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[Illustration: ROBERT OVERHEARS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.
_Frontispiece_]




  OUT FOR BUSINESS

  OR

  _ROBERT FROST'S STRANGE CAREER_


  BY

  HORATIO ALGER, JR.

  AUTHOR OF "FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE," "LUCK OR PLUCK,"
  "THE YOUNG BOATMAN," "ONLY AN IRISH BOY,"
  "YOUNG MINER," ETC.

  COMPLETED BY

  ARTHUR M. WINFIELD

  AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS
  ON THE OCEAN," "THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE,"
  "THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST," ETC.

  [Illustration]


  GROSSET & DUNLAP

  PUBLISHERS      ::      ::      NEW YORK




BY THE SAME AUTHOR


  THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT;
  Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success.

  FROM FARM TO FORTUNE;
  Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience.

  LOST AT SEA;
  Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise.

  JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY;
  Or, The Parkhurst Treasure.

  NELSON, THE NEWSBOY;
  Or, Afloat in New York.

  YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK;
  Or, The Son of a Soldier.

  OUT FOR BUSINESS;
  Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career.

  FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE;
  Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary.


_12mo, finely illustrated and bound. Price per volume, 60 cents._


  GROSSET & DUNLAP
  PUBLISHERS      NEW YORK


  COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY
  THE MERSHON COMPANY




PREFACE.


"OUT FOR BUSINESS" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the first
of two companion stories, the second being entitled "Falling in with
Fortune."

In this tale are related the various haps and mishaps which befall a
sturdy country youth, of high moral aim, who, by the harsh actions of
his step-father, is compelled to leave what had once been the best of
homes, and go forth into the world to make his own way.

Robert Frost finds his path to fortune no easy one to tread. The thorns
of adversity line the way, and there is many a pitfall to be avoided.
But the lad is possessed of a good stock of hard, common sense, and in
the end we find him on the fair road to success--and a success richly
deserved.

The two stories, "Out for Business" and "Falling in with Fortune,"
give to the reader the last tales begun by that prince of juvenile
writers, Mr. Horatio Alger, Jr., whose books have sold to the extent
of hundreds of thousands of copies, not only in America, but also in
England and elsewhere. The gifted writer was stricken when on the point
of finishing the stories, and when he saw that he could not complete
them himself, it was to the present writer that he turned, and an
outline for a conclusion was drawn up which met with his approval,--and
it is this outline which has now been filled out in order to bring the
tales to a finish, so that both stories might be as nearly as possible
what Mr. Alger intended they should be. It may be that the stories will
not be found as interesting as if Mr. Alger had written them entirely,
nevertheless the present writer trusts that they will still hold the
reader's attention to the end.

  ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.

March 1st, 1900.




CONTENTS.


  CHAPTER                                                PAGE

  I. A GREAT SURPRISE,                                       7

  II. MR. TALBOT AND THE DOG,                               15

  III. THE LITTLE PLOT AGAINST ROBERT,                      24

  IV. MR. TALBOT IS MYSTIFIED,                              33

  V. A CRISIS,                                              42

  VI. ON THE TRAIN,                                         51

  VII. BAFFLED,                                             59

  VIII. PERIL,                                              67

  IX. AT THE PALMER HOUSE,                                  75

  X. ROBERT GETS A PLACE,                                   83

  XI. MR. PALMER'S INFATUATION,                             92

  XII. AN UNLOOKED-FOR SCENE,                              101

  XIII. ROBERT RECEIVES A LETTER,                          110

  XIV. JAMES TALBOT LEARNS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE,        118

  XV. THE RESULT OF A FIRE,                                127

  XVI. TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS,                                136

  XVII. ROBERT IS GIVEN A MISSION,                         143

  XVIII. THE POST-OFFICE MONEY ORDER,                      150

  XIX. AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK,                               160

  XX. THE ESCAPE OF CROSS AND HUSKIN,                      169

  XXI. ROBERT AND THE OLD LUMBERMAN,                       178

  XXII. A CLEVER CAPTURE,                                  187

  XXIII. PALMER'S UNFORTUNATE DÉBUT,                       197

  XXIV. PALMER CALLS UPON ROBERT'S MOTHER,                 209

  XXV. ANOTHER TALK ABOUT ROBERT,                          215

  XXVI. ROBERT SPEAKS HIS MIND,                            222

  XXVII. MR. TALBOT RECEIVES ANOTHER SET-BACK,             229

  XXVIII. THE CONSPIRATORS ARE DISGUSTED,                  236

  XXIX. A LUCKY CHANGE OF STATEROOMS,                      245

  XXX. ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST ROBERT,                        253

  XXXI. THE MISSING BAGGAGE CHECK,                         261

  XXXII. ROBERT DELIVERS THE PRECIOUS MAP,                 269

  XXXIII. ROBERT VISITS HOME--CONCLUSION,                  279




OUT FOR BUSINESS.




CHAPTER I.

