Chapter XXXII: Conclusion

My uncle's deathbed revelation was a strange one. In brief, it was as follows:

At the time my father and mother were killed he was in a sore financial strait, and needed money to keep himself from failing and losing every dollar he possessed.

He had applied to my father for relief, and my parent was about to grant him considerable assistance when the fatal catastrophe occurred.

Mr. Stillwell had immediately taken a steamer for England, and on arriving there, took entire charge of my father's affairs, though not without some difficulty with the English bankers, who held my father's funds in trust.

On examining my father's private papers, my uncle was not a little chagrined to find that Mr. Banker was to be appointed my guardian, there being a will to that effect, a will that Mr. Mason and I afterwards found among Mr. Stillwell's papers.

Mr. Banker was not on good terms with my uncle, so the latter knew that if the former became my guardian the loan that my father had consented to make would most likely never be carried out. In this predicament my uncle had taken his first wrong step. He had hidden my father's will and brought forth an old one in which he himself was named as guardian.

This wrong step accomplished, the rest was easy enough. But my uncle's original intention had been to treat me fairly, just as if Mr. Banker had been my guardian.

Yet in the end the temptation to use the money for his own benefit was too strong for him, and he had ended by losing something like ten thousand dollars out of an estate worth fifty.

It was then that he had met Captain Hannock, who was an old school chum, and been persuaded to go into the scheme that had ended so disastrously. The remainder the reader already knows.

By a paper drawn up by Mr. Mason, Uncle Felix placed the charge of his affairs entirely in the lawyer's hands. Mr. Mason was to settle his estate, pay all that was due to me over to Mr. Banker, my new guardian, and then settle the remainder upon Gus and Lillian, taking out, of course, my aunt's share as his widow.

Although my uncle did not say so, I am pretty well satisfied that much of his wrongdoing was attributable to his wife, who was a very proud and extravagant woman. This, I think, is why he left her no more than he did.

The day before my uncle's funeral Mr. Banker came down to the city. He shook me warmly by the hand and slyly asked me if I had enough of the sea.

"Yes, indeed," I replied. "Life on shipboard is well enough to read about, but the city is good enough for me."

"And what do you propose to do now?" he asked.

"You are my guardian. I suppose I'll have to do as you wish me to."

"No, Luke; you are old enough to choose for yourself."

"Then let me say that I would like to go to college and finish the education my father intended I should have."

"So be it," replied Mr. Banker.

All this happened six years ago. During that time great changes have taken place.

Immediately after my uncle's death my aunt removed to her former home in Boston, taking Gus and Lillian with her. They never write to me or come to New York, and I am content to leave them go their own way.

Captain Hannock and Lowell are both in prison, the former with ten years to serve and the latter five. Crocker was discharged about a month ago. I have never seen any of them since the day they were sentenced in the Boston court-room, and I trust I never shall.

Mr. Oscar Ranson still spends his time between the "Hub" and the metropolis, and in him I have a true friend. Phil Jones has now a responsible position on the wharfs, at a good salary, and as the work just suits him, he will no doubt rise rapidly. His old aunt has become his guardian, and she holds in trust for him two thousand dollars which Captain Hannock was compelled to pay over because it belonged to the cabin boy's late father. Tony Dibble is at sea.

Two years ago, in company with Harry Banker, I finished my course at college, and now I am duly installed in Mr. Mason's office as his private clerk. Having a good home with my employer, I am happy, and that being so, what more is there to say?

THE END.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS

Old Glory Series

UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA.
A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA.
FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS.
UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE.
UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON.

Stratemeyer Popular Series

THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE.
REUBEN STONE'S DISCOVERY.
TRUE TO HIMSELF.
RICHARD DARE'S VENTURE.
OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH.
TO ALASKA FOR GOLD.
THE YOUNG AUCTIONEER.
BOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN.
SHORTHAND TOM. THE REPORTER.
FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN.

