Mark the Match Boy or Richard Hunter's Ward — Ch. 23-24

WHO WAS THE THIEF?

When Roswell rose the next morning he felt cross and out of sorts.

His head still ached a little, and he wished he were not obliged to go to the store.

But it was out of the question to remain at home, so he started about half an hour after the usual time, and of course arrived late.

"You are late this morning," said Mr. Baker.

"You must be more particular about being here in good season."

Roswell muttered something about not feeling quite well.

Putting his hand into his pocket by chance, his fingers came in contact with the key which he had made to open the cash drawer.

Just as he was passing Mark, he drew it out and let it drop into the side-pocket of his jacket.

So, if suspicion were excited, the key would be found on Mark, not on him.

The critical moment came sooner than he had anticipated.

A Mr. Gay, one of the regular customers of the bookstore, entered a few minutes later.

"Good-morning, Mr. Baker," he said.

"Have you got a 'Tribune' this morning?"

"Yes, here is one.

By the way, you are just the man I wanted to see."

"Indeed, I feel complimented."

"Wait till you hear what I am going to say.

You bought a copy of 'Corinne' here on Monday?"

"Yes."

"And handed me a five-dollar bill on the Park Bank?"

"Yes."

"Well, I find the bill was a skilfully executed counterfeit."

"Indeed!

I didn't examine it very closely.

But I know where I took it, and will give you a good bill in exchange for it."

"I locked it up lest it should get out," said Mr. Baker.

He went to the drawer which Roswell had opened.

Roswell listened to this conversation with dismay.

He realized that he was in a tight place, for it was undoubtedly the five-dollar counterfeit which he had taken, and paid to the Secretary of the Madison Club.

He awaited nervously the result of Mr. Baker's examination.

"Don't you find it?"

asked Mr. Gay.

"It is very strange," said Mr. Baker.

"I placed it at the top of a pile of bills, and now it is gone."

"Look through the pile.

Perhaps your memory is at fault," said Mr. Gay.

Mr. Baker did so.

"No," he said, "the bill has disappeared."

"Do you miss anything else?"

"No. The money is just five dollars short."

"Perhaps you forget yourself, and paid it away to a customer."

"Impossible; I always make change out of this drawer."

"Well, when you find it, I will make it right.

I am in a hurry this morning."

Mr. Gay went out.

"Has any one been to this drawer?"

inquired Mr. Baker, abruptly.

"You always keep it locked,--do you not?"

said Mr. Jones.

"And keep the key myself.

Yes."

"Then I don't see how it could have been opened."

"There was nothing peculiar about the lock.

There might easily be another key to fit it."

"I hope you don't suspect me, Mr. Baker?"

"No, Mr. Jones, you have been with me five years, and I have perfect confidence in you."

"Thank you, sir."

"I hope you don't suspect me, sir," said Roswell, boldly.

"I am willing to turn my pockets inside-out, to show that I have no key that will fit the lock."

"Very well.

You may do so."

Roswell turned his pockets inside-out, but of course no key was found.

"How lucky I got rid of it!"

he thought.

"Now it's your turn, Mark," he said.

"I'm perfectly willing," said Mark, promptly.

He put his hand into his pocket, and, to his unutterable astonishment and dismay, drew out a key.

"I didn't know I had this in my pocket," he said, startled.

"Hand me that key," said Mr. Baker, sternly.

Mark handed it to him mechanically.

Mr. Baker went behind the counter, and fitted the key in the lock.

It proved to open the drawer with ease.

"Where did you get this key?"

he said.

"I didn't know I had it, sir," said Mark, earnestly.

"I hope you will believe me."

"I don't understand how you can hope anything of the kind.

It seems very clear that you have been at my drawer, and taken the missing money.

When did you take it?"

"I have never opened the drawer, nor taken your money," said Mark, in a firm voice, though his cheek was pale, and his look was troubled.

"I am sorry to say that I do not believe you," said Mr. Baker, coldly.

"Once more, when did you take the five dollars?"

"I did not take it at all, sir."

"Have you lent the key to any one?"

"No, sir.

I did not know I had it."

"I don't know what to do in the matter," said the bookseller, turning to Mr. Jones, his assistant.

"It seems clear to me that the boy took the missing bill."

