I1LTER SHERWOOD' 
 PROBATION 
 
 ALGER
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 ty 

 
 WALTER SHERWOOD'S 
 PROBATION 
 
 OR 
 
 COOL HEAD AND WARM HEART 
 
 BY 
 
 HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 
 AUTHOR OF "ADRIFT IN NEW YORK," "THE STORE BOY," 
 
 "RAGGED DICK," "NED NEWTON," "JACK'S WARD," 
 
 " THE ERIE TRAIN BOY," " SLOW AND SURE," 
 
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 HURST & COMPANY 
 
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 Brave and Bold. 
 
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 Chester Rand 
 
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 Driven from Home. 
 
 Erie Train Boy. 
 
 Facing the World. 
 
 Five Hundred Dollars. 
 
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 Grit. 
 
 Hector's Inheritance. 
 
 Helping Himself. 
 
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 In a New World. 
 
 Jack's Ward. 
 
 Jed, the Poor House Boy. 
 
 Joe's Luck. 
 
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 Luke Walton. 
 
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 Struggling Upward. 
 Tin Bex. 
 
 Tom, the Bootblack. 
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 Walter Sherwood's Pro 
 bation. 
 
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 Young Adventurer. 
 Young Outlaw. 
 Young Salesman. 
 
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 PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.
 
 WALTER SHERWOOD'S PROBATION. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 WALTER SHERWOOD'S PROBATION. 
 
 HERE'S a letter for you, Doctor Mack," said 
 the housekeeper, as 1 she entered the plain room 
 used as a library and sitting-room by her em 
 ployer, Doctor EzekieJ Mack. " It's from 
 Walter, I surmise." This was a favorite word 
 with Miss Nancy Sprague, who, though a 
 housekeeper, prided herself on having been a 
 schoolmistress in her earlier days. 
 
 " Indeed, Nancy. Let me see it. Walter is 
 really getting attentive. His last letter came 
 to hand only two days since. He hasn't for 
 gotten his old guardian." 
 
 " Oh no, sir. He'll never do that. He has 
 a predilection for his old home. His heart is 
 in the right place." 
 
 " Just so, I wish I felt as sure about his 
 head." 

 
 4 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Doctor Mack adjusted his spectacles, for he 
 was rising sixty, and his eyes, required assist 
 ance, and opened the letter. As he read it his 
 forehead contracted, and he looked disturbed. 
 A perusal of the letter may help us to under 
 stand why. It ran as follows : 
 
 " DEAR GUARDIAN : You will be surprised at 
 hearing from me so soon again, but I am really 
 forced to write. I find college life much more 
 expensive than I supposed it would be. A 
 fellow is expected to join two or three societies, 
 and each costs money. I know you wouldn't 
 have me appear mean. Then the students 
 have been asked to contribute to a fund for the 
 enlargement of the library, and almost every 
 day there is a demand for money for one object 
 or another. As it is nearly the end of the term, 
 I calculate that with a check for an extra hun 
 dred dollars I can get along. I am awfully 
 sorry to ask for it, but it w'll come out of the 
 money father left me, and I am sure he would 
 wish me to keep up appearances, and not fall 
 behind the rest of the boys. 
 
 " I stand fairly well in my studies, and I ex 
 pect to be stroke oar of the college boat club. 
 Besides this, I have been elected catcher of 
 the college baseball club. I am thought to 
 e.xcel in athletic sports ? and really enjoy my
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 5 
 
 college life very much. Please send me the 
 check by return of mail. Affectionately yours, 
 
 WALTER." 
 
 Doctor Mack laid the letter on the table, and 
 slowly removed the glasses from his nose. 
 
 " One hundred dollars ! " he repeated. 
 " That is the second extra check he has writ 
 ten for, this term. Then his regular term 
 bills will come due in two weeks. He is spend 
 ing more than three times as much as I did 
 when in college. Forty years have made a 
 difference, no doubt, but not so great a dif 
 ference as that. I hope the boy isn't falling 
 into extravagant habits. I care for that more 
 than for the money. His father left a good 
 fortune, of which fact he is unfortunately 
 aware, but I don't mean that it shall spoil 
 him. Now, w r hat shall I do? Shall I send 
 him the check or not? 
 
 Doctor Mack leaned back in his chair, and 
 thought busily. He felt anxious about his 
 nvard, who had entered college early and was 
 now only seventeen. Walter Sherwood was 
 a boy of excellent talent and popular manners, 
 but he was inclined to be self-indulgent and 
 had a large capacity for "enjoyment." His 
 guardian had fondly hoped that he would lead 
 the class in scholarship, but instead of this
 
 6 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 he was only doing " fairly well " in his studies. 
 To be sure, he excelled in athletic sports, but, 
 as Doctor Mack reflected, this was not gener 
 ally considered the chief aim in a college 
 course, except by some of the students them 
 selves. 
 
 " I wish I knew just how Walter is making 
 out," thought the doctor. Then, after a pause, 
 he resumed, with a sudden inspiration: 
 " Why shouldn't I know? I'll go over to 
 Euclid to-morrow without giving Walter any 
 intimation of my visit, and see for myself." 
 
 It may be stated here that Walter Sher 
 wood was a member of the sophomore class 
 in Euclid College, situated in the town of the 
 same name. If the reader does not find Euclid 
 in a list of American colleges, it is because for 
 special reasons I have thought it best to con 
 ceal the real name of the college, not wishing 
 to bring the institution into possible disrepute. 
 There are some who might misjudge the col 
 lege, because it contained some students who 
 made an unprofitable use of their time. 
 
 " Nancy," said Doctor Mack at the supper- 
 table, " you may pack a hand-bag for me. I 
 shall start on a journey to-morrow morning." 
 
 " Where to, sir, if I may make so bold as 
 to inquire?" 
 
 " I think of going to Euclid."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 7 
 
 " To see Master Walter? " 
 
 " Exactly." 
 
 " You haven't heard any bad news, I hope? '* 
 said the housekeeper anxiously. 
 
 " Oh, no." 
 
 "Then he isn't sink?" 
 
 " Quite the contrary. He is quite strong 
 and athletic, I should judge, from his letter." 
 
 " He will be glad to see you, sir." 
 
 " Well, perhaps so. But you know, Nancy, 
 young people don't miss their parents and 
 guardians as much as thev are missed at home. 
 They have plenty of excitement and society 
 at college." 
 
 " Yes, sir, that's true, but I'm sure Master 
 Walter won't forget his old home. If you 
 have room for some cookies I will put some 
 into the bag. Walter is fond of them." 
 
 " JS T o, I think you needn't do it, Nancy. He 
 has a good boarding-house, and no doubt he 
 gets all the cakes he wants. By the way, I 
 want to take the boy by surprise, so don't 
 write and let him know I'm coming." 
 
 " No, sir, I won't." 
 
 This was exactly what the housekeeper had 
 intended to do, for she presumed upon her 
 long service in the family to write a few lines 
 occasionally to the boy v. :iom she had known 
 from the age of six.
 
 8 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Of course I shall be pleased to give him 
 any message from you." 
 
 " Thank you, Doctor Mack. Tell him if he 
 catches cold I can send him some camomile. 
 Camomile tea is excellent in such cases. My 
 mother and grandmother used it all their 
 lives." 
 
 " You seem to forget -that I am a doctor, 
 Nancy. Not that I object -to camomile tea 
 in its place though I can truly say that I 
 never hankered after it." 
 
 " How long wiU you be gone, *doctor? " 
 
 " I can't say exactly. You see Euclid is 
 nearly two hundred miles off, and I don't 
 know whether I can make connections." 
 
 " Oh, well, don't .hurry ! No -doubt Walter 
 will want to keep you with him us long as 
 possible." 
 
 " I don't feel so sure of that," thought the 
 doctor shrewdly. " Boys are not usually so 
 fond of the society of their guardians, though 
 I don't doubt Walter has a sincere regard for 
 me. He is a warm-hearted boy." 
 
 Doctor Mack was no longer in active prac 
 tice. Three years before he had selected an 
 assistant a young Doctor Winthrop in 
 whom his patients had come to feel confidence, 
 so that when he wanted to go away for a few 
 days there was no serious objection. Unlike
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 9 
 
 some elderly practitioners, Doctor Mack did 
 not feel in the least jealous of bis young as 
 sistant, but was very glad to note his popu 
 larity. 
 
 " If any one calls for me, Nancy," he said, 
 "say that I am away for a day or two, and they 
 can't do better than go to Doctor Winthrop." 
 
 " There are some that like you best, sir." 
 
 " No doubt, no doubt! They're used to me, 
 you know. There's a good deal in that. Any 
 that please can wait for me, but my advice to 
 them is to go to Doctor Winthrop." 
 
 Nancy packed the doctor's hand-bag, put 
 ting in a change of linen, a cornb and brush, 
 an extra pair of socks, and a couple of hand 
 kerchiefs. Then, seeing that there was plenty 
 of room, she slipped in a small box of cookies 
 and a little camomile. The doctor discovered 
 them soon after he started on his journey, and 
 with a smile tossed the camomile out of the 
 window, while he gave the cookies to a poor 
 woman who was traveling with a couple of 
 small children in the same car as himself. 
 So that Nancy Sprague's though tfulness was 
 not wholly lost, though the intended recipient 
 did not benefit by it. 
 
 Doctor Mack had to wait over at a junc 
 tion for three hours, owing to some irregulari 
 ties of the trains, and did not reach Euclid
 
 io Walter Sherwood's probation. 
 
 
 till rather a late hour in the afternoon. He 
 
 went to the Euclid Hotel, and entered his 
 name. 
 
 E. MACK, Albany, 
 
 without adding M. D., and substituting Albany 
 for the small village, thirty miles away, where 
 he made his home. 
 
 "Strategy, doctor, strategy!" he said to 
 himself. " I have come to spy out the land, 
 and must not make myself too conspicuous. 
 I am traveling, as it were, incognito." 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 DOCTOR MACK GETS SOME INFORMATION. 
 
 THE Euclid Hotel was distant about half- 
 a-inile from the college buildings. It would 
 hardly have paid expenses but for the patron 
 age it received from the parents and friends of 
 the students, who, especially on public occa 
 sions, w r ere drawn to visit Euclid, and natur 
 ally put up at the hotel. Then the students, 
 tired perhaps of the fare at the college com 
 mons, dropped in often and ordered a dinner. 
 So, take it all in all t Euclid Hotel benefited
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. n 
 
 largely by the presence of the college. Xo 
 students', however, were permitted to board 
 there, as it was thought by the college pro 
 fessors that the atmosphere of the hotel would 
 be detrimental to college discipline and the 
 steady habits they desired to inculcate in the 
 young men under their care. 
 
 " I wonder," thought Doctor Mack, after 
 supper was over, " whether I had better go 
 round to the college and make an evening call 
 on Walter." 
 
 He was tempted do so, for he was fond of 
 his young ward, and would have enjoyed see 
 ing him. But then he wished, unobserved, to 
 judge for himself whether Walter was mak 
 ing good use of his privileges, and this made 
 it injudicious for him to disclose his presence 
 in the college town. 
 
 He strolled out into the tavern yard, and 
 observed a young man engaged in some light 
 duties. 
 
 " Good evening, sir," said the young man 
 respectfully. 
 
 " Good evening. I suppose you are con 
 nected with the hotel?" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; but I would rather be connected 
 with the college." 
 
 " Then you have a taste for study? " 
 
 "Yes, sir; I began to prepare for college,
 
 12 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 and had made some progress in Latin and 
 Greek when my father died, and that put an 
 end to my prospects." 
 
 " That was a pity. Has it destroyed your 
 taste for study? " 
 
 " No ; I spend an hour after I am through 
 work in keeping up my Latin and Greek, but 
 of course I make slow progress." 
 
 " Naturally. Now I have no doubt there 
 are many students who do not appreciate their 
 privileges as much as you would do." 
 
 " I know it, sir. There are pretty lively 
 boys in college. Have you a son there? " 
 
 " No." 
 
 " I didn't know but you might have." 
 
 " What do you mean by lively? " 
 
 " I mean they care more to have a good 
 time than to get on in their studies." 
 
 "What do they do?" 
 
 " W T ell, some of them belong to societies 1 , and 
 have a good time whenever they meet. Fre 
 quently they give little suppers 1 at the hotel 
 here, and keep it up till a late hour." 
 
 " Do the faculty know of this? " 
 
 " They may surmise something, but they 
 don't interfere. Of course it pays Mr. Daniels, 
 the landlord, for he charges a good round sum, 
 and as there is no other place for the boys to
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 13 
 
 go, they must pay it. There's going to be a 
 supper here to-night." 
 
 " Indeed ! " 
 
 " It is given by one of the sophomores, 
 Walter Sherwood." 
 
 " What name did you mention? " asked Doc 
 tor Mack, startled. 
 
 "Walter Sherwood. Do you know him?" 
 
 " I know a family by the name of Sher 
 wood," answered Doctor Mack evasively. 
 " What sort of a young man is he? " 
 
 " I don't call him a young man. He is only 
 seventeen or eighteen, one of the youngest 
 members of the class. He is 1 very popular 
 among his mates a regular jolly boy he is." 
 
 " Does he stand well in his scholarship?" 
 
 The young man laughed. 
 
 " I don't think he troubles himself much 
 about his studies," he replied, " from all I 
 hear, but he is pretty smart, learns easily, and 
 manages to keep up respectably." 
 
 Doctor Mack's heart sank within him. Was 
 this 1 the best that could be said about his ward? 
 the son of his old friend? 
 
 " Do you think he is dissipated? " he asked 
 uneasily. 
 
 " Not that I ever heard. He is fond of hav 
 ing a good time, and drinks wine at his sup 
 pers, but lie isn't what you would call in-
 
 14 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 temperate. He would do better work in col 
 lege if he wasn't so rich." 
 
 "So he is rich, then?" 
 
 ." He must be, for he spends a good deal of 
 money. Pendleton, one of his classmates, told 
 me that he spent more money than any one in 
 the class." 
 
 " That is why he needs so many extra 
 checks," thought the guardian soberly. 
 
 " I am sorry he doesn't make better use of 
 his privileges," he said aloud. 
 
 " Yes, sir, it is a pity. If he didn't care so 
 much for a good time he might stand at the 
 head of his class so Pendleton thinks." 
 
 "If he were a poor boy, now, you think the 
 result would be different? " asked Doctor 
 Mack thoughtfully. 
 
 " Yes, sir, I have no doubt of it." 
 
 " When does the supper commence? " 
 
 " At half-past eight o'clock." 
 
 " How long will it keep up? " 
 
 " Till near midnight. The landlord makes it 
 a point to have them close before twelve. I 
 hope they won't disturb you, sir." 
 
 " Are they likely to make much noise? " 
 
 " Well, sir, they make speeches, and do a 
 good deal of singing. Then, college songs are 
 naturally noisy." 
 
 " Yes, so I hear,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 15 
 
 "What is the number of your room?" 
 
 " Number nine." 
 
 " Why, you are nearly opposite the room 
 where they will have their supper. I am afraid 
 you won't stand much chance of sleeping 
 early." 
 
 "Oh, never mind! I shall get an idea of 
 what a college supper is like." 
 
 " So you will. If you open the transom over 
 your door you will have the full benefit of all 
 that goes on." 
 
 " That will suit me very well," thought 
 Doctor Mack. 
 
 "If you would like to be farther away, the 
 landlord would no doubt change your 
 room." 
 
 " Oh, no ! " said the doctor hastily. " It will 
 suit me very well for once to listen to college 
 songs, and get an idea of how boys enjoy them 
 selves.-' 
 
 " A very sensible old gentleman ! " thought 
 James Holden. " Some men of his age would 
 make a fuss." 
 
 A little before the time when the students 
 were expected to arrive Doctor Mack shut 
 himself up in his room, taking care to open the 
 transom. He had ascertained from the young 
 man, his informant, that supper had been en 
 gaged for twelve, and that the price
 
 1 6 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 per plate was two dollars and a half, all to 
 be paid by Walter Sherwood. 
 
 " That makes thirty dollars," he reflected. 
 " No wonder Walter writes for extra checks. 
 I wonder if this thirty dollars is to figure as 
 a contribution to the library." 
 
 From his window he could see the students 
 as they approached the hotel. Finally he 
 caught sight of Walter, with a college friend 
 on each side, with whom he was chatting gaily. 
 
 "What a change!" thought Doctor Mack. 
 " It seems only yesterday that Walter started 
 for college, a bashful, unformed boy, full of 
 good resolutions, and determined to distin 
 guish himself in scholarship. Now he has 
 become a gay butterfly. And what is worse, 
 he has learned to deceive his old guardian, and 
 his chief aim seems to be to have a good time. 
 What can I do to change his course? " 
 
 The good doctor's face assumed a thoughtful 
 look. 
 
 " I can tell better after what I shall hear to 
 night," he said to himself. 
 
 It was not long before the guests were all 
 assembled, and the feast w r as to begin. 
 
 Some one rapped for attention, and then 
 Doctor Mack recognized the voice of his young 
 ward. 
 
 " Gentlemen," he said, " I am glad to wel-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 17 
 
 come you to this festal board. After spending 
 ten or a dozen hours in hard study " laughter 
 and applause " we find it pleasant to close 
 our books, to relax our learned brows " more 
 laughter " and show our appreciation of the 
 good things of life. As Horace, your favorite, 
 says I won't insult you by offering to trans 
 late his well-known words < Dulcc est desi- 
 pere in Zoco.' That is what has brought us 
 here to-night. We want to desipere in loco" 
 
 " So we do ! Good for you ! " exclaimed one 
 and another. 
 
 " I regret," Walter continued, " that all the 
 professors have declined my urgent invitation 
 to be present on this occasion. Professor 
 Griggs " the professor of mathematics 
 " said he would not break away from his regu 
 lar diet of logarithms and radicals." Great 
 laughter. " I have expressly requested Mr. 
 Daniels to provide no logarithms to-night. 
 They don't agree with my constitution." 
 
 "Nor with mine!" "Nor with mine!" 
 echoed one and another. 
 
 " I shall expect you all, after the banquet, to 
 do something for the general entertainment. 
 I stipulate, however, that none of the company 
 address us in Latin or Greek. "We wont!" 
 " We won't ! " " Sufficient for the recitation- 
 room is the evil thereof. But I have spoken
 
 1 8 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 long enough. There are times when silence is 
 golden, and one of those times is at hand. 
 Brethren, the feast awaits you ! Pitch in ! " 
 
 The speaker took his seat, and then there 
 was a noise of clinking glasses, and knives and 
 forks came to the front. The banquet had be 
 gun. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A COLLEGE BANQUET. 
 
 THERE was a rattling of knives and forks, 
 a clink of glasses, and a buzz of conversation. 
 Doctor Mack was able to hear considerable of 
 it. There were anecdotes of the professors, 
 accounts of narrow escapes from " flunking '' 
 in the recitation-room, and remarks by no 
 means complimentary to some of the text 
 books in use in college. It was evident that 
 the collegians assembled cared more for a good 
 time than for study. Yet these seemed to be 
 the chosen associates of his ward, the doctor 
 reflected. 
 
 As the feast proceeded, he grew more sober. 
 lie felt that college life, however much it was 
 doing for the faithful students, was only fos 
 tering self-indulgence in his ward. 
 
 "Something must be done!" reflected Doc-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 19 
 
 tor Mack. " Desperate diseases require des 
 perate remedies." 
 
 Again the chairman rapped for order, and 
 again Walter's voice was heard. 
 
 " Brothers," he said, " the material part of 
 our banquet is ended. We have gratified our 
 appetites with the savory dishes provided by 
 our friend Daniels. We have quaffed the rare 
 Falernian wine, of a vintage unknown to 
 Horace; we have quickened our wits, as I 
 trust, under those favorable conditions, and 
 the time has now come for the feast of reason 
 and the flow of soul. Exhausted as we are by 
 our labors in the class-room *' great laughter 
 " we have sought refreshment in the waj 
 that is most agreeable. It's a way we lum 
 at old Euclid! Sing!" 
 
 Immediately the assembled company started 
 up the well-known college song: 
 
 " It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 
 To drive dull care away. 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 
 To drive dull care away. 
 
 " And we think it is no sin, sir, 
 To take the Freshmen in, sir, 
 And ease them of their tin, sir, 
 To drive dull care away.
 
 2o Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid. 
 
 It's a way we have at old Euclid, 
 
 To drive dull care away." 
 
 There were other verses, but these will serve 
 as specimens'. All joined in the chorus, and 
 Doctor Mack, who remembered his own col 
 lege life, felt almost tempted to add his voice 
 to those of the young men in the opposite 
 room. 
 
 " But, pshaw ! " he thought. " What would 
 Walter and his friends think to hear an old 
 graybeard like me taking part in the convivial 
 songs? There is no great harm in singing col 
 lege songs, if it is accompanied by good work 
 in the recitation-room." 
 
 " Brothers," resumed Walter, " we will do 
 our best to drive dull care away. Let us for 
 get, this happy evening, that there are such 
 things as logarithms, and sines, and tangents, 
 and Greek tragedies. To-night our hearts 
 shall be uplifted by sentiment and song. 
 Brother Corbett, you will oblige us with 
 1 Rumsty Ho ! ' " 
 
 A young man with a pleasant voice sang 
 this song, one unfamiliar to the doctor: 
 
 " A beggar man laid himself down to sleep, 
 
 Rumsty Ho ! rumsty Ho ; 
 A beggar man laid himself down to sleep 
 By the banks of the Mersey, so high and steep, 
 Rumsty Ho, rumsty Ho I
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 21 
 
 " Two thieves came walking by that way, 
 
 Rumsty Ho ! rumsty Ho ; 
 Two thieves came walking by that way, 
 And they came to the place where the old man lay, 
 
 Rumsty Ho, rumsty Ho ! 
 
 " They stole his wallet and they stole his staff, 
 
 Rumsty Ho ! rumsty Ho ; 
 They stole his wallet aud they stole his staff, 
 And then broke out in a great horse-laugh, 
 
 Rumsty Ho, rumsty Ho." 
 
 There was more of this song, too. Next 
 came " Crambambuli," and then " Cocach- 
 lunk," both of which were familiar to the 
 doctor. 
 
 Then Walter said : " Brothers, I have great 
 pleasure in stating that Professor Griggs has 
 concluded to honor our dinner by his learned 
 presence, and has consented to address us. 
 Permit me to introduce Professor Theophilus 
 Griggs." 
 
 One of the company had made up as the 
 mathematical professor. In a nasal tone he 
 made a rambling speech, in which he intro 
 duced mathematical illusions, and used some 
 of the favorite phrases of the rather dull and 
 prosy instructor, with whom all the students 
 were familiar, some to their sorrow. It 
 seemed to be very amusing to the boys present, 
 as shown by their hearty laughter, but of 
 course Doctor Mack could not appreciate it. 
 
 Other songs and other speeches followed.
 
 22 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Though for the most part college songs, there 
 were some of a more serious character. Time 
 slipped by, and at length Doctor Mack saw by 
 his watch that it was half-past eleven. 
 
 " How long will they keep it up, I wonder? " 
 he asked himself. " I feel drowsy." 
 
 He was answered by the chairman. 
 
 " Brothers," he said, " time waits for no 
 man. The hour has arrived when, according 
 to agreement, we must wind up our festivi 
 ties. Hand in hand we will sing ' Auld Lang 
 Syne/ hoping, at some auspicious season after 
 the coming vacation is over, to have another 
 good time. I thank you all for accepting my 
 invitation, and hope you have enjoyed your 
 selves." 
 
 " Three cheers for Sherwood ! " cried one 
 of the company. 
 
 They were given with a will. Then the part 
 ing song was sung, and the students retired 
 to their rooms in one of the college dormi 
 tories. 
 
 Doctor Mack went thoughtfully to bed. 
 
 " It is well I came," he reflected. " Walter 
 has done nothing decidedly wrong as yet, but 
 it is evident he is not improving." 
 
 " Well," said James Holden, as he met Doc 
 tor Mack the next morning, " did you hear the 
 boys last night? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 23 
 
 " I couldn't very well help it/' answered the 
 doctor, smiling. " That young Sherwood 
 seems to be very popular." 
 
 " Yes, sir; he is very free with his money." 
 
 "In what other way does he spend it? " 
 
 " Mr. Daniels keeps half-a-dozen horses to 
 let to students and others. Sherwood hires 
 a team at least twice a week, and of course 
 it counts up." 
 
 " I was not able to spend money in that way 
 when I attended college." 
 
 " Then you are a college graduate? " said 
 Holden. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "Did you graduate at Euclid?" 
 
 " No; I am a Yale man." 
 
 " I congratulate you, sir. I should like to 
 graduate from Yale." 
 
 " I hope you may, some time, my young 
 friend. You would derive more benefit, I'll be 
 bound, than those young roysterers of last 
 evening." 
 
 " I hope they didn't keep you awake, sir." 
 
 " They certainly did as long as they stayed. 
 I should have gone to bed soon afterward, but 
 that I had something on my mind. By the 
 way, don't mention to any of the students that 
 they had an unseen listener," 
 
 " No, sir."
 
 24 Walter Sherwood's Probation, 
 
 Doctor Mack took the first train after break 
 fast, and returned to his home without seeing 
 his ward. 
 
 Nancy Sprague questioned him eagerly. 
 
 " And how is Master Walter? " she asked. 
 
 "Very well, indeed, Nancy." 
 { *' Was he surprised to see you? " 
 
 '" He didn't see me, Nancy." 
 
 '" He didn't see you ! " ejaculated the house 
 keeper. 
 
 "No; the fact was, I went away on a 
 matter of business, and it was not convenient 
 to call on Walter. But I heard him." 
 
 " I don't see how you could have been near 
 him without seeing him." 
 
 " I shall see him soon, Nancy, and so will 
 you. In two weeks vacation will be here. Ex 
 aminations are near, and I might have inter 
 fered with his studies," the doctor added, 
 with a little innocent evasion. 
 
 " To be sure, sir ! To be sure ! I make no 
 doubt Master Walter is a great scholar." 
 
 " I have very strong doubts on that point ; 
 myself," thought Doctor Mack, but he did not 
 care to express himself thus to Nancy. 
 
 " I am so glad the dear boy is coming home 
 soon," murmured the housekeeper. " He has 
 been studying so hard he needs a good long 
 rest. I will make some cookies expressly for
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 25 
 
 him after he conies. I don't believe he gets 
 any at college." 
 
 " I wonder what Nancy would say if she 
 could have seen Walter presiding at the sup 
 per, and heard the songs ! " thought Doctor- 
 Mack. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE DAY AFTER THE FEAST. 
 
 THE same morning, in a comfortably furn 
 ished room in Simpson Hall, sat, or rather 
 lounged, Walter Sherwood. 
 
 " I feel sleepy this morning, Gates," he said 
 to his chum. " I can't fix my mind on this 
 confounded logic." 
 
 " No wonder, Sherwood. You have good 
 reason to be tired after last evening." 
 
 " That's so ! We had a good time, though. 
 I am sorry you couldn't accept my invitation." 
 
 " I couldn't afford it, Sherwood. You know 
 we are very differently situated. You are rich, 
 while I am the oldest son of a country minis 
 ter with all I can do to get through college. 
 As it is, I shall be in debt." 
 
 " Why not be in debt to me? You never 
 would accept anything from me." 
 
 "Yes, I did. I have let you go to the en-
 
 26 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 tire expense of furnishing this room, though 
 I have an equal share in it." 
 
 " Oh, that's nothing ! You pay me in help 
 ing me through my lessons when I am behind. 
 If you hadn't read my Horace to me the other 
 day I should have flunked as sure as can be." 
 
 " It would be better for you to get yonr own 
 lesson, Walter." 
 
 " Well, I suppose it would," answered his 
 roommate yawning. " I wish you could drive 
 this logic into my head. I suppose I am un 
 usually stupid this morning." 
 
 " Suppose we go over it together." 
 
 Fifteen minutes later Walter said compla 
 cently : " Thanks', old fellow ; you have made 
 it as plain as a pikestaff." 
 
 " And very likely you will get a higher mark 
 at the recitation than I." 
 
 " Well, perhaps so," laughed Walter. " I 
 suppose it is because I have more cheek than 
 you." 
 
 " You can do better on slight preparation, 
 certainly. You talk like a professor when you 
 are on your feet." 
 
 " You want to be a professor some time, 
 Gates, don't you? " 
 
 " Yes," answered his chum, his face flush 
 ing. " I should be proud to become a profes 
 sor in old Euclid."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 27 
 
 " It would be awfully slow, I think," re 
 turned Walter, stifling a yawn. 
 
 " What, then, is your ambition? " 
 
 " I want to go out among men. I want to 
 take an active part in the world." 
 
 " You will have to '.vork harder than you do 
 in college, then." 
 
 " I suppose I shall. But I am young, Gates. 
 I am only seventeen." 
 
 " And I am nineteen, and look twenty-one." 
 
 "All the better! The older you look the 
 better, if you are going to be a college in 
 structor. I would have to wait a long time 
 if I wanted to, even if I were a good deal wiser 
 than I am now. I am so young, in short, that 
 I can afford to have a good time." 
 
 " It seems to me that is all you think of, 
 Sherwood." 
 
 ^Oh, well, I'll reform in time and become 
 a sober old duffer like you," and Walter Sher 
 wood laughed carelessly. 
 
 " I hope, at any rate, that you will change 
 your views of life. You know what Long 
 fellow says : ' Life is real ! Life is earnest ! ' 
 
 " Oh, yes. I know that by heart. But it's 
 no use, Gates, you can't make an old man of 
 me before my time. Will ?t disturb you if I 
 play a tune or two on my violin?" 
 
 "Well, to tell the truth, it will. I want to
 
 28 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 get my Greek lesson, and you had better do 
 the same." 
 
 " No, I will read a novel, and you can read 
 over the Greek to me when you have dug it 
 out." 
 
 " I will if you wish, but I am afraid I am 
 spoiling you by doing your studying for you." 
 
 " Remember, I was out late last night." 
 
 " You have something almost every evening, 
 Walter." 
 
 " Oh, well, I'll turn over a new leaf next 
 term." 
 
 " Why not begin now? " 
 
 " If you knew how stupid I feel you 
 wouldn't ask." 
 
 Walter stretched himself out on a comfort 
 able lounge, and took up a new novel which he 
 had partially read, while Gates spread the 
 big Greek lexicon on the study-table, and, open 
 ing his Aristophanes, began slowly and la 
 boriously to translate it into English. 
 
 Fifteen minutes passed when a knock was 
 heard at the door. 
 
 " Come in ! " called out Walter. 
 
 He looked up eagerly, hoping the visitor 
 might prove to be one of his jovial comrades 
 of the night before. But he did not look so 
 well pleased when, as the door opened, he 
 caught sight of the pudgy figure and shrewd
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 29 
 
 face of Elijah Daniels, the proprietor of the 
 Euclid Hotel. 
 
 " Good morning, Mr. Daniels," he said, 
 rather apprehensively. " So you have found 
 me out." 
 
 " No, I have found you in," returned the 
 landlord, with a smile. " I hope I don't in 
 trude upon your studies, young gentlemen.'' 
 
 " Well, I am taking a little rest from my 
 labors," said Walter. 
 
 " You were up rather late last evening, Mr. 
 Sherwood." 
 
 " That's a fact, and you gave us a first-class 
 supper, Daniels. You did yourself proud." 
 
 " I did my best, Mr. Sherwood, and I am 
 glad you were satisfied.'' 
 
 " All the fellows praised the supper." 
 
 " That's good. I know what you young 
 gentlemen like, and I get it, no matter what 
 it costs. I don't make much on the suppers 
 I give the college boys, but of course I like to 
 please them." 
 
 ' Your price is quite reasonable, I think." 
 
 " I am glad you do. I have brought in the 
 bill for last night's entertainment, and if you 
 can let me have the money, I shall be glad." 
 
 " Well, the fact is, Daniels, I haven't got 
 the money by me this morning." 
 
 The landlord's countenance changed.
 
 30 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I like prompt pay/' he said. " It is a good 
 deal of trouble, and, as I said, there isn't 
 much money to be made." 
 
 "That's all right. You won't have to wait 
 long." 
 
 " How long, Mr. Sherwood? " 
 
 " I expect a check for a hundred dollars 
 from my guardian to-day. I wrote three day;^ 
 since, for I knew you wouldn't like to wait." 
 
 " A hundred dollars ! " repeated the land 
 lord, feeling a little easier in mind. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Perhaps your guardian may object to 
 sending it." 
 
 " Oh, no ! He's a nice old fellow, Doctor 
 Mack is. He is very indulgent." 
 " What name did you mention? " 
 " Doctor Mack. Ebenezer Mack." 
 " Indeed ! Why, we had a gentleman stop 
 ping at the hotel last night of that name." 
 
 " What ! " ejaculated Walter, in astonish 
 ment. " Do you mean to tell me that Doc-tor 
 Mack my guardian was at the hotel last 
 night? It can't be. He would have called on 
 me." 
 
 " It may not have been the same man. Now 
 I come to think of it, he didn't put himself 
 down on the book Doctor Mack. He just put
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 31 
 
 himself down E. Mack. He seemed a plain 
 sort of man." 
 
 "Where did he register from?" asked 
 Walter eagerly. 
 
 " From Albany." 
 
 "Is he at the hotel now?" 
 
 " He went away by the morning train." 
 
 " Then it couldn't have been he," said Wal 
 ter, in a tone of relief. " He doesn't live in 
 Albany. Besides, he would have called on me. 
 No, it must have been some other Mack." 
 
 " Perhaps you wouldn't have liked to have 
 him catch you at a gay supper, Mr. Sher 
 wood?" said the landlord shrewdly. 
 
 " Well, no, I'd a little rather receive him in 
 my room, with a book open before me." 
 
 " He might object to pay out money for such 
 doings." 
 
 " He won't know anything about it. Just 
 leave your bill, Mr. Daniels, and as soon as I 
 get the check I'll call round and pay it." 
 
 " There's another bill, too, a livery bill. I 
 brought that along, too." 
 
 " How much is it? " asked Walter anxiously. 
 
 " Eighteen dollars." 
 
 " I didn't think it was as much as that ! " 
 
 " Bills mount up faster than you young gen 
 tlemen think for. I suppose, however, you 
 can afford to pay it? "
 
 32 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " said Walter carelessly. 
 
 " Your uncle may think it rather steep, eh? " 
 
 " I wrote him that I had some extra ex 
 penses this time." 
 
 " Then I suppose you can't do anything for 
 me this morning? " 
 
 " No, Daniels ; just leave both bills, and I 
 feel quite sure that I can pay you in a day or 
 two. I suppose you can change a check? " 
 
 " I'll manage to." 
 
 The landlord retired, leaving the bills be 
 hind him. 
 
 " Do you know, Sherwood," said his chum 
 gravely, " I think you are foolishly extrava 
 gant." 
 
 " Well, perhaps I am." 
 
 " You are spending three times as much as 
 I am." 
 
 " I'll do better next term. I wish my guard 
 ian would hurry along that check." 
 
 Two days later a letter came for Walter in 
 the familiar handwriting of Doctor Mack. He 
 tore it open hastily, and as he read it he 
 turned pale and sank into a chair. 
 
 " What's the matter? " asked Gates. 
 
 " Matter enough ! " answered Walter, in a 
 hollow voice. " My money is lost, and I've got 
 to leave college ! "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 33 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WALTER TAKES MATTERS PHILOSOPHICALLY. 
 
 WALTER'S announcement, recorded at the 
 close of the preceding chapter, fell like a 
 thunderbolt on his roommate. 
 
 " You have lost your money? " repeated 
 Gates, in a tone of incredulity. " You don't 
 mean it! " 
 
 "Read that letter, Gates," said Walter, 
 pushing it over to his chum. 
 
 The letter was, of course, from Doctor 
 Mack, and ran thus: 
 
 " DEAR WALTER : Your letter asking for an 
 extra check for one hundred dollars came to 
 hand three or four days since. I have delayed 
 answering for two reasons. I am satisfied 
 that you are spending more money than is 
 ; necessary, and, moreover, I have shrunk from 
 ' communicating to you some unpleasant intel 
 ligence. Upon me have devolved the invest 
 ment and management of your property, and 
 while I have tried to be cautious, there have 
 been losses which T regret. In one case three- 
 fourths of an investment has been lost. Of
 
 34 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 course, you didn't know this, or you would 
 have been less free in your expenditures. 
 
 " I am not prepared to tell you how you 
 stand. I think it will be prudent for you to 
 leave college at the end of this term, and for 
 a year to seek some employment. During that 
 time I will do what I can to settle matters on 
 a better footing, and perhaps at the end of 
 that time you will be able to return to your 
 studies. You are so young I think you must 
 be younger than the majority of your class 
 mates that you can afford to lose the time. 
 
 " I send you a check for sixty dollars in 
 place of a hundred. I wish you to have your 
 regular term bills sent to me, and I will for 
 ward checks in payment. I will see that you 
 leave Euclid owing no man anything. When 
 you come home for the vacation we can con 
 sult as to the future. I hope you will not be 
 much depressed or cast down by the news I 
 send you. Your money is not all lost, and I 
 may be able, in the course of twelve months, 
 to recover in a large measure what has been 
 sunk. 
 
 " Your affectionate guardian, 
 
 " EZEKIEL MACK." 
 
 " A regular sockdolager, isn't it, Gates," 
 said Walter.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 35 
 
 " I don't see that it's so bad," answered 
 Gates slowly. " Your money isn't all lost." 
 
 " But I must leave college." 
 
 " True ; but, as your guardian says, you are 
 young, and if you come back at the end of a 
 year you will still be a year younger than I for 
 your standing. Of course, I am very sorry 
 to have you go." 
 
 " I am sure of that, Gates." 
 
 " Is the prospect of working for a year so 
 unpleasant to you, Walter? " 
 
 " Xo, I can't say it is," said Walter, bright 
 ening up, " not if I can choose my employ 
 ment. I shouldn't like to go behind the coun 
 ter in a grocery store, or 
 
 "Black boots for a living?" 
 
 " Well, hardly," said Walter, laughing. 
 
 " Probably your guardian will consult your 
 preferences." 
 
 " I wish I could arrange to travel. I 
 should like to see something of the world." 
 
 "Why not? You might get an agency of 
 some kind. One college vacation last sum 
 mer I traveled about as book agent." 
 
 "How did you like it?" 
 
 " Not very much. I met with a good many 
 rebuffs, and was occasionally looked upon 
 with suspicion, as I could see. Still, I inaile a
 
 36 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 living, and brought back thirty dollars to start 
 me on my new term." 
 
 " Just what my supper cost the other eve 
 ning." 
 
 "Yes; I didn't think it wise to spend the 
 money in the same way." 
 
 " You have cheered me up, Gates. I really 
 believe I shall like to spend a year in some 
 kind of business." 
 
 "Write your guardian to that effect. He 
 may be blaming himself for his agency in your 
 misfortune, and a cheerful letter from you 
 Avill brighten him up." 
 
 "All right! I will." 
 
 Walter sat down and dashed off the follow 
 ing note : 
 
 " DEAR GUARDIAN : Your letter just re 
 ceived. I won't pretend that I am not sorry 
 for the loss of my money, but I am sure that 
 you acted for the best. Don't trouble yourself 
 too much about the matter. Perhaps it will 
 all come out right in a year or so. In the 
 meantime I think I shall find it not unpleas 
 ant to work for a year if you will let me select 
 the kind of business I am to follow. 
 
 " I will make the money you sent me do for 
 the present, and will send you my term bills 
 as you desire. You can depend upon my set-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 37 
 
 tling up as cheap as possible, though I confess 
 I have not hitherto been nearly as economical 
 as I might have been. Now that I know it is 
 necessary, you shall have no reason to com 
 plain of me. 
 
