"How old is it?"
"I don't know."
"Looks like a dawg I used to own. Let me take him."
"I would rather not," said Frank, coldly. "It belongs to a lady who isvery particular."
"Oh, you won't, won't you?" said the man, roughly. "Danged if I don'tthink it is my dawg, after all;" and the man seized Fido, and was aboutto carry him away.
But Frank seized him by the arm, and called for help.
"What's the matter?" asked a park policeman who, unobserved by either,had come up behind.
"This man is trying to steal my dog," said Frank.
"The dog is mine," said the thief, boldly.
"Drop him!" said the officer, authoritatively. "I have seen that dogbefore. He belongs to neither of you."
"That is true," said Frank. "It belongs to Mrs. Leroy, of Madisonavenue, and I am employed to take it out for an airing."
"It's a lie!" said the man, sullenly.
"If you are seen again in this neighborhood," said the policeman, "Ishall arrest you. Now clear out!"
The would-be thief slunk away, and Frank thanked the officer.
"That man is a dog-stealer," said the policeman. "His business is tosteal dogs, and wait till a reward is offered. Look out for him!"
CHAPTER XII.
A WAYWARD SON.
When Frank carried Fido back to his mistress, he thought it his duty totell Mrs. Leroy of the attempt to abduct the favorite.
Mrs. Leroy turned pale.
"Did the man actually take my little pet?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. He said it was his dog."
"The horrid brute! How could I have lived without my darling?" and thelady caressed her favorite tenderly. "How did you prevent him?"
"I seized him by the arm, and held him till a policeman came up."
"You are a brave boy," said Mrs. Leroy, admiringly. "But for you, Fidowould have been stolen."
"The policeman said the man was a professional dog-stealer. He stealsdogs for the reward which is offered."
"I was sure I could trust you with my pet," said Mrs. Leroy. "Youdeserve a reward yourself."
"I was only doing my duty, ma'am," said Frank, modestly.
"It isn't everybody that does that."
Mrs. Leroy rose, and, going to her bureau, drew an ivory portemonnaiefrom a small upper drawer; from this she extracted a two-dollar bill,and gave it to Frank.
"This is too much," said Frank, surprised at the size of the gift.
"Too much for rescuing my little pet? No, no, I am the best judge ofthat. I wouldn't have lost him for fifty times two dollars."
"You are very liberal, and I am very much obliged to you," said Frank.
"If I send again for a boy to take out Fido, I want you to come."
"I will if I can, ma'am."
For several days, though Frank was employed on errands daily, there wasnothing of an unusual character. About eleven o'clock one evening (forFrank had to take his turn at night work) he was sent to a house onWest Thirty-eighth street. On arriving, he was ushered into the presenceof a lady of middle age, whose anxious face betrayed the anxiety thatshe felt.
"I have a son rather larger and older than you," she said, "who, to mygreat sorrow, has been led away by evil companions, who have induced himto drink and play cards for money. I will not admit them into my house,but I cannot keep him from seeking them out. He is no doubt with themto-night."
Frank listened with respectful sympathy, and waited to hear what he wasdesired to do in the matter.
"The boy's father is dead," continued Mrs. Vivian, with emotion, "and Icannot fill his place. Fred is unwilling to obey his mother. Hiscompanions have persuaded him that it is unmanly."
"I would gladly obey my mother if I could have her back," said Frank.
"Is your mother dead, then?" inquired Mrs. Vivian, with quick sympathy.
"I have neither father nor mother," Frank answered gravely.
"Poor boy! And yet you do not fall into temptation."
"I have no time for that, ma'am; I have to earn my living."
"If I could get Fred to take a position it might be a benefit to him,"said Mrs. Vivian, thoughtfully. "But the question now is, how I may beable to find him."
"When did you see him last?" asked Frank.
"About three o'clock this afternoon I gave him seventy-five dollars, andsent him to pay a bill. I was perhaps imprudent to trust him with such asum of money; but for a few days past he has been more steady thanusual, and I thought it would show my confidence in him if I employedhim in such a matter."
"I should think it would, ma'am."
"But I am afraid Fred fell in with some of his evil companions, and letthem know that he was well provided with money. That would be enough toexcite their cupidity."
"Who are the companions you speak of?" asked Frank.
"Boys, or rather young men, for they are all older than Fred, of lowersocial rank than himself. I don't attach any special importance to that,nor do I object to them on that ground; but they are, I have reason tothink, ill-bred and disreputable. They know Fred to be richer thanthemselves, and induce him to drink and play, in the hope of gettingsome of his money. I have sent for you to go in search of my son. If youfind him you must do your best to bring him home."
"I will," said Frank. "Can you give me any idea where he may be found?"
Mrs. Vivian wrote on a card two places,--one a billiard saloon, whichshe had reason to suspect that her son frequented.
"Now," said Frank, "will you be kind enough to describe your son to me,so that I may know him when I see him?"
"I will show you his photograph," said Mrs. Vivian.
She opened an album, and showed the picture of a boy of seventeen, witha pleasant face, fair complexion, and hair somewhat curly. His foreheadwas high, and he looked gentlemanly and refined.