"I am afraid so," said Jones, who was a kind-hearted man, and pitied Mark.

"But I don't know when he could have had the chance.

He is never left alone in the store."

"Roswell," said Mr. Baker, "have you left Mark alone in the store at any time within two or three days?"

Roswell saw the point of the inquiry, and determined, as a measure of safety, to add falsehood to his former offence.

"Yes, sir," he said, in an apologetic tone, "I left him in the store for two or three minutes yesterday."

"Why did you leave him?

Did you go out of the store?"

"Yes, sir.

A friend was passing, and I went out to speak to him.

I

don't think I stayed more than two or three minutes."

"And Mark was left alone in the store?"

"Yes, sir.

I had no idea that any harm would come of it."

Mark looked intently at Roswell when he uttered this falsehood.

"You had better confess, Mark, that you took the money when Roswell was out of the store," said his employer.

"If you make a full confession, I will be as lenient with you as I can, considering your youth."

"Mr. Baker," said Mark, quietly, more at his ease now, since he began to understand that there was a plot against him, "I cannot confess what is not true.

I don't know what Roswell means by what he has just said, but I was not left alone in the store for a moment all day yesterday, nor did Roswell go out to speak to a friend while I was about."

"There seems to be a conflict of evidence here," said Mr. Baker.

"I hope the word of a gentleman's son is worth more than that of a match boy," said Roswell, haughtily.

"To whom do you refer, when you speak of a match boy?"

"To _him_," said Roswell, pointing to Mark.

"He used to be a vagabond boy about the streets selling matches, and sleeping anywhere he could.

No wonder he steals."

"I never stole in my life," said Mark, indignantly.

"It is true that I sold matches about the streets, and I should have been doing it now, if it had not been for my meeting with kind friends."

"As to his having been a match boy, that has no bearing upon the question," said Mr. Baker.

"It is the discovery of the key in his pocket that throws the gravest suspicion upon him.

I must see his friends, and inquire into the matter."

"Of course they will stand by him," said Roswell.

"We may get some light thrown upon his possession of the key, at any rate, and can judge for ourselves."

"I shall keep you employed until this matter is investigated," said Mr. Baker to Mark.

"Here is a parcel of books to be carried to Twenty-Seventh Street.

Come back as soon as they are delivered."

Mark went out with a heavy heart, for it troubled him to think he was under suspicion.

Theft, too, he had always despised.

He wondered if Richard Hunter would believe him guilty.

He could not bear to think that so kind a friend should think so ill of him.

But Mark's vindication was not long in coming.

He had been out scarcely ten minutes when Roswell, on looking up, saw to his dismay Tracy, the secretary of the Madison Club, entering the store.

His heart misgave him as to the nature of the business on which he had probably come.

He went forward hastily to meet him.

"How are you, Crawford?"

said Tracy.

"Pretty well.

I am very busy now.

I will see you, after the store closes, anywhere you please."

"Oh," said Tracy, in a voice loud enough for Mr. Baker to hear, "it won't take a minute.

The bill you gave me last night was a bad one.

Of course you didn't know it."

Roswell turned red and pale, and hoped Mr. Baker did not hear.

But Mr. Baker had caught the words, and came forward.

"Show me the bill, if you please, young gentleman," he said.

"I have a good reason for asking."

"Certainly, sir," said Tracy, rather surprised.

"Here it is."

A moment's glance satisfied Mr. Baker that it was the missing bill.

"Did Roswell pay you this bill?"

he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"For what did he owe it?"

"I am the secretary of the Madison Club, and this was paid as the entrance fee."

"I recognize the bill," said Mr. Baker.

"I will take it, if you please, and you can look to him for another."

"Very well," said Tracy, puzzled by the words, the motive of which he did not understand.

"Perhaps you will explain this," said Mr. Baker, turning to Roswell.

"It seems that you took this bill."

Roswell's confidence deserted him, and he stood pale and downcast.

"The key I presume, belonged to you."

"Yes, sir," he ejaculated, with difficulty.

"And you dropped it into Mark's pocket,--thus meanly trying to implicate him in a theft which you had yourself committed."

Roswell was silent.

"Have you taken money before?"

"I never opened the drawer but once."

"That was not my question.

