"Suppose you give me five per cent. in Chicago and large places."
"Very well. I will do so. I will settle with you at the end of everyweek, if that will be satisfactory."
"Yes, sir."
Two days afterward a light wagon drew up in front of the hotel, drawnby a strong horse, and Walter helped the professor to put a trunkof medicine in the back part. Then he seated himself with ProfessorRobinson on the front seat, and they set out in the direction of thesuburbs.
A new life was opening before Walter. What it would lead to he could notguess. At any rate, it promised him a living, and this was a practicaladvantage which he had learned to appreciate.
"How long have you been in this business, professor?" he asked.
"Ten years," answered the professor.
"How did you happen to go into it?"
"I'll tell you. Ten years ago I found myself in a tight place. I was onmy uppers, as the actors say. A friend, who was a drug clerk, gave methe recipe for my balm, I borrowed a hundred dollars, had a quantitymade up, and set out on the road."
"And now?"
"Now I am worth fifteen thousand dollars, well invested, and can make agood living every year."
All this was encouraging to Walter. He was eager to begin his work.
CHAPTER XX
ON THE ROAD
On a small common, near the center of the village of Brandon--forspecial reasons I do not give the real names of places visited by thetravelers--Professor Robinson halted his wagon and signed to Walter tocommence playing.
"Give 'em something popular," he said.
Walter struck up "Annie Rooney," and followed it up with "McGinty."
Within ten minutes fifty persons were gathered about the wagon. Then theprofessor held up his hand and Walter stopped.
"Gentlemen," began the professor, "my young assistant will soon charmyou again with the dulcet strains of his violin. But it is necessary forme to combine business with pleasure, and it affords me satisfactionto call your attention to the surpassing merits of my Liquid Balm, onlytwenty-five cents a bottle. It is a sovereign remedy for most of thediseases that flesh is heir to. All diseases of the stomach, liver,and lungs are, if not cured, very greatly mitigated by this wonderfulmedicine. It is the only remedy for consumption that can be relied upon.Why, gentlemen, a year since I was selling in a small town in Ohio.Among those who gathered about me was a hollow-cheeked man with achurchyard cough. He asked me if I would undertake to cure him. Ianswered that I would guarantee nothing, but was convinced that hislife would be prolonged by the use of my balm. He bought half-a-dozenbottles. Where do you think that man is now?"
Voice in the crowd: "In the grave."
"Not a bit of it, gentlemen. He is hale and hearty, his face isfull, his color healthy, and he tips the scales at one hundred andseventy-five pounds. I was myself surprised at the extraordinaryefficacy of my wonderful medicine. He used in all a dozen bottles,giving me a second order later on, and so for the paltry sum of threedollars was drawn back from the brink of the grave, and restored to lifeand health. Now, who will buy a bottle?"
This appeal sold eight bottles.
A saffron-faced man came forward and asked if the balm could cureliver-complaint.
"My friend," said the professor, "if you will try the balm--you ought tohave half-a-dozen bottles, as it is uncertain when I shall come this wayagain--your liver will become O. K. and your face will be as fresh andblooming as that of a twelve-year-old boy."
This prospect seemed so encouraging that the saffron-faced man boughtfour bottles, and took the professor's address.
At the end of about twenty minutes Walter struck up again, a livelydancing tune, and was listened to with evident pleasure.
When all who desired the balm seemed to have invested, the professorbrought out a supply of toilet soaps, and sold to the amount of a coupleof dollars.
At the end of two hours he packed up his wares, Walter took a seatbeside him, and they started for the next village.
"You had a pretty good sale, professor," said Walter.
"Yes; as well as I can calculate I took in about ten dollars."
Walter reflected with pleasure that his commission would amount to adollar.
The professor had another way of utilizing remedies. When he put up forthe night at a hotel, he usually succeeded in paying a part of hishotel bill in medicine or toilet articles. As his average profits on theformer were seventy per cent., and on the latter forty, it may be seenthat this was greatly to his advantage. Walter did not wonder that hehad already accumulated a small competence.
On the fourth evening, as Walter was leaving the supper-table, a tallyoung man, looking something like the stock pictures of Uncle Sam, cameup to him.
"Say, young fellow," he commenced, "some of us young people are goingto have a dance at the schoolhouse hall, but we haven't got no fiddler.Peter Jackson, who generally plays for us, has got the lumbago and can'tplay. What'll you charge?"
"What do you generally pay Mr. Jackson?" asked Walter.
"Three dollars an evening."
"Do you think I can play as well as he?"
"You kin play enough sight better. He can't play no tunes that ain'tfifty years old."
"Very well, I will charge you the same, that is, if the professordoesn't object."
"Go ahead and see him and let me know."
Walter sought the professor and laid the matter before him.
"All right!" was the answer. "I've no objection. You can giveme one-third of the money and keep the rest yourself. Is thatsatisfactory?"
