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CHAPTER XXIII — TRAVIS IS ARRESTED
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 Jim Travis advanced into the bank with a doubtful step, knowing well that he was on a dishonest errand, and heartily1 wishing that he were well out of it. After a little hesitation2, he approached the paying-teller, and, exhibiting the bank-book, said, "I want to get my money out."
 
The bank-officer took the book, and, after looking at it a moment, said, "How much do you want?"
 
"The whole of it," said Travis.
 
"You can draw out any part of it, but to draw out the whole requires a week's notice."
 
"Then I'll take a hundred dollars."
 
"Are you the person to whom the book belongs?"
 
"Yes, sir," said Travis, without hesitation.
 
"Your name is—"
 
"Hunter."
 
The bank-clerk went to a large folio volume, containing the names of depositors, and began to turn over the leaves. While he was doing this, he managed to send out a young man connected with the bank for a policeman. Travis did not perceive this, or did not suspect that it had anything to do with himself. Not being used to savings3 banks, he supposed the delay only what was usual. After a search, which was only intended to gain time that a policeman might be summoned, the cashier came back, and, sliding out a piece of paper to Travis, said, "It will be necessary for you to write an order for the money."
 
Travis took a pen, which he found on the ledge4 outside, and wrote the order, signing his name "Dick Hunter," having observed that name on the outside of the book.
 
"Your name is Dick Hunter, then?" said the cashier, taking the paper, and looking at the thief over his spectacles.
 
"Yes," said Travis, promptly5.
 
"But," continued the cashier, "I find Hunter's age is put down on the bank-book as fourteen. Surely you must be more than that."
 
Travis would gladly have declared that he was only fourteen; but, being in reality twenty-three, and possessing a luxuriant pair of whiskers, this was not to be thought of. He began to feel uneasy.
 
"Dick Hunter's my younger brother," he said. "I'm getting out the money for him."
 
"I thought you said your own name was Dick Hunter," said the cashier.
 
"I said my name was Hunter," said Travis, ingeniously. "I didn't understand you."
 
"But you've signed the name of Dick Hunter to this order. How is that?" questioned the troublesome cashier.
 
Travis saw that he was getting himself into a tight place; but his self-possession did not desert him.
 
"I thought I must give my brother's name," he answered.
 
"What is your own name?"
 
"Henry Hunter."
 
"Can you bring any one to testify that the statement you are making is correct?"
 
"Yes, a dozen if you like," said Travis, boldly. "Give me the book, and I'll come back this afternoon. I didn't think there'd be such a fuss about getting out a little money."
 
"Wait a moment. Why don't your brother come himself?"
 
"Because he's sick. He's down with the measles," said Travis.
 
Here the cashier signed to Dick to rise and show himself. Our hero accordingly did so.
 
"You will be glad to find that he has recovered," said the cashier, pointing to Dick.
 
With an exclamation6 of anger and dismay, Travis, who saw the game was up, started for the door, feeling that safety made such a course prudent7. But he was too late. He found himself confronted by a burly policeman, who seized him by the arm, saying, "Not so fast, my man. I want you."
 
"Let me go," exclaimed Travis, struggling to free himself.
 
"I'm sorry I can't oblige you," said the officer. "You'd better not make a fuss, or I may have to hurt you a little."
 
Travis sullenly8 resigned himself to his fate, darting9 a look of rage at Dick, whom he considered the author of his present misfortune.
 
"This is your book," said the cashier, handing back his rightful property to our hero. "Do you wish to draw out any money?"
 
"Two dollars," said Dick.
 
"Very well. Write an order for the amount."
 
Before doing so, Dick, who now that he saw Travis in the power of the law began to pity him, went up to the officer, and said,—
 
"Won't you let him go? I've got my bank-book back, and I don't want anything done to him."
 
"Sorry I can't oblige you," said the officer; "but I'm not allowed to do it. He'll have to stand his trial."
 
"I'm sorry for you, Travis," said Dick. "I didn't want you arrested. I only wanted my bank-book back."
 
"Curse you!" said Travis, scowling10 vindictively11. "Wait till I get free. See if I don't fix you."
 
"You needn't pity him too much," said the officer. "I know him now. He's been to the Island before."
 
"It's a lie," said Travis, violently.
 
"Don't be too noisy, my friend," said the officer. "If you've got no more business here, we'll be going."
 
He withdrew with the prisoner in charge, and Dick, having drawn12 his two dollars, left the bank. Notwithstanding the violent words the prisoner had used towards himself, and his attempted robbery, he could not help feeling sorry that he had been instrumental in causing his arrest.
 
"I'll keep my book a little safer hereafter," thought Dick. "Now I must go and see Tom Wilkins."
 
Before dismissing the subject of Travis and his theft, it may be remarked that he was duly tried, and, his guilt13 being clear, was sent to Blackwell's Island for nine months. At the end of that time, on his release, he got a chance to work his passage on a ship to San Francisco, where he probably arrived in due time. At any rate, nothing more has been heard of him, and probably his threat of vengence against Dick will never be carried into effect.
 
Returning to the City Hall Park, Dick soon fell in with Tom Wilkins.
 
"How are you, Tom?" he said. "How's your mother?"
 
"She's better, Dick, thank you. She felt worried about bein' turned out into the street; but I gave her that money from you, and now she feels a good deal easier."
 
"I've got some more for you, Tom," said Dick, producing a two-dollar bill from his pocket.
 
"I ought not to take it from you, Dick."
 
"Oh, it's all right, Tom. Don't be afraid."
 
"But you may need it yourself."
 
"There's plenty more where that came from."
 
"Any way, one dollar will be enough. With that we can pay the rent."
 
"You'll want the other to buy something to eat."
 
