章节正文
father look over them?"
Joe was willing, and after wrapping up the documents with care,
and pocketing the hundred dollars in gold, Joe led the way back
to the boat. The wreck of the blue box was left behind, for it
was rusty and worthless.
That evening Mr. Talmadge, Ned and Joe spent two hours in going
over the documents and trying to supply the parts which had been
rotted or burnt away. They were only successful in part.
"I do not wish to say much about this, Joe," said Ned's father.
"But it would seem from these papers that you are the son of one
William A. Bodley, who at one time owned a farm in Iowa, in the
township of Millville. Did you ever hear Hiram Bodley speak of
this?"
"Never."
"We might write to the authorities at Millville and see what they
have to say."
"I wish you'd do it. They may pay more attention to you than to
a boy."
"I'll write at once."
"Father, hadn't Joe better stay here until we get a reply?" put
in Ned.
"He may do so and welcome," answered Mr. Talmadge.
The letter was dispatched the next day and our hero waited
anxiously for the reply. It came five days later and was as
follows:
"Your letter of inquiry received. There was a William A. Bodley
in this township twelve years ago. He sold his farm to a man
named Augustus Greggs and then disappeared. Before he sold out
he lost his wife and several children by sickness. Nobody here
seems to know what became of him.
"Joseph Korn."
"That is short and to the point," said Mr. Talmadge, "but it is
not satisfying. It does not state if this William A. Bodley had
any relatives so far as known."
"I guess the authorities did not want to bother about the
matter," said Joe.
"Why don't you visit Millville, Joe?" questioned Ned.
"I was thinking I could do that. It wouldn't cost a fortune, and
I've got that hundred dollars in gold to fall back on, besides my
regular savings."
"You might learn something to your advantage," came from Mr.
Talmadge. "I think it would be money well spent."
"Father, can't I go with Joe?" asked Ned.
"No, Ned, you must attend to your school duties."
"Then, Joe, you must send me full particulars by mail," said the
rich boy.
"Of course I'll do that, Ned," replied our hero.
It was arranged that Joe should leave Riverside on Monday and Ned
went to the depot to see him off.
"I wish you the best of luck, Joe!" called out Ned, as the train
left the station. "I don't know of a fellow who deserves better
luck than you do!"
CHAPTER XXV.
JOE VISITS CHICAGO.
Joe found Millville a sleepy town of three or four hundred
inhabitants. There was one main street containing two blocks of
stores, a blacksmith shop, a creamery and two churches.
When he stepped off the train our hero was eyed sharply by the
loungers about the platform.
"Anything I can' do for you?" asked one of the men, the driver of
the local stage.
"Will you tell me where Mr. Joseph Korn lives?"
"Joe lives up in the brown house yonder. But he ain't home now.
He's doing a job of carpentering."
"Can you tell me where?"
"Up to the Widow Fallow's place. Take you there for ten cents."
"Very well," and our hero jumped into the rickety turnout which
went by the name of the Millville stage.
The drive was not a long one and soon they came to a halt in
front of a residence where a man wearing a carpenter's apron was
mending a broken-down porch.
"There's Joe," said the stage driver, laconically.
The man looked up in wonder when Joe approached him. He dropped
his hammer and stood with his arms on his hips.
"This is Mr. Joseph Korn, I believe?"
"That's me, young man."
"I am Joe Bodley. You wrote to Mr. Talmadge, of Riverside, a few
days ago. I came on to find out what I could about a Mr. William
A. Bodley who used to live here."
"Oh, yes! Well, young man, I can't tell you much more 'n I did in
that letter. Bodley sold out, house, goods and everything, and
left for parts unknown."
"Did he have any relatives around here?"
"Not when he left. He had a wife and three children--a girl and
two boys--but they died."
"Did you ever hear of any relatives coming to see him--a man
named Hiram Bodley?"
"Not me--but Augustus Greggs--who bought his farm--might know
about it."
"I'll take you to the Greggs' farm for ten cents," put in the
stage driver.
Again a bargain was struck, and a drive of ten minutes brought
them to the farm, located on the outskirts of Millville. They
found the farm owner at work by his wood pile, sawing wood. He
was a pleasant appearing individual.
