CHAPTER XIV.
A FASHIONABLE BOARDING-HOUSE.
When Tom's head emerged from the yellow and turbid waters, he caughtsight of the young man, and struck out for him. Grasping him by thearm, he succeeded, with considerable difficulty, in holding him up tilla small boat near by picked both up.
"Whew!" sputtered Tom, spitting out some of the water which he hadinvoluntarily taken into his mouth.
The young man rescued looked about him stupidly.
"What made you jump into the river?" asked the boatman.
"I was drunk," said the young man, frankly, upon whom the shock of thefalling into the water had produced a favorable effect.
"It's lucky this boy was near and jumped after you, or you might havebeen drowned before I got to you."
The young man turned and looked earnestly at Tom.
"So you jumped after me?" he said.
"I feel as if I did," answered Tom. "I'm as wet as a drowned rat."
"You're a brave boy."
"Thank you," said Tom, modestly. "But I can swim so well that it didn'ttake much courage."
"I can't swim a stroke."
"Then you'd better not jump into the water again."
"I don't mean to," said the young man, smiling. "Where did you learn toswim?"
"In the East river."
"Where's that?"
"New York."
"Look here, gentlemen, where do you want to be carried?" asked theboatman.
"Back to Cincinnati. I'll pay you for your trouble," said the youngman.
"I was goin' on an explorin' expedition to Kentucky," said our hero.
"You are too wet; you must take another day."
"It ain't any wetter on one side of the river than the other."
"Do you live in Kentucky?"
"No."
"In Cincinnati?"
"Yes; I've lived there a day or two."
"You must change your clothes, or you will get cold."
"I haven't got any clothes except what I've got on."
The young man looked rather surprised at this, since Tom had on a goodsuit, and appeared to be in good circumstances.
"Then," said he, promptly, "I shall take you home with me, and lend youone of my suits."
"It would fit me too much," said Tom, laughing.
"Never mind. We will stay in the house till your clothes are dry. Whatdo you say?"
"All right," said Tom. "I'm agreeable."
When they came to the Ohio side of the river the two got off. The youngman was so well over his fit of drunkenness that he walked quitesteadily, showing no trace of it in his gait.
"I live a mile and a half away," he said, "but it will be better towalk, as we shall be less liable to take cold in our wet clothes. Or,do you feel tired?"
"Not a bit," said Tom. "I'm used to walkin'. My coachman don't havemuch to do."
"You're a genius," said the young man.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Tom. "If I'm a fair specimen, geniusesdon't know much."
"At any rate, you are not such a fool as I am."
"Are you a fool?"
"Any man is a fool that gets drunk."
"I don't know but you're right," said Tom. "What makes you do it?"
"Because I'm a fool. That's all the reason I can give. I'm too weak toresist temptation."
"I never was drunk but once," said Tom. "I don't want to be again."
"How did that happen?"
"A sailor invited me into a bar-room, and got me to drink. I felt as ifmy head would burst open the next morning."
"So you didn't get drunk again?"
"No, I got enough of it."
"What is your name?" asked the young man, interested.
"Gilbert Grey."
"Do you live in this city?"
"I'm goin' to."
"I wish you would come and live with me."
"What for?"
"Because, though you are younger, you know how to take care ofyourself. I think you would take care of me, too."
"If you pay me good wages," said Tom, "I'm willin' to be yourguardian."
"I am in earnest," said the young man. "It would do me good to havesome one help me keep straight."
"How many times a week would you want me to jump into the water afteryou?" asked our hero, jocularly. "Because I'd want to keep a good stockof dry clothes on hand; or maybe I might wear a bathin' suit all thetime."
"I sha'n't try that again," said the other, smiling; "I don't like itwell enough."
By this time they reached a handsome brick house, in a fine street.
"This is where I board," said the young man. "Come in."
He rang the bell, and a servant answered the summons. She lookedsurprised at the appearance of the pair, both showing signs of thewetting they had received.
"We met with an accident, Bridget," explained the young man, "or ratherI tumbled into the water and this boy jumped after me."
"Faith you look like it, Mr. Mordaunt," said Bridget. "Will I tell Mrs.White?"
"Yes. Ask her if she can send us up some hot coffee in about twentyminutes. I am afraid, if we don't have some hot drink, we will takecold."
"All right, sir."
A hasty glance satisfied Tom that it was a first-class boarding-house.The hall was handsomely furnished, and when, on reaching the head ofthe stairs, his companion led the way into a spacious room, with achamber connecting, our young hero saw a rich carpet, elegantfurniture, a handsome collection of books, and some tasteful picturesupon the walls. It was evident that Mr. Mordaunt was possessed of amplemeans.
"Now--by the way, I've forgotten your name, yet----"
"Gilbert Grey. Some call me Tom, for short."
"Now, Gilbert, make yourself at home. The best thing we can do is tostrip at once, and put on dry clothes."
He went to a wardrobe and brought out two suits of clothes, also asupply of under-clothing.
"There," said he, "go ahead and change your clothes."
Tom followed directions obediently, while his companion was similarlyemployed. Of course, it was necessary to wash, also. The clothes weretoo large for him, but still not much, as he was a well-grown boy, andMr. Mordaunt was by no means large.
"How do you like the looks?" asked the young man, as Tom surveyedhimself in a handsome mirror.
"I expect it's me, but I ain't certain," said Tom. "It'll take me sometime to grow to these clothes."
"They are rather big, that's a fact," said the young man, smiling."When the servant comes up with the coffee, we'll send down our suitsto be dried. Will your friends feel anxious about you?"
"There's one will, I expect," said Tom.
"Who is that--your mother?"
"No; it's my intimate friend, Maurice Walton. He can't bear me out ofhis sight, or in it, either."
Mordaunt laughed.
"So he's very devoted, is he?"
"You bet he is."
Here there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," called Mordaunt.
Bridget entered with a waiter, on which were a coffee-pot, some cupsand saucers, sugar, etc., beside a plate of sandwiches.
"Thank you, Bridget," said Mordaunt. "I see you understood what waswanted. Now, if you'll take down them wet clothes and dry them for us,we will be much obliged."
"I'll do it, Mr. Mordaunt," said the willing handmaiden.
"Now, Gilbert, sit down, and we'll have a good cup of coffee apiece,"said Mordaunt. "You're hungry, are you not?"
"Bathin' in such a big tub gave me an appetite," said Tom; "but Iwouldn't like to get up an appetite that way every day."
"Nor I. It's too much trouble, not to speak of the danger. How do youfind the coffee?"
"Tip-top."
"It's a good deal better than wine, eh?"
"That's so."
"Now, Gilbert, while we are taking lunch I have a little plan topropose to you."
"All right. I'm ready."