"You're very kind, Dick."
 
"I'd ought to be. I've only got myself to take care of."
 
"Well, I'll take it for my mother's sake. When you want anything done just call on Tom Wilkins."
 
"All right. Next week, if your mother doesn't get better, I'll give you some more."
 
Tom thanked our hero very gratefully, and Dick walked away, feeling the self-approval which always accompanies a generous and disinterested15 action. He was generous by nature, and, before the period at which he is introduced to the reader's notice, he frequently treated his friends to cigars and oyster-stews. Sometimes he invited them to accompany him to the theatre at his expense. But he never derived16 from these acts of liberality the same degree of satisfaction as from this timely gift to Tom Wilkins. He felt that his money was well bestowed17, and would save an entire family from privation and discomfort18. Five dollars would, to be sure, make something of a difference in the mount of his savings. It was more than he was able to save up in a week. But Dick felt fully14 repaid for what he had done, and he felt prepared to give as much more, if Tom's mother should continue to be sick, and should appear to him to need it.
 
Besides all this, Dick felt a justifiable19 pride in his financial ability to afford so handsome a gift. A year before, however much he might have desired to give, it would have been quite out of his power to give five dollars. His cash balance never reached that amount. It was seldom, indeed, that it equalled one dollar. In more ways than one Dick was beginning to reap the advantage of his self-denial and judicious20 economy.
 
It will be remembered that when Mr. Whitney at parting with Dick presented him with five dollars, he told him that he might repay it to some other boy who was struggling upward. Dick thought of this, and it occurred to him that after all he was only paying up an old debt.
 
When Fosdick came home in the evening, Dick announced his success in recovering his lost money, and described the manner it had been brought about.
 
"You're in luck," said Fosdick. "I guess we'd better not trust the bureau-drawer again."
 
"I mean to carry my book round with me," said Dick.
 
"So shall I, as long as we stay at Mrs. Mooney's. I wish we were in a better place."
 
"I must go down and tell her she needn't expect Travis back. Poor chap, I pity him!"
 
Travis was never more seen in Mrs. Mooney's establishment. He was owing that lady for a fortnight's rent of his room, which prevented her feeling much compassion21 for him. The room was soon after let to a more creditable tenant22 who proved a less troublesome neighbor than his predecessor23.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
2 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
3 savings ZjbzGu     
n.存款,储蓄
参考例句:
  • I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假,那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
  • By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时,他的存款已全部用完。
4 ledge o1Mxk     
n.壁架,架状突出物;岩架,岩礁
参考例句:
  • They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
  • Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上,摔倒了。
5 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
6 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
7 prudent M0Yzg     
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的
参考例句:
  • A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
  • You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。
8 sullenly f65ccb557a7ca62164b31df638a88a71     
不高兴地,绷着脸,忧郁地
参考例句:
  • 'so what?" Tom said sullenly. “那又怎么样呢?”汤姆绷着脸说。
  • Emptiness after the paper, I sIt'sullenly in front of the stove. 报看完,想不出能找点什么事做,只好一人坐在火炉旁生气。
9 darting darting     
v.投掷,投射( dart的现在分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • Swallows were darting through the clouds. 燕子穿云急飞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子在空中掠过。 来自辞典例句
10 scowling bbce79e9f38ff2b7862d040d9e2c1dc7     
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • There she was, grey-suited, sweet-faced, demure, but scowling. 她就在那里,穿着灰色的衣服,漂亮的脸上显得严肃而忧郁。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Scowling, Chueh-hui bit his lips. 他马上把眉毛竖起来。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
11 vindictively qe6zv3     
adv.恶毒地;报复地
参考例句:
  • He plotted vindictively against his former superiors. 他策划着要对他原来的上司进行报复。 来自互联网
  • His eyes snapped vindictively, while his ears joyed in the sniffles she emitted. 眼睛一闪一闪放出惩罚的光,他听见地抽泣,心里更高兴。 来自互联网
12 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
13 guilt 9e6xr     
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责
参考例句:
  • She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
  • Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。
14 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
15 disinterested vu4z6s     
adj.不关心的,不感兴趣的
参考例句:
  • He is impartial and disinterested.他公正无私。
  • He's always on the make,I have never known him do a disinterested action.他这个人一贯都是唯利是图,我从来不知道他有什么无私的行动。
16 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 bestowed 12e1d67c73811aa19bdfe3ae4a8c2c28     
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • It was a title bestowed upon him by the king. 那是国王赐给他的头衔。
  • He considered himself unworthy of the honour they had bestowed on him. 他认为自己不配得到大家赋予他的荣誉。
18 discomfort cuvxN     
n.不舒服,不安,难过,困难,不方便
参考例句:
  • One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
  • She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。
19 justifiable a3ExP     
adj.有理由的,无可非议的
参考例句:
  • What he has done is hardly justifiable.他的所作所为说不过去。
  • Justifiable defense is the act being exempted from crimes.正当防卫不属于犯罪行为。
20 judicious V3LxE     
adj.明智的,明断的,能作出明智决定的
参考例句:
  • We should listen to the judicious opinion of that old man.我们应该听取那位老人明智的意见。
  • A judicious parent encourages his children to make their own decisions.贤明的父亲鼓励儿女自作抉择。
21 compassion 3q2zZ     
n.同情,怜悯
参考例句:
  • He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
  • Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。
22 tenant 0pbwd     
n.承租人;房客;佃户;v.租借,租用
参考例句:
  • The tenant was dispossessed for not paying his rent.那名房客因未付房租而被赶走。
  • The tenant is responsible for all repairs to the building.租户负责对房屋的所有修理。
23 predecessor qP9x0     
n.前辈,前任
参考例句:
  • It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
  • The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。


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