A GREAT SURPRISE.


Robert Frost, with his books under his arm, turned into the front yard
of a handsome residence in the village of Granville. He was a boy of
sixteen, strongly built, and with a handsome, expressive face.

"I wish mother were at home," he soliloquized. "It seems very lonesome
when she is away."

He opened the front door and let himself into the house. It was a
handsome and spacious hall. Two paintings hung on the walls, and both
were portraits. One represented a lady, with a pretty, but rather weak
face. She looked as if she had very little resolution, and might easily
be influenced by one with stronger will. The other picture was that of
a man of near forty. It was an attractive face. The strong resemblance
which it bore to the boy made it probable that it was his father, and
such was the case. Robert looked up to it regretfully, for he had not
yet got over the loss of his father, hardly twelve months dead.

"I wish dad were alive," he thought sadly, "we were such good friends,
he and I."

Mr. Frost had not died of disease. He was cut off in the full vigor of
life, the victim of a railroad accident. Robert remembered well when he
was taken home, mangled and hardly to be recognized.

His death did not entail any privation upon his little family--Robert
was the only child--for he left a considerable fortune and was heavily
insured besides, so that they were still able to live in handsome style.

"When will supper be ready, Jane?" Robert asked of the servant, as he
passed into the dining-room.

"At half-past five o'clock, Master Robert."

"All right, Jane. I will be on hand, and with a good appetite."

He put on his hat, after laying down his books, and was about to go
out, when Jane arrested his steps.

"Wait a minute, Master Robert. There's a telegram for you."

He took the yellow envelope in some surprise.

"When was it left?" he asked.

"Half an hour since."

"It must be from mother," he said thoughtfully.

"Very likely--I hope it isn't bad news."

Robert echoed the wish, but did not say a word. He took out his
penknife and opened the envelope.

There it was--just a few words, but they puzzled him.

"What is it?" asked Jane, whose curiosity was excited.

Robert read the telegram. It ran thus:

  "Gloucester, June 5.

    "Shall be at home to-morrow. Prepare for a great surprise.

  "Mother."

Robert looked surprised and bewildered.

"What can it mean, Jane, do you think?" he asked.

"I don't know, I'm sure, Master Robert. Perhaps your mother is going to
bring you a present."

"But she wouldn't call that a great surprise."

"I don't know then. You'll know to-morrow."

Yes, he would know to-morrow, but he could not help letting his mind
dwell on the mystery. It occurred to him that it might be a gold watch,
which he had long wanted, and which his mother had promised to get him
very soon. But this would scarcely be considered a great surprise.

"Well, there's no use guessing," he decided at length. "I'll only have
to wait till to-morrow, and then I shall know."

The next day was Saturday, and school did not keep. Robert looked over
the railroad time-table, and concluded that his mother would arrive
about twelve o'clock. This would bring her in time for dinner, which
was usually on the table at half past twelve. He suggested to Jane to
get a better dinner than usual, as his mother would probably be present
to partake of it.

This suggestion proved unnecessary, for about ten o'clock Jane herself
received a telegram to this effect.

    "Have a good dinner ready at the usual time. I shall reach home in
    time for it, and bring another with me."

"So that's the surprise!" reflected Jane. "She is going to bring a
friend with her. I wonder who it is. Maybe it's the lady she's been
visiting. I hope it isn't, for lady visitors are so fussy."

However, Jane went to the market and ordered a pair of chickens, with
a variety of vegetables, and prepared apple dumplings, which she knew
Mrs. Frost always enjoyed.

"Now," she said, "I'll have a dinner good enough for anybody."

Robert intended to go to the depot to meet his mother, but he went on
an expedition with one of his schoolmates, and found that he would
scarcely have time to do so. So he returned home.

"Has mother come, Jane?" he asked.

"No, Master Robert, not yet."

He posted himself at the front window, and five minutes later he saw
the depot carriage approaching the house.

"She's coming, Jane!" he called out in excitement.

"I forgot to tell you that she's going to bring a visitor."

"How do you know?"

"Because I received a telegraph this morning," answered Jane.

"Did she say who was coming with her?"

"No; can you see anyone in the carriage?"

By this time the carriage had reached the entrance to the neat graveled
path which led from the gate to the front door.

The door of the carriage was opened, and a man got out--a man of less
than medium size.

Robert was surprised.

"Why, Jane" he said, "it's a gentleman!"

"Go out and meet them, Master Robert."

Robert opened the front door quickly, and hurried out. Meanwhile, the
gentleman had helped Mrs. Frost out, and she was advancing up the walk,
leaning on the arm of her companion. Mrs. Frost smiled, and turning to
the man at her side, said, "This is my son Robert, James."

"Ah, indeed!" said the other with a smile. "He looks like a stout,
strong boy."

"I wonder who he is," thought Robert. But he was soon to learn.

"Did you have a pleasant visit, mother?" he asked.