"Come into the house," he said putting down his saw. "I'm glad
to see you," and when our hero had entered the little farmhouse
he was introduced to Mrs. Greggs and two grown-up sons, all of
whom made him feel thoroughly at home.
"To tell the truth," said Mr. Greggs, "I did not know William
Bodley very well. I came here looking for a farm and heard this
was for sale, and struck a bargain with him."
"Was he alone at that time?" questioned Joe.
"He was, and his trouble seemed to have made him a bit queer--not
but what he knew what he was doing."
"Did you learn anything about his family?"
"He had lost his wife and two children by disease. What had
happened to the other child was something of a mystery. I rather
supposed it had died while away from home, but I was not sure."
"Have you any idea at all what became of William Bodley?"
"Not exactly. Once I met a man in Pittsburg who had met a man of
that name in Idaho, among the mines. Both of us wondered if that
William A. Bodley was the same that I had bought my farm from."
"Did he say what part of Idaho?"
"He did, but I have forgotten now. Do you think he was a
relative of yours?"
"I don't know what to think. It may be that he was my father.
"Your father?"
"Yes," and Joe told his story and mentioned the documents found
in the blue tin box.
"It does look as if he might be your father," said Augustus
Greggs. "Maybe you're the child that was away from home at the
time his other children and his wife died."
"Do you think anybody else in this village would know anything
more about this William Bodley?"
"No, I don't. But it won't do any harm to ask around. That
stage driver knows all the old inhabitants. Perhaps some of them
can tell you something worth while."
Upon urgentinvitation, Joe took dinner at the Greggs' farm and
then set out to visit a number of folks who had lived in
Millville and vicinity for many years. All remembered William A.
Bodley and his family, but not one could tell what had become of
the man after he had sold out and gone away.
"Maybe you had better advertise for him," suggested one man.
"It will cost a good deal to advertise all over the United
States," replied Joe; "and for all I know he may be dead or out
of the country."
Joe remained in Millville two days and then took the train back
to the East. Ned was the first to greet him on his return to
Riverside.
"What luck?" he asked, anxiously.
"None whatever," was the sober answer.
"Oh, Joe, that's too bad!"
"I am afraid I am stumped, Ned."
They walked to the Talmadge mansion, and that evening talked the
matter over with Ned's father.
"I will arrange to have an advertisement inserted in a leading
paper of each of our big cities," said Mr. Talmadge. "That will
cost something, but not a fortune."
"You must let me pay for it," said our hero.
"No, Joe, you can put this down to Ned's credit--you two are such
good chums," and Mr. Talmadge smiled quietly.
The advertisements were sent out the following day, through an
advertising agent, and all waited for over two weeks for some
reply, but none came.
"It's no use," said Joe, and it must be admitted that he was much
downcast.
In the meantime he had seen Andrew Mallison and the hotel man
said he would willingly hire him for the summer as soon as the
season opened, and also give Frank Randolph a situation.
"You had better be my guest until that time," said Ned to our
hero, when he heard of this.
"Thank you, Ned, but I don't wish to remain idle so long."
The very next mail after this talk brought news for our hero. A
letter came from Maurice Vane, asking him if he wished to go to
Montana.
"I am now certain that that mine is valuable," wrote the
gentleman. "I am going to start West next Monday. If you wish
to go with me I will pay your fare and allow you a salary of ten
dollars per week to start on. I think later on, I will have a
good opening for you."
"That settles it, I am going West!" cried Joe, as he showed the
letter to his chum.
"Well, I don't blame you," was the reply. "I know just how nice
it is out there. You'll be sure to get along."
Before going to bed Joe wired his acceptance of the offer, and in
the morning received a telegram from Maurice Vane, asking him to
go to Chicago, to the Palmer House.
"That settles it, I'm off," said our hero, and bought a ticket
for the great city by the lakes without delay. Then he said
good-bye to the Talmadges and the Gussings, and boarded the train
at sundown.
Joe was now getting used to traveling and no longer felt green
and out of place. He had engaged a berth, and took his ease
until it was time to go to bed. Arriving at Chicago he made his
way without delay to the Palmer House.
