dick the bank boy or, a missing fortune

DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
TheProjectGutenbergEBookofDicktheBankBoy,byFrankV.Webster
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Title:DicktheBankBoy
Or,AMissingFortune
Author:FrankV.Webster
ReleaseDate:August3,2006[EBook#18981]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ASCII
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKDICKTHEBANKBOY
***
ProducedbyMarilyndaFraser-Cunliffe,EmmyandtheOnline
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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
DicktheBankBoy
Or
AMissingFortune
BY
FRANKV.WEBSTER
AUTHOROF"ONLYAFARMBOY,""BOBTHECASTAWAY,"
"COMRADESOFTHESADDLE,""AIRSHIPANDY,"ETC.
ILLUSTRATED
NEWYORK
CUPPLES&LEONCOMPANY
PUBLISHERS
BOOKSFORBOYS
Page2

DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
*****
ByFRANKV.WEBSTER
*****
12mo.Cloth.Illustrated.
*****
ONLYAFARMBOY
TOM,THETELEPHONEBOY
THEBOYFROMTHERANCH
THEYOUNGTREASUREHUNTER
BOB,THECASTAWAY
THEYOUNGFIREMENOFLAKEVILLE
THENEWSBOYPARTNERS
THEBOYPILOTOFTHELAKES
TWOBOYGOLDMINERS
JACK,THERUNAWAY
COMRADESOFTHESADDLE
THEBOYSOFBELLWOODSCHOOL
THEHIGHSCHOOLRIVALS
AIRSHIPANDY
BOBCHESTER'SGRIT
BENHARDY'SFLYINGMACHINE
DICK,THEBANKBOY
DARRY,THELIFESAVER
Copyright,1911,by
CUPPLES&LEONCOMPANY
Page3
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
*****
DICK,THEBANKBOY

[Illustration:TURNINGTODICKHECONTINUEDTOQUESTIONHIM.
_DicktheBankBoy__Page137_]
CONTENTS
CHAPTERPAGE
I.THEMEETINGONTHEROAD1
II.AMOTHERWORTHFIGHTINGFOR9
III.DICK'SFIRSTWAGES17
IV.INSEARCHOFAJOB24
V.MR.GRAYLOCKRECEIVESASURPRISE32
VI.BOUNDFORTHEOLDFISHINGHOLE40
VII.DICKMAKESAGALLANTRESCUE48
VIII.THECOMINGOFALETTER57
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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
IX.GREATNEWS66
X.THEMEETINGINTHEBANK74
XI.FRIENDLYADVISE83
XII.GATHERINGCLOUDS92
XIII.WANTEDINTHECASHIER'SOFFICE100
XIV.UNDERSUSPICION108
XV.MR.GRAYLOCKSEEMSDISAPPOINTED117
XVI.FORTUNE'SFAVORS125
XVII.THEINVESTIGATION133
XVIII.THERECEIVINGTELLERFREESHISMIND142
XIX.NOTFORSALE149
XX.AREDLETTERDAY157
XXI.GOODWORDSONEVERYSIDE165
XXII.AREMARKABLEBITOFINTELLIGENCE173
XXIII.NEARINGACLIMAX181
XXIV.MR.GRAYLOCKMEETSHISWATERLOO190

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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
XXV.CONCLUSION198
DICK,THEBANKBOY
CHAPTERI
THEMEETINGONTHEROAD
"Getoutofmyway,DickMorrison!"
Theboywhohadbeentrudgingalongthenarrowroadlookedupin
surpriseathearinghimselfspokentososuddenly,thoughherecognized
thedomineeringvoiceevenbeforecatchingsightofthespeaker.
"Youalreadyhavehalfoftheroad,FerdGraylock;togiveyoumoreI'd
havetobackdownintheditch,andIdon'tcaretodothat,"he
replied,standingperfectlystillandwatchingwithsomeamusementthe
zigzagmovementsoftheother,nowcloseuponhim.
Ferdwasmountedonanewmotor-cycle,purchasedwithsavingsoutof
his
pocketmoney,andwithwhichmachinehehadbeenoflatescouringthe
surroundingcountry.
Evidentlythelittlemotorhadbrokendownwhilehewassomedistance
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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
awayfromhome,necessitatingconsiderablewalkinguphillandhard
pedallingonthelevels.
Weary,andover-heatedbyhisexertions,hewasnaturallyinanugly
temperatthetimehemetDickonthenarrowestplacealongtheentire
road,whereaditchononesideandafenceontheother,leftonly
enoughroomforasinglevehicleatatimetopass.
Justthen,judgingfromhiserraticswingingfromsidetoside,Ferd
neededthewholeroad,andseeingthis,theotherladstoodby,readyto
guardhimselfifthecumbersomemachineheadedhisway.