"Perfectly so, sir." Walter played till one o'clock. He felt rathertired when he got through, but he saw that he was making a favorableimpression, and the two dollars which he would receive for himself wouldbe of great service.
The man who first spoke to him paid him the money.
"I hope I gave satisfaction," said Walter.
"Yes, you did, and no mistake; but some of the girls were sorry theycouldn't have you for a partner."
Walter blushed.
"I am afraid," he said, "that I couldn't play and dance, too."
At his age few young men are indifferent to the favorable opinion ofyoung ladies, and Walter would have been glad to have participated inthe dancing. However, just at present, money was more acceptable to himthan anything else.
When the week was concluded, the professor looked over his accounts andascertained that Walter's commission amounted to nine dollars and sixtycents. The two dollars he had received for outside services carried hisweek's earnings to nearly twelve dollars.
He had been out with Professor Robinson a month when he had a surprise.It was in the town of Glenwood. His violin drew the usual crowd, whowere listening with complimentary attention, when a young man, whocasually paused to judge of the musician's merits, started in amazement.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed to a young lady who accompanied him. "That's myclassmate, Sherwood."
"What do you mean, Hugh?" asked the young lady.
"I mean that the young man who is playing the violin is my collegeclassmate, Walter Sherwood."
"But what on earth can have put him in such a position? Is he poor?"
"He had the reputation of being rich in college, but I remember that atthe close of the sophomore year he was reported to have lost his money."
"He is nice-looking!" said the young lady, after a critical examinationof Walter.
"Yes, and he's no end of a nice fellow. I am truly sorry that he is soreduced."
"Shall you go and speak to him?"
"Yes; but I shall have to wait till he is at leisure."
"Then I will go home by myself and leave you to confer together; and, bythe way, Hugh, you know we are to have a little company to-night. Do youthink your friend would play for us? He really plays uncommonly well."
"I will invite him as a guest. I shouldn't want to treat him as aprofessional performer. We can afford to treat him as an equal, for heis of good family, and brought up a
s a gentleman."
"I am quite willing to receive him as such."
Hugh Longwood remained in the crowd, and when the playing was overpushed up to the wagon. Walter was assisting the professor in servingout bottles of the famous balm.
"You may give me a bottle, Walter," said Longwood.
"By gracious, Hugh Longwood!" exclaimed Walter. "Who would have expectedto see you here?"
"This is my home. But we certainly do meet under strange circumstances.What on earth led you into this business?"
"Thrift, thrift, Hugh," answered Walter, with a smile. "Let me tell youthat I am making a good living and benefiting my fellow men."
"But it is such a change from Euclid College."
"True."
"Such a come down!"
"I don't know about that. I am afraid my career there was notparticularly creditable. Now I am working and earning my own living. Canyou wait till we get through here? Then I will talk with you as long asyou like."
"Agreed. I am curious to hear of your adventures." Professor Robinsonproposed to stay in Glenwood overnight, so that Walter had plenty oftime to see his friend.
"My sister is to have a party of friends this evening, and shecommissions me to invite you."
"But," hesitated Walter, "I have no dress suit here."
"You look well enough."
"Besides, I am filling a very humble position."
"We know who you are, and that you are a gentleman. That is enough. Willyou come?"
"Yes, I will," answered Walter, heartily. "It will be like a taste ofthe old life."
"And if we should ask you to favor us on the violin?"
"I shall be glad to contribute to the pleasure of the evening. But youhaven't told me why you are not back at college."
"My father is anxious to have me help him in his business. His healthis not what it was. Not being likely to set the river on fire inany literary profession, I decided to give up the college for thecounting-room."
"I think you did right."
CHAPTER XXI
MISS LONGWOOD'S PARTY
At eight o'clock Walter reached the Longwood mansion. It would have beenearly for a party in the city, but Glenwood people were sensible, and,beginning early, were able to close in good season.
The house was a handsome one, and the rooms, tastefully furnished, wereblazing with light, and already half full.
Walter was quite at home in society, and advancing, greeted Hugh andhis sister, by whom he was cordially received, and introduced to othermembers of the family.
About nine o'clock dancing commenced. Walter did not think it out ofplace to ask the hand of Laura Longwood, being so intimate withher brother. She had just accepted his invitation to dance, when adark-complexioned young man, dressed in the extreme of the fashion, andevidently possessing a very high opinion of his appearance and position,approached, and with a ceremonious bow said: "Miss Longwood, may I havethe pleasure of dancing with you?"
"Not this time, Mr. Murdock," answered the young lady. "I am engaged toMr. Sherwood."
Murdock upon this turned his glance upon Walter, whose dress, it must beconfessed, was scarcely befitting the occasion, but it will readily beunderstood that he could not carry a dress suit about with him.
"Oh!" said Murdock, and his scornful glance spoke volumes.
"Let me introduce you to Mr. Sherwood, my brother's friend," continuedthe young lady.
"I am indeed honored by the introduction," said Murdock, bowing verylow.
Walter colored, for it was evident that the tone was ironical. He bowedcoldly, but did not speak.