 " Your affectionate ward, 
 
 WALTER SHERWOOD." 
 
 " What do you think of that, Gates? " asked 
 Walter, giving the letter to his chum to read. 
 
 " Excellent ! It shows the right spirit." 
 
 " I am glad you think so." 
 
 " Do you know, Walter, I think I have more 
 occasion for regret than you? I must bid 
 farewell to my roommate and this pleasant 
 room." 
 
 " To your roommate, yes, but not neces 
 sarily to the room." 
 
 " I shall have to furnish it in very different 
 style for the present, I am not sure that I 
 can afford a carpet. The luxury of my pres f - 
 ent surroundings, I am afraid, will spoil me 
 for humble quarters." 
 
 " Don't borrow any trouble about that. I 
 shall leave you the furniture as it stands, and 
 when I come back to college, even if we are 
 in different classes, you must take me in 
 again." 
 
 " Of course I will agree to an arrangement
 
 38 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 so much in my favor, but perhaps your guard 
 ian will think you had better sell the furniture 
 and realize what you can." 
 
 " No, I am sure he won't. There is nothing 
 mean about Doctor Mack. You can take in 
 any one you please in my place, only I am to 
 come back at the end of a year if things turn 
 out well." 
 
 " I heartily hope you will come back, and 
 if you will excuse my saying so, with a more 
 earnest spirit, and a determination to do jus 
 tice to your really excellent talents." 
 
 "Good advice! I'll adopt it. I'll begin to 
 do better at once. I was intending to take a 
 drive this evening, but it would cost me two 
 dollars, and I will stay at home and save the 
 money." 
 
 " Come with me on a walk, instead." 
 
 " I will.'' 
 
 " We will go to the top of Mount Legar. 
 At sunset there will be a fine view from 
 there." 
 
 " I must stop on the way and pay Mr. 
 Daniels' what I owe him. He will lose a good 
 deal by my going away." 
 
 " True; but his loss will be your gain." 
 
 At the outset of their walk the two students 
 called at the hotel, and found Mr. Daniels on 
 the piazza.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 39 
 
 " Glad to see you, Mr. Sherwood,'' said the 
 landlord briskly. 
 
 " I think you will be, Mr. Daniels, for I 
 have come to pay your bills." 
 
 " Money is 1 always welcome, Mr. Sherwood. 
 You have no idea how much I lose by trust 
 ing students. There was Green, of the last 
 graduating class, left college owing me forty- 
 five dollars. He has gone out West some 
 where, and I never expect to get a cent of my 
 money." 
 
 " You came pretty near losing by me, 
 Daniels." 
 
 " How is that? " queried the landlord, look 
 ing surprised. 
 
 " I've lost a lot of money, or my guardian 
 has for me, and I've got to leave college at 
 the end of this term." 
 
 " You don't say so ! " ejaculated Mr. 
 Daniels regretfully. 
 
 " It's all true. My guardian wrote me about 
 it this morning." 
 
 " I suppose you're a good deal cut up about 
 it, Mr. Sherwood." 
 
 " Well, I was at first, but I may be able to 
 come back after a year or two. I shall go 
 into some business, and meanwhile my guard 
 ian will do what he can to recover the money 
 lost. It isn't so bad, after all."
 
 4O Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I shall be sorry to have you go, Mr. Sher 
 wood." 
 
 " You will miss my bills, at any rate. I 
 wouldn't have given that supper the other 
 evening if I had known how things stood. I 
 would have put the thirty dollars to better 
 use." 
 
 " Well, you've paid up like a gentleman, 
 anyway. I hope you'll come back in a year 
 as rich as ever. You wanted a team to-night, 
 James told me." 
 
 " That was before I got my guardian's 
 letter. I shall walk, instead of taking a car 
 riage-ride." 
 
 " I will let the account stand, if you wish." 
 
 " No. I can't afford to run up any bills. 
 Good night, Mr. Daniels." 
 
 " You did right, Walter," said Gates. " It 
 is a bad thing to run up bills." 
 
 " Especially when you are poor. It seems 
 odd to be poor." 
 
 " I am used to it, Walter. l r ou don't seem 
 very sad over it." 
 
 " I am not. That is what puzzles me. I 
 really begin to think I like it."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 41 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 TRUE FRIEND AND FALSE. 
 
 A COLLEGE community is for the most part 
 democratic. A poor student with talent is 
 quite as likely to be a favorite as the heir to 
 a fortune, often more so. But there are al 
 ways some snobs who care more for dollars 
 than sense. So Walter was destined to find 
 out, for he made no secret of his loss of for 
 tune. Most of his college friends sympathized 
 with him, but there was one who proved un> 
 reliable. 
 
 This 1 was Harvey Warner, the son of a man 
 who had made a fortune during the Civil 
 War, some said as a sutler. Harvey professed 
 to be very aristocratic, and had paid especial 
 attention to Walter, because he, too, had the 
 reputation of being wealthy. He had invited 
 Walter to pass a couple of weeks at the sum 
 mer residence of the Warners, near Lake 
 George. This, however, was before he had 
 heard of Walter's loss of fortune. As soon 
 as he learned this, he decided that the invita 
 tion must be withdrawn. This would be awk 
 ward, as he had been on very intimate terms
 
 42 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 with our hero, and had been a guest at the ban 
 quet. 
 
 Not forseeing the effect of his changed cir 
 cumstances on the mind of his late friend, 
 Walter, meeting him on the campus the day 
 afterward, called out, familiarly : " How are 
 you, old fellow? Why didn't you come round 
 to my room last evening?" 
 
 " I had another engagement, Sherwood," an 
 swered Warner stiffly. 
 
 " You ought to give me the preference," said 
 Walter, not observing the other's change of 
 manner. 
 
 " Ahem ! a man must judge for himself, you 
 know'. By the way, i sit true that you have 
 lost all your money?" 
 
 " I don't know how much I have lost, but I 
 am not coming back to college next year." 
 
 " You are in hard luck," said Warner 
 coldly. " By the way, I think we shall have to 
 give up that plan for the summer." 
 
 "What plan?" 
 
 " Why, you know I invited you to visit me 
 at Lake George." 
 
 Walter began to comprehend. 
 
 " W r hy, are you not going to be there? " he 
 asked. 
 
 " Yes, but the house will be full of other 
 fellows, don't you know."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 43 
 
 " So that there will be no room for me," 
 said Walter calmly, looking Warner full in 
 the face. 
 
 " Awfully sorry, and all that sort of thing," 
 drawled Warner. " Besides, I suppose you 
 will have to go to work." 
 
 " Yes, I expect to go to work after awhile. 
 Probably I shall take a few weeks for rest. 
 By the way, when did you find out that your 
 home would be full of other fellows? " 
 
 " Got a letter from my sister this morning. 
 Besides in your changed circumstances, 
 don't you know you might find it awkward 
 to be living in a style which you couldn't keep 
 up." 
 
 " Thank you, Warner. You are very con 
 siderate. I really didn't give you credit for 
 so much consideration." 
 
 " Don't mention it ! Of course with your 
 good .sense you understand." 
 
 " I think I do." 
 
 " And, by -the way, I believe you borrowed 
 two dollars- of me Jast week. If it is incon 
 venient for you topay the whole at once, you 
 mijrht hand me a dollar." 
 
 17 And I called diat fellow my friend ! " said 
 Walter to himself. 
 
 "You are very considerate again, but I
 
 44 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 think I would rather pay the whole at once. 
 Can you change a ten?" 
 
 Harvey Warner looked surprised. He had 
 jumped to the conclusion that Walter was the 
 next thing to a pauper, and here he was better 
 supplied with money than himself. 
 
 " I am not sure that I have as much money 
 here," he said. 
 
 " Then come with me to the drug-store ; I 
 am going to buy a bottle of tooth-wash, and 
 will change the bill there." 
 
 Warner accepted this proposal. 
 
 " I'd better make sure of my money while 
 he has it," he reflected. 
 
 " I hope you're not very much disappointed 
 about the visit? " he said. 
 
 " Not at all ! I should have had to decline. 
 I have been invited to spend a month at the 
 Adirondacks with Frank Clifford." 
 
 " You don't mean it ! " ejaculated Warner 
 enviously. 
 
 Clifford was a member of an old family, 
 and an invitation from him was felt to confer 
 distinction. Warner himself would have 
 given a good deal to be on sufficiently intimate 
 terms to receive such a compliment. 
 
 "When did he invite you?" he asked sug 
 gestively.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 45 
 
 Walter saw what was in his mind, and an 
 swered with a smile: 
 
 " He invited me this morning." 
 
 " Had he heard 
 
 "Of my loss of fortune? Oh, yes! But 
 why should that make any difference?" 
 
 " I wouldn't go, if I were you/'' 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 " You are going to be a poor man." 
 
 " I don't know about that." 
 
 " You are poor now, at any rate." 
 
 " Well, perhaps so, but am I any the worse 
 for that? " 
 
 " I thought you would understand my mean 
 ing." 
 
 " I do, but I am glad that all my friends 
 don't attach the importance you do to the 
 possession of fortune. Good morning!" 
 
 " I suppose it's the way of the world ! " 
 thought Walter, as his quondam friend left 
 him. " But, thank Heaven, all are not mer 
 cenary! I've got a few friends left, anyhow." 
 
 A few rods farther on he met Victor Cres- 
 well, perhaps the richest student in the junior 
 class. 
 
 "What's this I hear, Walter?" he asked. 
 " Have you lost your money? " 
 
 " Some of it, I believe." 
 
 " And you are not coming back to college? *
 
 46 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I shall stay out a year. Perhaps I can 
 come back then." 
 
 " You needn't leave at all. My governor 
 allows me a hundred dollars a month for my 
 own use spending money, you know. I'll 
 give you half of it, if that will enable you to 
 pull through." 
 
 Walter was touched. 
 
 " You are a friend worth having, Creswell," 
 he said. " But I really think I shall enjoy 
 being out of college for a year. I shall find 
 out what is in me. But I shan't forget your 
 generous offer." 
 
 " Better accept it, Sherwood. I ran get 
 along well enough on fifty dollars a month." 
 
 " I won't accept it for myself, but I'll tell 
 you something. My chum, Gates, is very hard 
 pushed. You know he depends wholly on 
 himself, and twenty-five dollars just at this 
 time would be a godsend to him. He is 
 worried about paying his bills. If, now, you 
 would transfer a little of your generosity to 
 him 
 
 " I don't know him very well, but if you 
 speak well of him that is enough. I shall be 
 glad to help him. Let me see how much I 
 can spare." 
 
 He drew out a wallet, and from it four ten- 
 dollar bills.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 47 
 
 " Here are forty dollars," he said. " Give 
 them to him, but don't let him know where 
 they came from." 
 
 " Creswell, you're a trump ! " said Walter, 
 shaking his hand vigorously. " You don't 
 know how happy you will make him." 
 
 " Oh, that's all right. But I'm sorry you 
 won't let me do something for you." 
 
 " I will if I need it," 
 
 " Good ! " said Creswell, in a tone of satis 
 faction. " Now, mind, you don't hesitate." 
 
 Walter, happy in the happiness he was go 
 ing to confer, made his way quickly to his 
 own room. Gates sat at the table with a 
 troubled brow, writing some figures on a 
 piece of paper. 
 
 " What are you about, Gates? " asked his 
 chum. 
 
 " I have been thinking," said Gates wearily, 
 " that perhaps I ought to do what you have 
 decided to do." 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 " Leave college." 
 
 " But why? " 
 
 11 1 am so troubled to pay my bills. I wrote 
 to my uncle last week he is a well-to-do 
 fanner asking him if he wouldn't send me 
 fifteen dollars to help pay my term bills. I
 
 48 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 promised to come and help him in the farm 
 work during July." 
 
 " What does he say? " asked Walter, smil 
 ing, Gates couldn't understand why. 
 
 " That he ^ever pays for work in advance 
 he doesn't approve of it." 
 
 " He could afford it? " 
 
 "Oh, yes; he's got a good sum in the sav 
 ings-bank, but he is a very cautious man. I 
 don't see how I'm going to get through. Per 
 haps I had better take a year away from col 
 lege." 
 
 " There is no need of that. I have some 
 money here for you." 
 
 " Some money for me? " 
 
 " Yes," and Walter placed four ten-dollar 
 bills on the table. 
 
 " But, Walter, you are in no position to lend 
 me money." 
 
 "True; the money doesn't come from me." 
 
 " But who besides you would do me such a 
 great favor? " 
 
 " One of the rich fellows in college no, I 
 can't tell you his name. You can take it 
 without hesitation." 
 
 " But it must have been to you that he lent 
 it." 
 
 " No, he understands that it is to be given 
 to you. Will it help you?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 49 
 
 " Will it help me? It will carry me through 
 gloriously," and Gates was radiant with pleas 
 ure. 
 
 " Are you g'ong to leave college now? " 
 
 " No; this help is providential. I will never 
 be distrustful again." 
 
 " I wish Creswell could see how much hap 
 piness his gift has brought with it," thought 
 Walter. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 WALTER'S EXPERIMENT BEGINS. 
 
 AFTER a conference between Walter and his 
 guardian it was decided that he should wait 
 till the first of September before seeking for 
 any business position. Walter, who was some 
 what impulsive, was disposed to start at once, 
 but Doctor Mack said: "No, you are entitled 
 to a vacation. When your class resumes study 
 at Euclid, it will be time for you to begin to 
 earn your living." 
 
 " I am not sure that I deserve a vacation," 
 said Walter frankly. " I have not studied as 
 hard as I ought." 
 
 " Very probably. You have not been in 
 earnest. You are a year older now, and you 
 have a better understanding of your position."
 
 50 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " You are very charitable, my dear guard 
 ian," said Walter. 
 
 Doctor Mack smiled. 
 
 " I am quite aware," he said, " that old 
 heads are not often to be found on young 
 shoulders. 
 
 " Then you think it will be right for me to 
 enjoy myself this summer?" 
 
 " I want you to do so." 
 
 " One of my college friends, Frank Clif 
 ford, has invited me to pass a month with him 
 in the Adirondaeks. The Cliffords have a 
 lodge not far from Blue Mountain Lake. 
 Frank's mother and sisters will be abroad, 
 and he wants me to keep him company." 
 
 " I can think of no objection. How shall 
 you spend your time? " 
 
 " In hunting and fishing. There are splen 
 did chances for both up there, so Clifford 
 says." 
 
 " Go and have your good time. When you 
 come back we will talk of your future plans." 
 
 Walter's stay was prolonged to eight weeks, 
 and when he returned it was already nearing 
 the end of August. He was browned by ex 
 posure, and looked the picture of health. 
 
 " Now I am ready to go to work, Doctor 
 Mack," he said. " Have you any plans for 
 me?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 51 
 
 u How would you like to go into a drug 
 store? I have a college classmate who is a 
 very successful druggist in Syracuse." 
 
 Walter shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 " I don't believe I have a taste for making 
 pills," he said. 
 
 " I thought not. What do you think of en 
 tering a dry-goods store? I am acquainted 
 with the head of a prominent establishment in 
 New York." 
 
 " It is a very respectable position, but I 
 should feel ' cabined, cr'bbed, confined ' in it." 
 
 " I am at the end of my tether. Have you 
 formed any plans of your own? " 
 
 " W T ell, not exactly." 
 
 " But you have thought somewhat on the 
 subject? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter. 
 
 " If at all possible, I shall let you have your 
 own way." 
 
 " You may think me foolish," said Walter 
 hesitatingly. 
 
 " I don't know. Let me hear what you have 
 to propose." 
 
 " I thought," said Walter eagerly, " I would 
 like to go out West." 
 
 " What would you do when you got there? " 
 "There must be lots of things to do."
 
 52 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "Very likely. You might buy an ax and 
 clear the virgin forests." 
 
 " I am afraid I wouldn't be a success at 
 that." 
 
 " You have no definite idea as to what you 
 would do? " 
 
 " No. I could tell better when I got out 
 there." 
 
 " Now, about the expense. How much 
 money would you need? You would require 
 to live till you begin to earn something." 
 
 " How much will it cost me to get to 
 Chicago?" 
 
 " Say about twenty-five dollars." 
 
 " I think, guardian, if you will advance me 
 a hundred dollars, that will be sufficient." 
 
 " For how long a time? " 
 
 " For a year. You see, I expect to earn my 
 own living by the time I have spent fifty dol 
 lars in all. I should go to a cheap boarding 
 place, of course. I should be able to pay my 
 way." 
 
 " You will be content, then, with a hundred 
 dollars, Walter?" 
 
 "Yes; perhaps I could make it do on less." 
 
 "No; you shall have a hundred. If abso 
 lutely necessary, you can send for more." 
 
 " No," said Walter confidently j " I won't do
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 53 
 
 that. I shall get along somehow. I want to 
 make a man of myself." 
 
 " That is a commendable ambition. Still, 
 sometimes a young man finds it hard to obtain 
 employment. If you had a trade, now, it 
 might be different. Suppose, for instance, you 
 were a journeyman tailor, you could readily 
 find a place in Chicago or any good-sized city." 
 
 " I shouldn't care to be a tailor." 
 
 " I shouldn't care to employ you if you 
 were," said his guardian, smiling. " One 
 thing I would like to guard you against. 
 Don't be too particular about what you take 
 up. With so small an outfit as you have stipu 
 lated for, you will have to go to work at some 
 thing soon. Then, again, you won't be able 
 to live as well as you have been accustomed to 
 do here and in college." 
 
 " I understand that, and am prepared for it. 
 I want to rough it." 
 
 " Possibly you will have your wish granted. 
 I don't want to discourage you, Walter. I 
 only want to prepare you for what may, and 
 probably will, come." 
 
 " Do you know any one in Chicago, Doctor 
 Mack? I might find it pleasant to have an 
 acquaintance." 
 
 " Yes, I know a retired merchant named 
 Archer. He lives on Indiana Avenue. I
 
 54 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 don't remember the number, but you can 
 easily find his name in the directory. His 
 name is Allen Archer." 
 
 Walter noted the name in a new memoran 
 dum-book which he had purchased. 
 
 " Where would you advise me to put up on 
 my arrival in Chicago? " he asked. 
 
 " There are several good houses the Sher 
 man, Tremont, Palmer House; but they will 
 be beyond your means. Indeed, any hotel 
 will be. Still you might go to some good house 
 for a day. That will give you time to hunt 
 up a modest boarding-house." 
 
 " An excellent plan ! " said Walter, in a 
 tone of satisfaction. " Do you know, my dear 
 guardian, I shall go out in the best of spirits. 
 I feel in Shakespeare's words that the 
 world is mine oyster." 
 
 " I hope you will be able to open it, 
 Walter. You have my best wishes. Don't 
 forget that you will have to depend on your 
 self." 
 
 " I won't forget it. I wish it was time for 
 me to start." 
 
 " It will come soon enough. You had better 
 get out your clothes, and get them mended, 
 if necessary, and put in order. Nancy will do 
 all she can for you, and the tailor will do the 
 rest. Better not take much with you. When
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 55 
 
 you get settled I will forward your trunk by 
 express." 
 
 "VYheii Nancy Sprague heard of Walter's 
 plans she was much disturbed. 
 
 " Oh, Master Walteiy ' she said, in a tragic 
 tone, " is it true that you've lost all your 
 money and have got to go out into the cold 
 world to make a living? " 
 
 " I believe I have lost some money, Nancy, 
 but I rather like the idea of working for my 
 living." 
 
 " Oh, you poor child, you little know what 
 it is. I can't bear to think of it. I can't see 
 how Doctor Mack can let you go." 
 
 " I should be very sorry if he refused. It 
 isn't so bad, to work for a living. Haven't you 
 always done it? " 
 
 " Yes, but that's different. I was always 
 poor, and I am used to it." 
 
 " I am going to get used to it." 
 
 " Walter don't tell your guardian what I 
 am saying but I've got two hundred dollars 
 in the savings-bank, and I shall be very glad 
 to give you some of it. You will take it, now, 
 won't you? I can get it out to-morrow." 
 
 " Nancy, you are a true friend/' said 
 Walter, really moved by the unselfish devotion 
 of the housekeeper; "but I shan't need it. I
 
 56 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 shall take a hundred dollars with me, and long 
 before it is gone I shall be earning my living." 
 
 " You'll send for it if you need it? " 
 
 " Yes, if I find I am very hard up, and there 
 is no other way, I will send for it." 
 
 Nancy brightened up, much pleased and re 
 lieved by this assurance. 
 
 " I couldn't bear to think of your suffering 
 for a meal of victuals when we have so much 
 in the house. I don't see why you can't stay 
 at home and get a place in the village." 
 
 Walter laughed. 
 
 " It wouldn't suit me at all, Nancy. I am 
 going West to grow up with the country. 
 
 " I wish I could be somewhere near, to look 
 after you." 
 
 " It would be of no use, Nancy. Women 
 are in great demand out there at any rate 
 in Dakota and you'd be married in less than 
 no time, if you went." 
 
 " You are only joking now, Master Walter." 
 
 " Not at all ! I read the other day that of 
 ten school-ma'ams who went out to Dakota 
 last fall, eight were married within three 
 months." 
 
 " Nobody could marry me against my will," 
 said Nancy resolutely. 
 
 " Perhaps he would find a way of overcom 
 ing your objections," said Walter, laughing.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 57 
 
 " But I am afraid Doctor Mack couldn't do 
 without you. He couldn't spare you and ine 
 both." 
 
 " That's true," assented Nancy, who had not 
 been so much alarmed at the matrimonial 
 dangers hinted at by Walter as might have 
 been anticipated. Had a good opportunity 
 offered, I am inclined to think Nancy would 
 have been willing to change her name. After 
 all, she was only forty-nine, and I have known 
 more than one to surrender single blessed 
 ness with all its charms at and beyond that 
 age. 
 
 At last the day of departure came. Valise 
 in hand, Walter jumped aboard the stage that 
 was to convey him to the railroad-station. He 
 shook hands with his guardian and Nancy, 
 the driver whipped up his horses', and a new 
 period in Walter's life had commenced. 
 
 "I wonder how he'll come out?" mused 
 Doctor Mack thoughtfully. " Have I acted 
 for the best in letting him go? Well, time 
 alone can tell." 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 WALTER BUYS A WATCH. 
 
 WALTER was tempted to stop over at 
 Niagara, as his ticket would have allowed him
 
 58 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 to do, but he was also very anxious to reach 
 Chicago and get to work. " I can visit 
 "Niagara some other time," he rellected. 
 " Now I can spare neither the money nor the 
 time." 
 
 Hour after hour sped by, until with a little 
 thrill of excitement Walter learned by consult 
 ing his railroad guide that he was within 
 fifty miles of Chicago. He looked out of the 
 car window, and surveyed with interest the 
 country through which they were speeding at 
 the rate of thirty-five miles an hour. His 
 attention was drawn from the panorama out 
 side by a voice : 
 
 " Is this seat engaged? " 
 
 Walter looked up, and his glance rested on 
 a man of perhaps thirty-five, dressed in a light 
 suit, and wearing a tall white hat. 
 
 " No, sir," answered Walter politely, re 
 moving his gripsack from the seat. 
 
 " I don't want to incommode you," said the 
 stranger, as he took the place thus vacated. 
 
 " You don't in the least," said Walter. 
 
 " I suppose you are going to Chicago? " 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Are you going farther out to Dakota, for 
 instance?" 
 
 " No, sir. Chicago is far enough west for 
 me at present."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 59 
 
 " I live in Dakota. I have a long journey 
 to make after we reach Chicago." 
 
 " I don't know about Dakota. Is it a good 
 place for business? " 
 
 " It is going to be. Yes, Dakota has a 
 bright future. I have a pleasant little home 
 out there. I had to go East on business, and 
 >-tjiyed a little longer than I intended. In fact 
 I spent more money than I anticipated, and 
 that makes me a little short." 
 
 It struck Walter that his new acquaintance 
 for a stranger was very confidential. 
 
 " Is it possible he will propose to borrow 7 
 money of me? " he asked himself. He did 
 not quite know what to say, but politeness re 
 quired him to say something. 
 
 " I am sorry," he replied, in a sympathizing 
 tone. 
 
 " I should like to take a train this evening 
 for my home," continued the stranger. 
 
 " I hope you will be able to do so." 
 
 " Well, there's one drawback. I haven't 
 got money enough to buy a through ticket, 
 ruder these circumstances, I am going to offer 
 you a bargain." 
 
 Walter looked surprised and expectant. 
 
 The stranger drew a gold watch from his 
 pocket a very handsome gold watch, which 
 looked valuable.
 
 60 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "You see that watch?" he said. "How 
 much do you think it is worth?" 
 
 " It looks like a nice watch. I am no judge 
 of values." 
 
 " It cost me ninety dollars six months s-ince. 
 Now I need the money, and I will sell it to 
 you for twenty-five." 
 
 " But that would be a great sacrifice." 
 
 " So it would, but I need the money. Of 
 course, if you haven't got the money 
 
 " I have that amount of money," said 
 Walter, " but I haven't got it to spare. I 
 might need it." 
 
 " Then all you need to do is to sell the watch 
 or pawn it. You could sell it for fifty dollars 
 without trouble." 
 
 " Why don't you do that? " asked Walter 
 shrewdly. 
 
 " Because I haven't the time. I want, if 
 
 possible, to go on to-night. If you had a 
 
 wife and two children waiting for you, whom 
 
 you had not seen for two months, you wouldn't 
 
 .mind losing a few dollars for the sake of see- 
 
 'ing them a little sooner." 
 
 " Very likely," answered Walter, to whom 
 his companion's explanation seemed plausible. 
 
 Walter was tempted, but he reflected that 
 twenty-five dollars represented a third of the 
 money he had with him, so he put away the
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 01 
 
 temptation, but with reluctance. He had 
 a silver watch, bought for him, when he en 
 tered college, at a cost of fifteen dollars, and 
 like the majority of boys of his age he felt 
 that he should much prefer to carry a gold 
 one. Still he must be prudent. 
 
 " No," he said, shaking his head, " I don't 
 think I had better buy the watch. I presume 
 you will find some one else on the train who 
 would be glad of the bargain." 
 
 " Very likely, but we are near Chicago, and 
 I haven't time to look around. Come, I'll 
 make you a still better offer, though I ought 
 not to do so. You may have the watch for 
 twenty dollars. That money will get me 
 through, and I won't haggle about five dol 
 lars." 
 
 "Twenty dollars!" repeated Walter 
 thoughtfully. 
 
 " Yes, look at the watch. Isn't it a 
 beauty? " 
 
 " Yes, I like the appearance of it very 
 mnich." 
 
 " If you get out of money, you can easily 
 pawn it for more than the sum I ask you for 
 it." 
 
 Certainly this was an important considera 
 tion. Walter felt that he would be foolish 
 to lose so good a chance. It was a pity that
 
 62 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 the stranger should be forced to roake such 
 a sacrifice, yet it really seemed that he would 
 be doing him a favor, as well as benefiting 
 himself, by accepting his proposition. 
 
 " You will guarantee it to be solid gold? " 
 he said, with momentary suspicion. 
 
 " Certainly. You will see that it is an Elgin 
 watch. Of course you know the reputation 
 of that make. They don't make any sham 
 watches at their factory." 
 
 " I thought the case might be gilt," said 
 Walter, half ashamed of his suspicions. 
 
 " You do well to be cautious, but I will 
 guarantee the watch to be all I represent it. 
 I only wish you were a jeweler. Then you 
 could judge for yourself." 
 
 It sounded very plausible. Then, the watch 
 was a very handsome one. 
 
 " Let me open it and show you the works." 
 
 The stranger did so. Walter was no judge 
 of the mechanism of a watch, but what he 
 saw impressed him favorably. The stranger 
 seemed very frank and fair spoken. Walter 
 knew, of course, that in traveling one was 
 likely to meet with sharpers, but that did 
 not justify him in suspecting everybody he 
 met. 
 
 " It would look very nice at the end of my 
 chain," he thought, (l I suppose I cannot
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 63 
 
 afford it; but, as he says, I can raise money on 
 it at any time." 
 
 " Well, young man, what is your decision? 
 You must excuse me for hurrying you, but 
 we are not far from Chicago, and I want to 
 make sure that I can continue my journey to 
 night. I shall telegraph to my wife that I am 
 coming." 
 
 " I will take the watch," said Walter. 
 " There doesn't seem to be much risk in doing 
 so.'' 
 
 " Bosh ! I should say not. Young man I 
 congratulate you. You have made the best 
 bargain of your life. Have you got the money 
 handy?" 
 
 Walter took out two ten-dollar bills and 
 handed them to his companion, receiving the 
 watch in exchange. 
 
 " Well, that settles my mind," said the 
 stranger, in a tone of satisfaction. " I shall 
 see the old woman and the kids very soon, 
 thanks to your kindness." 
 
 " Don't mention it," said Walter compla 
 cently. " J feel indebted to you, rather, as 
 you have given me much more than an equiva 
 lent for my money." 
 
 " That is true, but under present circum 
 stances money is worth a good deal to me. 
 Now, if you don't mind, I will go into the
 
 64 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 smotdng-car and have a little smoke before 
 we arrive. Will you join me? " 
 
 " No, sir, thank you ; I don't smoke." 
 
 " Good day, then. Hope \ve shall meet 
 again." 
 
 Walter responded politely, and the 
 stranger, rising, walked forward to the front 
 part of the car and disappeared. 
 
 Walter detached the silver watch from the 
 plated chain to which it was attached, substi 
 tuted the new gold watch, and put the silver 
 tvatch in his pocket. It occurred to him that 
 If he should really need money it might be 
 better for him to sell the silver watch and re 
 tain the gold one. 
 
 " I have made thirty dollars at the very 
 least on my purchase," he reflected, " for I am 
 sure I can sell the watch for fifty dollars 1 , if 
 I wish to do so. This is a white day for me, 
 as the Romans used to say. I accept it as a 
 good omen of success. I wish Doctor Mack 
 and Nancy were here to see it. I think the 
 doctor would give me credit for a little 
 shrewdness." 
 
 The car sped on perhaps a dozen miles 
 farther, when the door opened, and the con 
 ductor entered, followed by a stout man of 
 perhaps fifty years of age, who looked flushed 
 and excited.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 65 
 
 " This gentleman has been robbed of his 
 gold watch," explained the conductor. " He 
 is convinced that some one on the train has 
 taken it. Of course no one of you is suspected, 
 but I will trouble you to show me your 
 watches." 
 
 As Walter hoard these words a terrible fear 
 assailed him. Had he bought a stolen watch? 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 AN INGENIOUS SCHEME. 
 
 THE passengers, though somewhat sur 
 prised, generally showed their watches with 
 a good grace. One old man produced a silver 
 watch, fifty years 1 old. 
 
 " That watch belonged to my grandfather," 
 he said. " You don't claim that, do you?" 
 
 " Wouldn't take it as a gift," said the loser 
 crustily. 
 
 " You couldn't get it in exchange for 
 yours ! " retorted the owner. 
 
 Presently they came to Walter. If he had 
 not attached the gold watch to his chain, in 
 stead of his old silver one, he would have been 
 tempted to leave it in his pocket and produce 
 the less valuable one. But he was saved from
 
 66 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 the temptation, as this would now have been 
 impossible. Besides, had the gold watch been 
 found on him afterward it would have looked 
 very suspicious. 
 
 " Well, youngster," said the stout man, 
 " show us your watch." 
 
 With a flushed face and an uneasy feeling 
 Walter drew out the gold timepiece. 
 
 " Is that your watch?" he said. 
 
 " Yes! " almost shouted the stout passenger 
 fiercely. " So you are the thief? " 
 
 " No, sir," answered Walter, pale but firm. 
 " I am not the thief." 
 
 " Where did you get it, then? " 
 
 " I bought it." 
 
 "You bought it? That's a likely story. 
 Why, it was taken from me this very after 
 noon." 
 
 " That may be, but I bought it, all the 
 same." 
 
 The owner was about to protest, when the 
 conductor said, quietly : " Listen to the young 
 fellow's explanation." 
 
 Walter proceeded: 
 
 " A man came to my seat, and told me he 
 wanted to raise money enough to get to Da 
 kota. He offered me the watch for twenty- 
 five dollars, though he said it cost him ninety, 
 six months ago."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 67 
 
 " And you paid him twenty-five dollars? " 
 " No ; I had no money to spare, but when 
 he offered it for twenty, and told me I could 
 more than get my money back, either by pawn 
 ing or selling it, I made up my mind to pur 
 chase, and did so." 
 
 "Where is this man?" asked the conduc 
 tor. 
 
 " He said he was going into the smoking- 
 car." 
 
 " That is a likely story," sneered the stout 
 gentleman. 
 
 " Do you charge me with taking the 
 watch?" demanded Walter hotly. "I have 
 never left this car. Have you seen me be 
 fore? " 
 
 " No, but you are probably a confederate 
 of the man from whom you got it. But I am 
 not sure if there was any such man:" 
 
 " I will describe him," said Walter. 
 
 As he did so, the conductor said : " There 
 was such a man on the train. He got off at 
 the last station." 
 
 " I don't know anything about that," said 
 the claimant, " but I'll trouble you, young 
 man, for that watch." 
 
 " Will you return me the twenty dollars I 
 gave for it?" asked Walter,
 
 68 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Of course not. I don't propose to buy 
 back my own watch." 
 
 An elderly gentleman who sat just behind 
 Walter spoke here. 
 
 " It is rather hard on the boy/' he said. 
 " I can confirm his story about the purchase 
 of the watch. I heard the bargaining and saw 
 the purchase-money paid." 
 
 " That makes no difference to me," said the 
 claimant. " I've identified the watch, and I 
 want it." 
 
 Walter removed it from his 1 chain, and was 
 about to hand it to the claimant, when a quiet- 
 looking man, dressed in a drab suit, rose from 
 a seat farther down the car and came for 
 ward. He was a small man, not over five feet 
 five inches in height, and he would not have 
 weighed over one hundred and twenty pounds, 
 but there was a look of authority on his face 
 and an accent of command in his voice. 
 
 " You needn't give up the watch, my boy," 
 he said. 
 
 Walter drew back his hand and turned 
 round in surprise. The claimant uttered an 
 angry exclamation and said testily: "By 
 what right do you interfere? " 
 
 " The watch isn't yours," said the small 
 man nonchalantly.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 69 
 
 " It isn't, hey? Well, of all the imperti 
 nent " 
 
 " Stop there, Jim Beckwith ! You see I 
 know you " as the stout man turned pale 
 and clutched at the side of the seat. 
 
 u Who are you? " he demanded hoarsely. 
 
 " Detective Green ! " 
 
 The claimant lost all his braggadocio air, 
 and stared at the detective with a terrified 
 look." 
 
 " That isn't my name," he managed to ejacu 
 late. 
 
 " Very likely not," said the detective 
 calmly, " but it is one of your names. It is 
 a very clever game that you and your con 
 federate are playing. He sells the watch, and 
 you demand it, claiming that it has been stolen 
 from you. I was present when the watch was 
 sold, and the reason I did not interfere was 
 because I was waiting for the sequel. How 
 many times have you played this game? " 
 
 " There's some mistake," gasped the other. 
 
 " Perhaps so, but I have some doubts 
 whether you came by it honestly." 
 
 "I assure you it is my watch," cried the 
 other uneasily. 
 
 " How much did you pay for it, young 
 man?" asked the detective. 
 
 " Twenty dollars."
 
 70 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "Very well, sir; give the boy twenty dol 
 lars, and I shall advise him to give the watch 
 back to you, as it may be stolen property, 
 which he would not like to have found in his 
 possession." 
 
 " But that will be paying twenty dollars 
 for my own property. It was not to me he 
 paid the money." 
 
 " You will have to look to your confeder 
 ate for that. I am not sure but I ought to 
 make you give twenty-five dollars'." 
 
 This hint led to the stout man's hastily 
 producing two ten-dollar bills, which he 
 tendered to Walter. 
 
 " It's an outrage," he said, " making a man 
 pay for his own property ! " 
 
 " Are you sure that your statements in re 
 gard to this man are true? " asked an import 
 ant-looking individual on the opposite side of 
 the car. " To my mind your interference is 
 unwarrantable, not to say outrageous. Jus 
 tice has been trampled upon." 
 
 The detective looked round sharply. 
 
 " Do you know the man? " he asked. 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Well, I do. I first made his acquaintance 
 at Joliet prison, where he served a term of 
 years for robbing a bank. Is that true or not, 
 Jim Beck with?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 71 
 
 The man known as Beckwith had already 
 started to leave the car, but, although he 
 heard the question, he didn't come back to 
 answer it. 
 
 " I generally know what I am about," con 
 tinued the detective pointedly, " as those who 
 are unwise enough to criticize my actions find 
 out, sooner or later." 
 
 The important gentleman did not reply, but 
 covered his confusion by appearing to be ab 
 sorbed in a daily paper which he held up be 
 fore his face. 
 
 " You let him off easy," said he gentleman 
 in the rear seat. " You allowed him to take 
 the watch. I was surprised at that." 
 
 " Yes, for strange as it may seem, it was 
 probably his, though the money with which 
 he bought it may have been stolen. That 
 watch has been probably sold a dozen times, 
 and recovered the same way. Were it a stolen 
 watch, the risk would be too great. As it is, 
 I had no pretext for arresting him." 
 
 "Was it really a ninety dollar watch?" 
 asked Walter, with interest. 
 
 " No. I know something about watches, 
 as I find the knowledge useful in my oflirial 
 capacity. The watch wonld be a fair bargain 
 at forty-five dollars, but it is showy, and
 
 72 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 would readily be taken for one worth seventy- 
 five or even ninety dollars." 
 
 " I shouldn't think the trick would pay," 
 said the gentleman in the rear seat. 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 " Twenty dollars isn't a large sum to be 
 divided between two persons, especially when 
 there's money to be paid for car fare." 
 
 " Sometimes the watch is sold for more 
 generally, I fancy but the price was reduced 
 because the purchaser was a boy. Besides, 
 these men doubtless have other ways of mak 
 ing money. They are well-known confidence 
 men. If I hadn't been on board the train, our 
 young friend here would have lost his twenty 
 dollars." 
 
 " It would have been a great loss to me," 
 said Walter. " I am very much obliged to 
 you, Mr. Green." 
 
 " Ah, you remember my name. Let me give 
 you my card. Some time you may get into 
 difficulty and want to consult me. Boys of 
 your age are not a match for an experienced 
 swindler." 
 
 He handed Walter a card bearing the name : 
 
 SILAS GREEN 
 97 H Street 
 
 Walter put it into his pocket with a polite 
 expression of thanks.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 73 
 
 Meanwhile, of course, the cars were steadily 
 approaching Chicago. At length they en 
 tered the great Union Depot, and with the 
 rest of the passengers Walter alighted, carry 
 ing his valise in his hand. 
 
 A few feet in front of him walked Jim Beck- 
 with, but Walter did not care to join him. 
 He half turned, and as his glance fell on Wal 
 ter he said, \\ ith a scowl : " If you ever meet 
 rue again, you'll know me." 
 
 " Yes, I shall ! " answered Walter, with em 
 phasis. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AT THE INDIANA HOUSE. 
 
 WALTER paused before a modest hotel on 
 Monroe Street we will call it the Indiana 
 House and, entering, went up to the desk and. 
 inquired the rates of board. 
 
 " Are you commercial? " asked the clerk. 
 
 " Not at present, sir." 
 
 " We make special terms for commercial 
 travelers. We will give you a small room on 
 the third floor for one dollar and a half a day." 
 