HissuspicionsastotheintentionsofFerdtorunhimdownseemedwell
founded,for,pretendingtobeunabletocontroltheheavymachine,the
ridercamelungingdirectlyatthestandingboy,whowouldhavebeen
struckonlyforaquickleaptooneside,bymeansofwhichheavoideda
collision.
Butalas!theedgeoftheroadwascloserthanFerdhadcalculatedon
whenmaliciouslyendeavoringtogivethepedestrianascare,andasa
consequencethemotor-cycleplungeddownintotheditch.
Ferdmanagedthroughaquickefforttoleapoffhisseatjustintimeto
avoidbeingoverwhelmedinthedisaster.
Hescrambledtohisfeetchokingwithbothdustandanger.
Hisbeautifulmachinelaywithitsfrontburiedinthewaterofthe
ditch,andthesightwassodisagreeablethatFerdseemedtolosewhat
littlediscretionhegenerallyboasted.
"There,seewhatyou'vedone,DickMorrison!"heexclaimed,iercely.
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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
"Well,now,Ilikethat,"answeredtheother,hardlyknowingwhetherto
laughorshowindignation;"youtrytorunmedown,andwhenIstepout
ofthewaytoavoidanupsetyouaccusemeofhavinghadahandinthe
mess.Whydidyoujumpoffwhenbyatwistofthehandlebarsyoucould
havesavedthemachine?Supposeyoublameyourself,notme."
"ButyousawthatIhadlostcontrol,andifyou'donlywantedyoucould
havestoppeditsplunge;butyou'dratherseemegetintoapeckof
trouble.Howd'yesupposeI'mevergoingtolugthatheavythingbackup
totheroadnow?"demandedFerd,spitefully.
"Oh!Idon'tmindgivingyouahandatthat.Ihatetoseesuchaine
machinelyinginthemudlikeamiredcow,"declaredDick,cheerfully.
Ferdlookedathimdubiously,asthoughhisspiriturgedhimtodecline
thegenerousofferofassistancemadebyonehechosetoregardashis

enemy;buttheroadwaslonely,noonemightcomealongforsometimeto
helphim,andthemotor-cyclewastooheavyforhimtodragoutofthe
holeunassisted.
Soheswallowedhispride,andgrudginglyallowedDicktotakeholdon
onesidewhilehedraggedattheother,andinthisfashionthemachine
wasspeedilyplacedoncemoreondryland.
Ofcourseitwasprettywellsoiled,anddidnotlookverymuchlikethe
spick-and-spannewwheelthatafewdaysbackhadbeentheenvyof
every
boyinRiverview.
Dick,whocouldnotbeartoseeanythingabused,immediatelysnatched
up
Page8
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
ahandfulofgrassfromthesideoftheroadunderthefence,and
commencedtowipetheworstofthemuckaway.
"Nevermindbotheringyourselfaboutthat;IguessIcanattendtoit
whenIgethome.Itwouldn'thavehappenedanywayifIhadn'tmetyouon
theroad,"saidFerd,withareturnofhisbitterness.
Dicklookedathimqueerly,andthenthrewdowntheroughwiperhehad
beenusing.
"Iguessyou'reright.AndasIdidn'tdoanythingtotroubleyouit
looksasifyoujustwantedtoknockmeintotheditch.It'sacaseof
thebiterbitten,Ferd.Whenyouseemehelpingyoupullyourold
machineoutoftheditchagainyou'llknowit."
Filledwithindignationheturnedandwalkedrapidlyaway,leavingthe
otherlookingafterhim,stillangryandyetperhapssomewhatashamedin
thebargain.
Thiswasnottheirsttimethesetwoladsfoundthemselvesfacingone
anotherwithireintheireyes.

