"He is about the same as usual," replied the constable. "He has lost ten thousand dollars by Dock Vincent, and he groans about that night and day."
"That money can be recovered," said Mr. Watson. "Vincent did not use it."
"The trial of Dock has been postponed from time to time on account of your absence," added Mr. Gayles. "The case will be called again next week."
When it was a.s.signed the next time, the witnesses were in the court-room. Dock and Mr. Fairfield were arraigned. Mat Mogmore was permitted to testify for the government. Both were found guilty; but, while Dock was sentenced to the longest term of imprisonment provided by law for his crimes, the old man was sentenced to the shortest, with a fine of one thousand dollars. Dock"s term was ten years. It broke his spirit. His little plan was a total failure, and too late he found that the way of the wicked shall not prosper. He was sent to the state prison, and disappeared from public view.
Mr. Fairfield was sent to the common jail; but it was evident that he was dying by inches of mental disorder, and his pardon was procured by the influence of Mr. Watson. He went back to his home. The ten thousand dollars which Dock had borrowed of him was recovered, in process of law, of the person with whom the swindler had deposited it. The old man had really lost but a thousand dollars, the amount of his fine; but he was too miserable to survive long, and died two years after his discharge from prison. Levi was his heir, but he gave his aunt the use of the money while she lived. Her Bible and her religious newspaper were her best friends, and she learned to open her heart and open her purse-strings. She had nothing to do now, and she became, under Levi"s good advice, a blessing to the poor and the suffering.
When Levi was twenty-one, Mr. Gayles"s function as guardian ceased, and he paid over to his ward his entire fortune. But this was a trivial event compared with another, which occurred a few months later, in Boston; when, in Mr. Watson"s elegant mansion, Levi and Bessie received the congratulations of all their friends. Rockport was strongly represented on this interesting occasion.
"May all angels, celestial and terrestrial, keep perpetual vigil over you, Mrs. Fairfield," said Mr. C. Augustus Ebenier, as he touched the gloved hand of the bride, whom he did not presume to kiss, as others did. "And the next time you attempt the semi-circ.u.mnavigation of this mundane sphere, may I have the honor to be the cabin steward of the bark that bears you o"er the stormy sea."
"May prosperity and happiness be yours, Mrs. Fairfield," said Squire Saunders. "Levi, this time I must commit you--to the care of this lady."
"I have taken care of Levi for a good many years, Mrs. Fairfield,"
added Mr. Gayles; "but I cheerfully resign in your favor."
"I never saw so many grand people and sech nice things in all my born days," said aunt Susan; "but Levi"s wuth the whole on "em. I know he"ll make you a good husband, and you"ll make him a good wife;" and the old lady planted a hearty smack on the cheek of each.
When Levi and Bessie returned from their bridal tour in Europe, in the following spring, they took up their residence in the mansion of Mr.
Watson, on the Point. The Starry Flag and The Starry Flag, Jr., both lie in sight of the house, and both of them are frequently used for long and short trips. While Captain Fairfield--as he is generally called--and his beautiful wife hope the day is far distant which will make him a _millionnaire_, this event, in the course of nature, must occur; yet is he richer now, in the possession of a n.o.ble character and a true Christian spirit, than he can be made by any FREAKS OF FORTUNE.
AMERICAN BOYS" SERIES
The books selected for this series are all thoroughly American, by such favorite American authors of boys" books as Oliver Optic, Elijah Kellogg, Prof. James DeMille, and others, now made for the first time at a largely reduced price, in order to bring them within the reach of all. Each volume complete in itself.
1. ADRIFT IN THE ICE FIELDS by Capt. Chas. W. Hall 2. ALL ABOARD OR LIFE ON THE LAKE by Oliver Optic 3. ARK OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 4. ARTHUR BROWN THE YOUNG CAPTAIN by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 5. BOAT CLUB, THE, Or the Bunkers of Rippleton by Oliver Optic 6. BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND, THE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 7. BOYS OF GRAND PRe SCHOOL by Prof. James DeMille 8. "B.O.W.C", THE by Prof. James DeMille 9. BROUGHT TO THE FRONT Or the Young Defenders by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 10. BURYING THE HATCHET Or the Young Brave of the Delawares by Rev.
Elijah Kellogg 11. CAST AWAY IN THE COLD by Dr. Isaac I. Hayes 12. CHARLIE BELL THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 13. CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 14. CROSSING THE QUICKSANDS by Samuel W. Cozzens 15. CRUISE OF THE CAs...o...b.. Rev. Elijah Kellogg 16. FIRE IN THE WOODS by Prof. James DeMille 17. FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 18. FOREST GLEN Or the Mohawk"s Friendship by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 19. GOOD OLD TIMES by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 20. HARDSCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 21. HASTE OR WASTE Or the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain by Oliver Optic 22. HOPE AND HAVE by Oliver Optic 23. IN SCHOOL AND OUT or the Conquest of Richard Grant by Oliver Optic 24. JOHN G.o.dSOE"S LEGACY by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 25. JUST HIS LUCK by Oliver Optic 26. LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 27. LITTLE BY LITTLE or the Cruise of the Flyaway by Oliver Optic 28. LIVE OAK BOYS or the Adventures of Richard Constable Afloat and Ash.o.r.e by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 29. LOST IN THE FOG by Prof. James DeMille 30. MISSION OF BLACK RIFLE or on the Trail by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 31. NOW OR NEVER or the Adventures of Bobby Bright By Oliver Optic 32. POOR AND PROUD or the Fortunes Or Kate Redburn By Oliver Optic 33. RICH AND HUMBLE or the Mission of Bertha Grant By Oliver Optic 34. SOPh.o.m.oRES OF RADCLIFFE or James Trafton and His Boston Friends by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 35. SOWED BY THE WIND or the Poor Boy"s Fortune by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 36. SPARK OF GENIUS or the College Life of James Trafton By Elijah Kellogg 37. STOUT HEART or the Student From Over the Sea by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 38. STRONG ARM AND A MOTHER"S BLESSING by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 39. TREASURE OF THE SEA by Prof. James DeMille 40. TRY AGAIN or the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West By Oliver Optic 41. TURNING OF THE TIDE or Radcliffe Rich and His Patients By Rev.
Elijah Kellogg 42. UNSEEN HAND or James Renfew and His Boy Helpers By Rev. Elijah Kellogg 43. WATCH AND WAIT or the Young Fugitives by Oliver Optic 44. WHISPERING PINE or the Graduates of Radcliffe by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 45. WINNING HIS SPURS or Henry Morton"s First Trial by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 46. WOLF RUN or the Boys of the Wilderness by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 47. WORK AND WIN or Noddy Newman on a Cruise by Oliver Optic 48. YOUNG DELIVERERS OF PLEASANT COVE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 49. YOUNG SHIPBUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg 50. YOUNG TRAIL HUNTERS by Samuel W. Cozzens
LEE and SHEPARD Publishers Boston