He kept on his way till he reached the house of Mr. Fishbach, to whom hehad been recommended.
Fortunately for his purpose, the shoe shop in which the German wasemployed was closed for the day, and Walter found him at home mending awagon in the back yard.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fishbach," said Walter, raising his hat politely.
"I don't know who you are," answered Mr. Fishbach, with a scrutinizingglance.
"I should like to insure your life."
"You want to insure my life--what's dat?"
"If you will tell me your age, I will explain to you."
"I was forty-nine next Christmas. You ain't the census man, eh?"
"No; that is quite another matter. Now, Mr. Fishbach," continued Walter,referring to a pamphlet in his hand, "if you will pay to the companywhich I represent forty-four dollars every year, when you die a thousanddollars will be paid to your wife, or any one else you may name."
"You won't pay me till I am dead, eh?"
"No."
"How will I know you pay then?"
"We do business on the square. We keep our promises."
"You pay the money to my widow, eh?"
"Yes. If you pay twice as much we will pay two thousand dollars."
"What good will that do me, eh?"
"You will leave your wife comfortable, won't you?"
"If she gets much money she'll maybe marry again."
"Perhaps so."
"And the money will go to her second husband, eh?"
"If she chooses to give it to him."
"By jiminy, that won't suit me. I will spend my money myself."
"But if you die, how will your wife and children get along?"
"What makes you think I'm goin' to die, eh? Do I look delicate?"
As Walter surveyed the stout, rotund figure of Mr. Fishbach he could nothelp laughing at the idea of his being delicate.
"You look likely to live," he was forced to admit. "Still, life isuncertain."
"You can't scare Louis Fishbach, young man. My father lived tillseventy-seven and my mother was seventy-five. My children can take careof themselves when I die, and they can look after the old woman."
Walter used such other arguments as occurred to him, but his Germanfriend was not to be moved, and he rather despondently put his documentsinto his pocket and went out into the street.
"I had no idea I should find it so difficult," he reflected.
Life insurance seemed to him so beneficent, and so necessary aprotection for those who would otherwise be unprovided for, that hecould not understand how any one who cared for his wife and childrencould fail to avail himself of its advantages.
After leaving the house of Mr. Fishbach he kept on in the samedirection. Being unacquainted in Elm Bank, he had to trust to chance toguide him.
A little distance beyond was an old-fashioned, two-story house.
"Perhaps I had better call," thought Walter, and he entered the paththat led to the side door. He had scarcely taken three steps when he wasstartled by a scream that seemed to proceed from the interior.
"Help! help!" was the cry that reached him.
He started to run, and on reaching the door opened it without ceremony.The sight that confronted him was one to test his courage.
CHAPTER XIV
AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER
To understand the scene in which Walter became an actor a briefexplanation is necessary.
The occupant of the house was a woman of perhaps thirty-five. Herhusband, Ephraim Gregory, was employed in Chicago, and went to and fromthe city every day. It was somewhat inconvenient to live at Elm Bank,but both he and his wife were fond of the country, and were willing tosubmit to some inconvenience for the sake of the sweet, pure air andrural surroundings. They had one child, a little girl of five.
Twenty minutes previous Mrs. Gregory had been sitting at her sewing,with little Rosa on the floor beside her, when, without the ceremony ofa knock, the outer door was opened and a tall, powerful man, whose garband general appearance indicated that he was a tramp, entered the room.
"What do you want?" asked Mrs. Gregory, rising in alarm.
"I'm hungry," answered the tramp, in a hoarse voice.
He might be hungry, but his breath indicated that he had been drinking.Mrs. Gregory would gladly have dismissed him, but she was afraid to doso. If only her husband had been at home!
"Sit down," she said, "and I will find you something."
She went to the pantry and returned with some bread and cold meat, whichshe set before her uncouth visitor.
"If you will wait five minutes I will make you some tea," she said.
"I don't want any slops," said her visitor, scornfully. "Give mebrandy."
"I have none."
"Then whisky, gin--anything!"
"We don't keep liquors in the house. My husband and I never drink them."
At this he swore in a manner that terrified his unwilling hostess, andanathematized her for a temperance crank. This aroused her spirit.
"If you want liquor," she said, "you may go where it is sold. I won'tsupply it to you or anybody else. If you want hot tea you can have it."
"Give it to me, then."
Mrs. Gregory hastened to steep some tea--she had hot water allready--and set it before the ruffian. He ate and drank eagerly,voraciously, and did not leave a crumb behind him. He had certainlyspoken the truth when he said he was hungry. Then he arose, and shehoped he would go. But he turned to her with a significant look.
"I want money," he said.
"I can give you none," she answered, her heart sinking.
"Oh, yes, you can."
"Are you a thief?" she demanded, with a flash of spirit.
"You can call me that if you like."
There was little hope of shaming him, she saw.
"Look here, missis," he went on roughly, "you've got money in the house,and I must have it."
"How do you know that I have money in the house?"
"Your husband brought some home last night. It is here now."
This was true, and she was startled to find how much this man knew.