Inschooltheyseemedtobeconstantlyrangedonoppositesides,and
therivalryhadextendedintomanyofthenaturalpastimesindulgedin
bygrowingboys,frombaseballinthesummertofootballintheautumn
andskatingandhockeyinthewinter.
Therivalryseemedunequalfromonepointofview,sinceFerdwasthe
onlysonofArchibaldGraylock,proprietorofthebigdepartmentstore
inthetown,andknownasawealthyman;whileDicklivedinanhumble
cottagewithhismother,awidow,andtheircircumstanceshadbeen
growingmoreandmorestraightenedduringthelastyear,sothatour
Page9
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
herowasseriouslycontemplatinggivingupallhopeofattendingschool
againinthefall,andseekingaposition.
Dick'sfatherhadbeenacarpenterknownforhismanygoodqualities;he
hadbyfrugalityandprudencesavedasumwhichhadbeeninvestedashe
thoughtjudiciously,andwouldserveasameansofsupporttohislittle
familyincaseanythinghappenedtohim.
Seriouslyinjuredinanaccidenthehadlingeredfornearlyayearand
thenbeentaken,leavingthemotherandsontofacetheworld.For
severalyearsthingswentalongsmoothly,forMrs.Morrisonwasan
excellenthousekeeper,andcouldmakeadollargoagreatwayswithout
appearingtobeniggardly;butunexpectedmisfortuneovertookthem,and
thecompanyinwhichmostofthecarpenter'ssavingshadbeeninvested
struckareef,sothatnotonlydidthelittleincomeceasefromthis
sourcebuttherewasdangerthattheprincipalmightalsobelost.
ThiswastheseriousconditionofaffairsinDick'shomeatthetimehe
methisbitterrivalontheroad;hehadbeenburiedinthought,trying
toseewhathisdutymightbe,andashecontinuedonafterleavingFerd
heendeavoredtoforgettheunpleasantincident,andresumehis
planning.

ChancesforworkwerenotveryabundantinandaroundRiverview.
Dickknewlittleaboutfarming,andbesides,eventhoughheshould
secureajobinthatlinehewasawarethatmostfarmersinsistedupon
theirhelpbeingonthegroundallthetime,astheyhadtogetoutlong
beforedaylighttofeedthestock,andsincehecouldnotleavehis
motheralonehehadtopassanysuchopportunityby.
TherewasthebankofwhichMr.Gibbswaspresident;hehadalways
Page10
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
yearnedtodosomethingalongthatline;buthavingnoexperiencehehad
neverdaredapplyforapositionthere,thoughenvyingCharlesDoty,who
ranmessagesandmadehimselfgenerallyusefulinthebank,"learning
theropes,sothatintimehecouldstepintoMr.Gibbs'shoes,"ashe
usedoftentosaywithpride.
Foraladwithbusinessambitionsthereremainedonlythetwogrocery
stores,andthegrandemporiumconductedbyMr.Graylock,aninstitution
hechosetocalladepartmentstore,andwhichcoveredquitealarge
spaceofground.
StrangetosayDickhadjustbeenmakinguphismindtocallonthis
latterenterprisingmerchantandsolicitanopening,atthetimehemet
thehopefulsonontheroad,andhadanotherdisagreeableexperience
withFerd;indeed,itseemedasthoughtheycouldnevercometogether
withoutsometroublearising,thoughDickhadresolvedtimeandagain
thathewouldnotbetheirsttopickaquarrel.
NowherelectedthatitwasalmostuselessapproachingMr.Graylock,
forhefeltsurethatthegentlemanmusthaveheardaboutthetimewhen
heandFerdengagedinaroughandtumbleightonthebaseballield,
aftertheotherhaddeliberatelystruckhim,andcalledhimacoward
becausehewassoslowtotakeoffhiscoatandengageinacombatthat
provedtoberathergoryforFerd yes,he_knew_thismustbethecase,

forhismotherhadlookedseriousforsomelittletime,andheheard
thattherichmanwasseenleavingtheirhumblecottageoneafternoon
whilehewasaway.
Sohefeltundecidedastowhatheshouldattempt,andallthewayhome
heponderedoverthesituation,determinedtodosomethingtochase
away
thelookofconcernwhicheverynowandthenhesawgatheringonhis
Page11
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
mother'sgentleface,whenshedidnotdreamthathewasobservingher.
"Shedoesn'twantmetoknowhowhardthingsaregrowing,"hemused.
"Shethinksofmeallthetime,andisthedearestlittlemotherinthe
world.I'dgiveupanythingforher,andI'mgoingtoindaposition
somewhere,somehow.That'ssettled.There'sgottobemoremoney
coming
inthroughthedooroftheMorrisons,andit'suptoRichardtosetthe
streaminmotion."
Hisresolutionwasallverywell,butitwasnotsoeasytodecidewhere
thisfountaincouldbetappedthatwastopouritstinygoldenstream
intotheiralmostemptyreservoir.
Againandagainheshookhisheadresolutelyashetrudgedalong,and
theexpressiononhisfacewasthatofonewhohasmadeuphismindand
willnotallowhimselftobeturnedasidebyanyobstacle;itwasthe
lookofa_winner_,andwhenhismatessawDickMorrisonsethisteeth
inthatdeterminedwaytheyknewhewasboundtoleadhissideto
victory,nomatterwhattheopposition.
Dickpresentlydrewnearthelittlecottageinwhichheandhismother
hadlivedeversincehecouldremember,andwhich,withitslower
garden,wasasprettyaspotasonecouldindalongtheriverroadjust
outsidethetown.