 This was as cheap as Walter expected to 
 find it at a hotel, and he signified his accept 
 ance. 
 
 " Front ! " called the clerk.
 
 74 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 A red-haired boy of about Walter's age 
 came forward. 
 
 " Take this young man up to No. 36," said 
 the clerk. 
 
 " Yessir," answered the bell-boy, pronounc 
 ing the two words in one. 
 
 There was no elevator in the house, and 
 Walter followed the boy up two flights of 
 stairs to the third landing. The boy opened 
 the door of a room with a small window look 
 ing out into an inner court. 
 
 "Here you are!" he said, and he put the 
 valise on the floor. 
 
 " Thank you," said Walter. 
 
 As he spoke he drew a dime from his vest 
 pocket and deposited it in the hand of the red- 
 haired attendant. 
 
 The effect was magical. The bell-boy's list 
 less manner vanished, h ; s dull face lighted up, 
 and his manner became brisk. 
 
 " Thank you, sir. Is there anything you 
 want? If you do, I'll get it for you." 
 
 Walter looked about him. Soap, water, 
 towels all were in sight. 
 
 " Not just now," he answered, " but I am 
 going to take a wash, and shall probably use 
 up all the water. Some time this evening you 
 may bring me some more."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 75 
 
 " All right, sir. Just you ring when you 
 want it." 
 
 He went off, and Walter was left alone. 
 First, he took a thorough wash, which re 
 freshed him very much after his long and 
 dusty ride. Then he changed his linen, 
 brushed his clothes with a hand-brush he had 
 brought in his valise, and carefully combed 
 his hair. 
 
 "I feel a hundren per cent, better," he solilo 
 quized. " Here I am in Chicago, and now the 
 battle of life is to begin." 
 
 Walter was sanguine and full of hope. His 
 life had always been easy, and he did not know 
 what it was to work for a living. Besides, 
 the fact may as well be told he had a very 
 comfortable opinion of his own abilities. He 
 felt that he was no common boy. Was he not 
 a sophomore, or rather a junior-elect, of Eu 
 clid College? Did he not possess a knowl 
 edge more or less extensive of Latin, Greek, 
 and mathematics, with a smattering of French 
 and German, not to speak of logic, rhetoric, 
 etc.? For one of his age, he considered him 
 self quite accomplished, and he persuaded him 
 self that the world would receive him at his 
 own estimate. It would be very strange if he 
 could not earn a living, when hundreds and
 
 76 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 thousands of his age, without a tithe of his 
 knowledge, managed to live. 
 
 Walter went down-stairs 1 , and as it would 
 not be supper time for two hours, wont out to 
 walk. He wanted to get some idea of the busy 
 city which was, for a time at least, to be his 
 home. He walked through Monroe Street un- 
 till he reached State. At the corner he caught 
 sight of a palatial structure, nearly opposite. 
 
 "What building is that?" he asked of a 
 boy. 
 
 "Where's your eyes?" returned the boy. 
 " That's the Palmer House." 
 
 Walter gazed admiringly at the showy 
 buildimg, and wished that he could afford to 
 put up there. It was as far ahead of the In 
 diana House as a city is ahead of a country 
 village. He continued his walk till he reached 
 the lake front, and looked with interest at the 
 great sheet of water which spread out before 
 him like an inland sea. He walked along the 
 lake front for a few squares, and then, strik 
 ing back into the city, saw the Tremont House, 
 the court-house, the Sherman House, and other 
 handsome buildings. On his way he met hun 
 dreds of people walking briskly, and all seem 
 ing occupied. 
 
 " If all these people make a living, why.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 77 
 
 shouldn't I?" he asked himself. ' I think I 
 am as smart as the average." 
 
 Secretly Walter thought himself a great 
 deal smarter. It must be remembered that 
 Walter was not quite eighteen a self-con- 
 ceited age and he overestimated his strength 
 and ability. On the whole, it is fortunate 
 that the young do not comprehend the difficult 
 struggle that lies before them, or they would 
 become discouraged before they had fairly 
 entered upon it. It is well that they should 
 be hopeful and sanguine. They are more 
 likely to succeed. 
 
 Walter wandered around in a desultory 
 way, and it was more than an hour before he 
 reached the hotel at which he was stopping. 
 As he entered the public room he started back 
 in surprise, as* his glance rested on a man 
 wearing a white hat. Surely this was the 
 man who had sold him the gold watch. How 
 did it happen that he was not on the way to 
 Dakota? 
 
 He coughed, with a view to attracting the 
 attention of his railroad acquaintance. 
 
 The ruse succeeded. The man turned, and 
 evidently recognized Walter. He looker] 
 doubtful, not having yet met his confederate 
 nor learned how the plot had come out.
 
 78 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I believe I met you on the train," said 
 Walter, smiling. 
 
 The smile decided the other that it would 
 be safe to acknowledge the acquaintance. 
 
 " Yes, I remember you now." 
 
 " You sold me a watch? " 
 
 " Yes," answered the other hesitatingly. 
 
 " I thought you wanted to take a train to 
 Dakota this evening," went on Walter. 
 
 "So I do; it doesn't go till eight o'clock. 
 May I ask what time it is? Y"ou know I sold 
 you my watch." 
 
 " I suppose that is Chicago time," said Wal 
 ter, pointing to a clock on the left-hand side 
 of the office. 
 
 " I wonder whether he's got the watch 
 still?" thought the other. "He must have, 
 as he makes no fuss about it." 
 
 Walter was waiting cunningly to see if his 
 railroad acquaintance would betray himself. 
 
 " I'm awfully sorry to part with the watch," 
 he said. " If you keep it, I may buy it back 
 some time." 
 
 " I am sorry I can't oblige you," said Wal 
 ter, " but I have sold it already." 
 
 " Sold the watch already ! " ejaculated the 
 man in the white hat. " Did you sell it since 
 you reached Chicago? " 
 
 " No; I sold it on the train."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 79 
 
 " You don't mean it ! " exclaimed the other, 
 iu amazement. "Who did you sell it to?" 
 
 " To Jim Beckwith," answered Walter. 
 
 " Jim Beckwith ! " 
 
 The man in the white hat stared at Walter 
 with an air of startled perplexity that almost 
 made our hero laugh. 
 
 " Yes, that's what he said his name was, or 
 rather somebody told me it was his name." 
 
 " Jim Beckwith bought that watch of you ! " 
 repeated the stranger slowly. 
 
 "Yes; do you know him?" 
 
 " I have heard of him,'' said the other, with 
 hesitation. 
 
 " Oh, I nearly forgot to say that he claimed 
 the watch as his said you had stolen it from 
 him." 
 
 " Jim Beckwith said that? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " And you gave it up to him? " 
 
 " Yes, but not till he paid me the twenty 
 dollars I gave for it." 
 
 The other was more and more mystified. 
 
 " Jim Beckwith gave you the twenty dol 
 lars? " he said. 
 
 " Yes. That leaves me all right. If you 
 want to buy it back at any time, you must ap 
 ply to him."
 
 8o Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 The man in the white hat stared at Walter 
 as if he were a museum freak. 
 
 " Boy," he said, in a tone of enforced ad 
 miration, "you're smart!" 
 
 " I am glad you think so, sir," returned Wal 
 ter. " You pay me a compliment." 
 
 " How old are you? " 
 
 " Seventeen." 
 
 " A seventeen-year-old boy who can get the 
 better of Jim Beckwith is smart, and no mis 
 take." 
 
 " Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me 
 whether it's true that the watch belongs to 
 Mr. Beckwith, as he says." 
 
 " It does now as he paid for it." 
 
 " Is it true that you took it from him, as he 
 says? " 
 
 " I bought it of another man who may have 
 stolen it from him," said he of the white hat 
 cautiously. 
 
 " Well, you'll have to settle with him. I'm 
 out of it ! " 
 
 AVhile Walter was' speaking, and extraordi 
 nary change came over the countenance of the 
 man in the white hat. The color faded from 
 his cheeks', and he half rose from his seat. 
 He was not looking at Walter, but beyond 
 him, toward the door. Walter turned, follow 
 ing his look, and when he saw who had entered 
 he understood the situation.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 81 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE MAN FROM DAKOrA. 
 
 THE man who had just entered the reading- 
 room was no other than Detective Green. 
 
 He nodded pleasantly to Walter. 
 
 " So you have put up here," he said. " Well, 
 it is a good place. And is this gentleman a 
 friend of yours?" indicating the man in the 
 white hat. 
 
 " I bought the watch from him." 
 
 " Ha ! I thought so. I see you know me, 
 Steve Ashton." 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Ashton nervously. 
 " I hope you are well." 
 
 " You are very kind. Then you really hope 
 I am well?" 
 
 "Of course. Why shouldn't I?" 
 
 " Well, there are some of your companions, 
 I fear, who are not so cordial Jim Beckwith, 
 for instance. By the way, you have some busi 
 ness arrangements with Jim Beckwith." 
 
 " I know him, sir," answered Ashton hesi 
 tatingly. 
 
 " You know him well, I suspect. So you 
 sold my young friend here a watch? "
 
 82 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " At a remarkable sacrifice." 
 
 " Yes, sir. It is worth more than he paid 
 me for it." 
 
 " And yet it seemed likely to be a losing bar 
 gain for him. It would have been but for 
 me." 
 
 Ashton looked at Walter inquiringly. The 
 latter smiled. 
 
 " You gave me credit for being smarter than 
 I was," said Walter. " Mr. Green, here, came 
 to my assistance." 
 
 " I think, Mr. Ashton," said Detective 
 Green, with suavity, " that you have a wife 
 and family in Dakota." 
 
 " I, sir " 
 
 " Yes-, and it was to obtain money to join 
 them that you sold your watch on the train." 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Ashton faintly. 
 
 " I am going to give you a bit of advice. It 
 will be wise for you to go to Dakota, as you 
 planned. This is a wicked city in spots 
 and I am afraid you have been keeping bad 
 company. How long have you known Beck- 
 with?" 
 
 " About six months." 
 
 " And he drew you into this business? " 
 
 " Yes, sir."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 83 
 
 " I thought so. You are new to the profes 
 sion. Still I knew you. I make it a point to 
 get acquainted with the new men. Is the 
 watch honestly yours? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Get it back from Beck with, and then drop 
 his acquaintance. If necessary, leave Chicago. 
 Have you a trade? " 
 
 " Yes, sir. I am a machinist." 
 
 " It is a good trade. Go back to it. Is that 
 advice friendly? " 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Ashton, with more 
 confidence. " I didn't expect to get friendly 
 advice from Detective Green." 
 
 " Perhaps not. You didn't know me, that 
 was all. You looked upon me as an enemy, I 
 suppose? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " I am an enemy to those who are incurably 
 bad. I think you were meant for an honest 
 man." 
 
 " So I was, sir. I should be still if I hadn't 
 .met with Jim Beck with." 
 
 " llave done with him, then ! If you follow 
 my advice you need not fear meeting with me 
 again." 
 
 The detective went up to the desk, bought a 
 cigar, and then left the room, with a nod to 
 Ashton and Walter,
 
 84 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Will you follow his advice? " asked Wal 
 ter. 
 
 " Yes, I will. Hereafter I will depend upon 
 honest work for an honest livelihood. What 
 is your name? " 
 
 " Walter Sherwood." 
 
 " Then, Walter Sherwood, I am glad I did 
 not succeed in robbing you. Yet I am glad 
 I met you. It will lead to my reformation. 
 Will you give me your hand? " 
 
 " Willingly." 
 
 Steve Ashton shook the proffered hand ener 
 getically. 
 
 " If I can do you a favor at any time, I shall 
 be glad to do so." 
 
 " Perhaps you can. I cannot afford to 
 live at a hotel. Can you recommend me to 
 some respectable but modest-priced boarding- 
 house? " 
 
 "Yes; the widow of a machinist who used 
 to be employed in the same shop as myself 
 keeps a few boarders. I think she would take 
 you for six dollars a week, or five if you have 
 a friend to room with you." 
 
 " Can you show me the place after supper 
 that is, unless you are in a hurry to start for 
 Dakota?" he added, with a smile. 
 
 " I never was in Dakota in my life," said 
 Ashtoji, " I told you a lie,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 85 
 
 " I was beginning to think so.'' 
 
 " But I shall drop all that. From this time 
 on you can trust me." 
 
 After supper Walter went round with Ash- 
 ton to a house in Harrison Street the board 
 ing-house referred to. The door was opened 
 by a careworn woman of middle age. 
 
 " How do you do, Mr. Ashton? " she said, 
 with an inquiring look. 
 
 " Very well, thank you, Mrs. Canfield. 
 Have you any rooms vacant? " 
 
 " Are you asking for yourself? " 
 
 " No, for my young friend here, Mr. Sher 
 wood." 
 
 " Do you want a large room or a small 
 one? " asked Mrs. Canfield, brightening up a 
 little. 
 
 " That depends a little on the price," an 
 swered Walter. 
 
 " I can give you a hall bedroom and board 
 for five dollars and a half a week." 
 
 "Can you show me the room?" 
 
 " Be kind enough to follow me." 
 
 Walter followed the landlady up a narrow 
 staircase, or rather two of them, and was 
 shown a hall bedroom, which seemed to be un 
 comfortably full, though it only contained a 
 bedstead, a chair, a very small bureau, and a 
 wash-stand. There was scarcely room for
 
 86 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 him to stand unless he stood on the bed. It 
 was indeed vastly different from his nice col 
 lege room and from his comfortable chamber 
 at home. 
 
 " I should like to see a larger room," said 
 Walter, not venturing to make any comment 
 on the hall room. 
 
 He was shown an adjoining apartment, 
 about ten feet by twelve. It was small, but 
 decidedly preferable to the other. 
 
 " How much do you charge for this room, 
 Mrs. Canfield?" 
 
 " I shall have to charge you six dollars if 
 you occupy it alone, but if you can get another 
 young gentleman to occupy it with you, I will 
 say ten dollars for the two." 
 
 " I will take it alone at first. Can I move 
 in to-morrow morning? " 
 
 " I will have it ready for you by eleven 
 o'clock." 
 
 " That will do." 
 
 " How do you like it? " asked Ashton, when 
 they were in the street. 
 
 " I think I can make it do." 
 
 " I suppose you have been used to something 
 better? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I can direct you to a better house." 
 
 " Thank you, but six dollars' a week is all I
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 87 
 
 can afford at present. I have no income, but 
 I shall look for a place at once.-' 
 
 " You haven't any trade, have you? " 
 
 " No," answered Walter, with a smile. 
 Brought up as he had been, it seemed odd to 
 be asked if lie had a trade. 
 
 " Some trades pay very well. I have a 
 nephew who is a bricklayer. He gets from 
 three to four dollars a day." 
 
 " I am afraid I should not like that busi 
 ness. Besides, it would take a good while to 
 learn it." 
 
 Walter smiled to himself as he pictured 
 some of his aristrocratic college friends seeing 
 him laying bricks. He was not a snob, nor 
 would he have disdained to notice a friend or 
 school companion filling such a position, but 
 he felt that Providence must have something 
 in store for him more congenial, though per 
 haps less lucrative. 
 
 " I have a cousin who is a carpenter," pro 
 ceeded Ashton. " He makes his two dollars 
 and a half a day, and supports a wife and 
 three children in comfort." 
 
 " I wonder if I could support a family on 
 fifteen dollars a week," thought Walter. 
 " Fortunately, I have only to support myself. 
 I ought to be able to do that in a large city 
 like Chicago."
 
 88 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Reared in comfort, Walter knew very little 
 of the competition and struggles of working 
 men, and had an idea that he would be able 
 easily to command a salary of ten dollars a 
 week, though he was wholly disqualified for 
 any special line of business. This he set down 
 as the minimum. Paying six dollars a week 
 for board, he calculated that he could get 
 along on this salary with extreme economy. 
 Fortunately he was pretty well provided with 
 clothing, or would be when he had sent for his 
 trunk, and would not find it necessary for 
 some time to come to purchase anything, ex 
 cept probably a pair of shoes', a necktie, or 
 some trifle. Then probably his pay would 
 soon be raised, and this would make him com 
 fortable. 
 
 That evening Walter went to Hooley's Thea 
 ter, and occupied a dollar seat. It was 
 hardly prudent, but he had seventy dollars 
 still, and that seemed to him a large sum. He 
 enjoyed the play, and got a sound night's rest 
 after it. 
 
 The next morning he settled his hotel bill, 
 took his gripsack in his hand, and walked 
 over to his new boarding-house.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 89 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT. 
 
 " WANTED A young man of seventeen or 
 eighteen in an insurance office, No. 169 La 
 Salle Street," 
 
 This notice attracted the attention of Wal 
 ter as he ran his eyes over the advertising col 
 umns of the Chicago Times on the second day 
 after his arrival in the city. 
 
 " I think that will suit me," he said to him 
 self. " It is a nice, respectable business 1 and 
 I think I should like it. I will go to the office 
 and make inquiries." 
 
 He entered a large building, devoted to of 
 fices, and ascended to the third story, where 
 he found the office of Perkins & Windermcre, 
 the names given in the advertisement. A 
 young man of about his own age was coming 
 out of the office as he entered an unsuccess 
 ful applicant, Walter inferred. 
 
 Opening the door, he saw a man of about 
 forty seated in a revolving chair at a desk. 
 
 " I believe you advertised for an assistant,' 7
 
 Qo Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 began Walter, as the occupant of the chair 
 turned round. 
 
 " Yes," answered Mr. Perkins for it was 
 he eying Walter with a scrutinizing glance. 
 
 " I would like to apply for the position." 
 
 "Humph! Do you know anything of the 
 insurance business? " 
 
 " Not practically, sir." 
 
 " That's against you." 
 
 " I think I could soon familiarize myself 
 with it so as to make myself useful.' 
 
 " How old are you? " 
 
 " Very nearly eighteen." 
 
 " Do you live in Chicago? " 
 
 " I do now. I have recently come from the 
 East." 
 
 "What education have you?" 
 
 " I have spent two years at Euclid College," 
 answered Walter, with conscious pride. 
 
 " So you are a college student? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Humph ! That won't do you any good.'' 
 
 " I hope it won't do me any harm, sir," said 
 Walter, somewhat nettled. 
 
 " No, unless it has made you conceited. I 
 am a graduate of the People's College." 
 
 " I don't think I have heard of that, sir." 
 
 " I mean the common school. Don't think 
 much of college myself. They don't help in
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 91 
 
 our business. They didn't have any insurance 
 companies in Greece or Rome, did they?" 
 
 " I never heard of any, sir." 
 
 " I thought not. You see we of to-day are 
 rather ahead of Demosthenes and Cicero, and 
 those old fellows. I suppose Rome was quite 
 a sizable place." 
 
 " I have always heard so," answered Walter. 
 
 " I'll bet a quarter it wasn't as big or as 
 smart a place as Chicago. I don't believe they 
 had any such hotel there as the Palmer House, 
 or any dry-goods store as big as Marshall 
 Field's." 
 
 " I don't believe they did," Walter admit 
 ted. 
 
 " Did Rome ever win the baseball champion 
 ship? " demanded Mr. Perkins. 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " I thought not Then what's the use in 
 spending four years over those old fellers? 
 How is it going to help you? " 
 
 " I don't expect it will help me to earn a 
 lining, sir. Do you think you can employ 
 me?" 
 
 " What are your ideas as to a salary, young 
 man?" 
 
 " I thought of ten dollars," said Walter hesi 
 tatingly. 
 
 " Ten dollars ! " ejaculated Mr. Perkins.
 
 92 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Just what I thought. Because you've been 
 to college you think you are worth a big sal^ 
 ary." 
 
 " Do you call that a big salary, sir? " asked 
 Walter, disconcerted. 
 
 " It wouldn't be if you had a couple of years' 
 experience, but for a beginner it is simply 
 enormous." 
 
 " What did you expect to pay? " asked Wai, 
 ter, in a depressed tone. 
 
 " Five dollars is about the figure." 
 
 " I couldn't work for that, sir. It wouldn't 
 pay my board." 
 
 " Where are you boarding at the Palmer 
 House?*' inquired Perkins, rather sarcastic 
 ally. 
 
 " No, sir. I am at a cheap boarding-house 
 on Harrison Street, where I pay six dollars a 
 week," answered Walter, with spirit. 
 
 " Then I don't think we can make a bar 
 gain, although I rather like your looks." 
 
 This, at any rate, was a little encouraging. 
 
 " But I can't pay your figure. I'll tell you 
 what you'd better do." 
 
 " I shall be glad of any advice." 
 
 " Become an agent. You look as if you had 
 a gift of the gab. A successful life-insurance 
 agent will make a good deal more than ten 
 dollars a week."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 93 
 
 " Can I get such a position? " asked Walter 
 hopefully. 
 
 " Yes, I'll employ you myself, on a commis 
 sion, of course. You'll be paid according to 
 your work. I've known an agent to make a 
 hundred and twenty-five dollars in a single 
 week." 
 
 " If you think I can do it, sir, I'll try." 
 
 " Very well. Have you ever studied life-in 
 surance? " 
 
 " No, sir, but I have a general idea of it.'' 
 
 " I will give some documents instructions 
 to agents, etc. Take these home, study them, 
 and come to me when you think you under 
 stand it well enough to talk people into it." 
 
 Mr. Perkins opened his desk, and, selecting 
 some papers, handed them to Walter. 
 
 " When you come again, if there is anything 
 you don't see into, let me know, and I'll ex 
 plain it to you." 
 
 " Thank you, sir." 
 
 Walter went home and set himself to study 
 ing the insurance documents given him by Mr. 
 Perkins. Here he found his college training 
 of service. It was like studying a science. 
 and Walter, who went to work methodically, 
 soon came to understand the system, with the 
 arguments for and against it. He made cal- 
 qulations of the expenses attending the
 
 94 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 ent classes of life-insurance, selecting the ages 
 of thirty, forty, and fifty as illustrations. The 
 result was that when he went round to the 
 office the next day he felt considerable confi 
 dence in his ability to talk up insurance. 
 
 Mr. Perkins seemed surprised to see him so 
 soon. 
 
 " Do you think you understand the duties of 
 a canvasser? " he asked. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " You haven't devoted much time to it. 
 You only took the documents yesterday." 
 
 " True, sir; but I have spent several hours 
 in examining them." 
 
 " Were there any things you did not under 
 stand?" 
 
 Walter mentioned one or two points. 
 
 " Now, that I may get an idea of your work 
 ing ability, suppose you try to insure me. I 
 will take the part of an ordinary business 
 man, who is unfamiliar with the subject." 
 
 Walter was not bashful, and saw at once 
 the value of this suggestion. 
 
 Without going into details, it may be stated 
 that he acquitted himself very creditably. 
 
 " You surprise me," Mr. Perkins admitted. 
 " You seem to have made yourself quite famil 
 iar with the subject, I will take you into my
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 95 
 
 employment as an agent, and allow you half 
 commission." 
 
 " Do you wish me to operate in the city." 
 
 " It will be better for you to start outside. I 
 will send you to Elm Bank, about fifteen miles 
 distant Once there, I shall leave you to your 
 own discretion. I will pay your fare there 
 and back, and trust to your doing something 
 to repay me for my outlay." 
 
 " Very well, sir." 
 
 Walter took the necessary directions, and 
 after dinner took a train out to the suburban 
 town which I have called Elm Bank, though 
 this is not the real name. He congratulated 
 himself on so soon obtaining employment, 
 though it remained to be seen how he would 
 succeed. However, Walter was sanguine, not 
 as yet having put himself in a position to meet 
 the rebuffs which are sure to lie in wait for 
 agents of any kind. lie thought over his pros 
 pects with pleased anticipations. He felt that 
 the position was much higher than that of a 
 boy in an office. It was one usually filled by 
 men of maturity and business experience. Be 
 sides, if successful, the rewards would be am 
 ple. The thought of the agent who made a 
 hundred and twenty-five dollars in a single 
 week occurred to him and encouraged him. 
 He would have been content with a salary of
 
 96 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 ten dollars a week, but here was a business 
 which might lead to a great deal more. 
 
 He seated himself next to a girl of sixteen 
 with a pleasant face and frank, cordial man 
 ner. 
 
 Presently the girl tried to raise the win 
 dow she occupied the seat next to it but it 
 resisted her efforts. 
 
 " Will you allow me to try? " asked Walter 
 politely. 
 
 " Thank you. You are very kind." 
 
 Walter leaned over and succeeded in rais 
 ing it. 
 
 " Thank you," said the young lady. " I am 
 only going to Elm Bank, but I like the fresh 
 air, even for a short distance." 
 
 Here was a surprise for Walter. 
 
 "Are you going to Elm Bank?" he said. 
 So am I." 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A YOUNG INSURANCE AGENT. 
 
 "You don't live in Elm Bank?" said the 
 young girl inquiringly. 
 
 " No," answered Walter, swelling with par-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 97 
 
 donable pride. " I am going there on busi 
 ness." 
 
 " Have you ever been there before? " asked 
 his fair companion. 
 
 " No." 
 
 " You look young to be in business." 
 
 " I haven't been in business long," returned 
 Walter, wondering if he looked so very young. 
 Then he added, with a sudden impulse, " I am 
 an insurance agent." 
 
 "Are you? I I thought 
 
 "What did you think?" asked W T alter, a 
 little curious. 
 
 " I would rather not say it." 
 
 " I wish you would." 
 
 " You will promise not to be offended? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I have been told that insurance agents are 
 very cheeky." 
 
 Walter laughed. 
 
 " I don't know about that," he said. " I 
 haven't been in the business long enough yet. 
 ])o you know if any insurance agents 1 have vis 
 ited Elm Bank lately?" 
 
 " No, I don't think so." 
 
 " Perhaps you would like to have your life 
 insured? " said Walter, with a humorous look. 
 
 "Can you insure me fifty cents' worth?" 
 
 " I am afraid not."
 
 98 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Then I must put it off, for that is all the 
 money I have." 
 
 Conversation drifted into other channels, 
 and was kept up till the cars slowed down and 
 the conductor, putting his head in at the door, 
 called out " Elm Bank." 
 
 Walter and his companion rose, and, leaving 
 the car, stepped out on the platform. Wal 
 ter asked leave to carry a small bundle be 
 longing to the young lady. 
 
 " Could you recommend any one who is 
 likely to want his life insured? " he asked. 
 
 His companion pointed to a small house 
 some quarter of a mile distant, but plainly vis 
 ible on account of its high location. 
 
 " That house belongs to a German named 
 Louis Fishbach," she said. " He has a little 
 money, and earns good wages in a shoe shop. 
 He has a wife and four young children. Per 
 haps he will be willing to insure." 
 
 " Thank you. I will try him." 
 
 " I will leave you here, as I live in a differ 
 ent direction. I am sure I am much obliged 
 
 to you for your politeness, Mr. ," here she 
 
 hesitated. 
 
 " Sherwood," supplied Walter. 
 
 " Mr. Sherwood. My name is Jennie Gil 
 bert."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 99 
 
 " Good afternoon, Miss Jennie," said Wal 
 ter, politely removing his hat. 
 
 He stopped a moment and watched the re 
 treating figure of the young girl. 
 
 " I hope I shall meet her again some time," 
 he said to himself. 
 
 " I say, who be you? " 
 
 Walter turned quickly, and found himself 
 confronted by a stout, hulking young fellow, 
 broad-shouldered, and dressed in country fash 
 ion. He was 1 , judging from his appearance, 
 about twenty-one years o age. His tone and 
 face indicated that he was displeased. 
 
 " Why do you want to know? " asked Wal 
 ter coldly. 
 
 "Why do I want to know? I'll tell you 
 why I want to know. I ain't goin' to have 
 any city dude chinning up to my best girl." 
 
 "Is Miss Jennie Gilbert your best girl?" 
 asked W T alter. 
 
 " Well, she can be if she wants to be. I 
 picked her out a year ago, and as* soon as 
 she is old enough I'm goin' to let her know it." 
 
 " Then she isn't your best girl now? " 
 
 "No matter whether she is or not. I ain't; 
 goin' to have you paying 'tentions to her." 
 
 " I don't see what business it is of yours," 
 retorted Walter. 
 
 *' You'll find it out if I give you a lickin' ! "
 
 ioo Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 growled the other, handling the stick which hi: 
 carried in a suggestive manner. 
 
 Walter was inclined to retort in kind, but 
 all at once it struck him as foolish to get into 
 a quarrel about a girl whom he had known less 
 than an hour. 
 
 " If it will make you feel any better," he 
 said, " I'll tell you that I got acquainted with 
 Miss Gilbert in the cars this afternoon. I 
 never met her before, and as I live in Chicago 
 I don't suppose I shall ever meet her again." 
 
 The young man's* face cleared up 
 
 " Come, that's honest," he said. " I 
 thought you wanted to cut me out." 
 
 " If Miss Gilbert likes you I sha'n't inter 
 fere," he said. "Now, I'm going to talk busi 
 ness. I would like to insure your life." 
 
 " What's that? You ain't a doctor, be 
 you?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 Walter proceeded to explain in as simple 
 terms as he could command the object and 
 methods of life-insurance. 
 
 The young man scratched his head. 
 
 " W T hen do I get the money? " he asked. 
 
 " It is paid after your death." 
 
 " Then it won't do me any good." 
 
 " No; but suppose you have a wife and chil-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 101 
 
 dren you would like to leave them something, 
 wouldn't you? " 
 
 " I might live longer than my w r ife," sug 
 gested the young man triumphantly. 
 
 Walter found that his new acquaintance 
 could only be influenced by considerations of 
 personal advantage, and was 1 compelled to give 
 up the attempt to insure him. 
 
 He kept on his way till he reached the house 
 of Mr. Fish bach, to whom he had been recom 
 mended. 
 
 Fortunately for his purpose, the shoe shop 
 in which the German was employed was closed 
 for the day, and Walter found him at home 
 mending a wagon in the back yard. 
 
 " Good afternoon, Mr. Fishbach," said Wal 
 ter, raising his hat politely. 
 
 " I don't know who you are," answered Mr. 
 Fishbach, with a scrutinizing glance. 
 
 " I should like to insure your life." 
 
 " You want to insure my life what's dat? " 
 
 " If you will tell me your age, I will ex 
 plain to you." 
 
 " I was forty-nine next Christmas. You 
 ain't the census man, eh? " 
 
 "No; that is quite another matter. Now, 
 Mr. Fishbach," continued Walter, referring to 
 a pamphlet in his hand, " if you will pay to 
 the company which I represent forty-four dol-
 
 IO2 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 lars every year, when you die a thousand dol 
 lars will be paid to your wife, or any one else 
 you may name." 
 
 " You don't pay me till I am dead, eh? " 
 
 " No." 
 
 "How will I know you pay then?" 
 
 " We do business on the square. We keep 
 our promises." 
 
 " You pay the money to my widow, eh? " 
 
 " Yes. If you pay twice as much we will 
 pay two thousand dollars." 
 
 " What good will that do me, eh? " 
 
 " You will like to leave your wife comfort 
 able, won't you? " 
 
 "If she gets much money, she'll maybe 
 marry again." 
 
 " Perhaps so." 
 
 " And the money will go to her second hus 
 band, eh?" 
 
 " If she chooses to give it to him." 
 
 " By jiminy, that won't suit me. I will 
 spend my money myself." 
 
 " But if you die, how will your wife and 
 children get along? " 
 
 " What makes you think I'm goin' to die? 
 eh? Do I look delicate?" 
 
 As W T alter surveyed the stout, rotund figure 
 of Mr. Fishbach, he could not help laughing 
 at the idea of his being delicate.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 103 
 
 " You look likely to live," he was forced 
 to admit. " Still, life is uncertain." 
 
 " You can't scare Louis Fishbach, young 
 man. My father lived till seventy-seven, and 
 my mother was seventy-five. My children can 
 take care of themselves when I die, and they 
 can look after the old woman." 
 
 Walter used such other arguments as oc 
 curred to him, but his German friend was not 
 to be moved, and he rather despondently put 
 his documents into his pocket, and went out 
 into the street. 
 
 " I had no idea I should find it so difficult," 
 he reflected. 
 
 Life-insurance seemed to him so beneficent, 
 and so necessary a protection for those who 
 would otherwise be unprovided for, that he 
 could not understand how any one who cared 
 for his wife and children could fail to avail 
 himself of its advantages. 
 
 After leaving the house of Mr. Fishbach he 
 kept on in the same direction. Being un 
 acquainted in Elm Bank, he had to trust to 
 chance to guide him. 
 
 A little distance beyond was an old-fash 
 ioned, two-story house. 
 
 " Perhaps I had better call," thought Wal 
 ter, and he entered the path that led to the 
 side door. He had scarcely taken three steps
 
 104 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 when he was startled by a scream that seemed 
 to proceed from the interior. 
 
 " Help ! Help ! " was the cry that reached 
 him. 
 
 He started to run, and, on reaching the 
 door, opened it without ceremony. The sight 
 that confronted him Avas one to test his cour 
 age. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER. 
 
 To understand the scene in which Walter 
 became an actor a brief explanation is neces 
 sary. 
 
 The occupant of the house w r as a woman of 
 perhaps thirty-five. Her husband, Ephraim 
 Gregory, was employed in Chicago, and went 
 to and from the city every day. It was some 
 what inconvenient to live at Elm Bank, but 
 both he and his wife were fond of the country, 
 and were willing to submit to some incon 
 venience for the sake of the sweet, pure air 
 and rural surroundings. They had one child, 
 a little girl of five.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 105 
 
 Twenty minutes previous Mrs. Gregory had 
 been sitting at her sewing, with little Rosa 
 on the floor beside her, when, without the 
 ceremony of a knock, the outer door was 
 opened, and a tall, powerful man, whose garb 
 and general appearance indicated that he was 
 a tramp, entered the room. 
 
 " What do you want? " asked Mrs. Gregory, 
 rising in alarm. 
 
 " I'm hungry," answered the tramp, in a 
 hoarse voice. 
 
 He might be hungry, but his breath indi 
 cated that he had been drinking. Mrs. Greg 
 ory would gladly have dismissed him, but she 
 was afraid to do so. If only her husband had 
 been at home! 
 
 " Sit down," she said, " and I will find you 
 something." 
 
 She went to the pantry and returned w r ith 
 some bread and cold meat, which she set be 
 fore her uncouth visitor. 
 
 " If you will wait five minutes I will make 
 you some tea," she said. 
 
 " I don't want any slops," said her visitor 
 scornfully. "Give me brandy!" 
 
 " I have none." 
 
 "Then whiskey, gin anything!" 
 
 " We don't keep liquors in the house. My 
 husband and I never drink them."
 
 io6 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 At this he swore in a manner that terrified, 
 his unwilling hostess, and anathematized her 
 for a temperance crank. This aroused her 
 spirit. 
 
 " If you want liquor," she said, " you must 
 go where it is sold. I won't supply it to you 
 or anybody else. If you want hot tea you can 
 have it." 
 
 " Give it to me, then." 
 
 Mrs. Gregory hastened to steep some tea 
 she had hot water all ready and set it before 
 the ruffian. He ate and drank eagerly, vora 
 ciously, and did not leave a crumb behind 
 him. He had certainly spoken the truth when 
 he said he was hungry. Then he arose, and 
 she hoped he would go. But he turned to her 
 with a significant look. 
 
 " I want money," he said. 
 
 " I can give you none/' she answered, her 
 heart sinking. 
 
 " Oh, yes, you can." 
 
 " Are you a thief? " she demanded, with a 
 flash of spirit. 
 
 " You can call me that if you like." 
 
 There was little hope of shaming him, she 
 saw. 
 
 " Look here, missis," he went on roughly, 
 "you've got money in the house, and I must 
 bave it."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 107 
 
 " How do you know that I have money in 
 the house? " 
 
 " Your husband brought some home last 
 night. It is here now.'' 
 
 This was true, and she was startled to find 
 how much this man knew. 
 
 " Do you know my husband? " she asked. 
 
 " Yes, I know him. His name is Ephraim 
 Gregory. He had some money paid him 
 yesterday, and it is here. I don't know where 
 it is, but you do. Get it, and be quick about 
 it ! " 
 
 Mrs. Gregory saw by this time that her 
 visitor was a desperate villain and that she 
 was in a critical position. He might, since he 
 knew so much, know the amount of money 
 which her husband had entrusted to her for 
 safe keeping. If she could buy him off for five 
 dollars she would do so. 
 
 " Will you go if I give you five dollars? " 
 she asked. 
 
 He laughed. 
 
 " No, I won't. W>hy should I take five dol 
 lars when you have a hundred here? " 
 
 She turned pale. The worst was true, then, 
 This man had in some mysterious manner dis 
 covered the exact sum which she had in 
 charge. Why had not her husband kept it
 
 io8 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 in liis own possession? It would have been 
 more prudent. 
 
 " I can't give you the money," she said, pale 
 but resolute. 
 
 " Oh, yes, you will ! " he answered mock 
 ingly. 
 
 " Go away, please," she said, in a pleading 
 tone. " I have given you a meal, though you 
 had no claim on me. Let that be sufficient." 
 
 "You can't fool me!" he replied roughly. 
 " Bring me the money, or it will be the worse 
 for you ! " 
 
 " I cannot ! " she gasped. 
 
 "Then, by Heaven, I'll brain you!" 
 
 As 1 he spoke he raised the chair on which 
 he had been sitting and held it in position 
 above his head, ready to bring it down upon 
 the helpless woman. 
 
 Then it was that she uttered the piercing 
 scream which brought Walter into the house. 
 
 His astonished glance rested on the terrified 
 woman, with her little girl clinging in alarm 
 to her dress, cowering beneath the chair 
 which seemed ready to descend upon her. 
 
 Walter did not hesitate a moment. Though 
 the tramp was possessed of twice his strength, 
 he darted forward and grasped him by the 
 arm.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 109 
 
 " r What are you about? " lie demanded 
 sternly. 
 
 The tramp turned at the unexpected inter 
 ference and partially lowered the chair. 
 
 " What business is it of yours*, you impu 
 dent young jackanapes? " he growled. 
 
 " I will make it my business," said Walter 
 bravely. " I won't see a lady struck down by 
 a ruffian ! " 
 
 " Take care how you talk ; I can twist you 
 round my finger, you manikin ! " 
 
 " What does this man want? *' asked Wal 
 ter, turning to Mrs. Gregory. 
 
 " He demands money," was her answer. 
 
 " So he is a thief! " exclaimed Walter con 
 temptuously. 
 
 " I'll fix you for that ! " growled the tramp, 
 with a frown. 
 
 Walter quickly explored the room in search 
 of a weapon, for he saw that he would have 
 to defend himself. 
 
 There was a fireplace in the apartment, and 
 resting beside it was a. poker of large size. 
 Walter sprang for this, and grasping it firmly, 
 brandished it in a threatening manner. 
 
 " Go up-stairs 1 , madam," he said, " and lock 
 yourself in. I will attend to this man." 
 
 The tramp burst into a contemptuous laugh. 
 
 " Why, you young whipper-snapper I " he
 
 no Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 said, " I could handle half-a-dozen boys like 
 you." 
 
 " I don't like to leave you in the power of 
 this man," said Mrs. Gregory. " He will kill 
 you." 
 
 " Right you are, ma'am ! " growled the 
 giant. " That's just what I am going to do ! " 
 
 The lady turned pale. She was frightened, 
 but her concern for Walter's safety overcame 
 her fear for herself. 
 
 "I shall stay here ! " she said. " It would 
 be cowardly to leave you." 
 
 " Take my advice, boy," growled the tramp, 
 " and clear out of here. It is no concern of 
 yours." 
 
 Walter did not answer, but keen, alert, 
 vigilant, he fixed his eye warily on his for 
 midable opponent. 
 