He found the hotel crowded and had some difficulty in getting a
room. Mr. Maurice Vane had not yet arrived.
"I guess I'll leave a note for him," thought our hero, and
sauntered into the reading-room to pen the communication.
While Joe was writing, two men came into the room and sat down
behind a pillar that was close at hand. They were in earnest
conversation and he could not help but catch what was said.
"You say he is coming West?" said one of the pair.
"Yes,--he started yesterday."
"And he has found out that the mine is really valuable?"
"I think so. Anyway he is quite excited about it. He sent a
telegram to that boy, too."
"The hotel boy you mean?"
"Yes."
So the talk ran on and Joe at length got up to take a look at the
Joe was willing, and after wrapping up the documents with care,
and pocketing the hundred dollars in gold, Joe led the way back
to the boat. The wreck of the blue box was left behind, for it
was rusty and worthless.
That evening Mr. Talmadge, Ned and Joe spent two hours in going
over the documents and trying to supply the parts which had been
rotted or burnt away. They were only successful in part.
"I do not wish to say much about this, Joe," said Ned's father.
"But it would seem from these papers that you are the son of one
William A. Bodley, who at one time owned a farm in Iowa, in the
township of Millville. Did you ever hear Hiram Bodley speak of
this?"
"Never."
"We might write to the authorities at Millville and see what they
have to say."
"I wish you'd do it. They may pay more attention to you than to
a boy."
"I'll write at once."
"Father, hadn't Joe better stay here until we get a reply?" put
in Ned.
"He may do so and welcome," answered Mr. Talmadge.
The letter was dispatched the next day and our hero waited
anxiously for the reply. It came five days later and was as
follows:
"Your letter of inquiry received. There was a William A. Bodley
in this township twelve years ago. He sold his farm to a man
named Augustus Greggs and then disappeared. Before he sold out
he lost his wife and several children by sickness. Nobody here
seems to know what became of him.
"Joseph Korn."
"That is short and to the point," said Mr. Talmadge, "but it is
not satisfying. It does not state if this William A. Bodley had
any relatives so far as known."
"I guess the authorities did not want to bother about the
matter," said Joe.
"Why don't you visit Millville, Joe?" questioned Ned.
"I was thinking I could do that. It wouldn't cost a fortune, and
I've got that hundred dollars in gold to fall back on, besides my
regular savings."
"You might learn something to your advantage," came from Mr.
Talmadge. "I think it would be money well spent."
"Father, can't I go with Joe?" asked Ned.
"No, Ned, you must attend to your school duties."
"Then, Joe, you must send me full particulars by mail," said the
rich boy.
"Of course I'll do that, Ned," replied our hero.
It was arranged that Joe should leave Riverside on Monday and Ned
went to the depot to see him off.
"I wish you the best of luck, Joe!" called out Ned, as the train
left the station. "I don't know of a fellow who deserves better
luck than you do!"
CHAPTER XXV.
JOE VISITS CHICAGO.
Joe found Millville a sleepy town of three or four hundred
inhabitants. There was one main street containing two blocks of
stores, a blacksmith shop, a creamery and two churches.
When he stepped off the train our hero was eyed sharply by the
loungers about the platform.
"Anything I can' do for you?" asked one of the men, the driver of
the local stage.
"Will you tell me where Mr. Joseph Korn lives?"
"Joe lives up in the brown house yonder. But he ain't home now.
He's doing a job of carpentering."
"Can you tell me where?"
"Up to the Widow Fallow's place. Take you there for ten cents."
"Very well," and our hero jumped into the rickety turnout which
went by the name of the Millville stage.
The drive was not a long one and soon they came to a halt in
front of a residence where a man wearing a carpenter's apron was
mending a broken-down porch.
"There's Joe," said the stage driver, laconically.
The man looked up in wonder when Joe approached him. He dropped
his hammer and stood with his arms on his hips.
"This is Mr. Joseph Korn, I believe?"
"That's me, young man."
"I am Joe Bodley. You wrote to Mr. Talmadge, of Riverside, a few
days ago. I came on to find out what I could about a Mr. William
A. Bodley who used to live here."
"Oh, yes! Well, young man, I can't tell you much more 'n I did in
that letter. Bodley sold out, house, goods and everything, and
left for parts unknown."
