Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-03-06

| ~ Do' suppose couldn't get enough
at hrst to pay my board"
You get place-" exclaimed Joshua,
III astonlshment. Il thought you was
going to college"
| rather intended I should: but his
aeath Will probably change my plans. It
IS expensive passing through college; I
cannot afford it."
On, that's all humbug. You're talking
like the old man. Why, you're rich. The
Ola man told me that your father left a
hundred thousand dollars. You're the only
son; you told me so yourself"
Your father is mistaken"
what, wasn't your father rich?" asked
Joshua, opening his small eyes in amaze
ment.
| My father was unfortunate enough to
get involved in a speculation, by which. he
lost heavily. 1 can't tell how his affairs
stand until they are settled. 1 may be
left penniless."
DO you mean that?" asked Joshua,
stopping abruptly and facing his compan-
ion.
I generally mean what 1 say" said
Walter, rather stif1y.
Joshuas answer was a low whistle of
amazement
"Whew !" he said. That's the biggest
joke I've heard Of lately )" and he follow
ed up this remark by burst of merri-
ment.
Walter looked at him with surprise. He
certainly did not know what to make of
Joshua's conduct.
Il don't see any joke about it, he said
Il don't complain of being poor, for I
think can earn my own living; but it
doesn't strike me as a thing to laugh at"
Il was laughing to think how the old
man is taken in. It's rich! He thinks
you're worth hundred thousand dollars"
said Joshua.
"Well, he is mistaken, that's all. 1
don't see how he is taken in
Hes been doing the polite, and treat
ing you as if you was a prince of the
blood. That's the reason he told the
old woman to get up such a nice supper.
He expected to get you to take him for a
guardian, and then he'd have the hand
ling of your money. Won't he be mad
when he finds out how he's been taken in?
Giving you the best room, too Are you
sure that none of the property will be
left?"
probably not much. ] am sorry to
think that your father made such a mis-
| take. | will take care to undeceive him"
What! You're not going to tell him,
are you?"
"Certainly. l meant to do so; but l
did not suppose he invited me just because
he thought l was rich"
What for, then?"
"Being my fathers cousin and nearest
relation, it didn't seem very strange that
he should have invited me on that &C
count"
THE old mans pretty shrewd," said
Joshua, rather admiringly HE knows
which way his bread Is buttered. He
don't lay himself out for any poor rela-
lions, not If he knows it, Don't you tell
him about it till tomorrow"
"Why not?"
Because, if you do, we'll have a mean
breakfast as usual. l just want him to
think you're rich little while longer, so
we can have something decent for once"
81 don't feel willing to deceive your
father any longer. l have not willingly
deceived him at all l would rather he
knew at once"
Tomorrow will be soon enough"
"At any rate, l shall tell him to-mor
row then. But I've got tired walking.
Suppose we go back"
They went back together. Mr.. Drum
mond was In the store, but Mrs Drum
mond was at home.
"You didn't go far" she said. But
suppose you were tired, Mr.. Conrad"
"a littIe,' answered Walter.
81 wonder" thought our hero, whether
she will change as soon as she finds out
that | am poor?" Somehow he felt that
she would not. She seemed very different
from her husband and her son, and Wal
ter was inclined to like her better.
Joshua went out again soon, not hav-
ing much taste for staying at home; and,
as Walter retired early, he did not see
either him or his father again till the
next morning at breakfas~.
81 must go back to the store" said Mr.
Drummond the next morning, when break
fast was over Joshua will look after
Won, Mr.. Conrad. [ hope you will be able
to pass the time pleasantly"
eff YOU can spare me five minutes, Mr..
Drummond, should like to speak to you
in private" said Walter.
"Certainly. l can spare five or ten
Minutes. or more Mr.. Conrad Won't
Won walk into the parlor"
Mr.. Drummond was far from anticipat-
inc the nature of Walters communica-
tion. Indeed, he cherished a hope that
our hero was about to ask his assistance
in settling up the estate-a request with
which. it is needless to say, he woulo
gladly have complied.
81 don't suppose you know how am
situated-I mean in relation to my tath-
er's estate. 1t is not certain that my faith
err left anything" said Walter, thinking
it best to reveal everything at once.
"Whatr, exclaimed \ Mr.. Drummond'
bic lower law falling, and looking very
blank. ro-
"My father made some investments re-
Gently that turned out badly
But he was worth very large prop
erty-it can't all be lost. ,.,.
IT am afraid there will be very httle
left, if anything. He lost heavily oy some
mining stock, which ne bought a' n
| - o,b;cb ran down to almost