 " Well, youngster," said the tramp impa 
 tiently, " did you hear me? " 
 
 " Yes, I heard you." 
 
 " Leave this room, or I'll smash you ! " 
 
 " Smash away ! " retorted Walter. 
 
 Though he was barely five feet six inches in 
 height, while the tramp was fully six feet, his 
 muscles had been toughened by exercise in 
 the college gymnasium and by rowing in the 
 college crew, and he was wonderfully quick 
 in his motions,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. in 
 
 Feeling that the time for forbearance was 
 over, and irritated beyond measure by Wal 
 ter's audacity, the tramp prepared to carry 
 out his threat. He raised the chair, and with 
 a downward sweep aimed at Walter's head. 
 
 Had the blow taken effect, this story would 
 never have been written. But Walter's quick 
 eye foresaw the movement, and springing aside 
 he dodged the blow, and brought down the 
 poker on the muscular part of the giant's arm 
 with what force he could command. There 
 was a howl of pain, and the tramp's arm hung 
 limp and lifeless 1 at his side, while with the 
 other he clasped it in evident suffering. 
 
 " You murderous young villain ! " he 
 shrieked. "I'll kill you for that!" 
 
 Walter felt that he was in a dangerous 
 position. 
 
 "Leave the room, please!" he said to Mrs. 
 Gregory. " You will be in my way." 
 
 She obeyed, for her champion had shown 
 himself worthy to command, and Walter 
 sprang to the other side of the table, placing 
 it between him and his foe. 
 
 By this 1 time the tramp had got ready for 
 an attack. He dashed round the table after 
 Walter, and finally succeeded, in spite of the 
 boy's astivity, in grasping him by the shoul 
 der.
 
 H2 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Ah! " be said, with a deep sigh of content, 
 " Tve got you now. I'll pay you for that 
 blow ! " 
 
 Walter felt that he had never been in such 
 a tight place before. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE EXCITEMENT DEEPENS. 
 
 WALTER was fortunate enough not to lose 
 his head under any circumstances. He no 
 ticed that his opponent held him by his right 
 hand, and it was his right arm which had 
 been lamed. Naturally, therefore, it had lost 
 some of its strength. This was his opportu 
 nity. With a sudden twist he wriggled out of 
 the giant's grasp, and, understanding that it 
 was dangerous to be at too close quarters, he 
 threw open the outer door and dashed into the 
 yard. 
 
 Whether this would, on the whole, have 
 helped him, was uncertain, as the tramp could 
 probably outrun him, but just in the nick of 
 time a team appeared, driven by a young man, 
 perhaps twenty-five, of remarkable size.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 113 
 
 Fliram Nutt was six feet six inches in height, 
 the tallest man in the county, and he was as 
 athletic as he was tall. He tipped the scales 
 at two hundred and ten pounds, and was 
 famous for his feats of strength. He was a 
 farmer's son, and lived at Elm Bank. 
 
 When he saw Walter dash out of the house, 
 pursued by an ill-looking tramp, he thought 
 it high time to interfere. 
 
 " What's up? " he demanded, still retaining 
 his seat in the wagon. 
 
 " None of your business ! " retorted the 
 tramp, too angry to be prudent. " The kid's 
 been impudent, and I'm going to pound him. 
 to a jelly." 
 
 Meanwhile, Walter was leading the tramp 
 a chase round the wagon, narrowly escaping 
 seizure. 
 
 "Help me!" exclaimed Walter, panting. 
 
 " If you do, I'll lay you out ! " exclaimed the 
 pursuer, who had been too much occupied to 
 notice the formidable size of the young man 
 in the wagon. 
 
 Hiram Nutt smiled a smile of conscious 
 strength. 
 
 " Jump in the wagon, boy ! " he said. " I'll 
 take care of you." 
 
 Walter obeyed directions, and the tramp 
 tried to follow him.
 
 1 14 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 But in an instant Hiram had risen to his 
 full height, and, leaping to the ground, hurried 
 to the rear of the vehicle and caught hold of 
 the tramp. The latter tried to resist, but he 
 was like a child in the grasp of a man. He 
 looked up in amazement, for he was proud of 
 his strength. 
 
 " What museum did you escape from, you 
 monster? " he panted. 
 
 Hiram laughed. 
 
 "Never mind!" he said. "It's well Fra 
 here. Now, boy, who is this man? " 
 
 " I found him in that house, ready to strike 
 down the lady who lives there because she 
 would not give him what money she had." 
 
 Hiram Nutt's brows contracted. 
 
 " Why, you thieving scoundrel ! " he cried, 
 vigorously shaking his captive, " you dared 
 to threaten Mrs. Gregory? Did he hurt the 
 lady? " he added anxiously. 
 
 "No; I heard her cry for help, and rushed 
 in. Then he turned upon me." 
 
 " He might have killed you ! " 
 
 " I wish I had ! " ejaculated the tramp, with 
 a scowl. 
 
 " Where is Mrs. Gregory now? " 
 
 " I told her to go up-stairs." 
 
 Just then the lady, who from an upper win-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 115 
 
 clow had observed the discomfiture and cap 
 ture of her enemy, came out. 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Nutt ! " she exclaimed, " I am so 
 glad you came along! I was afraid this brave 
 boy would get hurt." 
 
 " It isn't he that will get hurt now," said 
 Nutt significantly. " How came this fellow 
 in your house? " 
 
 " He came in half-an-hour ago and asked 
 for food." 
 
 "And you gave it to him?" 
 
 "Yes; I got ready a lunch for him, and 
 made him some tea, though he wanted liquor." 
 
 " And this was the way of repaying the 
 favor?" 
 
 " He had heard in some way that my hus 
 band brought home some money last evening, 
 and he demanded it. I wish, Mr. Nutt, you 
 would take charge of it till my husband comes 
 home. I don't dare to have it in the house." 
 
 " It won't be necessary for there comes your 
 husband." It was 1 true. Ephriam Gregory 
 turned the corner of the street, and paused 
 in surprise at the spectacle before him. 
 
 " What's the matter, Lucy? " he asked. 
 
 She briefly explained. 
 
 " I am so glad you are at home," she sighed. 
 (l But how do you happen to come so early? " 
 
 " T think it was a presentiment of evil, I
 
 n6 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 thought of the money I had left with you, and 
 it occurred to me that it might expose you 
 to danger. So I got leave of absence and took 
 an early train for Elm Bank." 
 
 "What shall I do with this fellow, Mr. 
 Gregory?" asked Hiram. 
 
 " I'll go into the house and get a rope to 
 tie him. Then we'll take him to the lockup." 
 
 " Let me go! " said the tramp uneasily. " I 
 was only joking." 
 
 " You carried the joke too far, my friend," 
 said Hiram significantly. " I'll take you 
 round to the lockup by way of joke and 
 Judge Jones will sentence you to the peniten 
 tiary just to help the joke along." 
 
 " Let me go ! " whined the tramp, now quite 
 subdued. " I am a poor man, and that's what 
 led me to do wrong." 
 
 " I suppose you never indulged in such a 
 little joke before? " 
 
 "No; this is the first time." 
 
 " Probably you are a church member when 
 you are at home," said Hiram, in a tone of 
 sarcasm. " You're a good man gone wrong, 
 ain't you? " 
 
 " Yes," said the tramp. 
 
 " You look like it. Such good men as you 
 are better off in jail." 
 
 " I'll leave town and never come back I
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 117 
 
 will, on my honor ! " pleaded the tramp 
 earnestly. 
 
 " I don't put any confidence in what you 
 say. Ah, here's the rope. Now, hold still if 
 you know what's best for yourself." 
 
 The tramp attempted resistance, but a little 
 vigorous shaking up by his captor soon 
 brought him to terms. In five minutes, with 
 his hands and feet firmly tied, he was 1 on his 
 way to the lockup. Mr. Gregory and Walter 
 accompanied him in the wagon. 
 
 " Now, Mr. Sherwood," said Gregory, when 
 their errand was completed, " I want to thank 
 you for your brave defense of my wife." 
 
 " I only did what any one would do under 
 the same circumstances," said Walter mod 
 estly. 
 
 " Any one of the requisite courage. You 
 put yourself in danger." 
 
 " I didn't think of that, Mr. Gregory." 
 
 " No, I suppose not, but it is proper that I 
 should think of it. You have placed me under 
 an obligation that I shall not soon forget. 
 You must do me the favor to come home to 
 supper with me and pass the night. Will it 
 interfere seriously with your business?" 
 
 " I am a life-insurance agent," said Walter, 
 " or, at least, I am trying to be, but have not 
 yet succeeded in writing a policy."
 
 n8 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I have been thinking of insuring my life 
 for a small sum. If you come home with me 
 you may talk me into doing it." 
 
 " Then I will certainly accept your invita 
 tion," said Walter, smiling. 
 
 " My wife made me promise to keep you. 
 She wants to show her gratitude. Besides, 
 you may be wanted to appear against the pris 
 oner to-morrow morning." 
 
 " I shall be glad to help him to his deserts," 
 said Walter. " The sooner he is locked up the 
 better it will be for the community." 
 
 Walter had no reason to regret his accept 
 ance of the invitation. Mrs. Gregory exerted 
 herself to the utmost in providing an appetiz 
 ing supper, far in advance of anything he 
 would have had set before him at his boarding- 
 house, Mrs. Canfield being an indifferent cook. 
 Generally her butter was strong and her tea 
 weak, while the contrary should have been the 
 case, and her biscuit heavy with saleratus. 
 Walter thoroughly enjoyed his supper, and 
 was almost ashamed of his appetite. But it 
 gave his hostess great pleasure to see his ap 
 preciation of the meal, and she took it as a 
 compliment to herself as a cook. 
 
 After supper Walter and Mr. Gregory sat 
 down to business. He explained the methods 
 of the insurance company for which he was
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 119 
 
 acting as agent, and found Mr. Gregory an 
 interested and intelligent listener. 
 
 " You may write rne a policy for a thousand 
 dollars," he said. 
 
 " You will need to pass a medical examina 
 tion/' said Walter. 
 
 " Certainly; will our village physician do? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Then take your hat and walk over with 
 me. It is only half-a-mile distant." 
 
 The whole matter was adjusted that even 
 ing, and Walter was pleased to feel that he 
 had made a successful start in his new busi 
 ness. 
 
 The next morning the tramp was brought 
 before Justice Jones, who arranged to hold 
 court early to oblige Walter and Mr. Gregory, 
 and the prisoner received a sentence of a 
 year's confinement. He gave the name of 
 Barney Fogg, and under that name received 
 his sentence. He scowled fiercely while Wal 
 ter was giving his evidence, and as he was 
 taken from the court-room hand-cuffed, he 
 turned toward our hero and said: " It's your 
 turn now, young bantam, but I'll be even 
 with you yet." 
 
 "What a terrible man!" said Mr. Gregory, 
 shuddering. " I hope I shall never see him 
 again."
 
 I2O Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 WALTES GOES INTO A NEW BUSINESS. 
 
 ONE swallow doesn't make a summer, and 
 one policy doesn't establish the success of an 
 insurance agent. Walter received from Mr. 
 Perkins five dollars commission on the policy 
 he had written at Elm Bank, and this en 
 couraged him to renewed efforts. But in the 
 fortnight following he only succeeded in writ 
 ing a policy for two hundred and fifty dollars, 
 for a man who designed it to meet his funeral 
 expenses. For this Walter received one dol 
 lar and a quarter. He made numerous other 
 attempts, but he found, though he understood 
 the subject thoroughly, that his youth oper 
 ated against him. He decided that he was 
 wasting his time, and one morning he waited 
 on Mr. Perkins and resigned his agency. 
 
 "Have you anything else in view?" asked 
 that gentleman." 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " Then why don't you keep on till you have 
 secured another position?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 121 
 
 " Because it takes up my time, and pre 
 vents my getting anything else." 
 
 " I don't know but you are right, Mr. Sher 
 wood. You have made a good beginning, and 
 if you were ten years older I think you would 
 make a successful agent." 
 
 " I can't afford to wait ten years," returned 
 Walter, with a smile. 
 
 " If ever you want to come back, I will 
 start you again." 
 
 Walter thanked Mr. Perkins, and left the 
 office. 
 
 He now began to explore the columns of 
 the daily papers, in the hope of finding some 
 opening, but met with the usual rebuffs and 
 refusals when he called upon advertisers. 
 
 At length he saw the following advertise 
 ment in the Chicago Tribune: 
 
 " W T ANTED A confidential clerk at a salary 
 of fifteen dollars per week. As a guarantee of 
 fidelity, a small deposit will be required. 
 LOCKE & GREEN, No. 257i/ 2 State Street." 
 
 " Fifteen dollars a week ! " repeated Walter 
 hopefully. " That will support me very com 
 fortably. If I get it I will change my board 
 ing-place, for I don't like Mrs. Canfild's
 
 122 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 table. I shall feel justified in paying a little 
 more than I do now." 
 
 The only thing that troubled him was as 
 to the deposit. Though he had econourzed as 
 closely as he knew how, he had made quite an 
 inroad upon his small capital, and had only 
 forty-six dollars left. He had been in Chicago 
 four weeks, and had not yet been able to write 
 home that he had found a permanent position. 
 He had written about his insurance agency, 
 and had not failed to chronicle his first suc 
 cess. 
 
 This letter Doctor Mack had read to his 
 housekeeper, Miss Nancy Sprague. 
 
 " Well, Nancy," he said, " Walter is at 
 work." 
 
 " You don't say so, doctor ! What is he 
 do : ng? " 
 
 " He is a life-insurance agent." 
 
 " Is that a good business? " 
 
 " Walter writes that one agent is making 
 a hundred and twenty-five dollars a week," 
 answered the doctor, with a humorous twinkle 
 in his eye. 
 
 " I'm glad Master Walter has got such a 
 good business," said the housekeeper, brighten 
 ing up. " That's a great sum for a boy like 
 him to make." 
 
 " It isn't he that has made it, Nancy. There
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 123 
 
 are very few that do, and those have to be old 
 and experienced men." 
 
 " Well, he'll make a good living, anyhow." 
 
 " Perhaps so," answered the doctor, dubi 
 ously, for he understood better than Nancy 
 how precarious were the chances of an inex 
 perienced agent. He was not at all surprised 
 when Walter wrote later that though he had 
 met with some success, he thought it better to 
 look for a situation with a regular salary at 
 tached. 
 
 " He's gaining a little knowledge of the 
 world," thought the guardian. " I don't think 
 he'll be able to indulge in luxurious living 
 for the present. It won't be long, probably, 
 before he runs out of money." 
 
 It was with a hopeful spirit that Walter 
 started for the office of Locke & Green. He 
 was pretty well acquainted with Chicago by 
 this time, and had no difficulty in locating 
 any office in the business part of the city. 
 
 No indication was given in the advertise 
 ment of the business carried on by Locke & 
 Green. As to that, however, Walter felt in 
 different. His chief concern was the weekly 
 salary of fifteen dollars, which he needed very 
 much. 
 
 Arrived at the number indicated, Walter 
 ran up-stairs, and with some difficulty found
 
 124 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 the office in a small room on the fourth floor. 
 A card on the door bore the names : 
 
 LOCKE & GREEN 
 
 Again there was no clue to the business 
 carried on by the firm. 
 
 Walter was not sure whether he ought to 
 knock, but finally decided to open the door 
 and enter. He found himself in a room 
 scarcely larger than a small bedroom, with a 
 email desk in one corner. At this sat a man 
 with long hair, industriously writing in a 
 large blank book. He glanced at Walter as 
 the door opened. 
 
 " Wait a moment, young man! " he said, in 
 a deep bass voice. " I will be at leisure in two 
 minutes." 
 
 He wrinkled up his face, turned back 
 several pages, appeared thoughtfully consider 
 ing some problem, and then wrote again 
 rapidly. 
 
 Finally he turned he was seated in a re- 
 ' volving chair and placing his two hands to 
 gether, palms inward, said abruptly: "Well, 
 young man, what can I do for you? " 
 
 " I believe you advertised in the Tribune 
 this morning for a confidential clerk?" 
 
 " Yes."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 125 
 
 " I should like to apply for the position, if 
 it is still vacant." 
 
 " We have not yet filled the place," said 
 Mr. Locke. " We have had several applica 
 tions, but the post is a very responsible one, 
 and we are, of course, very particular." 
 
 " I am afraid my chance is very small, 
 then," thought Walter. 
 
 " Still, I like your appearance, and it is 
 possible that you may suit. Have you busi 
 ness experience? " 
 
 " Not much, sir. Indeed, till a short time 
 since I was a college student." 
 
 "Yale or Harvard?" 
 
 " No, sir; Euclid College." 
 
 " Ahem ; small, but very respectable. Your 
 name? " 
 
 " Walter Sherwood." 
 
 " How long were you in college? " 
 
 " Two years." 
 
 " Left of your own accord? " 
 
 " Oh, yes, sir." 
 
 " Just so. I thought perhaps you might 
 have been suspended or expelled." 
 
 " I can refer you on that point to the presi 
 dent or any of the professors." 
 
 " Oh, I will take your word for it." 
 
 " I left college on account of losing my prop 
 erty."
 
 126 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "Ah, indeed!" said Mr. Locke doubtfully. 
 " Perhaps you noticed that we require a small 
 deposit as a guarantee of fidelity." 
 
 " Yes, sir. I have a little money." 
 
 Mr. Locke looked relieved. 
 
 " Of course," continued he loftily, " doing 
 the business we do, money is of comparatively 
 little importance to us, except as a guarantee 
 of fidelity. How much did you say you had? " 
 
 " I didn't say, sir. I could deposit twenty- 
 five dollars with you." 
 
 Mr. Locke shrugged his 1 shoulders. 
 
 " That is very little," he said. 
 
 " True, sir, but it is a good deal to me. It 
 will be enough to insure my fidelity. 
 
 " We had a young man here this morning," 
 said Mr. Locke musingly, " who was willing 
 to deposit a hundred dollars with us." 
 
 "Indeed, sir! I wonder you did not take 
 him." 
 
 " We should, so far as the money went, but 
 I could see by his appearance that there was 
 no business in him. Our clerk must be quick, 
 sharp, alert. The young man was very much 
 disappointed." 
 
 " I couldn't deposit any such sum as that, 
 Mr. Locke." 
 
 " It will not be necessary. Still, twenty* 
 flve dollars is very small, You couldn't, say
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 127 
 
 thirty, could you? That is merely equal to 
 two weeks' salary." 
 
 " Yes, sir. I might be willing to deposit 
 thirty dollars. May I ask what business you 
 are interested in? " 
 
 " We have control for the Western States 
 of a valuable patent a folding table and 
 we have several hundred agents out, w r ho re 
 port in general by letter.'' 
 
 " That accounts for the small office," 
 thought Walter. 
 
 " Come here a moment, and I will give you 
 an idea how we carry on business. Here, for 
 instance, is a page devoted to B. Schenck. 
 He is operating for us in Minnesota. You will 
 observe that his remittances for the last four 
 weeks aggregate three hundred and sixty- 
 seven dollars. He has been doing very well, 
 but we have others Avho do better. On the 
 next page is our account with G. Parker. 
 His month's work amounts to two hundred 
 and eighty-nine dollars." 
 
 " What would my duties be, sir? " 
 
 " To keep the office when I am out, receive 
 letters, and answer them, and see agents." 
 
 " I think I could do that, sir," 
 
 " Hours from nine to five. I think you will 
 suit me. If at the end of the week I don't
 
 128 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 find you satisfactory, I will pay you your 
 wages and return your money." 
 
 " Very well, sir. I accept the position." 
 
 " You may as well hand me the money, and 
 go to work to-day." 
 
 Walter drew out thirty dollars, the greater 
 part of his little store, and handed it to Mr. 
 Locke. 
 
 Mr. Locke tucked it carelessly into his* vest 
 pocket, and taking his hat said : " Sit down 
 here, and if any agents come in, tell them I 
 will be back at one o'clock. That is all you 
 will need to do to-day." 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 WALTER'S VISITORS. 
 
 WALTER sat down at the desk complacently. 
 He had parted with thirty dollars, but it was 
 on deposit with his new employer, and would 
 be returned to him whenever his engagement 
 terminated. He only hoped that his services' 
 would prove satisfactory. He meant to do 
 his best. On fifteen dollars a week he could 
 live very comfortably, and even save money. 
 He felt that it would be prudent to do this,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 129 
 
 as he did not wish to call upon his guardian 
 for any remittances during the year. 
 
 " I shan't have to work very hard," thought 
 Walter. 
 
 In default of any other employment he 
 looked over the large ledger committed to his 
 charge. It appeared to contain certain ac 
 counts with different agents, all of whom 
 seemed to be meeting with very good success, 
 judging from the amount of remittances 
 credited to them. 
 
 In about half-an-hour there was a knock at 
 the door. 
 
 "Come in!" called out Walter. 
 
 A man of about thirty-five entered briskly. 
 He was rather shabbily dressed, and his red 
 face indicated possible indulgence in intoxi 
 cating liquor. 
 
 " Is Mr. Locke in? " he asked. 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " I wanted to see him." 
 
 " I am his confldciit'al clerk," said Walter 
 proudly. " Are you an agent? " 
 
 " Yes, I am an agent. I suppose I ought to 
 see him." 
 
 " He will be back at one o'clock." 
 
 " I can't stop, as I have been away for some 
 weeks and want to go out and see my family 
 at Barrington."
 
 130 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " If you wish to leave any message I will 
 give it to Mr. Locke as soon as he returns." 
 
 u Perhaps that will do. My name is Jerome 
 Grigson. Tell Mr. Locke I have met with 
 excellent success in Ohio. In the last four 
 weeks I have sold goods to the amount of four 
 hundred and seventeen dollars." 
 
 " I should think it was doing remarkably 
 well," observed Walter. 
 
 " It is; but any one could sell for Locke & 
 Green. They've just hit the mark. They 
 will be rich men inside of two years." 
 
 " I have not met Mr. Green yet." 
 
 " No ; I believe he leaves the direction of 
 the business chiefly in Mr. Locke's hands. 
 How long have you been in the office? " 
 
 " Not long," answered Walter, who did not 
 care to admit that his term of service covered 
 less than an hour. 
 
 " You've a good place with a rising firm. 
 Mind you keep it! " 
 
 " I will try to," said Walter earnestly. 
 
 " They're square men, Locke & Green. I 
 never worked for squarer men." 
 
 This was pleasant to hear. Walter felt that 
 he had made no mistake in parting with his 
 thirty dollars. 
 
 " Well, I must be going. Have you taken 
 down my name? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 131 
 
 "Yes, sir; Jerome Grigson." 
 
 " Right. Say, I will look in some time to 
 morrow and bring in a check for four hun 
 dred and seventeen dollars." 
 
 " Very well, sir. 7 ' 
 
 Mr. Grigson left the office. Twenty min 
 utes later a boy of about his own age opened 
 the door. He glanced at Walter diffidently. 
 
 " You advertised for a confidential clerk," 
 he said. " Is is the place filled? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter, in a tone of satis 
 faction. 
 
 " You don't want anybody else, do you? " 
 asked the youth, looking disappointed. 
 
 " Not at present, but we might be able to 
 employ you as an agent." 
 
 " Is it hard work? " 
 
 " Well, of course you will have to exert 
 yourself," said Walter condescendingly, toy 
 ing with a pen as he spoke, " but successful 
 men can earn good wages with us." 
 
 He was talking as if he was one of the 
 partners, but it is a way young clerks have. 
 
 " Are you one of the firm? " asked the young 
 man doubtfully. 
 
 " No," answered Walter, " not exactly. 
 Mr. Locke will be in about one o'clock, and if 
 you will come round a little after that you can 
 talk with him about an agency, I will put in
 
 132 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 a good word for you," he added, in a patro 
 nizing tone. 
 
 " Thank you, sir. I'd like to get a place." 
 
 The youth departed and Walter was left 
 alone. But not for long. A middle-aged man 
 entered and looked inquiringly at Walter. 
 
 "Are you Mr. Green?'' he asked. 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " I have seen Mr. Locke, but I thought you 
 might be Mr. Green." 
 
 Walter felt flattered to be taken for one of 
 the firm. 
 
 " I am the confidential clerk," he said. 
 " Can I do anything for you?" 
 
 " I wanted to see Mr. Locke and pay him 
 some money." 
 
 " I will take it and receipt for it," said 
 Walter briskly. 
 
 " Well, I suppose that will do, as you are 
 the clerk." 
 
 " What name? " asked Walter, opening the 
 book. 
 
 " Jonas Damon. Here is a check on the 
 Corndish National Bank of Illinois for two 
 hundred and twenty-seven dollars. I have 
 made it payable to Locke & Green.'' 
 
 " All right," said Walter, in a business-like 
 tone. 
 
 " If you wish to see Mr, Locke he will lie in
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 133 
 
 at one o'clock," he added, as he put the check 
 in his vest pocket. 
 
 " No, I am obliged to go out of town in half- 
 an-hour. It isn't necessary to see him. He 
 would rather see the check." 
 
 Mr. Damon laughed, and so did Walter. It 
 made him feel quite like a business man to be 
 installed in an office, receiving and crediting 
 checks. 
 
 " Have you been long in our employment? " 
 he asked. 
 
 " About six months." 
 
 " I hope you have found it satisfactory? " 
 
 " Yes, I have made an excellent living. 
 I low much salary do you get? " 
 
 " Fifteen dollars a week," answered Wal 
 ter, rather complacently. 
 
 " You look like a smart young fellow. 
 You'd easily make double the money as an 
 agent." 
 
 " Thank you for the suggestion. I may 
 undertake that some time. I have been a 
 life-insurance agent." 
 
 "Did it pay?" 
 
 " Not as well as I hoped. I think I shall 
 like my present place better." 
 
 " I must be going. Tell Mr. Locke I will 
 be in to-morrow." 
 
 "All right."
 
 134 VValter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 ''It is evident," thought Walter, "that I 
 am in the employ of a substantial and pros 
 perous firm. The duties are certainly very 
 light and pleasant. I am in luck to get a 
 clerkship here. It is rather surprising Mr. 
 Locke didn't ask for references." 
 
 Then it occurred to him that the deposit 
 was taken as a substitute for references. 
 Then again Walter flattered himself that his 
 personal appearance might have produced a 
 favorable impression upon his employer and 
 had some influence in leading to an engage 
 ment. 
 
 His next caller was a young man, dark and 
 sallow, with a slight mustache. 
 
 " Is this the office of Locke & Green?" he 
 asked. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Will you describe Mr. Locke to me? " 
 asked the young man, who appeared to be 
 laboring under some excitement. 
 
 Walter was rather surprised at such a re 
 quest, but complied with it. 
 
 " Yes, he's the man," said his visitor, slap 
 ping his hands together impetuously. " He's 
 the man that cheated me out of fifty dollars! " 
 
 " You must be mistaken," said Walter. 
 " How did he cheat you out of it? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 135 
 
 " One moment are you his confidential 
 clerk?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I thought so," returned the young man, 
 laughing wildly. " So was I." 
 
 " You were his clerk? " 
 
 " Yes, for two weeks. I paid him fifty dol 
 lars good money as security." 
 
 " You did? " repeated Walter, with some 
 anxiety. 
 
 " Yes; at the end of two weeks he told me 
 I would not suit." 
 
 " But he paid you your wages and returned 
 you your money? " 
 
 " No, he didn't! " exploded the young man. 
 " He told me to come round on Monday morn 
 ing and he would pay me." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "I called Monday, and he was gone! He 
 had moved, the scoundrel! I should like to 
 choke him ! " 
 
 "Was it this office?" 
 
 " No. Let me see that book ! Ah, it is the 
 same that I kept. Have you, too, given him 
 money? " 
 
 " I deposited thirty dollars." 
 
 "Ah, it is the same old game! You will 
 never see a cent of it agiin." 
 
 " But," said Walter, " I don't understand.
 
 136 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 He is doing a good business. I have had calls 
 from two of his agents. One of them handed 
 me this check," and he drew out the check 
 Mr. Damon had given him. 
 
 The young man took it and laughed bitterly. 
 
 " I don't believe there is any such bank," he 
 said. " I never heard of it." 
 
 " Then why should the agent hand me the 
 check?" 
 
 " To pull wool over your eyes. These 
 agents are in league with this man Locke. 
 That wasn't his name when he engaged me." 
 
 "What was it then?" 
 
 "He called himself Libby. Libby & Rich 
 mond, that was the name of the firm." 
 
 " What made you think he might have 
 changed his name? " 
 
 " Because the advertisement reads the 
 same." 
 
 " And you really think it is the same man? " 
 
 "Yes, I feel sure of it." 
 
 " He will be back at one o'clock. If you 
 will wait till then you can see for yourself." - 
 
 "I'll wait!" said the young man, grinding 
 his teeth. " I will confront the swindler 
 face to face. I will demand my money." 
 
 The door opened and some one put in his 
 head, but before Walter or his visitor could 
 see who it was it closed again.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 137 
 
 Fifteen minutes 1 later a telegraph boy en 
 tered the office. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 WALTER IS TURNED ADRIFT. 
 
 " MR. SHERWOOD? " said the telegraph mes 
 senger inquiringly. 
 
 " That is my name," answered Walter. 
 
 " A message for you." 
 
 Walter opened the note, and read as fol 
 lows : 
 
 " I am called out of the city. You may 
 close up at four, and leave the key with the 
 janitor. Report for duty to-morrow morning. 
 
 LOCKE." 
 
 "What is it?" asked the young man 
 eagerly. 
 
 Walter showed him the note. 
 
 " It looks to me like some trick," said the 
 stranger. 
 
 " But I don't see any object in it." 
 
 " He has your thirty dollars." 
 
 " And I have a check for over two hundred." 
 
 " I would rather have the thirty dollars. 
 What shall you do? " 
 
 " There is nothing to do but fullow direc 
 tions." 
 
 The young man shrugged his shouJ<?<?rs.
 
 138 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Then you will come round to-morrow 
 morning? " he said. 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 " I'll look in upon you. I want to see this 
 Mr. Locke, though I doubt if that is his name." 
 
 Walter was disposed to think the young 
 man too suspicious. He was of a sanguine 
 temperament, and he tried to persuade himself 
 that there was really no good reason to 
 suspect Mr. Locke of unfair dealing. He laid 
 considerable stress upon the favorable reports 
 of the agents who had called upon him dur 
 ing the day. 
 
 At length four o'clock came, and he closed 
 up the office, leaving the key with the janitor. 
 He went home, not quite knowing whether 
 he was to be congratulated or not. He de 
 cided not to say anything just yet about his 
 engagement, lest it might turn out to be decep 
 tive. Had he been quite sure that it was sub 
 stantial and to be relied upon, he would have 
 written to his guardian to announce the good 
 news, but he thought it best to wait. 
 
 The next morning he went to the office, 
 arriving at the hour agreed upon. 
 
 " Please give me the key to Locke & Green's 
 office," he said to the janitor. 
 
 " Mr. Locke's given up the room," was the 
 startling reply.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 139 
 
 Walter was dismayed. 
 
 "Given up the room! Have you seen 
 him?" he inquired. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "When?" 
 
 " He called yesterday afternoon, an hour 
 after you went away, and got the key from me. 
 In about ten minutes he came down again, 
 carrying a ledger in his hand. 
 
 " * I have taken another office/ he said. 
 ' This is not large enough for me/ 
 
 " ' Have you told your clerk? ' I asked him. 
 
 " ' Yes, I have sent a message to him/ he 
 replied carelessly." 
 
 Walter sank against the door. He felt limp 
 and helpless. Mr. Locke had gone off, and 
 carried his thirty dollars with him. There 
 was hardly room to doubt that it was a case 
 of deliberate swindling. 
 
 True, he had the check in his possession a 
 check for two hundred and twenty-seven dol 
 lars but, even if it were genuine, it was made 
 out in favor of Locke & Green, and would 
 be of no service to him, though in that case 
 it would insure Mr. Locke's calling upon him. 
 Should such be the case, he determined that 
 lie would not give up the check till his thirty 
 dollars were returned. 
 
 Walter walked slowly out of the building.
 
 140 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 When he reached Dearborn Street he went 
 into the office of a private banker, and, show- 
 Ing the check, asked : " Is there any such bank 
 as this? " 
 
 " I never heard of any," said the banker. 
 
 Walter turned pale. 
 
 " Then you think it :s bogus? " 
 
 " Very likely. Under what circumstances 
 did you receive it? " 
 
 Walter explained. 
 
 " I am sorry to say that you are probably 
 the victim of a confidence man, or firm. I 
 think I saw an expose of some similar 
 swindlers in the Inter-Ocean a few weeks 
 since. Did you give the fellow any money? " 
 
 " Yes, sir; thirty dollars." 
 
 " You will have to whistle for it, in all 
 probability." 
 
 Walter's heart felt as heavy as lead. He 
 had less than twenty dollars now, and his 
 small balance would last him less than three 
 weeks 1 . What should he do then? Should he 
 write to his guardian for more money? He 
 hated to do this, and, above all, he hated to 
 confess that he had been victimized. 
 
 In the next three days he answered several 
 advertisements, and made personal applica 
 tions' for employment. But no one seemed to 
 want him. In one case he was offered three
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 141 
 
 dollars a week as an office boy, but be had not 
 got quite so low down as to accept this place 
 and salary. It struck Walter as very singu 
 lar that one who had spent two years at col 
 lege, and possessed a fair knowledge of Latin, 
 Greek, and mathematics, should be in so little 
 request. He envied the small office boys whom 
 he saw on the street, and even the busy news 
 boys, who appeared to be making an income. 
 They had work to do, and he had none. He 
 decided that he must reduce his expenses, and 
 accordingly hired a poor hall-bedroom for a 
 dollar and a quarter a week, and took his 
 meals at restaurants. 
 
 One day he went into Kinsley's restaurant, 
 on Adams Street, feeling the need of a good 
 meal, and sat down at a table. He gave his 
 order, and ate his dinner with appetite. Pie 
 was about to rise from the table when, casting 
 his eye about the room, he started in surprise, 
 as at a neighboring table he saw the familiar 
 face of Mr. Jonas Damon, whose check he 
 held in his pocket. 
 
 Instantly his resolve was 1 taken. He would 
 speak to Mr. Damon, and try to ascertain 
 something about the check. 
 
 He walked over to the table, and, touching 
 Damon on the shoulder, said: "Mr. Damon, 
 I believe?"
 
 142 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 The man looked up quickly, and a little 
 change in his countenance showed that he 
 recognized Walter; but he assumed a stolid 
 look, and said: "Were you speaking to me, 
 young man? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " What did you call me? " 
 
 "Mr. Damon." 
 
 " You're off the track. That isn't my 
 name." 
 
 "Perhaps not," said Walter resolutely; 
 " but when you called at Locke & Green's 
 office and handed me a check you said your 
 name was Jonas Damon." 
 
 " Ho, ho ! " laughed Damon. " So I gave 
 you a check, did I ? " 
 
 " Yes, for two hundred and twenty-seven 
 dollars." 
 
 " That's news to me. I'm not in a position 
 to give such checks as that." 
 
 " I've got the check with me now." 
 
 "Why didn't you cash it?" 
 
 " It was not made payable to me." 
 
 " Then why didn't you give it to the party 
 it was made out to? " 
 
 " Because he disappeared." 
 
 " That's a strange story. Do you know 
 what I think?" 
 
 "No; but I should 1'ke to,''
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 143 
 
 " I think you are a confidence man, and are 
 trying to take in a poor countryman. But 
 I've read about you fellows in the papers, and 
 I am on my guard. You'd better go away, or 
 I may call a policeman." 
 
 This certainly was turning the tables on 
 Walter with a vengeance. For a fellow like 
 Damon to accuse him of being a confidence 
 man was something like the wolf's charge 
 against the lamb in .loop's fable. 
 
 Damon saw that Walter looked perplexed, 
 and followed up the attack. 
 
 " If anybody has given you a check," he 
 said, " I don't see what you've got to complain 
 about. You'd better make use of it if you 
 can." 
 
 " Do you deny that your name is Damon? " 
 
 " Of course I do. My name is Kellogg 
 Nelson Kellogg, of Springfield, Illinois'. I 
 am in the city to buy goods." 
 
 " And you don't know Mr. Locke, of Locke 
 & Green?" 
 
 " Never heard of the gentleman. If you've 
 got a check of his, you'd better advertise for 
 him. I wish my name was Locke. I shouldn't 
 mind receiving it myself." 
 
 Here the waiter caino up with Mr. Damon's 
 order, and that gentleman addressed himself 
 to disposing of it.
 
 144 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Walter left the restaurant slowly, and 
 walked in a dejected manner in the direction 
 of the Palmer House. He began to think 
 that he was a failure. When he was a student 
 of Euclid College he was, in his own estima 
 tion, a person of importance. Now he felt 
 his insignificance. If the world owed him a 
 living, it seemed doubtful if it was inclined 
 to pay the debt. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 WALTER MEETS PROFESSOR ROBINSON. 
 
 Two weeks passed. Walter applied for all 
 sorts of situations, but obtained no engage 
 ment. Meanwhile his money steadily dimin 
 ished, till he awoke one morning to find only 
 seventy-five cents in his purse. Things were 
 getting decidedly serious. 
 
 " I wonder if there is any poorhonse in 
 Chicago," thought Walter, not wholly in jest. 
 " It is not the sort of home I should prefer, 
 but it is better than genteel starvation." 
 
 He went out, breakfasted, and at the restau 
 rant picked up a copy of the Chicago Times. 
 This was a piece of luck, for it saved him from 
 the small expenditure necessary to secure it. 
 He turned to the department of Help Wanted,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 145 
 
 and looking down the column came to this 
 notice : 
 
 " WANTED By a traveling lecturer, a 
 young man who can make himself generally 
 useful; one who plays the violin preferred. 
 Apply to PROFESSOR ROBINSON, Hotel Bre- 
 voort." 
 
 Walter knew this hotel. It was located on 
 Madison Street, and was on the European 
 plan. 
 
 " That will suit me," he said to himself. 
 " I must lose no time in making applica 
 tion. I can play the violin fairly well. If it 
 will help me to a position, I will bless the 
 violin." 
 
 In ten minutes he was at the hotel, inquir 
 ing for Professor Robinson. 
 
 " He is 1 in his room," said the clerk. " You 
 can go up at once." 
 
 Guided by a bell-boy, Walter reached the 
 door of No. 65 and knocked. 
 
 "Come in!" said a deep bass voice. 
 
 Opening the door he found himself in the 
 presence of a stout man, inclined to be tall, 
 with a long, full beard, who glanced at him 
 inquiringly. 
 
 " Professor Robinson, I believe? " said Wal 
 ter.
 
 146 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I am the man," answered the professor. 
 
 " I have come to apply for a position. J 
 have read your advertisement in the Times." 
 
 " Just so ! Let me look at you." 
 
 Walter blushed a little while the professor 
 transfixed him with his glittering eye. He 
 anxiously hoped that he would bear inspec 
 tion. 
 
 " Humph ! I think you'll do. How old are 
 you?" 
 
 " Eighteen." 
 
 In fact, Walter's birthday had been passed 
 in Chicago. 
 
 " You are rather young. Can you play on 
 tho violin?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Let me hear you." 
 
 The professor pointed to a violin on the bed. 
 
 " I am glad he doesn't expect me to furnish 
 the violin," Walter said to himself. 
 
 He took the instrument from its case, and 
 trying the strings began to play a series of 
 familiar airs. The violin was not a Stradi- 
 varius, but it was of good quality, and re 
 sponded satisfactorily to the efforts of the 
 young musician. Professor Robinson listened 
 attentively, and nodded his approval. 
 
