Graham guardian., 1901-04-05

fully hot at the lake last August"
she said, aloud. 81 think it could
| hardly have been warmer in town"
at wasn't bad in town, except in
the middle of the day." replied Al
bert, bravely.
80 you were not fortunate enough
to be away on your vacationr'
Albert laughed. "No, l have my
vacations in November" 1t was then
October.
"That must be nice for shooting"
murmured Miss Pennington, vaguely.
"You hunt, don't you?"
81 fish little" answered Albert.
There was another silence. Miss
Pennington turned to her other
neighbor. Then Albert found cour-
age to speak to his, young man
whom he knew quite well.
A November vacation was Hobson's
choice with Albert. Sometimes, il
trade was active, he got none at all.
He came last on the list of clerks at
Jobson's. But, when he could, he
thankfully packed his bag and went
to spend two weeks in the Wisconsin
woods with his only living relative, a
great-uncle.
Great-uncle Morris was fond of the
boy and good to him. His log cabin
and little farm would hardly support
one, and Uncle Morris held it the duty
of every man to do his share of the
worlds work. Albert did what he
could for Uncle Morris. He bought a
small stock of groceries and shipped
them ahead of his annual visits in
order that the expense of his enter
tainment might not be burden, and
| he faithfully sent the old man the
best Christmas and birthday gifts
| that he could afford. Uncle Morris
had told him once that the farm
would be his some day and some
times, when Albert felt respondent
at his slow promotion, he pictured
himself as living in the cabin, in old
age, without even nephew to visit
him. The thought made him tender
toward the old man.
Just as Albert was about to speak
to Miss Pennington, once more, he
heard her fathers voice: "My dear
young friends" and the rest of the
dinner was devoted to remarks, part
ly instructive and partly catechet-
ical, from that gentleman.
Nevertheless Albert went home re-
joicing He felt that he had made a
great step. Thereafter, he was en-
titled to raise his hat respectfully to
Miss Pennington on Sunday and upon
the rare occasions when he met her
on the street. Moreover as in duty
bound, he made his dinner call and
acquitted himself with credit, his con-
versation being mostly with Mrs.
bennington.
Great-uncle Morris died suddenly
that year, not long after Albert re-
turned from his November vacation.
1t was a shock and a surprise to his
nephew, for the old man was still
vigorous and had seemed in even bet
ter health than usual. Albert OBJ
tanned leave of absence without sal
ary and, drawing his little balance
from the savings bank, hurried to
Wisconsin to Cbe present at the funer-
al. The attendance was larger than
he had expected; he was pleased to
see how many friends and neighbors
came to do honor to the dead. Chief
among the assembly was Judge
Steinberg, of Oshkosh, who greeted
Albert cordially.
After the services were over, tho
Judge accompanied Albert back to the
cabin and seated himself in Uncle
Morris chair, with the air of host
rather than that of guest.
"Of course, Mr.. Whitney, you know
that you are your great-uncle's sole
heir. but I believe that you are not
aware that Morris Whitney was one
of the richest men in the county"
"No-was hep" gasped Albert.
Judge Steinberg smiled. Like most
men, he enjoyed telling good story,
"I have known your uncle all his life;
we were friends in youth, and / have al
ways enjoyed his confidence. Years
ago he had an experience which caused
him to lose faith in all women, and
most men, but which it is not for me
to repeat. He bought this farm, which
is larger than it appears, for much Of
it is leased, and retired to this out-of-
the-way spot. 1t was his delight that
you should love him for himself alone.
The annuity which your mother re-
ceived, after your fathers death, was
paid by him on the express condition
that she should not enlighten you in
regard to his affairs. have to con-
gratulate you on the inheritance of
very considerable fortune, which is ex-
cellently well invested. / shall be
pleased to act as your agent, as l was
your uncle'n but that 10 for you to de-