Rufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  HOW RUFUS GOT BACK.

  It happened that Smith espied the man whom he wished to meet, from thecar-window, just as it turned into Canal Street. He got out, therefore,and, adjourning to a whiskey saloon, the two discussed a matter ofbusiness in which they were jointly interested, and then separated. ThusSmith was enabled to return home sooner than he had anticipated. Helittle suspected that his prisoner had escaped, as he walkedcomplacently by on the opposite sidewalk.

  "It's lucky I saw him," said Humpy. "He might have nabbed us."

  "He wouldn't have nabbed me," said Rufus, resolutely. "He'd have foundit hard work to get me back."

  "He's stronger than you," said Humpy, doubtfully.

  "I'd have called a copp, then," said Rufus, using his old word forpoliceman.

  "He'll kill me if he ever gets hold of me," said Humpy, shuddering. "Hehorsewhipped me yesterday."

  "Then he's a brute," said Rufus, who could not help feeling a degree ofsympathy for the deformed boy, who had done him such good service.

  "He never did it before," said Humpy. "That's what made me turn againsthim."

  "And you won't go back to him?"

  "_Never!_" said Humpy, decidedly. "He'll know I let you out."

  "What's your name?" asked Rufus, remembering that he had never heard thename of his guide.

  "They call me Humpy," said the deformed boy, flushing a little. He hadgot hardened to the name, he thought; but now that Rufus asked him, heanswered with a feeling of shame and reluctance.

  "Haven't you another name? I don't like to call you that."

  "My name is William Norton, but I've most forgot it, it's so long sinceanybody ever called me so."

  "Then I'll call you so. I like it better than the other. Have you madeup your mind what to do, now you've left your old place?"

  "Yes, I'm going out West,--to Chicago maybe."

  "Why do you leave New York?"

  "I want to get away from _him_," said William, indicating his oldemployer by a backward jerk of his finger. "If I stay here, he'll gethold of me."

  "Perhaps you are right; but you needn't go so far as Chicago.Philadelphia would do."

  "He goes there sometimes."

  "What will you do in Chicago?"

  "I'll get along. There's a good many things I can do,--black boots, sellpapers, smash baggage, and so on. Besides, I'll have some money."

  "The fifty dollars I am to give you?"

  "I've got more besides," said Humpy, lowering his voice. Looking aroundcautiously, lest he might be observed, he drew out the calico bag whichcontained his savings, and showed to Rufus.

  "There's twenty dollars in that," he said, jingling the coins with anair of satisfaction. "That'll make seventy when you've paid me."

  "I'm glad you've got so much, William. Where did you get it all?"

  "I saved it up. He paid me fifty cents a week, and gave me an extraquarter or so sometimes when he felt good-natured. I saved it all up,and here it is."

  "When did you begin saving?"

  "Six months ago. I used to spend all my money for oysters and cigars,but somebody told me smokin' would stop me from growin', and I gave itup."

  "You did right. I used to smoke sometimes; but I stopped. It don't do aboy any good."

  "Are you rich?" asked Humpy.

  "No. What makes you ask?"

  "You wear nice clo'es. Besides, you are goin' to pay me fifty dollars."

  "I'm worth five hundred dollars," said Rufus, with satisfaction.

  "That's a good deal," said Humpy, enviously. "I'd feel rich if I had somuch."

  "You'll be worth a good deal more some time, I hope."

  "I hope so, but it'll be a good while."

  While this conversation had been going on, the boys had been walkingleisurely. But Rufus, who was anxious to restore the tin box as soon aspossible, now proposed to ride.

  "We'll jump aboard the next car, William," he said. "I'll pay the fare."

  "Where are you goin'?"

  "To Mr. Turner's office, to return the box."

  "He won't think I had anything to do with stealin' it, will he?"

  "No; I'll take care he doesn't."

  They jumped on board the next car, and before long reached thetermination of the car route, at the junction of Vesey Street andBroadway.

  "Where's the place you're goin' to?" asked Humpy.

  "In Wall Street. We'll be there in ten minutes."

  The boys proceeded down Broadway, and in rather less than ten minutes,Rufus, followed by Humpy, entered his employer's office.