 " You play better than the last young 
 man I had."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 147 
 
 Walter was glad to hear it. 
 
 " I may as well tell you the nature of your 
 duties, in case I engage you. I call myself a 
 traveling lecturer, but this may convey an 
 erroneous idea. I am the discoverer of Pro 
 fessor Robinson's Liquid Balm, which is war 
 ranted to cure more diseases than any other 
 patent preparation in existence. 1 won't go 
 into particulars, for these can be read in HIV 
 circular. Now, it is my custom to go from 
 one town to another, engage a hall if the 
 weather requires, otherwise gather a crowd 
 around me in a public place, and lecture about 
 the merits of my remarkable preparation. 
 You, besides assisting me in a general way, 
 are expected to draw and entertain the crowd 
 by your performance on the violin. Can you 
 sing? " 
 
 Walter shook his head. 
 
 " I am afraid," he said, " that if I should 
 undertake to sing it would drive away the 
 crowd." 
 
 "Very well! It isn't necessary, though it 
 would have helped. Now, what are your ideas 
 as to compensation? " 
 
 As the professor spoke, lie leaned bark in 
 his chair and awaited a reply. 
 
 " I hardly know what it would be right to
 
 148 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 ask," returned Walter hesitatingly. " How 
 much did you pay your last assistant? " 
 
 " I paid him fifteen dollars a month and his 
 traveling expenses." 
 
 This was a good deal more than Walter had 
 made since he had undertaken to earn his 
 own living, yet there seemed small chance of 
 laying up anything out of it. 
 
 " May I ask, sir," he inquired, " do you 
 meet with pretty good success in disposing 
 of your balm? " 
 
 " Yes; the public knows a good thing when 
 it is brought to its attention." 
 
 " Would you be willing to pay my expenses 
 and ten per cent, commission on sales? " 
 
 " Why do you prefer this to a stated 
 salary? " 
 
 " Because it would be an incentive to do my 
 best. Then if I helped you to a successful 
 sale I should be paid in proportion." 
 
 " I have an idea. You look blooming and 
 healthy. Are you willing I should advertise 
 you as one who has been snatched from death 
 by my celebrated balm? " 
 
 " I don't think I would like it, sir. It 
 would be imposing upon the public." 
 
 " I merely suggested it, but I won't insist 
 upon it. I suppose you are thoroughly honest 
 and reliable? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 149 
 
 Walter smiled. 
 
 " I don't know that my assurance will sat 
 isfy you, but I can truly say that I am." 
 
 " You look it, and I trust a good deal to 
 appearances. On the whole, I will accept 
 your assurance." 
 
 " Thank you, sir." 
 
 " Can you join me at once? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Then I will expect you to bring your bag 
 gage here during the day the sooner the bet 
 ter. You will then receive your instructions." 
 
 Walter was very glad to hear this, for his 
 purse was so nearly exhausted that it was 
 comforting to think his lodging and meals 
 would hereafter be paid by some one else. 
 When he came to reflect upon the nature of 
 his duties general assistant to a quack doc 
 tor, playing on village commons and in coun 
 try halls to draw a crowd of prospective cus 
 tomers, he felt that it was hardly a thing to 
 be proud of. With his college training he 
 ought to be qualified for something better, but 
 the cold, hard fact stared him in the face that 
 it was the only employment that offered, and 
 he must accept it or starve. Walter had be 
 come practical. His limited acquaintance 
 with the w r orld had made him so, and he was
 
 150 Walter Sherwood's Probatiori. 
 
 not going to refuse bread and butter because 
 it was offered by a quack doctor. 
 
 Within an hour Walter had given up his 
 room the rent had been paid in advance 
 and transferred his luggage to the Hotel Bre- 
 voort, where he was assigned a small apart 
 ment on the upper floor. 
 
 " I shall leave the city in two days," said 
 the professor. " I have put an advertisement 
 into the daily papers which brings customers 
 to the hotel, but I depend chiefly upon my 
 sales on the road." 
 
 " Do you travel on the cars? " asked Wal 
 ter. 
 
 " No; I have a neat wagon in which I carry 
 a supply of bottles of balm, and this enables 
 me to stop where I like. I prefer villages to 
 very large towns and cities. It is better for 
 me to visit places where there are no drug 
 stores, as the people are more dependent on 
 what is brought to them." 
 
 " W T hen you are in the city shall I get my 
 commission? " 
 
 " Ahem ! I am not clear as to that," an 
 swered Professor Robinson thoughtfully. 
 " You see you are not called upon to play." 
 
 " Suppose you give me five per cent, in 
 Chicago and large places? " 
 
 " Very well. I will do so. I will settle
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 151 
 
 with you at the end of every week, if that will 
 be satisfactory." 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 Two days afterward a light wagon drew up 
 in front of the hotel, drawn by a strong horse, 
 and Walter helped the professor to put a 
 trunk of medicine in the back part. Then he 
 seated himself with Professor Robinson on the 
 front seat, and they set out in the direction 
 of the suburbs. 
 
 A new life was opening before Walter. 
 What it would lead to he could not guess. At 
 any rate, it promised him a living, and this 
 was a practical advantage which he had 
 learned to appreciate. 
 
 " How long have you been in this business, 
 professor? " he asked. 
 
 " Ten years," answered the professor. 
 
 " How did you happen to go into it? " 
 
 " Pll tell you. Ten years ago I found my 
 self in a tight place. I was on my uppers, as 
 the actors say. A friend, who was a drug 
 clerk, gave me the recipe for my balm. I bor 
 rowed a hundred dollars, had a quantity made 
 up, and set out on the road." 
 
 "And now?" 
 
 " Now I am worth fifteen thousand dollars, 
 well invested, and can make a good living 
 every year."
 
 152 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 All this was encouraging to Walter. He 
 was eager to begin his work. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 ON THE ROAD. 
 
 ON a small common, near the center of the 
 village of Brandon for special reasons I do 
 not give the real names of places visited by 
 the travelers Professor Robinson halted his 
 wagon and signed to Walter to commence 
 playing. 
 
 " Give 'em something popular," he said. 
 
 Walter struck up " Annie Rooney," and fol 
 lowed it up with " McGinty." 
 
 Within ten minutes fifty persons were gath 
 ered about the wagon. Then the professor 
 held up his hand and Walter stopped. 
 
 young assistant will soon charm you again 
 with the dulcet strains of his violin. But it 
 is necessary for me to combine business with 
 pleasure, and it affords me satisfaction to call 
 your attention to the surpassing merits of my 
 Liquid Balm, only twenty-five cents a bottle. 
 It is a sovereign remedy for most of the dis 
 eases that flesh is heir to. All diseases of the 
 stomach, liver, and lungs, are, if not cured, 
 very greatly mitigated by this wonderful medi-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 153 
 
 cine. It is the only remedy for consumption 
 that can be relied upon. Why, gentlemen, a 
 year since I was selling in a small town in 
 Ohio. Among those who gathered about me 
 was a hollow-cheeked man with a churchyard 
 cough. He asked me if I would undertake to 
 cure him. I answered that I would guarantee 
 nothing, but was convinced that his life would 
 be prolonged b3 7 the use of my balm. He 
 bought half-a-dozen bottles. Where do you 
 think that man is now?" 
 
 Voice in the crowd : " In the grave." 
 
 " Not a bit of it, gentlemen. He is hale 
 and hearty, his face is full, his color healthy, 
 and he tips the scales at one hundred and 
 seventy-five pounds. I was 1 myself surprised 
 at the extraordinary efficacy of my w r onderful 
 medicine. He used in all a dozen bottles, giv 
 ing me a second order later on, and so for the 
 paltry sum of three dollars was drawn back 
 from the brink of the grave, and restored to 
 life and health. Now, who will buy a bot 
 tle? 
 
 This appeal sold eight bottles. 
 
 A saffron-faced man came forward and 
 asked if the balm could cure liver-complaint. 
 
 " My friend," said the professor, " if you 
 will try the balm you ought to have half-a- 
 dozen bottles, as it is uncertain when I shall
 
 1 54 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 come this way again your liver will become 
 O. K., and your face will be as fresh and 
 blooming as that of a twelve-year-old boy." 
 
 This prospect seemed so encouraging that 
 the saffron-faced man bought four bottles, and 
 took the professor's- address. 
 
 At the end of about twenty minutes Walter 
 struck up again, a lively dancing tune, and 
 was listened to with evident pleasure. 
 
 When all who desired the balm seemed to 
 have invested, the professor brought out a 
 supply of toilet soaps, and sold to the amount 
 of a couple of dollars. 
 
 At the end of two hours he packed up his 
 wares, Walter took a seat beside him, and 
 they started for the next village. 
 
 " You had a pretty good sale, professor," 
 said Walter. 
 
 " Yes ; as well as I can calculate I took in 
 about ten dollars." 
 
 Walter reflected with pleasure that his com 
 mission would amount to a dollar. 
 
 The professor had another way of utilizing 
 remedies. When he put up for the night at 
 a hotel, he usually succeeded in paying a part 
 of his hotel bill in medicine or toilet articles. 
 As his average profits on the former were 
 seventy per cent., and on the latter forty, it 
 may be seen that this was greatly to his ad-
 
 Waiter Sherwood's Probation. 155 
 
 vantage. Walter did not wonder that he had 
 already accumulated a small competence. 
 
 On the fourth evening, as Walter was leav 
 ing the supper-table, a tall young man, looking 
 something like the stock pictures of Uncle 
 Sam, came up to him. 
 
 " Say, young fellow," he commenced, " some 
 of us young people are going to have a dance 
 at the schoolhouse hall, but we haven't got no 
 fiddler. Peter Jackson, who generally plays 
 for us, has got the lumbago and can't play. 
 What'll you charge? " 
 
 " What do you generally pay Mr. Jack 
 son? " asked Walter. 
 
 " Three dollars an evening." 
 
 " Do you think I can play as well as he? " 
 
 " You kin play enough sight better. He 
 can't play no tunes that ain't fifty years old." 
 
 " Very well, I will charge you the same, that 
 is, if the professor doesn't object." 
 
 " Go ahead and see him and let me know." 
 
 Walter sought the professor and laid the 
 matter before him. 
 
 " All right ! " was the answer. " I've no ob 
 jection. You can give me one-third of the 
 money and keep the rest yourself. Is that 
 satisfactory?" 
 
 " Perfectly so, sir." 
 
 Walter played till one o'clock. He felt
 
 156 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 rather tired when he got through, but he saw 
 that he was making a favorable impression, 
 and the two dollars which he would receive for 
 himself would be of great service. 
 
 The man who first spoke to him paid him 
 the money. 
 
 " I hope I gave satisfaction," said Walter. 
 
 " Yes, you did, and no mistake; but some of 
 the girls were sorry they couldn't have you for 
 a partner." 
 
 Walter blushed. 
 
 " I am afraid," he said, " that I couldn't 
 play and dance too." 
 
 At his age few young men are indifferent to 
 the favorable opinion of young ladies, and 
 Walter would have been glad to have partici 
 pated in the dancing. However, just at pres 
 ent, money was more acceptable to him than 
 anything else. 
 
 When the week was concluded, the profes 
 sor looked over his accounts and ascertained 
 that Walter's commission amounted to nine 
 dollars and sixty cents. The two dollars he 
 had received for outside services carried his 
 week's earnings to nearly twelve dollars. 
 
 He had been out with Professor Robinson 
 a month when he had a surprise. It was in 
 the town of Glemvood. His violin drew the 
 usual crowd, who were listening with compli-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 157 
 
 mentary attention, when a young man, who 
 casually paused to judge of the musician's 
 merits, started in amazement. 
 
 " By Jove ! " he exclaimed to a young lady 
 who accompanied him. " That's my class 
 mate, Sherwood." 
 
 " What do you mean, Hugh? " asked the 
 young lady. 
 
 u I mean that the young man who is playing 
 on the violin is my college classmate, Walter 
 Sherwood." 
 
 " But what on earth can have put him in 
 such a position? Is he poor? " 
 
 " He had the reputation of being rich in 
 college, but I remember that at the close of 
 the sophomore year he was reported to have 
 lost his money." 
 
 " He is nice-looking I " said the young lady, 
 after a critical examination of Walter. 
 
 " Yes, and he's no end of a nice fellow. I 
 am truly sorry that he is so reduced." 
 
 "Shall you go and speak to him?" 
 
 " Yes; but I shall have to wait till he is at 
 leisure." 
 
 " Then I will go home by myself and lonvo 
 you to confer together; and, by the way, Hugh, 
 you know we are to have a little company to 
 night. Do you think your friend would play 
 for us? He really plays uncommonly well."
 
 158 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I will invite him as a guest. I shouldn't 
 want to treat him as a professional performer. 
 We can afford to treat him as an equal, for he 
 is of good family, and brought up as a gentle 
 man." 
 
 " I am quite willing to receive him as such." 
 
 Hugh Long wood remained in the crowd, 
 and when the playing was over pushed up to 
 the wagon. Walter was assisting the profes 
 sor in serving out bottles of the famous balm. 
 
 " You may give me a bottle, Walter," said 
 Longwood. 
 
 " By gracious, Hugh Longwood ! " ex 
 claimed Walter. " Who would have expected 
 to see you here? " 
 
 " This is my home. But we certainly do 
 meet under strange circumstances. What on 
 earth led you into this business?" 
 
 "Thrift, thrift, Hugh," answered Walter, 
 with a smile. " Let me tell you that I am mak 
 ing a good living and benefiting my fellow 
 men." 
 
 " But it is such a change from Euclid Col 
 lege." 
 
 " True." 
 
 " Such a come down ! ' 
 
 " I don't know about that. I am afraid my 
 career there was not particularly creditable. 
 Now I am working and earning my own liv-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 159 
 
 ing. Can you wait till we get through here? 
 Then I will talk with you as long as you like." 
 " Agreed. I am curious to hear of your ad 
 ventures." 
 
 Professor Robinson proposed to stay in 
 Glenwood overnight, so that Walter had 
 plenty of time to see his friend. 
 
 " My sister is to have a party of friends 
 this evening, and she commissions me to in 
 vite you." 
 
 " But," hesitated Walter, " I have no dress 
 suit here." 
 
 " You look well enough." 
 " Besides, I am filling a very humble posi 
 tion." 
 
 " We know who you are, and that you are a 
 gentleman. That is enough. Will you 
 come? " 
 
 " Yes, I will," answered Walter heartily. 
 " It will be like a taste of the old life." 
 
 " And if we should ask you to favor us on 
 the violin?" 
 
 " I shall be glad to contribute to the pleas 
 ure of the evening. But you haven't told me 
 why you are not back at college." 
 
 " My father is anxious to have me help him 
 in his business. FTis health is not what it 
 was. Not being likely to set the river on fire
 
 160 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 in any literary profession, I decided to give 
 up the college for the counting-room." 
 " I think you did right." 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 MISS LONGWOOD'S PARTY. 
 
 AT eight o'clock Walter reached the Long- 
 wood mansion. It would have been early for 
 a party in the city, but Glenwood people were 
 sensible, and, beginning early, were able to 
 close in good season. 
 
 The house was a handsome one, and the 
 rooms, tastefully furnished, were blazing with 
 light, and already half full. 
 
 Walter was quite at home in society, and, 
 advancing, greeted Hugh and his sister, by 
 whom he was cordially received, and intro 
 duced to other members of the family. 
 
 About nine o'clock dancing commenced. 
 Walter did not think it out of place to ask the 
 hand of Laura Longwood, being so intimate 
 with her brother. She had just accepted his 
 invitation to dance, when a dark-complexioned 
 young man, dressed in the extreme of fashion, 
 and evidently possessing a very high opinion 
 of his appearance and position, approached,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 161 
 
 and with a ceremonious bow said : " Miss 
 Longwood, may I have the pleasure of dancing 
 with you?" 
 
 " Not this time, Mr. Murdock," answered 
 the young lady, " I am engaged to Mr. Sher 
 wood." 
 
 Murdock upon this turned his glance upon 
 Walter, whose dress, it must be confessed, 
 was scarcely befitting the occasion, but it 
 will readily be understood that he could not 
 carry a dress suit about with him. 
 
 " Oh ! " said Murdock, and his scornful 
 glance spoke volumes. 
 
 " Let me introduce you to Mr. Sherwood, 
 my brother's friend," continued the young- 
 lady. 
 
 "I am indeed honored by the introduction," 
 said Murdock, bowing very low. 
 
 Walter colored, for it was evident that the 
 tone w r as ironical. He bowed coldly, but did 
 not speak. 
 
 The music struck up, and the dancing be 
 gan. Though Walter was plainly dressed, he 
 was a good dancer, and Miss Longwood Lad 
 no occasion to be ashamed of her partner. 
 
 Murdock approached Hugh Longwood, who 
 was busy in fcrming sets and was not dancing. 
 
 " Who is that dancing with your sister? " 
 he asked abruptly.
 
 162 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " A college friend of mine Walter Sher 
 wood." 
 
 " He looks poor." 
 
 " I believe he has met with a reverse of 
 fortune." 
 
 " His face looks familiar. I am quite sure 
 I have seen him somewhere." 
 
 " He only arrived in town to-day." 
 
 " I have it! He was playing the violin for 
 a fakir on the town common this afternoon." 
 
 "Yes; it was there I met him." 
 
 "Good heavens! and you invited him to 
 your party? " 
 
 "Why not?" demanded Hugh coldly. 
 
 " The assistant and companion of a wander 
 ing fakir! " 
 
 " No, Mr. Murdock. I did not invite him, 
 for my sister saved me the trouble." 
 
 " I don't see how you could sanction her 
 doing it." 
 
 " It strikes me, Murdock, you are interfer 
 ing beyond your province. Walter Sherwood, 
 you will be good enough to remember, is a 
 gentleman by birth and education, and a col 
 lege classmate of mine." 
 
 " That may all be, but think of his posi 
 tion ! " 
 
 " Suppose we drop this discussion," said
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 163 
 
 Hugh frigidly. " I shall invite whom I plca.se, 
 and shall ask advice of no one." 
 
 " Oh, if you take it that way, I will be 
 silent." 
 
 " It will be as well." 
 
 The dance was over, and Murdock, ap 
 proaching Miss Lougwood once more, asked 
 her hand for the next dance. She accepted, 
 and they took their places on the floor. 
 
 " I can hardly expect to equal your last 
 partner," said Murdock, in an ill-tempered 
 tone. 
 
 Laura Longwood looked at him for a mo 
 ment without speaking. She was ashamed of 
 his ill-breeding. 
 
 " Perhaps not," she answered composedly. 
 " Mr. Sherwood is a very good dancer." 
 
 " I did not refer to that. I referred rather 
 to his social position." 
 
 " He is of good family, I believe, but you 
 need not be too modest as regards yourself." 
 
 " You overwhelm me," returned Murdock, 
 with an exaggerated bow; "and you really 
 think me the equal of Mr. Sherwood? " 
 
 " Is it necessary to discuss this question? 7 ' 
 asked Laura, getting more and more disgiu-ted. 
 wifh her partner. 
 
 I think I suw the ^eniloiuan this after-
 
 164 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 noon playing the violin on the wagon of a 
 traveling fakir." 
 
 " Yes, I saw him also." 
 
 " It is an excellent position for a young 
 man of family!" continued Murdock, with 
 a scornful curl of the lip. 
 
 " Suppose we change the subject, Mr. Mur 
 dock," said Laura Longwood, with dignity. 
 " If you desire a similar position you can 
 speak to Mr. Sherwood." 
 
 "You are really very very amusing, Miss 
 Longwood," said Murdock, biting his lip. " I 
 really don't aspire to such prominence. Be 
 sides, I don't play on the violin." 
 
 " That is a pity. It is a very fine instrr 
 ment." 
 
 When the dance was concluded Murdo' . 
 sought another, but was rather curtly refus' ,, 
 His efforts to injure Walter had only led /,o 
 his own discomfiture. When, a little 10., er, 
 he saw Walter a second time dancing vith 
 Miss Longwood, he began to hate him. 
 
 During the last hour Walter obligingly con 
 sented to play on his favorite instrument, and 
 his performance gave pleasure to the entire 
 company, Murdock alone excepted. 
 
 When the party broke up, it chanced that 
 Murdock and Walter took leave at the same 
 time. Walter was slightly in advance, when
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 165 
 
 Murdock, quickening his pace, came up with 
 him. 
 
 " Mr. Sherwood, I believe," he said. 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Walter. " I believe 
 I am addressing Mr. Murdock." 
 
 " You are. I hope you will pardon my giv 
 ing you a little kindly advice." 
 
 " I certainly will if it is friendly," answered 
 Walter. 
 
 " Then, don't you think you were a little out 
 of place this evening? " 
 
 "What do you mean?" asked Walter 
 quickly. " Where was I out of place? " 
 
 "At Miss Longwood's party." 
 
 "Why should I be? She invited me." 
 
 " No doubt." 
 
 " As her brother's friend and classmate." 
 
 " That is all very well, but you don't seein 
 to consider your present position." 
 
 " Will you be good enough to tell me what 
 is my present position?" 
 
 " You know better than I can tell you. You 
 are the assistant of a low fakir." 
 
 " I accompany Professor Robinson as a 
 musical assistant, if that is what you mean." 
 
 " Professor Robinson ! " repeated Murdock 
 scornfully. " Where did he get his title? " 
 
 " You will have to ask him," said Walter, 
 smiling.
 
 1 66 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " That is not the point, however. You are 
 in his employ." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " And yet you attend an evening party given 
 by a young lady of high social position." 
 
 " Mr. Murdock, you may be surprised to 
 learn that it is by no means the first social 
 party of the kind that I have attended." 
 
 " That was before you became a fakir." 
 
 " You will oblige me by not calling me a 
 fakir. I am earning my living honestly. I 
 don't know your business." 
 
 " I am a lawyer," said Murdock haughtily. 
 
 " I wish you success in your chosen profes 
 sion." 
 
 " You are truly kind ! " said Murdock, in 
 an unpleasant tone. 
 
 Walter looked at him gravely. 
 
 " Mr. Murdock," he said, " you have volun 
 teered to give me advice." 
 
 " Which you are not inclined to take." 
 
 " Because I consider you officious in offer 
 ing it. Now let me give you some advice." 
 
 " I shall be grateful, I am sure." 
 
 " Then let me advise you hereafter to mind 
 your own business ! " 
 
 " You are impertinent ! " said Murdock 
 angrily. 
 
 " That is my opinion of you. One thing
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 167 
 
 more; you are quite at liberty to advise Miss 
 Longwood not to take any notice of me." 
 
 " I shall do so." 
 
 " And you may be sure that I shall not call 
 upon her without an invitation. It is hardly 
 necessary to say this, as I leave town to-mor 
 row, and it may be a long time before I visit 
 Glen wood again." 
 
 Murdock heard this with satisfaction, for 
 Walter's good looks and the evident favor 
 with which he was regarded by Laura Long- 
 wood had made him jealous. He could not 
 help, however, launching a final sarcasm. 
 
 " Don't think me unkind, my good fellow! " 
 he said patronizingly. " I feel kindly disposed 
 to you, and as a proof will ask you to send 
 round a bottle of your balm to my office. 
 Shall I pay for it in advance? " 
 
 " No. I will mention your request to the 
 professor, and he will probably be glad to 
 furnish you with his medicine. Good night! " 
 
 They had reached the hotel, and Walter en 
 tered. 
 
 " That fellow is a snob," he said to himself. 
 " He wishes me to feel that one in my posi 
 tion cannot be a gentleman. If he is one, I 
 don't want to be. All his sneers won't make 
 me ashamed of earning my living by an honest 
 use of any gift that God has given me."
 
 1 68 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 AN ADVENTURE. 
 
 THREE months passed without any incident; 
 worth recording. Professor Robinson's suc 
 cess was variable, but upon the whole he had 
 reason to feel encouraged. He was an ex 
 cellent salesman, and his balm, though it 
 could not perform all the wonderful cures 
 claimed for it, really had merit, and this 
 helped materially. 
 
 So far as Walter was concerned, he found 
 the professor an indulgent and honorable em 
 ployer, whose word was as good as his bond. 
 Every Saturday night there was a statement 
 of sales for the week, and Walter was paid 
 his commission of ten per cent. Though he 
 was obliged to make some disbursements, the 
 largest being for a suit of clothes, he found 
 himself, at the end of fourteen weeks, pos 
 sessed of a balance of a hundred dollars. This 
 was a source of great satisfaction to Walter, 
 who had known in Chicago how inconvenient 
 it was to be without money.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 169 
 
 One day the professor found himself in 
 a Minnesota village. He had secured a va 
 cant lot on the principal street for the display 
 of his merchandise. He met with rather un 
 usual success, a local celebration having 
 drawn a considerable crowd to the town of 
 Warwick. Walter, after playing on the violin, 
 passed among the crowd with a supply of 
 bottles of balm, while the professor was ex 
 patiating in an eloquent manner upon its 
 merits. Among the crowd his attention was 
 drawn to a roughly dressed man, in hunting 
 costume, wearing a sombrero with a broad 
 brim. His face was dark and his expression 
 sinister. His eyes were very black and keen. 
 He looked like a Spaniard, and the thought 
 came to Walter that he would make an ideal 
 highwayman. He was leaning carelessly 
 against the fence that separated the lot from 
 the street. As Walter approached he moved 
 slightly and accosted him. 
 
 " Say, young feller, is it all true that he " 
 with a jerk of his hand toward the professor 
 "says about this balm?'' 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Walter, in a business 
 like tone. " It is a very valuable remedy in 
 all cases of bruise, sprain, rheumatism, head 
 ache, and other kindred troubles. Can I sell 
 you a bottle? "
 
 170 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Well, I don't inind," and the stranger 
 drew out a silver quarter and tendered it in 
 payment. 
 
 " Do you sell much of this stuff? " he asked 
 carelessly. 
 
 " Yes, we have large sales." 
 
 " You are making money fast, I reckon." 
 
 " We are doing very well," answered Wal 
 ter cautiously. 
 
 " It's an easy life to lead." 
 
 " Not so very easy. We are on the road 
 ^arly and late." 
 
 " Do you stop here overnight? " 
 
 " No; I think we will push on to Fremont." 
 
 " You'll get there late." 
 
 " Perhaps so. We shall not commence our 
 sales till to-morrow. 
 
 " Why is he so inquisitive? " thought Wal 
 ter, and as he turned back to scan once more 
 the face of his recent customer he became more 
 and more distrustful of him. 
 
 " Does that man live in town? " he inquired 
 of a boy. 
 
 " Who? That man leaning against the 
 fence? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 The boy shook his head. 
 
 f; I never saw him before," he said. u I 
 guess he came to the celebration."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 171 
 
 When the sale was over Walter and the pro 
 fessor went to the hotel for supper. Walter 
 caught sight of the mysterious stranger in 
 the barroom, and could not avoid seeing that 
 he himself was an object of attention. Why 
 this should be he did not understand. If 
 only he were a mind-reader and could in 
 terpret the man's thoughts it would have re 
 lieved his anxiety, for in spite of himself he 
 was becoming anxious and apprehensive, 
 though he could not explain why. 
 
 At supper the stranger sat opposite him. 
 He ate heartily and with great rapidity, yet 
 found time to glance repeatedly at Walter and 
 his employer, as if he felt an interest in them. 
 
 Walter sought the professor after supper 
 and communicated to him his fears. 
 
 Professor Robinson shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 " Your imagination is running away with 
 you," he said. " I don't see anything extra 
 ordinary about this stranger, except that he 
 is far from good-looking." 
 
 "Don't you think he has a sinister look?" 
 
 " He is as homely as the ace of spades, if 
 that is what you mean. Suppose he is. All 
 homely men are not suspicious characters. If 
 they were, how would we be judged? " and the 
 professor laughed in a jolly way.
 
 172 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " You have quite decided to go through to 
 Fremont this evening? " 
 
 " Yes ; I want to reach Stillman on Satur 
 day there is to be a county fair there and 
 to make it in time we must be moving to 
 night." 
 
 Of course there was no more to be said. 
 Walter did not care to interfere with the pro 
 fessor's plans, and he was ashamed to admit 
 that he was nervous and alarmed. Perhaps 
 his fears were groundless. He began to think 
 so when at seven o'clock the stable-boy brought 
 round a powerful black horse to the front of 
 the inn, and the stranger who had given him 
 so much anxiety vaulted into the saddle and 
 rode away without even turning to look at 
 him. 
 
 "Who is that fellow?" he asked of an old 
 man who stood near, smoking a clay pipe. 
 
 The old man looked thoughtfully at the 
 stranger, who had now ridden out of the yard. 
 
 " Seems to me I've seen that face before," 
 he said slowly, " but I can't rightly tell 
 where." 
 
 " He doesn't look like a farmer." 
 
 "No; if he lived anywhere within twenty 
 miles I'd know him. He's a stranger." 
 
 " His looks don't recommend him." 
 
 " You're right there, boy."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 173 
 
 " I shouldn't be surprised to hear that he 
 was an outlaw." 
 
 " One of Jesse James' band, mayhap," sug 
 gested the old man, with a smile. 
 
 " Yes, he looks it." 
 
 " Well, he's gone, so he won't trouble us." 
 This was a consoling thought to Walter. 
 He carried a hundred dollars in his pocket, 
 and he had worked too hard for it to feel 
 reconciled to its loss 1 . The stranger, judging 
 from his appearance, was 1 quite capable of 
 relieving him of it, but now he had ridden 
 away, doubtless on business of his own, and 
 the chances were that they would never meet 
 again. 
 
 About eight o'clock Professor liobinson's 
 team was brought round to the door, and he 
 and Walter clambered upon the seat and soon 
 they were under way. 
 
 " Were you ever robbed, professor? " asked 
 Walter. 
 
 The professor smiled. 
 
 " Yes," he said. 
 
 "By a highwayman?" 
 
 " No, by my assistant, a young man who 
 occupied your place. lie ha/1 been with me four 
 weeks, and I reposed a good deal of confidence 
 jn him, as I do in you,"
 
 174 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I hope you won't repent your confidence 
 in me, professor." 
 
 " I am sure I shall not. But to come back 
 to my story. Charles Wright was a good- 
 looking, smooth-faced fellow of twenty, and 
 had a good turn for business. The trouble 
 with him was that he was extravagant, and 
 never had a cent ahead." 
 
 " Did he earn as much as I do? " 
 
 " Yes, for business with me was unusually 
 good at the time he was with me. However, 
 he never could save money. Usually we occu 
 pied different rooms at the hotels we stopped 
 at, but one night the hotel was crowded and 
 we were obliged to room together. Now, as 
 you know, I am a sound sleeper. I am asleep 
 five minutes after my head touches the pillow, 
 and even a thunder-storm during the night 
 would scarcely waken me. On some accounts 1 
 this is an advantage, but, as you will see, it 
 turned out unluckily for me on the night I 
 am speaking of. I awoke at the usual time 
 seven o'clock and on opening my eyes I saw 
 at once that my young assistant .was not in 
 the room. This gave me no uneasiness. I 
 presumed that he had waked up after a good 
 night's sleep and was taking a morning walk. 
 I rose from the bed, put on my clothes lei 
 surely, and it was only after I was completely
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 175 
 
 dressed that I felt in my pocket for my wallet. 
 Then I made a startling discovery. The wal 
 let was gone!" 
 
 " Was there much money in it? " 
 " About a hundred and ten dollars. For 
 tunately I had about fifty dollars besides in 
 another pocket, so that I was not left quite 
 penniless." 
 
 " Was your assistant the thief? " 
 " There is no doubt about it. He had gone 
 downstairs at five o'clock, told the clerk he 
 was going for a walk, and did not show up 
 after that." 
 
 " Have you seen or heard of him since? " 
 " No; I may meet him again some time, but 
 I doubt if I should have him arrested. He in 
 jured himself more than he did me. I lost; 
 a hundred dollars or more, but he lost a good 1 
 place and his character for honesty. Depend 
 upon it, Walter, honesty is the best policy in 
 the long run." 
 
 " I am sure of that, sir." 
 Four miles from the hotel they entered a 
 wood, through which the road ran for half-a- 
 mile. It was dark, but not completely dark. 
 A few stars sent down a faint light. By the 
 light of those stars Walter descried a man, 
 mounted on a large horse, stationed motion-
 
 176 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 less in the middle of the road, apparently wait 
 ing for them to come up. 
 
 "Professor!" he exclaimed, clutching his 
 employer by the arm, " that's the man we saw 
 at the hotel ! " 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 WALTER AND THE HIGHWAYMAN. 
 
 THE professor was startled at the exclama 
 tion, but was unwilling to believe that the 
 man before him was a highwayman. 
 
 " My friend," he said, " won't you move to 
 one side? You are in my path." 
 
 " We have a little business together," said 
 the horseman grimly, as he drew out and pre 
 sented a revolver. " That must be attended 
 to first." 
 
 "Do you wish a bottle of balm?" inquired 
 Professor Robinson, in a tremulous voice. 
 
 " No ; you may need one yourself unless we 
 come to terms." 
 
 " What do you mean? " 
 
 " Hand over your pocketbook, old man, and 
 be quick about it." 
 
 " I presume you are joking," said the pro 
 fessor nervouslv.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 177 
 
 " You won't find it much of a joke ! " 
 
 "Are you a highwayman?" gasped the pro 
 fessor. 
 
 The other gave a quick, short laugh. 
 
 " You may call me that if you like," he 
 said. 
 
 Now, Professor Eobinson had, as was 
 natural, a decided objection to surrendering 
 his money, and, though there seemed little 
 chance of producing an effect on the mind of 
 the outlaw, ventured to remonstrate. 
 
 " My friend," he said, " if you are in want 
 I will lend, nay, give you five dollars, out of 
 a spirit of humanity; but I trust you will not 
 jeopardize your liberty by descending to 
 robbery." 
 
 " Five dollars won't do, old man ! Hand 
 over your wallet with all there is in it, and 
 dry up that Sunday-school talk." 
 
 " What shall I do, Walter? " asked the poor 
 professor. 
 
 " I am afraid you will have to let him have 
 it, professor." 
 
 "That's where your head is level, boy!" 
 said the highwayman approvingly. " Just 
 fling over your wallet, and be quick about it." 
 
 " Tell him to ride up and get it," said Wal 
 ter, in an undertone. 
 
 Though the professor did not understand
 
 178 Walter Shenvood's Probation. 
 
 Walter's object in suggesting this, he was in 
 a mood to be guided by any one, and repeated 
 Walter's words. 
 
 " Anything to oblige," said the stranger. 
 
 " Don't give it to him till I say the word," 
 whispered Walter. 
 
 The highwayman, lowering his revolver, 
 rode up alongside of the wagon and held out 
 his hand for the wallet. 
 
 Walter had conceived a bold scheme for 
 disarming him and rendering him harmless. 
 
 " Give the wallet to me, professor," he said. 
 
 His employer meekly obeyed. 
 
 Then Walter, rising, dropped the wallet on 
 the floor of the wagon and reaching over sud 
 denly grasped the revolver from the unsuspect 
 ing robber, and before he recovered from his 
 amazement brought down the whip with 
 terrible force on the flanks of his horse. The 
 startled animal gave a spring that nearly un 
 seated his rider and dashed madly down the 
 road. 
 
 The robber was furious. As soon as he 
 could he regained control of his steed and 
 galloped back. 
 
 " Give me that revolver ! " he shouted, in 
 a rage. 
 
 Walter held the weapon in his hand and 
 steadily pointed it at its late owner.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 179 
 
 " I'll give you the contents if you don't ride 
 off." 
 
 "Confound you, you young rascal! If 
 you don't give me back my weapon I'll kill 
 you ! " 
 
 It was an empty threat, as Walter well 
 knew. 
 
 " Do you hear me? " he said quietly. 
 
 The robber scanned him curiously. He lia'l 
 thought him a mere boy, without spirit or 
 courage. Now he was compelled to revise 
 his opinion of him. Threats would not an 
 swer. He must have recourse to strategy. 
 
 " You're smart, youngster. I'll give you 
 credit for that," he said, in a milder tone. 
 " You've got the best of me, I admit." 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter, " I have the ad 
 vantage of you." 
 
 " I meant to take your money, but I won't 
 do it now." 
 
 " Thank you ! " said Walter, with an 
 ironical smile. 
 
 " Just give me back that weapon of mine, 
 and I'll ride off and let you alone." 
 
 " I don't think it would be wise." 
 
 The highwayman frowned. 
 
 "Don't be a fool, youngster!" he said. 
 " Do you doubt my word?'' 
 
 " I don't know you well enough to decide
 
 180 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 whether you are to be trusted, but I guess I'll 
 keep the revolver." 
 
 " Then you will have robbed me." 
 
 " Walter," said the professor nervously, 
 "perhaps you had better give him back his 
 weapon. He has promised not to molest us 
 further." 
 
 " That's where you talk sense, old man," 
 said the robber approvingly. " You're a 
 gentleman, you are!" 
 
 " You hear, Walter? " 
 
 " Yes, youngster, you hear? Give me back 
 my weapon and we'll part friends." 
 
 " And I trust, my friend, you will see the 
 error of your ways and adopt some honest 
 business." 
 
 " I will, old man, believe me ! " said the 
 robber, in a melodramatic tone. " I was not 
 always thus." 
 
 " You will have my best wishes for your 
 prosperity, and if you are in need I will give 
 you five dollars." 
 
 " No, I will not take advantage of your 
 liberal offer. Only give me the revolver and 
 I will ride away." 
 
 " Come, Walter, give the man his revolver." 
 
 " Professor," said Walter quietly, " you 
 must excuse me, I can't comply with your re 
 quest. This man is humbugging you. If I
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 181 
 
 give him back the revolver, you will have to 
 give him your wallet, too." 
 
 " Didn't I promise to ride away? " de 
 manded the outlaw angrily. 
 
 "Yes; but I put no confidence in your 
 promise. Now go at once, or I fire ! " 
 
 Walter pointed the revolver full at the rob 
 ber's head. He met the unflinching gaze of 
 Walter's resolute eyes and saw that our hero 
 was in earnest. 
 
 " Do you mean to keep my property? " he 
 demanded hoarsely. 
 
 " No ; come round to the hotel in Fremont 
 to-morrow morning and you shall have your 
 weapon." 
 
 With an execration the outlaw turned his 
 horse and dashed off at full speed. 
 
 " There, he is gone ! " said Walter, sinking 
 back in his seat with an air of relief. His 
 nerves had been at high tension, though he 
 was outwardly calm, for he knew that he had 
 to deal w r ith a desperate man, and feared a 
 sudden attack, which might have resulted dis 
 astrously for htm. 
 
 " I don't know whether you have done right, 
 Walter," said the professor, in a tone of mild 
 deprecation. 
 
 " Surely, professor, you would not have had 
 me give back the revolver? "
 
 182 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " He promised to ride off and leave us to 
 ourselves." 
 
 "What is the word of such a man worth? 
 He would have ridden off, but he would have 
 carried with him your wallet and mine. Was 
 there much money in yours 1 ? " 
 
 " Two hundred and fifty dollars." 
 
 " That's too much to lose. Take my advice, 
 professor, and put the greater part of the 
 money in one of your pockets. That is what 
 I have done, for I suspected that this gentle 
 man would lie in wait for us." 
 
 " What put it into your head to seize the 
 pistol, Walter? If your attempt had mis 
 carried he might have shot you." 
 
 " I don't propose to give up my money with 
 out a struggle. When the time came to act, 
 I moved suddenly upon the enemy. I did not 
 propose to fail." 
 
 " You were very quick. You were like a 
 flash of lightning." 
 
 " I meant to be," said Walter, smiling. " I 
 haven't attended a gymnasium for nothing." 
 