"Do you know my husband?" she asked.
"Yes, I know him. His name is Ephraim Gregory. He had some money paidhim yesterday and it is here. I don't know where it is, but you do. Getit, and be quick about it!"
Mrs. Gregory saw by this time that her visitor was a desperate villainand that she was in a critical position. He might, since he knew somuch, know the amount of money which her husband had entrusted to herfor safekeeping. If she could buy him off for five dollars she would doso.
"Will you go if I give you five dollars?" she asked.
He laughed.
"No, I won't. Why should I take five dollars when you have a hundredhere?"
She turned pale. The worst was true, then. This man had in somemysterious manner discovered the exact sum which she had in charge. Whyhad not her husband kept it in his own possession? It would have beenmore prudent.
"I can't give you the money," she said, pale but resolute.
"Oh, yes, you will!" he answered mockingly.
"Go away, please," she said in a pleading tone. "I have given you ameal, though you had no claim on me. Let that be sufficient."
"You can't fool me!" he replied roughly. "Bring me the money, or it willbe the worse for you."
"I cannot!" she gasped.
"Then, by Heaven, I'll brain you!"
As he spoke he raised the chair on which he had been sitting and heldit in position above his head, ready to bring it down upon the helplesswoman.
Then it was that she uttered the piercing scream which brought Walterinto the house.
His astonished glance rested on the terrified woman, with her littlegirl clinging in alarm to her dress, cowering beneath the chair whichseemed ready to descend upon her.
Walter did not hesitate a moment. Though the tramp was possessed oftwice his strength, he darted forward and grasped him by the arm.
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p; "What are you about?" he demanded sternly.
The tramp turned at the unexpected interference and partially loweredthe chair.
"What business is it of yours, you impudent young jackanapes?" hegrowled.
"I will make it my business," said Walter, bravely. "I won't see a ladystruck down by a ruffian!"
"Take care how you talk. I can twist you round my finger, you manikin!""What does this man want?" asked Walter, turning to Mrs. Gregory.
"He demands money," was her answer.
"So he is a thief!" exclaimed Walter, contemptuously.
"I'll fix you for that!" growled the tramp, with a frown.
Walter quickly explored the room in search of a weapon, for he saw thathe would have to defend himself.
There was a fireplace in the apartment, and resting beside it was apoker of large size. Walter sprang for this, and, grasping it firmly,brandished it in a threatening manner.
"Go upstairs, madam," he said, "and lock yourself in. I will attend tothis man."
The tramp burst into a contemptuous laugh.
"Why, you young whippersnapper!" he said, "I could handle half a dozenboys like you."
"I don't like to leave you in the power of this man," said Mrs. Gregory."He will kill you."
"Right you are, ma'am!"' growled the giant. "That's just what I am goingto do."
The lady turned pale. She was frightened, but her concern for Walter'ssafety overcame her fear for herself.
"I shall stay here," she said, "It would be cowardly to leave you."
"Take my advice, boy," growled the tramp, "and clear out of here. It isno concern of yours."
Walter did not answer, but, keen, alert, vigilant, he fixed his eyewarily on his formidable opponent.
"Well, youngster," said the tramp impatiently, "did you hear me?"
"Yes, I heard you."
"Leave this room, or I'll smash you!"
"Smash away!" retorted Walter.
Though he was barely five feet six inches in height, while the trampwas fully six feet, his muscles had been toughened by exercise inthe college gymnasium and by rowing in the college crew, and he waswonderfully quick in his motions.
Feeling that the time for forbearance was over, and irritated beyondmeasure by Walter's audacity, the tramp prepared to carry out histhreat. He raised the chair and with a downward sweep aimed at Walter'shead.
Had the blow taken effect, this story would never have been written. ButWalter's quick eye foresaw the movement, and, springing aside, he dodgedthe blow and brought down the poker on the muscular part of the giant'sarm with what force he could command. There was a howl of pain, and thetramp's arm hung limp and lifeless at his side, while with the other heclasped it in evident suffering.
"You murderous young villain!" he shrieked. "I'll kill you for that!"
Walter felt that he was in a dangerous position.
"Leave the room, please!" he said to Mrs. Gregory. "You will be in myway." She obeyed, for her champion had shown himself worthy to command,and Walter sprang to the other side of the table, placing it between himand his foe.
By this time the tramp had got ready for an attack. He dashed roundthe table after Walter, and finally succeeded, in spite of the boy'sactivity, in grasping him by the shoulder.
"Ah!" he said, with a deep sigh of content, "I've got you now. I'll payyou for that blow!"
Walter felt that he had never been in such a tight place before.
CHAPTER XV
THE EXCITEMENT DEEPENS
Walter was fortunate enough not to lose his head under anycircumstances. He noticed that his opponent held him by his right hand,and it was his right arm which had been lamed. Naturally, therefore, ithad lost some of its strength. This was his opportunity. With a suddentwist he wriggled out of the giant's grasp, and, understanding that itwas dangerous to be at too close quarters, he threw open the outer doorand dashed into the yard.
