Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-10-30

Father intended 1 should; but his
death will probably change my plans. IT
is expensive passing through college; i
cannot afford it,
"Oh, thats all humbug. You're talking
like the old man. Why, you're rich. The
old man told me that your father left a
hundred thousand dollars. You're the only
son; you told me 80 yourself"
"Your father ls mistaken
What, wasn't your father rich3" 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. l can't tell how his affairs
stand until they are settled. l may be
left penniless."
DO you mean that?" asked Joshua,
stopping abruptly and facing his compan-
ion.
II generally mean what l say" said
Walter, rather stifly.
Joshua's answer was d low whistle Of
amazement.
Joke I've heard of lately :" and he follow
ed up this remark by a 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
think l 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.
We'll, he Is mistaken, that's all. I
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, tool Are Won
sure that none of the property will be
left2"
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 your"
Certainly. meant to do so, but I
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 admirlngly. He knows
which way his bread IL buttered. He
don't lay himself out for any poor rela-
lions, not II he knows 1t. Don't you tell
him about i till tomorrow"
why notT
Because, II you do, we'll have a mean
breakfast as usual. just want him to
think you're rich a little while longer, so
we can have something decent for once"
II don't feel willing to deceive your
fnther any longer. have not willingly
deceived him at all. would rather he
knew at once"
Tomorrow will be soon enough"
AT any rate, shall tell him toner
row then. But I've got tired walking.
Suppose we 60 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 1
suppose you were tired, Mr.. Conrad"
"A little" answered Walter.
II wonder" thought our hero, whether
she will change as soon as she finds out
that 1 am poor?" Somehow he felt that
she would not. She seemed very different
from her husband and her son, and Wal
innliy1 aI IN how
Joshua went out again soon, not hay
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 breskfasS.
81 must go back to the store" said Mr..
Dfummond the next morning, when break
fast was over. Joshua will look after
you, Mr.. Conrad. l hope you will be able
to pass the time pleasantly"
IF you can spore 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
you walk into the parlorr
Mr.. Drummond was far from anticipat-
ing the nature of Walters communica-
ton. 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 would
gladly have complied.
"I don't suppose you know how I am
situated mean in relation to my faith
er's estate. 1t is not certain that my faith
er left anything" said Walter, thinking
1t best to reveal everything at once.
"Whatp exclaimed Mr.. Drummond,
his lower jaw falling, and looking very
blank.
my father made some investments re-
Gently that turned out badly"
"But he was worth a very large prop
erty-it can't all be lost"
II am afraid there will be very little
left, If anything. He lost heavily by some
mining stock, which he bought at high
figure, and which ran down to almost
nothing"
There's the house left, at any rate
''My father borrowed its value, under
stand am afraid that must go, too"
Now, at length, it flashed upon Mr..
Drummond how he had been taken in. He
thought of the attentions he had lavished
upon Walter, of the extra expense he had
incurred, and all, as it appeared, for
boy likely to prove penniless. He might
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