 " Do you think he will attack us again? " 
 asked the professor timidly. 
 
 " No ; he has no revolver and I have. Be 
 sides, I don't mean to be taken at a disadvan 
 tage. If you will drive, I will hold the revol 
 ver ready for instant use."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 183 
 
 There was- no further interruption during 
 their ride, and about ten o'clock they drew up 
 in front of the hotel in Fremont. Rooms were 
 secured, and both Walter and the professor 
 retired to rest. 
 
 About seven o'clock the next morning there 
 was a knock at Walter's door. He opened it, 
 half dressed, and found a boy of sixteen with 
 a note in his hand. 
 
 " A gentleman gave me this for you," he 
 said. 
 
 Walter opened the note and read these 
 lines, which had been hastily scribbled: 
 
 " Give the bearer my revolver. I have a 
 long journey before me, and shall need it. 
 
 " You KNOW WHO." 
 
 " Where is the gentleman who gave you the 
 note?" asked Walter. 
 
 " Down the road a piece. He asked me to 
 be quick." 
 
 " Tell him," said Walter, putting the note 
 in his vest pocket, " that he will have to come 
 here himself." 
 
 He finished his toilet and went down to 
 breakfast, but the robber did not put in nn 
 appearance. He probably thought that Wal 
 ter was laying a trap for him.
 
 184 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THE REVOLVER. 
 
 As Walter had been brought up with a strict 
 sense of honesty, he was somewhat in doubt 
 whether he ought to keep the revolver, which 
 was a handsome one, silver mounted. He de 
 cided, however, that it would be quixotic to 
 disarm himself and put the outlaw in a posi 
 tion to renew his attack, as he undoubtedly 
 would, if only because he would wish to get 
 even with the boy who had humiliated him. 
 Walter had, to be sure, promised to give it up 
 if the owner called for it, but he meant at the 
 same time to secure his arrest. 
 
 He did not mention to the professor that he 
 had received a letter from the owner of the 
 weapon, as his employer would have insisted 
 upon his giving it up. Professor Robinson 
 was a timid man, and though he was of stout 
 build and possessed a fair measure of 
 strength, he had not as much spirit as some 
 boys of ten. 
 
 " What are you going to do with the re-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 185 
 
 volver, Walter? " he asked uneasily as they 
 set out on their way from Fremont to Stil- 
 well." 
 
 " I am going to carry it with me, professor." 
 
 " Then you had better withdraw the 
 charges." 
 
 "Why should I?" 
 
 " The weapon might go off." 
 
 " I mean it shall if the owner makes another 
 attack upon us." 
 
 " You don't think he will?" asked the pro 
 fessor nervously. 
 
 u I think it very probable." 
 
 " I wish we had never met him," said the 
 unhappy professor. 
 
 " So do I ; but as we have, we must make 
 the best of it." 
 
 " If you had only given him back the re 
 volver we should have had no more trouble." 
 
 " Pardon me, professor, I think we should 
 have had a good deal of trouble. Once give 
 the fellow his old advantage over us, and he 
 would use it." 
 
 " I never had such an experience before," 
 complained the professor, looking at Walter 
 reproachfully, as 1 if he thought that somehow 
 it was the fault of his young assistant. 
 
 \Valter smiled. 
 
 " Do you know, professor/' he said, " your
 
 1 86 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 remark reminds me of a statement in an Irish 
 paper to this effect : l Several persons have 
 died during the last year who never died be 
 fore/ 
 
 " I don't see the point," said the professor 
 peevishly. 
 
 They were about half-way to the next town 
 when Walter heard the sound of a galloping 
 horse behind him. 
 
 Looking out of the side of the wagon, he 
 eaw the now familiar figure of the outlaw as 
 he rode up alongside. He looked critically at 
 Walter, and saw that the coveted revolver was 
 in our hero's hand, ready for action. 
 
 " Why didn't you give the revolver to my 
 messenger this morning, boy?" he demanded, 
 with a frown. 
 
 " I didn't think it would be safe," Walter 
 answered significantly. 
 
 " Didn't you know it was my property? " 
 
 " I wasn't sure of it." 
 
 " What do you mean by that? " 
 
 " I didn't know whether you had paid for 
 it." 
 
 " You are impudent. Professor Robinson, 
 will you make the boy give me back my re 
 volver? " 
 
 " I have told him to," answered the profes-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 187 
 
 sor, in an apologetic tone, " but he won't obey 
 me." 
 
 " Then why don't you discharge him? I 
 wouldn't keep a boy in my employ who dis 
 obeyed me." 
 
 " I am well satisfied with him, except OQ 
 this point." 
 
 " I am ready to leave you, professor, if you 
 say the word,'' said Walter, and he made a 
 motion as if to jump out of the wagon. 
 
 " No, no ! " exclaimed the professor, in 
 alarm. " I don't want you to leave me." 
 
 " Then I won't. I think it might be bad for 
 you if I did," said Walter, with a significant 
 look at the horseman. 
 
 " Well, boy," said the outlaw harshly. " I 
 can't waste my time here. You sent me a 
 message to come for my revolver mysalf if I 
 wanted it." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Well, here I am ! Now give me the 
 weapon." 
 
 "I think I shall have to decline." 
 
 "Are you going back on your word?" de 
 manded the outlaw. 
 
 " Not exactly." 
 
 " Then what do you propose to do? " 
 
 "Keep along with us till we reach Stilwell. 
 Then we will go before a magistrate. You
 
 1 88 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 will make your demand for the weapon, and 
 in liis presence I will surrender it." 
 
 "Do you take me for a fool?" thundered 
 the robber. 
 
 " No, and I want you to understand that I 
 am not a fool, either." 
 
 " You are acting like a fool and a knave." 
 
 " I should certainly be acting like a fool if 
 I gave up the revolver,, and had it immediately 
 pointed at me or my companion, with a de 
 mand for our money." 
 
 " But I gave you my word " 
 
 " Of course you did, but I put no confidence 
 in your word." 
 
 While this conversation was going on the 
 poor professor looked on and listened with an 
 expression of helplessness on his broad face. 
 He was essentially a man of peace, and was 1 
 by no means fitted to deal with a highwayman. 
 
 " Look here," said the outlaw, after a pause, 
 and in a milder tone, " I have a special attach 
 ment for that weapon or I would drop the 
 whole matter and buy another one. But this 
 was given me by an old pal, now dead, and I 
 set great store by it. Professor, although the 
 revolver is mine by rights, I will waive all 
 that and offer you twenty-five dollars for it. 
 That will pay you for all the trouble I have 
 put you to."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 189 
 
 Professor Robinson, though not a mean 
 man, was fond of money, and this offer tempt 
 ed him. It would be getting twenty-five dol 
 lars for nothing, and that was a piece of 
 good luck not likely to present itself every 
 day. 
 
 " I accept your offer," he said gladly. 
 
 " But I don't," put in Walter calmly. " Al 
 low me to say that the professor has no claim 
 to the weapon. I took it with my own hand, 
 and it has never been in his possession." 
 
 " All right ! Then I'll give you twenty-five 
 dollars for it." 
 
 " I decline your offer." 
 
 " I'd like to wring your neck, you young 
 thief!" 
 
 " I have no doubt you would." 
 
 " Once more, and for the last time, will 
 you give me back that revolver? " 
 
 " I have told you when and on what condi 
 tions I would surrender it." 
 
 " When? " 
 
 " At Stilwell, in presence of a magistrate." 
 
 " You are very crafty. You want me to 
 be arrested for attempted robbery?" 
 
 " Yes, that is my wish." 
 
 " I've a great mind to snatch the revolver 
 from you,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Come on, then ! " said Walter, holding it 
 firmly, pointing at the outlaw. 
 
 " You've got the drop on me, youngster; but 
 mark my word, I'll have that weapon yet, and 
 I'll punish you for giving me all this trouble." 
 
 " Have you anything more to say? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Then suppose you ride on. We have been 
 delayed long enough." 
 
 The robber did go on, but aimed a volley 
 of imprecations at Walter, of which the latter 
 took no notice. 
 
 In the early evening they arrived at Stil- 
 well and secured rooms at the hotel. 
 
 Among the guests was a cattleman from 
 Dakota, who had been to Chicago with a herd 
 of cattle and was now on his way back. He 
 was loud in his complaints of a highwayman 
 whom he met two days previous, who had re 
 lieved him of a wallet containing five hundred 
 dollars. 
 
 "Won't you describe him?" asked Walter, 
 struck by a sudden suspicion. 
 
 The cattle-dealer did so. His description 
 tallied with the personal appearance of Wal 
 ter's enemy. 
 
 "Was he on foot?" asked Walter, 
 
 " Xo ; he was on a black horse," 
 
 Walter nodded,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. iQl 
 
 " I know him," he said. 
 
 " Has he robbed you? " 
 
 " No, I have robbed him." 
 
 "What do you mean?" inquired the cattle- 
 dealer, in wonder. 
 
 " Do you recognize this? " and Walter ex 
 hibited the revolver. 
 
 " Yes, it looks like the revolver he pointed 
 at me." 
 
 " Probably it is." 
 
 " But how do you happen to have it? " 
 
 " I took it from him." 
 
 " You a mere boy ! " exclaimed the cattle- 
 dealer incredulously. 
 
 " Yes. I will tell you about it." 
 
 And Walter gave an account of the circum 
 stances under which the revolver had come 
 into his possession. 
 
 " It is a handsome weapon," said the cattle- 
 dealer, taking it into his hands and examining 
 it. " It must be worth a hundred dollars." 
 
 " I think I shall keep it for my own use," 
 said Walter quietly. 
 
 " I'll give you seventy-five dollars for it." 
 
 " I would rather not part with it. Indeed, 
 I should not feel justified in selling it, con- 
 Hid<'ring the way it came into my hands." 
 
 " Well, boy, you're a smart one, but I sur 
 mise you haven't seen the last of the owner." 
 
 The speaker was right.
 
 192 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 DICK RANNEY'S SCHEME. 
 
 DICK RANNEY for the first time we give 
 the name of the highwayman had no inten 
 tion of going away without his revolver. It 
 had been his constant companion for years, 
 and had served him well during his connec 
 tion with the famous band of Jesse James. 
 Now, his leader dead, he was preying upon the 
 community on his own account. So daring 
 and so full of resources was he that he had 
 never been arrested but once, and then man 
 aged to escape from the cabin in which he 
 was temporarily confined. 
 
 The weapon he was so anxious to recover 
 had been given him by his old commander, 
 and for this reason, and also because the re 
 volver was a very handsome and valuable one, 
 he was willing to expose himself to the risk 
 of capture in order to recover it. 
 
 The opposition he met with from a " beard 
 less boy," as he styled Walter, irritated and 
 (Surprised him. He was fifty pounds heavier 
 than Walter, and he had expected that a 
 mere boy would give in almost immediately. 
 But he saw that he had misjudged the lad. 
 He was little more than a boy in years and ap 
 pearance, but he evidently had a man's cour-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 193 
 
 age and spirit. Ranney would have secured 
 another revolver if he had not felt so certain 
 of recovering his own. After his last failure 
 he began to consider what course to adopt. 
 
 It was easy to find out the professor's route, 
 lie knew that he was to stay a night at Stil- 
 well, and to Stilwell he went. lie did not ven 
 ture into the village until nightfall, and then, 
 for reasons easy to divine, he abstained from 
 visiting the hotel. 
 
 Looking about for a confederate, his atten 
 tion was drawn to a boy of sixteen who was 
 sawing wood in front of a humble cottage 
 half-a-mile from the village. 
 
 " I see you know how to work," said Dick 
 Ranney affably, as he leaned carelessly 
 against the fence. 
 
 " I know how, but I don't like it," answered 
 the boy, pausing in his task. 
 
 " I don't blame you. I don't like that kind 
 of work myself." 
 
 " I guess you don't have to do it now," said 
 the boy, glancing at the neat and expensive 
 attire of his new acquaintance. 
 
 " Well, no, I can do better." 
 
 " Are you in business? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Ranney vaguely. " I am 
 traveling for a house in New York." 
 
 " I should like that."
 
 194 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Give me jour name. I may be able to 
 give you a place some day." 
 
 " My name is Oren Trott." 
 
 Dick Ranney took out a note-book and put 
 the name down, greatly to the boy's satisfac 
 tion. 
 
 " By the way," w T ent on Ranney, " do you 
 want to earn half-a-dollar? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Oren, with alacrity. 
 
 " Perhaps I can put you in the way of doing 
 so. Do you know the hotel people? " 
 
 " Yes, sir. I worked there for a short time." 
 
 " All the better. Then you know about the 
 house, the location of rooms, etc.?" 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " There are two parties staying there in 
 whom I am interested. One is Professor Rob 
 inson." 
 
 " Yes, I know the man that sells bottles 
 of balm." 
 
 " The same." 
 
 " I saw him come into town with his 
 wagon." 
 
 " Well, I want to find what room he will 
 occupy to-night. The fact is," he continued, 
 as he noted Oren's look of surprise, " the man 
 owes me quite a sum of money, and is trying 
 to evade payment." 
 
 " He doesn't look like that kind of man," 
 eaid Oren thoughtfully.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 195 
 
 " My boy, you are young and are hardly 
 qualified to judge of a man by his appearance. 
 The man looks honest, I admit, but he's 
 slippery. And, by the way, did you notice a 
 young fellow in the wagon with him?" 
 
 " Yes, sir; he isn't much larger than I am." 
 
 " Exactly so. Well, I want to find out what 
 room he occupies, also." 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Oren, looking a little 
 surprised. 
 
 " You see," explained Dick Ranney, " I 
 want to make the professor a call, and I can 
 perhaps tell from the outside whether he is 
 in or not. He will avoid meeting me if he can. 
 Now, do you think you can find out for me 
 what I require? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Then go at once." 
 
 " Shall I find you here when I get back?" 
 asked Oren cautiously. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I wouldn't like to take all that trouble for 
 nothing." 
 
 " Y T ou won't. Here is a quarter in advance, 
 and I will give you the fifty cents besides, if 
 you find out what I wish." 
 
 " Good for you ! You're a gentleman ! " 
 said Oren, with an expression of satisfaction 
 on his lionost country f;<
 
 196 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Two hours later Walter and tlie cattle- 
 dealer returned from a walk they had taken 
 together. Walter found his new acquaintance, 
 though not an educated man, an agreeable 
 companion, and by no means deficient in 
 shrewdness, though he had allowed himself to 
 be robbed by Dick Rauney. 
 
 They went up to the desk for their keys. 
 
 "Will you two gentlemen do me a favor?" 
 asked the clerk. 
 
 "What is it?" asked the cattle-dealer. 
 
 " A gentleman and lady have just arrived 
 and want to stay here to-night, but the num 
 ber of our rooms is limited, and we are full. 
 Now, if you, sir, will go into Mr. Sherwood's 
 room there are two beds there we shall be 
 able to give the party yours." 
 
 " I have no objection if he hasn't," said the 
 cattle-dealer. 
 
 " I have none whatever," said Walter cheer 
 fully. 
 
 " Then we can fix it. I am sure I am very 
 much obliged to you both. By the way, Mr. 
 Sherwood, there was a boy here a little while 
 since who was anxious to find out what room 
 you occupied, also what room was. Professor 
 Robinson's." 
 
 " A boy? " repeated Walter, puzzled. 
 
 " Yes, a village boy Oreu Trott "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 197 
 
 " I don't know any such boy." 
 
 " He is a good, industrious lad." 
 
 " That may all be, but what does he want 
 to know about my room for? " 
 
 " That's the question I put to him. I found 
 him very close-mouthed at first, but finally he 
 admitted that he was employed by some man 
 a stranger in the village to find out." 
 
 Walter and the cattle-dealer exchanged, 
 glances. The same thought had come to each. 
 
 " Did he describe the man? " 
 
 " No; it seems he did not take much notice 
 of him." 
 
 " Was that all the boy wanted to know? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " He didn't say what the man's object was 
 in seeking this information?" 
 
 " No. Probably he didn't know." 
 
 Walter and his new friend, whom we will 
 call Manning, went up-stairs. 
 
 " What does it all mean, Mr. Manning? " 
 asked Walter. 
 
 " It probably means that our old friend pro 
 poses to make a call upon you during the 
 night." 
 
 "Do you really think so?" asked Walter, 
 naturally startled at the suggestion. 
 
 " Yes. Y r ou still have his revolver, you 
 know."
 
 198 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "I think he will find me ready for him/' said 
 Walter resoluU'l}-. 
 
 " He will find us ready, you mean," cor- 
 ' rected Manning. " You know I am going to 
 be your roommate." 
 
 " I am glad of that, under the circum 
 stances." 
 
 " So am I. I should like to recover the 
 money the fellow robbed me of. I should like 
 to know his name." 
 
 " I can tell you that. I was examining the 
 revolver this afternoon, when I saw a name 
 engraved upon it in very small letters." 
 
 "What name?" 
 
 " R. Ranney." 
 
 " Then," said Manning, in excitement, " he 
 is the famous Dick Ranney, formerly with 
 Jesse James." 
 
 " I never heard of him." 
 
 " He is well known in this Western coun 
 try. Why, there is a reward of a thousand 
 dollars offered for his apprehension." 
 
 " I should like to earn that money," said 
 Walter. 
 
 " You shall, and this very night, if I can 
 bring it about." 
 
 " Half of the reward should be yours." 
 
 " I am rich enough without it. As to the
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 199 
 
 money the fellow robbed me of, I shall try to 
 recover that, though the loss won't in the 
 least embarrass me." 
 
 " How do you think Kanney will try to get 
 into the room? ' 
 
 " Through the window. The casements are 
 loose, and nothing could be easier." 
 
 Walter went to the window and found that 
 there was no way of fastening it. 
 
 " I think we could fasten it with a knife." 
 
 " I don't want it fastened," said Manning. 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 " I want Mr. Ranney to get into the room. 
 Once in, we must secure him. If we are 
 smart, our enterprising visitor will find him 
 self in a trap." 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF A NIGHT. 
 
 IN the country it may safely be assumed 
 that by twelve o'clock at night every sound 
 and healthy person will be asleep. Dick Ran 
 ney gave an extra margin of half-an-hour, and 
 thirty minutes after midnight made his ap 
 pearance in the hotel yard. Thanks to the in 
 formation given by his young messenger, 
 Oren Trott, who, of course, did not know that 
 in this way he was assisting a dishonest
 
 2oo Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 scheme, he was able at once to fix upon the 
 windows of the rooms occupied by Walter and 
 the professor. 
 
 He decided to enter Walter's chamber first, 
 partly because he wanted his revolver, which 
 would be of service to him in case he were 
 attacked. Then, again, he wanted the satis 
 faction of triumphing over the boy who had 
 had the audacity to defy him a full grown 
 man, and one whose name had carried terror 
 to many a traveler. 
 
 There was a long ladder leaning against the 
 stable. Dick Kanney could not call this 
 providential without insinuating that Provi 
 dence was fighting on the side cff the trans- 
 gressoi.', but he called it, appropriately, a 
 " stroke of luck," as indeed it seemed at the 
 time. 
 
 He secured the ladder, and put it up against 
 the window of Walter's room. The window, 
 as he could see, was partly open, it being a 
 summer night. 
 
 Dick Ranney observed this with a grim 
 smile of satisfaction. 
 
 "He is making things easy for me," he said 
 to himself. 
 
 As softly and cautiously as a cat he as 
 cended the ladder, but not softly enough to 
 escape the vigilant ear of Manning, who was 
 expecting him.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 201 
 
 Manning at the sound stepped from the bod 
 he had thrown himself on the outside with 
 out undressing and stepped into a closet, as 
 he did not wish Ranney to learn that there 
 were two persons in the chamber. Walter was 
 awake, but he lay in bed motionless and with 
 his eyes closed. The revolver was in Man 
 ning's hands, but he had placed his clothing 
 temptingly over a chair between the bed and 
 the window, but in such a position that his 
 companion on coming out of the closet would 
 be between the window and the burglar. 
 
 Dick Ranney stood on the ladder and looked 
 in. 
 
 What he saw reassured him. Walter was 
 in bed, and seemed to be fast asleep. 
 
 " The coast is clear," he murmured softly. 
 "Now, where is the revolver?" 
 
 He could not see it, but this did not trouble 
 him. Probably the boy had it under his pil 
 low, and in that case he could obtain it with 
 out trouble. Meanwhile it would be well to 
 secure the boy's pocketbook. Though he un 
 derrated Walter's wealth, he thought he might 
 have twenty dollars, and this would be worth 
 taking. 
 
 He lifted the window softly and entered the 
 room. In order to deaden the sound of his 
 steps he had taken off his shoes and placed
 
 2O2 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 them on the ground beside the foot of the 
 ladder. 
 
 Having entered the room, he strode softly 
 to the chair over which Walter had thrown 
 his clothes and began to feel in the pockets 
 of his pantaloons. There was a purse in one 
 of the pockets which contained a few small 
 silver coins, but it is needless to say that Wal 
 ter had disposed of his stock of bank-bills else 
 where. He felt that prevention of robbery 
 was better than the recovery of the goods 
 stolen. 
 
 Meanw r hile Manning, whose hearing was 
 keen, was made aware through it that the 
 burglar had entered the room. He opened the 
 door of the closet, and walking into the center 
 of the apartment, placed himself, revolver in 
 hand, in front of the window. 
 
 Though his motions were gentle, the out 
 law's ears were quick. He turned swiftly, and 
 with a look of dismay realized, that he had 
 walked into a trap. He had not felt afraid 
 to encounter a boy of eighteen, but here was 
 a resolute man, w r ho had the advantage of be 
 ing armed, and w r ell armed. 
 
 Dick Ranney surveyed him for a minute in 
 silence, but w r as very busily thinking what 
 were his chances of escape. 
 
 " Well," said Manning, " we meet again ! "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. ,,03 
 
 "Again?" repeated Ranney, in a question* 
 ing tone. 
 
 " Yes; when we last met, you had the drop 
 on me and relieved me of my wallet. To-night 
 I have the drop on you." 
 
 Dick Ranney paused for reflection. 
 
 " That's so," he said. " Do you want your 
 wallet back? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Then we'll make a bargain. Give me that 
 revolver, promise not to raise the house, and 
 I will give you back your wallet." 
 
 " With all the money inside? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I don't think I will," said Manning, after 
 a pause. 
 
 " Don't be a fool ! Come, be quick, or the 
 boy will wake up." 
 
 " He is awake already," said Walter, rais 
 ing his head from the pillow. 
 
 " Were you awake when I entered the 
 room? " asked Dick Ranney quickly. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Fooled again ! " exclaimed Ranney bit 
 terly. " Boy, I believe you are my evil genius. 
 Till I met you, I thought myself a match for 
 any one." 
 
 " You were more than a match for me," said 
 Manning, " but he wins best who wins last.' 1
 
 2O4 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Well, what do you mean to do? " asked 
 Ranney doggedly. 
 
 " To capture you, Dick Ranney, and hand 
 you over to the law whicli you have so persist 
 ently violated." 
 
 " That you will never do," said Ranney, 
 and he dashed toward the window, thrusting 
 Manning to one side. 
 
 But what he saw increased Irs dismay. 
 The ladder had been removed, and if he would 
 leave the room he must leap to the ground, a 
 distance of over twenty feet. 
 
 " Confusion ! " he exclaimed. " The lad 
 der is gone ! " 
 
 " Yes, I directed the stable-boy to keep 
 awake and remove it," explained Manning. 
 
 " I may be taken, but I will be revenged 
 first!" shouted Dick Kanney, and he flung 
 himself on Manning, who, unprepared for the 
 sudden attack, sank to the floor with Ranney 
 on top. But the outlaw's triumph was short 
 lived. Walter sprang to Manning's rescue, 
 seized the revolver, and, aiming it at the 
 burglar, cried quickly : 
 
 " Get up, or I'll fire ! " 
 
 Dick Ranney rose sullenly. He paid Wal 
 ter the compliment of believing he meant what 
 he said. 
 
 " It's your turn, boy," he muttered.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 205 
 
 "Stay where you are!" ordered Walter, 
 and he walked slowly backward, still covering 
 the robber with the revolver, till he reached 
 the door opening into the entry. 
 
 Dick Ranney watched him closely, and did 
 not offer any opposition, for it occurred to 
 him that the opening of the door would afford 
 him a better chance for flight. 
 
 No sooner, therefore, was the door open 
 than he prepared to avail himself of the op 
 portunity, running the risk of a bullet wound 
 when his plans were frustrated by the en 
 trance of two village constables strong, 
 sturdy men. 
 
 " Dick Ranney, do you surrender? " asked 
 Walter in a clear, resolute tone. 
 
 Ranney looked slowly from one to the other, 
 and calculated the chances. The ladder was 
 gone, and he found himself facing four foes. 
 three of them strong men, some of them 
 armed. 
 
 " It's all up with me! " he said quietly. " I 
 surrender." 
 
 " You do wisely," remarked Manning. 
 " Now, will you restore my wallet? " 
 
 The outlaw took it out of his pocket and 
 handed it over. 
 
 " There it is," lie said. " I suppose yon 
 won't ask me to pay interest for the use of 
 the money?"
 
 206 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 The two constables advanced, and one of 
 them took out a pair of handcuffs. 
 
 "Hold out your hands!" he said. 
 
 The burglar did so. He saw that opposition 
 would not benefit him, and he yielded to the 
 inevitable with a good grace. 
 
 " It seems I walked into a trap," he said. 
 " If you don't mind telling me, were you ex 
 pecting me? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter. 
 
 "Did the boy betray me?" he asked 
 quickly. 
 
 " No; the boy suspected nothing wrong, but 
 his questions excited suspicion." 
 
 " Dick Ranney," said the outlaw, apostro 
 phizing himself, "you're a fool! I should 
 like to kick you! " 
 
 " I think you ware imprudent, Mr. Ranney," 
 said Manning. 
 
 " It was this 1 revolver that undid me," said 
 Ranney. " I wanted to recover it, for it was 
 given me by my old captain. It was never out 
 of my possession till that boy snatched it from 
 me. I suppose it was to be," and he sighed, 
 comforted, perhaps, by the thought that it 
 would have been useless to struggle against 
 fate.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 207 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 WALTER BECOMES A CAPITALIST. 
 
 PROFESSOR ROBINSON slumbered on, bliss 
 fully unconscious of the events that had made 
 the night an exciting one. When he came 
 down-stairs early in the morning he strayed 
 accidently into the room where Dick Ranney 
 was confined under guard. Being short 
 sighted, he did not see the captive until Ran- 
 ney hailed him. 
 
 " Good morning, professor ! " 
 
 The professor skipped nimbly back and 
 gazed at the prisoner in alarm. 
 
 " You here? " he exclaimed. 
 
 " Yes," answered Dick grimly. 
 
 " But how did it happen? " 
 
 " I came to the hotel a little after midnight 
 to make you a call, but went first to the room 
 of your assistant." 
 
 " What, after midnight? " 
 
 " Yes. It is hardly necessary to explain 
 what happened. Here I am ! " 
 
 " Ah, my friend ! " said the professor, " this 
 may be fortunate for you if it leads you to 
 consider and reflect upon the errors of your 
 life." 
 
 " Oh, stop that! " exclaimed Ranney, in dis 
 gust. " I'm not that kind of a man. I follow 
 my own course and take the consequences."
 
 2o8 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 The professor shook his head sadly and 
 went out. Later, when he heard what had 
 happened, he said to Walter : " If that man 
 had come into my room at midnight I should 
 have died of fright." 
 
 " There was no occasion lo be alarmed," re 
 turned Walter. " We were prepared for him." 
 
 " I I am afraid I was never cut out for a 
 hero," said the professor. " My nervous sys 
 tem is easily upset." 
 
 The plain truth was that Professor Robin 
 son was a born coward, though he was 
 stronger and more muscular probably than 
 Grant, Sherman, or Sheridan. But it is not 
 brawn and muscle that make a hero, but the 
 spirit that animates the man, and of this spirit 
 the professor had very little. Yet in after 
 years, when he had retired from business and 
 was at leisure to live over again his past life, 
 he used to tell with thrilling effect how he and 
 Walter had trapped and captured the daring 
 outlaw, Dick Ranney, and received admiring 
 compliments upon his courage and prowess, 
 which he complacently accepted, though he 
 knew how little he deserved them. 
 
 It so chanced that Stilwell was the county 
 seat and court was in session at that time, and 
 nearly ready to wind up its business. It was 
 owing to this circumstance that the trial of
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 209 
 
 Dick Ranney was held at once. By request, 
 Walter and the professor remained to bear 
 testimony against the prisoner, and Manning 
 also strengthened the case against him. With 
 in less than a week the trial was concluded, a 
 verdict of guilty was brought in, and the pris 
 oner sentenced to a ten years' term of im 
 prisonment. 
 
 Dick Ranney heard the sentence with philo 
 sophical calmness. 
 
 " My good friend," said the professor, " I 
 trust that in your long years of confinement 
 you will reflect upon " 
 
 " Don't worry about that," interrupted 
 Dick. " I sha'n't be in prison three months." 
 
 " But I thought " 
 
 " Bolts and bars can be broken, professor. 
 When I do get out I will inquire what part of 
 the country you are in and will make you a 
 visit." 
 
 This promise, so far from cheering Profes 
 sor Robinson, seemed to disconcert him ex 
 tremely, and he shortened his talk with his 
 road acquaintance. 
 
 After the trial was over Walter was* waited 
 upon by an official, who tendered him the re 
 ward of one thousand dollars offered for the 
 capture of Dick Ranney. 
 
 " Mr. Manning has waived his claim in your
 
 2io Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 favor," explained the official, " and therefore 
 there is no question that to you belongs the 
 reward." 
 
 " There are two others whose services de 
 serve recognition," said Walter; " the two con 
 stables who made the arrest." 
 
 " There is no additional sum at our com 
 mand," explained the official. 
 
 " None is needed," returned Walter. " I 
 shall pay each a hundred dollars out of the 
 reward which has been awarded to me." 
 
 It is needless to say that the two constables, 
 both of whom were poor men with large fam 
 ilies, were very grateful for this substantial 
 recognition of their services. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 WALTER GOES OUT OF BUSINESS. 
 
 BY the time Walter received his prize of 
 eight hundred dollars he had saved enough out 
 of his wages to make nearly a thousand. He 
 reflected with pride that this money had not 
 been left him, but was the fruit of his own ex 
 ertions. He resolved to say nothing in his 
 letters home of his good fortune, but wait till 
 he returned, when he would have the pleasure 
 of taking his guardian by surprise. 
 
 A day later he received a letter from Doc 
 tor Mack, which had been forwarded from one
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 211 
 
 place to another, and was now nearly three 
 weeks old. 
 
 It ran thus: 
 
 " DEAR WALTER : You give but scanty in 
 telligence of your progress and success, or 
 want of it. I respect you for your determina 
 tion to support yourself, but I don't want you 
 to carry your independence too far. As you 
 have never fitted yourself for any kind of busi 
 ness, I presume your earnings are small. I 
 should not be surprised to hear that you are 
 straitened for money. If you are, don't let 
 your pride prevent your informing me. I can 
 easily send you fifty dollars, for your property 
 was not all lost, and it is not fitting that you 
 should deprive yourself of the comforts of life 
 when there is no occasion for it. 
 
 " Nancy often speaks of you, and indeed I 
 may say that we both miss you very much, 
 and wish the year were up, so that you might 
 return to us. I have hopes of righting your 
 property, so that you may go back to Euclid 
 College at the beginning of the fall session. I 
 am glad to learn by your last letter that your 
 health is excellent. Once more, don't hesitate 
 to write to me for money if you need a remit 
 tance. 
 
 " Your affectionate guardian, 
 
 " EZEKIKL MACK,"
 
 212 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Walter smiled as he finished reading the 
 letter. 
 
 " I wonder what my good guardian would 
 say," he soliloquized, " if he knew that I had 
 nearly a thousand dollars saved up. He 
 would open his eyes, I fancy." 
 
 He sat down at once and made a reply, in 
 the course of which he said: " Don't trouble 
 yourself to send me money. I can get along 
 with the wages I receive. When I left home 
 I made up my mind not to call upon you for 
 help, and I am glad to say there is no occasion 
 to do so as yet. I think my year's absence 
 from college will do me good. I am ashamed 
 when I consider how poorly I appreciated the 
 advantages of study, and how foolishly I spent 
 my time and money. If I ever go back to col 
 lege I shall turn over a new leaf. I have seen 
 something of the world, and gained some ex 
 perience of life, and feel about half-a-dozen 
 years older than when I left college." 
 
 When Doctor Mack, a week later, read these 
 lines he smiled contentedly. 
 
 " My experiment is working well," he said. 
 " It is making a man of Walter. He has been 
 a drone, hitherto. Now he has become a 
 worker, and, though I may not like him better, 
 for he was always near to my heart, I respect 
 him more,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 213 
 
 A week later Walter, on returning from a 
 walk, found a middle-aged stranger in conver 
 sation with Professor Robinson. 
 
 The professor seemed a little embarrassed 
 when Walter entered. 
 
 " I have some news for you, Walter," he 
 said. " I am afraid it will not be welcome to 
 you." 
 
 " Please let me hear it, professor," said 
 Walter. 
 
 " This gentleman is Nahum Snodgrass, of 
 Chicago, who has been for some years a trav 
 eler for a large wholesale drug-house." 
 
 " I am glad to meet you, Mr. Snodgrass," 
 said Walter politely. 
 
 Snodgrass, who was a thin, dry-looking 
 man, nodded briefly. 
 
 " I have just sold out my business to him," 
 went on Professor Eobinson, " and henceforth 
 shall aim to live more easily and enjoy the 
 presence of my family." 
 
 " I congratulate you, professor," said Wal 
 ter. " I think you deserve a life of leisure." 
 
 " Mr. Snodgrass is willing to take you into 
 his employ, but he does not think he can af 
 ford to pay you as much as I did." 
 
 " No," said Snodgrass, clearing his throat, 
 " I find that Professor Robinson has been 
 foolishly liberal. The ten per cent, commis-
 
 214 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 sion which he has paid you is simply stu 
 pen dous ! " 
 
 Walter smiled. 
 
 " I have not been in the habit of taking that 
 view of it," he said. 
 
 " Perhaps not, but I do," said Snodgrass 
 firmly. " You are a very young man, and 
 ought not to expect much pay. I will give 
 you two dollars a week and pay your travel 
 ing expenses." 
 
 " I beg to decline your offer, Mr. Snod 
 grass," said Walter politely. " I have 
 thought of changing my business before, but 
 was unwilling to leave the professor. As we 
 are strangers, I need have no further hesita 
 tion." 
 
 " Young man," said Snodgrass, " I think 
 you are making a mistake. It will not be so 
 easy getting another place as you suppose." 
 
 " Perhaps not, but I can afford to live a few 
 weeks without work." 
 
 " Your savings will soon go," Snodgrass 
 knew nothing of Walter's prize money " and 
 then what will you do?" 
 
 " Trust to luck," answered Walter lightly. 
 
 Nahum Snodgrass shook his head gloomily. 
 He thought Walter a very foolish young man. 
 
 Had Walter lost his position two months 
 earlier it would have been a serious matter to
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 215 
 
 him, but now, with a capital of nearly a thou 
 sand dollars, he could afford to be independ 
 ent. As he expressed it, he could afford to be 
 idle for a few weeks. Still, he didn't wish to 
 remain unemployed for a long time. He felt 
 happier when at work, but wished to secure 
 some employment that would be congenial. 
 
 " Mr. Snodgrass," said the professor, " I 
 think you are making a mistake in not employ 
 ing Walter Sherwood." 
 
 Nahum Snodgrass shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 " I don't mean to pay away all my profits 
 to an assistant," he said. 
 
 " But you can't get along alone very well." 
 
 " I will try, unless I can find some one that 
 will take what I am willing to pay." 
 
 He finally succeeded in doing this 1 . A 
 young man of eighteen, employed in a drug 
 store in town, who was on the point of being 
 discharged, agreed to take the position, and 
 stepped into Walter's place. To anticipate 
 a little, he disappeared two weeks later, car 
 rying with him fifty dollars belonging to his 
 employer. 
 
 Walter stayed two days longer at the hotel, 
 and then, sending his valise ahead to Burn- 
 ton, twenty miles farther on, started to walk 
 the distance. He was in a mountainous 
 country, and the scenery was wild and attract-
 
 2 1 6 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 ive, so that he felt that this arrangement 
 would prove agreeable to him. He provided 
 himself with a stout staff, and started at good 
 speed. He had accomplished about eight 
 miles, when he was overtaken by a shabbily 
 dressed traveler riding on the back of a fine 
 horse. The horseman slackened his pace 
 when he reached Walter. 
 
 " Good morning, stranger ! " he said. 
 
 "Good morning!" responded Walter, turn 
 ing his head. 
 
 " I am glad to have company. It's a lone 
 some stretch of road here." 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter carelessly. " But 
 there isn't any danger, is there? " 
 
 " Well, there might be. A friend of mine 
 was stabbed and robbed here three months 
 since." 
 
 " Indeed ! " 
 
 "Yes; and though I haven't much money 
 with me, I shouldn't like to be robbed of what 
 I have." 
 
 " It would be inconvenient." 
 
 "Do you carry much money with you?" 
 asked the other in a careless tone. 
 
 Walter was not disposed to take a stranger 
 into his confidence. 
 
 " Not much ! " he responded. 
 
 "You are prudent. Are you armed?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 217 
 
 Walter drew out Dick Ranney's revolver, 
 which be still carried. The stranger eyed him 
 respectfully. 
 
 " That's a mighty handsome weapon," he 
 said. " Just let me look at it." 
 
 Walter began to think he had fallen in with 
 a highwayman again. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 WALTER BUYS A HORSE. 
 
 '* You can look at the pistol as I hold it," 
 said Walter, in response to the request re 
 corded at the close of the preceding chapter. 
 
 " No offense, stranger ! You are right to be 
 keerful, seein' as you don't know me. I'm 
 timid myself, though I'm ashamed to say it." 
 
 " I am not timid, but I prefer to keep my 
 revolver in my own hands." 
 
 " Sartain, stranger; you're right every time. 
 I'd like a revolver like that, but I'm a poor 
 man, and couldn't afford to buy it. How 
 much inought you have paid for it?" 
 
 " I got it second-hand," said Walter briefly, 
 " and the price would be no guide to you." 
 
 " I say," remarked the stranger suddenly, 
 " don't you want to buy a horse? " 
 
 " Meaning the horse you are riding? " in 
 quired Walter. 
 
 Yes."
 
 218 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 Walter looked at the animal. It was a 
 beautiful creature, and he felt that he should 
 indeed like to be the owner. He was fond of 
 horses, and was a good rider. 
 
 " How much do you ask for the horse? " he 
 inquired. 
 
 " I'll take a hundred dollars for her." 
 
 This was a low price for so fine an animal, 
 and Walter said so. 
 
 " But," he continued, " it wouldn't pay me 
 to buy her. If I were living at home it would 
 be different." 
 
 " You see I'm in a tight place," pleaded the 
 horseman. " I haven't got five dollars to my 
 name, and I can't afford to keep the horse." 
 
 " That's bad ! " said Walter, in a tone of 
 sympathy. 
 
 " You see, as long as I keep her I've to 
 board her as well as myself. I'll tell you 
 what I'll do. I'll let you have her for seventy- 
 five dollars. That's a bargain for you." 
 
 Walter shook his head. 
 
 " I don't care to invest seventy-five dollars 
 in a horse," he said. " You'd better keep on 
 to the nearest town, and you can get more for 
 her." 
 
