Dave Porter at Oak Hall/Chapter 5
CHAPTER V
A SURPRISE FOR DAVE
It must be confessed that Dave thought a good deal about the proposed dinner at the Wadsworth mansion. He had dined out but a few times in his life, and never at such an elegant home as he knew this to be. He spent considerable time in brushing up his best shoes and his best hat, and in mending the suit he was to wear.
"We'll cut a sorry figure, I am afraid," sighed Caspar Potts, as he surveyed his rusty black frock coat, a relic of other days.
"Never mind, Mr. Wadsworth wanted us, and we'll go as best we can," said Dave, cheerily.
At the appointed time the Wadsworth carriage drove over to the farm and Caspar Potts and Dave got in. The driver was John, the man who had been working on the automobile at the time of the accident. He grinned broadly at the youth.
"How is the automobile?" asked Dave, as they sped along the road.
"Still at the shop," was the reply. "And it may stay there, too, for the present, for nobody wants to ride in it yet for fear of being blown up."
"And how is Miss Jessie?"
"Doing finely, so the doctor says. She is up and around, with her arm in a sling. It was you did a fine act to save her from being burnt," added the coachman.
When they drove up the whole Wadsworth family came out on the veranda to greet them. The manufacturer himself assisted Caspar Potts to alight. Jessie lost no time in approaching Dave and taking his hand.
"I want to thank you," she began, and then her voice choked a little.
"Don't you do it, please," said the boy. "It's all right. I'm glad I had the chance."
"You were so brave!"
"Oh, I didn't do so much! Anybody could have done it."
"I shall never forget it, Dave." And Jessie gave his hand a tight squeeze that made him blush. Somehow, Dave felt that that was the happiest moment he had ever yet experienced.
They entered the elegant parlor, and it was not long before dinner was announced. The old professor sat on Mr. Wadsworth's right, and Dave on his left. Next to Dave sat Jessie, while the lady of the mansion occupied the other end of the board. As Jessie could use but one hand, her mother prepared most of the food for her.
At first the meal progressed stiffly, but both Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth had tact, and by the time soup was finished all were chatting pleasantly. The gentleman of the house interested the old professor with memories of college days, while Mrs. Wadsworth and Jessie asked Dave about himself and about what he was doing on the farm, and then told something about themselves.
"I don't know that I shall ever care to ride in that automobile," said Jessie; "although papa says he will have it mended so that there will be no further trouble."
"My husband tells me that you would like to obtain a good education," said Mrs. Wadsworth to Dave, after a pause in the conversation. "I think that is the proper ambition for any lad."
"Yes, ma'am, I'd like first-rate to go through college and become something worth while," was the quick reply.
"Mr. Wadsworth will have something to say on that point later on," continued Mrs. Wadsworth.
When dinner was over the lady of the house excused herself for the time being, and withdrew, taking her daughter with her. Mr. Wadsworth led his visitors to the library, where he offered the old professor a cigar and lit one himself.
"Of course you don't smoke," he said to Dave.
"No, sir," was the prompt answer.
"Nor drink?"
"No, sir."
"I am glad to hear it, Dave. Well now, to get to business, as we business men say. I've got a proposition to lay before both of you, and I wish you to consider it carefully."
"I am willing to listen to anything you have to say, Mr. Wadsworth," answered the old professor, promptly.
"And so am I," added Dave.
There was a pause, during which Oliver Wadsworth looked keenly at Dave.
"This proposition concerns Dave more than it does you, professor," he said, at length. "I am afraid it will involve a sacrifice on your part, for Dave's benefit."
"I am willing to do what I can for the boy. He has been very good to me—and so have you been good."
"Dave did a great deal for my daughter the other day, and I want to do something for him in return. Now don't interrupt," went on the gentleman as the boy started to speak. "He did a great deal, and it was very noble in him. But that isn't all. Some years ago I had a son, but he was drowned in the river. I thought the world of my boy. Dave reminds me strongly of him,—his general manner is much the same. I should like to do something for Dave for the sake of my son's memory,—since I now have no boy of my own."
Mr. Wadsworth heaved a long sigh, and for the moment there was silence. Dave was wondering what was coming.
"The boy tells me that he would like to obtain a thorough education," resumed the manufacturer. "I was going to give my son the best of educations. Now I am thinking of doing as much by this boy. What do you think of it, professor?"
"Grand! grand!" cried Caspar Potts, enthusiastically. "You are more than kind, Mr. Wadsworth! It will be the making of Dave!"
"And what do you say, Dave?"
"I—I don't know what to say," was the stammered-out answer. "Do you mean that you will send me to school and then to college?"