"Is he not good-looking?" said the mother.
"He looks like a gentleman," said Frank.
"He would be one if he could throw off his evil associates. Do you thinkyou will know him from the picture?"
"Yes, I think so. Is he tall?"
"Two or three inches taller than you are. You had better take thepicture with you. I have an extra one, which you can put in your pocketto help you identify him. By the way, it will be as well that you shouldbe supplied with money in case it is necessary to bring him home in acab."
Frank understood what the mother found it difficult to explain. Shefeared that her boy might be the worse for drink.
She handed our hero a five-dollar bill.
"I will use it prudently, madam," said he, "and account to you for all Ido not use."
"I trust you wholly," said the lady. "Now go as quickly as possible."
Frank looked at the two addresses he had on the card. Thebilliard-saloon was on the east side of the city, in an unfashionablelocality.
"I'll go there first," he decided.
Crossing to Third avenue he hailed a car, and rode down-town. Hisknowledge of the city, gained from the walks he took when a newsboy,made it easy for him to find the place of which he was in search. Thoughit was nearly midnight, the saloon was lighted up, and two tables werein use. On the left-hand side, as he entered, was a bar, behind whichstood a man in his shirt-sleeves, who answered the frequent calls fordrinks. He looked rather suspiciously at Frank's uniform when heentered.
"What do you want?" he asked. "Have you any message for me?"
"No," said Frank, carelessly. "Let me have a glass of lemonade."
The bar-keeper's face cleared instantly, and he set about preparing thebeverage required.
"Won't you have something in it?" he asked.
"No, sir," said Frank.
"You boys are kept out pretty late," said the bar-keeper, socially.
"Not every night," said Frank. "We take turns."
Frank paid ten cents for his lemonade, and, passing into thebilliard-saloon, sat down and watched a game. He looked around him, butcould not see anything of Fred.
In fact, all the players were men.
Sitting next to him was a young fellow, who was watching the game.
"Suppose we try a game," he said to Frank.
"Not to-night. I came in here to look for a friend, but I guess he isn'there."
"I've been here two hours. What does your friend look like?"
"That's his picture," said Frank, displaying the photograph.
"Oh, yes," said his new acquaintance, "he is here now. His name is Fred,isn't it?"
"Yes," answered Frank, eagerly; "I don't see him. Where is he?"
"He's playing cards upstairs, but I don't believe he can tell one cardfrom the other."
"Been drinking, I suppose," said Frank, betraying no surprise.
"I should say so. Do you know the fellows he's with?"
"I am not sure about that. How long has Fred been upstairs?"
"About an hour. He was playing billiards till he couldn't standstraight, and then they went upstairs."
"Would you mind telling him that there is a friend downstairs who wishesto see him, that is, if you know the way?"
"Oh, yes, I live here. Won't you come up with me?"
"Perhaps I had better," said Frank, and followed his companion through adoor in the rear, and up a dark and narrow staircase to the streetfloor.
"It'll be a hard job to get him away," thought Frank; "but, for hismother's sake, I will do my best."
CHAPTER XIII.
A TIMELY RESCUE.
As Frank entered the room he hastily took in the scene before him. Rounda table sat three young men, of not far from twenty, the fourth sidebeing occupied by Fred Vivian. They were playing cards, and sippingdrinks as they played. Fred Vivian's handsome face was flushed, and hewas nervously excited. His hands trembled as he lifted the glass, andhis wandering, uncertain glances showed that he was not himself.
"It's your play, Fred," said his partner.
Fred picked up a card without looking at it, and threw it down on thetable.
"That settles it," said another. "Fred, old boy, you've lost the game.You're another five dollars out."
Fred fumbled in his pocket for a bill, and it was quickly taken from hishand before he could well see of what value it was. Frank, however,quickly as it was put away, saw that it was a ten. It was clear thatFred was being cheated in the most barefaced manner.
Frank's entrance was evidently unwelcome to most of the company.
"What are you bringing in that boy for, John?" demanded a low-browedfellow, with a face like a bull-dog.
"He is a friend of Fred," answered John.
"He's a telegraph boy. He comes here a spy. Fred don't know him. Clearout, boy!"
Frank took no notice of this hostile remark, but walked up to FredVivian.
"Fred," said he, thinking it best to speak as if he knew him, "it isgetting late, and your mother is anxious about you. Won't you come homewith me?"
"Who are you?" asked Fred, with drunken gravity. "You aint my mother."
"I come from your mother. Don't you know me? I am Frank Kavanagh."
"How do, Frank? Glad to see you, ol' feller. Take a drink. Here, youboy, bring a drink for my frien', Frank Kavanagh."
The three others looked on disconcerted. They were not ready to partwith Fred yet, having secured only a part of his money.
"You don't know him, Fred," said the one who had appropriated theten-dollar bill. "He's only a telegraph boy."
"I tell you he's my frien', Frank Kav'nagh," persisted Fred, with anobstinacy not unusual in one in his condition.
"Well, if he is, let him sit down, and have a glass of something hot."
