The Rambler Club's Winter Camp by W. Crispin Sheppard - HTML preview

CHAPTER XXXI
YARDSLEY'S LAST JOKE

In the latter part of March, the Kingswood high school had been restored to its former condition, and on the Saturday before the re-opening a great crowd of boys trooped through the building.

In the assembly room they saw just above the platform, resting on a bracket, a stuffed eagle, with wings outstretched in an attitude of flight. Beneath was a card which stated that the donor was Thomas Clifton, of Kingswood. It was a proud day for the young member of the Rambler Club.

Those who got a glimpse inside the president's office also saw a beautiful silver gray fox over the bookcase, and the reputation of the young hunters was now firmly established.

John Hackett's fawn had arrived safely, and was enjoying life in comfortable quarters. The huge bearskin had been converted into a rug and adorned a room in Mr. Somers' house.

One afternoon, just after school had begun, Bob Somers was seated in his study, engaged on the very problem which had occupied his attention on the night of the fire, when a domestic called him to the speaking tube.

"Mr. Griffin is in the drawing-room, and wishes to see you, Mr. Robert," she said.

"Mr. Griffin," repeated Bob; "guess he wants to see dad."

But the girl was quite certain that she had made no mistake.

"Well, tell him I'll be down," said Bob, in a puzzled tone. He closed his book and descended to the drawing-room.

As he entered, a tall, thin man with rugged, kindly features rose to meet him.

For an instant, Bob did not recognize his well-dressed visitor. Then, like a flash, memory served him. Yet in this man, clean-shaven and sprucely attired, there was little to suggest the trapper they had known in the wilds.

"Yardsley!" he gasped, in the greatest astonishment, wringing his hand. "Why—how—it scarcely seems possible—and Maggie made such a mistake—said Mr. Griffin wanted to see me."

"She was quite correct," laughed the other—"J. Yardsley Griffin, at your service."

Bob stared at him in surprise.

Mr. Griffin seemed to be considerably amused, and continued, slowly, "You know I promised to call on you—and I make it a point to always keep my word."

Bob Somers' astonishment was growing. The trapper's manner of speech had changed as much as his appearance. There was no suggestion of the backwoods vernacular, and divining his thoughts, Mr. Griffin laughed.

"I am fond of a practical joke, as you know," he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "and I must confess that I practiced an innocent deception. Let me add to my introduction—graduate of Harvard, 1885. I expect, soon, to be a professor."

"Professor Griffin!" gasped Bob. "Was I ever more surprised in my life?"

The former trapper sank back in his chair.

"Appearances are often deceptive," he said. "Clothes make the man, and suitable surroundings will add to any illusion."

"But haven't you lived a long time in the woods?" asked Bob.

"Oh, yes! Off and on for years. You see," he continued, with a laugh, "I am a zoölogist and naturalist who believes in studying nature at first hand."

"But didn't I hear you say once," asked Bob, "that you hadn't as much book learning as you wanted?"

"Exactly—and neither have I. There is such a vast amount of knowledge to be gained, that even the most learned are sometimes discouraged."

"And how in the world did you manage to keep up that backwoods talk, even when the furs were taken?" asked Bob.

"Well, the illusion pleased me, and, as I felt sure of seeing you some time in town, I kept it up, picturing in my mind your surprise. I must say, though, on the occasion when you and Hackett were lost, only my strong conviction that you would come out right enabled me to keep it up."

"Will wonders never cease?"

Professor Griffin laughed again and continued, "Well, my friend the 'animalist' has offered me a professorship in the college of which he is president, and I have accepted it."

"What will my father say to this, after all my talk about the trapper?" said Bob. "It is certainly a good joke on us," and he smiled.

"I hope to meet him," observed Professor Griffin, politely.

"You certainly shall. Can't you stay to dinner this evening? Please say yes!" And Professor Griffin accepted the invitation.

It was a merry dinner party that evening. Mr. and Mrs. Somers were delighted to meet the man who had helped to make the boys' outing a pleasant and interesting one, and all had many a hearty laugh, as they talked over the haps and mishaps of the Rambler Club's Winter Camp.

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