CHAPTER XXXVI.
A GREAT SURPRISE.
From New York to Tacoma is a long journey. Over three thousand milesmust be traversed by rail, but the trip is far from tiresome. Chesterand his companion thoroughly enjoyed it. All was new and strange, andthe broad spaces through which they passed were full of interest.
They stopped at Niagara Falls, but only for a few hours, and spent aday in Chicago. Then they were whirled onward to St. Paul andMinneapolis, and later on over the broad plains of North Dakota andthrough the mountains of Montana.
"I never thought the country was so large before," said Chester toEdward. "You have been over the ground once before."
"Yes; but part of it was during the night, It is pleasant to see itonce more. Many of the places have grown considerably, though it isonly two years since I came from Portland."
Chester made some agreeable acquaintances. An unsociable travelermisses many of the profitable results of his journey, besides findingtime hang heavily on his hands.
Just after leaving Bismarck, in North Dakota, Chester's attention wascalled to an old man, whose white hair and wrinkled face indicated thathe had passed the age of seventy years.
The conductor came through the car, collecting tickets. The old mansearched for his, and an expression of dismay overspread his face.
"I can't find my ticket," he said.
"That is unfortunate. Where did you come from?"
"From Buffalo."
"When did you last see your ticket?"
"I stopped over one night in Bismarck, and had to share my room with ayoung man, for the hotel was crowded. I think he must have picked mypocket of the ticket."
"Did you know the ticket was missing when you boarded the train?"
"No, sir. I did not think to look."
"Your case is unfortunate. How far are you going?"
"To Tacoma. I have a son there."
"I am afraid you will have to pay the fare from here. I have nodiscretion in the matter, and cannot allow you to ride without aticket."
"Don't you believe my ticket was stolen?" asked the old man, in a stateof nervous agitation.
"Yes, I believe it. I don't think a man of your age would deceive me.But I cannot let you travel without paying for another."
"I haven't money enough," said the old man, piteously. "If you willwait till I reach Tacoma my son will give me money to pay you."
"I am not allowed to do that. I think you will have to get out at thenext station."
The old man was much agitated.
"It is very hard," he sighed. "I--I don't know what to do."
Chester had listened to this conversation with great sympathy for theunfortunate traveler, on account of his age and apparent helplessness.
"How much is the fare to Tacoma from this point?" he asked.
"In the neighborhood of fifty dollars," answered the conductor.
"Will your son be able to pay this?" asked Chester.
"Oh, yes," answered the old man. "William has been doin' well. He isgoing to build a large hotel in Tacoma--he and another man."
"Then," said Chester, "I will advance you what money you need. You cangive me a memorandum, so that I can collect it from your son."
"Heaven bless you, young man!" said the old man, fervently. "You areindeed a friend to me who am but a stranger. I am sure you willprosper."
"Thank you."
"What a fellow you are, Chester!" said Edward. "You will make yourselfpoor helping others."
"I shall sleep better for having aided the old man," answered Chester.
The rest of the journey was uneventful. The two boys went at once toTacoma, as Chester felt that the gentlemen who were negotiating for hislots were probably in a hurry to arrange for the building of the hotel.After establishing themselves at a hotel and eating dinner, they wentat once to the office of Dean & Downie, the real estate agents fromwhom Chester had received a letter.
Here a surprise awaited him.
Standing at a desk in the rear of the office was a figure that lookedfamiliar. The man turned as the door opened to admit Chester, and thelatter recognized to his great astonishment his old enemy--DavidMullins!
Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune Page 36