CHAPTER XXXV. PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY.

 No sooner had Chester decided¹ upon his Western journey than he telegraphed to Dean² & Downe, of Tacoma:

 

"I will call upon you within two weeks."

 

Mrs. Rand was much surprised when Chester, coming home unexpectedly, announced his intentions.

 

"Do you want me to take you with me, mother?" asked Chester, with a smile.

 

"I am afraid I could not help you much. But you are not used to traveling. You may take the wrong cars."

 

Again Chester smiled.

 

"I have spent over a year in the city, mother," he said. "I have got along pretty well in the last twelve months, haven't I?"

 

"Yes; but suppose you were to fall sick, with no one to look after you?"

 

"I didn't tell you that I am going to have company. Edward Granger, who was born in Oregon, and is three years older than myself, will go with me."

 

"Then I shall feel easier. He knows the way, and can look after you."

 

Chester was secretly of opinion that he was more competent to look after Edward, but did not say so. He saw that his mother was easier in mind, and this relieved him.

 

Before he started from New York he called to see Mr. Fairchild. On Fourteenth Street he fell in with Felix Gordon.

 

"How are you getting along, Felix?" he asked.

 

"Pretty well. Mr. Fairchild has raised me to six dollars a week."

 

"I am glad of it. That shows he is satisfied with you."

 

"I try to please him. I began to think that is the best policy. That is why you have succeeded so well."

 

"Do you ever hear from Mr. Mullins?"

 

"No; but I know where he is."

 

"Where? Of course you know that I have no wish to injure him."

 

"He is somewhere in Oregon, or perhaps in Washington Territory."

 

Washington had not at that time been advanced to the dignity of a State.

 

"That is curious."

 

"Why is it curious?"

 

"Because I am going to start for Oregon and Washington to-night."

 

"You don't mean it! What are you going for?"

 

"On business," answered Chester, not caring to make a confidant of Felix."

 

"Won't it cost a good deal of money?"

 

"Yes; but I expect to get paid for going."

 

"What a lucky fellow you are!" said Felix, not without a trace of envy. "I wish I could go. I like to travel, but I have never had a chance."

 

Mr. Fairchild was equally surprised when told of Chester's plans.

 

"Are you going as an artist?" he asked.

 

"No; as a real estate man," answered Chester. "I own a few lots in Tacoma, and have a chance of selling a part of them."

 

Then he went into particulars.

 

"I congratulate you. I have only one piece of advice to offer. Make careful inquiries³ as to the value of property. Then ask a fair price, not one that is exorbitant⁴. That might drive the hotel people to seeking another site for their house."

 

"Thank you, Mr. Fairchild; I will remember your advice."

 

"The journey is an expensive one. If you need two or three hundred dollars I will loan it to you cheerfully."

 

"Thank you very much, but I have more money saved up than I shall require."

 

"I see you are careful and provident⁵. Well, Chester, I wish you every success."

 

"I am sure of that, Mr. Fairchild. By the way, I hear that your old bookkeeper is in Oregon or Washington."

 

"Who told you?"

 

"Felix. Have you any message for him if I happen to meet him?"

 

"Say that I have no intention of prosecuting⁶ him. If he is ever able I shall be glad to have him return the money he took from me. As to punishment, I am sure he has been punished enough by his enforced flight and sense of wrongdoing."

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 Dean   

n.(大学)院长，系主任，教务长

参考例句：

• The students much like the new dean.学生们很喜欢这位新系主任。
• Who is the dean of the Foreign Languages Department?外语系主任是谁？

3 inquiries   

n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释，等候进一步调查。
• I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 exorbitant   

adj.过分的；过度的

参考例句：

• More competition should help to drive down exorbitant phone charges.更多的竞争有助于降低目前畸高的电话收费。
• The price of food here is exorbitant. 这儿的食物价格太高。

5 provident   

adj.为将来做准备的，有先见之明的

参考例句：

• A provident father plans for his children's education.有远见的父亲为自己孩子的教育做长远打算。
• They are provident statesmen.他们是有远见的政治家。

6 prosecuting   

检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师

参考例句：

• The witness was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel. 证人接受控方律师的盘问。
• Every point made by the prosecuting attorney was telling. 检查官提出的每一点都是有力的。