CHAPTER XVII.
CHESTER TAKES A LESSON IN BOXING.
"That is my poor, little cousin," explained Arthur.
"Is he sick or in pain?" asked Chester, in quick sympathy.
"He had a fever when he was three years old that left his mind a wreck.He is now eight. The most eminent physicians have seen him, but thereseems little hope of his improvement or recovery."
"Does he suffer pain?"
"You ask on account of the shriek you heard. As far as we can tell, hedoes not. The shriek comes, so the doctor tells us, from a nervousspasm. He would have been a bright boy if he had kept his health. Wouldyou like to see him?"
Chester shrank back.
"I am afraid I should excite him," he said.
He had, besides, an idea that a boy so afflicted would be repulsive inappearance.
"No," said Arthur, "it may relieve him to see you by diverting histhoughts."
Without further words, he opened the door of a room at the head of thestaircase and entered, followed reluctantly by Chester.
"Ernest," said Arthur, in a soothing tone, "I have brought you afriend. His name is Chester."
Chester was amazed at the sight of the boy. He was wonderfullyhandsome, especially when at Arthur's words the look of pain left hisface and it brightened into radiant beauty. He seemed to fall in lovewith Chester at first sight. He ran up to him, seized his hand, kissedit, and said:
"I love you."
Arthur, too, looked amazed.
"He never took to anyone so before," he said. "You have fascinatedhim."
"Sit down. Let me sit in your lap," pleaded Ernest.
All feeling of repugnance, all thoughts of the boy's malady wereforgotten. Chester sat in a low rocking-chair and Ernest seated himselfin his lap, touching his face and hair softly with a caressing hand.
"What a charming boy he is!" thought Chester.
"Did you come to see me?" asked Ernest, softly.
"Yes, I came with Arthur."
"Will you stay with me a little while?"
"A little while, but I must soon go. Why did you scream so loud alittle while ago?"
"I--don't know."
"Were you in pain?"
"N--no," answered Ernest, softly.
"Do you like to cry out in that manner?"
"No, but--I have to do it. I can't help it."
"I think he gives the right explanation," said Arthur. "It is a nervousimpulse, and has nothing to do with pain."
"Does he ever sit in your lap, like this?"
"No; I think he likes me in a way, for I am always kind to him, but youseem to draw him to you irresistibly."
At that moment the professor came in. When he saw Ernest sitting inChester's lap, he stopped short in astonishment.
"This is strange," he said.
"Isn't it, uncle? Chester seems to fascinate my little cousin. Nosooner did he enter the room than Ernest ran up to him, kissed hishand, and caressed him."
"I can't explain it," said the professor, "but Chester seems to have awonderful influence over my poor boy. I never saw him look so happy orcontented before."
All this while Ernest continued to stroke Chester's cheek and his hair,and regarded him with looks of fond affection.
"I am afraid Ernest annoys you," said the professor.
"No; I am glad he likes me. I never had a little brother. I think Ishould enjoy having one."
"If he could only be always like this," said the professor,regretfully.
Just then Margaret entered. She was the nurse, who had constant chargeof Ernest. She paused on the threshold, and her looks showed hersurprise.
"Ernest has found a friend, Margaret," said the professor.
"I never saw the like, sir. Come here, Ernest."
The boy shook his head.
"No, I want to stay with him," indicating Chester.
"Did Ernest ever see him before, sir?"
"No; it seems to be a case of love at first sight."
"He has cut me out," said Arthur, smiling. "Ernest, which do you likebest, me or him?"
"Him," answered Ernest, touching Chester's cheek.
"I must tell Dr. Gridley of this new manifestation on the part of mypoor boy," said the professor. "Perhaps he can interpret it."
For twenty minutes Chester retained Ernest on his lap. Then Arthursaid:
"Chester must go now, Ernest."
The boy left Chester's lap obediently.
"Will you come and see me again?" he pleaded.
"Yes, I will come," said Chester, and, stooping over, he kissed theboy's cheek. Ernest's face lighted up with a loving smile, and again hekissed Chester's hand.
"Now, Chester, you can come to my den." Arthur opened the door of alarge room, furnished with every comfort.
It was easy to see that it was a boy's apartment. On a table wereboxing gloves. Over a desk in a corner was hung the photograph of afootball team, of which Arthur was the captain. There was anotherphotograph representing him with gloves on, about to have a set-to witha boy friend.
"Do you box, Chester?" he asked.
"No; I never saw a pair of boxing gloves before."
"I will give you a lesson. Here, put on this pair."
Chester smiled.
"I shall be at your mercy," he said. "I am, perhaps, as strong as you,but I have no science."
"It won't take you long to learn."
So the two boys faced each other. Before he knew what was going tohappen, Chester received a light tap on the nose from his new friend.
"I must tell you how to guard yourself. I will be the professor and youthe pupil."
Chester soon became interested, and at the end of half an hour histeacher declared that he had improved wonderfully.
"We will have a lesson every time you come to see uncle," he said.
"Then I shall come to see two professors."
"Yes, an old one and young one. Between uncle, Ernest and myself, youwill find your time pretty well occupied when you come here."
"I think it a great privilege to come here," said Chester, gratefully.
"And I am glad to have you. I shall have some one to box with, at anyrate. Now," he added, with a comical look, "I can't induce my uncle tohave a bout with me. Indeed, I should be afraid to, for he is soshortsighted he would need to wear spectacles, and I would inevitablybreak them."
Chester could not forbear laughing at the idea of the learned professorhaving a boxing match with his lively, young nephew.
"If you will make me as good a boxer as yourself, I shall feel verymuch indebted."
"That will come in time. I am quite flattered at the opportunity ofposing as a teacher. Have you a taste for jewelry? Just look in thisdrawer."
Arthur opened one of the small drawers in his bureau, and displayed avaried collection of studs, sleeve buttons, collar buttons, scarf pins,etc.
"You might set up a jeweler's store," suggested Chester. "Where did youget them all?"
"I had an uncle who was in the business, and he and other relativeshave given me plenty."
"I haven't even a watch."
"No, really? Why, how can you get along without one?"
"I have to."
"Wait a minute."
Arthur opened another drawer, revealing two silver watches, one an openface, the other a hunting watch.
"Take your choice," he said.
"Do you really mean it?"
"Certainly."
"But would your uncle approve of your giving me such a valuablepresent?"
"My uncle doesn't bother himself about such trifles. I don't use eitherof these watches. I have a gold one, given me last Christmas."
"Since you are so kind, I think I prefer the hunting watch."
"All right! There it is. Let me set it for you. The chain goes with it,of course."
Chester felt delighted with his present. He had hoped sometime--when hewas eighteen, perhaps--to own a watch, but had no expectation ofgetting one so soon.
"You are
a generous friend, Arthur," he said.
"Don't make too much of such a trifle, Chester!" returned the other,lightly.
When Chester said he must go home, Arthur put on his hat and proposedto walk with him part of the way, an offer which Chester gratefullyaccepted.
They walked over to Broadway, chatting as they went.
All at once, Chester, who had not expected to see anyone he knew,touched Arthur on the arm.
"Do you see that man in front of us?" he asked, pointing to a figureabout six feet ahead.
"Yes. What of him?"
"It is our bookkeeper, David Mullins."
"Is it, indeed? Do you know whom he is walking with?"
Chester glanced at a rather flashily dressed individual who was walkingarm in arm with the bookkeeper.
"No," he answered.
"It is Dick Ralston," answered Arthur, "one of the most notoriousgamblers in the city."