 " I might, but I want to get her off my 
 hands. Come, I'll make you a final offer. 
 Give me fifty dollars, and she's yours,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 219 
 
 " But this would be robbing you," objected 
 Walter. 
 
 " Not if I agree to it." returned the stranger. 
 " You'll be doing me a favor, besides, for my 
 old mother is sick, and I want to get to her as 
 quick as I can." 
 
 Walter was very strongly tempted. He 
 felt that fifty dollars would be a ridiculously 
 low price for such a fine animal. He didn't 
 like to take advantage of the necessities of the 
 stranger, but, as the latter represented that 
 the purchase would be a favor to him, his scru 
 ples seemed unnecessary. 
 
 "I slill think you had better ride on to the 
 next town and sell your horse for a better 
 price," he felt constrained to say. 
 
 " That's my lookout," said the newcomer. 
 " Ready money's what I need now." 
 
 " In that case I will give you the price you 
 ask. But I shall want you to give me a bill 
 of sale." 
 
 " I've got no paper nor ink." 
 
 " I have some paper and a fountain pen," 
 said Walter. 
 
 " What's the odds? I give you the horse, 
 and you give me the money." 
 
 " I would prefer to have a record of the 
 sale. It won't take me a minute." 
 
 Walter had a pad in his satchel and a foun-
 
 .220 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 tain pen in his pocket. He hastily wrote out 
 the following form : 
 
 " In consideration of fifty dollars by me 
 received, I give and transfer to Walter Sher 
 wood my roan horse." Here followed a brief 
 description of the animal. 
 
 " Xow put your name there, and I will hand 
 you the money," sai(^ Walter. 
 
 The stranger took the pen, and with some 
 difficulty for he did not appear to be much of 
 a scholar signed to the document the name 
 of Hank Wilson. 
 
 "All right!" said Walter, pocketing the 
 paper ; " here is your money." 
 
 He drew out from his wallet five ten-dollar 
 bills and handed them to his companion. 
 
 " Thank you, stranger ! You've got a good 
 bargain." 
 
 " I agree to that," said Walter. 
 
 " That there animal is well worth twice as 
 much as you gave for her." 
 
 " I agree to that too. If you are tired of 
 the bargain I'll give her back to you for the 
 money." 
 
 "No, no; I need the money, and I need it 
 bad. Take it, and I wish you joy of your 
 bargain." 
 
 There was something in the stranger's tone 
 that gave birth to suspicion in Walter's mind.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 221 
 
 Was there anything underhand or tricky in 
 the transaction, and was there any special rea 
 son for the stranger parting with his horse for 
 such a low price? 
 
 " I suppose the horse is sound? " he said in 
 quiringly. 
 
 " Sound as a die! Don't you take no trou 
 ble about that. It goes to my heart to give 
 her up. Good-by, old gal ! " 
 
 He stroked the horse, looking into her eyes 
 as he did so, but the animal seemed impatient 
 of the caress, and evidently had no affection 
 for her late owner. 
 
 "How long have you owned the horse? " 
 asked Walter, rather surprised at this 1 . 
 
 " About a year." 
 
 " She don't seem to show much affection 
 for you." 
 
 " She's queer, and kind of contrary some 
 times. But I won't keep you waitin' here. 
 Good-by, stranger ! " 
 
 " Good-by ! " 
 
 Walter touched the horse lightly with his 
 whip, and she bounded forward. Enjoying 
 rapid motion, he did not try to check her, but 
 let her have her head. After a few miles he 
 reached a town of good size. Riding along 
 the main street his 1 attention was drawn to 
 a printed notice in front of a store. Jt read 
 thus:
 
 222 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "HORSE STOLEN! 
 
 " Stolen from the subscriber, on the evening 
 of the twenty-fifth, a roan inare, eight years 
 old and sixteen hands high, with a white mark 
 between the eyes. Answers to the name of 
 Bess. Whoever will return her to the sub 
 scriber, or give information that will lead to 
 her recovery, will receive a suitable reward. 
 " COLONEL RICHARD OWEN, 
 
 " Shelby." 
 
 A terrible suspicion entered Walter's mind, 
 he leaned over and recognized the white mark. 
 Then he called " Bess." The mare half turned 
 her head and whinnied. 
 
 A cold perspiration gathered on Walter's 
 brow. It was clear that he was in possession 
 of stolen property. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 WALTER FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE. 
 
 WALTER had hardly time to consider what 
 to do in the light of the discovery he had made 
 before the matter was taken out of his hands. 
 
 " Young feller, you'd better get off that 
 hoss! " fell on his ears in a rough voice. 
 
 He turned, and saw two stalwart men eying 
 him suspiciously. They did not appear to be 
 officers, but were probably residents of the vil-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 223 
 
 lage. Walter knew of what he was suspected, 
 and he flushed painfully. 
 
 "What do you mean?" he ejaculated, not 
 thinking of anything else to say. 
 
 " You know what I mean," was the signifi 
 cant reply. " I say, young feller, you've got 
 cheek eh, Penton?" 
 
 " I should say he had," returned the other. 
 " Ridin' up as peart as can be and readin' the 
 advertisement of the stolen hoss." 
 
 " Gentlemen," said Walter earnestly, " till 
 I read this notice I had no idea that the horse 
 was stolen." 
 
 " Of course not ! " said the first speaker 
 ironically. "You look innocent." 
 
 " I have done no wrong, and I am no thief," 
 returned Walter proudly. 
 
 " I s'pose you own that hoss ! " 
 
 " I thought I did till just now." 
 
 " How did you come by her? " asked Pen- 
 ton, with an incredulous smile. 
 
 " I bought her this very day." 
 
 " Ho, ho ! You bought her of Colonel Owen, 
 I reckon? " 
 
 " No, I didn't. I bought her of a man who 
 called himself Hank Wilson." 
 
 " And how much did you give for her? " 
 
 " Fifty dollars." 
 
 " Fifty dollars for a hoss the colonel paid
 
 224 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 five hundred for! Look here, young fellow, 
 that's too thin." 
 
 " It is the truth/' answered Walter firmly. 
 " Of course I knew she was worth much more 
 than fifty dollars, but I didn't think she was as 
 valuable as you say." 
 
 " Why, that hoss can make a mile in 2 :25. 
 She did it at the last county fair. The colonel 
 wouldn't have taken five hundred, nor six hun 
 dred, for her. And you bought her for fifty 
 dollars ! " 
 
 " I did, on my honor," said Walter. " I sup 
 pose the thief didn't dare to take her where he 
 could get a good price for her." 
 
 " That's neither here nor there. You'd bet 
 ter get off the hoss." 
 
 Walter felt that this 1 was a command, and 
 obeyed at once. It seemed clear to him that 
 his road acquaintance had taken advantage of 
 him, and that the fifty dollars invested in the 
 horse would prove a total loss. In his present 
 circumstances this, however, wouldn't prove 
 serious. 
 
 " Very well, gentlemen," he said. " I will 
 leave the horse in your hands and depend upon 
 you to return it to the owner." 
 
 As Walter spoke he turned to walk off, but 
 the man who had first accosted him got in his 
 way.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 225 
 
 " Where are you going? " he asked. 
 
 " I haven't made up my mind," answered 
 Walter. 
 
 " You don't expect to get out of town so 
 easy? " 
 
 "Why not?" returned Walter appre 
 hensively. 
 
 "Why not? Because you're a hoss thief! 
 That's why." 
 
 " That's a lie! " retorted Walter. 
 
 " You'd better be keerful what you say, 
 young feller, for Crane don't stand no back 
 talk." 
 
 " I don't want to have any trouble with you, 
 sir. Please get out of my way, and let me go." 
 
 " Not by a long shot." 
 
 " What do you propose to do with me? " 
 
 " Take you to the lockup." 
 
 Walter was now really alarmed. To find 
 himself treated like a criminal was a groat 
 shock to him, and he felt humiliated, in spite 
 of his consciousness of innocence." 
 
 " Listen, Mr. Crane," he said. " I am no 
 more a thief than you are." 
 
 " Don't you dare to call me a thief! " ~said 
 Crane hotly. 
 
 "I don't; you persist in misunderstanding 
 me. I am honost, as I am sure you are." 
 
 " Looks like it ! " interjected Penton. " Rid- 
 in' up on a stolen hoss ! "
 
 226 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " If I had stolen the horse I should keep out 
 of the way. I wouldn't ride up and read the 
 advertisement as coolly as I did. You must 
 see that for yourself." 
 
 " There's somethin' in that, Crane," said 
 Penton, turning to his companion. 
 
 Crane shook his head. 
 
 " Don't you be taken in by his soft words, 
 Penton," he said. " It's one of his tricks." 
 
 " Like enough it is." 
 
 " You'll have to go with us, young feller ! ;? 
 said Crane. 
 
 " And leave the hoss? " asked Penton. 
 " We'd ought to take charge of it, and get the 
 reward." 
 
 " That's so, Penton. You go and get a con 
 stable. We'll stand by the hoss." 
 
 Penton hurried off, and returned shortly 
 with a constable in uniform. 
 
 " What's up? " he asked. 
 
 " This 1 young feller's rid in town with Col 
 onel Richard Owen's hoss." 
 
 " You don't mean it? Is that the hoss? " 
 
 " Of course it is. Look for yourself. Col 
 or's all right, and there's the white mark on 
 the forehead." 
 
 " So it is, I vum." 
 
 " You just take him along to the lockup, 
 and "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 227 
 
 " But I'd ought io secure the hoss," said the 
 constable, who felt that perhaps he might be 
 entitled to the reward offered. 
 
 " Don't you trouble yourself about the hoss; 
 I will take care of her. Just take the thief to 
 the lockup." 
 
 " Look here," eaid the constable; " if there's 
 a reward, I must have my share.*' 
 
 " What have you done, I should like to 
 know? " demanded Crane. " What would you 
 have known about the hoss if Penton hadn't 
 called you in? " 
 
 " It's my duty as an officer of the law to take 
 possession of the stolen property," said the 
 constable doggedly. " You're only private in 
 dividuals. You ain't got no authority." 
 
 " Look here, Cyrus Stokes, you secure the 
 thief that's your lookout." 
 
 " Gentlemen," said Walter, " I object to be 
 ing called a thief. I have already told you I 
 did not steal the horse." 
 
 " Of course you said so. They always do 
 eh, Cyrus? " 
 
 " Of course ! " echoed the constable. 
 
 " You'd better lock him up before lie gets a 
 chance to escape, constable. He's a smart 
 one ! " 
 
 " But I'm afraid yon won't treat me right 
 about the hoss," objected the guardian of the 
 peace,
 
 228 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "We'll stay here with her," said Cr;m<>. 
 " Just you lock up the thief ! Have you got a 
 pair of handcuffs with you?" 
 
 " No; but I can get some.'' 
 
 " Constable," put in Walter hastily, alarmed 
 at this suggestion, " I will give my word not 
 to attempt to get away. You won't need hand 
 cuffs." 
 
 " I dunno I " said the constable dubiously. 
 
 " I give you my promise. Besides, if I 
 did, you are able to master me." 
 
 The constable was a big man, four inches 
 taller and forty pounds heavier than Walter, 
 and this seemed to him reasonable. 
 
 " Come along, then ! " he said. " Look here, 
 Crane, you just stay here with the hoss." 
 
 " Don't be worried. We'll stay." 
 
 The constable seized Walter by the arm and 
 walked off with him. Poor Walter's face 
 burned like fire, and he wished he could sink 
 into the earth. He had done nothing to be 
 ashamed of, but those who saw him in custody 
 would hardly believe this. To add to his mor 
 tification, people whom they met on the street 
 looked at him curiously. Among them was the 
 editor of the village paper, who was out search 
 ing for items. 
 
 "Whom have you there, Mr. Stokes?" he 
 asked, taking out his note-book.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 229 
 
 " I don't know his name, but he's the fellow 
 that stole Colonel Owen's hoss. Just rid into 
 town with her." 
 
 " You don't say so? It was a smart capture 
 on your part, Stokes." 
 
 " I generally do my duty," said the consta 
 ble complacently. 
 
 " What's your name, young man, " inquired 
 the editor, opening his note-book. 
 
 " I would prefer not to answer that question 
 at present," replied Walter. " I don't care to 
 have my name connected with a robbery of 
 which I am innocent." 
 
 " What proof have you that this young man 
 stole the horse? " asked the editor, upon whom 
 Walter's appearance had produced a favorable 
 impression. " He doesn't look like a thief." 
 
 " Rid into town on the identical hoss, as 
 bold as brass ! " answered the constable. 
 
 " Looks bad, that's a fact ! " 
 
 " I bought the horse of a man I met on the 
 road," explained Walter. " I was a fool to do 
 it I can see that now, but I had no more to 
 do with stealing her than either of you." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 IN THE LOCKUP. 
 
 THE lockup was a basement room under the 
 engine-house. It was here that Walter was
 
 230 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 taken. The entrance was at the rear. There 
 were four cells, about four feet by eight, and 
 into one of these Walter was put. The cell 
 opposite was occupied by a drunken tramp, 
 who looked up stupidly as Walter entered, and 
 hiccoughed : " Glad to see you, sonny? You 
 been on a spree, too? " 
 
 Walter turned from him in disgust. 
 
 " Must I stay in here long? " he asked, look 
 ing about him with a shudder. 
 
 " Likely you won't be tried till to-morrow." 
 
 "And I must stay in here overnight with 
 that man?" 
 
 " Hoss-stealers mustn't be particular," said 
 the constable. 
 
 " Can you tell me where Colonel Owen lives 
 the man that owns' the horse? " 
 
 " You ought to know that ! " 
 
 " I remember the advertisement says 
 Shelby. How far away is Shelby? " 
 
 " 'Bout twenty miles. Was that where you 
 stole her? " 
 
 " I didn't steal her at all ! " answered Wal 
 ter sharply. 
 
 " Well, of course, you'd say so." 
 
 " Do you think I look like a horse thief? " 
 
 " Can't judge by appearances. I knowed 
 a horse thief once that looked like a minister." 
 
 " Is there any lawyer in this village? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 231 
 
 " Yes, there's two, an old man and a young 
 one." 
 
 " I should like to see one of them. Can you 
 ask one of them to come here? " 
 
 " Which one? " 
 
 " Either." 
 
 " It's a leetle out of my way," suggested 
 Constable Stokes. 
 
 " Perhaps 1 that will pay you for your trou 
 ble," said Walter, taking the hint. 
 
 The constable pocketed with alacrity the 
 half-dollar our hero tendered him, and said 
 briskly: " I'll send him right off." 
 
 " I shay," interjected the tramp, " send me 
 a lawyer, too." 
 
 " The same man will do for you," replied 
 the constable. " A lawyer won't do you no 
 good, though." 
 
 " I'm a much 'bused man," said the drunk 
 ard, shedding maudlin tears. " S'ciety's 
 down on me. I don't know why." 
 
 " Give up drinkin' and you won't have no 
 trouble with society," advised the constable 
 sensibly. 
 
 He left the lockup, carefully fastening tin* 
 door, and Walter found himself left to the 
 companionship of the tramp. 
 
 " I s'hay," hiccoughed his disreputable com 
 panion, " let's escape,"
 
 232 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I don't see bow we are going to do that," 
 answered Walter listlessly. 
 
 " Haven't you a key? " 
 
 " None that will unlock the door." 
 
 "We're victims of tyrannical 'pression!" 
 said the tramp gloomily. " What are you in 
 for, young feller? " 
 
 " I'm charged with stealing a horse." 
 
 "Smart boy!" said the tramp admiringly. 
 " I didn't think you was up to hoss-stealin'." 
 
 " I am not. The charge is false." 
 
 " That's right ! Stick to it ! Deny every 
 thing. That's what I do." 
 
 " Evidently he thinks I am guilty," said 
 Walter to himself. " It won't do much good 
 for him to deny that he is drunk." 
 
 " I shay," continued the other, in a loud 
 whisper, " you haven't got any whisky about 
 you, young feller?" 
 
 " No, I never drink whisky." 
 
 " You don't know what's good ! " returned 
 the tramp. " I'm awful dry." 
 
 " You'd better let whisky alone." 
 
 " That's what my wife says," hiccoughed 
 the inebriate. " Shay, I'm sleepy. I guess 
 I'll doze off." 
 
 And to Walter's relief he lay down on the 
 narrow iron bedstead in his cell and was soon 
 snoring noisily.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 233 
 
 Half-an-hour later the outer door was 
 opened and the constable reappeared, followed 
 by a young man of about thirty. 
 
 " This is Mr. Barry, the lawyer," he said. 
 " Mr. Barry, here is the key. You can keep 
 it and let yourself out if you will be respon 
 sible for the safe custody of the prisoner." 
 
 " Yes, Mr. Stokes, I will give you my word 
 that he shall not escape. "Which is my 
 client?" 
 
 " I am, sir," answered Walter. " I hope 
 you are not disappointed." 
 
 " No; I shouldn't care to undertake the case 
 of that animal over there." 
 
 " Yet his case is less serious than mine. He 
 is only charged with drunkenness, while I am 
 accused of horse-stealing." 
 
 By this time the constable had left the 
 lockup, and, as the inebriate was asleep, Wal 
 ter and his counsel were practically alone. 
 
 " You don't look like a criminal, certainly," 
 said the lawyer, with a rapid survey of his 
 new client. 
 
 " I hope not." 
 
 " But one can't go by appearances wholly. 
 As your lawyer, for I will undertake your 
 case, I must ask you to trust me entirely, and 
 give me your full confidence." 
 
 " I am ready to do so, sir."
 
 234 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " First let rne ask jour name." 
 
 " Walter Sherwood." 
 
 " It will now be necessary for you to tell me 
 frankly whether you stole the horse or not." 
 
 " Of course I did not," answered Walter 
 indignantly. 
 
 " You must excuse my asking the question. 
 I did not believe you guilty, but it was neces 
 sary for me to know positively from your own 
 lips. You must not be sensitive." 
 
 " I have no right to be, but I find myself in 
 a very trying position." 
 
 " Of course, but I will try to get you out 
 of it. Now, will you tell me in detail how 
 the horse came into your possession?" 
 
 Walter told the story, and the lawyer lis 
 tened attentively. 
 
 " Have you any proof of what you assert? " 
 he asked, when Walter finished. 
 
 " There was no one present." 
 
 " I suppose not. Did no papers pass be 
 tween you and this man?" 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " answered Walter quickly, and 
 he drew out the receipt which he had drawn 
 up and got Hank Wilson to sign. 
 
 " Come, this is very important ! " said Mr. 
 Barry cheerfully. " It is a very valuable con 
 firmation of your story. Will you trust me 
 with it?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 235 
 
 " Certainly, sir." 
 
 " Is there any suggestion you have to offer, 
 Mr. Sherwood? Sometimes I find that iny 
 clients give rue valuable assistance that way." 
 
 " I wish you would telegraph to Colonel 
 Owen to come here." 
 
 " Probably he has been sent for, but if not 
 I will request him to come. Do you know the 
 colonel? " 
 
 " No, sir; I never heard his name till I read 
 the advertisement. Do you know anything of 
 him Mr. Barry?" 
 
 " He is the owner of a large estate in 
 Shelb} 7 , and is a thorough gentleman of the old 
 school." 
 
 " All the better ! I would rather deal with 
 such a man. Besides, by describing the man 
 of whom I bought the horse. I may put him 
 in the way of capturing the real thief." 
 
 "Well thought of. May I ask, Mr. Sher 
 wood, if you are from this part of the coun 
 try?" 
 
 "No; I am a native of New York State." 
 
 " You look like a young man who has had 
 good advantages of education." 
 
 " A year ago I was a member of the sopho 
 more class of Euclid College." 
 
 " That is strange ! " ejaculated Barry. 
 
 What is strange? "
 
 236 Walter Sherwood's Probatioa 
 
 " Colonel Owen, the owner of the horse, is 
 , an old graduate of the same institution." 
 
 " Is it possible? " exclaimed Walter, in 
 genuine amazement. 
 
 " It is quite true. I am glad to have made 
 the discovery. It will prepossess him in your 
 favor, and this, I need hardly say, will be a 
 great point gained. Well, I believe I have ob 
 tained all the data I require, and I will now 
 go home and think over your case. I wish I 
 could take you with me." 
 
 " I wish you could; I hate to be left in such 
 a place." 
 
 " Cheer up, Mr. Sherwood. It won't be for 
 long, I predict. You may rest assured of my 
 best efforts in your behalf. I will at once 
 telegraph for Colonel Owen." 
 
 Left alone, Walter resigned himself, as best 
 he might, to his confinement. 
 
 " I hope this won't come to the ears of 
 my friends at the East," he reflected. " It 
 would be a terrible mortification to me." 
 
 Walter had good cause for solicitude on this 
 point, for human nature is so constituted that 
 evil reports are believed with avidity by the 
 majority of persons. 
 
 In due time a plain supper was brought by 
 the constable and eaten by both prisoners with 
 fair appetite, though the inebriate begged 
 hard for whisky instead of tea.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 237 
 
 The evening glided wearily away. Walter 
 threw himself on his pallet and was nearly 
 asleep when a confused noise was heard out 
 side, and heavy blows were rained upon the 
 outer door. 
 
 "What does it mean?" asked Walter, be 
 wildered. 
 
 He listened intently, and there came to 
 his ears a shout which made him turn pale 
 with terror. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 AN AWFUL MOMENT. 
 
 "BRING out the boss thief! Lynch him! 
 Lynch him ! '' 
 
 These were the cries that startled Walter 
 and sent a thrill of terror through his frame. 
 He had heard about the rough and lawless 
 punishments of the far West, but little 
 dreamed that he would ever be in danger 
 from them. He remembered now reading 
 a story while he was in college of a horse thief 
 who was summarily dealt with in the western 
 part of Missouri or some State farther west, 
 and all the terrible details came back with 
 startling vividness. 
 
 " What's up? " asked the tramp drowsily, 
 opening his eyes.
 
 238 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Bring out the boss thief! "called a dozen 
 rough voices, as the battering at the door was 
 repeated. 
 
 " They want you, young feller '. " he con 
 tinued, as he caught the meaning of the cry. 
 
 Poor Walter shivered, and felt as if his 
 last hour had come. 
 
 There was no jailer in the building, nor in 
 deed any one, for the engine-house was un 
 occupied, and, being at a distance from any 
 other house, the only persons aware of the 
 attack were the two prisoners. 
 
 "What shall we do?" asked Walter help 
 lessly. 
 
 " They don't want me," returned the traiup 
 complacently. " It's you they want ! " 
 
 "You will stand by me?" implored Wal 
 ter, eager for any help. 
 
 " Won't do no good ! There's a crowd of 
 them. You're in a bad box, young feller: 
 
 " Have you got a pistol? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 Then it flashed upon Walter that he still 
 had the revolver which belonged to Dick 
 Ranney. 
 
 " I will sell my life dearly ! " thought Wal 
 ter. " They sha'n't kill me without some 
 resistance." 
 
 But he knew that there was no hope even
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 239 
 
 then to escape. He closed his eyes as if he 
 would shut out the terrible prospect. To die 
 at eighteen, when life was sweet and full of 
 promise, and at the hands of an infuriated 
 mob, was indeed terrible, and Walter prayed 
 that deliverance might come. 
 
 Meanwhile the battering at the door con 
 tinued and the shouting. 
 
 " Open the door, or it'll bo the wuss for ye ! " 
 cried a rough voice. 
 
 But this was something Walter could not 
 do, even if he were disposed : first, because he 
 had no key, and, secondly, because he was 
 locked in a cell. It was of no use to reply. 
 He bit his lips, and summoned all his courage 
 and fortitude, knowing he would need them 
 all. 
 
 The door was strong, but it did not long 
 withstand the fierce attacks made upon it. 
 Walter, by the light that came in through a 
 crevice, saw it sway and gradually yield to 
 the impetuous attacks of the mob. 
 
 A minute more and the door fell inward, 
 and a dozen stalwart men, all wearing masks, 
 rushed into the lockup. The foremost carried 
 a lantern, and by its light the leaders, peering 
 about, discovered the two prisoners. 
 
 "Here's the boss thief!" exclaimed the 
 leader, throwing the light into the cell occu 
 pied by the inebriate.
 
 240 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 The tramp was alarmed and completely 
 sobered by the terrible suggestion. 
 
 " I ain't the man ! " he said. " It's that 
 young feller yonder." 
 
 The man with the lantern turned in the di 
 rection of the other cell. 
 
 "He's only a kid!" he said doubtfully. 
 
 " All the same, he's the hoss thief! " said the 
 tramp earnestly. 
 
 " What are you in for? " asked the leader 
 suspiciously. 
 
 " Gettin' drunk ! " w r as the answer. " On 
 my honor, gentlemen, that's all." 
 
 " Is he telling the truth? " asked the leader, 
 turning to the men who were just behind him. 
 
 "He looks most like the hoss thief!" said 
 Dan Muggins. " The other's a milk-and-water 
 chap, just out of boardin'-school." 
 
 " You're right ! Smash in the cage ! " 
 
 The door of the cell was broken in, and the 
 tramp, with his unkempt hair and unsavory 
 garments, was dragged out, howling with 
 terror. The impression was universal that he 
 was the man they were after, and rough hands 
 hauled him across the floor toward the door. 
 He fought desperately, and the angry crowd 
 were likely to injure him seriously. 
 
 Above the din rose his shrill voice shriek 
 ing: " You've got the wrong man. The young 
 feller's the hoss thief. Ask him if he isn't,"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 241 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 WALTER SAVES ANOTHER'S LIFE. 
 
 MEANWHILE the feelings of Walter were 
 hard to describe. He saw that perhaps his 
 only chance of life lay in remaining quiet and 
 letting the mistake remain uncorrected. It 
 was a terrible temptation. Selfishness whis 
 pered that his life was more valuable than 
 that of this drink-s'odden inebriate. Why not 
 let matters take their course? He saw the 
 tramp in the hands of the howling mob, and 
 knew that if he spoke the word he would take 
 his place. Would he, could he, do it?" 
 
 On the other hand, the poor wretch was as 
 much entitled to life as he. He had done 
 absolutely nothing to deserve the lynching, 
 while he, Walter, had imprudently bought the 
 horse without inquiring how his acquaintance 
 of the wayside had come by her. 
 
 " He's the boss thief ! " shrieked the tramp. 
 " Ask him if he isn't." 
 
 The leader, who had him by the collar, 
 paused, and the words of the captive seemed 
 to make some impression on him. 
 
 " We don't want to make no mistake," he 
 said. " Mebhe we might ask him." 
 
 Still retaining his hold upon the tramp,
 
 242 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 he turned to Walter as he reached the door, 
 
 " You hear what this man says? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Walter, in husky accents. 
 
 " Is it true? Are you the hoss thief? " 
 
 " No ! " 
 
 " He lies ! " yelled the inebriate, in renewed 
 terror, with a wrathful glance at Walter. 
 
 "Just as I thought! Come along!" 
 
 And the poor tramp would have been 
 dragged away, but Walter, his face pale, but 
 resolute, held up his hand to secure atten 
 tion. 
 
 " Listen ! " he said. " I am not a horse 
 thief, but I was put in here charged with steal 
 ing the horse of Colonel Owen." 
 
 " You hear him ! You've got the wrong 
 man ! " cried the tramp, in a tone of relief. 
 " He's a good fellow. I knew he wouldn't let 
 me be hung in his place." 
 
 The leader of the mob looked surprised. 
 
 " Then this man isn't the thief? " he said 
 inquiringly. 
 
 " Neither he nor I," returned Walter. 
 
 " What's he in here for, then? Do you 
 know him? " 
 
 " I never saw him till I met him here. He 
 was drunk." 
 
 " Jest as I said, gentlemen," chimed in the 
 inebriate. " I cheerfully admit that I was 
 drunk awful drunk ! Wasn't I, mate? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 243 
 
 " I think you were," said Walter gravely. 
 
 *' Then we've got the wrong one ! " said the 
 leader. " Here, you can go ! " And releasing 
 his hold upon the tramp he gave him a push 
 that sent him reeling. 
 
 " We must have you ! " went on the leader, 
 approaching Walter's cell. 
 
 " What do you want to do with me? " asked 
 Walter, with sinking heart. 
 
 " String you up! That's the way we serve 
 hoss thieves ! " 
 
 " Gentlemen ! " said Walter, " you are mak 
 ing a terrible mistake. I am as innocent of 
 horse-stealing as any of you." 
 
 " Didn't you say jest now you was the 
 thief? " 
 
 " No ; I said I was put in here charged with 
 horse-stealing." 
 
 " That's the same thing. Wasn't you taken 
 with the hoss in your possession?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " 'Nough said ! We've got the right man 
 this- time." 
 
 An assault was made on the door of the cell, 
 and within three minutes Walter was dragged 
 out; but he was not handled so roughly as the 
 tramp had been. His young face appealed to 
 the gentler feelings of the rough men who 
 constituted the mob. But the hand that held
 
 244 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 him was firm, and as they filed out from the 
 rear of the building and into the road, Walter, 
 looking from one to another, unable to distin 
 guish faces' on account of the masks that par 
 tially concealed them, felt that his chance of 
 deliverance TV as small indeed. 
 
 He began to speak, but was roughly ordered 
 to shut up. 
 
 The line of march was resumed, and a quar 
 ter of a mile distant they passed through a 
 gate and began the ascent of a hill, at the 
 summit of which was a grove of tall trees. 
 Walter shuddered and his heart sank within 
 him, for he understood only too well what 
 fate was in store for him. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 A TERRIBLE ORDEAL. 
 
 AT the summit of the hill Walter's captors 
 came to a halt. 
 
 " Where's the noose? " asked the leader 
 briefly. 
 
 "Here!" was the reply of one of his fol 
 lowers, drawing forth a coil of rope, strong 
 and terribly suggestive. What wonder that 
 Walter shuddered, and that the blood seemer 1 
 to congeal in his veins. 
 
 " Young man," said the leader sternly.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 245 
 
 "jour hours are numbered. Have you any 
 thing to say why we should not proceed to 
 visit upon you the punishment of your 
 crime? " 
 
 " I have a good deal to say," answered 
 Walter, finding his 1 voice and speaking indig 
 nantly. " Even if I were guilty, which I am 
 not, you have no right to condemn me to 
 death untried. You are usurping the office 
 of the law. I ask nothing better than to dis 
 prove in court the false charge which has been 
 brought against me." 
 
 " Young man, there are some crimes which 
 the law does not adequately punish. In our 
 eyes a horse thief is worse than a murderer." 
 
 " I won't argue with you, but you are put 
 ting the value of a horse above that of a hu 
 man life. I have told you already that I am 
 not a horse thief." 
 
 " Of course you won't confess it." 
 
 " I would if I had committed the crime, and 
 throw myself on your mercy." 
 
 " There isn't a man here that doubts your 
 guilt." 
 
 Walter was about to speak when there was 
 an unexpected interruption. One of the 
 masked men, who had hitherto stood in the 
 background, came forward, and in clear, ring 
 ing accents spoke.
 
 246 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "The lad says right He has not been 
 proved guilty, and I for one believe him inno 
 cent." 
 
 "Take care!" said the leader menacingly. 
 " We don't tolerate any insubordination." 
 
 Walter saw a chance to make a favorable 
 impression, and as a drowning man clings to 
 a straw he did not fail to snatch at it. 
 
 " I thank God," he said, " that there is one 
 among you whose heart is not wholly hard 
 ened. I stand here a boy barely eighteen 
 years old. Is there no one among you who has 
 a son of my age? What would he say if his 
 own boy were snatched from his bed at mid 
 night and brought face to face with a fearful 
 death in punishment for a crime charged 
 against him and not proven?" 
 
 " The boy is right," said another in a deep 
 voice. " Men, we are acting like cowards and 
 brutes. I've got a boy at home the age of this 
 boy. If any man should treat him as we. are 
 treating yonder lad I'd shoot him if I had to 
 swing for it ! " 
 
 The words of a brave man always produce 
 an impression. 
 
 " So say I ! " a third man broke in, and he 
 ranged himself beside the other two. 
 
 "This is all folly!" exclaimed the leader 
 angrily. " You men are milksops and chicken-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 247 
 
 hearted. I came here to hang a horse thief, 
 arid by ' here he used a terrible oath " I 
 mean to do it. Jenkins, climb that tree and 
 throw the rope over it." 
 
 Walter's face flamed. He was getting back 
 his courage, and with the assurance that 
 among the twelve men he had three friends 
 he . was prepared to make a desperate resist 
 ance. 
 
 " Will you allow this? " he exclaimed, as 
 the leader seized him by the collar and drew 
 him to a tree. 
 
 " I won't! " said the first man to pronounce 
 in his favor. " Seth Pendleton, let go your 
 hold!" 
 
 " Look out ! " cried Pendleton fiercely, " or 
 you may swing, too ! " 
 
 " You hear what he says," said W T alter's 
 friend. " Will you allow him to bulldoze you 
 into committing a crime worse than horse- 
 stealing? Why are you so hard on the boy? " 
 
 " Why am I so hard on horse thieves? I'll 
 tell you. Ten years ago I had a horse that 
 was as dear to me as a brother. It is a strong 
 statement, but it is true. If ever a horse 
 loved his master he loved me. One morning 
 I found the stable door open and the horn* 
 gone. I followed him, but I never recovered 
 him."
 
 248 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "Who stole him?" 
 
 " A man named Dick Ranney, who has since 
 become a noted highwayman." 
 
 This was astonishing news to Walter. 
 
 " Do you know where Dick Ranney is 
 now? " he asked. 
 
 "I heard that he had been captured. I'd 
 like to get at him.'' 
 
 " I am the one who captured him, and for 
 this I received a reward of a thousand dol 
 lars ! " announced Walter. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 THE EMPTY JAIL. 
 
 THERE was a murmur of surprise and a buzz 
 of excitement among the masked men when 
 W T alter announced that he had received the 
 reward offered for the capture of the famous 
 outlaw, Dick Ranney. 
 
 " I don't believe it," said Seth Pendleton 
 incredulously. " Dick Ranney wasn't a man 
 to be captured by a youngster like you." 
 
 " Bring the lantern here, untie my hands, 
 and I'll prove it to you." 
 
 Less perhaps from a desire to see Walter 
 justify himself than from curiosity to ascer 
 tain whether his statement was true, Seth 
 Pendleton himself untied his hands and held 
 up the lantern.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 249 
 
 Walter drew from his pocket a folded 
 paper, and, opening it, handed it to one of 
 the three men who had declared in his favor. 
 
 " Read that ! " he said. 
 
 The man read as follows: 
 
 " MR. WALTER SHERWOOD : 
 
 " I have great pleasure in sending you the 
 reward offered for the apprehension and cap 
 ture of the noted criminal, Dick Ranney, and 
 congratulate you on the courage and sagacity 
 which enabled you to entrap so daring an 
 outlaw. MILES GRAY, Sheriff." 
 
 "Is your name Walter Sherwood? " asked 
 Seth Pendleton, in mingled surprise and in 
 credulity. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " How can you prove it? " 
 
 Walter drew from his pocket two letters 
 directed to him. 
 
 "Seems to be true; but how could you, a 
 boy, trap a man like that? " 
 
 "Shall I tell you the story?" 
 
 " Yes ! Yes ! " exclaimed more than one. 
 
 Walter gave an account of the affair in a 
 clear, distinct manner, and the rough crowd, 
 gathering near, listened to him with eager 
 interest. When he had finished there was a 
 murmur of applause. 
 
 " Now, gentlemen," said Walter, as he con-
 
 250 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 eluded, " do you believe that I would stoop to 
 steal a horse? " 
 
 He looked about him with an assured 
 glance, for he saw that his audience were with 
 him. 
 
 He was not mistaken. There were shouts 
 of "No! No!" and then, for the first time, 
 Walter, breathing a sigh of relief, felt that he 
 was safe. 
 
 " Well, Seth Pendleton, be you in favor of 
 hanging the boy now? " asked one. 
 
 "No! If he's trapped Dick Ranney I'd for 
 give him, even if he had stolen a horse." 
 
 " Then let him go ! " 
 
 " Yes, let him go ! " cried all. 
 
 And Walter might have gone scot-free had 
 he chosen, but he did not choose. 
 
 " No, gentlemen," he said, " I don't want 
 to escape. Take me back to the lockup, and 
 I will, stay there till morning" 
 
 " The door is broken ! " 
 
 " That will make no difference to me. I 
 have no wish to break jail. I prefer to stand 
 trial and let my innocence be proved." 
 
 The men around him were rough customers, 
 but they admired pluck. Half-an-hour earlier 
 they had been ready to hang Walter. Now 
 they looked upon him as a hero. 
 
 "He's a brave lad!" said more than one.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 251 
 
 " I wish my John would turn out like him," 
 added one of Walter's original supporters. 
 " You sha'n't go to the jail ! YOB shall go to 
 my house, and I'll give you the best bed in 
 the house," he continued. 
 
 Bearing in mind the hard pallet and the 
 unsavory companion with whom he had 
 shared his confinement, Walter accepted this 
 proposal with thanks. But he need not have 
 been apprehensive in regard to his late com 
 rade in misfortune, for the tramp, released 
 from his cell under a misapprehension, had 
 bidden farewell with scant ceremony to his 
 temporary quarters, and before the morning 
 dawned was ten miles away. 
 
 Of all that had passed during the night 
 Constable Stokes was blissfully unconscious. 
 At an early hour he bent his steps toward the 
 jail, expecting to find the two inmates safe 
 in their cells. When he saw the outer door 
 broken down he was astounded. 
 
 He felt it necessary to report what had 
 happened to some magistrate, and went into 
 the street. He had walked but a few steps 
 when he met Mr. Barry, Walter's lawyer. 
 
 "And how is my young client this morn 
 ing Stokes? '' inquired the lawyer pleasantly. 
 
 " Blessed if I know ! He's bolted ! "
 
 252 Walter Sherwood s Probation. 
 
 " That is amazing! Let me see how it, was 
 done." 
 
 "If you can tell you'll be wiser than I am." 
 
 The two made their way to the rear en 
 trance, and Mr. Barry, with a lawyer's astute 
 ness, began to make an examination. 
 
 " The door was broken from the outside ! " 
 he said, after a pause. 
 
 "Was it?" 
 
 " Of course it was. Don't you see that it 
 was pushed inward? It must have required 
 a great deal of strength, too." 
 
 " Then you don't think the men could have 
 done it?" 
 
 " Of course not. They must have had help 
 from outside parties." 
 
 " But who " began the constable in be 
 wilderment. 
 
 " That is hard to tell. If, now, they be 
 longed to a gang, we might suppose that some 
 of their comrades found out where they were 
 and facilitated their escape. But the two ap 
 peared to have no connection with each 
 other," he continued reflectively. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 COLONEL RICHARD OWEN. 
 
 AT this moment a boy of fifteen, drawn by 
 curiosity made his way from the street to the
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 253 
 
 rear entrance. It was Arthur Waters, the son 
 of a jeweler. He had heard the last question 
 and answered. 
 
 " Perhaps I can tell t you something about 
 it," he said. 
 
 " Go on, Arthur," rejoined the lawyer, who 
 knew the boy. 
 
 " Last night, I think it was about midnight, 
 I heard a noise in the street, and, getting up, 
 I went to the window. I saw a lot of men fil 
 ing through the street, all wearing masks." 
 
 " In what direction were they going? " 
 
 " Toward the lockup." 
 
 " They must have been in search of the 
 prisoners to lynch them ! " said the lawyer, 
 turning pale. 
 
 " And you think they broke open the doorai, 
 Mr. Barry?" 
 
 " Yes, Stokes." 
 
