"Alger Jr, Horatio - Joe the Hotel Boy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

the new suit of clothes that he wore.

"I'm afraid we shall, Ned. Those black clouds back of Mount Sam
mean something."
"If this new suit gets soaked it will be ruined," grumbled Ned,
and gave a sigh.

"I am sorry for the suit, Ned; but I didn't think it was going to
rain when we started."

"Oh, I am not blaming you, Joe. It looked clear enough this
morning. Can't we get to some sort of shelter before the rain
reaches us?"

"We can try."

"Which is the nearest shelter?"

Joe Bodley mused for a moment.

"The nearest that I know of is over at yonder point, Ned. It's
an old hunting lodge that used to belong to the Cameron family.
It has been deserted for several years."

"Then let us row for that place, and be quick about it," said Ned
Talmadge. "I am not going to get wet if I can help it."

As he spoke he took up a pair of oars lying in the big rowboat he
and Joe Bodley occupied. Joe was already rowing and the rich boy
joined in, and the craft was headed for the spot Joe had pointed
out.

The lake was one located in the central part of the State of
Pennsylvania. It was perhaps a mile wide and more than that
long, and surrounded by mountains and long ranges of hills. At
the lower end of the lake was a small settlement of scant
importance and at the upper end, where there was a stream of no
mean size, was the town of Riverside. At Riverside were situated
several summer hotels and boarding houses, and also the elegant
mansion in which Ned Talmadge resided, with his parents and his
four sisters.

Joe Bodley was as poor as Ned Talmadge was rich, yet the two lads
were quite friendly. Joe knew a good deal about hunting and
fishing, and also knew all about handling boats. They frequently
went out together, and Ned insisted upon paying the poorer boy
for all extra services.

Joe's home was located on the side of the mountain which was just
now wrapped in such dark and ominous looking clouds. He lived