CHAPTER XXVI.
CONCLUSION.
In the course of an hour Humpy was provided with a new suit, whichconsiderably improved his appearance. Rufus accompanied him to the ErieRailway Station, where he purchased for him a through ticket to Chicago,and saw him enter the cars.
"Good-by, William, and good luck!" said Rufus.
"Good-by," said Humpy. "You're a trump. You're the first friend I everhad."
"I hope I shan't be the last," said Rufus. "Shall I give your love toSmith, if I see him?"
"Never mind about it."
Rufus was compelled to leave the station before the cars started, inorder to hurry back to the office. Arrived there a new errand awaitedhim.
"Rufus," said Mr. Turner, "do you remember where Mr. Vanderpool lives?"
"The owner of the tin box? Yes, sir."
"You may go up at once, and let him know that his property isrecovered."
This task Rufus undertook with alacrity. He had been pleased with whathe saw of Mr. Vanderpool on his first visit, and was glad to be able totell him that the box, for whose loss he felt partly to blame, wasrecovered.
He was soon ringing the bell of the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.
Mr. Vanderpool was at home, the servant told him, and he was usheredimmediately into his presence.
The old gentleman, who had been writing, laid aside his pen, and,looking up, recognized Rufus.
"You're the boy that came to tell me about my property being stolen, areyou not?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; but it's found."
"Bless my soul, you don't say so! Did the thief give it up?"
"No," said Rufus. "I took it from him."
"Is it possible? Why, you're only a boy," said Mr. Vanderpool, regardinghim with interest.
"Boys can do something as well as men," said Rufus, with pardonablepride.
"Tell me all about it."
Rufus told his story as briefly as possible. When he described how hehad been entrapped and imprisoned, Mr. Vanderpool said, "Bless my soul!"several times.
"You're a brave boy!" he said, when the story was finished.
"Thank you, sir," said Rufus, modestly.
"Were you not afraid when you were locked up by those bad men?"
"Not at all, sir."
"I should have been. I don't think I am very brave. You've behaved verywell indeed, Master ---- I don't remember your name."
"Rufus Rushton."
"Master Rushton, I must make you a present."
"I have only done my duty, Mr. Vanderpool. I don't want any present forthat."
"We'll talk about that afterwards. By the way, have you thought anythingmore about the question whether the planets are inhabited?"
"I can't say I have, sir. I've had so much else to think about."
"Very true, very true. I've written a few pages more, which I will readto you if you have time."
"I should like very much to hear them, sir; but I am afraid I must hurryback to the office."
"Ah, I am sorry for that," said the old gentleman, in a tone ofdisappointment, but he brightened up immediately.
"I'll tell you what, my young friend," he said; "you shall come and dinewith me next Saturday at six, and then we will have the evening toourselves. What do you say?"
"I shall be very happy to come, sir," said Rufus, not quite sure whetherhe would be happy or not.
When Saturday came he presented himself, and was very cordially receivedby the old gentleman. The dinner was a capital one, and served inexcellent style. Mr. Vanderpool paid Rufus as much attention as if hewere a guest of distinction,--read him his essay on the planets, andshowed him some choice engravings. The evening passed very agreeably,and Rufus was urged to come again. He did so, and so won the favor ofthe old gentleman that at the end of two months he was invited to comeand make his home permanently in the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.
"Thank you, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero. "You are very kind; but Ishouldn't like to leave Miss Manning and my little sister."
"Have you a little sister? Tell me about her."
"Her name is Rose, and she is a dear little girl," said Rufus, warmly.
"How old is she?"
"Eight years old."
"I am glad she is not a young lady. You can bring her too. I've gotplenty of room. Who is Miss Manning?"
"She is a friend of mine, and teaches my sister."
"Why can't she come and look after my servants? I have no house-keeper."
"I will mention it to her," said Rufus.