 " And what would they do with the pris 
 oners? " 
 
 " Hang them, I fear, without judge or jury. 
 My heart bleeds for that poor boy. I would 
 stake my life on his innocence." 
 
 " So would I, Mr. Barry. It's a shame, so 
 it is." 
 
 "It is an outrage! If I can find out the 
 perpetrators of the dastardly crime I will 
 make them suffer, if possible,"
 
 254 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " I don't mind the man, sir, but I hope the 
 boy escaped." 
 
 " Thank you, constable. I am alive and 
 well, as you see." 
 
 Both the lawyer and the constable looked 
 up, and there, to their great relief, stood Wal 
 ter. 
 
 "Where did you come from?" asked the 
 lawyer quickly. 
 
 " I slept last night at a house in the village. 
 I couldn't stay here very well, as the doors 
 were broken down." 
 
 " But how did it happen? " 
 
 Walter told his story, adding: " Constable 
 Stokes, I give myself into your hands." 
 
 " But I don't know what to do with him," 
 paid the constable, embarrassed. " I can't 
 lock him up in a cell." 
 
 " Exactly," said the lawyer. " Perhaps, as 
 I am his counsel, I had better take him with 
 me. I will be responsible for his 1 appearance 
 in court." 
 
 " Yes, that will be the best way," said the 
 constable, much relieved by the suggestion. 
 
 Walter was ushered into the office of the 
 lawyer, and sat down, looking more like a 
 privileged visitor than the defendant in a 
 criminal action.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 255 
 
 " Did you ever think of studying law, Mr. 
 Sherwood?" asked Barry. 
 
 "No, sir; at least not specially. Perhaps, 
 if I ain going to get into any more scrapes, 
 it might be well to do so." 
 
 " I can hardly recommend it for that reason, 
 as a man who pleads his own case is likely 
 to have a fool for his client." 
 
 " I have heard so, but if I had not pleaded 
 my own ca&e last night when in the hands 
 ef the mob I am afraid it would have been all 
 up with me," said Walter gravely. 
 
 At this moment the office door opened, and 
 an old gentleman with a portly form and 
 pleasant face fringed with silvery hair en 
 tered. 
 
 The lawyer rose from his seat with alacrity. 
 
 " Colonel Owen," he exclaimed, " I am glad 
 to see you." 
 
 " Yes, sir. I received your telegram and 
 came by the first morning train. So the man 
 who stole my hor.se has been caught? " 
 
 Walter looked attentively at the old gentle 
 man whom he was supposed to have robbed, 
 lie liked his placid, benevolent countenance. 
 So this was the man upon whom it would 
 devolve to prosecute him on a criminal 
 charge! He could not realize it, and when 
 he heard the horse thief referred to he could
 
 256 Waiter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 not connect that desperate individual with 
 himself. 
 
 " The man who is charged with the theft 
 has been caught," said Mr. Barry. 
 
 " Charged ! Then you don't believe him 
 guilty?" 
 
 " No. I have undertaken to defend him." 
 
 "What sort of a looking person is he?" 
 inquired Colonel Owen. 
 
 " Oh, a very desperate-looking ruffian ! " re 
 plied the lawyer. 
 
 "And yet you don't think him guilty?" 
 said Colonel Owen. 
 
 " No. Would you like to meet him? " 
 
 " I don't know," answered the colonel 
 doubtfully. 
 
 " Your curiosity as to his appearance could 
 then be gratified." 
 
 " Well, perhaps I will call with you by and 
 by. But," he continued anxiously, " is the 
 mare in good condition? Is she uninjured? " 
 
 " I have not seen her, but there is some one 
 present who has. Mr. Sherwood, what can 
 you say as to the condition of the colonel's 
 mare? " 
 
 " I think Bess is in excellent condition," 
 answered Walter, with a smile. 
 
 " Ah, I am much relieved to hear it. That, 
 at least, is in the thief's favor. But, Mr.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 257 
 
 Barry, you have not introduced me to this 
 , young gentleman," continued Colonel Owen, 
 eyeing Walter with favor. 
 
 " I didn't know that you would care for an 
 introduction," said the lawyer demurely. 
 
 " Why not? " asked the old gentleman, open 
 ing his eyes in surprise. 
 
 " Because he is the horse thief ! " 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII, 
 
 WALTER IS VINDICATED. 
 
 "BLESS my soul ! " ejaculated the colonel, 
 on hearing that he was in the presence of the 
 horse thief, stepping back hastily and glanc 
 ing at Walter nervously. " Surely you are 
 joking? " 
 
 " No, I assure you I am not. Mr. Walter 
 Sherwood is the young man who is accused 
 of stealing your mare, Bess." 
 
 " But that is absurd." 
 
 " Thank you for saying so, Colonel Owen," 
 said Walter, with a frank smile. " I don't 
 think I look like a horse thief." 
 
 " What does it all mean, Barry? I am sure 
 this must be a practical joke of yours 1 ." 
 
 " No, it is not." 
 
 " Then how does it happen that Mr. Sher 
 wood is sitting here in your office instead of 
 being "
 
 258 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " In the lockup? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I was taken to the lockup, Colonel Owen," 
 said Walter, " but about midnight a lynching- 
 partj broke it open and took me out." 
 
 "A Ijnching-party! " exclaimed the colonel. 
 
 " Yes ; I was taken up to the summit of a 
 hill, and for five minutes it looked as if my 
 life would end then and there. But I made 
 an appeal to my captors, and was able to 
 prove to them that I received a reward not 
 long since for the capture of the famous out 
 law, Dick Ranney." 
 
 " You don't mean that you did this? " 
 
 " Yes, sir. Upon this they let me go, and I 
 ought perhaps to apologize for not going back 
 to the, lockup, but it had been broken open and 
 was no longer a place of security. However, 
 I surrendered myself to Mr. Barry this morn 
 ing. I hope you will believe that I had no 
 thought of running away? " 
 
 Colonel Owen sank into a chair, and, wip 
 ing his forehead with his handkerchief, gazed 
 at Walter in a bewildered way. 
 
 " I never heard the like! " he was heard to 
 say. 
 
 " If you insist upon my going back to my 
 cell in the lockup," continued Walter, " I am
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 259 
 
 quite willing to go, or rather not entirely will 
 ing, but I will do so." 
 
 " No, no ! " said the colonel. " I I don't 
 know what to say or think. Do you mind tell 
 ing me, young man, why you were arrested, 
 or why you fell under suspicion? " 
 
 " I was s Treated while on the horse's back." 
 
 " Ha ! But how did that happen? " 
 
 " I bought her of a man whom I met on the 
 highway. He seemed very hard up, or the 
 price for. which he was willing to part with 
 her would have excited my suspicions.'' 
 
 " How much did you pay for her? " asked 
 the colonel. 
 
 "Fifty dollars." 
 
 " Fifty dollars ! " exclaimed Colonel Owen 
 indignantly. " It was an insult to my beauti 
 ful Bess." 
 
 " I am glad I did not pay any more, since 
 it will come out of my own pocket. The whole 
 affair is a lesson to me. I will take good care 
 how. I buy anything else, unless I know I am 
 dealing with the rightful owner." 
 
 At this moment a boy entered the office, and 
 going up to Mr. Barry whispered to him in 
 a low voice. 
 
 " Gentlemen," said the lawyer, " I find that 
 the court is in session and all is reiuly for the 
 trial. II is a little insular, I suppo*,', for
 
 260 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 the prosecutor and defendant in a criminal 
 case to walk to the court-room together, but 
 perhaps we can violate usage for once." 
 
 "But," said Colonel Owen, "I don't be 
 lieve the young man is guilty. Is there any 
 need for the trial to come off? " 
 
 " I should prefer that it sho'ild, that I may 
 be formally discharged," replied Walter. 
 
 " By the way, colonel, are you not a gradu 
 ate of Euclid? " asked the lawyer. 
 
 " Yes, sir, and I am proud of the dear old 
 college," rejoined the colonel warmly. 
 
 " I agree with you," said Walter. " I have 
 pasred two years in the college." ' 
 
 " What ! are you a Euclid man? " exclaimed 
 the colonel in excitement. 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Then young man, here's my hand. My 
 heart always warms toward a Euclid man 
 
 " Even if you have to prosecute h ; m for 
 horse-stealing," suggested Lawyer Barry 
 
 slyly. 
 
 " Really, this is very painful ! " said the 
 colonel. " I wish I could get rid of it." 
 
 " You can say in court that you are con 
 vinced of the young man's innocence." 
 
 "And I will! And afterward I shall insist 
 on Mr. Sherwood/s driving home* with u:e and
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 261 
 
 making me a visit. I have a great many ques 
 tions to ask him about the college. I haven't 
 visited the old place for fifteen years." 
 
 Great was the surprise of Mr. Crane and 
 Mr. Penton when they saw the horse thief 
 whom they had captured the day before ap 
 proach the court-room arm in arm with 
 Colonel Owen, the owner of the stolen mare. 
 
 " What does it mean, Penton? " asked 
 Crane. 
 
 " Danged if I know," responded Penton. 
 
 " Maybe it's a put-up job to cheat us out 
 of the reward!" said Crane, in a hollow 
 voice. 
 
 " But that would be disgraceful," rejoined 
 Penton, in nervous alarm. 
 
 The trial began, and presently Crane and 
 Penton were called on to testify. 
 
 " Did you see the prisoner steal the mare? " 
 demanded Barry sharply. 
 
 " No but " 
 
 " But what? " 
 
 " It stands to reason that he did, or he 
 wouldn't have had her in his possession." 
 
 " That is no proof whatever. Mr. Sher 
 wood, you may take the stand." 
 
 " Walter, at the request of his counsel, 
 gave a brief and concise account of the way 
 in which he became possessed of Bess.
 
 262 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " The question arises, Does Mr. Sherwood's 
 story seem probable?" now remarked the 
 judge. 
 
 " I am convinced that it is true," said the 
 colonel promptly. 
 
 The judge saw how matters stood and dis 
 charged the prisoner. 
 
 Crane and Penton were petrified. 
 
 " We're left ! " said Crane, in a tragic 
 whisper. 
 
 " Now, Mr. Sherwood," said the colonel, 
 taking Walter's arm, " you must accompany 
 me to Shelby. I shall hire a buggy, and you 
 will drive Bess. If I am not mistaken, I can 
 find you congenial employment that will 
 keep you with me for a time." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 AN OPENING AT SHELBY. 
 
 AT length they reached Shelby. Colonel 
 Owen lived in a large and handsome man 
 sion with ample grounds. It was quite the 
 finest house in the town. Walter expressed 
 his admiration, and this seemed to please the 
 colonel. 
 
 " Yes," he said, " I have a comfortable 
 home, , but my boys are away, one in Dakota 
 and the other in California, and my good
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 263 
 
 wife and I feel lonely in this large house. She 
 will be glad to see you. It will brighten us 
 both to have a young face at the table." 
 
 How could Walter feel otherwise than 
 pleased with this cordial welcome? He was 
 charmed with Mrs. Owen, a sweet-faced old 
 lady with silvery hair. 
 
 " I am glad to see you," she said. " May I 
 call you Walter? " 
 
 " I wish you would, Mrs. Owen," said Wal 
 ter. 
 
 " I suppose your mother calls you so." 
 
 " My mother is dead, and my father, also," 
 answered Walter soberly. 
 
 " Then look upon me as a mother while you 
 are here," said the old lady warmly, " though 
 I am old enough to be your grandmother for 
 that matter. Did you find your horse, Rich 
 ard? " she added. 
 
 They had had no time for explanations. 
 
 " Yes, my dear." 
 
 " Did you see the man that stole it? " 
 
 " Yes, my dear," with a quiet wink at Wal 
 ter. 
 
 " Poor, misguided man ! " said the warm 
 hearted old lady. " Will he be punished by 
 a long term of imprisonment?" 
 
 "Well, no; they let him go." 
 
 "Isn't that rather unusual?"
 
 264 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 "Well, yes; but he didn't seem very hard 
 ened, and I think that was the first horse 
 that he ever stole." 
 
 " I am glad they released him, then. It 
 will give him a chance to reform. 
 
 " True; I hope he will do so." 
 
 " There is one thing I ought to tell you, but 
 I don't know how you will take it. You may 
 be angry," went on the colonel. 
 
 Mrs. Owen smiled. 
 
 " Am I often angry with you, Richard? " 
 she asked. 
 
 "No; but still I think you will consider 
 me very imprudent. 
 
 The old lady looked puzzled. 
 
 " I have faith in your good judgment," she 
 said simply. 
 
 " Then I may as well out with it I in 
 vited the horse thief to come and make us a 
 visit." 
 
 Mrs. Owen certainly was amazed. 
 
 " You did ! " she ejaculated. " When is he 
 coming? " 
 
 " He is here already." 
 
 " I don't understand you at all, Richard. 
 You seem to be joking." 
 
 " Not at all ! There he stands ! " and the 
 colonel pointed to Walter. 
 
 "What, Walter?"
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 265 
 
 " Yes ; he doesn't look very hardened, does 
 he?" 
 
 " Now I am sure you are making fun of 
 me/' said the old lady, smiling. 
 
 " Not at all. Ask Walter where he spent 
 last night." 
 
 She looked at Walter inquiringly. 
 
 " The first part of it in the lockup," an 
 swered he. 
 
 " You don't mean to say that " 
 
 " I was charged with stealing your hus 
 band's horse, but I think he is convinced that 
 I was not guilty. I was tried this morning 
 and acquitted. 
 
 " I knew you would be upset at the thought 
 of having a horse thief in the house," said the 
 colonel merrily. 
 
 " Perhaps I had better go to the hotel," 
 suggested Walter. 
 
 "No, no! I can't believe anything evil 
 of a young man with your face," said Mrs. 
 Owen. " I am glad my husband brought you 
 home with him." 
 
 " Still, Mary," continued Colonel Owen, 
 " perhaps you had better watch him closely 
 while he is here. A young man who will steal 
 a horse is likely to steal spoons. Be sure to 
 lock them up to-night." 
 
 " Come, Walter, I won't permit him to
 
 266 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 joke at your expense," said the old lady, plac 
 ing her hand affectionately 011 our hero's 
 shoulder. " He is a very suspicious old man, 
 but I will trust you completely." 
 
 " I am sure you will both be kind to me," 
 said Walter earnestly, " and I shall appre 
 ciate it the more because I have neither father 
 nor mother." 
 
 " I hope you will stay with us a long time," 
 said Mrs. Owen; "that is, if you don't get 
 homesick." 
 
 " If only the colonel will give me something 
 to occupy my time I would like to stay," re 
 joined Walter. " I want to be at work." 
 
 " I have a little writing to do in which you 
 can assist me," said the colonel. 
 
 Walter insisted upon commencing the next 
 day, and worked for three hours daily, the rest 
 of the time being spent in riding for the 
 colonel placed a horse and buggy at his dis 
 posal and in social calls. But at length the 
 writing was done, and in less than two weeks 
 Walter found himself without an occupation. 
 He stood it for three days, and then began to 
 feel that he must be starting out again. 
 Colonel Owen saw his uneasiness and tried to 
 think of some employment suited to the taste 
 of .his young guest. 
 
 One afternoon he came in radiant.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 267 
 
 " Well, Walter," lie said, " I've got some 
 work for you to do." 
 
 "\Vhat is it, sir?" 
 
 " Mr. Hayward, the teacher of our classical 
 school, is summoned to his home in New York 
 State by the serious illness of his father. 
 There are yet eight weeks of the term remain 
 ing, and the question is, Who shall take his 
 place till the end of the school year? " 
 
 "Yes, sir?" 
 
 " I am one of the trustees, and I have men 
 tioned your name to my colleagues, who are 
 ready to accept you on my recommendation." 
 
 Walter heard the proposal with pleasant 
 excitement. It flattered his vanity to be 
 thought competent to fill the place of an ex 
 perienced classical teacher, but he did not feel 
 so sure of his own qualifications. 
 
 " There is nothing I should like better," he 
 said, " but do you think I am competent? " 
 
 " Are you not from Euclid College good 
 old Euclid?" 
 
 "Yes, sir; but I am not a graduate." 
 
 " You have finished the sophomore year? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " And you stood pretty well in the class? " 
 
 " Yes, sir, but only fairly. I may as well 
 tell the truth. I was too much given to pleas 
 ure, and I am afraid wasted my time."
 
 268 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " You were well prepared when you entered 
 college, were you not? " 
 
 " Yes, sir. At the preparatory school I 
 studied well, and I think when I entered I 
 passed the second best entrance examination." 
 
 " That's ,all right," said the colonel, in a 
 tone of satisfaction. " You ought to be able 
 to teach any of the classes that will come un 
 der your charge. There are three boys in 
 Virgil, two in Cicero, and I believe there is 
 a class in Caesar. How are you in mathe 
 matics? " 
 
 " I don't think I shall have any difficulty 
 there, sir." 
 
 " Then you're better off than I am." 
 
 " How much salary shall I receive? " asked 
 Walter, who was beginning to grow interested. 
 
 " Twenty-five dollars a week. That's what 
 the trustees authorize me to offer you." 
 
 " That will be quite satisfactory. How my 
 old chums will stare when I tell them I am 
 getting twenty-five dollars a week for teaching 
 a classical school. I suppose," added Walter, 
 hesitating, " I ought to look out for a board 
 ing-place." 
 
 "What, and leave us?" asked the old lady 
 reproachfully. 
 
 " I would rather stay here than anywhere 
 else, but you must allow me to pay board."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 269 
 
 "No, Walter; we shall be glad enough to 
 have you stay with us without money and 
 without price." 
 
 " But, Colonel Owen, remember that I shall 
 be earning a good salary." 
 
 " You can find a use for it. It will help 
 make , up for some of the losses you have in 
 curred. Shall I say you will accept the 
 post?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. I will try it, and hope to suc 
 ceed." 
 
 " Good ! If you find any trouble about the 
 discipline, send for me." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 THE NEW MASTER. 
 
 ON the platform of the main schoolroom in 
 the Shelby Classical Institute stood Colonel 
 Owen and Walter Sherwood. 
 
 There were present thirty-six students, of 
 whom twenty were boys. Some of these were 
 quite as large, and two even larger and prob 
 ably older than the youthful master. All had 
 their eyes fixed upon the colonel and the new 
 teacher. 
 
 " My young friends," began Colonel Owen. 
 " you are all aware that your respected 
 teacher, Mr. Hayward, is obliged to be absent
 
 270 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 for the remainder of the term, on account of 
 the sickness the serious and alarming sick 
 ness of his father. Under these circum 
 stances, I am glad to say that I have been able 
 to secure as his substitute Mr. Walter Sher 
 wood "here he indicated Walter with a side 
 wave of the hand " who will do his best to 
 carry on the work which Mr. Hayward has 
 so auspiciously commenced. Mr. Sherwood 
 is from my own college Euclid of which 
 you have all heard, and I, therefore, with all 
 the more confidence, have given him charge 
 of this school. I hope you will receive him 
 cordially and uphold him in his task." 
 
 Here the colonel, with a Itow, took his hat 
 and left the room. He thought W T alter Avould 
 be less embarrassed to be left to commence 
 his task alone. 
 
 Walter certainly did feel some diffidence 
 as he realized what a responsibility had been 
 placed upon him. He asked himself whether 
 he had done wisely in accepting it. But such 
 questionings were too late. There was no 
 drawing back no\v. 
 
 He cleared his throat and spoke a few 
 words, embarrassed a little, perhaps, by the 
 steady and attentive gaze of thirty-six pairs 
 pf eyes. 
 
 " Colonel Owen has introduce^ me to you
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 271 
 
 and expressed a hope in which I join him 
 that you will receive me cordially and uphold 
 me in my work. I need not tell you for you 
 can see it for yourselves that I am unusually 
 young for the important place I have under 
 taken to fill. The studies in which I am to 
 guide you, however, are familiar to me, and I 
 hope to make them attractive to you. In 
 order to succeed I shall need your considera 
 tion and assistance, and I hope to receive 
 both. I will now go about among the seats-, 
 make inquiries as to your progress, and ar 
 range the classes." 
 
 This short speech made a favorable impres 
 sion upon all the pupils with two excep 
 tions 1 . These were the largest scholars Ben 
 Buffum and Enoch Snow. Ben was larger 
 and heavier than Walter, and Enoch was quite 
 as large. Neither was much of a scholar, and 
 both were disposed to make trouble. But 
 they sat quietly and " took stock " of the new 
 teacher. They were in no hurry to begin, but 
 meant mischief all the same. What they 
 thought of Walter may be gathered from their 
 conversation as they walked home together. 
 
 " What do you think of the new master, 
 Ben?" said Enoch. 
 
 " I think I can lick him," answered Ben. 
 
 " You'd ought to. You're bigger and
 
 272 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 stronger than he is. I think I am a match 
 for him myself." 
 
 " To be sure you are, Enoch. Why, he is 
 only a boy ! " 
 
 " Of course he is. How old are you, Ben? " 
 
 " I was eighteen in March." 
 
 " I don't believe he's any more. Why, he 
 ain't fit to be a teacher." 
 
 " He'll find he's undertaken a big job," said 
 Ben. 
 
 " I guess he knows something," went on 
 Enoch. " He seems to be a good Latin 
 scholar." 
 
 " Yes, I s'pose he'll do. He ought to if he's 
 been to college ; but I'll tell you what, Enoch, 
 it riles me to have a boy of my own age set 
 over me." 
 
 "Me ditto!" 
 
 " He would do for a primary school. He 
 ought to be able to manage a set of kids, but 
 when it comes to young men like us, I don't 
 like to let people know that he's my teacher." 
 
 " That's so, Ben. What are you goin' to 
 do?" 
 
 " I'll just wait awhile, but if he begins to 
 put on any airs, why then '' 
 
 " What? " 
 
 " Why, we must learn him a lesson, eh, 
 Enoch? "
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 273 
 
 " I'll stand bj you, Ben." 
 
 " It's all right for the others to obey him, 
 but you and I are just as strong as he, and 
 maybe stronger." 
 
 " Of course we are." 
 
 " I guess I could floor him in wrestling." 
 
 " You're too much for me, Ben, and I think 
 I can stand up to him, and maybe lick him in 
 a fair fight." 
 
 " It's likely you can. Now, there was Hay- 
 ward he was a big man, weighing a hundred 
 and eighty, and five feet eleven in his shoes. 
 I didn't mind obeying him." 
 
 "Are you talking about Mr. Sherwood?" 
 asked Harry Howe, a boy of fourteen, who had 
 just caught up with the other two. 
 
 " No, I'm not. I'm talking about Mr. Hay- 
 ward." 
 
 " How do you like the new teacher? " 
 
 " He's only a boy. He'll have a hard row 
 to hoe, I'm thinkin'." 
 
 " Who'll make it hard for him? " 
 
 " Enoch and I." 
 
 " Then it will be a shame. He seems to be 
 a perfect gentleman." 
 
 "Gentleman! He's only a boy, like our 
 selves." 
 
 "At any rate, he knows enough to teach 
 us."
 
 274 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " That may be, but he can't keep order." 
 
 " Why can't he? " 
 
 " You'll see whether he can or not," said 
 Ben significantly. 
 
 " Are you going to make trouble? " 
 
 " It isn't best for small boys to know too 
 much. You just wait and you'll find out in 
 time." 
 
 " You'll be real mean, Ben Buffum, if you 
 make Mr. Sherwood any trouble," said Harry 
 warmly. 
 
 " Mr. Sherwood ! " repeated Ben mockingly. 
 " Why don't you call me Mr. Buffum? " 
 
 " I will when you become a teacher, Ben." 
 
 " I'd like to see Ben Buffum hearin' les 
 sons ! " said Enoch, with a loud laugm. 
 
 " Don't laugh at me, Enoch Snow ! " said 
 Ben, with a frown. " If I tell you to call me 
 Mr. Buffum, you'll find it best to do it." 
 
 " Ho, ho ! No offense, Ben, only you know 
 it seems funny." 
 
 " If I choose I shall call the teacher Wal 
 ter." 
 
 " You wouldn't dare to, would you? " 
 
 " I'll show you some time. And, look here, 
 Harry Howe, if you say a word about what 
 I'm going to do I'll thrash you, too." 
 
 " I'm not afraid of you, Bi>n Buffum, big
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 275 
 
 as you are," retorted the younger boy with 
 spirit, 
 
 "Well, you'd better be. If I should hit 
 you, you'd think you were struck by light 
 ning." 
 
 " If there's any danger of it> Ben, I guess 
 I'll carry round a lightning-rod with me," 
 laughed Harry. " Well, I turn off here." 
 
 " I don't like that Harry Howe," remarked 
 Ben, disapprovingly, looking after the smaller 
 boy. " He's too flip." 
 
 " So he is. He ain't so respectful to you 
 
 and me as he'd ought to be." 
 
 ****** 
 
 Walter had not failed to notice the half-re 
 bellious demeanor of his two oldest pupils. 
 Moreover, he had been warned by the janitor 
 of the building that they would be likely to 
 give him trouble. The latter, Mr. Locke, felt 
 a kindly interest in Walter, who treated him 
 with as much courtesy as if he were the chair 
 man of the board of trustees. 
 
 " I am afraid, Mr. Sherwood," he said, 
 " that you will have trouble with Ben Buffum 
 and Enoch Snow.'' 
 
 " Have they the reputation of being trou 
 blesome? " asked Walter. 
 
 " That they have, Their own parents can't 
 control them."
 
 276 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 " Did Mr. Hayward have trouble with 
 them?" 
 
 " No, but then there was a difference. He 
 was a tall, robust man, and forty years of age. 
 They would have stood small chance with him. 
 They didn't dare to rebel." 
 
 " And you think they may rebel against 
 me?" 
 
 " I am afraid they will." 
 
 " I don't know that I am much surprised 
 at what you tell me. In the four days that 
 I have been teaching they have been quiet, but 
 there is a look of defiance on the face of each, 
 particularly of Ben Buffum, which led me to 
 think they were only biding their time." 
 
 " I know that is so," said the janitor sig 
 nificantly. " I chanced to overhear a conver 
 sation between them yesterday. Each of 
 them thinks he is a match for you, and that 
 if you undertook to punish them you would 
 get the worst of it. I don't want to alarm 
 you " 
 
 "Do I look alarmed? " asked Walter calmly. 
 
 " Well, no, but I'm almost afraid they were 
 right." 
 
 " You think, then, that either one of them 
 would be a match for me?" inquired Walter, 
 smiling. , 
 
 Well, I think Ben would. He is a little
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 277 
 
 taller than you and must weigh at least fifteen 
 to twenty pounds more." 
 
 " I think he does," responded Walter, 
 quietly, " but it isn't always height or weight 
 that tells." 
 
 " No, but they count." 
 
 " True ; has Ben ever taken lessons in box 
 ing? " 
 
 " No, he doesn't know anything about it." 
 
 Walter looked well pleased. 
 
 " But," continued the janitor, " he's got a 
 powerful grip, and he's 1 a mighty good wres 
 tler." 
 
 " Of course that is in his favor. I don't 
 care to fight with him." 
 
 " No, it might be imprudent." 
 
 " But I am not in the least afraid of it. I 
 am not heavy for my height, but I am wiry, 
 and I have had training." 
 
 " I hope you'll come out all right, Mr. Sher 
 wood. If there's a scrimmage I should like 
 to help you." 
 
 " I hope I shall not need assistance." 
 
 But Mr. Locke shook his head as Walter 
 left him. " He'll have a hard row to hoe," he 
 said.
 
 278 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 BEN IS SUBDUED. 
 
 BEN BUFFUM was biding his time. He had 
 measured the young teacher with his eye, and 
 had made up his mind that physically he was 
 himself the better man. He could triumph 
 over him at any time, and need not feel in a 
 hurry. Indeed, ten days had passed before 
 he decided to bring on the crisis. 
 
 In the seat in front of Ben sat Albert Frost, 
 a much smaller boy. He was a pleasant, good- 
 natured fellow, and a general favorite. Per 
 haps on this account he was subject to con 
 siderable teasing, generally friendly. But 
 Ben, who was of a cruel disposition, had gone 
 beyond the bounds, and seriously troubled the 
 younger boy. 
 
 One day, toward the close of the afternoon, 
 while the class in algebra was reciting, a loud 
 shriek was heard, proceeding from the neigh 
 borhood of Ben Buffum's desk. 
 
 Walter looked up suddenly and saw Albert 
 in tears, pressing his hand on the calf of his 
 leg. 
 
 " What is the matter, Albert? " asked Wal 
 ter.
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 279 
 
 " Ben Buffum stuck a pin in my leg," an 
 swered the boy. 
 
 " Is that true, Burfum ? " demanded Wal 
 ter sternly. 
 
 Ben Buffum was leaning back in his seat 
 with a defiant look on his face. 
 
 u Yes, it is," answered Ben, with provoking 
 calmness. 
 
 Walter's temper was stirred by the contemp 
 tuous demeanor of his scholar, but he re 
 strained himself, and asked in his ordinary 
 tones: " Why did you do it? '' 
 
 " Because I chose," answered Ben, looking 
 W T alter in the eye and enjoying the situation. 
 
 " Then," said Walter, giving full vent to 
 his scorn, " you are a contemptible coward 
 and brute! " 
 
 Ben Buffum had never been addressed in 
 this style, and his face flushed. He half rose 
 from his seat and growled : 
 
 '' Why am I a coward, I sh'd like to know? " 
 
 " Because you have played a cruel trick on 
 a boy much younger and smaller than your 
 self. But you forgot one thing." 
 
 " What did I forget? " growled Ben, who 
 was the more angry because he saw that his 
 schoolmates, with the exception of Enoch 
 Snow, sided with the teacher. 
 
 " You forget that in this schoolroom I ain
 
 280 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 the master, and consider it my duty to defend 
 my pupils, even the smallest, from the violence 
 of brutes." 
 
 Ben was rather astonished at being talked 
 to in this style. It looked as if the teacher 
 was 1 not afraid of him. 
 
 " He'll have to pay for this," he muttered to 
 himself. " I can lick you, Walter ! " he said, 
 with an insolent leer. 
 
 " I presume it is because you think so that 
 you have been guilty of insubordination." 
 
 "What are you goin' to do about it?" de 
 manded Ben defiantly. 
 
 " I propose to punish you for your misbe 
 havior," answered Walter coolly. 
 
 " You can't do it ! " 
 
 He had hardly got the words out of his 
 mouth when Walter was upon him. He was 
 wonderfully quick in his movements, whereas 
 Ben, though powerful, was slow, and before 
 he well knew what was going to happen he 
 was dragged by the collar from his seat into 
 the middle of the floor. Walter let go for a 
 minute and Ben, mad all over, prepared to 
 grasp him in a bearlike hug. A stinging blow 
 in the face convinced him that he had entirely 
 underrated the powers' of the teacher. He 
 tried to return the blow, but, unable to defend 
 himself, found his own blow parried, and an-
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 281 
 
 other planted in his chest, causing him to stag 
 ger. Then Ben lost all caution and with a 
 furious cry rushed upon Walter, in the hope 
 of throwing him down by wrestling. But in 
 stead he found himself lying on his back on 
 the floor, looking up at the teacher. 
 
 Throughout Walter had been cool and col 
 lected, and was so still. When he saw Ben 
 was down he drew back and said, " You can 
 get up and try again if you want to." 
 
 Ben got up slowly and " pitched in " once 
 more, but in about a minute he found him 
 self again in a recumbent position. This time 
 his head struck the floor rather hard, and he 
 felt dazed. 
 
 " Have you had enough ? " asked Walter. 
 
 " I hit my head," answered Ben, in a sulky 
 tone. 
 
 " I hope you are not seriously hurt," said 
 Walter quietty. " If you would like to be dis 
 missed now, you may go. I shall be glad to 
 see you back here to-morrow.'' 
 
 Without a word, but looking intensely mor 
 tified, Ben took his hat and slunk out of the 
 room, leaving his schoolmates overwhelmed 
 with astonishment at his sudden and appar 
 ently easy discomfiture. 
 
 When he had gone Walter said, " Scholars, 
 I want to ask of you a favor. Ben is mortified
 
 282 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 by what has happened. I wish you would all 
 abstain from reminding him of it. In that 
 case the lesson he has received may do him 
 good." 
 
 This speech made a favorable impression 
 on the school. The pupils saw that Walter, 
 though he had achieved a notable victory, had 
 no disposition to triumph over his opponent. 
 
 " It's lucky it wasn't I," thought Enoch, who 
 devoted himself to his studies with unusual 
 assiduity for the remainder of the day, and 
 seemed as meek and submissive as if he had 
 been half-a-dozen years younger. 
 
 The next day Ben Buffum stayed at home, 
 and did not show himself on the street till 
 evening. When he found that no one spoke to 
 him of the affair he took courage to go to 
 school the day after. Walter overtook him on 
 the way and hailed him in a friendly manner 
 w ; th: 
 
 " Good morning, Ben ! " 
 
 " Morning," answered Ben sheepishly. 
 
 " We will forget all about that little affair 
 day before yesterday, Ben. You are pretty 
 strong." 
 
 " I couldn't do nothin' against you." 
 
 " No, because I have taken lessons in box 
 ing. If I had let you get hold of me I shouldn't 
 have got off so easy."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 283 
 
 " I'd like to box." 
 
 " I will teach you on one condition." 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 " That you won't bully any smaller boys. 
 It was mean to hurt Albert Frost, you must, 
 admit." 
 
 " I didn't mean to hurt him so much," said 
 Ben apologetically. 
 
 " I am glad to hear it. If you'll come round 
 and see me this evening, Ben, I'll give you the 
 first lesson." 
 
 " All right ! I'll come," said Ben eagerly. 
 
 " And, Ben," added Walter, smiling, " I 
 don't mind your calling me Walter out of 
 school, but in school I should rather you 
 wouldn't." 
 
 The scholars were very much surprised to 
 see Ben and the teacher walking to school to 
 gether, evidently on the most friendly terms, 
 and they were further surprised later on at 
 the w r onderful change for the better that took 
 place in the once rebellious pupil. 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 MRS. DEBORAH SIMPKINS, a near neighbor of 
 Doctor Mack, was an ill-natured gossip, and
 
 284 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 had always disliked Walter because he once in 
 terfered to prevent a boy of hers from abusing 
 a young companion. One day about two 
 months later she put on her bonnet and with 
 a smile of malicious satisfaction walked over 
 to the doctor's house. 
 
 " How do you do, Mrs. Sprague? " she said. 
 " I thought I'd run over and have a chat with 
 you." 
 
 " Come in, Mrs. Simpkins," said Nancy 
 civilly, but not cordially, for she did not like 
 her visitor. 
 
 " I've got something unpleasant to tell you," 
 went on the widow as she sat down in a 
 rocker. ." I'm aw r ful sorry." 
 
 " Are you? " said Nancy dryly. " What's it 
 all about?" 
 
 " I got a letter from my niece Sophrony, out 
 in Iowa, yesterday, and she sent me a cuttin' 
 from an old paper. It's somethin' awful ! " 
 
 "Is it?" 
 
 " Yes, and it's about Walter Sherwood ! " 
 continued Mrs. Simpkins triumphantly. 
 
 " He hasn't met with an accident, has he? " 
 inquired Nancy, turning pale. 
 
 " It's wuss than that ! " answered the widow, 
 nodding her head ominously. 
 
 " Worse than an accident? " 
 
 " Yes ; leastways I call it so."
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 285 
 
 " Let me hear it then, Mrs. Simpkins." 
 " Here 'tis ; you can read it for yourself." 
 This was the paragraph : 
 
 " A young man named Walter Sherwood 
 was arrested yesterday charged with stea-ing 
 a valuable mare belonging to Colonel Richard 
 Owen. We understand his trial is to take 
 place this morning." 
 
 "When is the paper dated?" asked Nancy, 
 who did not appear so much overcome as her 
 visitor expected. 
 
 " Over two months since. Walter Sherwood 
 is probably in jail now. I feel for you and the 
 doctor," said Mrs. Simpkins, in a tone far 
 from sympathetic, fixing her beadlike eyes 1 on 
 the housekeeper. 
 
 " That's very good of you, but as we got a 
 letter from Walter yesterday there ain't no 
 call to be troubled." 
 
 " Did he write from the jail? " 
 
 " Don't be a fool, Mrs. Simpkins ! lie wrote 
 from the town of Shelby, where he has born 
 teaching a classical school, and he inclosed the 
 program of the exhibition. Perhaps you 
 would like to look at it." 
 
 Mrs. Simpkins took the paper and looked
 
 286 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 intensely disappointed as she saw that Nancy 
 Lad only told the truth. 
 
 " He teach school ! A boy like him ! " she 
 ejaculated. 
 
 " Yes, Mrs. Simpkins, and it's been a great 
 success. They want him to go back next year, 
 but the doctor prefers to have him finish out 
 his college course. We're expecting him home 
 every day." 
 
 There was a noise heard as of the front door 
 opening, and a moment later Walter was in 
 the room. 
 
 " Oh, Walter ! " exclaimed Nancy, over 
 joyed, in her excitement throwing her arms 
 around his neck. " I'm so glad to see you ! " 
 
 " And I am glad to see you, Nancy. How's 
 my guardian? " 
 
 " He's well, and will be home soon." 
 
 " Good afternoon, Mrs 1 . Simpkins," said 
 Walter politely. 
 
 " Mrs. Simpkins has just been telling me 
 that you were in jail for horse-stealing," said 
 Nancy. " She is much pleased to find it all a 
 mistake." 
 
 Walter laughed. 
 
 " I am still more pleased," he remarked. " I 
 find school-teaching much pleasanter." 
 
 " I guess I must be goin'," said Mrs. Simp- 
 kins hurriedly,
 
 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 287 
 
 When Doctor Mack returned he welcomed 
 Walter with a joy not inferior to that of his 
 housekeeper. 
 
 " And so you have succeeded? " he said. 
 
 "Yes; the trustees of the Shelby Classical 
 School want me to come back, as my prede 
 cessor has accepted a position in New York. 
 But I think I had better return to college and 
 finish out my course. I have a thousand dol 
 lars saved up, and a little more, and I think 
 with economy I can pay my own way for the 
 remainder of the course." 
 
 " It won't be necessary, Walter." 
 
 " But, as my property is lost " 
 
 " You must forgive me, Walter, for deceiv 
 ing you, but you have just as much property 
 as ever indeed more, as you only drew one 
 hundred dollars in the past year.'' 
 
 k< But, doctor, why, then, did you lead me 
 to think otherwise? " 
 
 " It wasn't altogether a falsehood. About 
 a hundred dollars had been lost in an invest 
 ment, and I made that a pretext for withdraw 
 ing you from college. I saw that you were 
 wasting your time and acquiring expensive 
 habits, so I thought the best remedy would be 
 a year of active life, in which you would be 
 thrown upon your own resources." 
 
 " You are right, doctor. It has made a man
 
 288 Walter Sherwood's Probation. 
 
 of me. I shall go back to old Euclid and work 
 in earnest. I have been a teacher myself, and 
 I understand what a teacher has a right to ex 
 pect from his pupils." 
 
 " Then my experiment has been a success 1 , 
 and your year of probation has done you 
 good." 
 
 " I hope to prove it to you, my dear guar 
 dian." 
 
 Walter returned to college, and two years 
 later graduated, valedictorian of his class. 
 The money he had earned in his year of proba 
 tion he devoted to helping the needy members 
 of his class to obtain an education. Gates 
 alone received three hundred dollars, and it 
 saved the poor fellow from leaving college a 
 year before graduation. Walter intends to 
 study law, and it is predicted that he will win 
 success at the bar. For whatever success he 
 may achieve, he will ,be inclined to give the 
 credit to his year of probation. 
 
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 LOS ANGELES
 
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