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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Book online «Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (free romance novels txt) 📖». Author Jr. Horatio Alger
“She is fortunate in having a son who is so willing to do his best for her,” said Cameron, kindly. “We don't know what the future may have in store for us, Herbert; but you may rely upon my continued friendship.”
Herbert pressed the hand of the young collegian warmly, for he knew that the offer of service was no empty compliment, but made in earnest sincerity.
The evening passed pleasantly and at nine o'clock Cameron took his leave. Herbert accompanied him as far as the hotel. He was walking leisurely back when he heard his name called and, turning, saw that it was James Leech who had accosted him.
“Where have you been, Carter?” inquired James; “been to see Mr. Cameron, I suppose? Doesn't he get enough of your company in the daytime?”
“You must ask him that. He has been taking tea at our house and I accompanied him home.”
“He took supper at your house!”
“Yes.”
“He seems very fond of keeping low company.”
“What do you mean?” demanded Herbert, his eyes flashing with indignation at this insolence.
“I mean what I say,” answered James, doggedly.
“Then I advise you hereafter to keep your impudence to yourself,” retorted Herbert; “and for fear you may forget it, I give you this as a reminder.”
An instant later James Leech found himself lying on his back on the sidewalk with Herbert bending over him.
He kept upon his feet, pale with rage and mortification.
“I'll be revenged upon you yet, you brute!” he shrieked, in his rage leaving our hero victor of the field.
“I wouldn't have touched him if he hadn't spoken against my mother,” said Herbert.
CHAPTER XXIX A BITTER PILL
James Leech was furious at the humiliation. What he, a gentleman's son, to be knocked down and triumphed over by a boy who was compelled to work! Why, it was almost a sacrilege and no punishment could be too severe for such, flagrant outrage. How should he be revenged? First of all, he would get Herbert discharged from his present employment. Surely Mr. Cameron would not continue to avail himself of the services of a common bully. To attain this, he decided to reveal the matter to his father.
“That boy actually knocked you down!” exclaimed the squire. “But why did you permit him?”
“He took me by surprise,” said James.
“And what did you do? Did you knock him over?”
“I would,” said James, “but I didn't care to pursue him. I thought I would wait and tell you.”
“And what do you want me to do?”
“To get Mr. Cameron to turn him off. I want him to starve,” said James, bitterly.
“You express yourself too strongly, James; but, under the circumstances, I can't blame you much. The boy is evidently a ruffian.”
“Yes, he is a ruffian and a brute, and I don't see what Mr. Cameron sees about him to like, I am sure.”
“Probably the boy makes him think he is a model of excellence. Such boys are apt to be deceitful.”
“He's deceitful enough. You'd think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.”
“I shall make such representations to Mr. Cameron as, I flatter myself, will dispose of the case of this young rascal and make him repent his brutal and unprovoked assault. I'll go over to-morrow forenoon to the hotel and speak to him on the subject,” said the squire, pompously.
“Thank you, father. Put it as strong as you can.”
“I will, you may be assured of that.”
“If I can only get him turned off, I won't mind his hitting me,” thought James. “I hope to see him in the penitentiary some day. It would do him good.”
It so happened that Cameron had met Herbert in a walk he took before breakfast and had been informed of the occurrence of the evening previous.
“I don't know whether I ought to have struck James,” said Herbert, in conclusion; “but when he called my mother and myself low, I couldn't help it.”
“I am glad you did it,” said the young collegian. “The boy is a disagreeable cub and deserves more than one lesson of that sort. Didn't he offer to hit you back?”
“No.”
“So I supposed. I don't approve of fighting; but if he had shown a little courage to back his insolence, I should have despised him less. What will he do?”
“He will injure me, if he can,” said Herbert.
“We will see what comes of it. Meanwhile, in this matter, you may count upon my support.”
Herbert thanked his friend, not realizing how likely Cameron was to be called upon to redeem, his promise.
Shortly after breakfast, Cameron was told that Squire Leech wished to see him.
“Good-morning, Mr. Cameron,” said the squire. “This is an early call.”
“Not too early, sir,” said the young collegian.
“The fact is, I have called on unpleasant business.”
“Really, sir, I am sorry to hear it.”
“It is about the Carter boy who is in your employ.”
“By the Carter boy, you mean my young friend, Herbert Carter, I suppose,” said Cameron, significantly.
“Of course if you choose to regard him as a friend.”
“I certainly do.”
“I don't think you will look upon him in that light when you hear that last evening he brutally assaulted my son James, without provocation, in the village street, taking him by surprise and knocking him over.”
Cameron did not seem as much shocked as the squire anticipated. He took the revelation very coolly.
“You say he did this without provocation?”
“Yes, Mr. Cameron.”
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