Fame and Fortune Part 10

As she spoke, she drew from a box at her side a very neat gold watch and chain, and placed it in d.i.c.k's hands.

Our hero was so astonished at first that he could scarcely believe that this valuable present was intended for him.

"Is it for me?" he asked, hesitatingly.

"Yes," said Mrs. Rockwell, smiling pleasantly. "I hope you will find it of service."

"It is too much," said d.i.c.k. "I do not deserve it."

"You must let me be the judge of that," said the lady, kindly. "Here is the key; I nearly forgot to give it to you. I suppose you know how to wind it up?"

"Yes," said d.i.c.k. "I understand that. I am _very_ much obliged to you."

"You are very welcome. Whenever you look at it, let it remind you that under all circ.u.mstances you can rely upon the friendship of Johnny's parents."

d.i.c.k slipped the watch into a watch-pocket in his vest, for which he had never before had any use, and attached the chain to his b.u.t.ton-hole.

"How beautiful it is!" he said, in tones of admiration.

"It was bought at Ball & Black's," said Mrs. Rockwell. "If it should not keep good time, or anything should happen to it, I advise you to take it there, and they will repair it for you."

d.i.c.k perceived by his new watch that it was nearly ten o'clock, and rose to go. He was kindly invited to renew his visit, and promised to do so.

Just as he was leaving the room, Mr. Rockwell handed a sealed envelope to d.i.c.k, saying, "Put this in your pocket, Richard. It will be time enough to open it when you get home."

d.i.c.k sped home much more quickly than he had come. He thought with delight of Fosd.i.c.k's surprise when he should see the new watch and chain, and also with pardonable exultation of the sensation he would produce at the table when he carelessly drew out his watch to see what time it was.

When he reached his boarding-house, and went upstairs, he found Fosd.i.c.k sitting up for him.

"Well, d.i.c.k, what sort of a time did you have?" he asked.

"Tip-top," said d.i.c.k.

"Who did you see?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell, and two children,--Johnny, the one I fished out of the water, and his sister, Grace. Johnny's a jolly little chap, and his sister is a nice girl."

"Halloa, what's that?" asked Fosd.i.c.k, suddenly espying the watch-chain.

"What do you think of my new watch?" asked d.i.c.k, drawing it out.

"Do you mean to say it is yours?"

"Yes. Mrs. Rockwell gave it to me."

"It's a regular beauty. Mr. Henderson has got one that he paid a hundred dollars for; but it isn't as nice as yours."

"Seems to me I have no end of luck," said d.i.c.k. "I'll be a young man of fortun' before I know it."

"People will think you are now, when they see you wear such a watch as that."

"Johnny Nolan'd think I stole it, if he should see it," said d.i.c.k. "Poor chap! I wish some luck would come to him. I saw him to-day lookin' just as I used to before I met Frank."

"There's some difference between then and now, d.i.c.k."

"Yes. I was a rough chap in them days."

"In those days, d.i.c.k."

"In those days, and I don't know but I am now, but I'm trying to improve. With you to help me, I think I'll grow up respectable."

"I hope we both will, d.i.c.k. But who's that letter from that you've just taken out of your pocket?"

"Oh, I forgot. Mr. Rockwell handed it to me just before I came away, and told me not to open it till I got home. P'r'aps it says that he hasn't no more occasion for my valuable services."

"That isn't very likely, considering the present you have brought home.

But open it; I am curious to see what is in it."

The envelope was cut open, and a piece of paper dropped out.

Fosd.i.c.k picked it up, and to his inexpressible amazement ascertained that it was a check on the Park Bank for the sum of one thousand dollars made payable to Richard Hunter, or order.

"A thousand dollars!" repeated d.i.c.k, overwhelmed with astonishment; "you're only foolin' me. P'r'aps it's ten dollars."

"No, it's a thousand dollars. Read it yourself if you don't believe it."

"I wish you'd pinch me, Fosd.i.c.k," said d.i.c.k, seriously.

"Certainly, if you wish it."

"That's enough," said d.i.c.k, hastily. "I only wanted to make sure I wasn't dreamin'. I can't believe I'm worth a thousand dollars."

"You're a lucky fellow, d.i.c.k," said Fosd.i.c.k, "and you deserve your luck.

I'm heartily glad of it."

"About the best luck I ever had was in meeting you," said d.i.c.k, affectionately. "I'm goin' to give you half the money."

"No, you're not, d.i.c.k. Thank you all the same," said Fosd.i.c.k, decidedly.

"It was meant for you, and you must keep it. I'll get along well enough.

If I don't, I know you'll help me."

"But I wish you'd take half the money."

"No, d.i.c.k, it wouldn't be right. But your new watch says it's getting late, and we had better go to bed."

It was some time before d.i.c.k fell asleep. His good luck had so excited him that he found it difficult to calm down sufficiently to sink into a quiet slumber.