Chapter 12

Tim here explained why Simmons demanded the money--told how Matthew came to the saloon for him, how they lay in wait for Fred, and the mistake they made in supposing Jacob Simmons to be the latter.

"And he demanded this three hundred dollars as a reward for secrecy?" asked the judge.

"Yes, sir," replied Tim.

Jacob Simmons' face was scarlet. Every one looked at him contemptuously, while he had to endure the cutting glances without a shield.

Right here Mr. Ham read the paper that Nellie Dutton had found, as evidence to substantiate Tim's statement.

"Why did Matthew De Vere wish to waylay Fred Worthington?" asked Judge Plummer thoughtfully, as if to get at the bottom of the facts.

"He said he wanted to get square with him."

"Is that all?"

"That and to teach him not to interfere with him."

"How had Fred interfered with him?"

"I don't know that, but I am sure Matthew did everything he could to injure him."

"Did he do more than attempt to waylay him?"

"Yes, he played friendship with Fred and got the bartender to drug him, and that was what made him drunk that time when everybody talked about him."

Now every one looked at Fred, but these were congratulatory glances, with a bit of hero worship about them.

Mr. Farrington and Dr. Dutton, who sat near Fred, leaned over and congratulated him with a warm grasp of the hand.

Every cloud that had hovered over our young friend was now swept away--every mystery was at last explained, and he stood triumphant over all opponents, the hero of the village--much stronger and far more popular than if he had never been _under fire_. He was tried and not found wanting in the qualities that go to make a strong man with a noble character.

In answer to further questions of the judge, Tim stated that they knew of no legitimate way to raise the money, as Matthew did not dare speak to his father about it; that they were forced to do something, believing Jacob Simmons would have them arrested if they failed to produce the amount demanded.

He further stated that Matthew and he were driven almost crazy by these repeated demands from Simmons, and committed the robbery without realizing what they were doing.

They burned the store, he said, to cover their theft. All the money found he claimed was given to Mr. Simmons, together with some articles that would not excite suspicion. Among the latter was the knife Fred discovered in Jacob's possession, and which led to the detection of the guilty parties.

"Did you give Jacob Simmons all the goods you took from the store?" asked the judge.

"No, sir. We were afraid he would suspect us, so we gave him only a few things besides the money," answered Tim. "We hid the other things in the pine grove."

"Are they there yet?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then you didn't make up the full three hundred dollars for Jacob Simmons?"

"No; but Matthew promised to pay him the balance, so he agreed to do nothing further."

It could not be shown that Jacob Simmons had directly incited the boys to commit the robbery, though he was unquestionably the cause of it. Neither could it be proved that he had knowingly received stolen goods.

The narrative of the legal proceedings would be entirely out of the design of this story. I will therefore state merely the final results.

In view of the fact that Tim Short confessed his guilt, and that he was the tool of Matthew De Vere, he was saved from going to prison, and was sent instead to serve three years in the State reform school, where he was compelled to learn a trade, and to conform to a rigid disciplinary system.

Jacob Simmons was found guilty of blackmail, and was sentenced to one year at hard labor in the State prison, in addition to a fine of three hundred dollars.

But where was Matthew De Vere all this time?

Among those who congratulated Fred, none did so with more sincerity than did Nellie Dutton, and the flattering remarks made about him by the entire village were very gratifying to her.

As she and Fred talked over the trying events of the preceding months, she remarked that she had learned to esteem him more highly than ever.

"To hear you say that, Nellie," said he gratefully, "more than repays me for all I have suffered from Matthew De Vere's malice."

"I am glad, then, that we are such good friends," said Nellie thoughtfully.

"Yes, even better than in the old days, are we not?" said Fred, almost affectionately.

"We know each other better, I think," answered Nellie. Then she went to the piano, and, playing her own accompaniment, she sang with unusual effect one of Fred's favorite songs.

A few days after the trial Fred received a note from Mr. De Vere, asking him to come to the bank. Obtaining permission to leave the mill Fred started off. He found the bank president looking worn and anxious. Mr. De Vere greeted him kindly, and said:

"Fred, I have sent for you to offer you a position. Would you like to become a banker?"

Fred was thoroughly surprised at such a proposition. "I can hardly realize that such an opportunity is before me," he said. "I thank you sincerely, Mr. De Vere, but I can't understand why you should offer it to me when there are so many others better fitted for it."

"There are two reasons, my boy. First, I owe you some recompense for all the injury and injustice Matthew has done you. I cannot believe he foresaw all that would follow his first petty revenge, but was forced on, step by step, by a wicked man. But the injury to you was the same, and my wife and daughter join me in feeling that we owe you this reparation."

"Do not think of such a thing, Mr. De Vere. You are not responsible, and I would not think of accepting a position on that account."

Mr. De Vere handed Fred a letter.

"Read this," he said.

The letter was from Matthew, headed "Chicago." It contained a full confession of his crime, and gave all the circumstances that led up to it. He begged his parents and sister to forgive him. Upon this point he said:

Oh, if you only knew what I have suffered, and am still suffering, on account of my foolish and wicked acts, I think you would have charity for me.

