Bound to Rise 13
"Good morning, neighbor Walton," he said.
"Good morning, squire."
"How is that cow a-doin'?"
"Pretty well."
"She's a good cow."
"Not so good as the one I lost."
"You're jokin' now, neighbor. It was my best cow. I wouldn't have sold
her except to obleege."
"She doesn't give as much milk as my old one."
"Sho! I guess you don't feed her as well as I did."
"She fares just as well as the other one did. Of course, I don't know
how you fed her."
"She allers had her fill when she was with me. Le' me see, how long is
it since I sold her to ye?"
Though the squire apparently asked for information, he knew the time to
a day and was not likely to forget.
"It's between four and five months, I believe."
"Jus'so. You was to be ready to pay up at the end of six months."
"That was the agreement."
"You'd better be a-savin' up for it."
"There isn't much chance of my saving. It's all I can do to make both
ends meet."
"You don't say so," said the squire, secretly pleased.
"My farm is small and poor, and doesn't yield much."
"But you work out, don't you?"
"When I get a chance. You don't want any help, do you, squire? I might
work off part of the debt that way."
"Mebbe next spring I'd like some help."
"That will be too late to meet my note, unless you'll renew."
"I'll see about it," said the squire, evasively. "What do you hear from
that boy of yours? Is he doin' well?"
"He's at work in a shoe shop."
"Does it pay well?"
"He doesn't get much just at first."
"Then he won't be able to pay for the cow," thought the squire. "That's
what I wanted to know."
"He'd better have gone to work for me," he said
"No, I think he will do better away from home. He will get a good trade
that he can fall back upon hereafter, even if he follows some other
business."
"Wal, I never learned no trade but I've got along middlin' well," said
the squire, in a complacent tone. "Farmin's good enough for me."
"I would say the same if I had your farm, squire. You wouldn't exchange,
would you?"
"That's a good joke, neighbor Walton. When I make up my mind to do it.
I'll let you know."
"What a mean old curmudgeon he is!" thought Hiram Walton, as he kept
on his way to the village store. "He evidently intends to keep me to my
agreement and will exact the ten dollars in case I can't pay for the cow
at the appointed time. It will be nothing but a robbery."
This was not the day for a letter from Harry but it occurred to Mr.
Walton to call at the post office. Contrary to his anticipations, a
letter was handed him.
"I won't open it till I get home," he said to himself.
"I've got a letter from Harry," he said, as he entered the house.
"A letter from Harry? It isn't his day for writing," said Mrs. Walton.
"What does he say?"
"I haven't opened the letter yet. Here, Tom, open and read it aloud."
Tom opened the letter and read as follows:
"Dear Father:--I must tell you, to begin with, that I have been
compelled to stop work in the shoe shop. The market is overstocked and
trade has become very dull.
"Of course, I felt quite bad when Mr. Leavitt told me this, for I feared
it would prevent my helping you pay for the cow, as I want so much to
do. I went round to several other shops, hoping to get in, but I found
it impossible. Still, I have succeeded in getting something to do that
will pay me better than work in the shop. If you were to guess all day,
I don't believe you would guess what business it is. So, to relieve your
suspense, I will tell you that I have engaged as assistant to Professor
Henderson, the famous magician and ventriloquist and am to start
to-morrow on a tour with him."
"Assistant to a magician!" exclaimed Mrs. Walton
"What does the boy know about magic?"
"It's a bully business," said Tom, enthusiastically. "I only wish I was
in Harry's shoes. I'd like to travel round with a magician first-rate."
"You're too thick-headed, Tom," said Marry.
"Shut up!" said Tom. "I guess I'm as smart as you, any day."
"Be quiet, both of you!" said Mr. Walton. "Now, Tom, go on with your
brother's letter."
Tom proceeded: "I am to take money at the door. We are going about
in the southern part of the State and shall visit some towns in
Massachusetts, the professor says. You know I've never been round any
and I shall like traveling and seeing new places. Professor Henderson
is very kind and I think I shall like him. He pays my traveling expenses
and five dollars a week, which is nearly twice as much money as I got
from Mr. Leavitt. I can't help thinking I am lucky in getting so good a
chance only a day after I lost my place in the shoe shop. I hope, yet,
to be able to pay for the cow when the money comes due.
