The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-19

thousand dollars, and | have saved
only four hundred. | will guarantee.
in case you do not change you course,
that at the end of ten years | will be
the richer of the two"
whats four hundred dollars?" ex-
claimed James, CONTEMPORARY.
"Not much, / grant, but it is nest
egg, and as l may fairly count on an
increase of salary, it will steadily in
crease"
Every well, you may go your way
and / will 60 mine. BY the way. why
don't you drop in of an evening? l
generally have little company.
''To be frank, am afraid shouldn't
enjoy it, James. l usually spend my
evenings in reading. 1t is all the time
have. and don't like to lose it."
At the end of six months James
Wallace had not only spent his semi
annual income, but as much more, so
| that he was now two thousand dollars
in debt. This did not trouble him
much, however He thought OF the
| fifty thousand dollars. and had al
ready formed plans for disposing OF it.
One morning about this time-Or
afternoon rather-for it was one o'clock
james Wallace was told that a gen.
tleman was below who wished to see
him.
Show him up" said the young man.
An old gentleman, apparently about
sixty-five, in an old-fashiOned costume,
was ushered in by the servant.
James Wallace had given an enter
tainment the evening before, lasting
till a late hour. and the effects were
plainly perceptible in his haggard face
as he leaned negligently against the
mantel. smoking cigar.
just behind him was an ornamental
French clock. and the entire apart
ment was elegantly furnished.
Il come from Mr.. Podd," said the
old gentleman. very quietly. HE has
received request from you to ad-
vance portion of the money you
were to receive at the end of the year.
He is surprised at such request. He
supposed your income ample to defray
your expenses"
"Well," said the young man, 81
have been at considerable expense to
fit up these rooms"
mot over a thousand dollars. I
should say" said the old gentleman
looking about him.
THAT is about the figure"
"And the other thousand I should
suppose would have been sufficient to
maintain you during six months
''Then you supposed wrong. The
fact is, old gentleman, you don't know
how much it costs to support young
man in style"
Probably not; but it is good rule
not to exceed your income"
II don't want any ADVICE" said
James, haughtily.
81 am afraid it will do you little
good. May inquire the amount of
your salary before this inheritance
came to you?"
Il starved on salary of six hundred
dollars"
'Do you know how much your cousin
receives?"
''Seven hundred now. He did re-
ceive the same with me last year."
"How much are you in debit" Z
about two thousand dollars"
so you have spent four thousand,
or your entire years income in six
months?"
$50 it appears" said James, non-
chalantly.
What am l to think of thatP''
Really, old gentleman, for haven't
the pleasure of knowing your name,
you appear to concern yourself consid-
erably in my affairs. May 1 suggest
that don't see any necessity for it,"
perhaps you will when you know
my name.'
"All right. Let me know it."
II am Anthony Wallace"
"What!' exclaimed the young man.
starting as if he had been shot. 'My
uncle! Are you not dead then?"
| 81 am as much alive as ever 7 was. -
II don't understand it," said the
nephew, pale with alright.
''Then / will explain. / have no
others to inherit nay property except
you and your Cousin John. Not wish
ing my money to be wasted in extrav-
agance, and being able to think of no
other ordeal, took the course l did.
10 my modification, find that YOU
have run career of extravaganza and
dissipation. recall the inheritance.
and shall make John, of whom l hear
excellent reports, my heir. As for yoa. I
will pay your debts and will allow
twelve dollars week for three months.
During that time, ( advise You to OBJ
tain situation. After obtaining it /
shall watch your course, and if it
meets my approval I will give you an
income of fifty dollars month. That
Is the utmost you need expect. Had
things been different you should have
received the fifty thousand dollars
which is but one-half of my prop
erty."
James Wallace's modification was
extreme, but he had no one to blame
but himself. His cousin received tho
inheritance. of which he made a
worthy and noble use, and has since
Inherited tn" balance of his entire
property. James Is still a clerk on q
small salary. -Horatio Alger, Jr.. in
Yankee Blade.
A NOTED ALLIGATOR.