Luck and Pluck 24

Luck and Pluck 24

"With that Huxter did look, and when he saw his nose glaring red, he

was pretty well frightened, I can tell you. He had no more suspicion

than his wife that any one had been playing a trick upon him, and he

was afraid that his nose would always be so. He got frightened and went

to bed, and then asked his wife to go for the doctor."

 

"Did the doctor tell him how it was?"

 

"No; he thought it would do him no harm to be frightened a little; so

he lectured him about his habits, but told him that he thought he could

cure him this time by using a warm lotion. It was nothing but warm

water, with something put in to stain the water and make him think it

was something else; but Huxter did not know that, and was very grateful

to the doctor for relieving him.

 

"The fright had such an effect upon him that he didn't drink anything

for a whole week. Then he began again, and got bolder by degrees, till

now he's as bad as ever."

 

"How did you find out how the doctor treated the case?"

 

"Because George Sprague is the doctor's son. The doctor told all about

it at home as a good joke. George heard it all, but never breathed a

word to his father about his being the one that painted Huxter's nose.

The doctor didn't say anything to George, but he looked at him rather

queerly, as if he had some suspicion. It was a good joke,--wasn't it?"

 

"It would have turned out pretty well if it had stopped Mr. Huxter's

drinking."

 

"Nothing will do that. He's a pretty hard case But you mustn't say a

word about what I've been telling you. It would get George and me into

trouble."

 

"No, I won't say anything about it."

 

"Where do you live?"

 

"In Hampton."

 

"Whereabouts is that? Is it far from here?"

 

"About eighty miles, I should think. It lies to the north."

 

"Is it a pleasant place?"

 

"I think so; but then I was born there, you know, and perhaps that is

the reason I think so."

 

"Well, I was born in Jackson, but I don't think much of it. I guess

we'll move away next spring. Father talks of selling his farm. What is

your name?"

 

"My name is John Oakley."

 

"And mine is David Wallace."

 

The boys now felt thoroughly acquainted, and chatted together on a

variety of subjects, such as interest boys. While they were in the

midst of their conversation, they came to a grist-mill.

 

"I must stop here about ten minutes, to leave my grain," said David.

"The village is a mile further on. If you'll wait I'll carry you there

afterwards."

 

"I don't want you to go just on my account," said John.

 

"I am going there any way," said David. "There are better stores at

Milbank than at home, and mother asked me to buy her two or three

things. So you can come as well as not, and ride back too, if you don't

want to stay long."

 

"Thank you, David," said John. "I shall be glad to accept your offer.

It's rather hot walking, and I shan't want to stop but a few minutes.

Shall you go anywhere near the post-office?"

 

"Close by."

 

"I'll just run in there a minute."

 

"Have you got anything else to do?"

 

"No."

 

"You didn't set out to walk just to go to the Milbank post-office, did

you?" asked David, in some surprise.

 

"I had a letter to mail."

 

"Couldn't you mail it at our post-office?"

 

"Yes, I could; but it wouldn't go."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I've a great mind to tell you. You told me one secret, and I'll tell

you another, but on the same condition,--you won't tell anybody?"

 

"I wish I may have my head chopped off if I do," said David, earnestly.

 

John felt sure that he could trust his new acquaintance, though they

had so recently been brought to the knowledge of each other, and he

wanted somebody to confide in. So he gave David Wallace a general idea

of his story, not mentioning, however, the will, as he could see no

advantage in so doing.

 

"So Huxter thinks you don't know anything of his having stopped your

letter?"

 

"I am sure he does not."

 

"It's a good joke on him. He will never think of your coming so far to

mail a letter."

 

Part of this conversation took place after they had left the mill, and

were driving towards Milbank. They were soon in the village. It was a

much larger and pleasanter place than Jackson, and much more important

also, being the county seat, and therefore having a court-house and a

jail. John looked around him with interest, and did not dream how lucky

he was in taking this journey on this particular afternoon.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVIII.

 

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.

 

 

"That is the court-house," said David Wallace, pointing out a brick

building, surmounted by a wooden cupola.

 

John glanced at the building to which his attention was thus called.

He had hardly done so than he started and uttered an exclamation of

surprise.

 

"What's the matter?" demanded David.

 

"Won't you stop the horse?" asked John, hastily. "I want to get out."

 

"What for?"

 

"There's a man I know. I want to speak to him."

 

David stopped the horse, and John sprang to the ground. He hurried to

the gateway of the court-house, by which a gentleman was just entering.

 

"Squire Selwyn!" John called out.

 

Mr. Selwyn, for it was indeed he, turned in surprise, and could hardly

believe his eyes.

 

"John Oakley!" he exclaimed; "is it really you?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"How came you here?"

 

"It is a long story, sir. Can you spare me fifteen minutes? I had

written you a letter, and was just about to post it," said John.

 

"Yes, I will spare you that time. Come into the court-house with me,

and we will find a chance to sit down."

 

"One minute, sir, and I will be with you."

 

John returned to the wagon, and said to the surprised David:--

 

"It is the gentleman to whom I was going to post a letter. I am going

in to have a talk with him. I won't trouble you to stop for me, but I

can walk home. I am very much obliged to you for bringing me so far."

 

"How long will you be?" asked David.

 

"Half an hour perhaps."

 

"I shall be here as long as that. I will go on and do my errands, and

stop here on my way back. Then, if you are through, I will take you

along. You would find it warm walking."

 

"You're very kind, David."

 

"I'd rather have company than not. It makes the time go quicker. So go

ahead. It's all right."

 

David started the horse, and John rejoined the lawyer, who had been

waiting for him.

 

"You say you were just going to post me a letter?" said Squire Selwyn.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Of course you have it with you?"

 

"Here it is."

 

"I will read it. That will be the shortest way of getting at what

you wish to consult me about. After I have read it, I will ask any

questions that seem needful. But first we will come in."

 

They entered the court-house, and went into a room to the left, where

they found seats. Squire Selwyn put on his spectacles, and read the

letter slowly and deliberately.

 

"You are in a difficult position, John," he said, when he had finished

reading. "You are very unpleasantly situated, I should judge."

 

"Very, sir."

 

"And this Mr. Huxter doesn't seem a very agreeable man to have dealings

with?"

 

"I should be very unhappy if I expected to be obliged to stay with him."

 

"You say he is intemp