Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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βYes, sir.β
βWill you describe Mr. Locke to me?β asked the young man, who appeared to be laboring under some excitement.
Walter was rather surprised at such a request, but complied with it.
βYes, he's the man,β said his visitor, slapping his hands together impetuously. βHe's the man that cheated me out of fifty dollars!β
βYou must be mistaken,β said Walter. βHow did he cheat you out of it?β
βOne momentβare you his confidential clerk?β
βYes.β
βI thought so,β returned the young man, laughing wildly. βSo was I.β
βYou were his clerk?β
βYes, for two weeks. I paid him fifty dollars good money as security.β
βYou did?β repeated Walter, with some anxiety.
βYes; at the end of two weeks he told me I would not suit.β
βBut he paid you your wages and returned you your money?β
βNo, he didn't!β exploded the young man. βHe told me to come round on Monday morning and he would pay me.β
βWell?β
βI called Monday, and he was gone! He had moved, the scoundrel! I should like to choke him!β
βWas it this office?β
βNo. Let me see that book! Ah, it is the same that I kept. Have you, too, given him money?β
βI deposited thirty dollars.β
βAh, it is the same old game! You will never see a cent of it again.β
βBut,β said Walter, βI don't understand. He is doing a good business. I have had calls from two of his agents. One of them handed me this check,β and he drew out the check Mr. Damon had given him.
The young man took it and laughed bitterly.
βI don't believe there is any such bank,β he said. βI never heard of it.β
βThen why should the agent hand me the check?β
βTo pull wool over your eyes. These agents are in league with this man Locke. That wasn't his name when he engaged me.β
βWhat was it then?β
βHe called himself Libby. Libby & Richmond, that was the name of the firm.β
βWhat made you think he might have changed his name?β
βBecause the advertisement reads the same.β
βAnd you really think it is the same man?β
βYes, I feel sure of it.β
βHe will be back at one o'clock. If you will wait till then you can see for yourself.β
βI'll wait!β said the young man, grinding his teeth. βI will confront the swindler face to face. I will demand my money.β
The door opened and some one put in his head, but before Walter or his visitor could see who it was it closed again.
Fifteen minutes later a telegraph boy entered the office.
CHAPTER XVIII WALTER IS TURNED ADRIFT
βMr. Sherwood?β said the telegraph messenger inquiringly.
βThat is my name,β answered Walter.
βA message for you.β
Walter opened the note, and read as follows:
βI 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.β
βWhat is it?β asked the young man eagerly.
Walter showed him the note.
βIt looks to me like some trick,β said the stranger.
βBut I don't see any object in it.β
βHe has your thirty dollars.β
βAnd I have a check for over two hundred.β
βI would rather have the thirty dollars. What shall you do?β
βThere is nothing to do but follow directions.β
The young man shrugged his shoulders.
βThen you will come round to-morrow morning?β he said.
βCertainly.β
βI'll look in upon you. I want to see this Mr. Locke, though I doubt if that is his name.β
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 during 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 decided not to say anything just yet about his engagement, lest it might turn out to be deceptive. Had he been quite sure that it was substantial 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.
βPlease give me the key to Locke & Green's office,β he said to the janitor.
βMr. Locke's given up the room,β was the startling reply.
Walter was dismayed.
βGiven up the room! Have you seen him?β he inquired.
βYes.β
βWhen?β
βHe 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.
β'I have taken another office,' he said. 'This is not large enough for me.'
β'Have you told your clerk?' I asked him.
β'Yes, I have sent a message to him,' he replied carelessly.β
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
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