The Young Adventurer: or, Tom's Trip Across the Plains. Horatio Alger Jr.
told me that you offered to advance money enough to get him to California," said Mr. Nelson, coming to business.
"On satisfactory security," added the squire cautiously.
"You proposed to increase the mortgage on my place?"
"Yes," said the squire. "I wouldn't have done it, though, Neighbor Nelson, but for the good turn the boy did me. I am not at all particular about increasing the amount of the mortgage, but, if by so doing it I can promote Tom's views, I won't object."
"Thank you, sir," said Tom gratefully.
"It is a serious step for me to take," continued Mr. Nelson, "for I feel the incumbrance to be a heavy one already. In fact, it is with difficulty that I pay the interest. But the time has come when Tom should start in life, and in this village there seems to be no opening."
"None whatever," said the squire, in a tone of decision.
"What do you think of the prospects in California?" asked Mark Nelson. "You are a man of business, and can judge better than I. Are the stories we hear of fortunes made in a short time to be relied upon?"
"As to that," said the squire deliberately, "I suppose we can't believe all we hear; we must make some allowances. But, after all, there's no doubt of the existence of gold in large quantities; I am satisfied of that."
"Then about the wisdom of sending out a boy like Tom, alone; do you think it best?"
"It depends altogether on the boy," responded the squire. "If he is honest, industrious, and energetic, he will make his way. You know your own boy better than I do."
"He is all you say, Squire Hudson. I have a great deal of confidence in Tom."
Tom looked at his father gratefully. Sometimes it does a boy good to learn that the older people have confidence in him.
"Then let him go," said the squire. "I stand ready to furnish the money. I think you said you needed two hundred dollars."
This question was put to Tom, and the boy answered in the affirmative.
"Very well," said the squire. "As soon as the necessary writings are made out, the money shall be ready."
"It's all settled!" thought Tom triumphantly.
At that moment Sinclair Hudson, the squire's only son, opened the door and looked into the room.
"Hello, Tom Nelson," said he, rather rudely. "What brings you here?"
CHAPTER VI.
TOM ARRIVES IN PITTSBURG
"I came on business, Sinclair," answered Tom, smiling.
"Thomas is going to California, Sinclair," explained Squire Hudson.
Sinclair opened wide his eyes in amazement. "What for?" he asked.
"To dig gold and make my fortune," answered Tom complacently.
"Come out and tell me all about it."
"You can go, Thomas," said Squire Hudson graciously. "Your father and I will settle the business."
"Is it true that you are going to California?" asked Sinclair, when they were out in the front yard.
"Yes."
"How soon do you go?"
"I want to get away in a week."
"What has my father to do with it?" inquired Sinclair.
"He is going to lend me the money to get there."
"How much?"
"Two hundred dollars."
"Then he is a greater fool than I thought," said Sinclair, with characteristic politeness.
"Why do you say that?" demanded our hero, justly nettled.
"Because he'll never see the money again."
"Yes, he will. My father is responsible for it."
"Your father is a poor man."
"He is able to pay that, if I don't; but I hope he won't have to."
"Do you really expect to find gold?" asked Sinclair curiously.
"Certainly I do. Others have, and why shouldn't I? I am willing to work hard."
"Do you think you'll come home rich?"
"I hope so."
"I have a great mind to ask father to let me go with you," said Sinclair unexpectedly.
"You wouldn't like it. You haven't been brought up to work," said Tom, rather startled, and not much pleased with the proposal, for Sinclair Hudson was about the last boy he wished as a companion.
"Oh, I wouldn't go to work. I would go as a gentleman, to see the country. Wait a minute; I will run in and ask him."
So Sinclair ran into the house, and preferred his request.
"That's a wild idea, Sinclair," said his father quickly.
"Why is it? I'm as old as Tom Nelson."
"He is going because it is necessary for him to earn his living."
"He will have a splendid time," grumbled the spoiled son.
"You shall travel all you want to when you are older," said his father. "Now you must get an education."
"I want to travel now."
"I will take you to New York the next time I go."
"Give me five dollars besides."
The money was handed him.
He went out and reported to Tom that he was going to travel all over the world when he was a little older, and had decided not to go to California now.
"If you have money enough you can go with me," he added graciously.
"Thank you," said Tom politely, though the prospect of having Sinclair for a traveling companion did not exhilarate him much.
For a few days Mrs. Nelson was very busy getting Tom ready to go. It was well, perhaps, that so much needed to be done, for it kept her mind from the thought of the separation.
The question of which route to take, whether by steamer or across the plains, demanded consideration. It was finally decided that Tom should go overland. It was thought he might join some company at St. Joseph – or St. Joe, as it was then, and is now, popularly called – and pay his passage in services, thus saving a good share of the two hundred dollars. That was, of course, an important consideration.
"How shall I carry my money?" asked Tom.
"It will be best to take gold, and carry it for safety in a belt around your waist," said his father. "You must be very prudent and careful, or you may be robbed. That would be a serious thing for you, as I could not forward you any more money."
"I will be very prudent, father," said Tom. "I know the value of money too well to risk losing it."
Well, the days of preparation were over at length, and Tom stood on the threshold, bidding good-by to his parents and his brothers and sisters. He had not realized till now what it was to leave home on a long journey of indefinite duration. He wanted to be heroic, but in spite of himself his eyes moistened, and he came near breaking down.
"I don't know how to part with you, my dear child," said his mother.
"Think that it is all for the best, mother," said Tom, choking. "Think of the time when I will come back with plenty of money."
"God bless you, Tom!" said his father. "Don't forget your good habits and principles when you are far away from us."
"I won't, father."
So Tom's long journey commenced.
Tom's plan was to go to St. Louis first. His father made some inquiries about the route, and recommended going to Pittsburg by cars, then to take the boat on the Ohio River for Cincinnati. This seemed to Tom to afford a pleasant variety, and he gladly accepted the suggestion.
As they were approaching Pittsburg, Tom occupied a whole seat on the left-hand side of the car. A brisk, plausible young