It will be admitted that Tom Gordon and Jim Travers had met with a pretty stirring experience, as a result of the visit of the circus and menagerie to Briggsville.  Tom had not been able to attend the performance; but it may be said he was favored with a little “circus” of his own, in which he played the part of star performer.  But all’s well that ends well, and he had the pleasure of walking into his humble home and turning over to his mother the handsome reward paid for the restoration of Tippo Sahib, comparatively unharmed, to the owner.  He was so well liked by teacher and playmates that all congratulated him.  There was no jealousy of his good fortune, for there was none more deserving, and, it may be added, no more in need of the material help given by that one hundred dollars.

But what has been told was but an incident in the life of the two boys, whose fortunes I have set out to tell.  A remarkable train of circumstances in due course involved the lads in a series of incidents which had an important bearing on their future lives, and taught a lesson which young lads cannot learn too often in this world.

Tom and Jim devoted themselves more closely than ever to their school studies, and, as a result, became two of the best-informed pupils at that crude institution of learning.  They grew to be strong, sturdy youths, as fond of athletic sports as they were of study, and with a promise of the right sort of success in life.  Neither dreamed of what the immediate future had in store for them.

A year after the incident of the tiger, Tom’s Aunt Cynthia peacefully died, and a few month later, to his almost inconsolable grief, his beloved mother passed away.  Thus he was left an orphan, without brother or sister.  The blow was a crushing one, and for weeks he wished to die and join the dear ones that had gone before.  He grieved until his friends feared he was falling into a decline, and became seriously concerned for him.

It has been truly said, however, that no person in the enjoyment of health and vigor of body can long be crushed by affliction.  He will rally sooner or later.  Thus it proved in the case of Tom Gordon.  His former strength and spirits gradually came back to him.  There were moments and hours when he was weighed down by his great loss; but it was gradually softened by the passage of time, until the day came when his friends believed he had fully recovered from the sorrow that had nearly driven the life from his body and soul.

One sad feature of his affliction was that he was left almost penniless.  With all the thrift, frugality, and self-denial of mother and aunt, they had been able to leave the youth hardly anything at all when they died.  The humble home, with all its belongings, was sold for less than the mortgage, and Tom found himself with little besides the clothes he wore and a few precious mementoes of those that had passed away.

In a community where he was so favorably known, it was impossible that he should suffer actual want.  More than one home was offered him, not only until he could find some situation or engage in some trade, but as long as he chose to avail himself of it.