Soldiers of Fortune Series

ON TO PEKIN.
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR.
UNDER THE MIKADO'S FLAG.
WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN.

American Boys' Biographical Series

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.
AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

Colonial Series

WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST.
MARCHING ON NIAGARA.
AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL.
THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS.
ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC.
TRAIL AND TRADING POST.

Pan-American Series

LOST ON THE ORINOCO.
THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS.
YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS.
YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON.

Dave Porter Series

DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL.
DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

THE STRATEMEYER POPULAR SERIES

Since the passing of Henty, Edward Stratemeyer is the most widely read of all living writers for the young, and each year extends the vast and enthusiastic throng. In obedience to the popular demand we have established this POPULAR SERIES comprising ten representative books by this great writer, on which special prices can be made. The stories are bright and breezy, moral in tone, and while full of adventure, are not sensational. These books, at a popular price, will be a rare treat for the boys and girls.

1. The Last Cruise of the Spitfire Or Luke Foster's Strange Voyage

2. Reuben Stone's Discovery Or The Young Miller of Torrent Bend

3. True to Himself Or Roger Strong's Struggle for Place

4. Richard Dare's Venture Or Striking Out for Himself

5. Oliver Bright's Search Or The Mystery of a Mine

6. To Alaska for Gold Or The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon

7. The Young Auctioneer Or The Polishing of a Rolling Stone

8. Bound to be an Electrician Or Franklin Bell's Success

9. Shorthand Tom the Reporter Or The Exploits of a Bright Boy

10. Fighting for His Own Or The Fortunes of a Young Artist

THE FAMOUS "OLD GLORY SERIES"

UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA
Or The War Fortunes of a Castaway

A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA
Or Fighting for the Single Star

FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS
Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn

UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Or A Young Officer in the Tropics

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE
Or Under Lawton through Luzon

UNDER MACARTHUR IN LUZON
Or Last Battles in the Philippines

"A boy once addicted to Stratemeyer stays by him."--_The Living Church._

"The boys' delight--the 'Old Glory Series.'"--_The Christian Advocate, New York._

"Stratemeyer's style suits the boys."--JOHN TERHUNE, _Supt. of Public Instruction, Bergen Co., New Jersey._

"Mr. Stratemeyer is in a class by himself when it comes to writing about American heroes, their brilliant doings on land and sea."--_Times, Boston._

"Mr. Stratemeyer has written a series of books which, while historically correct and embodying the most important features of the Spanish-American War and the rebellion of the Filipinos, are sufficiently interwoven with fiction to render them most entertaining to young readers."--_The Call, San Francisco._

THE COLONIAL SERIES

WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST
Or A Soldier Boy's Battles in the Wilderness

MARCHING ON NIAGARA
Or The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier

AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL
Or A Soldier Boy's Final Victory

ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC
Or The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio

THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS
Or The Soldier Boys of the Indian Trails

TRAIL AND TRADING POST
Or The Young Hunters of the Ohio

"Mr. Stratemeyer has put his best work into the 'Colonial Series.'"--_Christian Register, Boston._

"A series that doesn't fall so very far short of being history itself."--_Boston Courier._

"The tales of war are incidental to the dramatic adventures of two boys, so well told that the historical facts are all the better remembered."--_Boston Globe._

"Edward Stratemeyer has in many volumes shown himself master of the art of producing historic studies in the pleasing story form."--_Minneapolis Journal._

"The author, Edward Stratemeyer, has used his usual care in matters of historical detail and accuracy, and gives a splendid picture of the times in general."--_Milwaukee Sentinel._

"Told by one who knows how to write so as to interest boys, while still having a care as to accuracy."--_Commercial Advertiser, New York._

AMERICAN BOYS' BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES

VOLUME ONE

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY

Here is told the whole story of McKinley's boyhood days, his life at school and at college, his work as a school teacher, his glorious career in the army, his struggles to obtain a footing as a lawyer, his efforts as a Congressman and a Governor, and lastly his prosperous career as our President, all told in a style particularly adapted to boys and young men. The book is full of interesting anecdotes, all taken from life, showing fully the sincere, honest, painstaking efforts of a life cut all too short. The volume will prove an inspiration to all boys and young men, and should be in every library.

