Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune. Alger Horatio Jr.
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said Chester, "this man tells me that he hasn't had anything to eat since yesterday."
"No more I haven't," spoke up the tramp, in a hoarse voice.
"He asked for some money. I could not give him that, but I told him we would give him some supper."
"Of course we will," said Mrs. Rand, in a tone of sympathy. She did not admire the appearance of her late visitor, but her heart was alive to the appeal of a hungry man.
"Sit down, sir," she said, "and I'll make some hot tea, and that with some bread and butter and cold meat will refresh you."
"Thank you, ma'am, I ain't overpartial to tea, and my doctor tells me I need whisky. You don't happen to have any whisky in the house, do you?"
"This is a temperance house," said Chester, "we never keep whisky."
"Well, maybe I can get along with the tea," sighed the tramp, in evident disappointment.
"You look strong and healthy," observed Mrs. Rand.
"I ain't, ma'am. Looks is very deceiving. I've got a weakness here," and he touched the pit of his stomach, "that calls for strengthenin' drink. But I'll be glad of the victuals."
When the table was spread with an extemporized supper, the unsavory visitor sat down, and did full justice to it. He even drank the tea, though he made up a face and called it "slops."
"Where did you come from, sir?" asked Mrs. Rand.
"From Chicago, ma'am."
"Were you at work there? What is your business?"
"I'm a blacksmith, ma'am."
"I thought you were a machinist and came from Pittsburg," interrupted Chester, in surprise.
"I came here by way of Pittsburg," answered the tramp, coughing. "I am machinist, too."
"His stories don't seem to hang together," thought Chester.
After supper the tramp, who said his name was Robert Ramsay, took out his pipe and began to smoke. If it had not been a cold evening, Mrs. Rand, who disliked tobacco, would have asked him to smoke out of doors, but as it was she tolerated it.
Both Chester and his mother feared that their unwelcome visitor would ask to stay all night, and they would not have felt safe with him in the house, but about a quarter past ten he got up and said he must be moving.
"Good-night, and good luck to you!" said Chester.
"Same to you!" returned the tramp.
"I wonder where he's going," thought Chester.
But when the next morning came he heard news that answered this question.
CHAPTER VII.
SILAS TRIPP MAKES A DISCOVERY
When Silas Tripp went into his store the next day he was startled to find a window in the rear was partially open.
"How did that window come open, Abel?" he asked, as Abel Wood entered the store.
"I don't know, sir."
"It must have been you that opened it," said his employer, sternly.
"I didn't do it, Mr. Tripp, honest I didn't," declared Abel, earnestly.
"Then how did it come open, that's what I want to know?"
"I am sure I can't tell."
"Somebody might have come in during the night and robbed the store."
"So there might."
"It's very mysterious. Such things didn't happen when Chester was here."
Abel made no answer, but began to sweep out the store, his first morning duty.
When Silas spoke of the store being robbed he had no idea that such a robbing had taken place, but he went to the money drawer and opened it to make sure all was safe.
Instantly there was a cry of dismay.
"Abel!" he exclaimed, "I've been robbed. There's a lot of money missing."
Abel stopped sweeping and turned pale.
"Is that so, Mr. Tripp?" he asked, faintly.
"Yes, there's—lemme see. There's been burglars here. Oh, this is terrible!"
"Who could have done it, Mr. Tripp?"
"I dunno, but the store was entered last night. I never shall feel safe again," groaned Silas.
"Didn't they leave no traces?"
"Ha! here's a handkerchief," said Mr. Tripp, taking the article from the top of a flour barrel, "and yes, by gracious, it's marked Chester Rand."
"You don't think he took the money?" ejaculated Abel, in open-eyed wonder.
"Of course it must have been him! He knew just where I kept the money, and he could find his way about in the dark, he knew the store so well."
"I didn't think Chester would do such a thing."
"That's how he came by his five-dollar bill. He came in bold as brass and paid me with my own money—the young rascal!"
"But how could he do it if the money was took last night? It was two or three days ago he paid you the five-dollar bill."
This was a poser, but Mr. Tripp was equal to the emergency.
"He must have robbed me before," he said.
"You haven't missed money before, have you?"
"Not to my knowledge, but he must have took it. Abel, I want you to go right over to the Widow Rand's and tell Chester I want to see him. I dunno but I'd better send the constable after him."
"Shall I carry him his handkerchief?"
"No, and don't tell him it's been found. I don't want to put him on his guard."
Abel put his broom behind the door and betook himself to the house of Mrs. Rand.
The widow herself opened the door.
"Is Chester at home?" asked Abel.
"Yes, he's eating his breakfast. Do you want to see him?"
"Well, Mr. Tripp wants to see him."
"Possibly he wants Chester to give him a little extra help," she thought.
"Won't you come in and take a cup of coffee while Chester is finishing his breakfast?" she said.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Abel was a boy who was always ready to eat and drink, and he accepted the invitation with alacrity.
"So Mr. Tripp wants to see me?" said Chester. "Do you know what it's about?"
"He'll tell you," answered Abel, evasively.
Chester was not specially interested or excited. He finished his breakfast in a leisurely manner, and then taking his hat, went out with Abel. It occurred to him that Mr. Tripp might be intending to discharge Abel, and wished to see if he would return to his old place.
"So you don't know what he wants to see me about?" he asked.
"Well, I have an idea," answered Abel, in a mysterious tone.
"What is it, then?"
"Oh, I dassn't tell."
"Look here, Abel, I won't stir a step till you do tell me. You are acting very strangely."
"Well, somethin' terrible has happened," Abel ejaculated, in excited tones.
"What's it?"
"The store was robbed last night."
"The store was robbed?" repeated Chester. "What was taken?"
"Oh, lots and lots of money was taken from the drawer, and the window in the back of the store was left open."
"I'm sorry to hear it. I didn't know there was anybody in Wyncombe that would do such things. Does Mr. Tripp suspect anybody?"
"Yes, he does."
"Who is it?"
"He thinks