Before leaving New York, Harry Vane decided to call upon the nephew to whom Mr. Woolson of Melbourne had given him a letter of introduction.
Upon inquiry, he found that John Woolson & Co. (the style of the firm) were large importers in the lower part of the city.
Accompanied by Jack, he called one morning. Mr. John Woolson, a courteous gentleman, about forty years of age, received him with politeness, which changed to cordiality when he had read his uncle"s letter.
"My uncle writes here that you two young gentlemen recently rendered him an important service."
"We were fortunate enough to save him from being robbed," said Harry modestly.
"And maltreated, also, I presume," said the nephew. "When did you arrive in New York?"
"Last Thursday, sir."
"Did you leave my uncle well?"
"He looked in excellent health."
"How long do you remain in the city? What are your plans?"
"We think of leaving to-morrow. We wish to see friends from whom we have long been parted."
"My uncle wishes me to offer you a position in my establishment, Mr.
Vane. If that will meet your views, I shall be happy to receive you."
"I should like nothing better, sir," replied Harry, his eyes sparkling.
"Will fifteen dollars a week satisfy you to begin with?"
"But, sir, I can"t hope to earn as much as that."
"Well perhaps not, just at first," said the merchant, smiling; "but if your looks don"t belie you, it will not be long before your services will be worth that sum. At any rate I am ready to pay it."
"Thank you, sir," said Harry gratefully. "When would you wish me to commence?"
"When you please. You had better take a vacation of a month to visit your friends. Then come to the city, and enter my employment."
Harry renewed his thanks, and Mr. Woolson turned to Jack.
"Yon have been trained as a sailor, I believe," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you wish to follow the sea?"
"Yes, sir," answered Jack promptly. "I love the sea."
"Then I will find you a good position on one of my ships, commend you specially to the captain as a young friend of mine, and promote you as fast as your progress in seamanship will warrant my doing so."
Now it was Jack"s turn to look jubilant, for nothing could have suited him better.
"You too will want a vacation. Take as long as you like, and then come to me. By the way, I don"t know how you are situated as regards money.
If either of you desires an advance, I shall be glad to accommodate you."
"We met with good luck at the mines," said Harry, "and are both well supplied with money. We thank you, however, for your kind offer."
The boys left the office in high spirits.
"I don"t see but our prospects are bright, Jack," said Harry.
"I didn"t think so when we were on the island," said Jack, "or when we were captives among the bushrangers."
"No; we have certainly seen some hard times. Let us hope that we have had our share, and may look forward now to happier days."
Now that their future was arranged, the boys were in a hurry to leave the city and visit their friends. Obed sympathized with them.
"Boys," said he, "I"m gettin" kinder homesick. There"s an old man and a girl I want to see, and tell "em of my good luck."
"Your father and----"
"Suke Stanwood. Suke has been waitin" for me five years, and there aint no need of waitin" any longer. If all goes well she"ll be Mrs. Obed Stackpole within a month."
"She may not be able to get her wedding things so soon, Obed."
"She don"t need any wedding things. Any dress"ll do to be married in."
"You will send us some cards and cake, I hope, Obed."
"Better"n that: I"ll send you an invite to the weddin"."
"Then it"ll have to come soon, Obed. I shall be gone to the city, and Jack to sea within a month."
"Then we"ll hurry it up. It"ll give me a good excuse. But there"s one thing I"m going to do before I get married."
"What is that?"
"Pay off the mortgage on dad"s farm. It"s only a thousand dollars, but dad couldn"t lift it if he lived to a hundred."
"And what are you going to do, Obed?"
"There"s a farm alongside I can buy for twenty-five hundred dollars, with a comfortable house thrown in. I can buy it, and have more than enough money left to furnish the house and stock the farm."
"I wish you happiness, Obed; but don"t you think you"ll ever pine to be back in Australia?"
"I may hanker after a sight of Fletcher and his two cronies, Colson and Ropes," returned Obed with dry humor, "but we can"t have everything in this world, and I"ll try to rub along with the blessings I have."
Let me add here that Obed carried out his programme. He paid the mortgage, bought the farm, and in less than three weeks he was a married man. Harry and Jack were at the wedding, and received great attention from all Obed"s friends. To the inhabitants of the little village it seemed wonderful that boys so young should have traveled so far, and pa.s.sed through such varied experiences.
"I expect an invite to each of your weddings, boys," said Obed, as they were on the point of leaving him. "One good turn deserves another."