Thinkingonlyofshowingacheeryfacetotheonewhohadeverbeenhis
bestfriendandcounselloronearthhetriedtoforgethisworries,and
startingtowhistlemerrilyopenedthegateandpassedupthewalk.
Page12
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
CHAPTERII
AMOTHERWORTHFIGHTINGFOR
PerhapshadDickbeenlessnoisyashecameupthewalkhemighthave
caughthismotherintears;forhefeltsurehedetectedthesignsof
recentweepinguponherthinfaceasheenteredandthrewthepackagehe
wascarryingonthetable.
"I'mgladyoufoundMrs.Oliverathome,"saidMrs.Morrison,"andshe
hadtheworkready.Icanstartonitto-night,andperhapsinishthe
wholethingthisweek,"andsheopenedthepackage,andexaminedthe
goodsthathadbeeninthewrapper.
"You'reworkingtoohardasitis,mother,"saidDick,puttinganarm
aroundherandlookingupintoherface,"andI'vedeterminedthatthis
sortofthingjustcan'tgoonanylonger."
"Whatdoyoumean,myson?"sheasked."YouknowthatsinceIamagood
needle-womanandthetimesaresohardwithusjustatpresent,Iam
fortunatetobeabletogetworkfromseveraloftheladiesaround
Riverview.Perhapsitwillnothavetobeforlong,Dick,dear."
"Iknowitwon'tifIhaveanysayinthematter.You'resittingup
everynightsewinglongafterI'vegonetobed.Why,onenight,you
rememberIwokeupanditwasaftertwelve,yetyouwerestillsewing.
Youaregettingthinandcareworn,mother.DoyouthinkIdon'tnotice
it?AnddoyouimagineIcanstanditrightalong?Therehasgottobea
change,that'sall.I'vemademymindup."
Page13
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune

Shelookedintohisresoluteface,andseeingthelovethatshoneinhis
eyesfeltthatafterallherburdenscouldnotbesohardwhenHeaven
hadgivenhersuchastalwartsontobethestaffofheroldage.
"Andwhathaveyoudecided,Dick?Willyougetafterthatcompanyand
forcethemtobeginpayingdividendsagain?Ithinkthatwouldbea
blessingtomorewidowsthanone;butI'mafraiditwouldproveatask
beyondyourstrength,dear,"shesaid,pattinghimontheheadashe
stoodbesideher,almostthreeinchestallerthanhismother.
"No,Idon'tthinkIcouldmanagethat,butthereisonethingIcanand
willdoandthatistoindajob,sothatIcanbebringingin
somethingeveryweektohelpout.Thenyouneedn'tsitupatnightas
youdo.Pleasedon'tsayanythingagainstit,mother.I'vemadeupmy
mindtoit.Thevacationhasbegun,andunlessthingstakeaturnfor
thebetter,schoolandDickMorrisonhavepartedcompanyforgood.I'm
onlysorryIdon'tseemtohaveinheritedanyoffather'sgeniusfor
tools,orIcouldgetapositionasanassistanttoMr.Plane,the
carpenter.ButI'vebeenconsideringthesituation,andI'mgoingto
indsomewaytobringinafewdollarseachweek,evenifIhavetoset
outtobeaisherman."
Shesmiledwithpride,andinthatmomentthefondmotherdidnotenvy
thewifeoftherichdepartmentstorekeeperwhorodeaboutinher
carriageanddelightedtoletotherpeoplerealizejusthowsmalland
meantheyappearedinhersight.
"Well,itisnicetohearyousayallthat,Richard,forittellsme
thatyourheartistrue,andthatnomatterwhatbefallsIcandependon
myboy'slove.Butthere'snousecrossingariverbeforewecometoit.
Ishalloffernooppositiontoyoudoinganyhonestworkthatcomesyour
wayduringvacation;andiftimeshavenotimprovedwhenschoolopens
Page14
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune

