CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW IT ENDED
"Robert," said Gilbert Huet later in the day, "next week Julian and I goto Boston, where we shall try to make a home for ourselves."
Robert looked sober.
"I shall feel very lonely without you," he said.
"You are to go, too, Robert," said Julian quickly.
"If you will. Julian wants your society, and so do I."
Robert's face flushed with eager delight.
"But my aunt?" he said.
"I have been speaking to your aunt. In fact, I invited her to accompanyus, but she says she is used to Cook's Harbor and cannot leave it."
"I don't like to leave her alone."
"Then I'll tell you what you can do. I understand that young FrankShelton is seeking for a home where he can take his promised wife. Iadvise you to enlarge the cottage, putting on another story and perhapsan L also. This will give you plenty of room for your aunt and the youngcouple, who will be company for her."
"Yes," said Mrs. Trafton, "I always liked Frank Shelton and his wifethat is to be. The arrangement will be very agreeable to me."
"But," objected Robert, "how can I build an addition to the house? Ihave no money."
"I beg your pardon," said Mr. Huet, smiling, "but I don't think a younggentleman worth ten thousand dollars can truthfully say he has no money.I hope, Robert, you are not growing mean."
"Ten thousand dollars!" ejaculated Robert, his eyes wide open withamazement.
"Certainly."
"I don't understand you, Mr. Huet."
"Then perhaps you will understand this."
Mr. Huet handed Robert a slip of paper, which proved to be a check onthe Merchants' Bank, of Boston, for the sum of ten thousand dollars,payable to Robert Coverdale or order. It was signed by Gilbert Huet.
"You see, you are rich, Robert," said Julian, smiling with joy at hisfriend's good fortune.
"Oh, Mr. Huet, I don't deserve this," said Robert, his heart full.
"You must let me judge of that, my dear boy. Say no more or you will bedepreciating Julian's value. You have restored him to me, and I considerhim worth much more than ten thousand dollars."
Of course, Robert joyfully accepted the munificent gift so cordiallyoffered. By Mr. Huet's advice, he invested the money in gooddividend-paying securities and monthly sent his aunt twenty-fivedollars, which, with the rent, made her quite easy in hercircumstances.
The additions were made to the cottage, and Frank Shelton and his wifewere glad to hire the house, thus providing Mrs. Trafton with society aswell as adding to her income.
As for Robert, henceforth he shared in all the educational advantageswhich Julian enjoyed.
Mr. Huet took a house, engaged an excellent housekeeper and at lengthenjoyed a home.
One letter he wrote to Charles Waldo--a scathing letter denouncing himfor his infamous conduct and threatening severe punishment if he everagain conspired against his happiness. Mr. Waldo did not answer theletter for very shame. What excuse or apology could he possibly offer?
Three years later Robert and Julian made a vacation journey westward.
"I should like to call on my old friend Nathan Badger," said Julian.
"So should I," said Robert. "I want to see how he looks."
The Badgers could not at first be convinced that the elegant younggentleman, introduced as Julian Huet, was no other than the bound boy,Bill Benton; but he recalled so many incidents of his past life thatthey credited it at last.
"You were always a favorite of mine, Bill--I mean Mr. Julian!" said thefarmer, who had a wonderful respect for wealth.
"And of mine!" chimed in Mrs. Badger. "And I'm sure my Andrew Jacksonloved you like a brother."
Andrew Jackson, a gawky youth, no more prepossessing than his boyhoodpromised, winked hard and looked enviously at Julian.
When the latter drew from his pocket a silver watch and chain and askedAndrew to accept it for old acquaintance sake he was quite overcome andsaid he liked Julian "better than any feller he knew!"
"Then you forgive me for hitting you with a hoe, Andrew?" said Juliansmilingly.
"I don't care for that," said Andrew Jackson stoutly, "and I guess youmore'n got even with us that time you stayed with Dick Schmidt andfather tried to thrash a tramp--thinking it was you--and got thrashedhimself!"
Then Andrew Jackson fixed an admiring glance on the watch he had covetedso long.
"Boys will be boys!" said Mr. Badger with a fatherly smile. "AndrewJackson don't have no ill feelings."
It was the way of the world. Julian was rich now and had plenty offriends. But he had one true friend whom money could not buy, and thiswas Robert Coverdale, the young fisherman of Coolers Harbor, prosperoushenceforth and happy, as he well deserved to be.
THE END
Robert Coverdale's Struggle; Or, on the Wave of Success Page 34