CHAPTER XI

BROUGHT TO TRIAL

"By jinks! we'll have to be on our good behavior," observed Tom, after he had read his father's letter.

"That's so," responded Sam. "Father means to have us study, or else we must stay here during the spring term."

As anticipated, Alexander Pop reached Cedarville Tuesday afternoon. He came first to Putnam Hall, and was warmly received both by the Rover boys and by the others who knew him as an old hand around the Hall.

"Glad you have come, Aleck!" cried Tom. "I declare it looks as if you belonged here."

"Yes, sah, an' I dun feel like I belong heah, too, Massah Tom," answered the colored man.

"Remember the sport we used to have?" put in Sam.

"'Deed I does, Massah Sam--an' de tricks youse lads used to play on dis yeah coon," and Aleck smiled broadly.

Captain Putnam also came forward to greet Pop. There had been a time when the captain had suspected Pop of stealing, and the colored man had run away in preference to being sent to jail, but now it was known by all that the faithful negro was innocent, and the master, of the Hall was sorry that he had ever accused the man.

"Pop, I miss you a good deal," he said kindly.

"If ever you are out of work again, come to me and I will let you stay here as long as you please."

"T'ank you, Cap'n Putnam, I'll remember dat. But I dun lub de Robers, ain't no use ter talk, an' so long as da wants me to stay by 'em, why dat's whar you will find Aleck Pop, yes, sah!" And he bobbed his head to emphasize his words. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who came to Cedarville?
2. What day was it?
3. Who thought that Pop was a thief in the past?
4. What did he do in response?
5. Was Pop a black man?
6. Did he end up being guilty?
7. Who said he missed Pop a lot?
8. Whose letter did Tom read?
9. What are the names of the Rover boys?
10. What did Tom say when he saw Pop?
11. And what did Sam say?
12. What did the Captain say to Pop about if he was out of work?
13. Did Pop take him up on it?
14. Who used to play tricks on Pop?
15. What did Pop think would happen if he didn't run away?
16. Who was considered faithful?
17. What did Tom say they would have to do about their behavior?
18. What did the dad want them to do or stay during the spring term?
19. Where did Alexander Pop go first in Cedarville?
20. And how was he received?
Answer: 1. Alexander Pop
2. Tuesday
3. Captain Putnam
4. Run away
5. Yes.
6. No.
7. Captain Putnam
8. His father's
9. Tom and Sam.
10. "Glad you have come, Aleck." "I declare it looks as if you belonged here."
11. "Remember the sport we used to have?"
12. "...come to me and I will let you stay here as long as you please."
13. No.
14. Sam and Tom.
15. He would go to jail.
16. Alexander Pop
17. Be on their good behavior.
18. Study or stay there during spring term.
19. Putnam Hall
20. Warmly

I had my first job at a local diner called the Buttercup Bakery when I was 22. I worked there for seven years and learned so many lessons, especially from a fellow waitress Helen who had incredible self-respect and did what she loved--serving people. She made everyone smile and feel good, customers and co-workers alike.

Being a waitress changed my life. One of my regular customers was Fred Hasbrook, an electronics salesman. Thanks to the newfound confidence I picked up from Helen, I dreamed of having my own restaurant. But when I called my parents to ask for a loan, they said, "We just don't have the money."

The next day, I shared my dream with him and said, "Fred, I know I can do more if somebody would just have faith in me."

He walked over to some of the other diner regulars and the next day handed me checks totaling $50,000--along with a note that I have to this day. It reads, "The only collateral on this loan is my trust in your honesty as a person. Good people with a dream should have the opportunity to make that dream come true."

I took the checks to Merrill Lynch--the first time I had ever entered a brokerage house--where the money was invested for me. I continued working at the Buttercup, making plans for the restaurant I would open. My investments soured, though, and I lost the money.

After great deliberation I decided to apply for a job at Merrill Lynch. Even though I had no experience, I was hired and ended up becoming a pretty good broker. Eventually I paid back Fred and my customers the $50,000, plus 14-percent annual interest. Five years later, I was able to open my own firm.

I got a thank-you note from Fred, which will be imprinted on my head forever. He had been sick and wrote that my check had helped cover his mounting medical bills. His letter read, "That loan may have been one of the best investments that I will ever make." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Where does the narrator work?
2. How old was she when she worked there?
3. Who helped her become a good person and a positive person?
4. Name one of their regular customer?
5. Did he support her in her dream?
6. What about her parents?
7. What was the amount check that he handed her?
8. Who invested the money for her?
9. Did she get more money or she lost?
10. Was Fred happy of her accomplishments at the end?
11. Where did she work then?
12. How much interest did she pay back to Fred?
Answer:
1. Buttercup Bakery
2. 22
3. Helen
4. Fred Hasbrook
5. Yes
6. No
7. $50,000
8. Merrill Lynch
9. She lost it
10. Yes
11. Merrill Lynch
12. 14-percent annual interest