money, that is all."

"I don't want to lend."

"I dare say not," sneered the other; "but I shan't be able to
respect your wishes. The sooner you give me the money the better."

Harry had two pocketbooks. The one contained his own money--about
forty dollars--the other the money of his employer. The first was
in the side pocket of his coat, the second in the pocket of his
pants. The latter, as was stated in the preceding chapter, contained
one hundred and fifty dollars. Harry heartily repented not having
left it behind, but it was to late for repentance. He could only
hope that the robber would be satisfied with one pocketbook, and
not suspect the existence of the other. There seemed but little
hope of saving his own money. However, he determined to do it, if
possible.

"Hurry up," said the stranger, impatiently. "You needn't pretend you
have no money. I know better than that. I saw you pay the landlord."

"Then he saw the professor's pocketbook," thought Harry, uneasily.
"Mine is of different appearance. I hope he won't detect the
difference."

"I hope you will leave me some of the money," said Harry, producing
the pocketbook.

"It is all I have."

"How much is there?"

"About forty dollars."

"Humph! that isn't much."

"It is all I have in the world."

"Pooh! you are young and can soon earn some more. I must have the
whole of it."

"Can't you leave me five dollars?"

"No, I can't. Forty dollars are little enough to serve my turn."

So saying, he coolly deposited the pocketbook in the pocket of his
pants.

"So far so good. It's well, youngster, you didn't make any more fuss,
or I might have had to use my little persuader"; and he displayed
the pistol.

"Will you let me go now, sir?"

"I have not got through my business yet. That's a nice overcoat of
yours."

Harry looked at him, in doubt as to his meaning, but he was soon
enlightened.

"I am a small person," proceeded the man with black whiskers,
"scarcely any larger than you. I think it'll be a good fit."

"Must I lose my overcoat, too?" thought Harry, in trouble.

"You've got an overcoat of your own, sir," he said.

"You don't need mine."

"Oh, I wouldn't rob you of yours on any account. A fair exchange
is no robbery. I am going to give you mine in exchange for yours."

The stranger's coat was rough and well worn, and, at its best,
had been inferior to Harry's coat. Our hero felt disturbed at the
prospect of losing it, for he could not tell when he could afford
to get another.

"I should think you might be satisfied with the pocketbook," he
said. "I hope you will leave me my coat."

"Off with the coat, youngster!" was the sole reply.

"First, get out of the buggy. We can make the exchange better
outside."

As opposition would be unavailing, Harry obeyed. The robber took
from him the handsome overcoat, the possession of which had afforded
him so much satisfaction, and handed him his own. In great disgust
and dissatisfaction our hero invested himself in it.

"Fits you as if it was made for you," said the stranger, with a
short laugh. "Yours is a trifle slow for me, but I can make it go.
No, don't be in such a hurry."

He seized Harry by the arm as he was about to jump into the carriage.

"I must go," said Harry. "You have already detained me some time."

"I intend to detain you some time longer."

"Have you got any more business with me?"

"Yes, I have. You've hit it exactly. You'll soon know what it is."

He produced a ball of cord from a pocket of his inside coat, and
with a knife severed a portion. "Do you know what this is for?"
he asked, jeeringly.

"No."

"Say, 'No, sir.' It's more respectful. Well, I'll gratify your
laudable curiosity. It's to tie your hands and feet."

"I won't submit to it," said Harry, angrily.

"Won't you?" asked the other, coolly. "This is a very pretty pistol,
isn't it? I hope I shan't have to use it."

"What do you want to tie my hands for?" asked Harry.

"For obvious reasons, my young friend."

"I can't drive if my hands are tied."

"Correct, my son. I don't intend you to drive tonight. Give me your
hands."

Harry considered whether it would be advisable to resist. The
stranger was not much larger than himself. He was a man, however,
and naturally stronger. Besides, he had a pistol. He seceded that
it was necessary to submit. After all, he had saved his employer's
money, even if he had lost his own, and this was something. He
allowed himself to be bound.

"Now," said the stranger, setting him up against the stone wall,
which bordered the lane, "I will bid you good night. I might take
your horse, but, on the whole, I don't want him. I will fasten him
to this tree, where he will be all ready for you in the morning.
That's considerate in me. Good night. I hope you are comfortable."

He disappeared in the darkness, and Harry was left alone.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Harry's reflections, as he sat on the ground were not the most
cheerful. He was sitting in a constrained posture, his hands and
feet being tied, and, moreover, the cold air chilled him. The cold
was not intense, but as he was unable to move his limbs he, of
course, felt it the more.

"I suppose it will get colder," thought Harry, uncomfortably. "I
wonder if there is any danger of freezing."

The horse evidently began to feel impatient, for he turned round
and looked at our hero. "Why don't you keep on?"

"I wish somebody would come this way," thought Harry, and he looked
up and down the lane as well as he could, but could see no one.

"If I could only get at my knife," said Harry, to himself, "I could
cut theses cords. Let me try."

He tried to get his hands into his pockets, but it was of no avail.
The pocket was too deep, and though he worked his body round, he
finally gave it up. It seemed likely that he must stay here all
night. The next day probably some one would come by, as they were
so near a public road, upon whom he could call to release him.

"The night will seem about a week long," poor Harry considered. "I
shan't dare to go to sleep, for fear I may freeze to death."

The horse whinnied again, and again looked inquiringly at his
young driver, but the latter was not master of the situation, and
was obliged to disregard the mute appeal.

"I wonder the robber didn't carry off the horse," thought Harry.
"I suppose he had his reasons. It isn't likely he left him out of
his regard for me."

Two hours passed, and Harry still found himself a prisoner. His
constrained position became still more uncomfortable. He longed
for the power of jumping up and stretching his legs, now numb and
chilled, but the cord was strong, and defied his efforts. No person
had passed, not had he heard any sound as he lay there, except the
occasional whinny of the horse which was tied as well as himself,
and did not appear to enjoy his confinement any better.

It was at this moment that Harry's heart leaped with sudden hope,
as he heard in the distance the sound of a whistle. It might be a
boy, or it might be a man; but, as he listened intently, he perceived
that it was coming nearer.

"I hope I can make him hear," thought Harry, earnestly.

It was a boy of about his own age, who was advancing along the road
from which he had turned into the lane. The boy was not alone, as
it appeared, for a large dog ran before him. The dog first noticed
the horse and buggy, and next our hero, lying on the ground, and,
concluding that something was wrong, began to bark violently,
circling uncomfortably near Harry, against whom he seemed to cherish
hostile designs.

"What's the matter, Caesar?" shouted his young master.

"Good dog!" said Harry, soothingly, in momentary fear that the
brute would bite him.

But Caesar was not to be cajoled by flattery. "Bow, wow, wow!" he
answered, opening his large mouth, and displaying a formidable set
of teeth.

"Good dog! I'd like to choke him!" added Harry, in an undertone to
himself.

There was another volley of barks, which seemed likely to be followed
by an attack. Just at this moment, however, luckily for our hero,
the dog's master came up.

"Why, Caesar," he called, "what is the matter with you?"

"Please take your dog away," said Harry. "I am afraid he will bite
me."

"Who are you?" inquired the boy, in surprise.

"Come and untie these cords, and I will tell you."

"What! Are you tied?"

"Yes, hand and foot."

"Who did it?" asked the boy, in increasing surprise.

"I don't know his name, but he robbed me of my pocketbook before
doing it."

"What, a robber around here!" exclaimed the boy, incredulous.

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