Dave Porter in the Far North/Chapter 14
CHAPTER XIV
GOOD-BYE TO OAK HALL
"I'll wager Merwell is the maddest boy Oak Hall ever saw!" said Shadow, when the excitement had subsided.
"Poole is a sneak, and no mistake," said Sam. "I wonder if he'll go and tell old Haskers or Doctor Clay?"
"He won't dare—for he is afraid we will tell about the fire-crackers," answered Dave. "Yes, he is a sneak."
"I don't see, now, how I could ever make a friend of him," declared Gus Plum. "Now, in one way, I like Merwell—he's a fighter and he doesn't care who knows it."
"Yes, but he's got a wicked temper," observed Roger. "He reminds me of Nick Jasniff. They would make a team."
"Where did he come from, anyway?" questioned Messmer.
"From some ranch out West. His father is a big cattle-owner. He is used to life in the open air, and one of the fellows says he can ride like the wind."
"We must watch him," declared Phil.
"I can't do that—since I am going away," answered Dave. "I'll have to leave you chaps to fight it out."
"Do you think they'll come back or send Haskers?" asked Buster Beggs.
"It might be wise to leave this spot," answered Phil. "There are plenty of places we can go to."
It was decided to move, and several baskets which had been stored away in the bushes were brought forth.
"I've got an idea!" cried Henshaw. "Let us go to that old barn on the Baggot place. Nobody will disturb us there."
"I want to fix up my burns first," said Roger.
"So do I," said Ben. "Come on to the Hall—we can join the crowd later."
So it was arranged, and while the senator's son and Ben went off in one direction the remaining members of the Gee Eyes took another, which led them over a small hill and through an old apple orchard.
The Baggot place had not been used for several years. The house was nailed up, but the big barn stood wide open and had often been the resort of tramps. But during the hunt for the robber. Pud Frodel, and his tool, all the tramps had been rounded up and driven away.
Several of the students had brought their pumpkin lanterns with them, and these were hung up on convenient nails.
"Say, a small stove wouldn't go bad," suggested Messmer. "It's mighty cold in here."
"Let us settle down in some hay," suggested Phil. "That will keep us warm, especially if we shut the doors and windows tight."
The baskets which had been brought along were filled with good things, and these were speedily passed around. The boys fell to eating with avidity, for the adventures of the evening had made them hungry. Then Dave was called upon for a speech.
"I hardly know what to say, fellow-students," he began, after a cheering and hand-clapping. "You have treated me royally to-night, and I do not intend to forget your kindness. I am sorry that I am going to leave you, but you all know what is taking me away"
"We do, and we hope you'll find your folks," put in Phil.
"So say we all of us!" sang out Henshaw.
"If I am successful in my search perhaps I'll return to Oak Hall before a great while," continued Dave. "In the meantime I trust you all have good times, and that you may have no more trouble with our enemies. More than this, as I expect to be away during the holidays, I wish each one a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"
As Dave concluded there was a round of applause, and the club members drank his health in lemon soda and sarsaparilla. Then some nuts and raisins were passed around, and all prepared to return to Oak Hall.
"We've got to go in quietly, or else there may be trouble," said Phil. "Remember, we don't know what Merwell and Poole will do."
There was no trouble, however, for which Dave was thankful, since he wished to leave the Hall with a clean record. As soon as he reached his dormitory he went to bed, and so did the other occupants of the apartment. And thus his schooldays, for the time being, came to an end.
He was up bright and early and by nine o'clock was ready to enter the sleigh that was to take him to Oakdale station. The boys gathered around to see him off.
"I wish I was going with you," said Phil. "You must write me regularly."
"Til do that, Phil. And you must tell me all about what happens here."
"Remember, Dave, Pll join you if I possibly can," said Roger. "Let me know where I can telegraph or telephone you."
"Sure, Roger, and if you can join me I'll like it first-rate."
An hour lated Dave was on the train and speeding towards Crumville. He had sent word ahead when he would arrive, and at the station he found the Wadsworth sleigh, with Caspar Potts and Jessie Wadsworth awaiting him. The old professor looked hale and hearty, although his form was slightly bent and his hair was gray and white. Jessie, round-cheeked and rosy, was the picture of health and beauty.
