It had been the intention of George Melville to remain in Colorado allwinter, but his improved health, and the tragic event which I have justnarrated, conspired to change his determination.
"Herbert," he said, when the business connected with the sale of themine had been completed, "how would you like to go home?"
"With you?"
"Yes, you don't suppose I would remain here alone?"
"If you feel well enough, Mr. Melville, there is nothing I should likebetter."
"I do feel well enough. If I find any unfavorable symptoms coming back,I can travel again, but I am anxious to get away from this place, whereI have come so near losing my life at the hands of the outlaws."
There was little need of delay. Their preparations were soon made. Therewas an embarrassment about the cottage, but that was soon removed.
"I'll buy it of you, Mr. Melville," said Jack Holden.
"I can't sell it to you, Mr. Holden."
"I will give you a fair price."
"You don't understand me," said George Melville, smiling. "I will notsell it, because I prefer to give it."
"Thank you, Mr Melville, but you know I am not exactly a poor man. Thesale of the mine---"
"Jack," said Melville, with emotion, "would you have me forget thatit is to you and Herbert that I owe my rescue from a violent andignominious death?"
"I want no pay for that, Mr. Melville."
"No, I am sure you don't. But you will accept the cabin, not as pay, butas a mark of my esteem."
Upon that ground Jack accepted the cottage with pleasure. Herbert triedto tempt him to make a visit to the East, but he was already in treatyfor another mine, and would not go.
The two stayed a day in Chicago on their way to Boston.
"I wonder if Eben is still here?" thought Herbert.
He soon had his question answered. In passing through a suburban portionof the great city, he saw a young man sawing wood in front of a meandwelling, while a stout negro was standing near, with his hands inhis pockets, surveying the job. He was the proprietor of a coloredrestaurant, and Eben was working for him.
Alas, for Eben! The once spruce dry-goods clerk was now amiserable-looking tramp, so far as outward appearances went. His clotheswere not only ragged, but soiled, and the spruce city acquaintances whomhe once knew would have passed him without recognition.
"Eben!"
Eben turned swiftly as he heard his name called, and a flush of shameoverspread his face.
"Is it you, Herbert?" he asked, faintly.
"Yes, Eben. You don't seem very prosperous."
"I never thought I should sink so low," answered Eben, mournfully, "asto saw wood for a colored man."
"What are you talkin' about?" interrupted his boss, angrily. "Ain't I asgood as a worfless white man that begged a meal of vittles of me, coz hewas starvin'? You jest shut up your mouf, and go to work."
Eben sadly resumed his labor. Herbert pitied him, in spite of his follyand wickedness.
"Eben, do you owe this man anything?" he added.
"Yes, he does. He owes me for his dinner. Don't you go to interfere!"returned the colored man.
"How much was your dinner worth?" asked Herbert, putting his hand intohis pocket.
"It was wuf a quarter."
"There is your money! Now, Eben, come with me."
"I've been very unfortunate," wailed Eben.
"Would you like to go back to Wayneboro?" asked Herbert.
"Yes, anywhere," answered Eben, eagerly. "I can't make a livin' here. Ihave almost starved sometimes."
"Eben, I'll make a bargain with you. If I will take you home, will youturn over a new leaf, and try to lead a regular and industrious life?"
"Yes, I'll do it," answered Eben.
"Then I'll take you with me to-morrow."
"I shouldn't like my old friends to see me in these rags," said Eben,glancing with shame at his tattered clothes.
"They shall not. Come with me, and I will rig you out anew."
"You're a good fellow, Herbert," said Eben, gratefully. "I'm sorry forthe way I treated you."
"Then it's all right," said Herbert. Herbert kept his promise. He tookEben to a barber shop, where there were also baths, having previouslypurchased him a complete outfit, and Eben emerged looking once more likethe spruce dry-goods salesman of yore.
*****
One day not long afterwards Mrs. Carr was sitting in her little sittingroom, sewing. She had plenty of leisure for this work now, for Mr.Graham had undertaken to attend to the post-office duties himself. Itwas natural that she should think of her absent boy, from whom she hadnot heard for a long time.
"When shall I see him again?" she thought, wearily.
There was a knock at the outer door.
She rose to open it, but, before she could reach it, it flew open, andher boy, taller and handsomer than ever, was in her arms.
"Oh, Herbert!"
It was all she could say, but the tone was full of joy.
"How I have missed you!"
"We will be together now, mother."
"I hope so, Herbert. Perhaps you can find something to do in Wayneboro,and even if it doesn't pay as well--"
"Mother," interrupted Herbert, laughing, "is that the way to speak to arich boy like me?"
"Rich?"
"Yes, mother, I bring home twelve thousand dollars."
Mrs. Carr could not believe it at first, but Herbert told his story, andshe gave joyful credence at last.
Eben did not receive as warm a welcome, but finally his father waspropitiated, and agreed to give his son employment in his own store.He's there yet. His hard experience in the West has subdued his pride,and he has really "turned over a new leaf," as he promised Herbert. Hisfather will probably next year give him a quarter interest in the firm,and the firm's name will be
"EBENEZER GRAHAM & SON."
Herbert and his mother have moved to Boston. Our hero is learningbusiness in the counting room of Mr. Compton. They live in a pleasanthouse at the South End, and Mr. Melville, restored to a very fairmeasure of health, is boarding, or, rather, has his home with them. Heis devoting his time to literary pursuits, and I am told that he is theauthor of a brilliant paper in a recent number of the North AmericanReview. Herbert finds some time for study, and, under the guidance ofhis friend and former employer, he has already become a very creditablescholar in French, German and English literature. He enjoys his presentprosperity all the better for the hardships through which he passedbefore reaching it.
THE END
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 38