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THE

YOUNG BANK MESSENGER

BY

HORATIO ALGER, JR.

AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK SERIES," "NEW WORLD SERIES," ETC.

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.,

PHILADELPHIA, CHICAGO, TORONTO.

COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY HENRY T. COATES & CO.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE LONELY CABIN, 1

II. A DEATHBED REVELATION, 10

III. A SUCCESSFUL ROBBERY, 19

IV. ALONE IN THE WORLD, 27

V. THE TRAMP TURNS UP AGAIN, 36

VI. A CRITICAL SITUATION, 44

VII. ON THE ROAD, 53

VIII. THE QUAKER DETECTIVE, 61

IX. AN ARMED ESCORT, 71

X. THE ASTONISHED OUTLAW, 77

XI. UNDER WATCH AND WARD, 88

XII. THE OUTLAW'S ESCAPE, 97

XIII. THE OUTLAW'S MISTAKE, 106

XIV. ERNEST HAS AN ADVENTURE, 115

XV. A NEW ACQUAINTANCE, 124

XVI. THE OUTLAW'S HOME, 133

XVII. IN THE ROBBER'S CAVE, 142

XVIII. THE OUTLAW AND HIS BAND, 153

XIX. A DAY IN THE CAVE, 159

XX. ERNEST EXPLORES THE CAVE, 168

XXI. OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE FIRE, 178

XXII. A FRIEND IN NEED, 187

XXIII. GIVEN IN TRUST, 196

XXIV. STEPHEN RAY AND HIS SON, 206

XXV. A STARTLING DISCLOSURE, 216

XXVI. BOUGHT OFF, 228

XXVII. THE TOWN OF OREVILLE, 236

Table of contents (by pages)

• 1: The Young Bank Messenger by Horatio Alger
• 2: Rejoined Ernest in a tone of concern
• 3: Ernest knew that this was meant
• 4: Ernest paid no attention to his words
• 5: Ernest made the best of his way home
• 6: He inherited a few thousand dollars from an aunt
• 7: Ernest read this letter with flushed cheeks
• 8: The tramp stood with his face glued to the pane
• 9: But the more Ernest thought it over
• 10: This was said as Luke Robbins entered the store
• 11: You have always called him uncle
• 12: But the burial of Peter Brant was the first consideration
• 13: Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes
• 14: Ernest grasped the hands of both
• 15: When Ernest found the roll of coins
• 16: Instantly Ernest comprehended his danger
• 17: And Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver
• 18: I've heard fine stories of California
• 19: Luke Robbins is too proud to live upon a boy
• 20: Why didn't the teller shoot him down
• 21: Luke Robbins became thoughtful and remained silent
• 22: The president looked over Luke Robbins carefully
• 23: Have you any objections to becoming a Quaker
• 24: Ernest was waiting in the doorway
• 25: The road to Claremont is rather lonely
• 26: The pedestrian regarded him with contempt
• 27: Ezekiel Mason had been waiting for a hint from Luke
• 28: While the outlaw was covered by Luke's revolver
• 29: Relapsing into his Quaker dialect
• 30: In less than an hour Ezekiel Mason's home was reached
• 31: Luke Robbins eyed them thoughtfully
• 32: The outlaw seated himself on the bed
• 33: It will more likely lead to a violent death or the gallows
• 34: His hands were tied at the wrists
• 35: The outlaw felt that time was precious
• 36: Mason meekly passed him a small sized key
• 37: Ezekiel Mason looked uncomfortable
• 38: Ezekiel Mason shook his head feebly
• 39: And we will take our friend here to the jail in Crampton
• 40: As well as with the residents of Emmonsville
• 41: Ernest looked in the direction pointed out by the boy
• 42: He was told at the time that his name was John Castro
• 43: How long have you been in Emmonsville
• 44: He saw that he must give up the package
• 45: Ernest felt very much dejected
• 46: Ernest looked intently in the brigand's face
• 47: Ernest alighted and looked about him
• 48: The outlaw looked at Ernest significantly
• 49: But it seemed to give pleasure to Juba
• 50: He had given his bed to Ernest
• 51: But the jail at Crampton is not very strong
• 52: Ernest followed him out of the room
• 53: Meanwhile Ernest was left in the cave with Frank
• 54: Ernest was anxious to trace this
• 55: For he did not feel the interest that excited Ernest
• 56: Both Frank and Juba were very much entertained
• 57: Perhaps Juba will go to school with you
• 58: Juba being occupied in the kitchen
• 59: Now his deliverance depended upon it
• 60: When did you leave Emmonsville
• 61: Ernest saw that there was no further chance for subterfuge
• 62: He had thought that Ernest would surrender at discretion
• 63: But I have a package of bonds from the bank in Emmonsville
• 64: He had searched everywhere for Ernest
• 65: Nor could Juba give any account of him
• 66: James Fox leveled his revolver at Longman
• 67: There is an old colored woman here Juba
• 68: Luke Robbins turned to his young companion and said
• 69: You have no business on the sidewalk with your bicycle
• 70: Asked Clarence in considerable surprise
• 71: Squire Ray was outraged and scandalized
• 72: And turning to Clarence he said
• 73: Dudley married against his father's wishes
• 74: I know such a will was probated
• 75: Bolton was quite taken aback by this statement
• 76: Bolton eyed his prosperous companion with a cunning smile
• 77: Bolton had not arranged his campaign
• 78: Five minutes later Clarence started for home
• 79: Then go out to Oreville with me
• 80: All our supplies come from Sacramento
• 81: The journey to Sacramento was made
• 82: Ernest said to himself that this man
• 83: That he was a stranger in Oreville
• 84: Without another word Luke entered the store
• 85: He wished especially to avoid encountering Luke Robbins
• 86: He is a recent arrival in Oreville
• 87: Thanks to his spinal complaint
• 88: And he came out to California with me
• 89: And held a conference with Ernest
• 90: Had Luke breathed a word about Burns
• 91: This thought brought alarm to the burglar
• 92: How long have you been in Oreville
• 93: Before leaving he turned to Ernest
• 94: He is requested to communicate with Benjamin Bolton
• 95: Bolton was resolute and determined
• 96: This was a puzzling question for Bolton
• 97: Norcross formally undertook his case
• 98: But Bolton felt that it was possibly of importance
• 99: Ernest left Oreville with four hundred dollars in his pocket
• 100: Ernest had a room assigned him
• 101: Haven't we a cousin named Ernest Ray
• 102: Bolton no sooner read the name
• 103: I have been fortunate at Oreville
• 104: He began to fear that Bolton had found Ernest
• 105: On Tuesday Bolton returned with Ernest
• 106: Bolton was no longer intemperate
• 107: Trowbridge knows the heart of a boy like a book
• 108: 00 Frank the Young Naturalist