In due course of time Jabez Garrison was tried for his crime and sent to prison for eight years. Gabe Flecker was also brought to the bar of justice and sent to prison for two years. For the capture of Flecker, Sinclair Basswood paid Frank the reward of fifty dollars.
After a good deal of delay Mr. Hardy received from the benevolent society in Philadelphia the money he had had to pay when Garrison ran away. Frank’s father also received from the railroad company the sum of two thousand dollars for the accident on the road, and these combined sums gave him a sufficient capital with which to start life anew.
“I feel like a rich man,” said Mr. Hardy. “I shall take good care not to let my money slip through my fingers again.”
“What business will you go into, father?” asked Frank.
“I will see about that later. I shall jump at nothing hastily,” was the parent’s answer.
When all the matters in court had been settled, Mark tried his luck at selling books. But he could not make a living at it and at the end of a month gave it up.
“You have all the talent in the family in that direction,” he said to Frank. “I am going into some regular line of business.”
Early in the spring Mr. Hardy had a good chance to buy a flour and feed business in Philadelphia, and closed the deal after he and Frank and Mark had made a thorough investigation. He took Mark in with him, and the business proved to be highly successful from the start.
Frank continued to sell books until Christmas. After the holidays he entered high school and gave all his time to his studies.
“I am going to get a good education first, and then go into the publishing business,” he said.