CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE RECKONING.
The news of the happening of the last few days flew rapidly, as news good and bad usually does. The papers in Springfield devoted columns with flaring headlines, to the developments of affairs which effected so many.
“See!” cried pretty Eva Oglesby, running to her father and mother with the paper in her hand, “Dean has found out the whole cause of the trouble against him, and caught the wicked persons.
“Tim Downey has confessed to his wrongdoings and confirmed Dean’s story. Rodney Darringford—only think of it!—was with him in his crimes. And Colonel Darringford actually hired Tim to burn the Spray! Can you realize that, papa? Tim hired two men to do his nasty work, and Dean has captured them.”
“A wonderful boy indeed,” said Judge Oglesby, with a smile, for secretly he felt as glad as his daughter that his favorite had proved himself of sterling truth and worth.
A few days later the trial of Tim Downey and his associates came on the docket at Springfield. That is, Daley and Spofford were tried, but Colonel Darringford and his son had disappeared and they were never seen in that vicinity again. So they escaped trial by the court, but we feel certain they had learned a lesson which lasted them through life.
Tim was sent to the reform school and his confederates to the penitentiary.
In the midst of this trial Marcus Ellison appeared, accompanied by the woman who had been known as Crazy Meg. Manseur, who was wanted so much, had been found by Marcus, but he was suffering from a fall and could not come hither. In fact, he had but a few days to live.
Marcus had found Meg near to the river nearly dead and he had nursed her back to life. Her reason had returned and her story of the murder of James Conroyd, with the confession of the man who did it, Manseur, vindicated Robert Ellison of all charges.
The details of this trial need not be given. It is sufficient to say that Dean Mercer was shown to be innocent of any wrongdoing and all charges against him were removed.
At a sale of the effects of the missing Colonel Darringford, Judge Oglesby bought the steamer Warrior, which was then being repaired. He caused the boat to be given a thorough overhauling and the result was that Dean Mercer found himself in command of a steamer that did good service.
Finding that at last they would be accommodated satisfactorily, the people began to patronize the boat, and it wasn’t long before a second was needed.
Judge Oglesby had prepared for this and the result was something marvelous to the inhabitants of Millville. Business immediately revived; summer tourists came there to spend their vacations, and traffic of one kind and another immediately sprang up.
Marcus Ellison was given employment and he joined with Dean in the upbuilding of the Lake Shore Line.
Of course Jack Carboy became the man at the wheel on the Warrior, until he and Captain Mercer were transferred to the new Spray, which is now in the midst of a splendid career.
THE END.
In No. 176 of the Alger Series, entitled “The Young Steel Worker,” by Frank H. Macdougal, the story of a young self-made man is told in such an interesting way that all its readers will enjoy it.