The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-26

fathers footsteps if you go into business in my country. What are your plans 2'
 Theodore hesitated, as if ashamed to confess tbat he was going into the humble occupation of fruit-farmer. "We are
 going to California" he said at length, and in an evasive tone.
 Californiar exclaimed the American.
 Then, young man, you mnst be ready
 for anything and everything. We are
 pretty wide awake in New York; but we
 @re asleep compared with those fellows
 on the Pacific slope. Everybody specu-
 lates there. Do you speculate ?"
 Well, that is just what would like to
 do," cried my brother enthusiastically :; but have had no chance, so far. l
 want to become rich by few masterly operations, not by plodding and saving.
 want my mother and sisters to live like elegant ladies; and my brother to be a wealthy amateur barrister, for the poor fellow has not strength to follow his pro- fession as means of winning liveli- hood. He will be lost in a California orchard"
 |" like your style, young man." said the American, with what l thought a tone of forced admiration. "You will prosper among us. Plodding, as you English call snoring at business, has no chance in our country. We are wide awake, afraid ot nothing, ready to make causeway with the Rocky mountains across the Atlantic, and run railway over it at hundred miles an hour. tell you when our will-power gets started, we stop al nothing. But we will talk more comfortably in the smoke room, and 1 want cigar. Will you join me ?"
 With all my heart," cried Theodore. " You seem to know everything, and am sure will be fgreat advantage to me-"
 fl can put you in for a good thing, shall have much pleasure in doing it. know several people in California"
 Thanks, my dear sir; let us go into the smoke-room and Theodore seized the arm of the American as if he had known him from childhood.
 The conversation had overheard dis turbed newly, could not say. Ii Theodore was making useful friend, he was already doing that for which we had left England. Fortune was our object. The sooner that was attained, the sooner joy would return to our desolated home What harm could happen to Theodore by associating with man of wealth, in. fuence and extensive knowledge2 Sup. pose the ingenious boy told more of our private affairs than was desirable to casual acquaintance, what harm could arise! Frank, con6ding, enthusiastic as he was, those qualities could do us no injury if unduly indulged. At most, our poverty and our plans would be revealed to stranger. He might despise us, as the rich often do the unfortunate; or he might prove to be a powerful friend. Thinking my English shyness and reserve must be the cause of my dislike to the in- :imacy springing up between my brother and the stranger, strove to demonstrate with myself. But could not banish the feeling of vague alarm that beset me each time that passed the smoke-room, on my weary promenade round the deck. l was alone again; the night was cloudy, and drifting showers came on at intervals.
 At eight o'clock had SO fatiguei my self that l could walk no longer, and as felt better than had done since leaving the saloon, determined to get into bed without delay. therefore went into the smoke-room to tell Theodore was going below. found him in the center of a group of lively people, telling a humor- ous story, his blue eyes blazing with ex- ciiement, his golden curls gleamlng in the smoky air, as if radiant with a nimbus A glass of steaming brandy was beside him, and he had the appearance of having drunk freely. Now, he was not intem- perate. and never had seen him under the influence of drink; his looks and de- therefore alarmed me. 1 called him aside.
 Don't go to bed yet, Charley" he pleaded. "Come and enjoy yourself with us for half an honr, and then we will go | together. You cannot imagine what lot of nice fellows are with us gentlemen | ot first-rate positions, and who have seen | such wonderful things all over the world. | Do stay, Charley"
 The smoke began to make me i'll. l | backed to the door, saying: "I cannot stand this place, Theodore. Come to | bed soon, and do not take any more drink. Are you forgetting yourself2"
 "Don't be alarmed, old boy" he re- turned with a saucy laugh ;" am merely taking glass of grog for the propitiation of Neptune. If you would only do like wise, you would feel as jolly as do Upon my life, Charley, never was SO comfortable before. be- lieve Pm born sailor; and if we don't make our pile in California, I'll take to he sea. My mind is made up, anyhow I'll never fall back into our English hum drum. Why, my dear lad, if yoa heard these gentlemen's conversation about poor old Britain, you'd be frightened That country's going down hill, because we don't speculate and invent and drive along as the Americans do. Afer all, I believe it was real good thing that poor old father did make a mess of it. We've been forced cut of the old ruts, my boy, and l'n bet you what you like that in five years we shall be millionsires, not in dol. ars, Charley-no, in pounds sterling Oh, trust me, am picking up lot of mo- 'lons, and I'll make your fortune as well as my own. But go to bed, old fellow;