  His arrival created a sensation.

  "I am glad to see you back, Rufus," said Mr. Turner, coming forward, andshaking his hand cordially.

  The clerks left their desks, and greeted him in a friendly manner.

  "I've brought back the tin box, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I told you I'dget it back, and I have," he added, with pardonable pride.

  "How did you recover it? Tell me all about it."

  "This boy helped me," said Rufus, directing attention to Humpy, who hadkept himself in the background. "But for him I should still be aprisoner, closely confined and guarded."

  "He shall be rewarded," said the banker. "What is his name?"

  "William Morton."

  Mr. Turner took the boy's hand kindly, dirty though it was, and said, "Iwill bear you in mind, my lad," in a tone which made Humpy, who beforefelt awkward and uncertain of a welcome, quite at his ease.

  "Now for your story, Rufus," said the banker. "I am curious to hear youradventures. So you were a prisoner?"

  "Yes, sir," answered Rufus, and forthwith commenced a clear andstraightforward account of his experiences, which need not be repeated.He wound up by saying that he had promised Humpy fifty dollars in returnfor his assistance.

  "Your promise shall be kept," said Mr. Turner. "I will pay you the moneynow, if you wish," he added, turning to Humpy. "I would advise you toput most of it in a savings-bank, as you are liable to be robbed, or tolose it."

  "I'll put it in as soon as I get to Chicago," said Humpy.

  "Are you going there?"

  Rufus explained why the boy wished to leave New York.

  "Do you want to start at once?"

  "I'd like to."

  "Then, Rufus, I think you had better go with him, and buy his ticket.You may also buy him a suit of clothes at my expense."

  "Thank you, sir," said Humpy, gratefully.

  "If you can spare me, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, "I would like to go homefirst, and let them know that I am safe."

  "Certainly. That reminds me that a lady--was it your aunt?--was in theoffice an hour ago, asking for you."

  "It was Miss Manning."

  "I promised to let you go home when you appeared, and I think you hadbetter do so at once to relieve the anxiety of your friends."

  "Thank you, sir;" and Rufus was about to leave the office, when athought occurred to him, and he turned back.

  "I didn't think to tell you that the money had been taken out," he said.

  "So I supposed. I will open the box."

  The box being opened, it was discovered also that the government bondswere missing.

  "That's too much to lose," said the banker. "What is the number of thehouse in which you were confined?"

  Rufus was able to give it, having judged that it would be wanted.

  "I shall give information to the police, and see what can be donetowards recovering the bonds."

  "Shall I go to the police-office for you, Mr. Turner?"

  "No, you can go home at once. Then accompany this boy to aclothing-store, and afterwards to the Erie Railroad Station, where youmay buy him a through ticket to Chicago. Here is the necessary money;"and Mr. Turner placed a roll of bills in the hands of our hero.

  "Am I to buy the railroad ticket, also, out of this?"

  "Yes. William shall have his fifty dollars clear to start on when hegets there."

  Miss Manning had nearly got through with t
he morning lessons, when aquick step was heard ascending the stairs two or three at a time. Roselet drop the arithmetic, from which she had been reciting, andexclaimed, in glad excitement, "That's Rufie, I know it is!"

  The door opened, and she was proved to be correct.

  "Where've you been, Rufie?" exclaimed his sister, throwing her armsaround his neck.

  "Mr. Martin carried me off, Rosy."

  "I knew he would; but you said you was too big."

  "He was smarter than I thought for. Sit down, Rosy, and I'll tell youall about it. Were you anxious about me, Miss Manning?"

  "Yes, Rufus. I don't mind saying now that I was, though I would notconfess it to Rose, who fretted enough for you without."

  So the story had to be told again, and was listened to, I need not say,with breathless interest.

  "You won't let him catch you again, will you, Rufie?" said Rose,anxiously, when it was finished.

  "Not if I know myself, Rosy," answered Rufus. "That can't be done twice.But I've got to be going. I've got ever so much to do. I'll be back todinner at six."

  He hastened downstairs, and rejoined Humpy, who had been waiting for himin the street.