At the close of the last chapter we left John floating at his ease in a row-boat, while his pursuer was compelled, by the sudden departure of his horse, to give up his immediate purpose, and chase the flying animal. It was very much against his will that he left John; but the horse, as he knew, was the best in the stable, and valued at not less than three hundred dollars,—a sum which he would be unable to make up. Besides this, the chaise might be injured. "Curse my luck!" exclaimed Mr. Huxter, as he glanced back at John, with a baffled look. "Every thing turns against me. But I'll come back after the young rascal as soon as I catch the horse." But, unfortunately for Mr. Huxter, it proved that two legs were no match for four. When he got to the road, the horse was half a mile ahead. In spite of his haste, he was obliged to pause a moment and recover his breath, which the unusual exercise of running had exhausted. Mr. Huxter was nearly two miles distant from the tavern where he had stopped. His only hope was that the horse would stop or be stopped there. As soon as he recovered his breath, he started for the tavern, therefore. Partly running, partly walking, he at length arrived, tired, heated, and in ill-humor. Entering the yard, he saw a group of men and boys surrounding the horse and chaise, which had already arrived. Among them was Mr. Jones, the landlord. "Why, here's the man himself!" exclaimed the landlord, advancing to meet him. "How came your horse to run away? Were you spilled out?" "No; I tied him to a tree, and he broke loose and ran away. Has he done any harm?" asked Mr. Huxter, nervously. "He's smashed one of the wheels in running against a post," said a bystander. "Let me see," said Mr. Huxter, dolefully. He found that it was as bad as had been told him. The horse made a short turn into the inn-yard, and managed to bring the chaise into collision with a post. The wheel was pretty well shattered. "Looks bad," said the bystander. "It'll cost something to mend it." "It can't be mended," said Mr. Jones. "You'll have to get a new wheel." "What'll it cost?" said Mr. Huxter, with something very like a groan. "I can't say exactly. Maybe twenty-five dollars will do it." "It might have been worse," said the bystander, in what was meant to be an encouraging tone. "It's bad enough," said Mr. Huxter, fiercely. "It's just my cursed luck." "Was the carriage yours?" asked the landlord. "No, I got it from a stable. They'll charge me about double price." "Oh, by the way, did you catch the boy?" asked the landlord, in a tone of interest. "No," said Mr. Huxter, with an oath which I will omit. "I had just overtaken him when the cursed horse ran away." "Well, you are unlucky," said Jones. "What are you going to do about it?" "I suppose I must get the carriage home somehow." "You might get a new wheel put on here. There's an excellent wheelwright in the village. It will cost you less." Mr. Huxter finally made an arrangement to this There was one question which troubled Mr. Huxter: Would his sister be willing to pay this thirty dollars? If not, it would indeed be a bad morning's work for him. He lost no time, on getting home, in writing to Mrs. Oakley. His letter is subjoined.
Mr. Huxter did not have to wait long for an answer; but it proved to be less satisfactory than prompt. It ran as follows:—
"Well, if that isn't a cold-blooded letter!" said Mr. Huxter, bitterly. "Jane is rich now, and don't Still Mr. Huxter had no real reason to complain. His sister had agreed to pay for the damage done, and there would be something left out of the money she had paid in advance. But Mr. Huxter, as soon as he had received it, had at once looked upon it as his own, though not yet earned, and to use it seemed as if he were paying the bill out of his own pocket. Then, again, the very decided intimation that he need not look for any more assistance at present was discouraging. Deducting expenses, it would leave him but a small amount to pay him for his journey to Hampton. He resolved not to pay the wheelwright, if he could possibly avoid it, not being very conscientious about paying his debts. But, as Mr. Huxter's reputation in that way was well known, the wheelwright refused to surrender the chaise till his bill was paid; and the stable-keeper made such a fuss that Mr. Huxter was compelled to pay the bill, though very much against his inclination. The result of his disappointment was, that he began to drink worse than ever, and poor Mrs. Huxter, for some weeks, had a hard time of it. She was certainly very much to be pitied, as is every poor woman who |