Make a full confession, and I will not have you arrested, but shall require you to make restitution of all the sums you have stolen.

I shall not include this bill, as it is now returned to my possession.

Here is a piece of paper.

Write down the items."

Roswell did so.

They footed up a little over six dollars.

Mr. Baker examined it.

"Is this all?"

he said.

"Yes, sir."

"Half a week's wages are due you, I will therefore deduct three dollars from this amount.

The remainder I shall expect you to refund.

I shall have no further occasion for your services."

Roswell took his cap, and was about to leave the store.

"Wait a few minutes.

You have tried to implicate Mark in your theft.

You must wait till his return, and apologize to him for what you have attempted to do."

"Must I do this?"

asked Roswell, ruefully.

"You must," said Mr. Baker, firmly.

When Mark came in, and was told how he had been cleared of suspicion, he felt very happy.

Roswell made the apology dictated to him, with a very bad grace, and then was permitted to leave the store.

At home he tried to hide the circumstances attending his discharge from his mother and his cousin; but the necessity of refunding the money made that impossible.

It was only a few days afterwards that Mrs. Crawford received a letter, informing her of the death of a brother in Illinois, and that he had left her a small house and farm.

She had found it so hard a struggle for a livelihood in the city, that she decided to remove thither, greatly to Roswell's disgust, who did not wish to be immured in the country.

But his wishes could not be gratified, and, sulky and discontented, he was obliged to leave the choice society of the Madison Club, and the attractions of New York, for the quiet of a country town.

Let us hope that, away from the influences of the city, his character may be improved, and become more manly and self-reliant.

It is only just to say that he was led to appropriate what did not belong to him, by the desire to gratify his vanity, and through the influence of a bad adviser.

If he can ever forget that he is "the son of a gentleman," I shall have some hopes for him.

CHAPTER XXIV. AN EXCURSION TO FORT HAMILTON.

Towards the close of May there was a general holiday, occasioned by the arrival of a distinguished stranger in the city.

All the stores were to be closed, there was to be a turnout of the military, and a long procession.

Among those released from duty were our three friends, Fosdick, Richard Hunter, and his ward Mark.

"Well, Dick, what are you going to do to-morrow?"

inquired Fosdick, on the evening previous.

"I was expecting an invitation to ride in a barouche with the mayor," said Richard; "but probably he forgot my address and couldn't send it.

On the whole I'm glad of it, being rather bashful and not used to popular enthusiasm."

"Shall you go out and see the procession?"

continued Fosdick.

"No," said Dick; "I have been thinking of another plan, which I think will be pleasanter."

"What is it?"

"It's a good while since we took an excursion.

Suppose we go to Fort Hamilton to-morrow."

"I should like that," said Fosdick.

"I was never there.

How do we get there?"

"Cross over Fulton Ferry to Brooklyn, and there we might take the cars to Fort Hamilton.

It's seven or eight miles out there."

"Why do you say 'might' take the cars?"

"Because the cars will be crowded with excursionists, and I have been thinking we might hire a carriage on the Brooklyn side, and ride out there in style.

It'll cost more money, but we don't often take a holiday, and we can afford it for once.

What you do say, Mark?"

"Do you mean me to go?"

asked Mark, eagerly.

"Of course I do.

Do you think your guardian would trust you to remain in the city alone?"

"I go in for your plan, Dick," said Fosdick.

"What time do you want to start?"

"About half-past nine o'clock.

That will give us plenty of time to go.

Then, after exploring the fort, we can get dinner at the hotel, and drive where we please afterwards.

I suppose there is sea-bathing near by."

Dick's idea was unanimously approved, and by no one more than by Mark.

Holidays had been few and far between with him, and he anticipated the excursion with the most eager delight.

He was only afraid that the weather would prove unpropitious.

He was up at four, looking out of the window; but the skies were clear, and soon the sun came out with full radiance, dissipating the night-shadows, and promising a glorious day.

Breakfast was later than usual, as people like to indulge themselves in a little longer sleep on Sundays and holidays; but it was over by half-past eight, and within a few minutes from that time the three had taken the cars to Fulton Ferry.

In about half an hour the ferry was reached, and, passing through, the party went on board the boat.