"There he is! There's Dave!" cried the miss, and leaped to the sidewalk to shake hands.
"Why, how tall you are getting, Jessie," said the boy, and then blushed, for the handshake she gave him was a very cordial one. "How do you do. Professor?" And he shook hands with the man who had done so much for him in his younger years.
"I am very well indeed, Dave," answered Professor Potts. "Will you sit up here by me, or with Miss Jessie?"
"Dave must come in with me," said Jessie, promptly.
"Did my Uncle Dunston come?" questioned the boy, looking around, for he had fully expected to see his relative.
"No, he has a touch of rheumatism in his left knee," answered Caspar Potts.
"That's too bad."
Dave assisted Jessie to a seat and then got in beside her, and tucked in the handsome fur robe. Off went the team at a spanking gait, past the stores of the town and then in the direction of the Wadsworth mansion. Many looked at Dave as he rode by and thought him a lucky boy—and he certainly was lucky, and thankful for it.
The mansion reached, Dave was warmly greeted by Mrs. Wadsworth, and, later on, by Mr. Wadsworth, who had been to his large jewelry works on business. The lad found his Uncle Dunston in his room, in an easy-chair, with his rheumatic leg resting on a low stool.
"It's not so very bad, Dave," said Dunston Porter, after their greeting was over. "I hope to be around again before long. But it is too bad it should come on at this time, when I had hoped to go to London with you."
Dave sat down, and a conversation lasting the best part of an hour ensued. The boy told all he knew about Nick Jasniff, and showed the letter which Gus Plum had received. Dunston Porter said he had sent several cablegrams to London, but so far had heard nothing of satisfaction.
"I even sent a money order to this Nick Jasniff, thinking he might try to get it cashed, but the order has not been called for. The money was cabled to London and then put in a letter for the General Delivery department. Evidently this Jasniff is keeping shady, or otherwise he has left the city or is living under an assumed name."
"I know pretty much the sort of a chap he is," said Dave. "He likes to go to the theater, and he was a great chap to bowl. If I go over there I am going to hunt up the bowling places, if there are any, and take a look in at the different theaters. If he is in London I ought to run across him some day. And I'll try finding him by letter and by a notice in the newspapers, too."
Dave was a very busy boy for the next few days, perfecting his plans to visit England. Yet he managed to spend several happy hours with the others and especially with Jessie, who now acted more like a young lady than a girl. Truth to tell, Dave thought a great deal of the rich manufacturer's daughter, and Jessie seemed always to want him around, that they might sing together, or play games, or go out for a sleigh-ride.
"You mustn't forget us when you are in London," said Jessie. "I want you to send me some postal cards—the picture kind."
"I'll send you one every day," replied Dave. "The very nicest I can find."
"With pictures of the places you visit?"
"Yes."
"Then you must tell me about the places in your letters."
"Do you want me to write?"
"Of course, and I'll write too," said Jessie, and gave him one of her sunniest smiles. Dave thought of that smile long afterwards—when he was in London and in the far northland—and it always brightened him in spirits.
On the day before his departure Dave received a telegram from Roger. It was short and characteristic:
"Hurrah! Engage stateroom for two. What steamer?"
"Good for Roger!" cried Dave, as he showed the message to his uncle. "He has permission to go with me. Now I won't be lonely."
"I am glad to know he is going along," said Dunston Porter. "Not but that I know you can take care of yourself, Dave."
Dave at once sent word to New York, to the steamship office, and by night the matter of a stateroom for two was arranged. Then he sent word to Roger where his chum could meet him.
He spent a quiet evening at the Wadsworth mansion. Jessie and the others did what they could to cheer him, but they realized what was on his mind.
"Oh, Dave, I do so hope you will find your father and your sister!" said Jessie, on bidding him good-night. "I want to know Laura; I know I shall love her—for your sake!" And then she ran off. Dave watched her mount the stairs and disappear in her room, and then he retired to his own apartment, more thoughtful than ever, yet with a warm feeling in his heart that was peculiar to itself, for it only came when he saw Jessie or was thinking of her.