Whether this would, on the whole, have helped him, was uncertain, asthe tramp could probably outrun him, but just in the nick of time ateam appeared, driven by a young man, perhaps twenty-five, of remarkablesize. Hiram Nutt was six feet six inches in height, the tallest man inthe county, and he was as athletic as he was tall. He tipped the scalesat two hundred and ten pounds, and was famous for his feats of strength.He was a farmer's son and lived at Elm Bank.
When he saw Walter dash out of the house, pursued by an ill-lookingtramp, he thought it high time to interfere.
"What's up?" he demanded, still retaining his seat in the wagon.
"None of your business!" retorted the tramp, too angry to be prudent,"The kid's been impudent, and I'm going to pound him to a jelly."
Meanwhile, Walter was leading the tramp a chase round the wagon,narrowly escaping seizure.
"Help me!" exclaimed Walter, panting.
"If you do, I'll lay you out!" exclaimed the pursuer, who had been toomuch occupied to notice the formidable size of the young man in thewagon.
Hiram Nutt smiled--a smile of conscious strength.
"Jump in the wagon, boy!" he said. "I'll take care of you."
Walter obeyed directions, and the tramp tried to follow him.
But in an instant Hiram had risen to his full height and, leaping to theground, hurried to the rear of the vehicle and caught hold of the tramp.The latter tried to resist, but he was like a child in the grasp of aman. He looked up in amazement, for he was proud of his strength.
"What museum did you escape from, you--monster?" he panted.
Hiram laughed.
"Never mind," he said. "It's well I'm here. Now, boy, who is this man?"
"I found him in that house, ready to strike down the lady who livesthere because she would not give him what money she had."
Hiram Nutt's brows contracted.
"Why, you thieving scoundrel!" he cried, vigorously shaking his captive,"you dared to threaten Mrs. Gregory? Did he hurt the lady?" he addedanxiously.
"No; I heard her cry for help and rushed in. Then he turned upon me."
"He might have killed you!"
"I wish I had!" ejaculated the tramp, with a scowl.
"Where is Mrs. Gregory now?"
"I told her to go upstairs."
Just then the lady, who from an upper window had observed thediscomfiture and capture of her enemy, came out.
"Oh, Mr. Nutt," she exclaimed, "I am so glad you came along! I wasafraid this brave boy would get hurt."
"It isn't he that will get hurt now," said Nutt, significantly. "Howcame this fellow in your house?"
"He came in half an hour ago and asked for food."
"And you gave it to him?"
"Yes; I got ready a lunch for him and made him some tea, though hewanted liquor."
"And this was the way of repaying the favor?"
"He had heard in some way that my husband brought home some money lastevening and he demanded it. I wish, Mr. Nutt, you would take charge ofit till my husband comes home. I don't dare to have it in the house."
"It won't be necessary, for there comes your husband."
It was true. Ephraim Gregory turned the corner of the street, and pausedin surprise at the spectacle before him.
"What's the matter, Lucy?" he asked.
She briefly explained.
"I am so glad you are at home," she sighed. "But how do you happen tocome so early?"
"I think it was a presentiment of evil. I thought of the money I hadleft with you, and it occurred to me that it might expose you to danger.So I got leave of absence and took an early train for Elm Bank."
"What shall I do with this fellow, Mr. Gregory?" asked Hiram.
"I'll go into the house and get a rope to tie him. Then we'll take himto the lock-up."
"Let me go!" said the tramp, uneasily. "I was only joking."
"You carried the joke too far, my friend," said Hiram, significantly."I'll take you round to the lock-up--by way of joke--and Judge Joneswill sentence you to the penitentiary--just to help the joke along."
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p; "Let me go!" whined the tramp, now thoroughly subdued. "I am a poor man,and that's what led me to do wrong."
"I suppose you never indulged in such a little joke before?"
"No; this is the first time."
"Probably you are a church member when you are at home," said Hiram, ina tone of sarcasm. "You're a good man gone wrong, ain't you?"
"Yes," said the tramp.
"You look like it. Such good men as you are better off in jail."
"I'll leave town and never come back--I will, on my honor!" pleaded thetramp, earnestly.
"I don't put any confidence in what you say. Ah, here's the rope. Now,hold still, if you know what's best for yourself."
The tramp attempted resistance, but a little vigorous shaking up by hiscaptor soon brought him to terms. In five minutes, with his hands andfeet firmly tied, he was on his way to the lock-up. Mr. Gregory andWalter accompanied him in the wagon.
"Now, Mr. Sherwood," said Gregory, when their errand was completed, "Iwant to thank you for your brave defense of my wife."
"I only did what any one would do under the same circumstances," saidWalter, modestly.
"Any one of the requisite courage. You put yourself in danger."
"I didn't think of that, Mr. Gregory."
"No, I suppose not, but it is proper that I should think of it. You haveplaced me under an obligation that I shall not soon forget. You must dome the favor to come home to supper with me and pass the night. Will itinterfere seriously with your business?"