"Did he have any relatives around here?"
"Not when he left. He had a wife and three children--a girl and
two boys--but they died."
"Did you ever hear of any relatives coming to see him--a man
named Hiram Bodley?"
"Not me--but Augustus Greggs--who bought his farm--might know
about it."
"I'll take you to the Greggs' farm for ten cents," put in the
stage driver.
Again a bargain was struck, and a drive of ten minutes brought
them to the farm, located on the outskirts of Millville. They
found the farm owner at work by his wood pile, sawing wood. He
was a pleasant appearing individual.
"Come into the house," he said putting down his saw. "I'm glad
to see you," and when our hero had entered the little farmhouse
he was introduced to Mrs. Greggs and two grown-up sons, all of
whom made him feel thoroughly at home.
"To tell the truth," said Mr. Greggs, "I did not know William
Bodley very well. I came here looking for a farm and heard this
was for sale, and struck a bargain with him."
"Was he alone at that time?" questioned Joe.
"He was, and his trouble seemed to have made him a bit queer--not
but what he knew what he was doing."
"Did you learn anything about his family?"
"He had lost his wife and two children by disease. What had
happened to the other child was something of a mystery. I rather
supposed it had died while away from home, but I was not sure."
"Have you any idea at all what became of William Bodley?"
"Not exactly. Once I met a man in Pittsburg who had met a man of
that name in Idaho, among the mines. Both of us wondered if that
William A. Bodley was the same that I had bought my farm from."
"Did he say what part of Idaho?"
"He did, but I have forgotten now. Do you think he was a
relative of yours?"
"I don't know what to think. It may be that he was my father.
"Your father?"
"Yes," and Joe told his story and mentioned the documents found
in the blue tin box.
"It does look as if he might be your father," said Augustus
Greggs. "Maybe you're the child that was away from home at the
time his other children and his wife died."
"Do you think anybody else in this village would know anything
more about this William Bodley?"
"No, I don't. But it won't do any harm to ask around. That
stage driver knows all the old inhabitants. Perhaps some of them
can tell you something worth while."
Upon urgentinvitation, Joe took dinner at the Greggs' farm and
then set out to visit a number of folks who had lived in
Millville and vicinity for many years. All remembered William A.
Bodley and his family, but not one could tell what had become of
the man after he had sold out and gone away.
"Maybe you had better advertise for him," suggested one man.
"It will cost a good deal to advertise all over the United
States," replied Joe; "and for all I know he may be dead or out
of the country."
Joe remained in Millville two days and then took the train back
to the East. Ned was the first to greet him on his return to
Riverside.
"What luck?" he asked, anxiously.
"None whatever," was the sober answer.
"Oh, Joe, that's too bad!"
"I am afraid I am stumped, Ned."
They walked to the Talmadge mansion, and that evening talked the
matter over with Ned's father.
"I will arrange to have an advertisement inserted in a leading
paper of each of our big cities," said Mr. Talmadge. "That will
cost something, but not a fortune."
"You must let me pay for it," said our hero.
"No, Joe, you can put this down to Ned's credit--you two are such
good chums," and Mr. Talmadge smiled quietly.
The advertisements were sent out the following day, through an
advertising agent, and all waited for over two weeks for some
reply, but none came.
"It's no use," said Joe, and it must be admitted that he was much
downcast.
In the meantime he had seen Andrew Mallison and the hotel man
said he would willingly hire him for the summer as soon as the
season opened, and also give Frank Randolph a situation.
"You had better be my guest until that time," said Ned to our
hero, when he heard of this.
"Thank you, Ned, but I don't wish to remain idle so long."
The very next mail after this talk brought news for our hero. A
letter came from Maurice Vane, asking him if he wished to go to
Montana.
"I am now certain that that mine is valuable," wrote the
gentleman. "I am going to start West next Monday. If you wish
to go with me I will pay your fare and allow you a salary of ten
dollars per week to start on. I think later on, I will have a
good opening for you."
"That settles it, I am going West!" cried Joe, as he showed the
letter to his chum.
