The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-11-19
&; CHAPTER XXI.
Continued.


CHAPTER XII
Continued
-sRamember. you must 'aot say q
word Of all this to your father be-
forehand." continued uncle Sam.
.Your father IN q fool, and q fool Il
always q marplot. Before you ACTUAL
II undertaks the task, Il In well you
sbould realize that success may amount
to little more than failure. your father
NAV appropriate the whole Of the Sc
ouins the moment they are recovered
jfor they are rightly bis). give you
half.a.crown for your pains, and send
me a tvo.line apology on q postal
card Perhaps ron may reasonably
hone for more generous treatnept. but
'it's hard to say. Nothing In 80 difa-
cult a. to forecast the acts OF an In
competent, stupid man"
Though my uncie's bitterness against
my father was easy to understand. l
found every exhibition Of 1t hard to
hear. II was not In my power to de-
send the man who had the greatest
claim upon NV gratitude, and whom
I still preferred before all other men,
40 I remained silent. Something Of the
detection his words had caused must
have appeared In my face. for uncle
Sam. taking my hand in his and hold
ing il tightly, continued In O kindlier
tone, while he regarded me steadfastly
to observe the effect his words pro-
duced:
IF you clearly carry out my sug.
sestions, our family differences win
be mended, II not ended. What In
ENGLAND Ia thought to be q comforta.
BILE fortune win be rescued from the
Gluten Of q contemplate old crank,
who has gone wrong at the accidental
sight Of heap Of gold, and your father
and you-or one Of you-benented to
that extent. The friendship Of your
father I don't want u am sorry to say
anything painful to you. Ernest out
such is the truth; yet. ] repeat, IT
would be satisfaction to me to know
that he had been brought to q knowi'
edge Of the wrong he mas done me-
These things II In in Jour power to
effect; but to do 20 you must roe cool
and cautious, yet bold. Observe close
IT,. deliberate profoundly; and. your
conclusions once reached. act prompuy
and with vigor. Ciothe your reserve
In many words. When ! wish to avoid
making assertions. I talk most. Your
task ID not q hard one. and you have
at least an average share OF ability.
II you had been my SON ! would have
subjected you to o training which
would have. enabled you TO engage
with confidence In o matter so simple
and easy as this"
Il am sorry you have no son, uncle. "
remarked
Reserve your sorrcw for greater
need" answered uncle Sam quickly,
'.and tell me. are you disposed to fol-
low my adviceT
Eyes, uncle. I am" answered firm
II. Il believe your theory 10 correct,
and win do my best to carry out
al you have proposed"
: every good. Your prompt decision
augurs well for your success. When
win you returns"
"The sooner the better. Say next
week." suggested.
why 80, long delayT asked uncle
Sam. THE man u old and feeble.
and whenever he dies no one win be
surprised. Every day that passes tells
against us. Let me see.. This 10 Tues
day and the Umbria leaves on Thurs
day; better Let me book ron q passage
By her"
Thoughts Of leaving my Const1pce
almost a. soon as had found her
again. and Of Immediately renewing
the monotonous life on an Atlantic
liner which only two days before !
had abandoned with 20 much thank.
fulness, were far from agreeable to
me; but I was now almost as eager
as my uncle was to bring the affair
OF the sequins TO a termination. and
therefore assented to this proposal
also,
Uncle Sam was much gratifed. and
n he had not expressed his satisfaction