again,IsupposeImustendurethethoughtofyourcontinuingon.You
havealwaysbeenaluckyisherman,andwhatyoubringhomehasbeen
so
sweetandpalatablethatitseemstomeyoucouldeasilyindpurchasers
forallyoucouldcatch,"shesaid,leavinghim,tobegintolookafter
thesupperthatwascookingonthestove.
"OnlyifeverythingelsefailscanItrythat,"heexplained."Yousee
onecan'tdependontheishtodotheirpartofthecontract.Somedays
theyrefusetobiteatall,andthenotherdaysarestormy.ButI'vegot
severalideasthatI'mboundtotryout,andI'mgoingtostart
to-morrow."
Thatwasallhesaid,forDickneverlikedtoboastinadvanceofwhat
heexpectedtoaccomplish,havinglearnedfromsadexperiencethatvery
oftenasnagisapttosinkthecraftfreightedwithhopes,andwhen
leastexpected.
Hebusiedhimselfsettingthetable,whilehismotherlightedthelamp
andpreparedtoservetheirfrugalmeal.
Itwasatimeofyearwhenverylittlecameinfromthesmallgarden
thatlaybackofthehouse,andwhichtheytookcareofincommon,Dick
doingallthehardworkandhismothersomeoftheweeding;lateron
theyexpectedthattheproceedsfromthispatchwouldprovidemanya
goodmeal,shouldtheweathersmileupontheirunitedefforts.
Beingnaturallyaboywholookeduponthebrightsideofthings,asa
healthyladmightbeexpectedtodo,Dickhadprovedablessingtohis
mothertimeswithoutnumber.
Helaughedandchattedastheysatatthetable,andforthetimebeing
Page15
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
thepoorlittlewomanreallyforgotthattherewassuchathingas
anxietyinthisworld.

EventhelittleencounterwithFerdwasrelatedwithmoreorlesshumor;
andyetwhileMrs.MorrisonfoundherselfcompelledtosmileatDick's
quaintdescriptionofthewayinwhichFerdover-leapedhimself,atthe
sametimeashadeofworrycreptoverherface.
"Oh!Ihopehewillnottellhisfatheraboutitandtrytolaythe
blameonyourshoulders,"shesaid,sighing.
"Butwhyshouldhe,mother?Ihadnothingtodowithit,andnevereven
touchedhisoldmotor-cycleuntilIofferedtohelphimgetitoutof
theditch?NowyounevertoldmethatMr.Graylockcamearoundto
complainaboutmethatothertime,butIguesseditallthesame.Itwas
justlikehimtothreatenthathewoulddosomethingawfulifIeverput
ahandonhisprecioussonagain.Poorlittlefellow,he'sonlythree
inchestallerthanme.YouknowItoldyouallaboutthattroubleatthe
time,mother?"heexpostulated,indignantly.
"Yes,yes,soyoudid,myson,andItoldMr.Graylockthatyoucould
nothavebeentoblame thatafterallitwasonlyaboyishdispute,and
noseriousdamagehadbeendone.Hecalledyouabullyandaterror,and
saidhewouldmakeanexampleofyouifiteverhappenedagain.Oh!he
frightenedmeso."
"Theoldwretch,tocomeandtalkthatwaytoalady,andsheawidow,
too.Whatdoyousupposefatherwouldhavedonetohimifhehadbeen
alive?NearlyeveryboytherewilltellyouIrefusedtoightuptothe
timehestruckmeinthefaceandcalledmemeannames.ThenI
commenced.PerhapsIdidhithimalittleharderthanIshould,butI
wasstirredup,andmeanttoteachhimtoleavemealoneafterthat.I
Page16
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
guessIdiditallright,"andDick,boy-like,smiledgrimlyas,in
imaginationhecouldseethedeplorableconditionofhisantagonistwhen
Ferdhumblyadmittedthathehadhadenough.

