Elmer began to see that possibly it might be up to him to try to get in touch with the tramp, and learn just who and what he was. He could understand what a cruel shock it must be to Amos even to suspect that his father could reach the low level of a common wanderer on the face of the earth, a hobo!
“You meant it when you said you wanted Perk and Wee Willie to know about this matter, did you, Amos?” he asked presently.
“Yes, I insist on it,” said the other, hastily. “I’m tired of sailing under false colors. If my chums all know my sad story it must be up to them to decide whether they want to keep up their contact with me, or drop me. But you must tell them, Elmer; I couldn’t have the heart to go over it all again.”
“I promise you I will, now you’ve given me permission, Amos; and make your mind easy. I know both of our pards too well to doubt what they’ll surely do. They may not be able to say much, but their actions will speak louder than words.”
“You’re all the finest chums any one could ever have, and it’d nearly break my heart if you turned back on me. Do you know, I’ve had the queerest things flit through my mind while thinking it all over.”
“Such as what, Amos?”
“For one thing I would picture my father crouching in the bushes off yonder and staring hard at us while we sat around the campfire last night, yet not daring to join the circle. I even wondered, Elmer, whether he could recognize me, for I’ve changed a lot in these seven years, of course; and how he must have felt at not being able to make himself known, just because he thinks that old charge still hangs over his head.”
“But doesn’t it?” demanded Elmer, suddenly thrilled somehow.
“Why, of course not,” said Amos, simply. “When mother came into the property of her old aunt, one of the first things she did was to have an interview with the head of the firm my father used to be with. She found out the amount of his defalcation, and paid it. That was what cut down our allowance so, and made us scrimp sometimes; but my mother always gloried in clearing his name. Oh, if he is only alive, and could learn that, what might not happen?”
“Courage, Amos!” said Elmer, “you’ve boosted the game a heap in telling me that.”