For nearly a year Mr. Stratemeyer has been gathering material and giving careful study to the life of the young William, his childhood, his boyhood, and all his inspiring and romantic history. The story was nearing its end when the awful finale came and tragedy ended the drama of President McKinley's life.--_New York Journal._

VOLUME TWO

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT

This excellent work for young people covers the whole life of our strenuous executive, as school-boy, college student, traveler, author, hunter and ranchman, as assemblyman, as civil service commissioner, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, as a daring rough rider, as Governor of New York, and lastly as President. Full of stories taken from real life and told in a manner to interest both young and old.

We unreservedly recommend Mr. Stratemeyer's books for boys.
They are wholesome, accurate as to historical details and
always interesting.--_Boston Times._

GOOD BOOKS FOR BOYS

LARRY THE WANDERER Or The Rise of a Nobody

This is a plain tale of everyday life, written especially for boys and girls who do not care particularly for stories with a historical or geographical background. Larry is a youth who has been knocked around from pillar to post for a number of years. The unravelling of the curious mystery which surrounds the lad's identity makes good reading.

JOE, THE SURVEYOR Or The Value of a Lost Claim

This story relates the trials and triumphs of a sturdy country youth, who is compelled, by the force of circumstances, to go forth into the world and earn, not alone his own living, but also support for his twin sister and his invalid father.

TWO YOUNG LUMBERMEN Or From Maine to Oregon for Fortune

A splendid story, the scene shifting from Maine to Michigan and the Great Lakes, and then to the Columbia and the Great North-west. The heroes are two sturdy youths who have been brought up among the lumbermen of their native State, and who strike out in an honest endeavor to better their condition. An ideal volume for every wide-awake American who wishes to know what our great lumber industry is to-day.

Mr. Stratemeyer's books are not only entertaining but
instructive.--_Daily Press, Portland, Me._

BETWEEN BOER AND BRITON Or Two Boys' Adventures in South Africa

Relates the experiences of two boys, cousins to each other, one American and the other English, whose fathers are engaged in the Transvaal, one in farming and the other in mining operations. While the two boys are off on a hunting trip after big game the war between the Boers and Britons suddenly breaks out, and while endeavoring to rejoin their parents the boys find themselves placed between hostile armies.

A stirring story of the South African War.--_The Journal,
Indianapolis, Ind._

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE SERIES

VOLUME THREE

AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR Or A Young American in the Japanese Navy

"At the Fall of Port Arthur" is another of Mr. Stratemeyer's spirited war stories. It relates, primarily, the adventures of Larry Russell, so well known to countless thousands of readers of the famous "Old Glory Series." Larry is on board his old ship, the _Columbia_, which is carrying a cargo for the Japanese government, and is made a prisoner. A chase ensues, followed by a thrilling sea fight, and the young American escapes to one of the Japanese cruisers. The young sailor joins the Japanese navy, and under Admiral Togo assists at the bombardment of Port Arthur. Life in the Japanese navy is described in detail, and also life in Port Arthur during the siege and bombardment, which has few parallels in history.

Mr. Stratemeyer is easily foremost among all writers of boys' books dealing with great events as they occur.--_Observer, New York._

"At the Fall of Port Arthur" is very well told.--_Chronicle, San Francisco._

The story is timely, describing life in the Japanese navy in detail.--_Times, Buffalo, New York._

Mr. Stratemeyer is one of the few writers for boys whose works may be relied upon for historic accuracy without sacrifice of interest.--_Journal, New York._

Presented with the skill of one of the cleverest juvenile writers of the period.--_Globe-Democrat, St. Louis._

A rattling good story for boys.--_Republican, Denver, Col._

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