They had scarcely done so, when an exclamation of surprise was heard, proceeding from feminine lips, and Dick heard himself called by name.

"Why, Mr. Hunter, this is an unexpected pleasure.

I am _so_ glad to have met you."

Turning his head, Dick recognized Mr. and Mrs. Clifton.

Both had been fellow-boarders with him in Bleecker Street.

The latter will be remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune" as Miss Peyton.

When close upon the verge of old-maidenhood she had been married, for the sake of a few thousand dollars which she possessed, by Mr. Clifton, a clerk on a small salary, in constant pecuniary difficulties.

With a portion of his wife's money he had purchased a partnership in a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue; but the remainder of her money Mrs. Clifton had been prudent enough to have settled upon herself.

Mrs. Clifton still wore the same ringlets, and exhibited the same youthful vivacity which had characterized her when an inmate of Mrs. Browning's boarding-house, and only owned to being twenty-four, though she looked full ten years older.

"How d'e do, Hunter?"

drawled Mr. Clifton, upon whose arm his wife was leaning.

"Very well, thank you," said Dick.

"I see Mrs. Clifton is as fascinating as ever."

"O you wicked flatterer!"

said Mrs. Clifton, shaking her ringlets, and tapping Dick on the shoulder with her fan.

"And here is Mr. Fosdick too, I declare.

How do you do, Mr. Fosdick?"

"Quite well, thank you, Mrs. Clifton."

"I declare I've a great mind to scold you for not coming round to see us.

I should so much like to hear you sing again."

"My friend hasn't sung since your marriage, Mrs. Clifton," said Dick.

"He took it very much to heart.

I don't think he has forgiven Clifton yet for cutting him out."

"Mr. Hunter is speaking for himself," said Fosdick, smiling.

"He has sung as little as I have."

"Yes, but for another reason," said Dick.

"I did not think it right to run the risk of driving away the boarders; so, out of regard to my landlady, I repressed my natural tendency to warble."

"I see you're just as bad as ever," said Mrs. Clifton, in excellent spirits.

"But really you must come round and see us.

We are boarding in West Sixteenth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues."

"If your husband will promise not to be jealous," said Dick.

"I'm not subject to that complaint," said Clifton, coolly.

"Got a cigar about you, Hunter?"

"No. I don't smoke."

"No, don't you though?

I couldn't get along without it.

It's my great comfort."

"Yes, he's always smoking," said Mrs. Clifton, with some asperity.

"Our rooms are so full of tobacco smoke, that I don't know but some of my friends will begin to think I smoke myself."

"A man must have some pleasure," said Clifton, not appearing to be much discomposed by his wife's remarks.

It may be mentioned that although Mrs. Clifton was always gay and vivacious in company, there were times when she could display considerable ill-temper, as her husband frequently had occasion to know.

Among the sources of difficulty and disagreement was that portion of Mrs. Clifton's fortune which had been settled upon herself, and of which she was never willing to allow her husband the use of a single dollar.

In this, however, she had some justification, as he was naturally a spendthrift, and, if placed in his hands, it would soon have melted away.

"Where are you going, Mr. Hunter?"

inquired Mrs. Clifton, after a pause.

"Fosdick and I have planned to take a carriage and ride to Fort Hamilton."

"Delightful!"

said Mrs. Clifton.

"Why can't we go too, Mr. Clifton?"

"Why, to tell the plain truth," said her husband, "I haven't got money enough with me.

If you'll pay for the carriage, I'm willing to go."

Mrs. Clifton hesitated.

She had money enough with her, but was not inclined to spend it.

Still the prospect of making a joint excursion with Richard Hunter and Fosdick was attractive, and she inquired:-- "How much will it cost?"

"About five dollars probably."

"Then I think we'll go," she said, "that is, if our company would not be disagreeable to Mr. Hunter."

"On the contrary," said Dick.

"We will get separate carriages, but I will invite you both to dine with us after visiting the fort."

Mr. Clifton brightened up at this, and straightway became more social and cheerful.

"Mrs. Clifton," said Richard Hunter, "I believe I haven't yet introduced you to my ward."

"Is that your ward?"

inquired the lady, looking towards Mark.

"What is his name?"

"Mark Manton."

"How do you like your guardian?"

inquired Mrs. Clifton.