"Yes, very pleasant," answered his mother, with a meaning glance at her
companion. "Robert, did you receive my telegram?"

"Yes, mother."

"You remember what I said about the great surprise?"

"Yes, mother."

"Well, this gentleman is the great surprise," she said, simpering.

By this time the whole party had entered the house.

"I don't understand you, mother," said the boy, but a sudden suspicion
had entered his mind, and he was afraid that he did understand. He
waited in painful suspense for his mother to speak.

"I have brought you a new father, Robert. This is my husband, Mr.
Talbot."

"Oh, mother!" exclaimed Robert in a grief-stricken tone. "How could you
marry again?"

Mrs. Talbot, for this was now her name, blushed and looked
uncomfortable. Her husband looked angry.

"Really, young man," he said, "it seems to me that is a very improper
way of addressing your mother."

For the first time Robert fixed his eyes upon this man whom he was so
suddenly called upon to think of as--not his father, for he could not
tolerate the thought--but as his mother's husband. As before mentioned,
he was a small-sized man, with black hair and side whiskers, a thin
face, aquiline nose, and an expression which, so far from attracting,
actually repelled the boy. It was a baleful look, which suggested
Mephistopheles, though this well-known character in Faust did not occur
to Robert, for he had never heard of him. The boy was not accustomed to
regard new acquaintances with repugnance, but this was the feeling with
which he regarded Mr. Talbot.

"I hate you!" he blazed out in sudden fury. "Oh, mother, why did you
marry him?"

This, it must be admitted, was not a very cordial welcome, and the
boy's anger was reflected in the face of his new step-father, who bit
his nether lip, and glared at our hero with wrathful eyes.

"You are an impudent cub!" he exclaimed. "I won't forget the way you
have received me."

"Oh, James, forgive him!" pleaded the mother. "He doesn't realize what
he says. He will get over it to-morrow."

"I shall never get over it, mother!" said Robert. "If you must marry
again, why at least didn't you marry a gentleman?"

"I'll get even with you for this, young man!" exclaimed Talbot
furiously.

Mrs. Talbot screamed and sat upon a couch. Robert seized his hat, and
without waiting for dinner, dashed out of the house.




CHAPTER II.

MR. TALBOT AND THE DOG.


"You didn't tell me what a violent temper your son had," said James
Talbot, when Robert had left the house.

"He has a good temper, James, but I suppose he was taken by surprise."

"I'll take him by surprise!" said Talbot spitefully. "He'll find out
that he has a master."

"No, James," pleaded Mrs. Talbot. "Remember that he is my son."

"I will treat him well if he treats me well, not otherwise. He has the
temper of a fiend."

"I am so sorry," said the bride, and she indulged in weak tears. "I
looked forward with so much pleasure to this day, and now----"

"Perhaps you are sorry you married me," said Talbot, biting his
mustache.

"Oh no, not that, but Robert has gone away without his dinner."

"Serves him right. When he gets hungry enough he will come back."

"Promise, James, that you will overlook his rudeness."

James Talbot was silent a moment, and then constrained his harsh
features into a smile, which he tried to make pleasant.

"I will remember that he is your son, Sarah," he said, softening his
voice. "It will not be my fault if I do not teach him to like me."

"Thank you! How good you are!"

"And now, my love, let me remind you that I am hungry. Won't you order
dinner served? Really, I am almost famished."

"Jane, you may put the dinner on the table," said Mrs. Talbot, looking
relieved.

Jane followed directions.

"And where is Master Robert, Mrs. Frost--no, I mean Mrs. Talbot?"

"He has gone out for a short time. If he is not back before long, you
may save some dinner for him."

"That's queer, his going out just as his mother gets back," thought
Jane, but she kept silence.

She looked disapprovingly at the new husband.

"Sure, he looks like a gorilla," she mused. "How could the mistress
marry him when her first husband was such a fine handsome man? I
mistrusts he and Master Robert won't get along very well together."

James Talbot took the place at the head of the table, and began to
carve the fowls. Jane noticed that though he helped his wife first, he
reserved the nicest portion of the chicken for himself.

"Sure, he's a selfish beast!" reflected Jane. "If he was a gentleman he
wouldn't take all the breast for himself."

She was right. Talbot was selfish and had always been so. Some men can
conceal this trait. He did not try to do so. He did not trouble himself
about criticism, as long as he got what he wanted.

"I wish Robert were here," said Mrs. Talbot plaintively. "I can't be
happy, thinking that he is going without his dinner."

"He'll be all right to-morrow. I'll try to make friends with him."

"Will you really? It will be so good of you."

"I always try to be kind and considerate, my love. Your son is very
hasty, but he will soon understand me better."

"Oh, I do hope so."

After dinner Talbot said: "Now, my love, I wish you would show me over
the house--our house," he added with cat-like softness.

"I shall be so glad to do so."

They passed out into the hall, and the new husband's attention was
drawn to the portrait of Robert's father. He frowned slightly.

"Who is that?" he asked.

