CHAPTER V.
A DEMAND FOR MONEY.
Probably there was no more disgusted person at the races that day thanNoddy Nixon. He was mad at himself, at Jack, and more than angry at Bob,Ned and Jerry. He felt very bitter in his heart toward them, though itwas all his own fault. Another matter that troubled him was the money hehad lost on bets.
"I'm in a deep hole," he muttered as he left the athletic grounds, "andhow to get out I don't know."
For few of the tips that Jack had given proved good ones, and Noddyhad lost in all about two hundred dollars. This was more money than hehad possessed in some time, though an indulgent father kept him wellsupplied.
"Where's my father?" asked Noddy in surly tones as the maid answered hisring at the handsome house on the hill where the Nixon family lived.
"In his study, Mr. Noddy," answered the girl.
"Now to beard the lion in his den," whispered the young man to himself.
In answer to Noddy's knock--rather a timid, hesitating sort of a knock,and not in keeping with the bully's usual bluster--Mr. Nixon bade hisson enter.
"How are you, Noddy?" asked Mr. Nixon, who was fond of the young man, inspite of his bad manners at times.
"Pretty fair," was the answer.
"Did you go to the races? Of course you must have, to judge by yourcostume."
"Yes, I went," replied Noddy. "I rode in one, just as a sort ofpractice. I didn't try to win. I only wanted to get in form. But say,father," he went on rapidly, "I need some money."
"Money!" exclaimed Mr. Nixon, laying aside the book he had been reading,and looking over the tops of his spectacles. "Money? Why do you know howmuch you have had in the last month?"
"Not so much," replied Noddy.
For answer Mr. Nixon rapidly turned over the pages of a memorandum book.When he came to a certain page he stopped and began adding up somefigures.
"The total, since the middle of last month, when I began keeping theaccount, to the present time, which is just about four weeks of time,is three hundred and seventy-five dollars," said Mr. Nixon.
"I had no idea it was so much," muttered Noddy.
"And now you want more?"
"I must have about two hundred dollars, father."
"Two hundred dollars! Great Scott, young man! do you think money growson trees? What do you want with two hundred dollars? Are you going tostart in business?"
"I need it to pay a few debts with," murmured Noddy.
"I'm sorry," said Mr. Nixon, closing the book, "but I can't let you haveany more money now."
"But father, I simply must have it."
"You'll not get it from me, young man. I'm tired of handing you overmoney to waste on foolishness."
"Well, I'm going to have that money," retorted Noddy, speaking in anexcited tone.
"Look here, young man," answered his father, "don't let me hear youspeak to me again like that. Remember you are not of age, and until youare you are under my control. Remember also that you are not too big tobe whipped. I am inclined to think that would be a good thing for you."
"I'd like to see any one try it," retorted Noddy impudently.
"Leave the room! Leave the room, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Nixon, rising tohis feet, his face white with anger. "I do not want to lose my temper,and act hastily. Leave the room at once," and he pointed to the door.
Noddy, with a sullen and hateful glance at his parent, passed throughthe portal. He slammed the door behind him, giving vent to the angerthat raged within him. After the young man was gone Mr. Nixon sank downin a chair. He was trembling, and tears stood in his eyes.
"To think that my oldest son should be so thoughtless of the respect dueme," he sighed. "I wish he was better. Perhaps if he had had to workas hard as I did to make my fortune he would not be so wasteful. But Isimply can not let him spend any more money at present. It is for hisown good, but he can't seem to see it. Ah me! I wish he was a betterson."
Noddy went to his room, put on another suit after doffing his bicycleclothes, and then ordered one of the maids to get him something to eat.After a hasty meal he left the house.
"I wonder if I couldn't borrow some money from Tom Judson," mused Noddy,as he reached the centre of the town, and proceeded along the streetsfilled with people coming home from work. "He must be at the mill officeyet. I'll try, any how."
Tom, the son of Amos Judson, who owned a large iron mill in Cresville,was a young man whose acquaintance Noddy had made some time before.Ordinarily Tom was well supplied with money.
Noddy found Tom in the mill office. It was about closing time.
"Hello, Tom!" greeted Noddy.
"Hello, yourself!" responded Tom, genially.
"Tom," went on Noddy rapidly, seeing there was no one within hearing,"can you lend me three hundred dollars? I need it to pay a bill with ina hurry, and I haven't time to go home. The governor would let me haveit for the asking. I'll pay you back in a couple of days."
For answer Tom slowly turned one pocket after another inside out.
"Dead broke!" he laughed. "Just paid my board bill and I can't get anycash until Saturday night. Sorry."
"So am I," joined in Noddy.
"If you want to crack the safe there," went on Tom, pointing to anold-fashioned one that stood in a corner, "you could get three hundreddollars, and more. I saw dad put one thousand dollars in bills in therea while ago. Some people paid their debts late this afternoon, and hedidn't want to go to the bank so near closing time. But I guess youdon't want to crack a safe, do you, Noddy?"
"No," replied Noddy, with an uneasy laugh, as he left the mill office.
"Good night," called Tom, as he proceeded to put his books away. Then,seeing that the safe was closed, and locking the office door, he wenthome.
"Everything fails me," muttered Noddy. "But I simply must raise thecash--somehow. I wonder--"
But he hardly dared whisper even to himself the thought that came intohis mind.