"Am I in disgrace?" he asked himself. "Dr. Sampson doesn't seem as friendly as usual."After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
"I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes," he said.
"Here it is. Do me the favor to read it here."With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
DEAR RODNEY--I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left by your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars. Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of reverses in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of relieving myself I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money. That went also, and now of the whole sum there remains but enough to pay the balance of your school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I regret this I cannot tell you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not care at present to say where I shall go, but I shall try to make good the loss, and eventually restore to you your lost fortune.
I may be successful or I may not. I shall do my best and I hope in time to have better news to communicate.
One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother's jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express, knowing that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother's memory. In case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling them, I am sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise you to do so.
This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if Ishall ever to able to do so.
Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.
Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to make.
He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David--poorer, in fact for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a living, while he was utterly without resources, except in having an unusually good education.
"Well," said Dr. Sampson, "have you read your letter?""Yes, sir.""Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter," and he placed the brief epistle in Rodney's hands.
DR. SAMPSON--I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the balance.
BENJAMIN FIELDING.
"I have read the letter, but I don't know what it means," said Dr. Sampson. "Can you throw any light upon it?""Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself."Dr. Sampson's face changed as he read Rodney's letter. It changed and hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which Rodney had been accustomed.
"This is a bad business, Ropes," said the doctor in a hard tone.
He had always said Rodney before.
"Yes, sir."
"That was a handsome fortune which your father left you.""Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to.""You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you shamefully.""Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me in the future.""Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will never get back a cent.""I think I shall, sir.""You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men.
I do."
"I prefer to hope for the best."
"Just as you please."
"Have you anything more to say to me?"
"Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to come to you out of the check your guardian has sent.
You can stay here till Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements.""Very well, sir."Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson's feelings had been changed by his pupil's reverse of fortune.
It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney felt depressed.
