"I am willing to work with you" answered Ben, who had been favorablyimpressed by the appearance and frankness of his traveling companion.
"Then suppose to-morrow morning--it is too late to-day--we call overand see the old rascal."
"I would rather not have him know on what errand I come, just atfirst."
"That is in accordance with my own plans. You will go as mycompanion. He will take you for my son, or nephew, and, while I amnegotiating, you can watch and judge for yourself."
"I like the plan," said Ben.
"When he finds out who you are he will feel pretty badly sold."
"He deserves it."
The two put up at a country hotel, which, though not luxurious, wastolerably comfortable. After the fatigue of his journey, Ben enjoyeda good supper and a comfortable bed. The evening, however, he spentin the public room of the inn, where he had a chance to listen to theconversation of a motley crowd, some of them native and residents,others strangers who had been drawn to Centerville by the oildiscoveries.
"I tell you," said a long, lank individual, "Centerville's goin' to beone of the smartest places in the United States. It's got a bigfuture before it."
"That's so," said a small, wiry man; "but I'm not so much interestedin that as I am in the question whether or not I've got a big futurebefore me."
"You're one of the owners of the Hoffman farm, ain't you?"
"Yes. I wish I owned the whole of it. Still, I've made nigh on to athousand dollars durin' the last month for my share of the profits.Pretty fair, eh?"
"I should say so. You've got a good purchase; but there's one betterin my opinion."
"Where's that?"
"Peter Jackson's farm."
Here Ben and Mr. Taylor began to listen with interest.
"He hasn't begun to work it any, has he?"
"Not much; just enough to find out its value."
"What's he waitin' for?"
"There's some New York people want it. If he can get his price, he'llsell it to them for a good sum down."
"What does he ask?"
"He wants fifty thousand dollars."
"Whew! that's rather stiffish. I thought the property belonged to alady in New York."
"So it did; but Jackson says he bought it a year ago."
"He was lucky."
Ben and Mr. Taylor looked at each other again. It was easy to see theold farmer's game, and to understand why he was so anxious to securethe farm, out of which he could make so large a sum of money.
"He's playing a deep game, Ben," said Taylor, when they had left theroom.
"Yes; but I think I shall be able to put a spoke in his wheel."
"I shall be curious to see how he takes it when he finds thenegotiation taken out of his hands. We'll play with him a little, asa cat plays with a mouse."
The next morning, after a substantial breakfast, Ben and his newfriend took a walk to the farm occupied by Peter Jackson. It wasabout half a mile away, and when reached gave no indication of thewealth it was capable of producing. The farmhouse was a plainstructure nearly forty years old, badly in need of paint, and theout-buildings harmonized with it in appearance.
A little way from the house was a tall, gaunt man, engaged in mendinga fence. He was dressed in a farmer's blue frock and overalls, andhis gray, stubby beard seemed to be of a week's growth. There was acrafty, greedy look in his eyes, which overlooked a nose sharp andaquiline. His feet were incased in a pair of cowhide boots. Helooked inquiringly at Taylor as he approached, but hardly deigned tolook at Ben, who probably seemed too insignificant to notice. He gavea shrewd guess at the errand of the visitor, but waited for him tospeak first.
"Is this Mr. Jackson?" asked Taylor, with a polite bow.
"That's my name, stranger," answered the old man.
"My name is Taylor. I wrote to you last week."
"I got the letter," said Jackson, going on with his work. It was hisplan not to seem too eager but to fight shy in order to get his price.Besides, though he would have been glad to close the bargain on thespot, there was an embarrassing difficulty. The farm was not his tosell, and he was anxiously awaiting Mrs. Hamilton's answer to hisproposal.
"She can't have heard of the oil discoveries," he thought, "and fivethousand dollars will seem a big price for the farm. She can't helpagreeing to my terms."
This consideration made him hopeful, but for all that, he must wait,and waiting he found very tantalizing.
"Have you decided to accept my offer, Mr. Jackson?"
"Waal, I'll have to take a leetle time to consider. How much did yousay you'd give?"
"Forty thousand dollars."
"I'd ought to have fifty."
"Forty thousand dollars is a big sum of money."
"And this farm is a perfect gold mine. Shouldn't wonder if it wouldnet a hundred thousand dollars."
"There is no certainty of that, and the purchasers will have to take abig risk"
"There isn't much risk. Ask anybody in Centerville what he thinks ofthe Jackson farm."
"Suppose I were ready to come to your terms--mind, I don't say Iam--would you sign the papers to-day?"
Jackson looked perplexed. He knew could not do it.
"What's your hurry?" he said.
"The capitalists whom I represent are anxious to get to work as soonas possible. That's natural, isn't, it?"
"Ye-es," answered Jackson.
"So, the sooner we fix matters the better. I want to go back to NewYork to-morrow if I can."
"I don't think I can give my answer as soon as that. Wait a minute,though."
