It is needless to say that Hector was very much surprised, not to saystartled, at this sudden proposal. What could Mr. Newman possibly wanthim to go to California for? If on business, how did it happen that hetrusted a mere boy with so responsible a mission?
The explanation came soon.
"No doubt, you are surprised," said the merchant, "at the proposal Ihave made you. I am not prepared myself to say that I am acting withgood judgment. In making it, I have obeyed a sudden impulse, whichis not always prudent. Yet, in more than one instance, I have foundadvantage in obeying such an impulse. But to my explanation. By the way,let me first ask you two or three questions. Have you any taste for anykind of liquor?"
"No, sir," answered Hector, promptly.
"Even if you had, do you think you would have self-control enough toavoid entering saloons and gratifying your tastes?"
"Yes, sir."
"That is well. Do you play pool?"
"No, sir," answered Hector, wondering whither all these questionstended.
"I ask because playing pool in public rooms paves the way forintemperance, as bars are generally connected with such establishments."
"I don't even know how to play pool, sir," said Hector.
"Do you ever bet or gamble?" continued the merchant.
"No, sir."
"You will understand why I ask all these questions when I tell you thatI have a nephew now nineteen years of age, who does all these things. Heis not only my nephew, but my ward. I have a moderate sum of money in mycharge which belongs to him--enough, if he were a young man of correcthabits, to buy him an interest in a respectable business. That use Ihad proposed to make of it when he reached twenty-one, or rather, torecommend to him, but for his yielding to temptation in more than oneform, and, finally, running away from my protection."
"Where is he now, sir?"
"In California. Three months since he disappeared, and it was someweeks before I learned where he had gone. As I do not intend to concealanything from you, I must tell you that he carried with him five hundreddollars purloined from my desk. This grieved me most of all. I wrote outto a mercantile friend in San Francisco, who knows the boy by sight, tohunt him up, and see if he could do anything for him. He writesme--this is the letter I hold in my hand--that he has seen Gregory, andexpostulated with him, but apparently without effect. The boy has prettymuch run through his money, and will soon be in need. I do not intend,however, to send him money, for he would misuse it. I don't thinkit will do him any harm to suffer a little privation, as a fittingpunishment for his wayward courses. I would not wish him to suffer toomuch, and I am anxious lest he should go further astray. I now come tothe explanation of my proposal to you. I wish you to go to California,to seek out Gregory, obtain his confidence, and then persuade him togive up his bad course, and come home with you, prepared to lead aworthier life. Are you willing to undertake it?"
"Yes, sir," answered Hector. "I will undertake it, since you are willingto place such a responsibility upon me. I will do my best to accomplishwhat you desire, but I may fail."
"In that case I will not blame you," answered the merchant.
"What sort of a boy is Gregory? Shall I find it difficult to gain hisconfidence?"
"No; he is a youth of very amiable disposition--indeed, he was generallypopular among his companions and associates, but he is morally weak, andfinds it difficult to cope with temptation. I believe that a boy likeyou will stand a better chance of influencing him than a man of matureage."
"I will do my best, sir."
"One thing more. You may assure Gregory that I forgive him the theft ofmy money, though it gave me great pain to find him capable of such anact, and that I am prepared to receive him back into my favor if he willshow himself worthy of it. I will give you a letter to that effect. Now,when will you be ready to start?"
"By the next steamer."
"That is well."
CHAPTER XXXIII. MR. ROSCOE MAKES A DISCOVERY.
Hector's Inheritance, Or, the Boys of Smith Institute Page 32