CHAPTER VIII
THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT
Our hero regarded the little pile of account books as if theyrepresented some long-lost, newly-found treasure.
He was very much astonished at their presence there. They were atangible reality, however, and no delusion of the senses, and his readymind took in the fact that someone had in an unaccountable mannerrescued them from the burning express shed, and mysteriously restoredthem to the proper representative of the express company in the natureof a vast surprise.
The edges of one of the books was scorched, which was the only evidencethat they had been in the flames.
They were all there, and Bart was very glad. He now had in hispossession every record of the transactions of the Pleasantville expressoffice since the last New Year's day.
"And the contents of the safe are all right, too, that writing says!"exclaimed Bart; "now what does all this mean?"
The handwriting of the announcement was crude and labored, and the boyfelt sure he had never seen it before.
He glanced with some excitement at the ruins of the old express shed,then he went over there. The embers had died down entirely, and the massof ashes and debris was sparkless and cold.
Bart went to a near railroad scrap heap and selected a long iron rodcrowbar crooked at the end. He returned to the ruins and began pokingthe debris aside. He was thus engaged when some trackmen, lounging theday away over on a freight platform, sauntered up to the spot.
"Why don't you work holidays, Stirling?" asked one of them satirically.
"Somebody has got to work to get this mess in shipshape order," retortedBart. "The writing said what was true!" he spoke to himself, as hispokings cleared a broad iron surface. "The safe door is shut."
The safe lay flat on its back where it had fallen when the floor hadburned away. It was an old-fashioned affair with a simple combinationattachment, and so far as Bart could make out had suffered no damagebeyond having its coat of lacquer and gilt lettering burned off.
He leaned over and felt of its surface, which retained scarcely any heatnow.
"We heard the old iron box was caught open by the fire and everything init burned up," spoke one of the trackmen.
"I supposed so myself," said Bart, "but it seems otherwise. I wonder howheavy it is?"
"Wait till I get some tackle," said one of the workmen.
He went away and returned with two crowbars and a pulley and blocktackle.
It was no work at all for those stout, experienced fellows to get thesafe clear of the ruins, and, with the aid of a big truck they broughtfrom the freight house, convey it to the new express quarters.
Just as the town bell rang out four o'clock, Mr. Leslie stepped over thethreshold.
He glanced about the place briskly, gave a start as he noticed the heapof account books at Bart's elbow, and looked both pleased and puzzled ashis eyes lighted on the safe.
"Why, Stirling!" he exclaimed, "are you a wizard?"
"Not quite," replied Bart with a smile, "but someone else seems to be."
"Are those the office books we thought burned up, and the safe?"
"Yes, sir."
"How is this?"
Bart told of the mysterious return of the books and of the scrap ofwriting that had led him to dig up the safe.
"That's a pretty strange circumstance," observed Mr. Lesliethoughtfully. "How do you account for it?"
"I can't," admitted Bart, "except to theorize, of course, that someonehad enough interest in myself or the company to rush into the burningshed and save the books and close the safe while I was getting my fatherto safety."
"That's rational, but who was it?" persisted Mr. Leslie.
"Whoever it was," said Bart, "he has certainly proved himself a good,true friend."
"Have you no idea who it is?" challenged Mr. Leslie sharply.
Bart hesitated for a moment.
"Why, yes," he admitted finally. "I am pretty sure who it is. I do notknow his name, but I have seen him several times," and Bart thought itbest to reveal to his superior all he knew about the roustabout who hadwarned him of the burglary, who had assisted him in rescuing his fatherfrom the burning express shed, and who had vanished suddenly as peoplebegan to crowd to the scene of the blaze.
"I would like to meet that man!" commented Mr. Leslie.
"I hardly think that possible," explained Bart. "He seems to be afraidto face the open daylight, and, as you see, has not even manifestedhimself to me, except in a covert way."
"He is some poor unfortunate in trouble," said the superintendent. "Ifyou do see him, Stirling, give him that--from the express company."
Bart was sure that his mysterious friend could be no other than theroustabout. He took the crisp ten-dollar bill, which the superintendentextended with an impetuousness that showed he was a genuine,warm-hearted man under the surface.
"That quarter of a dollar you gave him was a grand investment, Stirling.And now to get down to business, for I haven't much time to spare."
The superintendent, seating himself on the bench, consulted his watchand fixed his glance on Bart in his former stern, practical way.
"I saw your father at the hospital," he announced.
"Yes, sir?" murmured Bart anxiously.
"They are going to let him go home to-morrow. I am very sorry for hismisfortune. He is an old and reliable employee of the express company,and we will find it difficult to replace him. I have thought over asuggestion he made, and have decided to offer you his position."
"Oh, sir! I thank you," said Bart spontaneously, and the tears ofgladness and pride sprang to his eyes uncontrollably.
"Technically your father will appear in our service. I do not think thecompany bonding him will refuse to continue to be his surety. You mustmake your own arrangement as to legally representing him, signing hisname and the like, and of course you will have to do all the work, forhe will be helpless for some time to come. Are you willing to undertakethe responsibility?"
"Gladly."
"Then that is settled. This arrangement will be in force for sixty days.If, at the end of that time your father is no better, I do not doubtthat we will give you the regular appointment, if in the meantime youfill the bill acceptably."
"I shall do my best."
"And I believe you will succeed. I like you, Stirling," said Mr. Lesliefrankly, "and I am greatly pleased at the way you have stood in thebreach at a critical time, and protected the company's interests. Youwill continue to draw fifty-five dollars a month, and use your judgmentin incurring any expense necessary to keep things running smoothly untilwe get a new express office built. What is in the safe?"
Bart was familiar with its contents. He itemized them, including somefifty unclaimed parcels of small bulk that had accumulated during theyear.
"Get rid of all that stuff," ordered the superintendent briskly. "Ishall advise all the small offices in this division to ship in all theiruncalled-for matter. Advertise a sale, make your returns to the company,and start with a new sheet. I think that is all there is any need ofdiscussing at present, but I will send instructions by wire or mail asthe occasion comes up. Count me your friend as long as you show the truemanhood you have displayed to-day in a situation that would have rattledand frightened most boys--and grown men, too. Good-by."
He was keen, practical business to the core, and no sentiment about him,for he arose promptly with the farewell words, shook hands with Bart inan off-hand way, and was gone like a flash to catch his train to thecity.
Bart stood for a moment in a kind of daze. The congratulatory words ofthe superintendent, and the appointment to the position of agent,stirred the dearest desires of his heart.
His great good fortune momentarily overwhelmed him, and he stood staringsilently after the superintendent in a grand dream of opulence andambition.
"I want you!" spoke a harsh, sudden voice, and Bart Stirling came out ofdreamland with a shock.