Young Auctioneers Part 39

Thus the talk ran on, from one subject to another. Andy had given his young partner the full particulars of his own roving life, and in return Matt had related everything concerning himself, and the two felt as if they had known each other for years; in fact, as Matt once stated later on, they were more like brothers than mere partners in business.

Andy was deeply interested in the fact of Mr. Lincoln's disappearance, and he wondered nearly as much as did Matt himself if the unfortunate man would ever turn up again.

As for the boy, he could not bring himself to believe that his parent was dead, and although he rarely mentioned his father's name, he was constantly on the watch for him, and often when they were stopping at a place he would go off on what he termed a "still hunt," hoping thereby to pick up a stray bit of information which would put him on the right track to learn of his father's whereabouts.

The drive up through Walnut Port to Lehigh Gap was very nice. At the latter place they stopped over night, and then pushed on to Lehighton, sometimes along the river, and then by way of a road through and around the mountains.

"This scenery is just grand!" cried Matt, as they were driving on about ten o'clock in the forenoon. "Just look at that mountain over yonder! And see how the river winds along through the valley below here!"

"It is very fine, indeed!" returned Andy. "But I'll tell you what: I would rather be on horseback than in the wagon. It seems to me that some of the bends around the mountain side are positively dangerous."

"Oh, I guess not, Andy. Why, look, there is a regular wagon road. If other wagons can pa.s.s along here, I fancy we can do so, too."

"Other wagons may not be as heavy as ours, with that big case tied on behind. Don't you notice how Billy slips every once in awhile?"

"Well, we might have had him shod sharp when we had the wagon overhauled," returned Matt slowly, as he noticed for the first time that Billy did slip more than usual. "We can have it done during our stop at Mauch Chunk or at Lehighton, if it becomes necessary. Maybe we are on the wrong road again."

"Well, certainly this road is growing worse instead of better," said Andy soberly. "Just look at that turn ahead! The road isn't over ten feet wide, and it slopes down to that steep hill----"

"Drive as close to the inside wall as you can," was Matt's somewhat nervous reply, as he saw the possible danger ahead. "Steady now, Billy, steady!"

The horse moved along slowly up to the curve which ran around the mountain side. As Andy had said, the road at this point was scarcely ten feet wide, and on the other side was a steep downward slope, terminating below at a tiny brook filled with loose rocks.

The curve was reached, and the two were just congratulating themselves upon having pa.s.sed the dangerous spot in safety, when a large bird, flying from a near-by bush, frightened Billy and caused him to shy to one side.

In another instant the wagon was at the very edge of the slope!

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

To Andy and Matt it looked as if the entire turn-out must slide down the hillside to the bottom, there to be smashed into a hundred pieces.

It was small wonder, therefore, that both gave a loud cry of alarm and that both caught at the lines to lead Billy away from the danger so imminent.

The horse continued to move ahead, but instead of drawing closer to the inside, he walked upon the very outer edge of the road.

"I'll lead him!" cried Andy, and while Matt continued to hold the lines, he sprang out and caught Billy by the bridle.

Ordinarily, the faithful animal would have come along willingly, but he now seemed to grow obstinate, and pulled back when Andy caught hold. The wagon stopped, and then the rear wheels were sent partly down the slope.

"Pull him up!" cried Matt. "Pull him, Andy!"

"He won't come!" gasped Andy, tugging at the bridle with might and main.

"But he must come! The wagon will go down in another second!"

"I can't help it, I can't make him come," panted Andy, between his clinched teeth, as he renewed the struggle to bring the wagon up on the level once more.

Tying the lines fast, Matt sprang out. He had seen a loose stone of fair size close at hand, and this he now picked up. Running around to the rear of the wagon, he placed it on the sloping ground so that one of the wheels was blocked from further slipping.

"Good!" cried Andy. "Can you find another stone?"

"I'm going to push on the other wheel. Get up, Billy, get up there!"

Matt placed his shoulder to the wheel, and exerted all of his strength, and seeing this, Andy also urged the horse. Billy gave a tug--there was a moment's strain--and then the turn-out rolled up once more upon the level road.

"Thank goodness for that!" burst out Andy. "I thought for a moment that it was a goner!"

"So did I, Andy. You had better lead him until we reach a safer bit of the road."

"I intend to do that. And after this I'll know enough to lead him around such a bend, instead of taking such a dangerous chance."

Only a hundred feet further on the mountain road left the proximity of the slope, and then the two once more climbed up on the seat. Billy, the horse, did not appear to be in the least disturbed over the adventure, but Matt and Andy were bathed in a cold perspiration which did not leave them until some time after.

At Lehighton, where they stopped for dinner, they determined to drive right through to Mauch Chunk, four miles further on. Many people from the former place did their trading at Mauch Chunk, and the young auctioneers thought they would catch just as much trade by not stopping on the way.

At Mauch Chunk a stop was made for three days, and during that time there were several excursions to the place from New York and Philadelphia, the city folks coming up to see the autumnal beauties of Glen Onoko and the various mountains through which the Switchback gravity road runs. These crowds helped business some, and the stay proved nearly as profitable as the one at Easton had been.

On the first day at Mauch Chunk Matt procured the money order of which he had spoken, and sent it to Ida Bartlett, with a long letter, in which he thanked her for her kindness, and gave her an account of the trip since leaving the metropolis. He stated that if she wished to write to him within the week to address the letter to Wilkesbarre, or, on the following week to Scranton, as they were bound for both places.

During their spare hours both Andy and Matt took the ride on the gravity road and enjoyed it very much. The rhododendrons were out in full bloom, and Matt wished he could send Ida Bartlett a bunch of the beautiful flowers.

They were soon once again on the road. But Billy's shoes had been carefully attended to, and now they were very careful whenever they came to a spot that looked at all dangerous.

"One scare is enough," was the way Andy put it, and Matt thoroughly agreed with him.

After leaving Mauch Chunk they pa.s.sed through Penn Haven and Leslie Run, and so on to White Haven. At the latter place they stopped for two days, but found it very unprofitable, as there was little or no money afloat.

"Well, we have to take the bad with the good," said Andy, in reply to Matt's remark concerning the dullness of trade. "We cannot expect to make money wherever we go. If that was to be done, I reckon there would be many other auctioneers in the field."

"That reminds me: I wonder what has become of those auctioneers we heard of in Bethlehem?"

"I'm sure I don't know. But it is likely that we will hear from them again, sooner or later."

On leaving White Haven for Wilkesbarre, they struck the first snow-storm of the season. It was not a heavy storm, and yet, as the wind blew in their faces, the drive of thirty miles proved anything but pleasant. They were glad enough when the city was reached, and they were able to put up the turn-out at a livery stable and warm up around the office stove.

"We won't be able to travel much longer, if this keeps on," remarked Andy. "We'll have to pick out some place to settle down in for the winter."

"Have you any place in view?" asked Matt, with interest.

"I've had my eye on Middletown, New York State. That's a lively place, and it gets a trade from a good many miles around."

"Do you think we can make it?"