Bernard Brooks' Adventures: The Experience of a Plucky Boy

When Bernard was drawing his handkerchief out of his side pocket after supper, he twitched out the card, which fell to the floor.

Mr. McCracken’s sharp eye detected it.

“What is that?” he asked.

“A card.”

“Of course. What name is on it?”

“Alvin Franklin.”

“Who is he? Is it a man you know?”

“Yes, sir. It is an acquaintance of my father.”

“When did you see him?”

“To-day, at the St. Nicholas Hotel.”

“Did he talk to you about your father?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did he say, and how did he happen to know him?”

Bernard answered this question, but did not think it necessary to speak of the money which his father was said to have left.

Mr. McCracken made no comment, but did not seem pleased. When Bernard went up to bed, he said to himself, “I must get the boy out of the city. This man may tell him too much.”

CHAPTER XIII. PROFESSOR PUFFER

Three days later Mr. McCracken said to Bernard at the breakfast table: “Well, I have secured a position for you.”

“Indeed, sir, what is it?” inquired Bernard, with interest. “Is it in the city?”

“No; did you particularly wish to live in the city?”

“No, sir; as long as the position is a good one, and is likely to lead to something, I am not particular.”

“You are a sensible boy. Let me say, then, that my friend Professor Puffer – Ezra Puffer – perhaps you have heard of him – requires a boy of fair education as secretary and literary assistant. Though he has never seen you, he will take you on my recommendation.”

“But, sir,” said Bernard, considerably amazed, “am I qualified to be literary assistant to a professor?”

“As to that, I don’t think anything will be required beyond the ability of a fair scholar. You have a fair education, I take it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You know a little Latin and French, eh?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And write a good hand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I have no doubt you will suit my friend Puffer.”

“Of what is he professor?”

“I can’t tell you exactly, but I believe he is interested in antiquities. By the way, he is going to Europe. I suppose you won’t object to going with him.”

“No; I shall like it,” said Bernard, in a tone of satisfaction.

“I thought you would. How soon can you be ready?”

“Whenever you wish.”

“Professor Puffer will sail to-morrow in a packet ship, and I have promised to take you on board. He is so busy making preparations that he cannot call here.”

“I should like to make his acquaintance before I start.”

“Why?” asked Mr. McCracken sharply. “Can’t you accept him on my recommendation?”

“I hope he isn’t like Mr. Snowdon.”

“You will find him to be a gentleman. Is that satisfactory?”

“Oh, yes, sir. Don’t imagine I want to make trouble. Only I had a little curiosity in regard to him; that is all. Have you any idea how I shall be employed?”

“Well, to tell the truth, I can’t give you much idea. Your labors will be light, and you will have a chance to see the world. Upon my word, young man, you are very fortunate. If at your age I had such an opportunity I should have been delighted. If, however, you would prefer to go back to the care of Mr. Snowdon, I won’t object to gratifying you.”

“Oh, no; I am quite satisfied,” said Bernard hastily. “I shall certainly prefer Professor Puffer. What is his appearance?”

“I should say that he was about my age. He has but one eye, the other having been destroyed by an accident when he was a young man. I think the other eye is weak, and it is probably for this reason that he requires a secretary.”

“Very likely, sir.”

“You can pack your valise to-day, and to-morrow morning I will take you to the vessel.”

Mr. Stackpole had left the city, and Bernard did not have an opportunity of seeing his father’s old friend Alvin Franklin, so that he was unable to inform either of his departure for Europe. He was sorry for this, as he looked upon both as friends, and would have liked to have had their good wishes.

Somehow he never looked upon his guardian as a friend. The information he had received from Mr. Franklin, moreover, had excited in his mind a suspicion as to Mr. McCracken’s honesty.

However, he was to have an opportunity of supporting himself. Mr. McCracken had told him that Professor Puffer would pay him twenty-five dollars a month, besides his board and traveling expenses, and this he rightly considered as an unusual salary for a boy of his age.

About nine o’clock the next morning he started with Mr. McCracken for the ship Vesta. It lay at a North River pier, and half an hour or less brought them to it. It was a ship of fair size, but as Bernard knew very little about ships of any kind – he had never been on one – he was not in a condition to judge on this point.

They boarded the ship, and Mr. McCracken addressed the second mate, whom he knew slightly.