Rufus did mention it to Miss Manning, who by appointment called upon theold gentleman. Mr. Vanderpool repeated the invitation, and offered herten dollars per week for her services. Such an offer was not to berejected. Miss Manning resigned her situation as governess to Mrs.Colman's children, greatly to that lady's disappointment, and removedwith Rose to the house of Mr. Vanderpool. Elegant chambers were assignedto all three, and they found themselves living in fashionable style. Asneither had any board to pay, Rufus felt justified in dressing both Roseand himself in a manner more befitting the style in which they nowlived, while Miss Manning also, finding that she was expected to presideat the table, felt called upon to follow their example. It was such achange for all three that it seemed like a dream sometimes when theyrecalled the miserable attic in Leonard Street, and the humble lodgingnear the North River.
Rose was sent to school, and had a music-teacher at home. Miss Manningalso, having considerable time at her disposal, took lessons in musicand French, and soon acquired very respectable proficiency in both. Theold gentleman, so long accustomed to solitude, seemed to renew his youthin the cheerful society he had gathered around him, and came to lookupon Rufus and Rose as his own children. He was continually loading themwith gifts, and his kindness won their gratitude and affection. Hetried to induce Rufus to give up his situation with the banker; but ourhero was of an independent turn, and had too active a temperament to becontent with doing nothing. On the succeeding Christmas he received fromMr. Vanderpool a very costly gold watch, which I need not say was veryacceptable.
About six months after her entrance into the house, Miss Manning wasprofoundly astonished by receiving from the old gentleman an offer ofmarriage.
"I don't ask for romantic love, my dear Miss Manning," said Mr.Vanderpool, "but I hope you will not find it hard to like me a little,and I'll try to make you happy. I don't want to hurry you. Take a weekto think of it."
Miss Manning did take a week to think of it. She was not in love withMr. Vanderpool,--that was hardly to be expected, as he was thirty yearsolder than she,--but she did respect and esteem him, and she knew thathe would be kind to her. So she said yes, after consulting with Rufus,and one morning, without any fuss or ostentation, she was quietlymarried, and transformed from plain Miss Manning into the rich Mrs.Vanderpool. I may say here that neither she nor her husband has seencause to repent the match, so unexpectedly brought about, but live inharmony and mutual friendship, as I hope they may continue to do to theend of their days.
When Rufus reached the age of twenty-one, he was agreeably surprised byan offer from Mr. Turner to take him into partnership.
"But, Mr. Turner," he said, "I have very little capital,--far too littlefor a partner in such a large business."
"You have fifty thousand dollars. That will answer very well."
"I don't understand you, sir," said Rufus, suspecting that Mr. Turnerwas crazy, or was dreaming.
"You remember the tin box which you recovered five years ago?"
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Vanderpool has made it over with its contents to you as a freegift. Its value, as you remember, is fifty thousand dollars, or rathermore now, some of the stocks having risen in value."
Rufus was quite affected by this munificent gift, and no longerobjected to the plan proposed. Shortly after, the style of the firm waschanged, and now, as you pass through Wall Street, if you will closelyexamine the signs on either side of the street, your eyes may light on
this one:--
TURNER AND RUSHTON, BANKERS
You will have no trouble in conjecturing that the junior partner in thisfirm is the same who was first known to you as Rough and Ready. If youthink that our young friend, the newsboy, has had rare luck, I hope youwill also admit that, by his honesty, industry, and generous protectionof his little sister, he has deserved the prosperity he has attained.
George Black has long since bought out his partner's interest in theperiodical store, and now carries on quite a flourishing trade in hisown name. Smith and Martin are still in prison, their term ofconfinement not yet having expired. What adventures yet remain in storefor James Martin I am unable to say, but I doubt if he will ever turnover a new leaf. His habits of indolence and intemperance are tooconfirmed to give much hope of amendment.
* * * * *
The fortunes of Rough and Ready, so far as this record is concerned, arenow ended, and with them is completed the sixth and concluding volume ofthe Ragged Dick Series. But the flattering interest which his youngfriends have taken in these pictures of street life leads the author toannounce the initial volume of a new series of stories of similarcharacter, which will soon be published under the name of
TATTERED TOM: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A STREET ARAB.
Rufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready Page 26