"That is exactly what I do mean, my lad. You will need to go to a first-class preparatory school, and then, if you pass the required examination, you can go to college."
"He'll pass the examination," burst in Caspar Potts. "He has it in him! I know! Mr. Wadsworth, you are a gentleman, sir, after my own heart. This is grand, magnificent!" and the old professor glowed with enthusiasm.
"Does it strike you favorably, Dave?"
"Why, sir, I—I really don't deserve this," said the boy. "It's too much! Why, I'm almost a stranger to you!"
"Let me be the judge of that, lad. Remember, you did a great deal when you saved Jessie from burning to death."
"Yes, but—but it will cost a heap of money, Mr. Wadsworth."
"Not such a tremendous sum—for one situated like myself. I have taken a strong liking to you, and—I hope you like me?"
"I do, sir, very much!" cried Dave, heartily.
"And what of my offer? Do you wish to accept?"
"Yes, sir, but I don't see how I can do it," and the boy's face fell suddenly.
"Why not?" came from both the manufacturer and Caspar Potts simultaneously.
"I can't leave Mr. Potts. It wouldn't be right."
"It's good of you to say that, Dave, but I—I—can get along alone, somehow," faltered the old professor. "You mustn't allow this opportunity to slip because of me."
"I haven't finished with my proposition yet," went on Oliver Wadsworth. "If Dave goes to school and then to college I want you, professor, to come here and live under our roof. You are too old to work on the farm. I think we can rent the place out to somebody until such time as the land becomes ripe for improvement."
"I to live here!" gasped Caspar Potts.
"Yes. You see, by such an arrangement we shall both hold an interest in Dave. You shall have your own room, and come and go as you please. If you wish to do anything, you can help me to get my library into shape, and help me, occasionally, with my correspondence."
"This library!" Caspar Potts gazed fondly at the many volumes. "That would not be work; it would be a rare pleasure."
"And I believe you have a great fondness for flowers and shrubs."
"Yes."
"Then you might also assist William, my gardener, to take care of the plants in the conservatory and the greenhouse."
"That would be another pleasure."
"Then you will come?"
"Come? Yes, yes! You are too good, Mr. Wadsworth."
"Then it's settled, and Dave can go to school as planned, eh, Dave?" This with a bright smile.
"I guess I must be dreaming!" came from the boy. "Won't you please pinch me! This almost knocks me flat!"
"Never mind; you'll get over it in time."
"But to go to a first-class school and to college! Mr. Wadsworth, I'll do my best, and if I ever get the chance to pay you back, I'll do it,—and with interest too!" And Dave's face showed that he meant every word he uttered.
"It will be pay enough to see you make something of yourself, Dave."
"Where did you think of sending him first?" questioned Caspar Potts.
"I was going to send my son to Oak Hall, located back of the village of Oakdale, in the State of Massachusetts. It is an institution presided over by Dr. Hasmer Clay. Perhaps you remember him. He was in our class for a short time."
"Ah, yes, I remember him. He wrote a short history of the Colonization of New England, and another history of the New England Indians."
"That's the man. I felt that I could trust my son in his care, and so I feel it would be a good place for Dave. Oak Hall prepares its students for any of the leading colleges," added Oliver Wadsworth.
"It is a boarding school, then?" said Dave.
"Yes. The term begins on the first Monday in September, so you will have ample time here in which to get ready for school."
"Is it a large place, may I ask?"
"I believe the school accommodates about a hundred pupils. I was up there once and thought it delightfully situated, on a small hill, with a river behind it, at the bottom of a great playground. The place takes its name from the great number of oaks which grow in that vicinity. I'll write a letter to Dr. Clay to-morrow, telling him that I am going to send you, and I'll ask him for one of his circulars. Then you'll learn all you want to know about the place."
"Thank you; I'd like to know something about where I am going."
"When the proper time comes, I'll give you a complete outfit for school, and I shall also provide you with necessary spending money," continued Oliver Wadsworth. "I shall not give you too much, because I don't think it is good for any boy."
"I don't want a cent more than I need," answered Dave, earnestly. "I don't want you to spend too much on me. But, oh, Mr. Wadsworth, you are good, no two ways about it."
After this, the matter was talked over for fully an hour longer. Mrs. Wadsworth joined in the discussion and so did Jessie.
"I am glad you have accepted my husband's offer," said the lady to Dave.
"I don't see how anybody could refuse," returned the boy. "I can hardly believe it yet! I thought I'd have to stick to the farm for years!"
"Mind, I want you to come out at the top of the class," put in Jessie. "If you'll do that, I'll treat you like a real brother."
"I'll do my best," answered Dave, soberly.