The music struck up, and the dancing began. Though Walter was plainlydressed, he was a good dancer, and Miss Longwood had no occasion to beashamed of her partner.
Murdock approached Hugh Longwood, who was busy in forming sets and wasnot dancing.
"Who is that dancing with your sister?" he asked abruptly.
"A college friend of mine--Walter Sherwood."
"He looks poor."
"I believe he has met with a reverse of fortune."
"His face looks familiar. I am quite sure I have seen him somewhere."
"He only arrived in town to-day."
"I have it! He was playing the violin for a faker on the town commonthis afternoon."
"Yes; it was there I met him."
"Good heavens! and you invited him to your party?"
"Why not?" demanded Hugh coldly.
"The assistant and companion of a wandering faker!"
"No, Mr. Murdock, I did not invite him, for my sister saved me thetrouble."
"I don't see how you could sanction her doing it."
"It strikes me, Murdock, you are interfering beyond your province.Walter Sherwood, you will be good enough to remember, is a gentleman bybirth and education, and a college classmate of mine."
"That may all be, but think of his position!"
"Suppose we drop this discussion," said Hugh frigidly. "I shall invitewhom I please, and shall ask advice of no one."
"Oh, if you take it that way, I will be silent."
"It will be as well."
The dance was over, and Murdock, approaching Miss Longwood once more,asked her hand for the next dance. She accepted, and they took theirplaces on the floor.
"I can hardly expect to equal your last partner," said Murdock, in anill-tempered tone.
Laura Longwood looked at him for a moment without speaking. She wasashamed of his ill breeding.
"Perhaps not," she answered composedly. "Mr. Sherwood is a very gooddancer."
"I did not refer to that. I referred rather to his social position."
"He is of good family, I believe, but you need not be too modest asregards yourself."
"You overwhelm me," returned Murdock, with an exaggerated bow; "and youreally think me the equal of Mr. Sherwood?"
"Is it necessary to discuss this question?" asked Laura, becoming moreand more disgusted with her partner.
"I think I saw the gentleman this afternoon playing the violin on thewagon of a traveling faker."
"Yes, I saw him also."
"It is an excellent position for a young man--of family!" continuedMurdock, with a scornful curl of the lip.
"Suppose we change the subject, Mr. Murdock," said Laura Longwood,with dignity. "If you desire a similar position you can speak to Mr.Sherwood."
"You are really very--very amusing, Miss Longwood," said Murdock, bitinghis lip. "I really don't aspire to such prominence. Besides, I don'tplay on the violin."
"That is a pity. It is a very fine instrument."
When the dance was concluded Murdock sought another, but was rathercurtly refused. His efforts to injure Walter had only led to his owndiscomfiture. When, a little later, he saw Walter a second time dancingwith Miss Longwood, he began to hate him.
During the last hour Walter obligingly consented to play on his favoriteinstrument, and his performance gave pleasure to the entire company,Murdock alone excepted.
When the party broke up, it chanced that Murdock and Walter tookleave at the same time. Walter was slightly in advance when Murdock,quickening his pace, came up with him.
"Mr. Sherwood, I believe," he said.
"Yes, sir," answered Walter. "I believe I am addressing Mr. Murdock."
"You are. I hope you will pardon my giving you a little kindly advice."
"I certainly will if it is friendly," answered Walter.
"Then, don't you think you were a little out of place this evening?"
"What do you mean?" asked Walter quickly. "Where was I out of place?"
"At Miss Longwood's party."
"Why should I be? She invited me."
"No doubt."
"As her brother's friend and classmate."
"That is all very well, but you don't seem to consider your presentposition."
"Will you be good enough to tell me what is my present position?"
"You know better than I can tell you. You are the assistant of a lowfaker."
"I accompany Professor Robinson as a musical assistant, if that is whatyou mean."
"Professor Robinson!" repeated Murdock scornfully. "Where did he get histitle?"
"You will have to ask him," said Walter, smiling.
"That is not the point, however. You are in his employ?"
"Well?"
"And yet you attend an evening party given by a young lady of highsocial position."
"Mr. Murdock, you may be surprised to learn that it is by no means thefirst social party of the kind that I have attended."
"That was before you became a faker."
"You will oblige me by not calling me a faker. I am earning my livinghonestly. I don't know your business."
"I am a lawyer," said Murdock haughtily.
"I wish you success in your chosen profession."
"You are truly kind!" said Murdock, in an unpleasant tone.
Walter looked at him gravely.
"Mr. Murdock," he said, "you have volunteered to give me advice."
"Which you are not inclined to take."
"Because I consider you officious in offering it. Now let me give yousome advice."
"I shall be grateful, I am sure."
"Then let me advise you hereafter to mind your own business!"
"You are impertinent!" said Murdock angrily.
"That is my opinion of you. One thing more; you are quite at liberty toadvise Miss Longwood not to take any notice of me."
Walter Sherwood's Probation Page 10