Mr. Crabb and Hector were sitting side by side in a railroad car,speeding away from Smith Institute. In the heart of each was a feelingof relief, which increased as each minute carried them farther away fromthe school.
"Hector," said the usher, looking younger and happier than his pupil hadever known him, "I feel like a free man now. It is a feeling that I havenot had since I first set foot in Smith Institute."
"I think you will lead a happier life in New York, Mr. Crabb."
"I am sure of it. Thanks to your considerate kindness, I shall for thefirst time earn an ample salary, and even be able to lay up money. Is myfuture pupil about your age?"
"He is a year younger."
"Where did you make his acquaintance?"
"At Saratoga, My father and I spent two months at Congress Hall twosummers ago, and as Walter's family were also there, we naturally got tobe friends. He is a capital fellow, and you will be sure to like him."
"I am ready to like him after reading that letter he wrote you. Is hefond of study?"
"That is his weak point," said Hector, laughing. "Walter was nevercut out for a scholar. I don't mean, of course, that he hasn't faircapacity, but his taste doesn't lie that way. However, he won't give youany trouble, only you won't succeed as well as you may wish in pushinghim on."
"All boys are not cut out for scholars," said the usher. "Now you,Hector, would do excellently, and might hope to make a very successfulprofessional man."
Hector shook his head.
"I must look to a different career," he said. "I am to be the architectof my own fortune, you know."
"What are your plans, Hector?" asked the usher.
"I will consult with Mr. Boss, Walter's father. By the way, he knowsnothing of the change in my circumstances. He supposes me to be the heirto the Roscoe estate."
"Trouble has come upon you early, Hector. Should you need helphereafter, you must remember that I am earning a good salary and--"
"Thank you, Mr. Crabb," gratefully, "but you will need all you earn. Idon't look upon my loss of fortune as a trouble. I think it will make memore manly and self-reliant, and stimulate me to exertion. I have a faireducation, and I am sure I can earn my living in some honest way."
"If that is your spirit, Hector, I am sure you will succeed. You areyoung and hopeful. I am too much inclined to despond. I have always beentimid about the future. It is a matter of temperament."
It was early in the afternoon when they reached New York. As theyemerged from the depot a bright-faced boy came up eagerly and greetedthem.
"How are you, Hector?" he said. "You see, I came to meet you. I havebeen longing to have you come."
"I am just as glad to see you, Walter," said Hector, heartily. "Mr.Crabb, here is your future pupil, Walter Boss."
"I hope we may soon be friends, Walter," said the usher, attracted bythe bright, sunny face of the boy.
Walter gave the usher his hand.
"I hope so, too," he said, smiling. "I'll try not to worry you any morethan I can help."
"I have no misgivings," said Mr. Crabb, as he mentally contrasted hisnew pupil with Jim Smith, and two or three others at the institute, whohad been a frequent source of trouble and annoyance.
"Here is the carriage," said Walter, pointing out a plain but handsomecarriage waiting outside. "Bundle in, both of you! I beg your pardon,Mr. Crabb, for my familiarity. That was intended for Hector."
"I am ready to be classed with Hector," said Mr. Crabb.
"I am glad to hear you say so. I was afraid you would be stiff anddignified."
"I think I shall take my cue from you."
"Oh, my rule is, go as you please. Edward, drive home!"
The house occupied by Mr. Boss was a fine brown-stone dwelling onForty-second Street. Arrived there, Mr. Crabb was shown into a spaciouschamber, on the third floor, furnished with a luxury to which the poorusher was quite unaccustomed.
"Now, Hector, you can have a room to yourself, or you may share my den,"said Walter.
"I would rather share the den," said Hector.
"That's what I hoped. You see, we shall have ever so much to say to eachother. We haven't seen each other for over a year."
A slight shade of gravity overspread Hector's face. Since he had met hisfriend, his father had died, and he had been reduced from the heir ofwealth to a penniless orphan. Of this last change Walter knew nothing,but Hector did not mean long to leave him in ignorance.
At dinner the two newcomers saw Mr. Ross, from whom they received afriendly welcome. The usher was put at his ease at once.
"I hope you'll get along with my boy," said the bluff city merchant. "Ofone thing you may be assured, your scholarship won't be severely taxedin educating him. Walter is a pretty good boy, but he isn't a prodigy oflearning."
"I may be some day, father," said Walter, "with Mr. Crabb's help."
"I take it Mr. Crabb isn't able to perform miracles," said Mr. Ross,good-humoredly. "No, Mr. Crabb, I shan't expect too much of you. Getyour pupil on moderately fast, and I shall be satisfied. I am glad,Hector, that you were able to pay Walter a visit at this time."
"So am I, sir."
"I thought you might not be able to leave your studies."
"I have given up study, sir."
"I am surprised at that, Hector. I thought you contemplated going tocollege."
"So I did, sir, but circumstances have changed my plans."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir; I will explain after dinner, and will ask your advice."
Mr. Ross dropped the subject, and after dinner led the way to thelibrary, where he sank into an armchair, and, breathing a sigh ofsatisfaction, said: "This, Mr. Crabb, is the most enjoyable part of thetwenty-four hours for me. I dismiss business cares and perplexities, andread my evening paper, or some new book, in comfort."
As the usher looked about him and saw costly books, engravings,furniture and pictures, he could well understand that in suchsurroundings the merchant could take solid comfort. It was a mostagreeable contrast to the plain and poverty-stricken room at SmithInstitute, where the boys pursued their evening studies under hissuperintendence.
"Well, Hector, so you don't propose to go back to school," said themerchant. "Isn't that rather a sudden resolution?"
"Yes, sir; but, as I said, circumstances have changed."
"What circumstances? Because you are rich, you don't think you ought tobe idle, I hope?"
"Oh, no, sir. It is because I have discovered that I am not rich."
"Not rich! I always understood that your father left a large estate,"said Mr. Ross, in surprise.
"So he did, sir."
"Didn't it descend to you?"
"I thought so till recently."
"Why don't you think so now?"
In answer, Hector told the story of the revelation made to him by AllanRoscoe, after his father's death.
"You see, therefore," he concluded, "that I am penniless, and adependent upon Mr. Allan Roscoe's generosity."
"This is a most extraordinary story!" said the merchant, after a pause.
"Yes, sir; it changes my whole future."
"I suppose Mr. Allan Roscoe is the beneficiary, and the estate goes tohim?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did your father--the late Mr. Roscoe--ever hint to you anything whichcould lead you to suspect that you were not his own, but an adoptedson?"
"Never, Mr. Ross," answered Hector, with emphasis.
"Did he continue to treat you with affection."
"Always. Nothing in his manner ever would have led me to imagine that Iwas not his own son."
"He left no will?"
"No, sir."
"What are your plans?"
"I do not wish to remain dependent upon Allan Roscoe. I should like toobtain a situation of some kind in the city, if I can."
"I can probably serve you, then, after a while. For the present, stayhere as Walter's companion."
"Thank you, sir; I should like nothing better."
CHAPTER XXVII. LARRY DEANE.
Hector's Inheritance, Or, the Boys of Smith Institute Page 26
