After London | Page 6

had
me trained for a commercial life, and now takes me with him on his
journeys, partly as secretary and partly as valet.
"His home is in St. Petersburg. This house is only used as a stopping
place when his business carries him to this region, which happens quite
frequently. Before leaving yesterday, he gave me strict orders to look
after your welfare. I trust you will be pleased with my efforts, and give
Mr. Vosky a good report when he returns."
By slow degrees Alfred Banford recovered his strength. He found
books with which to while away the time. The stillness of this secluded
spot was a gratifying change from the noisy battlefield.
One night, Mr. Vosky returned. As he entered the house, his face shone
with enthusiasm and gay spirits. "I come," said he, turning to Alfred,
"to give you liberty after your long confinement. I stand at your service,
and wish to do everything in my power to see you safely restored to
your own country. I would suggest that you go with me to St.
Petersburg; from there you can easily return to your own home by
water. I should like to introduce you to my wife and children. Besides, I
could not let you depart without suitable clothing, and I cannot provide
you with that here."
"My good man," said Alfred, "your extraordinary kindness to me
exceeds all measure. I cannot understand how I should merit such

consideration from you."
"But," said Mr. Vosky, almost choked with emotion, "I find nothing
extraordinary or bountiful in my acts. It is my duty, an act of gratitude."
"I fail to understand you," said Alfred. "I cannot remember the slightest
favor that I have ever proffered you. I never saw you before, and what
is more, I never heard of you in my life."
"Never?" cried Mr. Vosky. "Then listen to what I have to say. My
entire fortune I owe to you. All my success I lay at your door."
Alfred looked at him in astonishment and shook his head.
"Did you never help a poor boy, by giving him fifty pounds?"
"Just now I don't remember ever having done any poor boy such a
charity."
"Now," said Vosky, "perhaps you may remember a nightingale that you
wished to have brought to your mother's garden. You will recall that
poor stable-boy who managed it for you."
"Oh, yes," said Alfred, "I remember the boy very well. He was a poor,
worthy, ambitious lad, named Michael Warden. The last I heard of him
was when he went out into the world as a wheelwright, to make his
fortune."
"So, you do remember him. Well, that boy Michael was none other
than myself. Now I am the owner of a large factory, besides being
financial adviser to the Czar. I had my name legally changed to Vosky.
I was that stable-boy, that wheelwright."
"You!" cried Alfred, filled with admiration and astonishment. He
sprang forward and embraced his benefactor. "But why didn't you tell
me all this at first?"
"That was impossible," said Vosky. "It would have taken too long to
explain; and my business affairs were so pressing, and you were so

exhausted, that you could not have listened to a detailed account. I
deferred it for a more quiet, restful time, when I could express to you
my thanks. I saw that you did not recognize me, and I, too, would never
have recognized you had you not said that day as you sank in the snow,
'Give my love to my mother and sisters and say that Alfred Banford fell
in the service of his country.' Let us be thankful that we have been
brought together, and that the opportunity has been afforded me to
show you that I am not ungrateful. I cannot express to you the joy it
gives me to see you, and to be able to serve you."
Mr. Vosky then related some of the events of his life. How he had
visited the principal cities of Europe; and how he had studied under the
best men, in order to make himself proficient in his line of work.
Having heard that many Londoners were competing for the
construction of carriages for Russia, he had hastily sent in his estimate.
The work was accorded to him, and in a few years time he had amassed
a large fortune. He had also opened a large wagon factory, and as soon
as the war broke out with France, he had received orders from the Czar
to supply the Russian army with additional powder wagons. The
government had been as pleased with his promptness as with his
honesty. Later, he had received the title of "Imperial Financial
Adviser."
Alfred listened earnestly, and said: "God blessed you with excellent
talents.