human
Yes, yes. Well, I thought I could drive a pair of colts as well as any jockey, though I knew no more about driving than any other city business man. Of course, they ran away, and I should have been killed, but that little shaver---- Why, Adrian, that little shaver just sprung on the back of one, from where he'd been beside me in the wagon, and he held and pulled and wouldn't let go till they'd quieted down, and then he was thrown off and nearly trampled to death. I wasn't hurt a bit, not a single bit. You'd think I'd befriend such a brave, unselfish little chap as that, wouldn't you, lad?
gpt
What did you do for him, father?
human
Hmm. What? Oh! yes. Found out he wanted to come to New York and put him to school. Made a man of him. Gave him a place in the bank. Promoted him, promoted him, promoted him. Till he got almost as high as I was myself. Trusted him with everything even more than myself for he never forgot. It would have been better if he had.
gpt
Then, father, what next?
human
How curious you are! Well, what could be next? except that I went one night--or day--I don't remember--he went---- The facts were all against him. There was no hope for him from the beginning. If I had died, he would have hanged, that boy--that little handsome shaver who saved my life. But I didn't die, and he only tried to kill me. They found him at the safe--we two, only, knew the lock--and the iron bar in his hand. He protested, of course. They always do. His wife came---- Oh! Adrian, I shall never forget her face. She was a beautiful woman, with such curious, wonderful hair, and she had a little baby in her arms, while she pleaded that I would not prosecute. The baby laughed, but what could I do? The law must take its course. The money was gone and my life almost. There was no hope for him from the beginning, though he never owned his guilt. But I didn't die, and--Adrian, why have you asked me all this to-night? I am so tired. I often am so tired.