Cast Upon the Breakers [75]
"Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune. If you will retain him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any losses you may incur from him."
"How is this? Are you able to make this guarantee?"
"I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides being owner of a large mining property in Montana."
"This is truly wonderful! And you have accumulated all this since you left my store?"
"Yes, sir."
"Rodney," said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering his hand. "I am sorry I tried to injure you. It was to save myself, but I see now how meanly I acted."
"That speech has saved you," said the merchant. "Go back to your work. I will give you another chance."
"Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?" asked Philip Carton.
The merchant hesitated.
"No, Mr. Carton," said Rodney. "I will look out for you. I will send you to Montana with a letter to my partner. You can do better there than here."
Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. "I should prefer it. I will promise to turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation."
"Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I will arrange matters."
"Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?" asked the merchant.
"About a week."
"Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening."
"Thank you, sir."
Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. He found Mike in a bad case. He had a bad cold, but did not dare to give up work, because he wouldn't be able to meet his bills. He was still in the employ of the District Telegraph Company.
"Give the company notice, Mike," said Rodney. "Henceforth I will take care of you. You can look upon me as your rich uncle," he added with a smile.
"I will be your servant, Rodney."
"Not a bit of it. You will be my friend. But you must obey me implicitly. I am going to send you to school, and give you a chance to learn something. Next week I shall return to Dr. Sampson's boarding school and you will go with me as my friend and room mate."
"But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me. I am awfully shabby."
"You won't be long. You shall be as well dressed as I am."
A week later the two boys reached the school. It would have been hard for any of Mike's old friends to recognize him in the handsomely dressed boy who accompanied Rodney.
"Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well dressed," said Rodney.
"Oh, go away with you, Rodney? It's fooling me you are!"
"Not a bit of it. Now I want you to improve your time and learn as fast as you can."
"I will, Rodney."
A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two years longer. There had been a great change in the telegraph boy, who was quick to learn. He expects, when he leaves school, to join Rodney in Montana.
I will not attempt to estimate Rodney's present wealth, but he is already prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. Philip Carton is prospering, and is respected by his new friends, who know nothing of his earlier life.
As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian, Benjamin Fielding. The letter came from Montreal.
"My dear Rodney," he wrote. "I have worked hard to redeem the past, and restore to you your fortune. I have just succeeded, and send you the amount with interest. It leaves me little or nothing, but my mind is relieved. I hope you have not had to suffer severely from my criminal carelessness, and that you will live long to enjoy what rightfully belongs to you."
In reply Rodney wrote: "Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars. I do not need it, and you do. Five years from now, if you can spare the money you may send it to me. Till then use it without interest. I am worth much more than the sum my father intrusted to you for me."
This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in New York, where he is likely to experience a return of his former prosperity.
As for Rodney, his trials are over. They made a man