"Love to all at home.
"Harry."
"Harry's lucky," said Mary. "He can get along."
"He is fortunate to find employment at once," said his father; "though
something which he can follow steadily is better. But the pay is good
and I am glad he has it."
"How long it seems since Harry was at home," said his mother. "I wish I
could see him."
"Yes, it would be pleasant," said Mr. Walton; "but the boy has his own
way to make, so we will be thankful that he is succeeding so well."
CHAPTER XXV. A STRANGE COMPANION
At ten o'clock the next day, Harry presented himself at the hotel. He
carried in his hand a carpetbag lent him by Mr. Leavitt, which contained
his small stock of under-clothing. His outside suits he left at Mr.
Leavitt's, not wishing to be encumbered with them while traveling.
"I see you are on time," said the professor.
"Yes, sir; I always mean to be."
"That's well; now if you'll jump into my buggy with me, we will ride
round to the Town Hall and take in my apparatus. I have to keep a
carriage," said the magician, as they rode along. "It saves me a great
deal of trouble by making me independent of cars and stages."
The apparatus was transferred to a trunk in the back part of the buggy
and securely locked.
"Now we are all ready," said Professor Henderson,
"Would you like to drive?"
"Yes, sir," answered Harry, with alacrity.
"I am going to give an entertainment in Holston this evening," said his
new employer. "Were you ever there?"
"No, sir."
"It is a smart little place and although the population is not large, I
always draw a full house."
"How far is it, sir?"
"About six miles."
Harry was sorry it was not farther, as he enjoyed driving. His companion
leaned back at his ease and talked on various subjects. He paused a
moment and Harry was startled by hearing a stifled child's voice just
behind him: "Oh, let me out! Don't keep me locked up here!"
The reins nearly fell from his hands. He turned and heard the voice
apparently proceeding from the trunk.
"What's the matter?" asked Professor Henderson.
"I thought I heard a child's voice."
"So you did," said the voice again.
The truth flashed upon Harry. His companion was exerting some of his
powers as a ventriloquist.
"Oh, it is you, sir," he said, smiling.
His companion smiled.
"You are right," he said.
"I don't see how you can do it," said Harry.
"Practice, my boy."
"But practice wouldn't make everybody a ventriloquist, would it?"
"Most persons might become ventriloquists, though in an unequal degree.
I often amuse myself by making use of it for playing practical jokes
upon people.
"Do you see that old lady ahead?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll offer her a ride. If she accepts, you'll see sport. I shall make
you talk but you must be careful to say nothing yourself."
A few rods farther on, they overtook an old woman.
"Good morning, ma'am," said the professor. "Won't you get in and ride?
It's easier riding than walking."
The old women scanned his countenance and answered: "Thank you, sir, I'm
obleeged to ye. I don't mind if I do."
She was assisted into the carriage and sat at one end of the seat, Harry
being in the middle.
"I was going to see my darter, Nancy," said the old women. "Mrs.
Nehemiah Babcock her name is. Mebbe you know her husband."
"I don't think I do," said the professor.
"He's got a brother in Boston in the dry goods business. Mebbe you've
been at his store."
"Mebbe I have."
"I ginerally call to see my darter--her name is Nancy--once a week; but
it's rather hard for me to walk, now I'm getting' on in years."
"You're most eighty, ain't you?" appeared to proceed from Harry's mouth.
Our hero's face twitched and he had hard work to keep from laughing.
"Indeed, I'm not!" said the old lady, indignantly.
"I'm only sixty-seven and folks say I don't look more'n sixty," and the
old lady looked angrily at Harry.
"You must excuse him, ma'am," said the professor, soothingly. "He is no
judge of a lady's age."
"I should think not, indeed."
"Indeed, madam, you are very young looking."
The old lady was pacified by this compliment but looked askance at
Harry.
"Is he your son?"
"No, ma'am."
The old lady sniffed, as if to say, "So much the better for you."
"Are you travelin' far?" asked the old lady.
