"Very unprofitably, Luke. I went out this afternoon, and visited twoplaces where I thought they might have some sewing for me, but I onlymet with disappointment. Now that I have a sewing machine, it is agreat pity that I can't make use of it."
"Don't be troubled, mother! We can get along well enough."
"But we have only your earnings to depend upon."
"If I always have as good a day as this, we can depend on those veryeasily."
"Did you earn much, Luke?"
"I earned a lot of money."
Mrs. Walton looked interested, and Luke's manner cheered her.
"There are always compensations, it seems. I was only thinking of myown bad luck."
"What do you say to that, mother?" and Luke displayed the ten-dollarbill.
"I don't understand how you could have taken in so much money, Luke."
"Then I will explain," and Luke told the story of the adventure onState Street, and his rescue of the old lady from the danger of beingrun over.
"The best of it is," he concluded, "I think I shall get regularemployment for part of my time from Mrs. Merton. Whatever I do for herwill be liberally paid for."
Luke went to a bakery for some cream cakes, of which Bennie wasparticularly fond.
At the same time Stephen Webb was busily engaged In the writing roomof the Palmer House, inditing a letter to his uncle.
DEAR UNCLE THOMAS:--I have devoted my whole time to the task which youassigned me, and have met with very good success. I found the boyuncommunicative, and had to exert all my ingenuity.
Of the accuracy of this and other statements, the reader will judgefor himself.
The boy has a mother and a younger brother. They depend for supportchiefly upon what he can earn, though the mother does a little sewing,but that doesn't bring in much. They live in Green Street, nearMilwaukee Avenue. I have been there, and seen the house where theyreside. It is a humble place, but as good, I presume, as they canafford. No doubt they are very poor, and have all they can do to makeboth ends meet.
I have learned this much, but have had to work hard to do it. Ofcourse, I need not say that I shall spare no pains to meet yourexpectations. If you should take me into your confidence, and give mean idea of what more you wish to know, I feel sure that I can manageto secure all needed information. Your dutiful nephew,
STEPHEN WEBB.
Thomas Browning, in his Milwaukee home, read this letter withsatisfaction.
He wrote briefly to his nephew:
"You have done well thus far, and I appreciate your zeal. Get the boyto talking about his father, if you can. Let me hear anything he maysay on this subject. As to my motive, I suspect that Mr. Walton mayhave been an early acquaintance of mine. If so, I may feel disposed todo something for the family."
On his way to the Sherman House, the next morning, Luke witnessedrather an exciting scene, in which his old friend, Tom Brooks, playeda prominent part.
There was a Chinese laundry on Milwaukee Avenue kept by a couple ofChinamen who were peaceably disposed if not interfered with. Butseveral boys, headed by Tom Brooks, had repeatedly annoyed thelaundrymen, and excited their resentment.
On this particular morning Tom sent a stone crashing through thewindow of Ah King. The latter had been on the watch, and, provokedbeyond self-control, rushed out into the street, wild with rage, andpursued Tom with a flatiron in his hand.
"Help! help! murder!" exclaimed Tom, panic-stricken, running away asfast as his legs would carry him.
But anger, excited by the broken window, lent wings to the Chinaman'sfeet, and he gained rapidly upon the young aggressor.
CHAPTER XIV
LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE
Tom Brooks had reason to feel alarmed for his Chinese pursuer fullyintended to strike Tom with the flatiron. Though this was utterlywrong, some excuse must be made for Ah King, who had frequently beenannoyed by Tom.
It was at this critical juncture that Luke Walton appeared on thescene.
He had no reason to like Tom, but he instantly prepared to rescue him.Fortunately, he knew Ah King, whom he had more than once protectedfrom the annoyance of the hoodlums of the neighborhood.
Luke ran up and seized the Chinaman by the arm.
"What are you going to do?" he demanded, sternly.
"Fool boy bleak my window," said Ah King. "I bleak his head."
"No, you mustn't do that. The police will arrest you."
"Go way! Me killee white boy," cried Ah King, impatiently trying toshake off Luke's grasp. "He bleak window--cost me a dollee."
"I'll see that he pays it, or is arrested," said Luke.
Unwillingly Ah King suffered himself to be persuaded, more readily,perhaps, that Tom was now at a safe distance.
"You plomise me?" said Ah King.
"Yes; if he don't pay, I will. Go and get the window mended."
Luke easily overtook Tom, who was looking round the corner to see howmatters were going.
"Has he gone back?" asked Tom, rather anxiously.
"Yes, but if I hadn't come along, he would, perhaps, have killedyou."
"You only say that to scare me," said Tom, uneasily.
"No, I don't; I mean it. Do you know how I got you off?"
"How?"
"I told Ah King you would pay for the broken window. It will cost adollar."
"I didn't promise," said Tom, significantly.
"No," said Luke, sternly, "but if you don't do it, I will myself haveyou arrested. I saw you throw the stone at the window."
"What concern is it of yours?" asked Tom, angrily. "Why do you meddlewith my business?"
"If I hadn't meddled with your business, you might have a fracturedskull by this time. It is a contemptibly mean thing to annoy a poorChinaman."