A boy was approaching, Jackson's son, if one could judge from theresemblance, holding a letter in his hand.
"Come right here, Abner," he called out eagerly.
Abner approached, and his father snatched the letter from his hand.It bore the New York postmark, but, on opening it, Jackson lookedbitterly disappointed. He had hoped it was from Mrs. Hamilton,accepting his offer for the farm; but, instead of that, it was anunimportant circular.
"I'll have to take time to think over your offer, Mr. Taylor," hesaid. "You see, I'll have to talk over matters with the old woman."
"By the way," said Taylor carelessly, "I was told in the village thatyou didn't own the farm--that it was owned by a lady in New York."
"She used to own it," said the fanner, uneasily; "but I bought it ofher a year ago."
"So that you have the right to sell it?"
"Of course I have."
"What have you to say to that, Ben?" asked Taylor quietly.
"That if Mrs. Hamilton has sold the farm to Mr. Jackson she doesn'tknow it."
"What do you mean, boy?" gasped Jackson.
"I mean that when I left New York Mrs. Hamilton owned the farm."
"It's a lie!" muttered the farmer; but he spoke with difficulty. "Ibought it a year ago."
"In that case it is strange that you should have written a week agooffering five thousand dollars for the farm."
"Who says I wrote?"
"I do; and I have your letter in my pocket," answered Ben firmly.
CHAPTER XXXIIBEN SELLS THE FARM
The farmer stared at Ben panic-stricken. He had thought successwithin his grasp. He was to be a rich man--independent for life--asthe result of the trick which he was playing upon Mrs. Hamilton. Hisdisappointment was intense, and he looked the picture of discomfiture.
"I don't believe you," he faltered after a pause.
Ben drew a letter from his inside pocket and held it up.
"Do you deny the writing?" he said.
"Give it to me!" said Jackson, with a sudden movement.
"No, thank you; I prefer to keep it. I shall make no use of it unlessit is necessary. I called here to notify you that Mrs. Hamilton doesnot propose to sacrifice the farm. If it is sold at all it will be tosomeone who will pay its full value."
"You can't sell it," said Jackson sullenly. "I have a lease."
"Produce it."
"At any rate, I shall stay till my year's out."
"That will depend upon the new owner. If he is willing, Mrs. Hamiltonwill not object."
"I think you've got him there, Ben," said Mr. Taylor, with a laugh."Mr. Jackson, I think it won't be worth while to continue ourconversation. You undertook to sell what was not yours. I prefer todeal with the real owner or her representative."
"That boy is an impostor!" muttered Jackson. "Why, he's only a schoolboy. What does he know about business?"
"I think he has proved a match for you. Good-morning, Mr. Jackson.Ben, let us be going."
"Now," said Taylor as they were walking toward the inn, "what do yousay to my offer?"
"Please state it, Mr. Taylor."
"I offer forty thousand dollars for the farm. It may be worthconsiderably more than that; but, on the other hand, the wells maysoon run dry. I have to take the chances."
"That seems a fair offer, Mr. Taylor," said Ben frankly. "If I werethe owner I would accept it; but I am acting for another who may notthink as I do."
"Will you consult her and let me know?"
"I will write at once."
"Why not telegraph? The delay would be too great if you trust to themail."
"I will do as you suggest," answered Ben, "if there is an opportunityto telegraph from this place."
"There is an office at the depot."
"Then I will take that on my way back to the hotel."
At one corner of the depot Ben found a telegraph operator. After alittle consideration, he dashed off the following telegram:
"No. ---- Madison Avenue, New York.
"To Mrs. Hamilton:
"Oil has been discovered on your farm. I am offered forty thousand dollars for it by a responsible party. What shall I do?
"Ben Barclay."
"Send answer to the hotel," said Ben, to the operator.
Four hours later a messenger brought to Ben the following dispatch:
"Your news is most surprising. Sell at the figure named if you think it best. You have full powers.
"Helen Hamilton."
Mr. Taylor watched Ben's face eagerly as he read the telegram, for heknew that it must relate to his offer.
"What does your principal say?" he inquired.
"You can read the telegram, Mr. Taylor."
Taylor did so.
"So you have full powers?" he said. "Mrs. Hamilton must feel greatconfidence in you."
There was a proud flush on Ben's cheek as he replied:
"I have reason to think that she does. I hope it is not misplaced."
"I hope you won't drive a hard bargain with me, Ben."
"I don't mean to bargain at all. You have made a fair offer, and Iwill accept it."
Taylor looked pleased.
"Some boys in your position," he said, "would have stipulated for apresent."
"I shall do nothing of the kind," said Ben promptly. "I should notthink it honest."
"Your honesty, my boy, is of the old-fashioned kind. It is not thekind now in vogue. I like you the better for it, and if you were notin Mrs. Hamilton's employ I would try to secure your services myself."
"Thank you, Mr. Taylor. The time may come when shall remind you ofyour promise."