"Well, I don't blame you," was the reply. "I know just how nice
it is out there. You'll be sure to get along."
Before going to bed Joe wired his acceptance of the offer, and in
the morning received a telegram from Maurice Vane, asking him to
go to Chicago, to the Palmer House.
"That settles it, I'm off," said our hero, and bought a ticket
for the great city by the lakes without delay. Then he said
good-bye to the Talmadges and the Gussings, and boarded the train
at sundown.
Joe was now getting used to traveling and no longer felt green
and out of place. He had engaged a berth, and took his ease
until it was time to go to bed. Arriving at Chicago he made his
way without delay to the Palmer House.
He found the hotel crowded and had some difficulty in getting a
room. Mr. Maurice Vane had not yet arrived.
"I guess I'll leave a note for him," thought our hero, and
sauntered into the reading-room to pen the communication.
While Joe was writing, two men came into the room and sat down
behind a pillar that was close at hand. They were in earnest
conversation and he could not help but catch what was said.
"You say he is coming West?" said one of the pair.
"Yes,--he started yesterday."
"And he has found out that the mine is really valuable?"
"I think so. Anyway he is quite excited about it. He sent a
telegram to that boy, too."
"The hotel boy you mean?"
"Yes."
So the talk ran on and Joe at length got up to take a look at the
- willing [´wiliŋ]
a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词) - inquiry [in´kwaiəri] n.询问；质询；调查 (初中英语单词)
- sickness [´siknis] n.生病；呕吐，恶心 (初中英语单词)
- bother [´bɔðə] v.打扰 n.麻烦(事) (初中英语单词)
- sharply [´ʃɑ:pli] ad.锋利地；剧烈地 (初中英语单词)
- residence [´rezidəns] n.居住(期间)；住宅 (初中英语单词)
- hammer [´hæmə] n.锤子 v.重击 (初中英语单词)
- bargain [´bɑ:gin] n.买卖合同 v.议(价) (初中英语单词)
- grown-up [´grəun-ʌp] n.成年人 a.成熟的 (初中英语单词)
- thoroughly [´θʌrəli] ad.完全地，彻底地 (初中英语单词)
- mystery [´mistəri] n.神秘；秘密；故弄玄虚 (初中英语单词)
- invitation [,invi´teiʃən] n.邀请；请帖；吸引 (初中英语单词)
- meantime [´mi:ntaim] n.&ad.其间；同时 (初中英语单词)
- opening [´əupəniŋ] n.开放；开端 a.开始的 (初中英语单词)
- telegram [´teligræm] n.电报 (初中英语单词)
- writing [´raitiŋ] n.书写；写作；书法 (初中英语单词)
- sleepy [´sli:pi] a.困的，想睡的 (高中英语单词)
- blacksmith [´blæk,smiθ] n.铁匠，锻工 (高中英语单词)
- advertise [´ædvətaiz] v.登(做)广告；通知 (高中英语单词)
- mansion [´mænʃən] n.大厦；宅第；官邸 (高中英语单词)
- advertisement [əd´və:tismənt] n.(做)广告；宣传 (高中英语单词)
- acceptance [ək´septəns] n.接受；承认 (高中英语单词)
- crowded [´kraudid] a.充(拥)满了的 (高中英语单词)
- pillar [´pilə] n.支柱 vt.用柱支持 (高中英语单词)
- trying [´traiiŋ] a.难堪的；费劲的 (英语四级单词)
- township [´taunʃip] n.乡；区 (英语四级单词)
- urgent [´ə:dʒənt] a.急迫的，紧急的 (英语四级单词)
- vicinity [vi´siniti] n.邻近，附近，接近 (英语四级单词)
- willingly [´wiliŋli] ad.情愿地，乐意地 (英语四级单词)
- chicago [ʃi´kɑ:gəu] n.芝加哥 (英语四级单词)
- wrapping [´ræpiŋ] n.包装材料 (英语六级单词)
- riverside [´rivəsaid] n.河岸 a.河岸上的 (英语六级单词)
- outskirts [´autskə:ts] n.外边；郊区 (英语六级单词)
- palmer [´pɑ:mə] n.朝圣者；变戏法的人 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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