"He's only a heathen."
"A well-behaved heathen is better than a Christian such as you are."
"I don't want any lectures," said Tom in a sulky tone.
"I presume not. I have nothing more to say except that I expect you tohand me that dollar to-night."
"I haven't got a dollar."
"Then you had better get one. I don't believe you got a dollar's worthof sport in breaking the window, and I advise you hereafter to spendyour money better."
"I don't believe I will pay it," said Tom, eying Luke closely, to seeif he were in earnest.
"Then I will report your case to the police."
"You're a mean fellow," said Tom, angrily.
"I begin to be sorry I interfered to save you. How ever, take yourchoice. If necessary, I will pay the dollar myself, for I havepromised Ah King; but I shall keep my word about having youarrested."
It was a bitter pill for Tom to swallow, but he managed to raise themoney, and handed it to Luke that evening. Instead of being gratefulto the one who had possibly saved his life, he was only the moreincensed against him, and longed for an opportunity to do him aninjury.
"I hate that Luke Walton," he said to one of his intimate friends. "Hewants to boss me, and all of us, but he can't do it. He's only fit tokeep company with a heathen Chinee."
Luke spent a couple of hours in selling papers. He had not forgottenhis engagement with Mrs. Merton, and punctually at ten o'clock hepulled the bell of the house in Prairie Avenue.
Just at that moment the door was opened, and he faced a boy of his ownage, a thin, dark-complexioned youth, of haughty bearing. This, nodoubt, he concluded, was Harold Tracy.
"What do you want?" he asked, superciliously.
"I should like to see Mrs. Merton."
"Humph! What business have you with Mrs. Merton?"
Luke was not favorably impressed with Harold's manner, and did notpropose to treat him with the consideration which he evidently thoughthis due.
"I come here at Mrs. Merton's request," he said, briefly. "As to whatbusiness we have together, I refer you to her."
"It strikes me that you are impudent," retorted Harold, angrily.
"Your opinion of me is of no impo
rtance to me. If you don't care tolet Mrs. Merton know I am here, I will ring again and ask the servantto do so."
Here a lady, bearing a strong personal resemblance to Harold, made herappearance, entering the hall from the breakfast room in the rear.
"What is it, Harold?" she asked, in a tone of authority.
"Here is a boy who says he wants to see Aunt Eliza."
"What can he want with her?"
"I asked him, but he won't tell."
"I must trouble him to tell me," said Mrs. Tracy, closing her thinmouth with a snap.
"Like mother--like son," thought Luke.
"Do you hear?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, unpleasantly.
"I am here by Mrs. Merton's appointment, Mrs. Tracy," said Luke,firmly. "I shall be glad to have her informed that I have arrived."
"And who are you, may I ask?"
"Perhaps you've got your card about you?" sneered Harold.
"I have," answered Luke, quietly.
With a comical twinkle in his eye, he offered one to Harold.
"Luke Walton," repeated Harold.
"Yes, that is my name."
"I don't think my aunt will care to see you," said Mrs. Tracy, who wasbecoming more and more provoked with the "upstart boy," as shementally termed him.
"Perhaps it would be better to let her know I am here."
"It is quite unnecessary. I will take the responsibility."
Luke was quite in doubt as to what he ought to do. He could not verywell prevent Harold's closing the door, in obedience to his mother'sdirections, but fortunately the matter was taken out of his hands bythe old lady herself, who, unobserved by Harold and his mother, hadbeen listening to the conversation from the upper landing. When shesaw her visitor about to be turned out of the house, she thought itquite time to interfere.
"Louisa," she called, in a tone of displeasure, "you will oblige me bynot meddling with my visitors. Luke, come upstairs."
Luke could not forbear a smile of triumph as he passed Harold and Mrs.Tracy, and noticed the look of discomfiture on their faces.
"I didn't know he was your visitor, Aunt Eliza," said Mrs. Tracy,trembling with the anger she did not venture to display before herwealthy relative.
"Didn't he say so?" asked Mrs. Merton, sharply.
"Yes, but I was not sure that he was not an impostor."
"You had only to refer the matter to me, and I could have settled thequestion. Luke is in my employ----"
"In your employ?" repeated Mrs. Tracy, in surprise.
"Yes; he will do errands for me, and sometimes accompany me to thecity."
"Why didn't you call on Harold? He would be very glad to be of serviceto you."
"Harold had other things to occupy him. I prefer the otherarrangement. Luke, come into my room and I will give you directions."
Mrs. Tracy and Harold looked at each other as the old lady and Lukedisappeared.
"This is a new freak of Aunt Eliza's," said Mrs. Tracy. "Why does shepass over you, and give the preference to this upstart boy?"
"I don't mind that, mother," replied Harold. "I don't want to bedancing attendance on an old woman."
"But she may take a fancy to this boy--she seems to have done soalready--and give him part of the money that ought to be yours."
"If we find there is any danger of that, I guess we are smart enoughto set her against him. Let her have the boy for a servant if shewishes."
"I don't know but you are right, Harold. We must be very discreet, forAunt Eliza is worth half a million."
"And how old is she, mother?"
"Seventy-one."
