People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-07-20
THE MERCHANT'S CRIME,
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.
CHAPTER X-COyTryrFn

o'uuIOo' Iulnh little change and
variation will do you good. For this
reason intend to let you 90 on a
Journey not only to Niagara, but
still farther vest
You are very kind, Mr.. Norton
said Robert; "but," he added with
momentary hesitation, "would it be
quite right for me to 90 on pleas
ure excursion so soon after the death
OF my poor father?'
Your father would, am sure an.
prove it," said his guardian. BE.
cause your mind is diverted by pleas
ant scenery, it will not follow that
you have forgotten your father"
"No, shall never forget him as
long as live"
80 You see there is no objection
on that score"
Are you going with me, Mr.. Nor
tom" asked Robert, suddenly.
"No, | am unable to leave my bus
mess for so long"
"Am | going alOne?"
"No; you are too young for that.
have a friend" Mr.. Morton was
about to say; but after a pause he
said, acquaintance, who is to start
at once on a trip to the West, and |
shall place you under his charge"
WHO is it, slr:?"
"a young man named Cromwell -
chow soon are we TO starton
"Probably in day or two. You
can look over your wardrobe and see
II you need any new clothes, and can
get them before you leave New
York;
ayes. sir"
Robert left his guardians presence
IN better spirits than he had entered.
The prospect of a journey was very
agreeable, for he had all boys love
OF new scenes, and it added to his
pleasure, though he hardly admitted
1t to himself, that his guardian was
not about to accompany him. He
hardly knew why it was, but, al.
though he had been told that Mr..
Morton was his fathers intimate
friend, and had no reason TO doubt
the truth OF this statement, he found
it impossible to like him. Shortly
after Robert left the presence OF his
guardian, James Cromwell was once
more ushered into it He was no
longer the thread-bare clerk, but
had provided himself with new suit
OF clothes, which looked, indeed. bet.
ter than his former array; but no
clothing, however costly. could
change the appearance of his mean
and Insignificant features, and give
him the ar OF gentleman.
81 have waited upon you early,
Mr.. Morton, he said.
Not too early answered the
merchant. Indeed, may say that
l am anxious to complete our ar
engagements and put the boy under
your care as soon as possible. The
fact is, that with my business cares
the additional burden of ward is
not welcome. If it had not been the
son OF my intimate friend, | might
have declined the trust; but under
the circumstances did not think |
ought to do So"
"Does he know that he is going
with me-" inquired Cromwell.
al have just had an interview
with him. He has been at board
ing school on the Hudson river, and
he supposed ne was going back.
When | told him had another plan
Tor him he was atfirst disappointed. "
did you tell him what that plan
was?"
Not precisely. | showed him
some views of Niagara falls, and
asked him if he would like to visit
the cataract He said that he would.
then said that previous to his going
back to school intended to let him
o have a little journey-vislting the
falls and going as far as Indiana He
was pleased with this prospect"
docs he know he is going with
me2"
81 mentioned that l had asked an
acquaintance of mine to take charge
OF him. | shall introduce you as
that acquaintance
You intend, then. Mr.. Morton.
that we shall take Niagara falls on
the way?' said James Cromwell.
Yes; | think it will be pleasant
arrangement for you, no doubt, If
you have never seen the falls"
No, have never seen them
land besides, it will make the
journey seem more plausible to
Robert He need not know until YOU
get to your journeys end that be is
not coming back"
''How shall it be communicated to
hlm?"
Il think will give you letter to
him which you can let him read
when the proper time comes =
when do you wish me to start?n
LAS soon as possible-day after
tomorrow. You can be ready, can
you not?"
Il can be ready at any time. l
have rnru few arrannoman+c "a