"Butyouseeithappenedthathisfathermethimontheroadwhilehis
facewasallcoveredwithblood.Itwasonlybecausehehadbeenstruck
onthenose;butitlookedterribletohisfather,andangeredhim.I
hopeyouwillnothaveanytroublewiththatill-naturedboyagain,
son,"shesaid,earnestly.
"Ineverwantto,mother,norwithanyfellow;butthere'salimiteven
tothepatienceofJob.Fatheralwaystaughtmenevertoseekaquarrel;
butatthesametimenevertorunawayfromonelikeacoward.Itryto
followhisadvice,mother."
"Yes,Iamsureyoudo.Andyourfatherwasapeaceableman;yetIcan
rememberonceortwicewhenhetookoffhiscoatandthrashedabully
untilhehowledformercy.Infact,totellthetruth,thatwastheway
Iirstmadehisacquaintanceasaboy,forhecametomyassistance
whenabigrufianofanovergrowncowardhadstoppedmeontheroad
and
declaredhewasgoingtokissme.OfcourseIscreamedandyourfather,
thenaladlearningthecarpentertrade,jumpedfromtheroofofa
kitchennearbyandcametomyrescue."
Shelaughedastherecollectioncamebacktohermind,andonceagain
shecouldseetheyoungmanshehadlovedformanyyearsstandingupas
herknight;Dicktoolookedpleasedathearinghowthefatherhe
rememberedsowellhadbeenreadytodefendtheright.
"Idon'tthinkFerdwillsayanythingaboutthislastlittleadventure.
Youseehisfatherwasopposedtohisgettingthatmotor-cycle,forhe
Page17
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
saiditwouldbejustlikeFerdtohaveanaccident,andperhapsgethis
neckbroken.Andtotellthetruth,alittlelateronifnothingelse
turnsupImeantotryandgetworkinMr.Graylock'sstore.It'sabusy
place,andhemightgivemeachance.He'sadeaconinthechurch,and

I'veoftenheardhimtellhowallofusoughttoheapcoalsofireon
ourenemy'sheadbydoinghimagoodturn.I'mgoingtoputhimtothe
test,mother.Perhapshemayturnoutbetterthanwethink,whoknows?"
"Ihopeso,dear.Iliketothinkthebestofallmen;butMr.Graylock
ismostunreasonablewhenangered."
AftersupperDickinsisteduponhismothersittingdowntorestwhilehe
washedthefewdishes;itwasaregularemploymentwithhim;notthathe
likedthejob,butitgavehimsatisfactiontoknowthathewas
relievingherfromsomeofthedrudgeryofthehousework.
Lateronhebusiedhimselfinlookingoveralotofishlinesandhooks,
sincehewasbentuponcarryingouthisschemeforbusinessincase
nothingbettercameuponthemorrow.
NooneknewbetterthanDickwheretheishlay,andhissuccessin
securingastringoftheinnybeautieshadlongbeentheenvyofhis
mates;hehadalwayslovedtostudythehabitsofthebassandother
denizensofthelittleriverthatgavetheprettytownitsname;andit
wasreallythisknowledgethatbroughtabouthisrewardwhenothers
went
homealmostempty-handed.
Helayawakealongtimethatnight,lookingoutofhiswindowatthe
brightstarthathadformanyayearpeepedinthroughthewindowofhis
littleroom,andinsomewaycheeredhimbyitstwinkling;helaidmany
plansfortheimmediatefuture,andsomehowjustthethoughtofthe
Page18
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
smileuponthecarewornfaceofhislittlemotherseemedaninspiration,
urginghimtogreaterefforts.
Thushepicturedthedaywhenhewouldbesuccessfulinbusiness,and
whenwantwouldnolongerconfrontthematthedoor;whenhecould
surroundthisdearonewithallthecomfortsandperhapssomeofthe

luxuriesthatotherwomendelightedin,andwithsuchnobleambitions
soothinghimDickinallyfellasleep.
CHAPTERIII
DICK'SFIRSTWAGES
ImmediatelyafterbreakfastonthefollowingmorningDickstartedout
uponhissearchforemployment.
Hedidnotknowhowfarhemighthavetotrampinscouringthe
surroundingcountry,andsoaskedhismothertolethimputhimupa
"snack"whichwouldhelptotidehimoverthenoonhour,ifhehappened
tobeatadistancefromhome.
Asheturnedandlookingbackwavedhishandtoherjustashehad
alwaysdonesincetheirstdayhewenttoschool,shefeltthatitwas
hardindeedthatherboyshouldhavetobethrownontheworldtomakea
livingwhenothersamonghisschoolmateshadpleasanthomes,and
well-to-doparentstocareforthem.
ButDickneverallowedhimselftolookatthingsinthatway;hefelt
Page19
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
withinhimthespirittodoanddarethatleadstosuccessifpersisted
in,andhewasgrimlydeterminednottoallowhimselffeelany
discouragementevenshouldhemeetwithfailurerightandleft.
Hehadheardjusttheprecedingdaythatthemillerdowntheriverroad
waslookingforaboytoassisthim,sincehissonwassick,anditwas
towardthequaintoldmill,drivenbywaterfromthelittleriver,that
heirstofallturnedhissteps.
Ashetrudgedalongabouthalfamilebeyondtheoutskirtsofthetown
hediscoveredavehiclesomelittledistanceahead,apparentlystalled.
Somethinghadhappened,forthedriverwasonthegroundandappeared
to
bebusytryingtomendabreakintheharness,orsomethingstillmore

