human
Yes, father was a rover, went on Neale.
gpt
At least that's the conclusion I've come to of late. I really didn't 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, I'll say that for him. He was as kind as any boy's uncle could be.
human
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 that's why he quit the ring, I imagine. He's been seeking his fortune for quite a while now, and--
gpt
Neale, do you mean to say he has come back?
human
Not exactly, was the answer.
gpt
At least if he has come back I haven't 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.
human
With a lot of gold?
gpt
This the man didn't 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. I'm 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.
human
But who is this man who gave you the news, and why doesn't he know where your father can be found? asked Ruth.
gpt
Also is there anything we can do to help you, Neale?
human
What a lot of questions!
gpt
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.
human
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 wasn't 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 wouldn't 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 O'Neil. He said he had, and then the story came out.
gpt
But how can you be sure it was your father?
human
That was easily proved when I mentioned circus, said Neale.
gpt
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.
human
That does seem to establish an identity, Ruth conceded.
gpt
Where is this man Dayton now, Neale?
human
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 don't know where he is at this moment, though I could get in touch with him. But I'll be glad to see my father again. Oh, if I could only find him!
gpt
Can't we do something to help you?
human
That's what I came over about as soon as I had learned all the mule driver could tell me, went on the boy.
gpt
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.
human
There is, said Agnes.
gpt
I've 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. Howbridge's office I heard him telling one of the clerks to have such an advertisement prepared.
human
Then that's what I've got to have done! declared Neale.
gpt
I've got some money, and I can get more from Uncle Bill if I can get in touch with him. I'm going to see Mr. Howbridge and start something!
human
Mr. Howbridge is coming here this afternoon, said the girl.
gpt
You might stay and see him, if you like, Neale.
human
What, with a whole Civic Betterment Club of girls coming to the Corner House! No, thank you, he laughed.
gpt
I'll see him afterward. But I have more hope now than I ever had before.
human
I'm very glad, murmured Ruth.
gpt
Mr. Howbridge will give you any help possible, I'm sure. Shall I speak to him about it when he comes to advise us how to form our Civic Betterment Club?
human
Oh, I think not, thank you, answered Neale.
gpt
He'll have enough to do this afternoon without taking on my affair. I can tell him later. But I couldn't wait to tell you.
human
Of course you couldn't! said Agnes.
gpt
That would have been a fine way to treat me!