CHAPTER XVIIINTRODUCES AN ADVENTURER
Colonel Preston, as I have already said, was a rich man. He owned noreal estate in the town of Crampton, except the house in which helived. His property was chiefly in stocks of different kinds. Includedin these was a considerable amount of stock in a woolen manufacturingestablishment, situated in Melville, some twelve miles distant.Dividends upon these were paid semi-annually, on the first of Apriland October. It was the custom of Colonel Preston at these dates todrive over to Melville, receive his dividends, and then drive backagain.
Now, unfortunately for the welfare of the community, there are somepersons who, unwilling to make a living by honest industry, prefer topossess themselves unlawfully of means to maintain their unprofitablelives. Among them was a certain black-whiskered individual, who,finding himself too well known in New York, had sought the country,ready for any stroke of business which might offer in his particularline. Chance led his steps to Melville, where he put up at the villageinn. He began at once to institute inquiries, the answers to whichmight serve his purpose, and to avert suspicion, casually mentionedthat he was a capitalist, and thought of settling down in the town. Ashe was well dressed, and had a plausible manner, this statement wasnot doubted.
Among other things, he made inquiries in regard to the manufactory,what dividends it paid, and when. Expressing himself desirous ofpurchasing some stock, he inquired the names of the principal ownersof the stock. First among them was mentioned Colonel Preston.
"Perhaps he might sell some stocks," suggested the landlord.
"Where can I see him?" asked James Fairfax, for this was the nameassumed by the adventurer.
"You can see him here," answered the landlord, "in a day or two. Hewill be here the first of the month to receive his dividends."
"Will he stop with you?"
"Probably. He generally dines with me when he comes over."
"Will you introduce me?"
"With pleasure."
Mr. Fairfax appeared to hear this with satisfaction, and said that hewould make Colonel Preston an offer for a part of his stock.
"Most of my property is invested in real estate in New York," he said;"but I should like to have some manufacturing stock; and, from whatyou tell me, I think favorably of the Melville Mills."
"We should be glad to have you settle down among us," said thelandlord.
"I shall probably do so," said Fairfax. "I am very much pleased withyour town and people."
In due time Colonel Preston drove over. As usual, he put up at thehotel.
"Colonel," said the landlord, "there's a gentleman stopping with mewho desires an introduction to you."
"Indeed! What is his name?"
"James Fairfax."
"Is he from this neighborhood?"
"No; from the city of New York."
"I shall be happy to make his acquaintance," said the colonel,courteously; "but it must be after I return from the mills. I shall bethere a couple of hours, probably. We are to have a directorialmeeting."
"I will tell him."
Colonel Preston attended the directors' meeting, and also collectedhis dividend, amounting to eight hundred dollars. These, in eightone-hundred-dollar bills, he put in his pocketbook, and returned tothe hotel for dinner.
"Dinner is not quite ready, colonel," said the landlord. "It will beready in fifteen minutes."
"Where is the gentleman who wished to be introduced to me?" askedColonel Preston, who thought it would save time to be introduced now.
"I will speak to him."
He went directly to a dark-complexioned man with black whiskers, andeyes that were rather sinister in appearance. The eyes oftenest betraythe real character of a man, where all other signs fail. But ColonelPreston was not a keen observer, nor was he skilled in physiognomy,and, judging of Mr. Fairfax by his manner merely, was rather pleasedwith him.
"You will pardon my obtruding myself upon you, Colonel Preston," saidthe stranger, with great ease of manner.
"I am happy to make your acquaintance, sir."
"I am a stranger in this neighborhood. The city of New York is myhome. I have been led here by the recommendations of friends who knewthat I desired to locate myself in the country."
"How do you like Melville?"
"Very much--so much, that I may settle down here. But, ColonelPreston, I am a man of business, and if I am to be here, I want somelocal interest--some stake in the town itself."
"Quite natural, sir."
"You are a business man yourself, and will understand me. Now, to cometo the point, I find you have a manufactory here--a woolenmanufactory, which I am given to understand is prosperous andprofitable."
"You are correctly informed, Mr. Fairfax. It is paying twelve percent. dividends, and has done so for several years."
"That is excellent. It is a better rate than I get for most of my cityinvestments."
"I also have city investments--bank stocks, and horse-railroad stocks,but, as you say, my mill stock pays me better than the majority ofthese."
"You are a large owner of the mill stock; are you not, ColonelPreston?"
"Yes, sir; the largest, I believe."
"So I am informed. Would you be willing to part with any of it?"
"I have never thought of doing so. I am afraid I could not replace itwith any other that would be satisfactory."
"I don't blame you, of course, but it occurred to me that, having aconsiderable amount, you might be willing to sell."
"I generally hold on to good stock when I get possession of it.Indeed, I would buy more, if there were any in the market."
"He must have surplus funds," thought the adventurer. "I must see if Ican't manage to get some into my possession."
Here the landlord appeared, and announced that dinner was ready.
"You dine here, then?" said Fairfax.
"Yes; it will take me two hours to reach home, so I am obliged to dinehere."
"We shall dine together, it seems. I am glad of it, as at present Ihappen to be the only permanent guest at the hotel. May I ask whereyou live?"
"In Crampton."
"I have heard favorably of it, and have been intending to come overand see the place, but the fact is, I am used only to the city, andyour country roads are so blind, that I have been afraid of losing myway."
"Won't you ride over with me this afternoon, Mr. Fairfax? I can'tbring you back, but you are quite welcome to a seat in my chaise oneway."
The eyes of the adventurer sparkled at the invitation. Colonel Prestonhad fallen into the trap he had laid for him, but he thought it bestnot to accept too eagerly.
"You are certainly very kind, Colonel Preston," he answered, withaffected hesitation, "but I am afraid I shall be troubling you toomuch."
"No trouble whatever," said Colonel Preston, heartily. "It is a lonelyride, and I shall be glad of a companion."
"A lonely ride, is it?" thought Fairfax. "All the better for mypurpose. It shall not be my fault if I do not come back with mypockets well lined. The dividends you have just collected will bebetter in my pockets than in yours."
This was what he thought, but he said:
"Then I will accept with pleasure. I suppose I can easily engagesomeone to bring me back to Melville?"
"Oh, yes; we have a livery stable, where you can easily obtain a horseand driver."
The dinner proceeded, and Fairfax made himself unusually social andagreeable, so that Colonel Preston congratulated himself on theprospect of beguiling the loneliness of the way in such pleasantcompany. Fairfax spoke of stocks with such apparent knowledge that thecolonel imagined him to be a gentleman of large property. It is notsurprising that he was deceived, for the adventurer really understoodthe subject of which he spoke, having been for several years a clerkin a broker's counting-room in Wall Street. The loss of his situationwas occasioned by his abstraction of some securities, part of which hehad disposed of before he was detected. He was, in consequence, triedand sentenced to three years' imprisonment
. At the end of this periodhe was released, with no further taste for an honest life, and hadsince allied himself to the class who thrive by preying upon thecommunity.
This was the man whom Colonel Preston proposed to take as hiscompanion on his otherwise lonely ride home.
Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes Page 17