serious.
AshedrewnearerDicksawirstofallthatthemanwasMr.Cartwright,
themiller,theverymanhewasintendingtosee,andthenextthinghe
noticedwasthattheloadedwagonwastiltedononeside,showingthata
wheelmusthavegivenaway,threateningacompletecollapse.
Hehurriedup,wonderingifhisluckystarmightnotbeintheascendant
justthen,theopportunitytogetinthegoodgracesofthemiller
seemingsogood.
Thedustymillerwasscratchinghisheadinpuzzledwonderatjustthe
minuteDickarrivedonthescene.
"Goodmorning,Mr.Cartwright.Youseemtohavemetwithanaccident,"
remarkedtheboy,ashecamealongside.
Page20
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
Themanlookedupwithinterest,toshowmoreorlessdisappointment
whenhefoundthatitwasonlyaboywhohadarrived.
"It'syou,isit,Dick?Yes,I'vebrokendownatlast.Twentyyearsmore
orlessI'vecarriedloadsbackandforthbetweenmymillandthetown,
andneveronceinallthattimehaveIhadsuchanaccident.Thewheel
isgivingway.IfItrytogoonitwillsmashentirely,andperhaps
partofmyloadbethrownoff.HowtogethomeisaquestionIamtrying
todecide.Ihatetounload.IfIhadanotherwheelandajackhereI
mightgetaroundthetrouble."
"Icouldgetthemforyou,sir;orifyouthoughtbestwecouldtakea
railfromthefencehereanduseittoholduptheloadwhileyoucrept
home.Itisn'tagreatwayoff,youknow,"remarkedDick,quickly.
"Doyouthinkwecouldixitwitharaillashedundertheaxle?I've
seenitdonewithanemptywagonbutneverwithafullone,"exclaimed
themiller,brighteningup.
"Bychangingapartoftheload,andthrowingitoveronthesidewhere

therearetwosoundwheelsIthinkitcouldbemanaged,sir,"replied
Dick,andtherewassuchanairofconvictionabouthissmilingface
thatthemillerseemedtobeconvincedevenagainsthisownjudgment.
"Well,now,itmightgo,andI'vehalfamindtotryit.Canyougiveme
ahand,Dick,orareyouinahurry?"heasked.
[Illustration:"CANYOUGIVEMEAHAND,DICK,ORAREYOUINA
HURRY?"
HEASKED.
_DicktheBankBoy__Page19_]
Page21
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
"Nohurryatall,sir,andonlytoogladtohelpyouifIcan,"andin
ajiffyhehadhurriedtothefence,selectedthestoutestrailin
sight,andwasbackagainatthesideofthemanwhowasintrouble.
Theyirstofallshiftedthecargoasmuchaspossible,soastothrow
thegreaterpartoftheweightontheleftsideofthewagon,thus
relievingthestrainonthebrokenwheel.
Fortunatelythemillerhadplentyofropealongunderhisseat,and
aftertheyhadunitedtheirstrengthtoraisethatendofthewagonby
meansofotherrails,theonethathadbeenselectedasadragwas
securelylashedintoplace.
Thusthebrokenwheeldidnotcomeincontactwiththeroad,andwhen
thepatientoldhorsewassetinmotionthevehicleshufledalongafter
afashion.
"Themissus'llthinkI'mcominghomelikeawhippeddogwithhistail
betweenhislegs,butit'sacaseofanyportinastorm,andI'mglad
togetbackwithoutthrowingoffthiswholeload.I'msureobligedto
you,Dick,fortheliftyougaveme,andIwon'tforgetiteither.
P'rapssomedayIcanpayitback."
Ofcoursethatwasthepropertimetostrike,whiletheironwashot,