How I would like to see you all--my dear home, and my own pretty room. If only I could fall on my knees before you and mother, and with true penitent tears wipe out the past, how gladly I would do so. But this, I realize, is forbidden me. I have forfeited my home, my parents, my reputation, my native State even, and all to gratify a petty grudge. I wish you would see Fred Worthington and tell him how I have wronged him, and ask him if he can forgive me. He has won the contest while I am ruined--ruined so far as my old life goes--but now, my dear father and mother, I have commenced a new career.

I have told Cousin Henry everything about the past and he has helped me plan for the future. He has furnished me some money and I shall start tomorrow for one of the Territories, where I shall commence life for myself.

I shall work and be a man in all that is honorable and right. I feel ten years older than I did a few months ago. I have taken some books with me to study.

The first money I earn shall go to Mr. Rexford, in payment for his loss by my hands. He shall lose nothing if I live long enough to earn the money due him. I wish you would protect Tim Short so far as possible. I alone am responsible for his connection with the robbery.

In writing to me, if I may so far expect your forgiveness, please address me in care of Cousin Henry and he will forward to me. I will write to you as soon as I get located, and tell you all my plans.

After writing at some length upon family matters, Matthew closed his letter by again appealing to his parents and sister for forgiveness, and by assuring them of his love.

Fred returned the letter to Mr. De Vere, feeling deeply touched and profoundly sorry for Matthew.

"Tell him," said he, "that he has my forgiveness in full, and that I wish him prosperity in his new life."

"Thank you, Fred, for your generosity. He is my boy still, and is dear to me, though he has done wrong. But," he continued, with moist eyes, "he is lost to me now--lost so far as all my plans for his future went; and now, Fred, I want you to take his place. I had designed to put him into the bank next year, and to give him a thorough training; but as he has gone and cannot return, I want you to take the position."

"I thank you sincerely for this offer, Mr. De Vere. I should certainly like such a position, but the fear that you offer it to me as a recompense causes me to hesitate about accepting it."

"Do not hesitate on that ground, my boy. I have heard from Dr. Dutton, one of our directors, from Mr. Rexford and others, that you are in all respects better qualified for the position than any other young man in town. The salary for the first year will be five hundred. After that you will be advanced. Will you accept?"

"Yes, I will accept, with many, many thanks," replied Fred gratefully.

He immediately returned to the factory and told Mr. Farrington of his good fortune. The latter congratulated him, "and yet," said he, "I am rather sorry, for I had designed to take you up to this department and teach you the entire business; however, I will gladly let you go, believing as I do that your new position is an exceptionally fine one for a boy of your age."

"I thank you a thousand times, Mr. Farrington, for your willingness to let me off and for all your kindness to me. Now I know the value of a good friend. If it had not been for your kindness and assistance, when none spoke well of me, I might not have established my innocence. As it is, through your help I have gained everything."

On leaving Mr. Farrington, Fred went to Mr. Rexford and told him he should be obliged to give up the idea of taking his old position as clerk, and after explaining why, told him he wanted him to do him a favor by giving little Carl a position in his store at a fair salary, and to arrange his duties so that he would have only light work to do.

The merchant agreed to do this. In fact, he would have done almost anything for Fred, for he felt under many obligations to him.

Fred was very happy over the bright prospects for his little crippled friend, as it had been his own privilege to help him.

Fred's promotion to the bank created a sensation in the village, and he was looked upon as the luckiest person in town. It is safe to believe that Nellie Dutton rejoiced in Fred's good fortune far more than she was willing for any one to suspect. As time rolled on they were often seen together, and seemed like brother and sister.

That they were happy in each other's society there could be no doubt. Her influence upon him refined his manners and elevated his tastes, while associating with him was quite as beneficial to her in gaining broader ideas and contracting the habit of thinking and reasoning after the fashion of men.

The last time I saw them was on a beautiful evening in June. Dave Farrington and I were returning home from a trouting expedition. We were upon an elevated plain, where we could survey the surrounding country. Nature seemed at her best, and this was one of her choicest scenes. The rich green stretching everywhere before the eye was only broken by the white and pink blossoms of fruit trees and shrubbery. The sun was sinking behind a distant mountain which threw its shadow upon the landscape about us, and rich, golden hues spread out over the entire western horizon.

"A charming scene," remarked Dave, with true admiration.

"It is indeed," said I; "but here is beauty far more attractive."

Dave turned, and beholding Fred and Nellie close upon us, replied:

"You are right. I never saw her look so pretty."

They were taking an evening drive with a handsome bay horse and high carriage. The top was tipped back, and they appeared to be enjoying the scene that had engrossed our own attention.

Nellie was clad in a light summer dress, with a pale blue sash which matched the trimming of her jaunty hat. Never until then had I realized that she was so handsome. With fair complexion and glowing cheeks, she presented a picture for an old master, as she talked and laughed merrily.

We raised our hats as they passed by, and soon they were beyond our view.

"Dave," said I, "there is a glimpse of what life should be. It is a sweet picture. Why, I wonder, do boys go to destruction by visiting iniquitous dens, by keeping low and vulgar company, by drinking, smoking, and gambling, when they might follow Fred's example, and be as refined, respected, and supremely happy as he now seems to be?"

THE END.

+-----------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Note: | | | | Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the | | original document have been preserved. | | | | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | | | | Page 62 crytallized changed to crystallized | | Page 67 Ill changed to I'll | | Page 109 VI. changed to XV. | | Page 153 to changed to too | | Page 190 accidently changed to accidentally | | Page 236 removed extra too far. | +-----------------------------------------------+