Bernard Brooks' Adventures: The Experience of a Plucky Boy

“Yes, I remember now that your father told me he had saved a few thousand dollars, and put it into Mr. McCracken’s hands to invest for him.”

“Are you sure of this?” asked Bernard, in surprise.

“Yes. The name is a peculiar one, and I remember it for that reason.”

“Then there was some property – at one time.”

“Yes; I am not mistaken about that.”

“It is singular that Mr. McCracken has never told me anything about it.”

“Yes,” answered the old gentleman slowly. “It is singular. Does he say that your father left nothing?”

“No. He says that he left a trifle, but that it was soon exhausted, and that he had since paid my expenses out of his own pocket.”

“The money which your father put into his hands was no trifle. The interest alone would have paid a boy’s expenses. Are you at Mr. McCracken’s house?”

“Yes, sir; but I only went there yesterday. He put me at a boarding-school in the country, and I ran away.”

“You don’t look like a boy who would run away from school.”

“I shouldn’t if I had not had good cause.”

“Suppose you tell me why you did it.”

Bernard, upon this, told the story already familiar to the reader.

“Do you blame me for leaving Mr. Snowdon?” he asked, at the conclusion of his tale.

“No, I do not. By George, I would have done the same if I had been in your place. Does Mr. McCracken want you to go back?”

“No; he is going to find a place for me.”

“If I were in business I would give you a position in a minute. I am sure that your father’s son would suit me.”

“Thank you, sir. Are you still traveling?”

“No. Four years since an old uncle died and left me a good sum of money, so that I have since been able to live at ease without working. I am not an old man, still I am fully ten years older than your father would have been, and it is pleasant to think I can do as I please.”

“I don’t care to retire just yet,” said Bernard, smiling.

“I should hope not. Even if you were able to live without work, I would not give much for a boy who would be willing to do so.”

“Next!” announced one of the barbers.

“It is my turn, I believe,” said the old gentleman.

“Can you meet me to-morrow at eleven o’clock at the St. Nicholas Hotel?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I may have more to say to you about your affairs. On your father’s account, I take a great interest in you. By the way, don’t say anything to Mr. McCracken about meeting a friend of your father’s.”

“No, sir, I will not.”

The next day Bernard kept his appointment. He had been in the hotel – now torn down – but five minutes, when his acquaintance of the day before made his appearance.

“By the way,” said he, “I forgot to tell you my name.”

“I thought of that after we parted,” said Bernard.

“It is Alvin Franklin. There is a tradition in our family that we are related to Benjamin Franklin. I can’t certify to it, but I hope it is true. Here is my card.”.

“Thank you, sir. I should have remembered it without a card, but I will keep it.”

“Referring to my conversation with you yesterday, I have made some inquiries of my business acquaintances.”

“What did you learn, sir?”

“That his reputation is not of the best. He is not a man who is above suspicion, but he takes care to keep within the law. In fact, as far as I can learn, he is a tricky man.”

“I hope that will never be said of me, Mr. Franklin.”

“It could never be said of your father. He was as straight and honorable a man as ever lived.”

“I am proud to hear you say so,” said Bernard, flushing with pleasure.

“I may be a little hasty, but I can’t help feeling that in some way Mr. McCracken has wronged you.”

“In what way, sir?”

“I think he has not accounted to you for property your father placed in his hands.”

“The same thought came into my mind, Mr. Franklin, but I did not wish to suspect my guardian, with nothing to go upon.”

“He seems to be just the man to cheat an orphan. A man who is dishonest in one way is likely to be dishonest in another.”

“Even if it is so, I suppose I have no way of proving it.”

“Probably not. If there were any proofs of the trust reposed by your father, Mr. McCracken would be likely to destroy them. I will think over the matter, and if I can hit upon any course that would benefit you I will let you know.”

Bernard and his new friend talked further of his father. It was a delight to the boy to meet some one who had known the parents of whom he could scarcely remember anything. All that Mr. Franklin had to say of the elder Brooks redounded to his credit, and this was naturally gratifying to his son.

When they parted, Bernard asked, “Shall I mention to Mr. McCracken meeting you?”

“I think not – at present.”

But chance ordered otherwise…