andDickknewitwellenough.
"Why,Iwasjustonmywayheretoseeyou,Mr.Cartwright.Iheardthat
youwantedsomeonetoassistyou,andasI'mlookingforworkI
thoughtI'dapplyforthejob.I'mstrong,andIthinkabletodowhat
youwant,"hehastenedtosay.
Themillerlookedathimwithasmile.
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DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
"Well,now,I'dliketogiveyouworkirstrate,Dick,boy;afterthe
wayyouixedmeupthismorningIreckonyou'rearighthandysortofa
boytohavearound.ButyouseeIexpectmysonTobytobewellenough
inafewdaystogetontohisregularbusinessagain.Ifyoucaredto
tackletheworktillthenI'dsurebegladtohaveyou.It'smybusy
time,andI'mfallingbehindeveryday.Youcouldbeagreathelptome,
onlythejobisapttobeashortone,"heremarked.
"Itmighthelpout,Mr.Cartwright.Youknowmymotherisintrouble
overthatinvestment,andtimesaregoinghardwithus.Imeantogetto
workatonce,andtrytomakeiteasierforher.I'lltakethejobwhile
itlasts,sir,"andhethrewoffhiscoatwithabusiness-likeairthat
pleasedtheoldmiller.
"Butseehere,Dick,weain'tmadenoterms.IpaidTobytwentyamonth,
andhisboard.Wouldadollarandaquarteradaysatisfyyou,son?A
specialjoblikethisalwayscommandshigherwages,youknow,"he
inquired,eagerly,forhehadbeenwonderinghowhecouldkeepupwith
hisorderswhileshorthanded.
"Itsuitsmeirst-rate,sir.Onlywishitwouldkeeprightalong not
thatIwouldliketohaveTobysickyouunderstand.And,nowifyouwill
showmejustwhatI'mtostartonI'llgettowork."
"Say,Ilikethatkindoftalk.Ireckonyouandmewillpulltogether
allright,Dick.Iknowedyourfathermanyyears,andifsobetheboy

hasgotsomeofhisgritandgoinhismake-upthereain'tnofearbut
he'llgetthere."
ItilledDickwithasenseofdeepestsatisfactiontorealizethathe
wasactuallyearningrealmoney;andagainandagainhepicturedthe
Page23
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
lookofhappinessthatheknewwouldlashoverthefaceofhismother
whenhetoldherofhissuccess;ofcoursethejobwasonlyatemporary
one,butthenitcertainlyseemedliketheharbingerofothergood
thingstocome.
Hewhistledathiswork,andthemillerthoughtthismerry-heartedlad
wasworthhavingaroundasaninspiration,eventhoughhemightnotbe
assturdyaworkerashisbig-muscledToby.
ButDickwaspossessedofindomitablepluck,andafterhegrewalittle
accustomedtotheworkhethoroughlysatisiedhisemployer.
Atnoonheheardaconchshellblown,andwashingupasMr.Cartwright
haddirectedhim,heproceededtothehouse,wherehesatdowntoa
bountifulspreadthatwascertainlyajoyoussightintheeyesofa
hungryboy.
Heonlywishedthelittlemotherweresittingbesidehiminsteadofbig
Toby,nowwellontheroadtorecovery.
Andallthatafternoon,whenhefelttiredfromtheunusualemployment
ofhismuscles,hecheeredhimselfupwiththethoughtofhowproudhe
wouldbetoplacethatirstdollarandaquarterinthehandofthe
waitinglittlewomaninthecottagebytheriverbank foritwasoneof
themiller'speculiaritiestodoacashbusiness,andpayanyone
workingforhimeachdayafterthehourforstoppingarrived.
Itwasatiresomewalkbacktotownandthenouthome,butDickstrode
alongwithalightheart,andhavingchangedhismindabouthis
homecomingstoppedintowntobuysomethinginthewayofgroceries

whichheknewwouldillalong-feltwantathome.
Page24
DicktheBankBoyor,AMissingFortune
Inthegloamingthenhearrived,toindhismotherbeginningtogrow
nervousoverhislongabsence;andonlywhenherarmswereabouthis
neckhetoldofhissuccessinobtainingwork.
Doublysweetwasthehumblefarethatnight,forhefeltthathehad
reallydonehisparttowardthesupportoftheMorrisonfamily,andthat
hewasinafairroadtowardillingthatplaceattheheadmadevacant
bythedeathofhisfather.
CHAPTERIV
INSEARCHOFAJOB
Thejobwiththemillerlastedjustivedays.
ThenToby,havingdeclaredhimselfreadytotakeuphisduties,Mr.
CartwrightwascompelledtoletDickgo,forhereallyhadnoneedof
hishelp,sincethingswererunningintheirnaturalchannel,allthe
backworkhavingbeencleanedupundertheenergeticpushofyoung
Morrison.
"I'mreallysorrytoloseyou,Dick,boy.You'vedoneallright,andif
IeverhaveneedofahelperagainI'dlikenothingbetterthantocall
onyou.IfIhearofanopeningI'llsureletyouknow,"themiller
said,thateveningasheplacedthelastpayintheboy'shand.
Mrs.Cartwrighthadtakenconsiderableinterestinallshehadheard
aboutDickfromherhusband,andbeingawomanofdiscernmentshe
Page25