"No, I thank you," said Frank, coldly. "Fred and I are going home."
"No, you're not," exclaimed the other, bringing his fist heavily downupon the table. "We won't allow our friend Fred to be kidnapped by a boyof your size,--not much we won't, will we, boys?"
"No! no!" chimed in the other two.
Fred Vivian looked at them undecided.
"I guess I'd better go," he stammered "There's something the matter withmy head."
"You need another drink to brace you up. Here, John, bring up anotherpunch for Fred."
Frank saw that unless he got Fred away before drinking any more, hewould not be in a condition to go at all. It was a critical position,but he saw that he must be bold and resolute.
"You needn't bring Fred anything more," he said. "He has had enoughalready."
"I have had enough already," muttered Fred, mechanically.
"Boys, are we going to stand this?" said the low-browed young man. "Arewe going to let this telegraph boy interfere with a social party ofyoung gentlemen? I move that we throw him downstairs."
He half rose as he spoke, but Frank stood his ground.
"You'd better not try it," he said quietly, "unless you want to pass thenight in the station-house."
"What do you mean, you young jackanapes?" said the other angrily. "Whatcharge can you trump up against us?"
"You have been cheating Fred out of his money," said Frank, firmly.
"It's a lie! We've been having a friendly game, and he lost. If we'dlost, we would have paid."
"How much did he lose?"
"Five dollars."
"And you took ten from him."
"It's a lie!" repeated the other; but he looked disconcerted.
"It is true, for I noticed the bill as you took it from him. But it'snot much worse than playing for money with him when he is in nocondition to understand the game. You'd better give him back thatten-dollar bill."
"I've a great mind to fling you downstairs, you young scamp!"
"You are strong enough to do it," said Frank, exhibiting no trace offear, "but I think you would be sorry for it afterwards. Come, Fred."
Though Frank was so much younger and smaller, there was something in hiscalm, self-possessed manner that gave him an ascendency over the weak,vacillating Fred. The latter rose, and, taking our hero's arm, turned toleave the room.
"Let him go," said the leader, who had been made uneasy by Frank'sthreat, and saw that it was politic to postpone his further designs uponhis intended victim. "If he chooses to obey a small telegraph boy, hecan."
"Don't mind him, Fred," said Frank. "You know I'm your friend."
"My friend, Frank Kavanagh!" repeated Fred, drowsily. "I'm awful sleepy,Frank. I want to go to bed."
"You shall go to bed as soon as you get home, Fred."
"I say, boy," said the leader, uneasily, "that was all a lie about theten-dollar bill. You didn't see straight. Did he, Bates?"
"Of course he didn't."
"One lies and the other swears to it," thought Frank.
"Nothing will be done about it," he said, "if you will let Fred alonehereafter. The money you have won from him belongs to his mother, and,unless you keep away from him, she will order your arrest."
"You're altogether too smart for a boy of your size," sneered the other."Take your friend away. We don't care to associate with a milksop, whoallows himself to be ordered around by women and children."
Fortunately Fred was too drowsy to pay heed to what was being said; infact he was very sleepy, and was anxious to go to bed. Frank got himinto a cab, and in twenty minutes they safely reached his mother's housein Thirty-eighth street.
Mrs. Vivian was anxiously awaiting the return of the prodigal.
"O Fred," she said, "how could you stay away so, when you know howworried I get? You have been drinking, too."
"This is my friend, Frank Kavanagh," hiccoughed Fred.
"Shall I go up and help put him to bed?" asked Frank.
"Does he require help?" asked Mrs. Vivian, sorrowfully.
"He has been drinking a good deal."
"Yes, you may go up. I will lead the way to his chamber. Afterwards Iwant to speak to you."
"All right."
"Where did you find him?" asked Mrs. Vivian, when Frank with somedifficulty had prepared his charge for bed.
"In the billiard-saloon to which you
directed me. He was upstairsplaying cards for money. They were cheating him in the most outrageousmanner."
"I suppose they got all his money."
"Not all; but they would soon have done so. Here is his pocket-book,which I just took from his pocket."
"There are twenty dollars left," said 'Mrs. Vivian, after anexamination. "They must have secured the rest. O my poor boy! Would thatI could shield you from these dangerous companions!"
"I don't think they will trouble him again, Mrs. Vivian."
"Why not? You do not know them."
"I told them that, if they came near him, hereafter, you would have themarrested for swindling your son out of money belonging to you."
"Will that have any effect upon them?"
"Yes, because they know that I am ready to appear as a witness againstthem."
"Did Fred show any unwillingness to come with you?"
"No; I made him think I was an old acquaintance of his. Besides, he wasfeeling sleepy."
"You have acted with great judgment for so young a lad," said Mrs.Vivian. "I wish Fred had a companion like you to influence him for good.Where do you live?"
"At the Newsboys Lodging-House. I cannot afford to hire a room."
Mrs. Vivian looked thoughtful.
"Give me your name and address," she said.
These she noted down.
"I won't keep you any longer to-night," she said, "for you must betired. You will hear from me again."
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