When at last he had ceased C. B. said quietly, “I don’t know why you are so amused, sir, for I see you have been reading what those two men wrote from what I told them last night. I think it was very wrong of them, and I feel so ashamed of myself. I do wish I had known that they were going to print it, I wouldn’t have told them a word. Besides, there’s a great deal of it that isn’t true at all. It seems that where they couldn’t remember what I told them they made up a bit to join the story together. I must say though that it is wonderful how they can have done it at all. It seems only a few minutes ago that I was talking to them and here it is all in the newspapers.”
“My dear, innocent Christmas,” burst in the captain, “as I’ve so often told you, you’re too good for this world. To think how utterly out of touch with all these things, railways, telegraphs, newspapers, etc., you are. But try and see if you can what a lot of good your story will do. Your life lived without effort in the sight of God has had much more influence than you ever dreamed of or would imagine, think then of the benefits that even this poor presentment of a bit of that life will confer upon millions of people who will read it. I hain’t afraid that you’ll get above yourself by hearing yourself praised, I know to whom you’ll give all the glory, but I do hope that you won’t refuse to see any more of these fellows, who are sure to be after you directly. And look here, if I know my countrymen, an’ I think I do a little, they’ll be lots of other folks after you to-day. You’ll be offered big money to lecture and show yourself—but I don’t think I can spare you,” and the helpless man looked upon him wistfully.
That brought C. B. to his side in a moment, saying—
“Dear friend, I’ve often told you that I don’t want money, and as for making a show of myself or talking about what I’ve done the idea’s horrible. Since you wish it, I’ll see the newspaper men and talk to them, but please remember that I’m not leaving you while you want me, and when I do leave you because you don’t need me any more, I’m going straight back home.”
“All right, my boy, I never had any real doubt, only the mere thought of losing you was so dreadful to my poor selfish heart. I’ve got to lean on you so that I feel I couldn’t live without you now. For to-day, anyhow, I’ll get one of the attendants to look after me; you’ll be wanted all day long by one person and another. Oh me, I wish this affray had never happened; I don’t know how long we may be kept waiting——”
Just then there was a firm tap at the door, and to the captain’s “Come in” Mr. Stewart entered the room. As soon as greetings were exchanged the captain inquired eagerly—
“Is this thing going to delay us long, sir? I’m so anxious to get home.”
Mr. Stewart’s brow contracted as he replied—
“Not if I can help it, captain. It wouldn’t hinder you anyhow, because you know nothing of it; but your friend’s a principal witness. Still, I know how knit you are together—you can’t do without him. My influence is not here what it is in San Francisco, but I’ll use what I’ve got to get the trial expedited for your sake.” Then turning to C. B., he said, “Well, Christmas, you’ve got fame by the bucketful this morning, haven’t ye? How do you like it?”