Jack of the Pony Express | Page 5

But eat, and keep up your
strength."
This was good advice, and Jack realized it. So he sat down to the meal
which Mrs. Watson had prepared as a finish to her housekeeping work
earlier that day. Jack had scarcely finished when Dr. Brown came in,
and spent some time ministering to Mr. Bailey.
The pony express rider felt much relieved after he had been given some
quieting medicine, and as Dr. Brown was about to leave Mr. Bailey
asked:
"Shall I be able to ride the route to-morrow?"
The physician shook his head.
"No, indeed!" he exclaimed. "I'm sorry to have to tell you that you have
a severe illness. I'm afraid you're going to be laid up for several weeks,
if not longer. You have been neglecting yourself too long, and you've
been worrying haven't you?"
"Well, yes, I have," admitted Mr. Bailey.
"Oh, Dad! worrying?" cried Jack. "Is it about that old Harrington
matter?"
"Yes, Jack, it is. I can't get that off my mind."
"Why, every one knows that wasn't your fault!" exclaimed Dr. Brown.

"Of course," chimed in Mrs. Watson.
"Well I can't help thinking that the Harrington crowd believes I was to
blame," went on the pony express rider. "But I never let that letter get
away from me. It never left my bag from the time it was put in until I
delivered it. But I can't prove that, and I can't help worrying over what
people think of me."
"You're foolish to let a thing like that annoy you," said Dr. Brown.
"That's what has helped to make you ill. Now you must take a good rest.
I'll be in to see you to-morrow."
"But what about the trail, Doctor? Some one will have to carry the
mail."
"You can't!" exclaimed the physician, with decision. "That's certain!"
"I will, Dad, of course!" cried Jack. "Who has a better right than I?"
"Well, I'd like to see you do it, Jack, for I'd be sure the mail and express
would be safe with you and Sunger," said the man. "But I don't know
that the company will consent. You're not of age--"
"I couldn't ride any better if I were twenty-one than I can now,"
interrupted Jack. "I'll go to see Mr. Perkfeld the first thing in the
morning. I'll meet the early stage and make the trip to Golden Crossing.
Are they all well there?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound
indifferent.
"Pretty well," answered his father. "Aunt Matilda is ailing a little, but
Jennie is a big help. She handles all the mail alone now. Well, Jack, I
guess it's the only thing to do. You see Perkfeld in the morning, and
explain things. The only thing I'm afraid of is that he may make the
Harrington matter an excuse to take the contract away from me. There
are several who want to ride the trail in my place. But do the best you
can."
Amos Perkfeld was the president, as well as general manager of several

stage and pony express lines. He controlled the one between Golden
Crossing and Rainbow Ridge, and it was he who had engaged Mr.
Bailey.
The "Harrington matter" had taken place some time before. Tyler
Harrington was an influential mine owner, and an important letter had
been sent to him by one of his agents. This letter was carried by Mr.
Bailey, and, in some manner, the contents of it became known to
interests opposed to Mr. Harrington and his associates. In this way they
lost in a mining deal.
While there were no open accusations, there had been hints on the part
of the Harrington interests that the pony express rider might have been
bribed to let some one open and read the letter on the journey over the
mountains. Of course, Mr. Bailey had done nothing of the kind, and he
had no idea how the contents of the letter became known. He felt
distressed because he was suspected, and worried greatly over the
matter. But he could not disprove the unfounded suspicion against him.
As he had admitted, he had been worrying more than usual lately over
the affair, and this, with a general run-down condition, and the
hardships of his calling, had made him ill.
Mrs. Watson offered to stay all night and help look after Mr. Bailey,
and Jack was glad to have her do so. The sick man was a little better in
the morning, but far from being able to ride the mail route.
So Jack saddled Sunger and went into town to meet the early morning
stage which arrived every other day with mail and express matter to be
taken to Golden Crossing and points beyond. The pony express was a
connecting line between the two settlements.