Luck and Pluck 17

Luck and Pluck 17

John took his cap and books, and Squire Selwyn accompanied him to the

door of the office. As they stood on the threshold, an open wagon drove

by. Both looked up simultaneously, and an __EXPRESSION__ of vexation swept

over the lawyer's face as he recognized Mrs. Oakley and her brother.

Mrs. Oakley's eye lighted up as it rested upon John.

 

"He is getting dangerous," she thought. "It is well I am going to be

rid of him."

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XII.

 

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.

 

 

John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw

from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer. He anticipated that it

would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater

coldness and harshness than ever. It was with considerable surprise,

therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received

a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother. She made no allusion to

having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or

three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between

them were perfectly cordial. Ben glanced at his mother once or twice in

surprise, for she had not seen fit to take him into her confidence, and

he did not understand what this sudden cordiality meant. John, who had

usually been excluded from any share in the conversation, was not only

surprised, but pleased, and hoped that the change would be permanent.

His resentment was not lasting, and he was prepared to respond to his

stepmother's advances. Mr. Huxter's conduct puzzled him a little. That

gentleman seemed disposed to be quite affable and social.

 

"I hope, Mr. Oakley, you and Benjamin will some time favor me with a

visit at my humble home. I cannot promise you as good accommodations as

you have at home, but I shall be very glad to see you--very."

 

"Thank you, sir," said John.

 

Ben, who was not remarkable for politeness, did not deign a word in

reply to his uncle's invitation.

 

In spite of Mr. Huxter's not very prepossessing exterior John began

to think him quite a pleasant man, and felt obliged to him for his

invitation, though he felt no particular desire to accept it.

 

After supper was over, Mr. Huxter turned to John:--

 

"I am going out on the door-step to smoke my pipe. I suppose you don't

smoke?"

 

"No, sir," said John.

 

"I was going to ask you to join me; but of course you don't smoke. It

isn't good for boys. Do you smoke, Ben?"

 

"I don't smoke a _pipe_," said Ben, glancing with some disgust at the

clay pipe, the bowl of which his uncle was filling.

 

"I suppose you, being a young gentleman, smoke cigars. They are more

aristocratic. But I'm a poor man, and I can't afford them. Well, if

you'll get your cigar, we'll have a social smoke together."

 

"I've got an engagement," said Ben, not very graciously, and, putting

on his hat, he stalked off.

 

"He's an impudent puppy," said Mr. Huxter to himself. "I wish I had the

training of him for a little while. But I must put up with his insults,

or lose all hope of help from my sister."

 

"Come home early, Benjamin," said his mother.

 

"Oh, you needn't sit up for me. You go to bed so precious early it

doesn't give me any evening at all."

 

Mrs. Oakley followed him with her eyes a little uneasily. While Mr.

Oakley was alive Ben kept pretty straight, for he stood somewhat in

awe of his stepfather; but since his death he had shown a disposition

to have his own way, and his mother's wishes weighed very little with

him. She could not help feeling that the boy in whom her dearest hopes

centred, and for whom she was willing even to wrong another, manifested

very little gratitude for her devotion to him. John, whom she charged

with lack of respect, treated her at all times much more respectfully

than her own son. But Mrs. Oakley was prejudiced, and would not see

this. She shut her eyes alike to John's merits and Ben's faults, and

the latter took his own way, spending the evening in the bar-room and

billiard saloon, and learning much that he ought not to have learned.

 

About half-past nine in the evening, when John was studying his lesson

in "Xenophon's Anabasis," he heard a low knock at the door. Supposing

it to be one of the servants, he said, carelessly, "Come in!"

 

Looking up, as the door opened, he was not a little surprised at the

entrance of his stepmother. With the instincts of a young gentleman, he

rose hastily, and, drawing a chair, said:--

 

"Won't you sit down, Mrs. Oakley?"

 

"Thank you, John," said his stepmother; "I will sit down a moment. You

are studying, I suppose."

 

"Yes, I was preparing my Greek lesson for to-morrow."

 

John tried not to look surprised, but he wondered very much what should

have led to a call from Mrs. Oakley, especially at so late an hour.

 

"You are getting on well in your studies, I have no doubt."

 

"Thank you. So my teacher says."

 

"I am glad to hear it. I am afraid it will be an interruption for you

to be absent from school a few days."

 

"Yes, it would be an interruption; but if you wish it, I could try to

make it up afterwards."

 

"I came to ask a favor of that kind."

 

"Does she want me to work on the farm?" thought John, puzzled.

 

But he was not long kept in doubt.

 

"My brother, who is now stopping here, leaves for home to-morrow

morning," proceeded Mrs. Oakley. "There's a little business I want

attended to, which makes it desirable that some one should go back with

him. I might send Ben, but I don't think he would answer the purpose.

So I have thought of you."

 

"Does Mr. Huxter go to-morrow morning?" asked John.

 

"He has just decided to do so. That, I am aware, gives you but short

notice," said Mrs. Oakley.

 

"Shall I need to be away long?"

 

"A few days at least. Have you a carpet-bag?"

 

"A small one."

 

"That will answer. You can put in a couple of shirts, some collars,

stockings, and handkerchiefs."

 

"How shall I know what to do?"

 

"My brother will give you all the needful information. And now,

good-night. We shall breakfast at six, in order to be in time for the

stage."

 

"Very well, I will be ready."

 

Mrs. Oakley left the room, and went downstairs, leaving John

considerably puzzled by what had happened. He was sorry to be kept from

school for a few days even, for he was at the head of his class both in

Greek and Latin, and would lose his standing temporarily at least. But

it was characteristic of him to be obliging, even at the cost of some

self-sacrifice, and therefore he had made no opposition to the wishes

of his stepmother, though it did occur to him that, as Ben neither

attended school nor did anything else except amuse himself, he might

have executed his mother's commission. However, John knew enough of

Ben's disobliging disposition to suspect that he had been applied to

and refused, especially as he could see that he had no great affection

for his uncle. Of course he could have no suspicion of the trap which

Mrs. Oakley had artfully laid for him, and that the few days' absence

were intended by her to extend to months and possibly years.

 

"If I am going early to-morrow morning," thought John, "I may as well

stop studying and pack my carpet-bag. I wish I had asked Mrs. Oakley

where her brother lives."

 

John closed his "Anabasis," and found his carpet-bag. Into it he put

whatever he thought would be needed in a week's absence. He did not

suppose he should be away longer than that.

 

"If it were not so late," he thought, "I would run over and tell Sam

that I am to be away for a few days. He will be surprised when he don't

see me at school."

 

But it was too late, for the village clock just then struck ten, and as

he must be up early, John felt that the best thing he could do was to

go to bed and get a good night's sleep, to prepare him for the fatigues

of the succeeding day.

 

After a sound and refreshing night's sleep, John went downstairs the

next morning, with his carpet-bag in his hand. The table was spread for

breakfast, and Mr. Huxter and Mrs. Oakley had already taken their seats.

 

"Good-morning, John," said Mrs. Oakley; "you are just in time. Are you

all ready to go?"

 

"Yes," said John.

 

"Then sit down to breakfast, for the stage will be here very soon."

 

"So I am to have the pleasure of your company, Mr. Oakley?" said Mr.

Huxter. "I did not anticipate that I should so soon receive a visit

from you when I invited you yesterday to my humble home."

 

"In what town do you live, Mr. Huxter?" asked John.

 

"Well, folks call it Hardscrabble," said Mr. Huxter, with a laugh.

 

"Is it far away?"

 

"We'll get there to-night if nothing happens," said Mr. Huxter.