"What do you want to know for?" Harry appeared to ask.
"You're a sassy boy!" exclaimed the old woman.
"Harry," said Professor Henderson, gravely, "how often have I told you
not to be so unmannerly?"
"He orter be whipped," said the old lady. "Ef I had a boy that was so
sassy, I'd larn him manners!"
"I'm glad I ain't your boy," Harry appeared to reply.
"I declare I won't ride another step if you let him insult me so," said
the old woman, glaring at our hero.
Professor Henderson caught her eye and significantly touched his
forehead, giving her to understand that Harry was only "half-witted."
"You don't say so," she ejaculated, taking the hint at once. "How long's
he been so?"
"Ever since he was born."
"Ain't you afraid to have him drive?"
"Oh, not at all. He understands horses as well as I do."
"What's his name?"
Before the professor's answer could be heard, Harry appeared to rattle
off the extraordinary name: "George Washington Harry Jefferson Ebenezer
Popkins."
"My gracious! Has he got all them names?"
"Why not? What have you got to say about it, old women?" said the same
voice.
"Oh, I ain't got no objection," said the old woman.
"You may have fifty-'leven names ef you want to."
"I don't interfere with his names," said the professor.
"If he chooses to call himself--"
"George Washington Harry Jefferson Ebenezer Popkins," repeated the
voice, with great volubility.
"If he chooses to call himself by all those names, I'm sure I don't
care. How far do you go, ma'am?"
"About quarter of a mile farther."
The professor saw that he must proceed to his final joke.
"Let me out! Don't keep me locked up here!" said the child's voice, from
behind, in a pleading tone.
"What's that?" asked the startled old lady.
"What's what?" asked the professor, innocently.
"That child that wants to get out."
"You must have dreamed it, my good lady."
"No, there 'tis agin'," said the old lady, excited.
"It's in the trunk behind you," said the assumed voice, appearing to
proceed from our hero.
"So 'tis," said the old lady, turning halfway round.
"Oh, I shall die! Let me out! Let me out!"
"He's locked up his little girl in the trunk," Harry seemed to say.
"You wicked man, let her out this minute," said the old lady, very much
excited. "Don't you know no better than to lock up a child where she
can't get no air?"
"There is no child in the trunk, I assure you," said Professor
Henderson, politely.
"Don't you believe him," said Harry's voice.
"Do let me out, father!" implored the child's voice
"If you don't open the trunk, I'll have you took up for murder," said
the old lady.
"I will open it to show you are mistaken."
The professor got over the seat, and, opening the trunk, displayed its
contents to the astonished old lady.
"I told you that there was no child there," he said; "but you would not
believe me."
"Le' me out," gasped the old woman. "I'd rather walk. I never heerd of
such strange goin's on afore."
"If you insist upon it, madam, but I'm sorry to lose your company. Take
this with you and read it."
He handed her one of his bills, which she put in her pocket, saying she
couldn't see to read it.
When they were far enough off to make it safe, Harry gave vent to his
mirth, which he had restrained till this at difficulty and laughed long
and loud.
CHAPTER XXVI. PAGES FROM THE PAST
"What will the old lady think of you?" said Harry.
"She will have a very bad opinion till she puts on her specs and read
the bill. That will explain all. I shouldn't be surprised to see her at
my entertainment."
"I wonder if she'll recognize me," said Harry.
"No doubt; as soon as she learns with whom she rode, she'll be very
curious to come and see me perform."
"How old were you when you began to be a ventriloquist?"
"I was eighteen. I accidentally made the discovery, and devoted
considerable time to perfecting myself in it before acquainting anyone
with it. That idea came later. You see when I was twenty-one, with a
little property which I inherited from my uncle, I went into business
for myself; but I was young and inexperienced in management, and the
consequence was, that in about two years I failed. I found it difficult
to get employment as a clerk, business being very dull at the
time. While uncertain what to do, one of my friends, to whom I had
communicated my power, induced me to give me a public entertainment,
combining with it a few tricks of magic, which I had been able to pick
up from books. I succeeded so well my vocation in life became Professor Henderson."
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