"That's pretty old. She can't live many years."
"I hope she will live to a good old age," said Mrs. Tracy,hypocritically, "but when she dies, it is only fair that we shouldhave her money."
CHAPTER XV
A WELCOME GIFT
When Luke and Mrs. Merton were alone, the old lady said, with a smile:"You seemed to have some difficulty in getting into the house."
"Yes," answered Luke. "I don't think your nephew likes me."
"Probably not. Both he and his mother are afraid someone will comebetween me and them. They are selfish, and cannot understand how I canhave any other friends or beneficiaries. You are surprised that Ispeak so openly of such near relatives to such a comparative stranger.However, it is my nature to be outspoken. And now, Luke, if you don'tthink it will be tiresome to escort an old woman, I mean to take youdowntown with me."
"I look upon you as a kind friend, Mrs. Merton," responded Luke,earnestly. "I want to thank you for the handsome present you made meyesterday. I didn't expect anything like ten dollars."
"You will find it acceptable, however, I don't doubt. Seriously, Luke,I don't think it's too much to pay for saving my life. Now, if youwill wait here five minutes, I will be ready to go out with you."
Five minutes later Mrs. Merton came into the room attired for thestreet. They went downstairs together, and Luke and she got on astreet car.
They were observed by Mrs. Tracy and Harold as they left the house.
"Aunt Eliza's very easily imposed upon," remarked the latter.
"She scarcely knows anything of that boy, and she has taken him outwith her. How does she know but he is a thief?"
"He looks like one," said Harold, in an amiable tone. "If aunt isrobbed, I shan't pity her. She will deserve it."
"Very true; but you must remember that it will be our loss as well ashers. Her property will rightfully come to us, and if she is robbed weshall inherit so much the less."
"I have been thinking, Harold, it may be well for you to find outsomething of this boy. If you can prove to Aunt Eliza that he is ofbad character, she will send him adrift."
"I'll see about it, mother."
Meanwhile Mrs. Merton and Luke were on their way to the businessportion of the city.
"I think I will stop at Adams Street, Luke," said the old lady. "Ishall have to go to the Continental Bank. Do you know where it is?"
"I believe it is on La Salle Street, corner of Adams."
"Quite right. I shall introduce you to the paying teller as in myemploy, as I may have occasion to send you there alone at times todeposit or draw money."
"I wish Harold was more like you," she said. "His mother's suggestionthat I should take him with me as an escort would be just asdisagreeable to him as to me."
"Is he attending school?" asked Luke.
"Yes. He is preparing for college, but he is not fond of study, and Idoubt whether he ever enters. I think he must be about your age."
"I am nearly sixteen."
"Then he is probably a little older."
They entered the bank, and Mrs. Merton, going to the window of thepaying teller, presented a check for a hundred dollars.
"How will you have it, Mrs. Merton?" asked the teller.
"In fives and tens. By the way, Mr. Northrop, please take notice ofthis boy with me. I shall occasionally send him by himself to attendto my business. His name is Luke Walton."
"His face looks familiar. I think we have met before."
"I have sold you papers more than once, Mr. Northrop," said Luke. "Istand on Clark Street, near the Sherman."
"Yes, I remember, now. We bank officials are apt to take notice offaces."
"Here, Luke, carry this money for me," said Mrs. Merton, putting alady's pocketbook into the hand of her young escort. "You are lesslikely to be robbed than I."
Luke was rather pleased at the full confidence his new employer seemedto repose in him.
"I am now going up on State Street," said Mrs. Merton, as they emergedinto the street. "You know the store of Marshall Field?"
"Oh, yes; everybody in Chicago knows that," said Luke.
In a few minutes they stood before the large store, and Mrs. Mertonentered, followed by Luke.
Mrs. Merton went to that part of the establishment where woolens aresold, and purchased a dress pattern. To Luke's surprise, the salesmanwas the same one who had come to his assistance in the
car the dayprevious when he was charged with stealing. The recognition wasmutual.
"I believe we have met before," said the young man, with a smile.
"Yes, fortunately for me," answered Luke, gratefully.
"The two parties who were determined to find you guilty looked foolishwhen they ascertained the real character of your accuser."
"What is this, Luke? You didn't tell me of it," said Mrs. Merton.
The story was related briefly.
"I should like to meet that woman," said Mrs. Merton, noddingenergetically. "I'd give her a piece of my mind. Luke, you may hand meten dollars."
The goods were wrapped up and the change returned.
"Where shall I send the bundle, Mrs. Merton?" asked the salesman,deferentially.
"Luke will take it."
As they left the store Mrs. Merton said: "Did you think I was buyingthis dress for myself, Luke?"
"I thought so," Luke answered.
"No, I have dresses enough to last me a lifetime, I may almost say.This dress pattern is for your mother."
"For my mother?" repeated Luke, joyfully.
"Yes; I hope it will be welcome."
"Indeed it will. Mother hasn't had a new dress for over a year."
"Then I guessed right. Give it to her with my compliments, and tellher I give it to her for your sake. Now, I believe I will go home."
No present made to Luke could have given him so much pleasure as thisgift to his mother, for he knew how much she stood in need of it.
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