"You will find I have not forgotten it. And now to business. We willgo to a lawyer and have the necessary papers drawn up, which you shallsign in behalf of your principal."
The business was speedily arranged, and by supper-time Ben found thathe had nothing further to detain him in Centerville. He felt that hehad done a smart stroke of business. Mrs. Hamilton had been surprisedat receiving an offer of five thousand dollars for the farm, yet hehad sold it for forty thousand!
As they were returning from the lawyer's office they met farmerJackson just returning from the post office.
"By the way, Mr. Jackson," said Taylor, "you will perhaps beinterested to learn that your farm has been sold."
The farmer paused, and looked troubled.
"Are you going to turn me out of the house?" he asked.
"Not if you wish to live in it. I shall employ workmen at once tosink wells, and develop the property. They will need to boardsomewhere. Are you willing to board them?"
"Yes; I shall be glad to," answered Jackson. "I am a poor man, andit's hard work living by farming."
"Very well; we can no doubt make an arrangement. I am obliged to goto New York to complete arrangements for the transfer of the property,but I shall come back as soon as possible and commence operations."
"I wouldn't mind workin' for myself," said Jackson.
"Then you are the first man I engage."
The old farmer brightened up. He was to make money out of the newdiscoveries after all, though not in the way he had comtemplated.
"When are you going back to New York, Ben?" asked Taylor.
"There is nothing to detain me here any longer."
"We can go back together, then."
"I shall be glad to travel in your company, sir."
"Do you expect to remain in Mrs. Hamilton's employ?"
"I don't know," answered Ben.
"What were you doing?"
"Keeping accounts and acting as her private secretary."
"Do you like it?"
"Yes; I find it very pleasant, or would be but for one thing."
"What is that?"
"She has relatives living in the house who do not like me."
"Jealous, eh?"
"Perhaps so."
"Let me say frankly, that you are fitted for something higher. I am agood judge of men--"
Ben smiled.
"Boys, then; and I consider you a boy of excellent business capacity.After I have got my oil wells under way, I should like to engage youas superintendent."
"I am flattered by your good opinion, Mr. Taylor, but it is a businessI know nothing of."
"You would make it your business to learn it, or I mistake you."
"You are right there, sir."
"However, there will be plenty of time to arrange about this matter.It would probably be two months before I felt justified in leavinganother in charge."
The two started for New York. About fifty miles before reaching thecity, as Ben was reading a magazine he had purchased from thetrain-boy, he felt a touch upon his shoulder.
Looking up, he recognized, to his amazement, the tramp with whom hehad had an adventure some weeks before in Pentonville.
"I see you know me," said the tramp, with a smile.
CHAPTER XXXIIIGOOD NEWS
The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainlyshowed signs of improvement in his personal appearance. He lookedquite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth,and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
"I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
"Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to haverecognized me. I flatter myself that I have changed."
"So you have, and for the better."
"Thank you. I believe we rode together when we last met."
"Yes," said Ben.
"And you were not sorry to part copy with me--is it not so?"
"I won't contradict you."
"Yet I am inclined to be your friend."
"I am glad of it," said Ben politely, though, truth to tell, he didnot anticipate any particular benefit to accrue from the acquaintanceof the speaker.
"I see you don't attach much importance to my offer of friendship.Yet I can do you an important service."
Mr. Taylor, who had been occupying a seat with Ben, here arose.
"You have something to say to my young friend," he said. "Take myseat."
"Don't let me deprive you of it," said the other with a politeness Benhad not deemed him capable of.
"By no means. I am going into the smoking car to smoke a cigar. Ben,I will be back soon."
"I didn't expect to meet you so far from Pentonville," said Ben's newcompanion, unable to suppress his curiosity.
"I don't live in Pentonville now."
"Where then?"
"In the city of New York."
"Are you employed there?"
"Yes; but I am just returning from a trip to Western Pennsylvania."
"Did you go on business?"
"Yes."
"Well, you are getting on, for a country boy. What do you hear fromhome?"
"My mother is well, but I fancy that is not what you mean."
"Yes, I am interested about your mother. Has she yet paid off thatmortgage on her cottage?"
"How did you know there was a mortgage," asked Ben, in surprise.
"I know more than you suppose. What are the chances that she will beable to pay?"
"They are very small," answered Ben, gravely, "but the money is notyet due."
"When will it be due?"
"In about six weeks."
"Squire Davenport will foreclose--I know him well enough for that."
"So I suppose," said Ben, soberly.
"Is there no friend who will oblige you with the money?"
"I don't know of anyone I should feel at liberty to call on."
It came into his mind that Mrs. Hamilton was abundantly able to helpthem, but she did not know his mother, and it would savor ofpresumption for him to ask so great a favor. True, he had effected amost profitable sale for her, but that was only in the line of hisfaithful duty, and gave him no claim upon his employer.
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