I have some news about him! Thats why I ran to tell you. I knew youd be glad.
Oh, Neale, thats fine! cried Agnes, clasping him by the arm. After all these years, really to have news of him! Im so glad!
Is he really found? asked Ruth, who was of a less excitable type than her sister, though she could get sufficiently worked up when there was need for it.
No, he isnt exactly found,
went on Neale. I only wish he were. But I just heard, in a roundabout way, that he may not be so very far from here.
That is good news, declared Ruth. How did you hear it?
Well, you know my father was what is called a rover, went on the boy. I presume I dont need to tell you that. He wouldnt have been in the circus business with Uncle Bill, and he wouldnt have had me in the circus along with the trick mules unless he had loved to travel about and see the country.
Thats a safe conclusion, remarked Agnes. To her sister and herself Neales circus experiences were an old story. He had often told them how, when a small boy, he had performed in the sawdust ring.
Yes, father was a rover, went on Neale. At least thats the conclusion Ive come to of late. I really didnt know him very well. He left the circus when I was still small and told Uncle Bill to look after me. Well, Uncle Bill did, Ill say that for him. He was as kind as any boys uncle could be.
Anyhow, as you know, father left the circus, gave me in charge of Uncle Bill, and went off to seek his fortune. I suppose he realized that I would be better off out of a circus, but he knew he had to live, and money is needed for that. So thats why he quit the ring, I imagine. Hes been seeking his fortune for quite a while now, and
Neale, do you mean to say he has come back? cried Agnes.
Not exactly, was the answer. At least if he has come back I havent seen him. But I just met a man a sort of tramp he is, to tell you the truth and he says he knew a man who saw my father in the Alaskan Klondike, where father had a mine. And this man this tramp says my father started back to the States some time ago.
With a lot of gold? asked Ruth, her eyes gleaming with hope for Neale.
This the man didnt know. All he knew was that there was a rumor that my father had struck it fairly rich and had started back toward civilization. But even that news makes me feel good. Im going to see if I can find him. I always had an idea, and so did Uncle Bill, that it was to Alaska father had gone, and this proves it.
But who is this man who gave you the news, and why doesnt he know where your father can be found? asked Ruth. Also is there anything we can do to help you, Neale?
What a lot of questions! exclaimed Agnes.
I think I can answer them, Neale said. He was calmer now, but his face still shone and his eyes sparkled under the stress of the happy excitement. The man, as I said, is a tramp. He asked me for some money. He was driving a team of mules on the canal towpath, and I happened to look at one of the animals. It reminded me of one we had in the circus a trick mule but it took only a look to show me it wasnt the same sort of kicker. I got to talking to the man, and he said he was broke only had just taken the job and the boss wouldnt advance him a cent until the end of the week. I gave him a quarter, and we got to talking. Then he told me he knew men who had been in the Klondike, and, naturally, I asked him if he had ever heard of a man named ONeil. He said he had, and then the story came out.
But how can you be sure it was your father? asked Ruth, wisely not wanting false hopes to be raised.
That was easily proved when I mentioned circus, said Neale. This tramp, Hank Dayton, he said his name was, remembered the men speaking of my father talking about circuses, and saying that he had left me in one.
That does seem to establish an identity, Ruth conceded. Where is this man Dayton now, Neale?
He had to go on with the canal boat. But I learned from him all I could. It seems sure that my father is either back here, after some years spent in Alaska, or that he will come here soon. He must have been writing to Uncle Bill, and so have learned that I came here to live. Uncle Bill knows where I am, but I dont know where he is at this moment, though I could get in touch with him. But Ill be glad to see my father again. Oh, if I could only find him!
Neale seemed to gaze afar off, over the fields and woods, as if he visualized his long-lost father coming toward him. His eyes had a dreamy look.
Cant we do something to help you? asked Ruth.
Thats what I came over about as soon as I had learned all the mule driver could tell me, went on the boy. I thought maybe we could ask Mr. Howbridge, your guardian, how to go about finding lost persons. There are ways of advertising for people who have disappeared.
There is, said Agnes. Ive often seen in the paper advertisements for missing persons who are wanted to enable an estate to be cleared up, and the last time I was in Mr. Howbridges office I heard him telling one of the clerks to have such an advertisement prepared.