Part 4 (2/2)
It was a fine place on the Back Bay, and it was nightfall by the ti-hall by a servant, who immediately went off to notify her -roo, and one of the voices sounded strangely familiar to Earl ”Hark, Randy,” he whispered ”Isn't that Squire Dobson speaking?”
”It is!” ejaculated Randy ”We are saved at last!”
Mrs Gordon cauest The boys'an excuse for calling at the meal hour He mentioned Squire Dobson, and that individual was called from the table
”Well, well!” exclaimed the squire of Basco, a short, stout, and rather jolly type of a country official ”I didn't expect to see you in Boston, although I heard yesterday that you were bound for Alaska or some such place Mrs Gordon, these are Daniel Portney's boys,--you must remember Daniel Portney,--the one who lost his life in that dreadful forest fire up our way soave both lads a waret down to business, and then the matter of identification was left to Squire Dobson, who said he would see the, as soon as the Bartwell & Stone offices were open
”I don't know them,” he said, ”but I know some bankers on the same block, and we can introduce each other”
Mrs Gordon was glad enough to see some folks from the district which had once been her home, and asked the brothers to partake of dinner with the squire and her fairls After some hesitation, the invitation was accepted, and two hours were spent at thethe course of this time it was learned by Earl and Randy that Squire Dobson had coo-lucky lad, who had run away from home, as previously mentioned
The squire had heard from a friend that Fred had been seen near the docks in Boston, but he had been unable so far to locate the ard youth
”I' ocean trip,”
said the squire to Earl ”He's a foolish boy and is causing me no end of trouble If you ever run across hio,” answered Earl; but neither he nor Randy ever drea Fred Dobson where they did
The visit over, the brothers left, to hunt up soht This was an easy matter, and at ten o'clock they retired A sound sleep, however, was out of the question, for both were anxious concerning the outcos with Bartwell & Stone
Promptly at the hour appointed they met the squire at the office of the brokers and bankers Another banker, well known to both Squire Dobson and to Mr Stone, was introduced all around, and thus Randy and Earl's identification was established beyond a doubt This accomplished, Earl received three hundred dollars in cash, for which he and Randy signed a receipt; and the transaction was over
Just outside of the office, the boys separated fro their way to the depot of the New York & New England Railroad
”I don't knohat route is best to take to San Francisco,” said Earl
”I guess we had better buy tickets as far as New York first” And this was done; and a few hours later saw thee in the car ahead At the depot Earl had obtained a number of folders of different routes to the west, and these he intended to study while on his way to the greatis fine!” cried Randy, enthusiastically, as the long train sped on its way through hills and valleys, and past nues, all alive with the hum of a thousand industries ”One feels as if he would like to ride forever!”
”I' by the time we reach San Francisco,” said Earl, who, nevertheless, also enjoyed the journey
”This is only a little trip of six or seven hours The next will be one of hts”
”I wonder how they sleep on a train,” went on Randy, curiously
”We'll learn soon enough, Randy Only don't let every one see how green we are,” added Earl, in a whisper
At one of the stations in Connecticut, where a ten hted to stretch their legs and take a look around They had been seated in the last car, and now they walked forward along the broad platforht his brother's arm ”Earl! Earl! look!” he ejaculated, and pointed to aof the s-car ”There are To on this train?”
Earl glanced to where Randy pointed and saw that his brother was right
At the same instant Tom Roland saw them, and he drew back and motioned for his companion to do the same Earl noted the movean, and stopped short
”What, Earl? Isn't it queer they should be on this train from Boston?”